Mystery, CriMe, & thriller

ConferenCe April 27–28, 2013

Learn from award-winning writers including Ellen Hart, Erin Hart, Dori Hillestad Butler, Jess Lourey, David Housewright, Mary Logue, Wendy Webb, Michael Stanley, and more!

>> loft.org

At Open BOOk in MinneApOlis

featuring Marcus Sakey

& William Kent Krueger

Become a Member and support the loft Community

As a nonprofit organization, the Loft relies on your member sup-port to keep this thriving community of readers and writers going strong. When you make a tax-deductible membership contribution,

you help build a vibrant Loft community. You provide low-income access to creative writing classes, free and low-cost readings with writers and artists, grants and mentorships to Minnesota writers, artist residences in schools and community organizations, and so much more. Thank you.

For more information or to join today, visit loft.org/support or call 612-215-2597.

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Saturday, april 27

9 a.m. | Conference Check-In

10 a.m. | Keynote: Marcus Sakey

11:15 a.m. | Mystery Structure and Finding Your Way Into Story

Creating Your Cast of Characters

The Art of Writing Paranormal Mysteries

12:45 p.m. | Networking Lunch

2:15 p.m. | The Art of Writing Violence

Collaboration is the Way to Go

Turning a Creative Spark into a Mystery Series

3:45 p.m. | The Plot Thickens

Writing Great Dialog

Writing Mysteries for Children

Sunday, april 28

10 a.m. | Keynote: William Kent Krueger

11:15 a.m. | The Structure of the Novel

Form a Mystery Writers Group

A Discussion of the Mystery/Thriller Novel

12:45 p.m. | Next Steps for Writers

Mystery, Crime, & thriller Conferenceschedule

Spend the weekend learning the art of writing mystery, crime, and thrillers from established and award-winning writers. Sessions on craft, mystery

series, children’s mysteries, supernatural mysteries, and more!

sAtUrDAy April 279–10 a.m. / ConferenCe CheCK-in

10 a.m. / MarCuS SaKey

Marcus Sakey Conversation Join Loft Executive Director Jocelyn Hale as she welcomes acclaimed crime writer Marcus Sakey for a discussion of the art of crime writing and the writing life.

Marcus Sakey is the author of The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes, Good People, The Blade Itself, The Amateurs, and At the City’s Edge. The Chicago Tribune named Marcus Sakey “the new reigning prince of crime fiction.” His books have been New York Times Editor’s Picks, and selected among Esquire’s Top 5 Novels of The Year. Mr. Sakey is also writer and host of the Travel Channel’s investigative series Hidden City.

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suite 200, Open Book 1011 Washington Avenue south Minneapolis, Mn 55415

loft Website | www.loft.org

loft Offices | 612-215-2575 (t–F) loft Fax | 612-215-2576 loft education line | 612-379-8999

The Loft advances the artistic

development of writers, fosters a thriving literary community, and inspires a

passion for literature.

11:15 a.m. / breaKouT SeSSionS 1

It’s All Just formula—or Is It? thoughts on Mystery Structure, Hooks, and finding Your Way Into Your Story with Ellen Hart We’ve all heard the accusation that mysteries are formulaic fiction, not worth our time and effort. While crime fiction does have a specific architecture, as do all literary conventions, the stories themselves are as varied as the human imagination will allow. In this session, we will discuss such bedrock issues as

the structure of the mystery, to outline or not to outline, the classic rules of dramatic structure, the importance of conflict, character as plot and plot as character, the use of “the hook,” the concept of dramatic need, and the essential building block of the novel—the scene. Ellen Hart is the author of twenty-eight crime novels in two differ-ent series. She is a five-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award, a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award, a three-time winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award, a recipient of the Alice B. Medal, and received the GCLS Trailblazer Award for lifetime achievement. Her newest mystery, Rest for the Wicked, was released by St. Martin’s in October, 2012.

Creating Your Cast of Characters with Erin HartWhat is this thing we call ‘character’? Some writers believe that all fiction is based on the human impulse toward empathy. Why else do we become immersed in imaginary worlds, and mourn the loss of fictional friends when a book comes to an end? Characters in fiction are our surrogates, asking what we would do if faced with the same problems, puzzles, and impos-sibilities—and making the mysteries that capture our imaginations truly unforgettable. This session will tackle the challenges of creating a whole cast of very particular characters—heroes and villains, protagonists and bit players—who can stir up emotions and capture imaginations. Erin Hart is the award-winning author of a critically-acclaimed series of archaeological crime novels: Haunted Ground, Lake of Sorrows, False Mermaid, and The Book of Killowen, all published by Scribner and set in the mysterious boglands of Ireland. Haunted Ground received the Friends of American Writers Award, and Romantic Times Best First Novel, and was shortlisted for mystery’s prestigious Anthony and Agatha awards; Lake of Sorrows was a Minnesota Book Award finalist. Erin’s novels have been featured as BookSense and IndieNext picks, and included on many annual Top Ten Mystery lists.

