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              Conference Sessions
            NF 4 NF Children's Writing Conference                                                                September 22 - 26, 2016
Conference begins at 7:00 PM, Thurs., Sept 22, with a mixer, appetizers, and desserts. 
It ends Sunday, September 25, at noon after lunch.

BEGIN STRONG
Got Motivation? Melissa Stewart
Learn how to begin, and even more difficult, how to stay the course as you pursue a writing life.
 
When Inspiration Isn’t Enough  Pat Miller
Techniques for getting organized, staying on task, and overcoming fears.
 
Choose Topics Editors Love Kelly Milner Halls
Strategies for findings subjects that kids will love and editors will buy.
 
RESEARCH
Research—Basics and Beyond Kelly Milner Halls
Discover the best library and online resources, and much more. These strategies will help you gather credible information, no matter how non-traditional your topic.
 
Five Ways to Use Mentor Texts  Pat Miller
Published authors have gone where you want to go. Learn how to use their work to create your own.
 
WRITE
What the Heck is Informational Text by Melissa Stewart
There is a lot of confusion about nonfiction types. Learn how educators and editors define them.

The Voice of Nonfiction  Peggy Thomas
Voice, tone, and style—learn the difference and how to develop each in your own work.
 
Bridges and Scenes  Candace Fleming
Learn how to create scenes and shape them into authentic, telling moments based on your research. Then bridge them to create an engaging narrative.
 
REVISE
Big Picture Revision Peggy Thomas
Develop your manuscript’s story arc, pacing, and theme to ensure that you have crafted a compelling, unique story.
 
Four Steps to a Stronger Manuscript Melissa Stewart
When all the key pieces are in order, it’s time to tune up the language to powerfully express your ideas and capture your audience. Bring a hard copy of a work-in-progress MS to revise during this session.
 
Making the Most of Critique Groups  Pat Miller
Strategies for getting and adding group value whether you have a manuscript or not.
 
SUBMIT
From Idea to Submission Nancy I. Sanders will put everything together to show you how to land a contract with Chicago Review Press; from idea through research, from market analysis to writing and submitting a proposal to her editor.
 
Do I Need an Agent? Pat Miller
Locate publishers that accept without an agent, and learn how to get an agent if you need one.
 
Ask the Faculty (panel discussion)
The faculty will answer your burning questions. Feel free to send questions in advance.


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Do you write fiction for children?
​Here are five good    reasons you're  qualified to write nonfiction!
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September is colorful, and warm, in Rosenberg.
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Removed during renovations, this sign was discovered half buried in the bank of an area creek. It now hangs in the Civic Center, inspiring writers to refurbish their work!
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The Rosenberg Civic Center is bordered by the Seabourne Creek Nature Park which has a bird sanctuary, butterfly garden, wetlands preserve, and walking/jogging trails.