Backspace Writers Conference in NYC--August 7-8, 2008

from the California desert to mid-town Manhattan...

I attended the Backspace Conference last year after I was awarded a scholarship based on submitting chapters of my novel manuscript, Edge of the Mirage. Backspace is a wonderful writers organization. Its members include new writers and bestselling authors. The conference is a good place for learning, honing your craft, and networking. Backspace members are a welcoming bunch and a lot of fun! I'll be back in NYC for another conference in the future.

The 2008 Backspace Writers Conference (August 7 & 8, Radisson Martinique, New York City) brings together literary agents, acquisitions editors, best-selling authors, and publishing professionals for a two-day, two-track program of workshops, panels, and networking in the heart of the publishing world.

In addition to keynote talks by Mark Tavani, a senior editor at Random House, and New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, program 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, a role-playing workshop from Jeff Kleinman: “Buy This Book!”, agent and editor panel discussions, and panels on the young adult market, short stories, memoir, nonfiction, crime fiction, children’s picture books, and more.

Attendance is limited to 200. $355 for Backspace members; $395 for non-members. In addition, Mystery Writers of America is offering their members a special discount. Register here.

Literary Agents: Richard Curtis, Simon Lipskar, Jeff Kleinman, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Paige Wheeler, Laney Katz Becker, Jenny Bent, Maya Rock, Michael Bourret, Scott Hoffman, Ronnie Gramazio, Elisabeth Weed, Stephany Evans, and others

Authors: M.J. Rose, Harry Hunsicker, Jason Pinter, Jackie Kessler, Heather Brewer, Gail Konop Baker, Laurel Corona, Lisa McMann, Jenny Gardiner, Danielle Younge-Ullman, Claudia Gray, Marlys Pearson, Jessica Keener, Elizabeth Letts, A.S. King, Robin Slick, Susan Henderson, Pam Jenoff, Trish Ryan, Leora Skolkin-Smith, Caroline Leavitt, Reed Farrel Coleman, Chris Grabenstein, William Powers

Editors and Other Publishing Professionals: Hilary Rubin Teeman (editor, St. Martin's), Charis Conn (contributing editor, Harper's Magazine), Kristen Weber (senior editor, New American Library), Bella Stander, Jerry Gross, Lauren Cerand, Eileen Winnick

"Backspace is relatively new but it's the real deal - which is amply proved both by the quality of discourse within and the truly amazing hit-rate its members have already achieved." – Lee Child, New York Times best-selling author

"I love being associated with you guys. Such a class act. Backspace is the pre-eminent writers organization because you guys have made it so. Always innovating, thinking outside the box, and just generally doing conferences bigger and better than they have been done before. I'm just honored to have been there from the start." – Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency

"I mention Backspace whenever I teach my writers' workshop around the country. The yearly Backspace conference is an invaluable resource. I've taught there and can’t say enough good things about the information, encouragement, and enthusiasm they provide." – David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author

From Attendees:

"I have never had such an excellent time at a conference! The presenters were uniformly accessible and pleasant. The overall mood was also excellent."

"The workshop was so well organized and run. Bravo to all of you who worked to pull together a truly remarkable event, well worth the price of admission!"

"The superlatives just flow whenever I try to describe my experience at the conference. I can't say enough or thank you enough. Superb. As I keep telling folks, it's impossible to convey what I took away from the experience, because the most valuable things are the intangibles."

"It was the best writing conference I've ever attended on all dimensions - the amount of new information, real contact with other writers and people in the industry, and the level of truth-telling made it stand out."

"I thought the conference was absolutely fantastic. The informal atmosphere and seriousness of intent combined into an exciting, very useful, very enjoyable weekend of talks and panels. I learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and got a far stronger handle on how to market my work. Many, many thanks."

La Quinta Arts Festival--March 13-16, 2008

I've never been to this art festival , but I hear great things about it. The festival has been going on for 26 years, and is consistently rated in the Top 10 of art festivals in the country. 250 artists exhibit and sell their work. Attendees are welcome to talk to the artists and learn about their craft and process. Art pieces range in price from $50-$50,000 dollars. (You might want to bring that stash of pennies...)

When: March 13-16, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: 78495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta Civic Center
Admission:$10 for adults, $15 for a 3 day pass
children 12 & under admitted free

For more information, call (760) 564-1244 or visit www.lqaf.com

7th Annual Festival of Native Film & Culture in Palm Springs--March 5-9, 2008

A few years back, while doing research for The Way Home, I spent an afternoon at the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Festival in Palm Springs. If you're in the area, here's another event that sounds fun.

On March 5-9, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will host the 2008 Festival of Native Film & Culture at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs. The Festival showcases films by, about, and starring Native people that includes feature films, documentaries, and short films by Native American and international indigenous filmmakers.

On Thursday evening, February 28th, live Native performers sponsored by the museum will be featured at VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs. The Festival officially begins on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. with a reception and screening of Four Sheets to the Wind that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

At this year’s American Indian Festival, Four Sheets to the Wind won awards in the Best Director (Sterlin Harjo) and Best Actor (Cody Lightning) categories. Camelot Theatres, located at 2300 Baristo Road, will host the screenings and receptions.

Check out the complete Festival schedule at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Web site, www.accmuseum.org or by calling (760) 778-1079, Ext. 101.

The non-profit Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, is located at 219 South Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.