Among those joining us September is John Vorhaus, author of The Albuquerque Turkey, his wildly readable sequel to The California Roll. Chronicling the capers of grifters Radar Hoverlander and Allie Quinn, Kirkus calls his latest, “Pleasantly preposterous.” Booklist raves, “Clever and glib and fine entertainment.” Even Publishers Weekly assures that “Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen fans should be pleased.” Also a screenwriter, John’s The Comic Toolbox: How to be Funny Even if You’re Not remains the seminal book on writing comedy for TV and film, and his numerous titles on poker, including the six-volume Killer Poker series, remain ridiculously popular. Along with being Friday evening’s special guest speaker, as is befitting, John will be conducting a rather unique workshop.
Andrew Peterson, whose breakout novel First to Kill evolved from our PS2 event, is back. His latest to feature former Marine sniper Nathan McBride, Forced to Kill, is out tomorrow on Audible.com read by none other than the voice of Jack Reacher, Dick Hill. Following a far too long hiatus, author and award-winning filmmaker Pamela Jaye Smith returns. Her latest, Symbols * Images * Codes: The Secret Language of Meaning in Film, TV, Games and Visual Media, should prove especially useful for book writers in this Age of the Entrepreneurial Author.
Joining us for the first time is playwright, television and screenwriter Kat Smith. Named one of the “25 New Indie Faces to Watch” by Filmmaker magazine, Kat’s scripted for ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox/FX, Starz/Encore, Warner Brothers, Universal and others, is an alumnus of AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women and Film Independent’s Directors lab. Kat will debut a severe character building workshop culled from her 20 years of professional experience, as well as her studies with renowned acting teacher William Esper and lifetime fascination with psychology.
Plenty of familiar friends will be with us in Newport Beach, including such popular workshop leaders as Judy Reeves, Laura Taylor and Robert Yehling. Behler Publications editorial director Lynn Price will be there. And, of course, Drusilla Campbell will be conducting yet another round of her total immersion NovelCram: Building the Better Book. On the agents front, Gordon Warnock of Andrea Hurst & Associates and van Haitsma Literary’s Sally van Haitsma are committed, with plenty others yet to be announced.
Lots more updates comin’ up. Remember that the Newport Beach conference is more limited in size than San Diego. Reserve your spot by taking advantage of the $75 Early “Bard” Discount today.
