Fall Festival of the Book

The University of California, San Diego Libraries and San Diego Book Arts are co-sponsoring a Fall Festival of the Book: a series of exhibitions, lectures, and a film screening to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of handmade and rare books. The events, which will be held from September through October, are all free and open to the public.

The Festival will kick-off Sept. 2 with "Books in Miniature," an exhibition at UC San Diego's Geisel Library that will feature a selection of rare and unusual miniature books from the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at UCLA. The show, curated by UC San Diego’s Mandeville Special Collections Library, will be on display through Sept. 16 and will coincide with the Miniature Book Society's annual meeting to be held in San Diego from Sept. 12-14.


Miniature books, which are no more than three inches in size ( height, width, or diameter ), range from diminutive bibles and antiquarian volumes dating back to the 1700s to locket and picture books, some so tiny that they require a magnifying glass. The first U.S. book under two inches was Verbum Sempiternum, published in the mid-1700s for Samuel Parker in New York City. Other tiny books of note include a thumb bible, The Bible in Miniature, measuring 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 inches, published circa 1792 in Philadelphia by J. Babcock. The books, increasingly rare, are highly coveted by "microbibliophile" collectors and antiquarian book dealers.

More than 60 artists' books will be on display at UC San Diego's Geisel Library from Sept. 20 through Oct. 31 in the San Diego Book Arts 2nd National Juried Exhibition. The works that will be on display were selected by Erika Torri, executive director of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, from a pool of 200 submissions. The exhibition will feature a wide range of artists' books - works of art that resemble or take their cue from the book format, either literally or figuratively - from artists across the nation. The artists’ books in the exhibition include mixed media, letter press, acrylics, silkscreen, and woodcut works by well-known and emerging artists. The opening reception for the exhibition will be held Sept. 20, 3:30-5 p.m., at the UCSD Geisel Library.


Other Festival of the Book events include a lecture by renowned book artist Julie Chen on Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. In addition, a new film about internationally recognized artist Mary Ellen Long, Seeing the Forest for the Trees, will be shown Oct. 11, 3:30-5 p.m., in the Seuss Room at the UCSD Geisel Library. The San Diego premiere will include a reception and a talk by the artist. The Colorado book artist’s work is well-represented in the UCSD Libraries‘ collection of artists’ books. The short film sheds light on the inner thoughts and outer workings of Long, who is known for her site-specific environmental works and her sculptures and book works that often incorporate indigenous materials found in nature.

The last Festival of the Book event will take place from Oct. 11 through Dec. 31 at the San Diego State University Library. SDSU Special Collections and University Archives will host “Lost & Found,” a display of works of art in book form by fine art, graphic design, multi-media, and applied art students. A reception and interactive event will be held Oct. 17, 3-5 p.m.

Aug 29 and 31 2008 - 2008 International Writing Program events

The public events of the 2008 International Writing Program ( IWP ) residencies at the University of Iowa will begin with readings at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, in the Shambaugh House and at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, in Prairie Lights Books.

The Aug. 29 reading, with refreshments, will feature journalist and emerging fiction writer Dina Gudym from Kazakhstan and poet, teacher, fiction writer, editor and essayist Ruby Rahman from Bangladesh.

The Aug. 31 event will begin a fall series of Sunday readings at Prairie Lights featuring IWP writers together with graduate students in the Iowa Writers' Workshop. The IWP will be represented by poet and essayist Xudong Hu from China and fiction writer/midwife Glaydah Namukasa from Uganda.

Biographies and writing samples of all the 2008 IWP writers are accessible at http://iwp.uiowa.edu/writers/index.html.

Shambaugh House, the headquarters of the IWP, is located at 430 N. Clinton St. Prairie Lights Books is located at 15 S. Dubuque St.

The IWP introduces talented writers to American life; enables them to take part in American university life; and provides them with time, in a setting congenial to their efforts, for the production of literary work. Since 1967, more than 1,100 writers from more than 120 countries have attended the IWP, including Turkish Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk. Read an overview of the 2008 IWP at http://www.news-releases.uiowa.edu/2008/August/081308iwp.html.

The residencies of all four writers are supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

For UI arts information and calendar updates, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/artsiowa. To receive UI arts news by e-mail, go to http://list.uiowa.edu/archives/acr-news.html and click the link "Join or Leave ACR News," then follow the instructions.

