Skill Building Conference for Local Writers The Public Library of Westland Saturday, June 4th: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 pm The Westland Library is proud to host its 4th annual Skill Building Conference for Local Writers (SBCLW). This free program is open to all area writers looking to improve their fiction, poetry, and non-fiction skills, as well as provide a forum to learn about the publishing industry. Attend 1 program or stay for all 4. Below is a list of programs being offered: 10:30 a.m Coffee and networking. Coffee provided by Westland's Biggby Coffee. Time to network and/or talk shop with local writers while enjoying a fine cup of coffee. 11:00 a.m. Small Steps, Promising Returns, presented by Saleem Peeradina<http://saleempeeradina.weebly.com/>, poet, professor, and translator. A workshop-style presentation where you'll practice short exercises designed to more finely focus your poetic eye. Topics covered include: Abstract into Sensory Language; A Makeover for Clichés; and Suggesting vs. Explaining. 12:00 noon Who's In The Driver's Seat of Your Story? presented by Mike Ball<http://learnedsofar.com/>, Erma Bombeck Award-winning author of 4 books and Director of the Lost Voices<http://lostvoices.org/> program. A discussion of the difference between character-driven and plot-driven storytelling, and how to take advantage of both techniques. 1:00 p.m. Lunch break. 1:30 p.m. The Hook: Writing That Grabs Your Readers on Page One presented by Pamela Gossiaux<http://pamelagossiaux.com/>, freelance writer and author of 2 inspirational books. This presentation helps answer the question: how do you get your readers past your first page or first chapter? 2:30 p.m. Publishing is Only the Start, presented by Tom Saunders, owner/operator of Glendower Media<https://www.facebook.com/GlendowerMedia/>, winner of 2012 National Indie Excellence Award. Learn what to do after all the writing, editing, re-writing, and polishing is finished. Free coffee will also be available throughout the day, courtesy of our friends at Biggby Coffee in Westland (while supplies last). Tea and water also available. Please sign-up on the library website at: http://westlandlibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventCalendar.aspx Andy Schuck Head of Youth Services William P. Faust Public Library of Westland 6123 Central City Parkway Westland, MI 48185 734-326-6123, ext. 2844 www.westlandlibrary.org