Roundup 2011
Sept. 16—17, 2011
The Riverwoods Conference Center
Lodging available at the Marriott SpringHill Suites
(adjacent to the conference center)
1-435-750-5180
635 South Riverwoods Parkway
Logan, Utah
Roundup room rate: $89
Questions about the Round-Up can be directed to writerscache435@gmail.com.
Below are bios of this year's presenters:
Waddie Mitchell
The League of Utah Writers is proud to present special guest Waddie Mitchell, America’s premiere cowboy poet and western storyteller. Waddie has performed internationally for audiences from Los Angeles to New York, Zurich to Melbourne, and all points in between. He has appeared on The Tonight Show, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, TNN, The History Channel, and PBS. Waddie holds the title of Adjunct Professor from the University of Wyoming and has been featured in People, Life, New York Times, USA Today, Fortune, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal and the official program for Super Bowl XXX, along with numerous other appearances, performances, articles and books. Listen to one of Waddie's readings at www.somagency.com/waddiemitchell/ | ||
Alexander Gordon Smith Alexander Gordon Smith, is the bestselling author of the Escape From Furnace series (YA) and the Inventors books (middle grade). He is also the author of two creative writing handbooks – Inspired Creative Writing and Writing Bestselling Children's Books – and has taught hundreds of creative writing workshops across the UK. He writes screenplays too, and two of his projects are currently in development as feature films. He is the founder of Egg Box Publishing, a small poetry press, Inkling Studios, a publishing house specializing in children's books, and Fear Driven Films, a movie production company. In 2009 he was named by the Courvoisier Future 500 as one of the most promising young entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. Learn more about him at www.alexandergordonsmith.com. | ||
John Brown John Brown is an award-winning novelist and short story writer. This first book in his epic fantasy series was published October 2009 by Tor Books. It’s called Servant of a Dark God and is set in a world where beings of immense power ranch humans for their souls. Other forthcoming novels in the series include Curse of a Dark God and Dark God’s Glory. He currently lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and an occasional wolf. Brown’s agent is Caitlin Blasdell of Liza Dawson Associates. | ||
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN CELEBRITY: Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger in twenty seven seconds, carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream - to attend Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. He is the only player in the school's history to be carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders. In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story with critically acclaimed, blockbuster film, RUDY. Today, a highly sought after motivational speaker, Rudy teaches with the same enthusiasm, portraying the human spirit that comes from his personal experiences of adversity and triumph. His captivating personality and powerful message of "YES I CAN" stays with his audiences forever. | ||
Larry Correia Larry Correia is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter series for Baen Books. He graduated with a degree in accounting from Utah State University and went to work for a Fortune 500 company as a financial analyst. Eventually, Larry ended up in the gun business, where he was a machinegun dealer, firearms instructor, and freelance writer for various gun magazines. Most recently he has worked in military contracting. He was one of the 2011 finalists for the prestigious John W. Campbell award for best new sci-fi/fantasy author. Larry lives in the mountains of Utah with his very patient wife and children. Vistit Larry's blog at www.larrycorreia.wordpress.com/ | ||
Clint Johnson Clint Johnson is a writer of stories for children, teens, and adults in a variety of genres. He is the author of the middle grade fantasy Green Dragon Codex (written as R. D. Henham and published by Wizards of the Coast), as well as numerous other novels, novellas, short stories, and articles. In addition, he teaches writing in a one on one setting at Salt Lake Community College's Writing Center, where he has conducted over 4,500 individual sessions, and works as a freelance editor and writing coach. His previous experience includes journalism, work on an academic editorial staff, professional technical writing, and serving as judge for writing contests and in organizational positions for workshops, conferences, and contests. He is an Active member of the SFWA, a Published and Listed member of the SCBWI, a member of the UCWI, and a frequent speaker, workshop leader, and assembly presenter for audiences ranging from elementary school children to professional educators to published writers. For more information about Clint, his writing, and his teaching and editing services, see his web site: http://ClintJohnsonWrites.com. | ||
Maxwell Alexander Drake Maxwell Alexander Drake, or Drake as he prefers to be called, is an award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Graphic Novelist. Drake teaches creative writing around the country as well as for the library district in Las Vegas, NV. Find out more about him at his website, www.maxwellalexanderdrake.com. | ||
