Symposium provides writers, illustrators with a blueprint

HAWLEY, PA — The Wayne County Arts Alliance’s annual Writers and Illustrators Symposium, “Navigate the Maze: From Blank Page to Published Piece,” will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6 at the Falls Port Inn on Main Avenue.

Sponsored by the Wayne County Arts Alliance, this seminar will offer presentations and workshops addressing every aspect of writing and publishing one’s work. Novelists, non-fiction writers, poets, screenwriters, journalists and illustrators are all encouraged to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to glean knowledge from presenters with years of experience in writing, publishing and marketing.

Whether published or not, aspiring writers of all kinds will gain access to invaluable information at this day-long symposium. Among the featured presenters will be Liza Burby, an award-winning freelance journalist writing features for Newsday for 12 years, who has had articles published in such diverse publications as Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times and The Baltimore Sun. In her Making Their Mark series, Liza writes the stories of people who do just that—make a mark. The series has covered all-star basketball player Sheryl Swoopes, professional skater Kristi Yamaguchi, writer and environmentalist Rachel Carson, star volleyball player Gabrielle Reece, first woman doctor Elizabeth Blackwell and many more.

Among the other presenters will be Anthony Pomes, director of publicity and marketing at Square One Publishers and previously publicity manager for Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers; and illustrator Lisa Grubb, who has written and illustrated two children’s books, “Happy Dog!” and “Happy Dog Sizzles!”, both published by Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Putnam.

The breakout workshops being offered at the symposium are “Picture Books, Start to Finish,” “Identify Your Market,” “How to Pitch Your Story—Anytime, Anywhere to Anyone” and “What Evil$ Lurk Beyond Your Completed Manuscript.” Professional critiques will also be available; the first two pages of your manuscript must be submitted by September 21, along with a $15 fee per manuscript.

The price of the symposium is $99 ($89 for WCAA members) and includes the lectures and workshops, as well as a full breakfast, a buffet lunch with carving stations and an afternoon snack. Mealtimes and breaks allow for an exchange of information with the other participants as well as the presenters. Student scholarships are available; inquire at office.