Flathead River Writers Conference Recap

October 6 and 7 marked the 22 Annual Flathead River Writers Conference. This year, seven speakers provided a broad range of information for writers in this rapidly changing environment.

The New Marketplace theme concentrated on traditional publishing and transitions into the digital age of publishing. This small conference and friendly venue allows close interaction with presenters and attendees.

Our keynote speaker, Mark Coker, CEO and founder of Smashwords, was a smashing success. For any writer considering e-publication, I encourage you to check out this e-publishing and marketing option at: www.smashwords.com. In addition to the detailed information Mark presented, successful Romantic Comedy, Kindle best seller author Kathy Dunnehoff paired with marketing and search-engine expert Roxanne McHenry to share their success stories. www.kathydunnehoff.com and www.eroxann.com.

Other speakers included: Agents Regina Brooks and Jeff Herman who provided on-on-one manuscript evaluations to the first 24 writers with paid registration and request, John DeDakis mystery author who writes as a woman www.johndedakis.com, and Leslie Budewitz, attorney and cozy mystery author whose new book Books, Crooks & Counselors won the prestigious 2012 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction. If you are a fiction writer, her excellent book will help you accurately depict legal issues, plots, character and setting. You can follow Leslie’s blog at www.lawandfiction.com.

This weekend the Conference Committee is meeting to share ideas about next years’ conference which is currently scheduled for the last weekend in September, 28 and 29. Save the dates and join us! See beautiful Montana and Glacier Park in the fall.