Midwest Independent Publishers Association (MiPA) Spotlight
Summary:
Join MiPA leadership as they discuss independent publishing and what it could mean for your career.
Description:
Featuring: MiPA President Jason Gillikin and Administrative Coordinator Allison Hawkins. MiPA aims to create an inclusive publishing community that shares educational resources, fosters networking connections, increases the quality of independent publishing coming out of the Midwest, and helps its member publishers grow. MiPA is also a regional affiliate of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).
Sometimes, it’s the monster’s turn to be the star of the show. How do you write for when your protagonist is a bloodsucking fiend, an evil genius, or a shambling corpse?
Description:
Featuring: Jordan Kurella, Rob Cameron, S.E. Lindberg
Award-winning author Jason Sanford will explore tips and strategies that help neurodiverse writers along with how typical writing advice and expectations can sometimes be harmful.
Description:
Neurodiverse writers have always been around and frequently approach the art of fiction in different ways from neurotypical people. For authors who are on the autistic spectrum, have ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and other unique ways of experiencing the world, traditional advice on how to write fiction may actually be harmful or counterproductive. In this workshop, award-winning author Jason Sanford will explore the tips and strategies that help him create his fiction, including new advice on dealing with issues such as brain fog and neurodiverse pacing. In addition, he'll also cover how some of the typical advice given to writers, such as "put your butt in a chair and write" or "write 1000 words each day," can actually be harmful to neurodiverse authors. Jason's booklet "Tips and Strategies for Neurodiverse Writers" will be provided to all attendees.
Find the prospect of networking daunting? Join professionals and fans alike for a low stakes evening of mingling, entertainment, and fun. Sponsored by the Ray Bradbury Center and Writing Excuses.
Description:
Join our MCs Mary Robinette Kowal (Writing Excuses), Maurice Broaddus (Writers Symposium), and the panelists of the Writers Symposium for an evening of activities for everyone. Interested in sharing your prose or poem? Sign up for Mary Robinette's Lightning Readings (8:30 pm - 9:00 pm)! Want to interact with the group, but would like help starting a conversation? Stop by our Welcome Table to pick up a conversation Quest Card to fill out for a prize or a mini writing prompt zine! Find it easier to chat over a game? Join a round of Magic the Gathering (Commander and Draft) with Maurice and friends. Looking to buy a copy of a panelist's book and get it signed? Stop by Ujamaa Community Bookstore's table! Network the Gathering was created to foster connection, conversations, and competition (at least when it comes to Magic)! We look forward to seeing you there.
Reading in front of an audience is an important (and often unavoidable) part of a professional writing career. Practice reading your work in a low stakes environment with the Writers Symposium.
Description:
Mary Robinette Kowal will host a half hour of Lightning Readings during the Writer’s Symposium Network the Gathering! Sign up for a spot and prepare a 2-minute reading. Within those 2 minutes, you should include your name, the title of the piece, and the snippet of your story. We encourage you to practice beforehand and time yourself as you will be stopped at the 2 minute mark.
Readings will begin at 8:30 PM after Network the Gathering opening remarks and introductions.
Pitch your novel to Tor editor Robert Davis in a relaxed, small group setting.
Description:
Robert Davis is an editor at Tor Books, where he largely acquires fantasy and science fiction. Over the past ten years he has worked with many bestselling and award-winning authors and major franchises, including The Wheel of Time, Dune, The Black Company, Douglas Preston, O.O. Sangoyomi, and Richard Swan.
One of These Things IS Like the Others: Imposter Syndrome
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Join our panelists for a frank discussion on imposter syndrome. They’ll discuss their own experiences and how they work to squash it. And remember, you deserve to be at the table.
Description:
Featuring: A.M. Lomuscio, Aysha U. Farah, Jim C. Hines, LaShawn M. Wanak
Passion Into Profit: Business Fundamentals for Creatives
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For beginners and seasoned creatives, join James P. Nettles to learn how to turn passion into profit; expand your reach, earn sustainably, and protect your work with practical business fundamentals.
Description:
The moment you decide to earn from your passion, you have a business. Drawing on his book Business Essentials for Writers and 35+ years of consulting experience in media, entertainment, business, and technology, this workshop delivers practical frameworks to help you build a sustainable business around your creativity. Learn how to develop the systems that support your work, protect your intellectual property, and use storytelling as a powerful marketing tool. We’ll cover how to apply core business principles to grow both your creative output and your income without losing your voice or your creative soul. The session also explores how Generative AI is reshaping the landscape, and what creatives need to know to adapt, protect themselves, and stay competitive. Taught by James P. Nettles.