Rod Miller Rod Miller is author of two books of poetry, two novels, and two works of nonfiction. Numerous magazine articles, essays, short stories, and book reviews are also among his publications. He’s a member of the Wordcraft chapter and serves on the Executive Board of Western Writers of America. Visit him online at www.writerRodMiller.com. | ||
Michael Zimmer Michael Zimmer has been a selling author since 1978, with both fiction, non-fiction, and photo features published in magazines as diverse as Easyriders and Muzzleloading. He has had eight novels published to date. His latest, The Long Hitch, was released from Five Star Westerns in 2011. Two other Five Star novels, City of Rocks and Beneath A Hunter's Moon, are scheduled for 2012. You can read more about Zimmer and his work at: www.michael-zimmer.com. | ||
Evan Gregory Evan Gregory is an Associate Agent at the Ethan Ellenberg Literary agency, and is currently seeking new clients. He attended Pratt Institute and cut his teeth at the Susan Golomb Literary Agency. In addition to servicing his own clients, Evan manages the subsidiary rights sales for agency clients such as John Scalzi, MaryJanice Davidson, Christine Warren, Gail Martin, and Eric Rohmann. He currently resides in Brooklyn. Interests include:Fiction: Children's, Historical Fiction, Literary, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense, Women's Fiction, Young Adult/Juvenile. | ||
Eliza Rothstein Eliza Rothstein joined The Susan Golomb Literary Agency in 2009. She is interested in literary fiction, up-market women's fiction, interconnected short story collections, smart young adult novels, international fiction, narrative non-fiction, popular science, pop culture, memoir, and food writing. First and foremost, she is looking for stories with distinctive voices, unique settings, and relatable characters. Eliza is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Columbia Publishing Course. She is also a founding member of the non-profit organization City Readers, which donates children’s books to public and charter schools throughout New York City. | ||
Lisa Mangum Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997. Besides books, Lisa loves movies, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of The Hourglass Door (which was named the 2009 YA Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews), The Golden Spiral (which was named the 2010 YA Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews), and The Forgotten Locket. | ||
Daniel Coleman Daniel Coleman spends his time back and forth between two worlds—the fantastic world of Writing where happy endings are common, and the very real-life world of Firefighting where the outcomes are as varied as the emergencies. A small farming town in northern Utah is his home, where he resides with his wife, 3 kids and an ever-changing menagerie. Daniel’s debut novel came out in April 2011. It is a short novel entitled Jabberwocky based on Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece poem. His second book. Hatter came out in June. Both are available in all major E-book formats. | ||
Jennifer Sinor Jennifer Sinor teaches creative writing at Utah State University where she is an associate professor of English. Her work has appeared in The American Scholar, Fourth Genre, Ecotone, The Chronicle of Higher Ed, and elsewhere. An essay of hers is anthologized in the fifteenth edition of The Norton Reader, due out this fall. | ||
Josi S. Kilpack Josi Kilpack has been writing for twelve years and her fourteenth novel, Pumpkin Roll, will be released September 2011. Currently serving as president of the Whitney Awards, Josi is actively involved in the Utah writing community and frequently teaches on a variety of writing topics. In addition to her writing, Josi enjoyed running, baking, and long Sunday naps. You can learn more about Josi and her books at www.josiskilpack.com. | ||
Julie Wright Julie Wright has written over a dozen books, but especially loves writing about the fantastic. She is a Whitney Awards winner. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves life and has a healthy respect for ice cream. She especially loves reading, writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch videos. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. Visit her at her website: www.juliewright.com. Visit Hap and Tara at www.hazzardousuniverse.com. | ||
Heather B. Moore Heather Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so google.com has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. Visit her website: www.hbmoore.com or if you are an aspiring writer, Heather runs the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com. | ||
Lu Ann Staheli Lu Ann Staheli is an award-winning teacher and author. Her three Best of State titles include Best of State educator and Best of State in literary arts for non-fiction for 2010 and 2011. Lu Ann is the author of two memoirs, When Hearts Conjoin and Psychic Madman. As a columnist and reviewer, Lu Ann reads hundreds of books a year. Visit Lu Ann’s website here: www.luannbrobststaheli.com/ or her blog: www.luannslibrary.blogspot.com/. | ||