Oct 3-5 2008 - Amelia Island Book Festival

Laura Moriarty, author of best seller The Center of Everything and the recently released The Rest of Her Life, will be a featured speaker at the Amelia Island Book Festival October 3-5, 2008.

Now in its eighth year, the 2008 Amelia Island Book Festival (AIBF), held in historic Fernandina Beach, will feature more than 30 authors of novels, nonfiction, Southern literature, adventure, poetry and children's books and will include best selling writers such as Moriarty. Over the years the Festival has launched a number of newcomers to the literary scene and this year is no exception with the appearance of Moriarty, who was named one of the writers to watch in Book Magazine's special "Newcomers" issue. Moriarty is becoming known as a literary star as both her debut novel The Center of Everything, and, The Rest of her Life, a Book Sense #1 Pick, draw acclaim.

With her first novel, The Center of Everything, Laura Moriarty brilliantly captured the intricate familial relationships that at times can be so tenuous—especially when tested by adversity. With The Rest of her Life, Laura Moriarty's reputation as a novelist to watch is cemented, as she delivers a luminous, provocative, and powerful novel with a complex moral dilemma and a page-turning plot that makes readers ask themselves, "What would I do if this happened to me?"

Moriarty will be the featured speaker on Saturday October 4 at 10am at St. Peters Parrish on the corner of 8th and Atlantic where the festival will be held. Moriarty will also answer questions and be available to sign copies of her books.

Laura Moriarty received her master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas and was awarded the George Bennett Fellowship for Creative Writing at Phillips Exeter Academy. Her first novel was The Center of Everything. She currently lives with her daughter in Lawrence, Kansas, and is at work on her next novel.

For more information on festival events and tickets contact info@bookisland.org or visit the website for complete details at www.bookisland.org.

Sept 15 2008 - East Orange Author Heads Pen to Prose Writers’ Group at Nutley Public Library

Noted East Orange author and speaker, Gioya McRae, has been chosen to head the Pen to Prose Writers' Group at the Nutley Public Library. Open to all writers of fiction, short stories, memoirs and non-fiction articles, the Pen to Prose Writers' Group will meet Monday, September 15, 2008 and continue every third Monday from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at the Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, Nutley.

Known for her self-publishing and creative writing seminars, McRae will share writing tips, and provide encouragement and inspiration to aspiring authors as they read works-in-progress and share accomplishments. Whether you're a beginning writer or a seasoned professional, the Pen to Prose Writers' Group wants you to participate. The group is free and open to the public.

For more information on this writers' group, please contact Gioya McRae, Nutley Public Library via email at gmcrae@bccls.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or via telephone at 973-667-0405 x2636.

Gioya McRae is the Founder of Mocha Mind Communications. She is an author, speaker, publisher, and editor. For more information on Gioya McRae, please visit her website at www.mochamind.com and her literary blog "Write Outta My Mind!" at www.mochamind.com/blog.

August 19 2008 - Sell more books faster, cheaper and easier than you thought possible

Have you ever dreamed of having a bestselling book? Wondering how some people seem to reach thousands upon thousands of buyers while the majority of people struggle to sell a handful of books? Not sure of the most effective methods to get your readers to buy your books?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, join my featured expert, John Kremer as he teaches you how to sell more books than you thought possible. On Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 9 - 10 a.m. Pacific, John will share proven strategies that virtually anyone can use regardless of your budget, market or experience.

If you are into book marketing, self-publishing, selling your books, book publishing, book promotion, e-publishing, selling e-books, free publicity, print-on-demand, POD publishing, writing books, internet marketing, online book publishing, website promotions, writing novels, or promoting books - and you want some free information and resources to help you sell books — this is the session to attend. If you're tired of waiting for others to sell your book, you can take action to market your books without spending a lot of money or committing a lot of time. John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books will show you how.

John will be sharing special details about his upcoming live event in Houston, Texas. Ten Million Eyeballs is a hands-on, information packed on how to get millions of people to read about you and your books. Put September 20 – 21, 2008 on your calendar.

About John Kremer
John Kremer consults in the areas of book marketing, book sales, book promotion, publicity, direct marketing, pricing, book titles, book covers, book marketing plans, book proposals, rights sales, and general planning for book publishers of all sizes as well as for individual authors. While most of John’s consulting is done over the phone, he also provides on-site consulting services. Website: http://www.bookmarket.com/consulting.htm

Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series (Calendar)

The 2008-09 Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series will launch its 11th season at the University of Pittsburgh with a reading by poet Claudia Rankine at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, 650 Schenley Dr., Oakland.

