Tomorrow I will be on the campus of Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.), participating in the Midwest Writers Workshop. I've been speaking at this conference since 2003, and it is very near and dear to my heart (particularly since I come from Indiana and spent a couple years attending high school in Muncie).

On the agenda:

• Thursday lunch speaker: "The World of Sales" (where I explain how books are sold to chain bookstores, online stores, distributors, wholesalers, and specialty accounts). Followed by informal coffee talk that afternoon.
  
• Friday workshop: “Crafting a High Powered and Saleable Nonfiction Book Concept." This is the same one I delivered for the first time in Athens. (See previous post.)
• Saturday workshop: “The Times, They Are A-Changin'." I discuss how major book and magazine publishers are beginning to recreate themselves into media companies. I help writers make sense of (and navigate) the ongoing transformation of writing and publishing in the digital age.

Lee Lofland, author of WDB's Police Procedure & Investigation, will also be at speaking on topics related to his book (thinking like a detective, understanding police tools and equipment, writing a realistic crime scene, creating compelling villains).

Literary agents will be present, including Anne Hawkins (John Hawkins & Associates), Amy Tipton (FinePrint Literary Management), and Josh Getzler (Writers House).

MWW always offers an excellent program and is known for its very friendly and experienced staff. Look for my in-depth recaps each day, starting tomorrow!