Fantasy writer Brooks to speak at writer’s conference

Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by nevonnemcdaniels in Happenings

WENATCHEE — Fantasy writer Terry Brooks is the Write on the River 2010 keynote speaker.

With 22 New York Times bestsellers to his credit, and 21 million copies of his books in print,
Brooks is one of the biggest-selling fantasy writers. He will address an estimated 250 attendees in May at the start of the annual Write on the River conference, a slate of 12 workshops taught by writing professionals from around the Pacific Northwest.

Tickets are included with registration, or they may be purchased separately at the door for $5.

Full conference package registration, which includes the speaker, Saturday and Sunday workshop is $125 before April 15 or $135 after that date.

Saturday conference only is $90 ($99 after April 15)

Sunday story workshop only is $45

For details see www.writeontheriver.org

A writer since the age of 10, Brooks published his first novel, “The Sword of Shannara,” in 1977. He has written 26 bestselling novels, movie adaptations of “Hook” and “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” and a memoir on his writing life titled “Sometimes the Magic Works.”

His Magic Kingdom of Landover series is under option at Universal Studios and his Shannara series is at Warner Brothers. His latest novel, “A Princess of Landover,” was published in August 2009.

Write on the River, a nonprofit organization, encourages NCW writers, and the May conference is at the core of its year-round work. New this year is a focus on youth. Student writers grades 9-12 can join author Randall Platt for an engaging two-hour morning session at the conference and attend the keynote by Terry Brooks — all for $40.

Other special conference features include personal agent appointments and a Sunday morning intensive writing workshop.  Editor Adrian Liang, associate publisher at becker&meyer, and agent Sally Harding from Cooke Literacy Agency will meet with aspiring authors, by appointment. Both will present workshops in their field.

Novelist, screenwriter and writing guru Larry Brooks will present Saturday, and offers a special half-day Sunday workshop “The Six Core Competencies of Successful Storytelling.” He has published six critically acclaimed thrillers, one of which was a USA Today bestseller and another named to Publishers Weekly’s “Best Books of 2004″ list after a starred review.

See details about other Saturday presenters and register at www.writeontheriver.org.

Write On The River also sponsors a writers’ competition, hosts a bi-annual reading and networking event, organizes writers’ critique groups, and publishes a newsletter highlighting regional literary events.