9th Annual Fiction Writing for Physicians
9th Annual Fiction Writing for PhysiciansOctober 24-26, 2008 Falmouth, MA Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort |
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Taught by NY Times best selling physician-authors:
Michael Palmer, MD
author of Critical Judgment, Silent Treatment, Natural Causes,
Extreme Measures, Flashback, Side Effects, The Sisterhood, Miracle
Cure, The Patient, Fatal, The Fifth Vial,
and The First Patient
Tess Gerritsen, MD
author of Body Double, Harvest, Life Support, Bloodstream, Gravity, The
Surgeon, The Apprentice, The Sinner, Vanish,
The Mephisto Club, and The Bone Garden
Featuring THIRTEEN Literary Agents looking for new physician-authors
Executive Summary
Make your writing dream a reality
at SEAK’s 9th Annual Medical Fiction Writing for Physicians Workshop. Medical Fiction Writing For Physicians has been designed to give aspiring physician authors what they have never before had: hands-on and practical training on how to write medical fiction and get published.The course is taught by two New York Times best-selling physician-authors, Michael Palmer, MD and Tess Gerritsen, MD.
Like all SEAK training, Medical Fiction Writing For Physicians will be hands-on, lively, and interactive. Attendees will have the opportunity to get all their questions answered. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get their writing and query letters reviewed and evaluated. The faculty also features numerous literary agents looking for new physician-authors. Space is limited for this special workshop. Early registration is highly recommended.Seminar Preconferences
The Secrets to Writing a Best-Seller
October 23, 2008
How to Write Riveting Dialogue
October 23, 2008
Medical Fiction Writing That Sells
October 24, 2008
Non-Fiction Writing for Physicians
October 24, 2008
Creating Memorable Characters
October 24, 2008
How Physicians Can Get Their First Novel Published
October 24, 2008
Here's what past attendees have to say!
"I attended the Seak Fiction
Writing Conference in 2006. Partly as a result of the many excellent
ideas, hints and advice, I revised and finished Diamonds of Death, a
surgical thriller. [guts, gore, sex, surgery]. Five Star Publications
published it and it came out in February. It is in a way, a testimony to
the conference." John Raffensperger, MD
“Far exceeded my expectations. I’d pay 3 times as much to attend!”
“Absolutely fantastic. Insightful. Informative and detailed. Bottom line and essential information.”
“Excellent and useful.”
“Well done.”
“Always interested in writing, this was the push I needed.”
“Perfect!”
“I appreciated all the anecdotal material, you can’t find this in books.”
“Excellent, inspiring, informative. I’m totally encouraged to write and will consider returning to the conference.”
“The seminar motivated me, and leaves me feeling that a door has been opened.”
“Outstanding, I loved it!”
“Excellent presentation, excellent speakers.”
“Very good.”
“The speakers were great. My only feedback is THANK YOU!”
Seminar Benefits
•
Learn to write from your peers who have made the transition from practicing physicians to international bestselling authors• Gain practical writing experience
• Get written feedback from concise writing exercises dealing with conflict, premises, dialogue, and writing action scenes
• Have a portion of your manuscript (if you have one) reviewed and critiqued by a faculty member at no extra charge
• Soup to nuts fiction writing: from naming characters to getting an agent and getting published
• Have your query letter reviewed and critiqued (with suggested improvements) by a faculty member at no extra charge
• Have your query letter placed in the hands of numerous literary agents (if desired)
• Gorgeous location
• Motivation to write – Others have made the breakthrough and so can you!
• Enter the National Fiction Writing Competition for Physicians and help launch your writing career
• Have your books signed by two New York Times best-selling physician-authors
• Network with agents and colleagues at the seminar meals and during the private “book party” reception Saturday night
• Small group breakout sessions with agents Sunday morning
• Breakfast and lunch with Michael and Tess each day
• An unforgettable, inspiring experience
• Actually have fun at a conference for physicians!
