Category: Writing Conferences

Update on the California Dreamin’ Conference

Happy New Year! 

The Twelve Days of Christmas have almost passed, but there’s still time for you to register for the California Dreamin’ Conference, at the regular rate, before prices go up on January 15, 2017. 

Your California Dreamin’ Committee is working hard to make this year’s conference the best ever. We’ve lost some presenters for business and personal reasons, including OCC member Kitty Bucholtz who is now residing in a beach front home in Wellington, New Zealand (tough life, right?!). 

But, we’re excited to announce we’ve added a new speaker, Robin Blakely, a top business coach, who’ll present a workshop STORYography Cards: From Big Idea to Marketing Success. 

Here’s part of the blurb for her workshop:

Writers, you CAN make a solid living from your talent. But first, you have to write or re-write the storyline for the success of your talent-driven brand. Top business coach Robin Blakely, CEO of Creative Center of America and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, shows you how to bring structure–and a sense of peace–to the common chaos of your creative career. 

And there are still spots available for Debra Dixon’s Book Camp on Friday, March 24, 2017. 

 This pre-conference add-on provides valuable tools a writer needs to pull a book together. The intensive workshop covers the three most important elements of popular fiction-goal, motivation and conflict (GMC), and how those elements work with the mythic structure of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to help writers conceive and create strong plots and compelling characters.

Book Camp is available as a single purchase for those not attending the conference. Writers from any genre will benefit and are most welcome.  

If you have questions, check out the conference FAQ page, or come speak to me or Jann Audiss at the January OCC meeting. 

Alina K. Field 

The Latest on the California Dreamin’ Writers Conference

At the last OCCRWA meeting, Jann Audiss and I updated everyone on the latest plans for the California Dreamin’ Writers Conference.

Ready for your Headshot?

Even putting aside holiday distractions (who has time to bake cookies?) committee members are working away, ironing out details for the upcoming conference. As we announced, in November, Jann and I met with VJ Dunraven of Period Images and her two top designers, and we’re happy to announce that they’ll be providing custom head shot services on Saturday of the conference. They’ll even bring along makeup and hair experts to give clients the best camera-ready look possible.

Calling all Readers

I also want to mention that reader signups have opened for California Readin’, the Barbara Vey Event for Readers. Do you know an avid romance reader? Invite her to sign up for this event here. Tickets are $5, and each attendee will receive a bag of author sponsored swag and a $5 coupon to spend at the book signing that follows the event. Also, everyone is welcome to participate in the weekly Facebook parties at the California Readin’ Facebook page for a chance to party with authors and score some giveaways.

Saturday Night Parties

Some of our special presenters will be holding special Saturday night events for the lucky winners of our opportunity drawing. Here’s the lineup:

• Deb Dixon will host “Through the Looking Glass”, a frank Q&A with someone who’s been on the front lines an in the trenches over the years
• Sarah MacLean and Tessa Dare will host a tea, and chat about the Regency
• Laura Drake will talk about “Bikers and Cowboys after Dark”
• M.A. Taylor is back with “Cop Tales”

Workshop Lineup

All of this is on top of our lineup of workshops, running from Friday night through Sunday morning. Get a peek at our workshop lineup here.

Questions?

If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Jann Audiss or me, or better yet, submit your questsion to http://caldreaminwriters.com/contact-us/ and a committee member will get back to you.

There’s still time to register before the price goes up on January 15th, so why not put this conference on your holiday wish list!

Wishing all of you a wonderful December and the happiest of holidays!

Alina K. Field