Rankine is the author of the poetry collections "Don't Let Me Be Lonely: An American Lyric"(Graywolf, 2004), "PLOT" (Grove Press, 2001), "The End of the Alphabet"(Grove Press, 1998), and "Nothing in Nature Is Private" (Cleveland State University Poetry Center, 1995), which received the Cleveland State Poetry Prize. Her work has been published in numerous literary journals, including "Boston Review", "TriQuarterly," and "The Poetry Project Newsletter". It also has been featured in such anthologies as "Great American Prose Poems: From Poe to the Present" (Scribner Book Company, 2003), "Best American Poetry 2001" (Scribner Book Company, 2001), and "The Garden Thrives: Twentieth Century African-American Poetry"(Harper Collins, 1996). Rankine also is coeditor of "American Women Poets in the Twenty-First Century" (Wesleyan University Press, 2002).

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1963, Rankine earned a BA in English at Williams College and her MFA in poetry at Columbia University. She has taught at Case Western Reserve University, Barnard College, the University of Georgia, and the University of Houston. She currently teaches at Pomona College.

The complete schedule for the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series follows:

Sept. 12 Claudia Rankine, 7 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
This reading is being presented in conjunction with the Lifting Belly High Conference on Women's Writing at Duquesne University.

Sept. 29 Maxine Hong Kingston, 8:30 p.m., David Lawrence Hall, 3942 Forbes Ave., Oakland
A writer of fiction and nonfiction, Kingston is the author "China Men" (Knopf, 1980) and "The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts" (Knopf, 1976).

Oct. 15 Drue Heinz Literature Prize Reading and Award Ceremony
7:30 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Anthony Varallo, the 2008 Drue Heinz Literature Prize winner for the short story collection "OutLoud" (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2008), is also the author of the story collection "This Day in History" (University of Iowa Press, 2005).

Scott Turow, the 2008 Drue Heinz Literature Prize judge, is the author of "Limitations" (Picador, 2006), "Ordinary Heroes" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2005), "Reversible Errors" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2002), "Personal Injuries" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1999), "The Laws of Our Fathers" (Farrar Straus Giroux,1996), "Pleading Guilty" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1993), "The Burden of Proof" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1990), and "Presumed Innocent" (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1987).

Oct. 29 Russell Banks, 8:30 p.m., David Lawrence Hall
A writer of both fiction and poetry, Banks is the author of "The Reserve" (Harper Collins, 2008), "Cloudsplitter" (Harper Collins, 1998), "Rule of the Bone" (Harper Collins, 1995), "The Sweet Hereafter" (Harper Collins, 1991), and "Continental Drift"(Harper Collins, 1985).

Nov. 13 Fred R. Brown Literary Award Reading and Award Ceremony,
8:30 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Novelist Sabina Murray is the author of "Forgery" (Grove Press, 2007), "A Carnivore's Inquiry" (Grove Press, 2004), and "The Caprices" (Houghton Mifflin, 2002).

Feb. 6 Microconference on African American Poetry
Opening Remarks, noon, 501 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland
Arnold Rampersad, a biographer and literary critic, is the author of "Ralph Ellison" (Knopf, 2007), "Jackie Robinson: A Biography "(Knopf, 1997), "Days of Grace: A Memoir" (Knopf, 1993), "The Life of Langston Hughes" (Oxford University Press, 2 vols., 1986, 1988), and "The Art and Imagination of W.E.B. Dubois" (Harvard University Press, 1976).

Panel Discussion: Tradition and the New, 2 p.m., 501 Cathedral of Learning
Arnold Rampersad;
Mendi Obadike, a poet and interdisciplinary artist, is the author of "Armor and Flesh" (Lotus Press, 2004). Her work has appeared in such publications as the "Art Journal," "Artthrob," "Meridians," "Black Arts Quarterly," "El Pais," and "Tema Celeste";
G.E. Patterson, a poet and freelance writer, is the author of "To and From" (Ahsahta Press, 2008) and "Tug" (Graywolf Press, 1999). His work has appeared in such publications as "Bum Rush the Page," "Poetry 180," "American Letters and Commentary," "Fence," "Five Fingers Review," "Seneca Review," "Open City," and "XcP: Cross Cultural Politics"; and
Carl Phillips, a poet, is the author of "Quiver of Arrows: Selected Poems 1986-2006" (Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2007), "Rock Harbor" (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2003), "The Tether" (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2001), "Pastoral" (Graywolf Press, 2000), "From the Devotions" (Graywolf Press, 1998), "Cortege" (Graywolf Press, 1995), and "In the Blood" (Northeastern University Press, 1992).

