Vintage

The conference program is a work in progress. Highlights include a conversation with Simon Lipskar and Mark Tavani on agents and editors working together, a marketing discussion by M.J. Rose, a workshop from independent editor Jerry Gross on finding and working with a reputable book doctor, publicity advice from Bella Stander, agent and editor panel discussions, a panel on the young adult market, another on short stories, memoir, nonfiction, and more.

Backspace will once again be offering the popular “Two Minutes, Two Pages” workshops. Sessions will run concurrently with the program. Two agents and approximately a dozen authors meet in small groups, where the agents react to the first two pages of authors’ manuscripts as they are read aloud as if they had received the pages in slush.

Authors should be prepared for honest, objective feedback. Naturally, if one or both agents love the work, authors are welcome to make arrangements to send their material for further consideration. However, authors should be aware that the reality of this workshop is the same as in a real slush pile: Many of the opening pages will be ‘rejected.’ Authors should not participate in these workshops unless they are comfortable with this possibility.

There is no additional cost for participation. Due to space limitations, one session per person will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis until all sessions are filled. Information regarding participating agents will be announced in the weeks ahead.

PLEASE NOTE: The schedule below is tentative, and subject to change. Check back frequently for updates.

Thursday, August 7

9:00 - 9:45 (track one) Agents Panel - Laney Katz Becker, Richard Curtis, Ronnie Gramazio, Jenny Bent

(track two) Agents and Editors, Working Together - Mark Tavani, Simon Lipskar

10:00 - 10:45 (track one) Memoir Panel - Gail Konop Baker, Trish Ryan, Elisabeth Weed

(track two) Edgy Fiction - Robin Slick, Marlys Pearson, Jackie Kessler, Jenny Gardiner

11:00 - 11:45 (track one) Young Adult Panel - Lisa McMann, Heather Brewer, Michael Bourret, Chris Grabenstein (moderator)

(track two) Dialogue Workshop - Danielle Younge-Ullman

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 (track one) Editors Panel - Hilary Rubin Teeman, Kristen Weber, TBD

(track two) Short Story Panel - Jessica Keener, A.S. King, Susan Henderson, Charis Conn

2:00 - 3:00 (both tracks) Keynote Address - Mark Tavani

3:00 - 4:00 Mixer

4:00 - 5:00 (track one) Business of the Book Panel - Pam Jenoff, Scott Hoffman, Jerry Gross

(track two) Marketing Workshop - M.J. Rose

7:00 - 10:00 Cocktail Awards Reception

Friday, August 8

9:00 - 9:45 (track one) TBD, Caroline Leavitt, Leora Skolkin-Smith

(track two) Promotion Workshop - Bella Stander

10:00 - 10:45 (track one) Agents Panel - Maya Rock, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Paige Wheeler, Stephany Evans

(track two) Buy This Book! Workshop - Jeff Kleinman

11:00 - 11:45 (track one) Non-fiction Panel - Laurel Corona, TBD

(track two) Buy This Book! Workshop - Jeff Kleinman (cont.)

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 (track one) Agents Panel - TBD

(track two) Childrens/Picture Book Panel - Elizabeth Letts, TBD

2:00 - 3:00 (both tracks) Keynote Address - Lee Child

3:00 - 4:00 Mixer

4:00 - 5:00 (track one) Crime Fiction Panel - Lee Child, Harry Hunsicker, Jason Pinter, Reed Farrell Coleman

(track two) Working with a Book Doctor Workshop - Jerry Gross