
If you’re a writer, you’ll find Life, The Universe, & Everything (LTUE) an excellent convention. Yes, it’s focused on science fiction and fantasy, but the principles of writing discussed apply generally and there are a lot of authors who will be there that write in different genres–YA, romance, etc. In fact, there will be a LOT of published authors there, period–including two that have recently been on the NY Times best seller list and others who have just broken in.
If I were an aspiring author, I’d be making sure I had arrangements to attend at least part of the convention. Follow the link above and look at the list of panel topics. And remember: it’s open to all and FREE of charge.
Dates: Feb 11-13, 2010
Wilkinson Center
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-4636 (BYU information line)
I’ll be doing the following. Hope to see you there!
BTW, Stephen Nelson has graciously offered to film the workshop. If the recording and class pass muster, we’ll post it for your viewing enjoyment!
Thursday, Feb 11
5 – 7 PM: Writing workshop: “How to Write a Story That Rocks” (John Brown, Larry Correia)
Friday, Feb 12
9 AM: Panel: “Paths to publishing: When is traditional best and when should you try an alternative” (Stacy Whitman, John Brown, Dan Willis, Eric Swedin, Sandra Tayler)
Noon: I will be attending Dan Well’s Pacing and Story Structure presentation.
1 PM: Panel: “Killer Openings – How to write a gripping, engaging and interesting opening paragraph” (Dr. Steven C. Walker, John Brown, Mette Harrison, Heather Horrocks)
Saturday, Feb 13
9 AM: Panel: “A Guys Take on Writing Romance (Male Panelists)” (L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Clint Johnson, Aleta Clegg, Dan Willis, John Brown)
Noon: Panel: “Building different cultures….” (L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Roger White, John Brown, Brandon Mull, Marty Brenneis)
1 PM: Signing. (Wish very much I could go to Eric James Stone’s reading at the same time. I’ve gone to 2 or 3 of his and have never been disappointed)
2 PM: Reading from CURSE OF A DARK GOD.
John,
Got a really odd question that I hope doesn’t make me sound too weird.
I’ve been planning to buy your book but live in Rhode Island. We do not have a Smith’s here. Is it better for you if I just buy it at my local Borders or could we assist you more if I could find someone in UT who could buy it for me at a Smith’s? The idea, of course, is to potentially get them to carry you in greater numbers/stores.
I’m not sure which market helps you out greater; the Southeastern New England area or giving a little nudge to Smith’s. If you have a preference, please let me know! 😀
Andrewv,
You’re a peach. The Smith’s is an intermountain grocery chain owned by Kroger Food. So while a purchase from one of the UT Smith’s stores would help best, it seems impractical to me to have someone go through the rigmarole of having someone pick it up for you and ship it. So I’d say just buy from B&N, Borders, BooksAMillion–whoever has it there locally. Or online. Hope you enjoy it.
BTW, you might want to try reading chapters 5,6,7, and 8 first. Then the current 1,2,3,4. That’s how we had it originally. For reasons too long to go into here, we re-sequenced in the final version. But I tested the original at LTUE and think you might want to try it that way. Let me know how it goes if you do.
Heh, sounds good to me, John.
I’ll get cracking on acquiring the book. Or course, my wife will probably steal it from me first (she loves to read my books first and reads faster than I do) so I shall also give her the advice about re-ordering the chapters.
Thanks!
Andrew