Taught by NY Times best selling physician-authors:
Michael Palmer, MD
author of Critical Judgment, Silent Treatment, Natural Causes, Extreme Measures, Flashback, Side Effects, The Sisterhood, Miracle Cure, The Patient, Fatal, The Fifth Vial, and The First Patient
Tess Gerritsen, MD
author of Body Double, Harvest, Life Support, Bloodstream, Gravity, The Surgeon, The Apprentice, The Sinner, Vanish, The Mephisto Club, and The Bone Garden
Features Literary Agents looking for new physician-authors
Executive Summary
Make your writing dream a reality
at SEAK's Annual Fiction Writing for Physicians Workshop. Fiction Writing For Physicians has been designed to give aspiring physician authors what they have never before had: hands-on and practical training on how to write medical fiction and get published.
The course is taught by two New York Times best-selling physician-authors, Michael Palmer, MD and Tess Gerritsen, MD.
Like all SEAK training, Fiction Writing For Physicians will be hands-on, lively, and interactive. Attendees will have the opportunity to get all their questions answered. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get their writing and query letters reviewed and evaluated. The faculty also features numerous literary agents looking for new physician-authors. Space is limited for this special workshop. Early registration is highly recommended.
Seminar Preconferences
October 23, 2009 & October 24, 2009
Here's what past attendees have to say!
"I am just writing to let you know about some success from a conference participant. I attended your conference two years ago in medical fiction. Michael and Tess were great, as were the other attendees. More than anything, I took the valuable lesson of keep writing. My first book, The Dilemma, released last Monday (1/28) is doing well so far, but I don't know how many copies so far. I have gotten as high as #15 on Amazon.com's bestseller list for medical fiction , which seems kind of weird with all of Palmer's and Gerritsen's books surrounding mine on that list. Thanks again for the conference and its encouragement. And of course, to help a starving artist (well, not quite starving) consider forwarding my success so far to your other conference." www.rowlandstewart.com
"I attended the Seak Fiction Writing Conference in 2006. Partly as a result of the many excellent ideas, hints and advice, I revised and finished Diamonds of Death, a surgical thriller. [guts, gore, sex, surgery]. Five Star Publications published it and it came out in February. It is in a way, a testimony to the conference." John Raffensperger, MD
"Far exceeded my expectations. I'd pay 3 times as much to attend!"
"Absolutely fantastic. Insightful. Informative and detailed. Bottom line and essential information."
"Excellent and useful."
"Well done."
"Always interested in writing, this was the push I needed."
"Perfect!"
"I appreciated all the anecdotal material, you can't find this in books."
"Excellent, inspiring, informative. I'm totally encouraged to write and will consider returning to the conference."
"The seminar motivated me, and leaves me feeling that a door has been opened."
"Outstanding, I loved it!"
"Excellent presentation, excellent speakers."
"Very good."
"The speakers were great. My only feedback is THANK YOU!"
Seminar Benefits
Learn to write from your peers who have made the transition from practicing physicians to international bestselling authors
Gain practical writing experience
Get written feedback from concise writing exercises dealing with conflict, premises, dialogue, and writing action scenes
Have a portion of your manuscript (if you have one) reviewed and critiqued by a faculty member at no extra charge
Soup to nuts fiction writing: from naming characters to getting an agent and getting published
Have your query letter reviewed and critiqued (with suggested improvements) by a faculty member at no extra charge
Have your query letter placed in the hands of numerous literary agents (if desired)
Gorgeous location
Motivation to write - Others have made the breakthrough and so can you!
Enter the National Fiction Writing Competition for Physicians and help launch your writing career
Have your books signed by two New York Times best-selling physician-authors
Network with agents and colleagues at the seminar meals and during the private "book party" reception Saturday night
Small group breakout sessions with agents Sunday morning
Breakfast and lunch with Michael and Tess each day
An unforgettable, inspiring experience
Actually have fun at a conference for physicians!
Topics Covered
Personal Success Stories: Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen
Mechanics of Writing: Premises vs. Plot, Ideas, Settings and Atmosphere, Showing vs. Telling, Points of View
Character: Naming and Describing, Back Story, History, Motivation, Relationships, Conflict, Dialogue, Minor Characters, Evolution of Characters
Plot: Building Scenes, Pacing, Developing, Suspense, Crisis and Resolution, Opening Hooks
Getting Published: Agents, Writing a Synopsis and Query Letter, Acquisition and Publication Process, Manuscript Appearance, Ancillary Markets, Book Tours
Writing Exercises and Group Discussions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to have a manuscript to attend or benefit from this course?
