“In Your Write Mind” Writer’s Workshop at Ƶ U. 6/23-6/26
Agents and Authors to Lead Sessions and Meet with Writers
Ƶ University and Ƶ’s Writing Popular Fiction Master of Fine Arts degree program alumni group will host the tenth annual “In Your Write Mind” workshop for all fiction writers from June 23-26. “In Your Write Mind” will be held on Ƶ University’s hilltop campus in Greensburg, Pa. This workshop is open to any writer, published or unpublished, and features workshops on various elements of fiction writing in addition to presentations about the publishing industry. Attendees also have the opportunity to have their writing critiqued by peers, meet with agents, and network with other writers in a supportive, informal environment. The cost for the workshop is $145, and campus housing is available for an additional fee. For a detailed workshop schedule or to register online, click here. For more information, contact Emily Heinicka at 724-830-1005.
The featured speakers for the “In Your Write Mind” workshop are Kathleen Ortiz, agent, Lowenstein Associates, Steve Saffel, editor, Titan Books, Eddie Schneider, vice president, JABerwocky Literary Agency, and Cathy Teets, president, Headline Books, Inc. These authors will lead sessions and meet with attendees. They will participate in a special panel discussion on Saturday, June 25, at 4:30 p.m. in Ƶ University’s Reeves Theatre.
Kathleen Ortiz started her publishing career at Ballinger Publishing as an editorial assistant and interactive media designer. Today,she serves the subsidiary rights director at Nancy Coffey Literary.
Steve Saffel entered publishing via Marvel Comics, where he worked on promotions and edited behind-the-scenes magazines. He then moved to Del Rey Books and edited science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror and nonfiction. Currently, Saffel works with Titan Books, an international publisher specializing in popular culture. He edits science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, graphic novel collections, media tie-ins, biography, classic fiction and art books.
Eddie Schneider is the vice president of JABerwocky Literary Agency. He is most passionate about literary fiction, actively building his client list in science fiction, fantasy and narrative non-fiction that involves the sciences, history and contemporary social issues. Schneider has particular interest in young adult and middle grade fiction.
Cathy Teets is the president of Headline Books, Inc.. She has been publishing books for 26 years. Teets began with regional non-fiction and added fiction and a children’s book division, Headline Kids, in 2006. She developed a School Show Program; she has 52 authors who travel, speak and conduct workshops at 800 schools across the United States each year. Headline Books currently has over 100 titles, 54 of which have won national awards.
Ƶ’s unique Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Students attend two weeklong, on-campus residencies each year to master the core elements of fiction writing and effective marketing and to gain inspiration from faculty mentors and special guests, all published authors in genre fiction. Established authors mentor students one-on-one as they work toward completing a market-ready manuscript from home. Readings, classes and online discussion about the history, trends and techniques of genre fiction add depth to the student's experience. For more information about the Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program at Ƶ, click here or contact Ƶ’s Office of Graduate and Adult Studies at 724-838-4209.