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A Dark and Stormy Night: the Art of Writing Paranormal Mysteries with Wendy Webb One glance at the New York Times Bestseller list will tell you that ghosts, witches, vampires, time travelers, and all sorts of otherworldly characters

have never been more popular in adult, young adult and children’s fiction. But there’s an art to telling believ-able, relatable stories that feature characters who aren’t altogether...alive. How much is too much? Where do you draw the line? Is there a line? We’ll address these issues as we talk about crafting novels of gothic suspense. Wendy Webb is the author of The Tale of Halcyon Crane (a 2011 Minnesota Book Award winner and a finalist for the Livres de Poche Prix des Lettres award). Wendy’s new novel is The Fate of Mercy Alban.

12:45 p.m. / neTWorKing LunCh

Join your fellow writers for a networking lunch.

2:15 p.m. / breaKouT SeSSionS 2

the Art of Writing Violence with David Oppegaard In this butt-kicking session, we will discuss the craft of fictional mayhem within a crime and thriller framework. After briefly analyzing the work of writers such as Elmore Leonard, John Hart, and John le Carré, we will engage in several writing exercises with an eye toward breaking down the art, and craft, of writing fictional violence.david Oppegaard is the author of the Bram Stoker-nominated The Suicide Collectors (St. Martin’s Press, 2008), Wormwood, Nevada (St. Martin’s Press, 2009) and recently had a story included in the Writes Of Spring crime anthology.

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Collaboration is the Way to go with Michael Stanley Most mysteries and thrillers have a single author. However, there is another alternative that offers many benefits—namely collaboration. Working with someone else not only provides the opportunity for immediate and honest critical feedback, but also allows ongoing brainstorming and support when story and character ideas are hard to come by. Most importantly, it can be a lot of fun. This session will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of collaboration, and provide specific advice on how to make a collaboration work. Stanley trollip and Michael Sears are the writing team known as Michael Stanley. They write the Detective Kubu police procedural series set in Botswana, published by HarperCollins. Deadly Harvest, their fourth novel, will be released on April 30, 2013.

After the Idea: turning a Creative Spark into a Successful Mystery Series with Jess Lourey

Learn the Pyramid on Point method, a seven-step pro-cess for turning an idea into a novel in under six months, with an eye toward building a series. The method also works for jump-starting stalled projects and revising completed manuscripts. The session will be a mixture of lecture and writing with time for questions. Bring your ideas as well as something to write with and on. Jess lourey is the author of the Lefty-nominated Murder-by-Month mystery series.

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3:45 p.m. / breaKouT SeSSionS 3

the Plot thickens: How to Keep a reader Up All Night with Mary Logue In this session, we will look at how to open a story, the elements of plot, what

makes a story have promise, how to keep the pace and drama at high pitch, and how to wrap it up in a satisfying way. Whether you are just starting a new book, halfway through one, or trying to finish it, this session will show you how plot shapes a good novel. We will do some writing exercises and learn how to use the famous Mystery Wheel.Mary logue has published eleven adult mystery novels (including the Claire Watkins mystery series). Killer Librarian, the first in a new mystery series, was published in 2012. She has won a Minnesota Book Award and been nominated for an Edgar Award.

Writing great Dialog with Michael Stanley How they speak can make the difference between your characters being vibrant or flat. Engaging dialog is an essential part of good writing, but is often difficult to pull off convincingly. This session will help you do that. First, it will provide guidelines on how to decide what you want your characters to sound like; then there will be tips for writing the dialog; and finally, it will give you ways to test whether you have been successful. Part of the session will address the situation of how to write the speech of characters whose native tongue is not English.Stanley trollip and Michael Sears are the writing team known as Michael Stanley. They write the Detective Kubu police procedural series set in Botswana, published by HarperCollins. Deadly Harvest, their fourth novel, will be released on April 30, 2013.

Writing Mysteries for Children with Dori Hillestad ButlerLearn more about creating exciting mysteries for young readers, including how character and plot work together, revision, and publication.dori Hillestad Butler’s novels Trading Places with Tank Talbott, Sliding Into Home, Do You Know the Monkey Man, The Truth About Truman School, and The Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy have been nominated for children’s choice awards in 18 different states. The Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy won the 2011 Edgar Award for best juvenile mystery.