Poetry Readings, 7 p.m., Giant Eagle Auditorium, Carnegie Mellon University's Baker Hall, 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland
Obadike, Patterson, Phillips, and Rampersad

Feb. 26 William Henry Lewis, 8:30 p.m., 501 Cathedral of Learning
A writer of fiction and nonfiction, Lewis is the author of the short story collection "I Got Somebody in Staunton" (Amistad/Harper Collins, 2005) and "In the Arms of Our Elders" (Carolina Wren Press, 1995). His works of fiction have appeared in such publications as "Ploughshares," "African American Review," and "Best American Short Stories 1996". His works of nonfiction have appeared in "Black Issues in Higher Education," "Washington Post Book World," and "O Magazine."

April 2 2008-09 William Block Sr. Writer Reading and Presentation,
8:30 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
Paul Muldoon, a poet and editor, is the author of more than 25 collections of poetry and two children's books and has served as an editor of various anthologies and literary publications. He has been described by "The Times Literary Supplement" as, "the most significant English-language poet born since the second World War."

The 2008-09 Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series season is cosponsored by Pitt's University Center for International Studies, Asian Studies Center, China Council Confucious Institute, Cultural Studies Program, Women's Studies Program, and Book Center and by the Carnegie Mellon University Creative Writing Program.

All events in the Writers Series are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nicole Wolinsky at nrw1@pitt.edu, Jeff Oaks at oaks@pitt.edu, or visit http://www.umc.pitt.edu/news/documents/morningreport/2008/08/wsschedule.pdf.

August 13-16 2008 - Northwestern Holds Fourth Annual Summer Writers' Conference

Northwestern University will come alive with literary activity as fiction writers, journalists, critics, editors, publishers and aspiring literati gather for the fourth annual “Art and Craft: the Northwestern Summer Writers’ Conference.”

The conference will take place Aug. 13–16 in University Hall, 1987 Sheridan Road, Evanston. Participants may register for the conference for $600 for four days or $225 per day.

As the only event of its kind in the Chicago area, this year’s conference includes a keynote speech by novelist Rosellen Brown at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 in Harris Hall, Room 107.

A pair of readings by poets Simone Muench and Ed Roberson will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the McCormick Tribune Center Forum, 1870 Campus Drive with a reception at 5 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

The conference is tailored to new writers, established writers, and anyone seeking a fuller understanding of the craft, and business, of writing. Workshops include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and writing for stage and screen. The conference has already grown into a highly anticipated event for writers in the area and around the country.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn everything from how to generate ideas for writing to how to better market and sell their work. There will also be manuscript consultations with workshop leaders.

Sept 30 2008 - Writing for Comics and Graphic Novels - Bethesda, MD

Comics are not just about men in tights anymore. Sequential art is now recognized as a legitimate form of writing, as illustrated by Neil Gaiman winning the World Fantasy Award for science fiction and Art Spiegelman the Pulitzer Prize for their respective works. This workshop will cover a brief history of comics and development through writing text and dialogue and working with artists to render a story into illustrated form. Participants will work on in-class assignments adapting existing works into comic book format as well as writing "slice of life" stories for which local artists will provide "thumbnails" or storyboards. A final project will be assigned with the goal of preparing material to pitch to a comic book anthology. 10 sessions. This class will meet Thursday evenings from 7:30-10:00 PM starting September 30 running until December 2.

To register for this workshop or to check out other Writer's Center Workshops, visit www.writer.org or email us at postmaster@writer.org. The Writer's Center is located at 4508 Walsh Street in Bethesda, MD 20815, and our telephone number is (301) 654-8664.

Sept 8 2008 - 11-Week Novel Writing Workshop - Los Angeles

WRITING WORKSHOPS LOS ANGELES PRESENTS...

