2015 SCHEDULE

Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the first session at 9:00 a.m. The last session will end by 5:00 p.m. Thank you.

Three Presentations will be offered per Session. There will be Two Morning Sessions and Two Afternoon Session. A total of Four Sessions will offer Twelve Presentations. Presentations for the Rochester Writers’ Conference will consist of Lectures (classroom style), Workshops (hands-on lecture) and Panel Discussions (Q&A).

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Check-in Registration

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Welcome Announcement by Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett

9:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. Session One

  • Speaking Skills for Writers – Presented by Linda Angér – WORKSHOP
  • Submitting Poetry for Publication – Presented by Karrie Waarala – LECTURE
  • I Have a Website, Now What? – Presented by Dani Schnakenberg – LECTURE

10:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Break

10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Session Two

  • Personal Branding for Writers – Presented by Dani Schnakenberg. LECTURE
  • Children’s Book Publishing 101 – Presented by Carrie Pearson – LECTURE
  • Small Group Agent Pitch – With Alice Speilburg – Appointment Only (Full)

12:05 noon – 12:35 p.m. Lunch

12:35 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Contest Awards

12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Keynote Speaker Bonnie Jo Campbell

  • Following Your Obsessions to the Story Within: What my mother taught me about writing – KEYNOTE ADDRESS

1:50 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.  Meet Bonnie Jo and Book Signing / Break

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Session Three

  • Joyful Writing Productivity – Presented by Hillary Rettig – LECTURE
  • Flash Fiction – Presented by Dorene O’Brien – WORKSHOP
  • Small Group Agent Pitch – With Alice Speilburg – Appointment Only (Full)

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Session Four

  • Publishing Panel – Featuring Cindy Kitchel and Alice Speilburg, Moderated by Lisa Howard – PANEL DISCUSSION
  • History and Remembrance – Presented by Zilka Joseph – WORKSHOP

Please Note: All events take place in the Oakland Center of Oakland University (2200 N Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI 48309). Use parking lot 2 (P2) and walk south (opposite the pond) for the shortest distance into the Oakland Center. In addition, use parking lot 1 off Squirrel Road (P1) and walk east toward the building. The Oakland Center is positioned between the lots and the Clock Tower. Look for Bright Yellow Signs. The Oakland Center is #13 on the printable version Campus Map. Rochester Writers reserves the right to add, subtract, or substitute any of the presentations and speakers.