10/17-10/18: Broadleaf Writers Conference

The 5th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference will return (virtually) October 17-18, 2020! To honor this milestone year, we’ve assembled the strongest list of writers you will ever find at a conference! As well, our list of agents, editors and publisher representatives will be deeper than ever! Combined with educational sessions and workshops, the 5th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference will offer you all that you need to refine and improve your craft and get you on the road toward publication! Featuring Karen Abbott, Becky Albertalli, Paul Jenkins, Clay McLeod Chapman, Rona Simmons, Roger Johns, as well as agents and publisher reps to take your manuscript pitches and critique your first page, our list is sure to be the best yet! For more info on the conference and registration, click here. SATURDAY, OCT 17th: 10:45 – 11:45 AM “Oops, I did it Again: The Darwin Award Guide to Characters” Panelists: Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Jenkins, Rona Simmons, Moderator As Anna Karenina can attest, the heart of a good story has nothing to do with happy people doing well. Drawing out your character’s flaws can show your reader symptoms of a challenging life they can relate to. This panel will offer insights and tips on how to craft mistake-prone klutzes who can’t manage to do a darn thing right, and how you can lead them down a path to realization and redemption. SATURDAY: OCT 17th: 2:15-3:15 PM “The Criminal Villain: Finding the Motivation for Your Antagonist” Panelists: Karen Abbott, Clay McLeod Chapman, Roger Johns, Moderator: A well-crafted villain can seduce your readers, test their loyalties, and even appeal to their baser instincts. It begins and ends with motivation. Though villains can be diabolical, manipulative, vicious, bloodthirsty, and ruthless, they’re more intriguing for readers when they have a reason for their actions. Join our panel for a discussion on creating a believable and motivated antagonist that your readers may secretly (or not so secretly!) root for. SUNDAY, OCT 18th: 10:30 – 11:30 AM “Writing for Comics” Panelists: Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Jenkins, Chris Negron, Moderator: Comic books are one of the fastest growing segments of the publishing industry. More writers, established and new, are turning to comics and graphic novels to tell their stories. But how is it done? What differences are there between comics and novels? And once you’ve written a comic, where do you pitch it? Join Paul Jenkins, the legendary author of Wolverine: Origin (as well as countless others!) and Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Marvel’s Scream: Curse of Carnage for a discussion on the comic book industry and some pointers on crafting a comic of your own! SUNDAY, OCT 18th: 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. “I Think We’re Alone Now: Battling the Impostor Syndrome” Panelists: Ricki Cardenas, Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Jenkins, Shelli R. Johannes, Kimberly Jones, Kris Spisak, Moderator When do you feel comfortable admitting that you’re a writer? When will you give yourself that label and feel like it fits? No matter what success a writer has, they tend to be their own worst critics. But take a moment. Breathe. You’re not alone in your fears, your insecurities, and your doubts. Listen as our panelists discuss how they have faced and fought the ever-present demon of Imposter Syndrome.