The Journal of Michael Merriam

This is mine and careswen's schedule for CONvergence this year. I will also have a group reading and an individual reading at some point.

Where do you start? Thu 8:00pm - 9:00pm
What is the initial genesis or kernel idea of a book? Do you start with a character? A world? A cool scene? A plot?
Joel Arnold, Dana M. Baird, Michael Merriam, Gar Net, Damian Sheridan, Doug Texter

Getting Published 101 Fri 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Looking to get famous and make lots of money writing? How about a more realistic view of the writing and publishing process? We'll cover prepping a work for submission (including cover letters and business writing) to coping with rejection.
Jerrod Balzer, Cynthia Booth, Roy C. Booth, Philip Kaveny, Kelly McCullough, Michael Merriam

Living with a Writer Sat 11:00am - 12:00pm
Significant others of writers and artist trade stories and tips about the joys and challenges of living with a creative person.
Cynthia Booth, Jennifer Lynch, Sherry Merriam

Urban Fantasy Sat 12:30pm - 1:30pm
The borders of faerie have moved from pastoral England to modern cities. What is the appeal of urban fantasy? Who writes the best stuff?
Kenneth Hite, Kelly McCullough, Michael Merriam, Juanita Nesbitt, Jody Wurl

Writing Business: Cover letters, manuscripts, and rejections Sat 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Back to basics. There are books that handle this topic fairly well, but nothing substitutes for experience. Active pros and semi-pros in writing, editing and publishing talk about the dos and don'ts.
Roy C. Booth, Kelly McCullough, Michael Merriam