Novel Writing Workshop
Mondays, September 8, 2008 to November 17, 2008 (11 weeks)
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Because the novelist faces different struggles and joys than the writer of short fiction, WWLA has created an 11-week course specifically designed for those students working on longer projects.

We will begin this class by discussing The Great Gatsby from a writer’s perspective, analyzing how Fitzgerald constructed (or failed to construct?) his masterpiece. From there, we will alternate weeks between critiquing students’ novels-in-progress, and discussing craft as it pertains to novel writing—-in particular, structure, voice, character, and pacing. We will workshop one manuscript (up to 100 pages) every other week, devoting an entire class to each student’s work-in-progress. In our craft discussions, the writings of Aristotle, John Gardner, E.M. Forster, and James Wood will be explored; we’ll also do a few in-class exercises. On these craft weeks, there will be no outside reading or writing assignments so that students can give attention to their own novels, and to the upcoming workshop manuscript.

To qualify for this class, you must have at least 80 pages of a novel manuscript written before the class begins.

Rate: $385/student
Enrollment Limit: 5 Students

**If interested, please email writingworkshopsla@gmail.com to reserve a spot!**

About the instructor:
Edan Lepucki has an M.F.A from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, and she's taught creative writing at the University of Iowa, Oberlin College, and Gotham Writers' Workshop. Her fiction has been published in Meridian, CutBank, the Los Angeles Times, and StoryQuarterly, and is forthcoming from the Los Angeles Review and Avery Anthology. She is a regular contributor to the Millions literary blog, and is currently at work on a novel.

August 16 2008 - Screenwriting Class: How To Become A Working Writer - Los Angeles

Screenwriter & Author, Jim Vines, On
How To Become A Working Screenwriter
August 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at CBS / Radford
MUST RSVP BY 8/14 AT: info@scriptwritersnetwork.org

Our Seminar Series’ speaker, Jim Vines, will discuss his popular book, "Q & A: The Working Screenwriter – An In-the-Trenches Perspective of Writing Movies in Today’s Film Industry." He will also discuss the realities of “The Hollywood maze” and how you can significantly improve your own chances of becoming a working screenwriter. Jim’s book is a compilation of interviews with 16 working screenwriters, including Allison Burnett (Autumn in New York, Resurrecting the Champ), John Rogers (The Core), David J. Schow (The Crow), and Stephen Susco (The Grudge) and also runs an informative website for budding screenwriters (www.TheWorkingScreenwriter.com) and popular in-the-trenches screenwriting blog (www.TheWorkingScreenwriter.blogspot.com). He currently has a handful of projects in development with production companies in Los Angeles and Canada.

FREE Drawing for Movie Magic Screenwriter Software

LOCATION & TIME: CBS/Radford Studios 4024 Radford Ave. Studio City (one block north of Ventura Blvd., one block east of Laurel Canyon). Doors open at 12 noon, with the speakers to begin at 1:00 pm. Non-member admission is $15.00 ($10 for members of WGA, Women in Film, FIND, FIN, Screenplay Lab. Complimentary admission for members & Jeff Gund’s info—Gund’s people and each of their guests must bring copy of invitation to get discount—no exceptions.MUST RSVP VIA E-MAIL NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY AUGUST 14, AT: INFO@SCRIPTWRITERSNETWORK.ORG You must give your name & the names of any guests.
www.scriptwritersnetwork.org
*Guest speakers subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Oct 11 2008 - Food and Travel Writing - Chicago

StoryStudio Chicago's Food and Travel Writing Half-Day will be held Saturday morning, Oct 11.

This popular class is now being offered in an expanded 4-hour format!

We all have memories of meals and travels that have changed our lives or the way we look at the world.

Using essays to get us started by MFK Fisher, Julia Reed, Bill Bryson and Calvin Trillin, we'll explore our relationship with food, family, emotion and identity. We'll experiment with the way in which travel enlightens us and makes us understand “home” more clearly.

In-class prompts will get you writing and a mini-workshop will give you some immediate feedback.

Learn more or sign up for our newsletter at: www.storystudiochicago.com/courses.php for details. Or call 773.477.7710.

Oct 6 2008 - Creative Writing I - Chicago

StoryStudio Chicago's Creative Writing I will begin Monday, Oct 6.

This eight-session course will meld creative self-discovery, practical writing techniques and exercises in a participatory and positive atmosphere.

