GenreCon is excited to present the following discussion panels during the 2012 conference:
Friday, November 2
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
RATED [A] [S] [V] [N] [L] [D]
Conan Doyle RoomStay up late and discusses the craft of writing adult themes, from sizzling sex-scenes to acts of horrific violence. What phrases are best avoided? When is it time to stop letting yourself get carried away? Are there any lines that shouldn’t be crossed? Our panellists will frankly discuss what works, and what doesn’t.
Participants: Yvonne Eve Walus, Denise Rossetti, Martin Livings Chair: Rosie Courtney
Saturday, November 3
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
NAILING THE BIG SCENE
Austen RoomEvery genre has them – those crucial scenes that make the story work. Whether it’s the climactic moment of your novel, or the short scene in your opening chapter that clues the reader in to the type of book you’re reading, it’s worth taking the time to get those scenes right. What does it take to nail the big scene in your novel? Join our panellists as they identify some of the crucial scenes within their genre and offer their advice for getting it right.
Participants: Daniel O’Malley, Bronwyn Parry, Karen Miller Chair: Phillipa Fioretti
OTHER THAN THE ADVANCE
Conan Doyle RoomAdvances for novels are dropping, royalty-only digital imprints are emerging in every genre, and the internet allows writers to have a closer relationship with readers than ever before. How can writers start funding their careers without relying on the advance? Join if:Book Australia’s Simon Groth as he interrogates digital publisher Joel Naoum, agent Sophie Hamley, and author Shannon Curtis about the ways writers will earn money from their work after the advance is history.
Participants: Joel Naoum, Sophie Hamley, Shannon Curtis Chair: Simon Groth
WHAT WRITERS GET WRONG
Poe RoomWhat really goes on at a crime-scene? How do private investigators do what they do? How often do fictional doctors make life-threatening mistakes? We gather together three writers who can give us the scoop on what writers usually get wrong in their portrayal of these commonly-used careers, and pass on a few pointers that can help you get your character’s right.
Participants: Simon Higgins, PM Newton, Charlotte Nash Stewart Chair: Aimée Lindorff
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
AFTER THE FIRST DRAFT
Austen RoomThe first draft is done – now what? Rewriting is a crucial part of the writing process and an important tool in your creative arsenal, but where’s the best place to get feedback on your work? What techniques can writers use to improve their own craft? What are the mistakes that will cause a publisher to reject your work as “undercooked”? Join our panel as they discuss tools for revision and resources you can turn to for feedback and refinement. From self-editing and beta-reading, to the establishment of an writer’s collective, the experiences of these professionals will be an invaluable tool in refining your redrafting process.
Participants: Jodi Cleghorn, Sarah JH Fletcher, Bernadette Foley; Chair: Irina Dunn
FINDING THE PERFECT PUBLISHER
Conan Doyle RoomToday publishers come in all shapes and sizes, forcing writers to make a series of decisions: trade or indie press? Digital or print? Commercial press or genre specialist? Is biggest always the best choice, or are there times when a smaller publisher can serve your work better? We gather together a panel of publishing specialists to discuss these questions, tell us what you should look for in a publisher, and what the publishers want in the writers they publish.
Participants: Deonie Fiford, Lindy Cameron, Rod Morrison, Haylee Kerans Chair: Kate Eltham
VILLAINS, MONSTERS & CADS
Poe RoomThere are certain veins of myth, history, and archetypes that genre writers turn to time and again in order to create their antagonists. Vampires, Hitler, werewolves, and royalty have long filled the antagonists’ role in genre fiction – but what more can history and mythology offer us? Our panellists look at some of the lesser-used creatures and historical characters that are ripe for inclusion in your next novel.
Participants: Tansy Rayner Roberts, Kim Wilkins, Christina Brooke Chair: Peta Freestone
Sunday, November 4
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
PRACTICAL WORLD-BUILDING
Austen RoomLosing yourself in an intricate and impeccably crafted world is one of the greatest reading pleasures. Learn the art of creating compelling and absorbing worlds with three master world-builders. Whether it’s a stylised representation of our own world , or a place with its own history, magic, culture, and geography, our panelists will give you the tricks, tropes, and practical tools needed to craft the perfect setting for your works.
Participants: Anna Campbell, Joe Abercrombie, PM Newton Chair: Rowena Cory Daniels
NOT JUST A NARRATOR
Conan Doyle RoomThese days writers are more than just storytellers – they’re critics, bloggers, podcasters, and other contributors to a community of readers that exists both online and off. We bring together a panel of online community leaders and authors to discuss the best way to engage with these communities – and the mistakes that can quickly alienate them.
Participants: Sarah Wendell, Vassilki Veros, Kirstyn McDermott Chair: Kate Cuthbert
CAPTURING THE MOOD
Poe RoomPlace can be more than just window-dressing of a story – in the hands of a skilled writer it’s an evocative tool that can be as compelling as the bravest protagonist. Join our panelists as they serve as tour guide for some of the evocative settings they’ve used in their work and discuss the research and experiences that went into their fiction.
Participants: Jason Nahrung, L.A. Larkin, Bronwyn Parry Chair: Damon Cavalchini
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
TEXT/SUBTEXT
Austen RoomThere’s always something going on beneath the surface of a scene, and what’s unsaid is often more powerful than the things that are made obvious. Strong sub-text can breathe life into a character, tension into a scene, and meaning into a manuscript. Join our panellists as they discuss the importance subtext plays in genre fiction and explore ways to identify and enhance the subtext in your work.
Participants: Kirstyn McDermott, Christina Brook, Craig Bezant Chair: Helen Merrick
THREE STAGES OF THE WRITER’S CAREER
Conan Doyle RoomThe journey from debut writer to established author is filled with triumphs, tragedies, and the downright absurd, and every step is filled with their own challenges and benefits. Join a debut writer, mid-career writer, and established author as they illuminate the path, sharing the clues they wish they knew at each stage of their career and arm you with the tools to navigate the journey.
Participants: Daniel O’Malley, Hélène Young, Joe Abercrombie Chair: Kate Eltham
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Poe RoomWhen is it time to put away the research and get on with writing? When does a desire for accuracy cross the line and start hurting a story? Whether it’s science, history, or some other speciality, how do you know when you’ve gone too far? Our panellists will discuss the line between too little research and too much.
Participants: Cat Sparks, Elisabeth Storrs Chair: Amie Kaufman
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