Update on the California Dreamin’ Conference
January 2, 2017 by A Slice of Orange in category Writing Conferences tagged as Orange County, Writing 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
December 2, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Writing Conferences tagged as Orange County, Writing conferenceAt 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
0 0 Read moreCalifornia Dreamin’
November 10, 2016 by A Slice of Orange in category Writing Conferences tagged as Orange County, Writing conferences
Have you registered yet for the 2017 California Dreamin’ Writers’ Conference?
When the conference committee held its first meeting in the summer of 2015, March of 2017 seemed a long way off. But time gets away from us, and the conference is only a little over four months from now!
From Friday’s Book Camp, presented by Debra Dixon, through our Sunday afternoon keynote speaker, Sarah MacLean, the conference offers something for writers at all stages of their careers.
Jann Audiss and I will be at the November 12th OCCRWA meeting and will be happy to answer your questions. Or, you can always submit questions via the California Dreamin’ website, https://caldreaminwriters.com/contact-us/ and a committee member will get back to you.
Hotel rooms are filling up quickly, and registration discounts for RWA and chapter members end January 15, 2017. If you’ve been thinking about registering, why not add the conference to your holiday wish list? You don’t want to miss it!
Alina K. Field
0 0 Read moreHappy Birthday, OCC!
October 6, 2015 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as Birthday Bash 2015, Linda O. Johnston
But that doesn’t mean I’ll fail to wish OCC a Happy Birthday. In fact, consider this blog my birthday wish!
I gather, from the OCC website, that this will be the chapter’s 34th birthday. That’s really exciting, especially considering that it has been, and remains, an especially dynamic chapter. We’ve got lots of published authors as well as many romance writers who are heading that direction. The chapter, and its members, have helped every one of us at whatever writing level we are. We’ve all watched and participated in how much the industry has changed over time. It’s wonderful!
I’ve been a member for over twenty years and have always loved it. I intend to remain a member for years to come, and to continue to attend as many meetings as possible. Unfortunately, it won’t include this one.
So, again, Happy Birthday, OCC. Have a wonderful celebration… without me.
Linda
O?
Linda O! Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
BITE THE BISCUIT, A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery
KNOCK ON WOOD, a Superstition Mystery, October 2015
CANADIAN WOLF, an Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturne
RWA National Retrospective
August 6, 2015 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as 2015 RWA National Conference, A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery, A Superstition Mystery, An Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturne, Harlequin, Linda O. Johnston
I’ve been going to the RWA National Conferences frequently for quite a few years now. They always seem fun and informative. These days, there is so much to learn about changes in how to publish as well as the entire publishing industry. The largest traditional publishers keep merging. Smaller publishers appear frequently and some are quite successful.
Then there’s the whole nearly-new world of successful self-publishing. Plus, the term “hybrid” was used a lot at the conference, meaning it’s good and potentially helpful for an ongoing career for a writer to both traditionally publish and self publish.
So, I attended workshops and panels, including my own panel with other mystery authors who also write romance, about how our careers pre-writing helped us with our writing as well. I saw my agent and my Harlequin editor. I went to the Meet-and-Greets for the two Harlequin series I write for and learned about what was going on. And I of course attended the always delightful Harlequin party.
I wound up staying in an overflow hotel rather than the main conference hotel, and the one I was in was horrible, unfortunately. It was being remodeled. My room was dark at night with inadequate lights. Cleaning was iffy. But at least it was near the conference hotel.
Next year RWA National will be in our backyard: San Diego. Will I attend?
Sure!
www.LindaOJohnston.com BITE THE BISCUIT, A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery
Featured Books
#Me Too
#MeToo: Essays About How and Why This Happened, What It Means and How To Make Sure It Never Happens Again
More info →
THE CONSPIRACY
When family ambition turns deadly Chase Garrett must keep Harper safe and both of them alive.
More info → 