This class will focus on the tools writers need to free their imaginations and improve their writing. Through discussions, readings and workshops we will explore the inner workings of our own minds through a writer’s journal. We will also consider the thoughts and writings of published authors, the narrative and story structure of fiction, and the feedback and support of our classmates.

In the workshop component of the class, you’ll share your work and receive critical feedback to help you move forward. You will also receive extensive instructor comments. (Students do not need any prepared stories before the course begins!)

Learn more or sign up for our newsletter at: www.storystudiochicago.com/courses.php for details. Or call 773.477.7710.

August 9 2008 - The Art of Book Writing - Atlanta, GA

The Art of Book Writing

Are you interested in writing a book but do not know where or how to begin?

The Art of Book Writing - Part I (Register)
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (8 sessions)
Registration Fee: $250.00
Instructor: Indu Sharma

This course takes students beyond basic writing skills to explore and discuss the essential aspects of book writing. Students learn to navigate challenges including concept development, research methods, data organization, creating outlines and timelines, and exploring various stylistic voices.

Contact :

indu.atlanta@gmail.com

August 14 2008 - Film Executive to Teach Movie Marketing and Distribution - New York

On August 14th, 2008, President of Passion River Films, Allen Chou, will be teaching a workshop to filmmakers about movie marketing on the internet without spending a dime.

From 5:30pm-8:30pm all filmmakers, directors, writers and producers are welcome to join Allen Chou at the Telephone Bar of NY, NY. This class is an opportunity for curious filmmakers to learn how to create internet buzz and word of mouth for their films without spending any money on advertising. The workshop will help increase DVD sales, awareness of a film and drive traffic to a website. Allen Chou is the president and founder of Passion River Films. The company specializes in distributing unique documentary DVDs, foreign movies, independent films and special interest titles to retail stores and libraries worldwide. They also book films and talent for public performances on college campuses across the country. This new seminar will help spread his knowledge to aspiring and successful filmmakers in the area.

The three hour movie marketing seminar will include important information on internet research that all filmmakers, producers, writers, and directors should know. This includes how one can perform keyword research in order to find websites that can promote a film. The class will also teach the top four social media and social networking websites that will generate awareness of a DVD while creating traffic to a site. Filmmakers will also learn how to optimize their own websites so that they can be found in Google, Yahoo, MSN and other search engine sites. Finally, Allen Chou will teach on-line publicity. All of these methods are key when trying to advertise and sell a DVD in this film distribution class.

The average internet marketing consultants can charge anywhere from $500 to $1000 for consultant fees and internet marketing companies charge $3,000 to $10,000 for a three month campaign. Instead of paying thousands of dollars for consultants and companies anyone creating, producing, marketing or distributing a film can now learn how to do it themselves and pay nothing. Filmmakers can now increase DVD sales and awareness of their movie and website for free through this workshop.

The film distribution seminar will be held at the Telephone Bar, 149 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. The cost is $40 and includes light appetizers. Limited seating, register at: http://store.indiedocs.com/dclass.html

To learn more about Allen Chou's film marketing and distribution class please visit http://www.marketmymovie.com/.

August 16-17 2008 - San Francisco Writing for Change Conference - San Francisco

M*A*S*H star Mike "BJ" Farrell, author of Just Call Me Mike, A Journey to Actor and Activist, will be a keynoter at the second San Francisco Writing for Change Conference. The other keynoter will be Gay Hendricks, author of the bestseller Conscious Loving, Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, at the Hotel Kabuki. Registration, $395, includes two breakfasts, two lunches, the keynote talks, more than 35 breakout sessions, and social events. Writers can register online and learn more at http://www.sfwritingforchange.org/, 415-673-0939, or by writing to 1029 Jones St., San Francisco, 94109.

The SFW4C is the first conference devoted to nonfiction books about any kind of change from the personal to the planetary. New and published writers and activists will:

Learn about writing, agents, and the publishing business
Get feedback on their writing
Have the chance to pitch their book to agents and editors.
Network with authors, editors, and agents from both coasts

The SFW4C encompasses a wide range of topics, including the environment, health, spirituality, business, science, politics, social issues, technology, global issues, spirituality, and personal development. Also speaking are Marisa Handler (Loyal to the Sky: Notes from an Activist), Wes 'Scoop' Nisker (Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again), Chris Carlsson (Nowtopia), Susan Griffin (Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy), and Allan Hamilton, M.D. (The Scalpel and the Soul).