Schedule Subject to Change
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration - Location: Hotel Lobby
All Friday Panel Sessions are located in the Vieux Carre Room on the 17th Floor
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Why and How to Market Short Stories
Moderator: Pamela Ebel
Bill Brown, Don Bruns, Michael Rigg
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm Louisiana Idol
Moderator: Tom Colgan
J. L. Hughes, D. P. Lyle, Cherry Weiner
Reader: Debbie Richardson
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Writing, Is It Really the First Three Pages
Moderator: Traci Hall
Rebecca Barrett, Candy Gareiss, Marcia King-Gamble, Doug Lyle, Mark Zeid
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm Thrillers: The Cutting Edge
Moderator: Jeff Ayers
Lisa Black, Jon Land, Warren Whitmire
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm DINNER ON YOUR OWN (Don’t have dessert)
7:30 pm - 11:30 pm Welcome Party
Join us for an exhilarating Game Night on Friday, followed by a Karaoke extravaganza! Get ready for a night of fun and friendly competition as we introduce our unique twist: a giant saran-wrapped ball at each table, filled with exciting prizes (stretching that a bit) waiting to be unwrapped. Whether you're in it to win it or just looking to have a good time and share some laughs, this event is for you. After the games, the spotlight turns to Karaoke, where everyone is encouraged to showcase their singing talents. And of course, our Karaoke session wouldn't be complete without a delectable spread of sweets to enjoy. All are welcome to join in the fun – let's make this a night to remember!
8:30 am - 10:00 pm Registration - Location: Riverview Hall, 16th Floor
8:30 am - 10:00 am Breakfast in the Riverview, 16th Floor
Heather Interviews D. P. Lyle
All Saturday Panel Sessions are located in the Vieux Carre Room on the 17th Floor
10:05 am - 10:55 am If I Could Turn Back Time; Where Would I Go
Moderator: Heather Graham
Rebecca Barrett, Bill Brown, Sandra Madden
11:00 am - 11:50 pm Blended Genres Paranormal, Romance, Mystery and More
Moderator: Heather Graham
Jeff Ayers, Jon Land, Carol Stephenson
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Social Media Surgery/Social Media Trends
Tracee Evans, Larry Evans
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm How to Make Your Blood Run Cold
Moderator: Jon Land
Jeff Ayers, Lisa Black, Don Bruns, Warren Whitmire
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Getting Inside Your Characters Head
Moderator: Don Bruns
Marcia King-Gamble, Sandra Madden, Liah Penn, Carol Stephenson,
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm Brainstorming as Mystery: Panelists Plot Before Your Very Eyes
Moderator: D. P. Lyle
Pamela Ebel, Liah Penn, Michael Rigg, Mark Zeid
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm COCKTAIL HOUR
8:00 pm -12:00 pm HEATHER GRAHAM’S DINNER THEATER - Pirates - More to come!
9:00 am - 9:50 am Place as Character: How to Write a Great Setting
Moderator: Lance Taubold
Candy Gareiss, Traci Hall, Michael Rigg
10:00 am - 10:50 am Listen to the Experts
Moderator: Debbie Richardson
Tom Colgan, Cherry Weiner, J. L. Hughes
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Writers for New Orleans Tea
Heather Graham, Jeff Ayers, Tom Colgan, Jon Land, D. P. Lyle, Cherry Weiner
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Talk with Terry Rodgers and Marita Jaegar