Topics Covered
•
Personal Success Stories: Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen• Mechanics of Writing: Premises vs. Plot, Ideas, Settings and Atmosphere, Showing vs. Telling, Points of View
• Character: Naming and Describing, Back Story, History, Motivation, Relationships, Conflict, Dialogue, Minor Characters, Evolution of Characters
• Plot: Building Scenes, Pacing, Developing, Suspense, Crisis and Resolution, Opening Hooks
• Getting Published: Agents, Writing a Synopsis and Query Letter, Acquisition and Publication Process, Manuscript Appearance, Ancillary Markets, Book Tours
• Writing Exercises and Group Discussions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to have a manuscript to attend or benefit from this course?
A. No. All you need is a desire or interest in writing.
Q. If I have never written fiction before, is this course for me?
A. Yes. This course will help both the new and experienced writer.
Q. Will this course help me get started?
A. Attendance is the first step to getting started. Don’t put it off.
Q. Will this course be work or fun?
A. It will be lively, interactive, and fascinating. You will “work” as much as you want to.
Q. Will I get a chance to meet and talk to Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen?
A. Yes. They will both be at the course for three days and available to talk with you.
Q. Is CME credit offered in conjunction with this course?
A. No. This is a fun and inspirational weekend, not a CME conference.
Q. Can my spouse attend with me?
A. Your spouse is welcome to attend the Friday night reception, the Saturday night “book party” and the last session on Sunday dealing with writer’s problems.
Q. Is this the same course featured in the New York Times?
A. Yes.
Q. What types of feedback will I receive on my writing?
A. A written critique of concise writing exercises, a written review of up to three chapters of your manuscript and a review and critique of your query letter.
Q. Will I get a chance to meet and talk with agents?
A. Yes. There are small group breakout sessions with the agents on Sunday morning specifically for this purpose. Additionally, there will be agents in attendance at the seminar lunches and at Saturday night’s book party.
Q. Will I be able to ask questions?
A. Yes. There will be substantial time reserved for questions and answers.
Q. Are there things for my spouse to do while I’m in class?
A. Cape Cod is a great area for people of all interests to spend time. We recommend that you have a car available and your spouse will be able to enjoy many activities including: golf, museums, touring the islands of Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket, whale watching, kayaking, fine dining, shopping, historical sites, hiking, fishing, bicycling, etc.
Q. Will you have Michael and Tess’s books available for sale?
A. Yes.
Q. If I submit a query letter to you, what will happen to it?
A. We’ll give you feedback on how to improve it and will distribute it to all the agents on our panel if you so request.
Q. Can non-physicians attend?
A. The course is designed for physicians and the vast majority of those in attendance will be physicians, however it is open to anyone interested in writing.
Q. Will this course save me time?
A. Yes. Attendees avoid wasting valuable time by not going down blind alleys.
Literary Agents
Donna Bagdasarian
joined Maria Carvainis Agency in the fall of 2004, she represents well-known and published authors, ranging from literary fiction to political nonfiction.Regina Brooks
is the founder of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC., a boutique agency representing a diverse base of award-winning clients in the areas of adult fiction and non-fiction, young adult, and children’s literature.Sheree Bykofsky
is the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published and is a New York Literary Agent who represents some 100 book authors in all areas of adult non-fiction, literary and commercial fiction.Ann Collette
has been an associate at the Helen Rees Literary Agency in Boston, MA, since 2000. Her fiction list includes mystery, horror, suspense and thriller authors.Jennifer Decharia
formed her literary Agency in 2001. A New York City-based writer, she has worked in the editorial departments of Simon & Schuster and Random House and has been a writing consultant to several major corporations.Miriam Kriss
is a literary agent with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency in New York. She is interested in commercial fiction and thrillers. Her first solo sale was from a first-time author and hit several bestseller lists.Benjamin LeRoy
is the founder of Bleak House Books, an independent publisher of crime and dark literary fiction. He lives in Madison, WI, where he spends his free time working on his own writing and being constantly fascinated by the history of baseball and what it has meant to the fabric of America.Paul S. Levine opened the Paul S. Levine Literary Agency in 1996, specializing in the representation of book authors and the sale of motion picture and television rights in and to books. Since starting his literary agency, Mr. Levine has sold over one hundred (100) fiction and non-fiction books to over thirty (30) different publishers and has had several books developed as movies-for-television.
