Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 14
Tour, Shop, and Gather

Tons of restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the US GRANT. Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are just a bus ride away. A loose schedule of Wednesday museums tours, harbor cruises, and restaurants will be waiting for you when you check in. 

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Informal gathering at the US GRANT Libation Lounge

Thursday, March 15
Eric Maisel, GM, Dessert Buffet, & Night Owls

8:00 - 8:30 a.m.

~ Conference & Workshop Registration

8:30 - 3:30 p.m.

~ Price of Admission to the Creative Life ~ Eric Maisel
(Optional pre-conference workshop)
Renowned creativity coach on the challenges of creative work, the rewards and perils of isolation, transitions and choices, feeling deeply, dreaming big, and leading a vital, authentic life whose central activity is creating.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

~ Conference Registration

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

~ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

~ Dinner together

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

~ Night Owls

1. Troubles (the Neck and Shoulder Kind) -- Ergonomic basics: stretches, exercises and tools
   
   
2. Managing Your Own Backlist -- E-books, reprints, rewrites, getting your reverted titles working for you. 

8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Dessert Buffet ~ Members only

9:00 -10:00 p.m.

~ Night Owls

1. Getting Into the Zone -- Learn from colleagues and share your own tips on how to get in (and stay in) the flow of creating day after day.
   
   
2. Used Book Strategy Session -- Brainstorm ways to tactfully educate readers and booksellers, and protect our bottom line.  

9:30 – 10:00 p.m.

~ Dessert Buffet for Traveling Companions, Industry Professionals, and Guests

10:00 - 11:00 p.m.

 ~ Night Owls

1. Slump or Sabbatical? -- How do we manage our lives (and what do we tell our fans and friends) during those inevitable slow, between contracts times in our writing careers?
   
   
2. If Your Daughter is Not a Webmaster -- Getting the most bang from your buck with online promotion, websites, blogs, contests, etc. What's cutting edge. What works. What’s worth the trouble?

11:00 - ?  

~ Informal discussions in the Libation Lounge.

* Traveling Companions Adventure ~ 3-Day Tripper trolley pass, Passport to Balboa Park (includes admission to 13 attractions including the Museum of Man, the Air & Space Museum, Hall of Champions, Science Center, Automotive Museum…), Thursday morning guided tour and Thursday evening Dessert Buffet.

Note: Chris Green will lead an informal trolley tour of local sites on Thursday morning for Members and Traveling Companions

Friday, March 16
Research, Negotiate and Prepare for the Future, plus Afternoon Tea

7:00 - 10:00 a.m.

~ Breakfast in THE US GRANT Grill

8:00 - 5:30 p.m.

~ Tea & Coffee in the Crystal Foyer
~ Informal gatherings in the Chairman's Court
~ Plotting and collaging in Chaffee Court
~ Sessions in Crystal Ballroom

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

~ Life in the Fast Lane: Federal Agent Mike Unzueta on 25 years of investigating, working undercover, buying guns, drugs, and stolen cars…and lives to tell us about it.

10:15 - 12:00 p.m.

~ Negotiate Like You Mean It: Anita Fore, Esq., Director  of Authors Guild legal department, shares successful negotiation skills and strategies.

12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

~ Fruit Smoothie Break

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

~ The Long Tail: Chris Anderson, author of bestseller “The Long Tail”, on the revolution in markets and distribution, and how authors can grapple with these fundamental changes.

1:45 - 3:15 p.m.

~ The Future of Fiction: Roundtable with Chris Andersen (Editor, Wired), Betsy Mitchell (Editor in Chief, Del Ray), Ken Sherman (Hollywood-based literary agent), Denise Little (Editor, Tekno Books), and Daisy Maryles (Senior Editor, Publishers Weekly).

3:15 -4:15 p.m.

~ Afternoon Tea

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

~ Promotion and Presentation Skills: Media trainer Kim Dower leads hands-on workshop on the skills one needs to promote a book with clarity, passion, and success.

6:30 - ?

Connect with fellow members to continue the day's discussions and head off for a night on the town.

Saturday, March 17
Going Hollywood, Wrap-up Luncheon and “Slainte!” *

7:00 - 10:00 a.m.

~ Breakfast in THE US GRANT Grill

8:00 - 5:30 p.m.

~ Tea & Coffee in the Crystal Foyer
~ Informal gatherings in the Chairman's Court
~ Plotting and collaging in Chaffee Court
~ Sessions in Crystal Ballroom

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

~ Books Into Movies: L.A. agent Ken Sherman tells us the secrets behind the magic … and the madness.

10:15 - 12:00 p.m.

~ Acting Techniques for Writers: Ninc members Lynn Miller and Laura Resnick delve into their secret past as actors to share improv exercises, dialogue study, and sensory/memory techniques that have helped their craft as novelists. Come get up on your feet, cut loose, have a good time-or just make fun of Lynn and Laura!

12:00 - 12:45 p.m.

~ Wrap up Conference 2007 and Brainstorm Conference 2008.

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

~ Luncheon

2:00 - ?

~ Research Celtic celebration traditions at the St. Patrick’s Day Party in the Gaslamp District. Music and frolicking mandatory. 

*Gaelic form of Cheers! or Good Health! and a good thing to know for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.  Roughly pronounced “Slahn-cha!”

Sunday, March 18
Relax, Reflect, Refill-the-Well Day

Morning

~ Sunday Brunch options will be available at the conference.