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10 a.m. / WiLLiaM KenT Krueger

one Writer’s Journey with William Kent Krueger The path to publication is seldom easy, and there’s much to be learned from failure. Kent will share with us the story of his own erratic journey, from his early dreams of writing to his place among today’s best-selling authors.

William Kent Krueger’s New York Times best-selling Cork O’Connor mystery series is set in the north woods of Minnesota. Awards include the Minnesota Book Award, the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers, the Anthony Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize.

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the Structure of the Novel with David HousewrightThis session will examine the structure of the crime novel, specifically the beginning, the middle and the end, or as it is more accurately described—the snare, the joyride, and the payoff. We will explore the obligations each part has to the reader as well as how they work together. And we will discuss how determining where the story begins and who is telling the story has a profound effect on where the story ends and what it means.

david Housewright has published 14 crime novels including Penance which earned the 1996 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America as well as a Shamus nomination from the Private Eye Writers of America. Practice to Deceive won the 1998 Minnesota Book Award (it is currently being made into a feature film) and Jelly’s Gold won the same prize in 2010. In addition, Housewright’s short stories have appeared in publications as diverse as Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine as well as mystery anthologies such as Twin Cities Noir and Once Upon a Crime. Learn more at: www.davidhousewright.com.

sUnDAy April 28

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form a Mystery Writers group Where Nobody gets Murdered with The Hartless MurderersAre you working on that mystery novel, and seeking the company and assistance from other writers just like you? How do you find the right group to work with, and even more important, how do you prevent yourself and others from being slaughtered via critique? The Hartless Murderers, who have written together for several years, will take you through how to successfully form a group, create a workable schedule, set parameters for critiques, digest feedback, adjust to changing group dynamics, and support each other through the publication process.the Hartless Murderers formed in 2005 after taking a Loft class taught by mystery author Ellen Hart (hence, the group’s name). The Hartless Murderers have since published several works of mystery fiction (including Hide and Snake Murder, Not So Fast, and A Prairie Homicidal Companion), have toured together, and have recently been promoting their collaborative effort, Why Did Santa Leave a Body?

Where Are We, What’s going on, and Why Should Anyone Care? A Discussion of the Mystery/thriller Novel with Chuck LoganTogether, we will consider how to attract a reader’s attention and engage her imagination in your story. We all know the ingredients that go into the story recipe—character development, narrative, and dialogue, right? But what happens when we stir them into the writer’s mind and turn up the gas?Chuck logan has published eight novels. The first four received consecutive starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. After the Rain was nominated for a Shamus Award in 2004. Homefront has been adapted into a feature motion picture by Millennium Films, starring Jason Statham, James Franco, and Winona Ryder. Currently in post-produc-tion, it will hit theaters this summer. His new novel, Fallen Angel, will be published as an ebook to coincide with the movie release. For more information on Chuck see www.chucklogan.org.

12:45 p.m. / nexT STepS for WriTerS

In this brief informational session, we’ll review local and national opportuni-ties and resources for writers of mysteries, crime novels, and thriller. Get ideas for the next steps in your writing project!

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Other Loft Opportunities

Children’s and Young Adult literature Conference May 18–19, 2013 Featuring david Small, William alexander, and donna Bray. Sessions on craft, picture books, writing for middle grade and young adult audiences, and publication.

first Pages Day June 8, 2013 A one-day beginner’s sampler.

Mentorship opportunities | Foreword and OnlineForeword deadline: November 1, 2013 Online deadline: rolling admissionThe Loft’s Foreword: A Writing Apprenticeship and the Loft’s Online Mentorship program offers rigorous and personalized attention to help you further your writing goals.

Learn more about Foreword: bit.ly/Z0gddw Learn more about Online Mentorships: bit.ly/11pyKnr

Discover future opportunities! Sign Up for the Loft Enewsletter

bit.ly/VOrkau

funderS

The Loft Literary Center’s Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Writing Conference is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

aCCeSSibiLiTy

The Loft Literary Center strives to be accessible to all, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, veteran status, economic status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, or disability. As possible, we will remove barriers to participation in our programs to persons with disabilities.

Our Open Book location is physically accessible, including designated disability parking by the back door, touch-operated building entrances, accessible gender-neutral bathrooms, elevators to all floors, and wheelchair-accessible seating. We ask your help in reducing synthetic fragrances in classes by refraining from wearing scented products here. You are welcome to bring an interpreter or personal attendant to class, as well as a service animal; please give us notice. Upon request, we will provide class catalogs available in alternate formats such as large print or CD.

To arrange for accessibility accommodation, please contact the Education Administrator at 612-379-8999 three weeks in advance. Accessibility services are partly supported by the Rachel Vaughan Memorial Fund.

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