HEIDI RUBY MILLER

We really needed the inspiration, energy, and camaraderie from the 2022 Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster, PA. It was our second in-person event since the pandemic, but this one felt like old times. Keynote speakers were Jonathan Maberry ... ...and Jon Sprunk . We each taught two classes. Jason revived his Folk Yeah! and Rural Noir workshops. And I brought back Space Opera Is Still Queen and Pick Your Punk . There was a Saturday evening luau to celebrate Jonathan's love of Hawaiian shirts. First photo is Jason Jack Miller , Larry Ivkovich , and Jon Sprunk. Here I am with Maria V. Snyder . And with Heather Desuta and Abigail Drake . We caught up with old friends like Carol Silvis and Annette Dashofy ... One of my former mentees from Seton Hill WPF Sheri Queen ... And the publishers of Many Genres, One Craft from Headline Books the mother daughter team of Cathy Teets and Ashley Belote .

FROM THE PENNWRITERS WEBSITE:   The 34th Annual Pennwriters Conference is coming your way virtually. Registration is now open for the three-day conference and for two intensives held the day before the conference. Except for sitting with friends in the lounge and at meals, the conference will still have all the parts you love! Keynote Speakers are Susan Meier and Eileen Enwright Hodgetts . The conference begins at 9:00 am on Friday, May 14 and runs through Sunday, May 16.   I will be teaching: "Write the Book They Can't Put Down" Heidi will guide you through tips based on her article "The Shifting Grail: A Quest for a Good Read" from the international award-winning writing guide Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction . Using examples from well-known movies and literature, she'll show how character motivation can dictate pacing and suspense, making your book one readers can't put down. There will be lots of opportunities to apply...

PHOTOS As always Jason Jack Miller and I had a wonderful time at the Pennwriters Conference this year. Since it was held in Pittsburgh , the theme was quite appropriate: Building Bridges . It was great to connect with old friends and meet so many new writers and editors. Here are just a few photos of the event.

EVENTS The 2015 Pennwriters conference "Building Bridges" will be held at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott on Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17, with Thursday pre-conference intensives on May 14. The Friday keynote is Ridley Pearson, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 48 novels, divided almost equally between adult suspense and young adult adventure. Over the years, his work has been published in two dozen languages and has been adapted by network television and for the Broadway stage. Right now he is set to tour for his latest YA final Kingdom Keepers novel – The Insider. He also has a Risk Agent Novel coming out in June called the Red Room. His website is www.ridleypearson.com. The Saturday luncheon speaker is Don Helin, a Pennwriter for ten years and the author of Thy Kingdom Come, Devil’s Den, and Secret Assault. Thursday intensive speakers include Jessica Morrell, Hank Phillipi Ryan, and Pennwriters Bobbi Carducci and Susan Meier.

Workshops PENNWRITERS ONE DAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction Who: Writers at any level interested in furthering their writing skills and business prowess What: Contributors to the new, comprehensive writing guide Many Genres, One Craft , based on the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program , will offer six workshops for craft and career. The three morning sessions focus on plotting with Victoria Thompson , character with Timons Esaias , and setting with Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller . In the afternoon, sessions focus on pursuing publication with Natalie Duvall and Matt Duvall , building a brand with Mary SanGiovanni , and investing in your writing with Michael A. Arnzen . When: Thursday, May 12, 2011 – 9 AM to 4 PM Instructors: Michael A. Arnzen is Chair of the Humanities Department at Seton Hill University, as well as a Bram Stoker Award winning author. His first novel Grave Markings ...

Events The 2010 Pennwriters Conference is scheduled for May 14-16 at the Best Western Eden Resort in Lancaster PA . Prior to the conference, on May 13 , they'll be hosting four preconference classes specifically designed to give attendees an in-depth, interactive experience. Details on these classes are now posted on the Pennwriters Web site . Follow these tiny URLs to go directly to each class, or go to www.pennwriters.com and click on Conference then Intensives to browse the categories. Plotting and Subplotting with Loree Lough For all writers who need hands-on experience with plotting; no class limit. May 13, 2010, 1 pm to 4 pm http://tiny.cc/PHoF1 Crafting a Fiction Query Package with CJ Lyons For writers who have a finished draft; class limit 16. May 13, 2010, 9 am to noon http://tiny.cc/M5WEY Fiction Writing with Tim Esaias For writers who have a finished draft; class limit 15 May 13, 2010, 9 am to 4 pm http://tiny.cc/w4CK4 Nonfiction Writing with Jonathan Maberry For wr...

CONFERENCES BACK: Jason Jack Miller , Timons Esaias , and Heidi Ruby Miller FRONT: Ellen Spain , Victoria Thompson , and Mary Ann Aug The 2007 Pennwriters Conference The Write Attitude was a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally. Networking opportunities were the best of any conference I've attended because the group's officers, the editors, the agents, and the writers were all so personable. BACK: Mary Ann Aug and Heidi Ruby Miller FRONT: Lisa D. K. Coutant , Vice President of Pennwriters, Barbara Lockwood, President of Pennwriters, and Jason Jack Miller The above photo was taken after Victoria Thompson, mystery author and Seton Hill mentor, gave her keynote at the luncheon on Saturday. It was very inspiring because she used personal experiences to show just how fickle this industry can be, but also how rewarding to those who stick it out. Among the editors I met were Ginjer Buchanan, Senior Executive Editor and Marketing Director at The Berk...