2019 Authors & Workshops
Elizabeth
|
Laurie Halse
|
Susan Campbell BartolettiSusan Campbell Bartoletti is an American writer of children's literature whose work includes Kids on Strike! and Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. She was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but eventually the family ended up in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania
Writing Workshop Workshop for Muses: This is a fun, muse-friendly, generative writing workshop. Featured Books 1968: A Year of Rebellion, Revolution, & Change (MS/HS); The Boy Who Dared (MS/HS), Hitler Youth (MS/HS), They Called Themselves the KKK (MS/HS), Terrible Typhoid Mary (MS/HS); 
Margaret Peterson HaddixThings I was embarrassed by as a kid:
1. Breaking my foot because my younger brother, sister, and I were goofing off pretending that yardsticks were crutches--and then I slipped and fell and had to use crutches for real while my foot healed. When people asked, "How'd you break your foot, I usually just said, "Oh, I was leaning on something..." 2. Having my sixth grade teacher confiscate the "book" I'd written and given to my best friend to read. She made the mistake of reading it in class when she was supposed to be doing schoolwork, and so the teacher took it and read it. His only comment: "I thought you were a better speller than that." 3. Telling anyone that I was dreaming of becoming an author. I had never met an author, and it didn't seem like something that real people got to do--definitely not something that I could do! Obviously I was wrong about that! Writing Workshop "Why would anybody do that?" Figuring out your characters’ motivations can be key to not only understanding them but also letting them drive the plot of your story. In this session, Margaret Peterson Haddix will give advice on how to intertwine character development and plot based on her own experiences writing more than 40 books. Featured Books The Summer of Broken Things (MS/HS); The Children of Exile series (MS); The Strangers (MS) 
Lindsey LeavittLindsey Leavitt was born with crooked pinkies, which sometimes makes hitting the caps lock key awkward. NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTS. She has a large blended family of 6 kids, who all keep her from writing with needs like food and drives-to-school/soccer/friends. In high school, she won a Saved-by-Bell trivia contest and could probably still school you on all things Zack Morris today. She writes all her books and author bios from a cheetah-print recliner in a small Utah town.
Writing Workshop Characters: How to invent a person who feels more real than that aunt with the weird perm you've only met twice Featured Books The Pages Between Us (MS), Princess For Hire (MS), Sean Griswold's Head (HS) 
L.L. MckinneyL.L. McKinney is an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtag #WhatWoCWritersHear. She’s spent time in the slush by serving as a reader for agents and participating as a judge in various online writing contests. Elle's also a gamer, Blerd, and adamant Hei Hei stan, living in Kansas, surrounded by more nieces and nephews than she knows what to do with. Aside from rockin' the Favorite Aunt thing, she spends her free time plagued by her cat--Sir Chester Fluffmire Boopsnoot Purrington Wigglebottom Flooferson III, esquire, Baron o'Butterscotch or #SirChester for short--or defending the realm from the enemies of Azeroth. FOR THE HORDE!
Writing Workshop Fight Like a Girl Tips and tricks on choreographing and writing dope fight/actions scenes that make your readers feel like they're in the mess with your characters; whether it's hand-to-hand combat, a firefight, or spellslinging. Featured Books A Blade So Black (HS) 
Adam SilveraAdam Silvera changes his Hogwarts House a lot, but currently identifies as a Ravenclaw even though he went to summer school three years in a row. He is tall for absolutely no reason.
Writing Workshop Adam will talk about the advantages of writing from other characters' perspectives, plus how to feel a closeness to characters who don't have a POV in the novel. Featured Books They Both Die At The End (HS), What If It's Us (HS), History Is All You Left Me (HS), More Happy Than Not (HS) 
greg SmithGreg Smith lives in the Pacific Northwest. He is a nerd through and through. He writes comics, screenplays, short stories, and poems. He worked at Taco Bell and still eats there. He is married to an amazing woman who owns her own business and supports his creative side. They have two dogs and a cat . He has a day job that allows him to keep his feet on the the ground while his head is in the clouds. He was/is also a professional Clown.
Writing Workshop My workshop will be called "Comically Speaking": failing upward, teamery (I mean team work in the digital age), and keeping your head in the clouds with your feet on the ground while writing and working in comics. Featured Books Junior Braves of the Apocalypse Volume 1: A Brave is Brave. (MS/HS) Junior Braves of the Apocalypse Volume 2: Out of the Woods. (MS/HS) 
Charles BeachamIf you'd asked me when I was 15 what I was going to be when I grew up I would have told you with full confidence that I was going to be a rockstar. I am not a rockstar. But I do have a pretty cool job.
I'm comic book editor (yep, I worked for Marvel), I make video games, and I'm currently writing my first novel. Star Wars is my life. I'm the oldest of eight kids and even as an adult I still tease and argue with my youngest brother (he's 8). My wife has to remind me to quiet down when we're out in public because I get really loud when I'm excited. Writing Workshop Plot vs. Character: What Drives You? The best stories have both incredible characters and an unforgettable plot, but which comes first? We'll explore the differences between plot-driven and character-driven stories, how the two work together, and determine which style of storytelling you favor. Featured Books TBD 
Jeff ZentnerJeff Zentner once owned a pet sloth. Their relationship ended when he gave it a bath. It’s a long story. Jeff loves smelling scented candles and pictures of raccoons in tuxedos and hates man’s inhumanity to man and wasps. He writes books.
Writing Workshop Giving Your Characters a Voice In this workshop I’m going to teach you how to write dialogue that moves with energy and vigor to bring your characters to life and keep readers turning pages. In our time together, I’ll also teach you how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls of bad dialogue. Featured Books Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee (MS/HS) |
