8th Annual Medical Fiction Writing for Physicians
October 26-28, 2007
Falmouth, MA
Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort
www.seacrest-resort.com
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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, and The Fifth Vial
Tess Gerritsen, MD
author of Body Double, Harvest, Life Support, Bloodstream, Gravity, The
Surgeon, The Apprentice, The Sinner, Vanish
and the Mephisto Club
Featuring
SIXTEEN
Literary Agents looking for new physician-authors
Executive Summary
Make your writing dream a reality
at SEAK's 8th
Annual Medical Fiction Writing for Physicians Workshop. Medical 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, Medical 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
The Secrets to Writing a Best-Seller
October 25, 2007
How to Write Riveting Dialogue
October 25, 2007
Medical Fiction Writing That Sells
October 26, 2007
Non-Fiction Writing for Physicians
October 26, 2007
Creating Memorable Characters
October 26, 2007
How Physicians Can Get Their First Novel Published
October 26, 2007
Here's what past attendees have to say!
"Far exceeded my expectations. I'd pay 3 times as much t
o 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!"
"Just to thank you for the medical fiction writers
course I took in 2005. I have finished my novel, and have an agent
in NYC who "just loves it". I am making some final revisions and then
they will look for a publisher. Tess and Michael were very helpful!"
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 have 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. Why should I enter the Fiction Writing Competition?
A. Three reasons. It's fun, it's free and a good showing
can launch a new career in writing. Just ask past winner Clair Matturo,
author of Skinny Dipping, who's win in a SEAK competition was the key to
her getting published. Says Clair, "The SEAK prize proved to be my toe in
the door with Carolyn Marino, my Editor and Vice-President of
HarperCollins."
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.
Literary Agents
Donna Bagdasarian
is a native New
Englander who grew up in the suburbs of Boston. Tired of the Ivory
Tower, she left academia to join Addison Wesley Longman as a mathematics
textbook acquisitions editor. Experienced selling high-profile
fiction and nonfiction as an agent, Donna joined Vigliano Associates in
2002, bringing her academic, editing and agenting skills together with
her passion to represent and sell incredible authors and books. After
selling many notable and bestselling books while at Vigliano Associates,
Donna decided it was time to strike out on her own, forming DMB Literary
in 2003, where she represents well-known and published authors, ranging
from literary fiction to political nonfiction. Having joined Maria
Carvainis Agency in the fall of 2004, Donna brings not just her client
list but her experience in managing a boutique agency to compliment the
agency's notable stable of best-selling authors.
Meredith Bernstein
is a New York
literary agent who recently celebrated her agency's 25h anniversary. Her
agency is looking for mainstream fiction; psychological suspense;
medical thrillers; romances with a fresh twist or works by those who
have previously been published in the genre.
Regina Brooks
is the founder
of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC., a boutique agency representing a
diverse base of award-winning clients in the areas of adult fiction and
non-fiction, young adult, and children's literature.
Sheree Bykofsky
is the co-author
of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published and is a New York
Literary Agent who represents some 100 book authors in all areas of
adult non-fiction, literary and commercial fiction.
Jennifer Decharia
formed her
literary Agency in 2001. DeChiara was a literary agent with Perkins,
Rubie & Associates and The Peter Rubie Literary Agency. A New York
City-based writer, she has worked in the editorial departments of Simon
& Schuster and Random House and has been a writing consultant to several
major corporations.
Sorche Fairbank
started Fairbank
Literary Representation in 2002, when she first moved to Cambridge MA.
Since then, Ms. Fairbank has had the honor of representing and working
with accomplished and best-selling authors such as Robin Moore (The
French Connection, The Green Berets, Hunting Down Saddam), Xaviera
Hollander (The Happy Hooker, Child No More), Edgar-winner and Pulitzer
Prize nominee John McAleer (Ralph Waldo Emerson: Days of Encounter, Rex
Stout: A Majesty's Life), AP Journalist of the Year (Ohio) David Yonke,
Jazz legend Benny Golson, Edgar-winner Rex Burns, and political dynamo,
Charles Euchner.
Deborah Grosvenor
is an
experienced literary agent and book editor representing several dozen
leading authors. She discovered Tom Clancy and helped get The Hunt for
Red October published.
Kelly Harms
is an agent at
the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She was formerly an editor at Morrow/Avon. She
is currently building a list of commercial authors.
Esmond Harmsworth
is a founding
partner of the Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency in Boston,
Massachusetts. Harmsworth represents fiction and non-fiction. For
fiction, he represents literary fiction, mystery, and crime.
Miriam Kriss
is a literary
agent with the IRENE GOODMAN LITERARY AGENCY in New York. She is
interested in commercial fiction, legal fiction and thrillers. Her first
solo sale was from a first-time author and hit several bestseller lists.
Benjamin LeRoy
is the founder
of Bleak House Books, an independent publisher of crime and dark
literary fiction. He lives in Madison, WI, where he spends his free time
working on his own writing and being constantly fascinated by the
history of baseball and what it has meant to the fabric of America.
Janet Reid
of Imprint Agency looks for fresh, original story telling in all types of
fiction and non fiction. Her clients include thriller writers, chick lit
writers, and people with compelling personal stories.
Rita Rosenkranz
is a Literary
Agent in New York City. She specializes in all areas of non-fiction.
Katharine Sands
is a literary
agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency in New York City. She
represents a wide range of authors in a
broad range of categories
including non-fiction, literary fiction, and dysfiction.
Katharine has been guest speaker on writing and publishing topics for
The American Society of Journalists and Authors and The New York State
Council on the Arts. Her book reviews have appeared in The New York
Times and Publishers Weekly. She is the agent provocateur of Making the
Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent's Eye, a collection of
pitching wisdom from leading literary agents. Actively building her
client list, she likes books that have a clear benefit for readers'
lives in categories of food, travel, lifestyle, home arts, beauty,
wisdom, relationships, parenting, and fresh looks which might be at
issues, life challenges or popular culture.
Rachel Vater
currently
represents fiction writers in the areas of fantasy, chick lit, women's
fiction, true-to-life young adult novels, and mainstream commercial
fiction. She is looking to build her non-fiction list in the areas of
business / personal finance, women's career books, women's issues,
social issues and spirituality by authors with strong credentials and a
solid platform.
Steven Babitsky,
Esq.
Steven
Babitsky, Esq. was a personal injury attorney for twenty years. He is the
co-author of ten books and is the developer of SEAK's Medical Fiction
Writing for Physicians seminar.
Beth Wechsler, MSW
Beth
Wechsler, MSW brings a combination of writing and group facilitation skills
to the workshop. Nationally known for her books for high-risk youth, her
stories have been published in Yankee, eBay Magazine, the Boston Globe,
Consumer Reports and regularly in Cape Cod newspapers.
Tuition
The $1,195 tuition includes a continental breakfast,
breaks, lunch with faculty, a detailed manual which can be retained
as a bookshelf reference, and a dynamic learning experience.
Click here for registration information.
Schedule
- Saturday, October 27, 2007
- Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
*MAIN CONFERENCE
Friday Evening, October
26, 2007*
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 28, 2007
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
3:15-5:00Writer's
Problems and How to Overcome Them (Spouses Invited)
Writer's
Block, Distractions, Fears, Leaving the Nest
5:00-5:15Concluding
Remarks