Authors living and writing in the Midwest come from a culture often overlooked and misunderstood. It is as if the only reality is either the East Coast, the West Coast, or some fantasy land. As I write novels and short stories set in the Midwest, I am surprised and pleased by my readership who appreciates things like ‘windblown prairies, tuna hotdish at Ladies Aid, a farmer’s wave from a pickup truck’. In our rural and small-town lives, we carry people’s secrets close to the chest because we know that in a springtime flood or a winter snowstorm the woman who cheated on her husband or the man who ‘maybe’ killed his wife might be the person we will need to rely on in the moment of crisis. All of which makes for good crime and mystery writing.

A former children’s book editor and marketer for Scholastic, Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than 100 books for kids, tweens, teens (and a few for adults), ranging from work-for-hire movie novelizations and Scooby-Doo mysteries to funny chapter book series and heartfelt middle-grade novels to adult romantic comedies and edgy teen romance. Erin has worked with every major children’s book publisher (except Harper Collins), she has self-published 3 novels, and has edited numerous NYT Bestselling authors. Come to this session where she will share her winding path to becoming a published author, then leave lots of time for you to ask her ANYTHING about children’s publishing, writing books kids love, agent questions, the editorial process, the truth about revision, etc. Much of this session will be structured as an open Q&A and discussion (with lots of tips, tricks, and advice) that will combine brutal honesty, helpful encouragement, and plenty of time for conversation.

Nonfiction writing is a vast arena encompassing all kinds of writing such as essays, articles, blogging, and books. In this workshop, we’ll explore what it is you want to write about (your message), identify your audience, and cover the basic elements of a book proposal. This workshop will be especially helpful for participants who want to incorporate their writing into their professional work or business.

Did your great uncle collect matchbooks? Was your cousin’s brother a lumberjack-turned-Vaudeville star? Is your mother “unusual?” Create better characters in your writing by using elements of the most engaging people you know. Bring your pen and notebook and join writer, songwriter, and storyteller, Elisa Korenne, in transforming your anecdotes into engaging stories.