A. No. All you need is a desire or interest in writing.
Q. If I have never written fiction before, is this course for me?
A. Yes. This course will help both the new and experienced writer.
Q. Will this course help me get started?
A. Attendance is the first step to getting started. Don't put it off.
Q. Will this course be work or fun?
A. It will be lively, interactive, and fascinating. You will "work" as much as you want to.
Q. Will I get a chance to meet and talk to Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen?
A. Yes. They will both be at the course for three days and available to talk with you.
Q. Is CME credit offered in conjunction with this course?
A. No. This is a fun and inspirational weekend, not a CME conference.
Q. Can my spouse attend with me?
A. Your spouse is welcome to attend the Friday night reception, the Saturday night "book party" and the last session on Sunday dealing with writer's problems.
Q. Is this the same course featured in the New York Times?
A. Yes.
Q. What types of feedback will I receive on my writing?
A. A written critique of concise writing exercises, a written review of up to three chapters of your manuscript and a review and critique of your query letter.
Q. Will I get a chance to meet and talk with agents?
A. Yes. There are small group breakout sessions with the agents on Sunday morning specifically for this purpose. Additionally, there will be agents in attendance at the seminar lunches and at Saturday night's book party.
Q. Will I be able to ask questions?
A. Yes. There will be substantial time reserved for questions and answers.
Q. Are there things for my spouse to do while I'm in class?
A. Cape Cod is a great area for people of all interests to spend time. We recommend that you have a car available and your spouse will be able to enjoy many activities including: golf, museums, touring the islands of Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket, whale watching, kayaking, fine dining, shopping, historical sites, hiking, fishing, bicycling, etc.
Q. Will you have Michael and Tess's books available for sale?
A. Yes.
Q. If I submit a query letter to you, what will happen to it?
A. We'll give you feedback on how to improve it and will distribute it to all the agents on our panel if you so request.
Q. Can non-physicians attend?
A. The course is designed for physicians and the vast majority of those in attendance will be physicians, however it is open to anyone interested in writing.
Q. Will this course save me time?
A. Yes. Attendees avoid wasting valuable time by not going down blind alleys.
The two major airports closest to Cape Cod are Logan International Airport in Boston, MA (70 miles) and T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (80 miles). Barnstable Airport is a five minute drive from The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, but this is a commuter airport that has smaller planes and fewer flights. T.F. Green is preferred over Logan (if you can get a non-stop flight) as it is usually less congested. Rental cars, taxis and car service are available at all three airports. There is also a bus service that runs between Logan Airport and Hyannis www.p-b.com.
Cape Cod:
Cape Cod is a true destination spot that features beautiful beaches, warm water, great restaurants, historic towns, sightseeing, kayaking, whale watching, museums, numerous bike trails, shopping, nightlife, championship golf, and world famous boating. Cape Cod is also gateway to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. For more information on what to do on Cape Cod, please visit www.capecod.com.
Schedule
- Saturday, October 24, 2009
- Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
*MAIN CONFERENCE
Friday Evening, October 23, 2009*
7:00 - 8:30pm Reception (Spouses Invited, Hors D'Ouerves and Cocktails provided)
Personal Success Stories: Michael Palmer, MD and Tess Gerritsen, MD and Group Discussion
7:30-8:00Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-10:00Mechanics of Writing
Premises vs. Plot, Ideas and Where You Get Them, Setting and Atmosphere, Showing vs. Telling, Points of View, Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
10:00-10:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:15-12:15Character
Naming and Describing Your Characters, Back Story, History of Characters, Motivation, Relationships, Conflict, Dialogue, Minor Characters, Evolution of Characters Throughout the Book
12:15-1:30LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY
1:30-2:30Character (Continued)
Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
2:30-2:45BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:45-5:15Plot
Building Scenes, Developing Suspense, Pacing, Crisis and Resolution, Opening Hooks, Writing Exercise, Group Discussion
5:15-6:30Book Signing (Spouses Invited)
Tess Gerritsen, MD and Michael Palmer, MD
- Bring your own books or purchase Tess and Michael's books at the seminar
8:00-11:00pm"Book Party" Reception (Spouses Invited, Entertainment Provided)
Meet, mingle and mix with fellow attendees, agents and faculty members at a private reception in the hotel's Surfside Lounge.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
7:30-8:00Continental Breakfast
8:00-10:00Plot (Continued)
Subplots, Handling Transitions, Starting and Ending Chapters, Suspense and Surprise, Themes, Flashbacks, Writing Exercises, Group Discussion
10:00-10:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
10:15-11:15Getting Published (Presented by SEAK's Panel of Agents)
Agents, How to Write a Synopsis and Query Letter, Publication Process, Manuscript Appearances and Mechanics, Ancillary Markets, Book Tours
11:15-12:15Small Group Breakout Sessions with Agents
Each agent on faculty will run a question and answer/interaction session with a small group of attendees. Attendees should have their concise pitches ready.
12:15-1:30LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY
1:30-3:00Research, Editing, and Revising
How to Research Cost Effectively, Editing Process, When is Enough Revising Enough
3:00-3:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
3:15-4:00Writer's Problems and How to Overcome Them (Spouses Invited)
Writer's Block, Distractions, Fears, Leaving the Nest
4:00-5:15Concluding Remarks