Rita Rosenkranz
is a Literary Agent in New York City. She specializes in all areas of non-fiction.Katharine Sands
is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency in New York City. She represents a wide range of authors in a broad range of categories including legal non-fiction, literary fiction, and dysfiction.Amy Tipton
joined Fine Print Literary Management in the Summer of 2006. She comes to the agency after working as a literary assistant and office manager at several literary agencies including JCA Literary Agency, Diana Finch Literary Agency, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency, and Liza Dawson Associates.
Steven Babitsky,
Esq.
Steven
Babitsky, Esq. was a personal injury attorney for twenty years. He is the
co-author of ten books and is the developer of SEAK’s Medical Fiction
Writing for Physicians seminar.
Beth Wechsler, MSW
Beth
Wechsler, MSW brings a combination of writing and group facilitation skills
to the workshop. Nationally known for her books for high-risk youth, her
stories have been published in Yankee, eBay Magazine, the Boston Globe,
Consumer Reports and regularly in Cape Cod newspapers.
Tuition
The $1,195 tuition includes a continental breakfast, breaks, lunch with faculty, a detailed manual which can be retained as a bookshelf reference, and a dynamic learning experience.
Click here for registration information.
Schedule
Saturday, October 25, 2008
*MAIN CONFERENCE
Friday Evening, October 24, 2008*7:00 - 8:30pm Reception (Spouses Invited, Hors D’Ouerves and Cocktails provided)
Personal Success Stories: Michael Palmer, MD and Tess Gerritsen, MD and Group Discussion
7:30-8:00Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-10:00Mechanics of
Writing
Premises vs. Plot, Ideas and
Where You Get Them, Setting and Atmosphere, Showing vs. Telling,
Points of View, Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
10:00-10:15BREAK &
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:15-12:15Character
Naming and
Describing Your Characters, Back Story, History of Characters,
Motivation, Relationships, Conflict, Dialogue, Minor Characters,
Evolution of Characters Throughout the Book
12:15-1:30LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY
1:30-2:30Character
(Continued)
Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
2:30-2:45BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:45-5:15Plot
Building
Scenes, Developing Suspense, Pacing, Crisis and Resolution, Opening
Hooks, Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
5:15-6:30Book Signing
(Spouses Invited)
Tess Gerritsen,
MD and Michael Palmer, MD
- Bring your own books or purchase Tess and Michael’s books at the seminar
8:00-11:00pm"Book Party"
Reception (Spouses Invited, Entertainment Provided)
Meet, mingle
and mix with fellow attendees, agents and faculty members at a
private reception in the hotel’s Surfside Lounge.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
7:30-8:00Continental Breakfast
8:00-10:00Plot
(Continued)
Subplots, Handling
Transitions, Starting and Ending Chapters, Suspense and Surprise,
Themes, Flashbacks, Writing Exercises, Group Discussion
10:00-10:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:15-11:15Getting
Published (Presented by SEAK's Panel of Agents)
Agents,
How to Write a Synopsis and Query Letter, Publication Process,
Manuscript Appearances and Mechanics, Ancillary Markets, Book Tours
11:15-12:15Small Group
Breakout Sessions with Agents
Each
agent on faculty will run a question and answer/interaction session
with a small group of attendees. Attendees should have their concise
pitches ready.
12:15-1:30LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY
1:30-3:00Research,
Editing, and Revising
How to
Research Cost Effectively, Editing Process, When is Enough Revising
Enough
3:00-3:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
3:15-4:00Writer's
Problems and How to Overcome Them (Spouses Invited)
Writer’s
Block, Distractions, Fears, Leaving the Nest
4:00-5:15Concluding Remarks