10:00-10:05
Opening Poem
MacGregor Poetry Contest Winner
10:05-10:50
Keynote
Joel Christian Gill
Join acclaimed graphic novelist, Joel Christian Gill, as he kicks off our day talking about his own adventures in writing and illustrating.
10:50-11:10
Book Signing with Joel Christian Gill
11:10-11:55
Adventures in Plotting
How Revelations Help Flesh Out Character Arcs and Drive Plot
with Erin Bowman
11:55-12:15
Book Signing with Erin Bowman
12:15-12:55
Lunch Break
Please plan to bring your own lunch or visit one of our local restaurants. We are located next to MacGregor Park for those interested in sitting outside in the case of good spring weather.
12:55-1:40
Adventures in Writing Middle Grade and Young Adult
with Ann Davila Cardinal, Julie C. Dao, Kip Rechea Wilson
Moderator: Adi Rule
Join these amazing young adult authors to talk about the process of writing YA from story spark through revision and editing.
1:40-2:00
Young Adult Authors Book Signing
2:00-2:45
Cooking Up Picture Books
With Josh Funk
Interested in writing picture books but don’t know where to start? Looking to spice up your existing manuscripts? Have a picture book idea, but intimidated by the short format? Author Josh Funk will share everything he’s learned about writing picture books – from idea generation to resources to working with illustrators and more. You’ll leave energized with the recipe for the perfect picture book manuscript!
2:45-3:05
Book Signing with Josh Funk
3:05-3:50
Navigating the Publishing World
with Ammi-Joan Paquette (Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Agent), Kirsty Walker (Hobblebush Books, President) Brian MacDonald (Self-Published Author)
Moderator: Adi Rule (Traditionally Published Author)
Grab your compass and join us for a look into different avenues of publishing. What are the pros and cons of being a self published, indie published or traditionally published author? Do you really need an agent? What can an indie publisher do that a big house can’t–and vice versa? And how, oh how, do you embark on the publishing process when you’re ready? We’ll address these questions and more.
3:50-4:10
Publishing Panel Book Signing and Meet and Greet
**Water Street Books will be selling books in the children’s room for the entire day.**