Annette Lyon Annette Lyon is a Best of State winner and recently won the 2010 Whitney Award for her military wives novel: Band of Sisters. She is also the author of several historical novels, as well as two other contemporary novels, and the cookbook: Chocolate Never Faileth. Annette is a grammar guru and compiled her grammar advice into There, Their, They’re: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar from the Word Nerd. Visit Annette at her website: www.annettelyon.com. | ||
Patricia G. Stevenson PATRICIA G. STEVENSON, author of the Professor Del Channing Murder Mystery series, had already written seven novels in the series before deciding to publish. Born and reared in the West, Patricia’s been active in the business community for many years. Vice president of Gastronomy Inc, which owns the prestigious Market Street Grill Restaurants. She cooks up killer trackdowns with relish. Brim full of life experiences she’s inhaled from her vast travels from Bangkok to Bali, Istanbul to Israel, Russia to the rain forests of New Zealand. With cunning she churns it all into characters of the Professor Del Channing mystery series, characters that connive and even kill. Find more about her murder mysteries by going online: PatriciaGstevenson.com | ||
Carolyn Campbell CAROLYN CAMPBELL is the agent part of the Patricia G Stevenson Murder Mysteries team. Carolyn is a reporter for the LA Bureau of People Magazine. She is also the author of three nationally-published books and 800 magazine articles, in publications such as Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook, Family Circle, Writer’s Digest and Guideposts. Named Writer of The Year by League of Utah Writers in 1997. In this workshop she will dazzle you with so many ways to find an agent to promote your book. Carolyn has a fire hydrant delivery of ingenius, almost devious ways to break through barriers to the ultimate goal of publishing, marketing, and finally selling what you have had so much fun writing. | ||
N. Kay Stevenson KAY STEVENSON is the art part of the Patricia G Stevenson Murder Mysteries team. Kay is winner of over a dozen awards for sculpting, illustration and design during a 31 year career in Los Angeles. Among his clientele were Capitol Records, NBC, CBS, RKO Radio, Warner Brothers Records, Max Factor, Century Records, Pfizer Lab, Mattel Toys, with an extremely diverse array of art styles. In their workshop Kay will offer powerful helps to find the right artist to design covers which target, draw in potential buyers, compell their interest, and immediately elevate your stature and reputation. Kay will even workshop with you, on the spot, brainstorm the design of your own bookcover. | ||
Rick Chiantaretto I’ve often been accused of having done more in my life than the average 28 year old, but if I were completely honest I’d have to tell you my secret: I’m really 392. I have one book published and another half written (when you have eternity where’s the reason to rush?). My how-to-write-horror articles have been quoted in scholarly (aka community college freshmen’s) papers, and I’ve been favorably reviewed by horror greats like Nancy Kilpatrick - but mostly I just try to keep a low profile so people don’t figure out who I really am. | ||
Sara Fitzgerald Sara Fitzgerald is 2006 Writer of Year for the League of Utah Writers. She is a Best Selling author for Champagne books. Her debut Young Adult Novel, Darkness Within, will be available in September 2011. She loves writing and is excited to be a presenter. | ||
Amber Argyle Amber Argyle grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing her debut novel. She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children. Her debut, Witch Song, has been listed as the 5th most popular release of September on Goodreads. They recently sold Indonesian rights. | ||
Shauna Dansie Shauna Dansie is a professional writer with over thirteen years of experience. She has built a successful writing business entirely through client referrals and has worked on numerous international teams. She partners with corporations and individuals on the development and execution of branding, marketing and web strategies. She is a sought after consultant on the intricacies of social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. However, one of her favorite roles is teaming up with clients as a fiction “book doctor.” Shauna is a multi-award winning fiction and non-fiction author. Her fiction stories June’s Inferno and A Blessed Life were selected for inclusion in the Utah Voices anthology published by the American Fork Arts Council in April. Her story Why Me? will be included in the second edition of Angels Round About, the follow-up to Covenant Communications best-selling compilation. Shauna completed her first novel, a historical fiction set in the 1860s, recently and is midway through her a second commercial fiction novel. Shauna is a member of the Oquirrh Writers chapter and has served in various capacities, including President. Shauna also serves her community by volunteering as a writing tutor and mentor to youth in her area. Shauna holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Utah’s prestigious Organizational Communication program with a minor in Business Marketing. She lives in South Jordan with her husband, two daughters and two cats named after candy bars. Shauna can be contacted at shaunadansie@q.com or 801-253-6504. For examples of Shauna’s writing, you can visit her blog at http://shaunadansie.wordpress.com. |
