Wednesday, 7:00-9:00AM (CT)
CONVERSATION ROOMS
One of the best things about a conference is meeting like-minded people who share your interests, and this year is no different! Check out the themed Conversation Rooms in our Histfic Hub.
Wednesday, 9:00AM-12:00PM (CT)
MASTER CLASS: SELF-PUBLISHING 101 – Additional Fees Apply
Jane Friedman
Over the last decade, the publishing industry has undergone tremendous evolution due to the growth of online retail and digital book formats, as well as the power of any author to publish and distribute their work at the click of a button. In this three-hour master class, industry expert Jane Friedman discusses the most important service options available to independent authors, how to choose the best channels, formats, and distributors based on your target audience and genre, how to assess if you are well-suited to self-publishing, and what to expect when it comes to marketing your work. She’ll also help you decipher “hybrid” publishing arrangements now available alongside the key forms of self-publishing and e-publishing practiced today.
You’ll learn not just the foundational principles of self-publishing, but you’ll also gain expert insight into the changing industry landscape and how you can navigate your own path toward success. By the end of the session, you’ll have a game plan for getting your book to market in the most efficient and effective way based on your skills and target readership.
Jane Friedman has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. She’s the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential industry newsletter for authors, and has previously worked for F+W Media and the Virginia Quarterly Review. In 2019, Jane was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World; her newsletter was awarded Media Outlet of the Year in 2020. Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press); Publishers Weekly said that it is “destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers.” Also, in collaboration with The Authors Guild, she wrote The Authors Guild Guide to Self-Publishing.
Wednesday, 12:00-2:00PM (CT)
CONVERSATION ROOMS
One of the best things about a conference is meeting like-minded people who share your interests, and this year is no different! Check out the themed Conversation Rooms in our Histfic Hub.
Wednesday, 2:00-5:00PM (CT)
MASTER CLASS: MAKING IT IN HISTORICAL FICTION
Libbie Hawker
Is it possible to establish a full-time career as a historical novelist? What pitfalls and advantages do writers face? How has the genre changed in recent years, and how might it change in the near future? What’s the soundest strategy for ensuring one’s career remains as stable as possible in an industry characterized by drastic change? It’s time to slip off your writer hat and get used to wearing your business hat! Libbie Hawker has been a full-time historical novelist for the better part of a decade with bestselling self-published and traditionally published novels. In this three-hour master class, learn strategies for establishing and maintaining a historical fiction writing career, learn how to study the market and identify opportunities, and learn how to maximize your chances of success to take your career to the next level.
Libbie Hawker, who also writes under the pen names Olivia Hawker and Libbie Grant, is a bestselling author of historical and literary fiction. Her work has been translated into six languages; her most recent, One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Willa Literary Award, and was among Amazon’s top 100 bestselling titles of the year in 2020. She lives in the San Juan Islands with her husband Paul and several naughty cats.
Wednesday, 5:00-6:00PM (CT)
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: SHARON KAY PENMAN TRIBUTE
On January 22, 2021, the literary world, and historical fiction enthusiasts, in particular, lost one of our giants. Sharon Kay Penman, a longtime HNS supporter, was the author of nine acclaimed historical fiction novels about medieval England and Wales. Her meticulous research woven into such compelling epics drew readers from all over the world and won her many accolades, but it is her generosity of spirit that novice and skilled writers alike remember most.
Join us on Wednesday, June 23rd, 5 pm CDT for a special Author Spotlight as we celebrate the light and literature of Sharon Kay Penman.
Missed fondly and never forgotten.
Wednesday, 6:15-7:15PM (CT)
Q&A WITH JANE FRIEDMAN
We’re talking with Jane about how authors can shake up their careers! Get your publishing questions answered by one of the best in the biz!
Jane Friedman has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. She’s the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential industry newsletter for authors, and has previously worked for F+W Media and the Virginia Quarterly Review. In 2019, Jane was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World; her newsletter was awarded Media Outlet of the Year in 2020. Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press); Publishers Weekly said that it is “destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers.” Also, in collaboration with The Authors Guild, she wrote The Authors Guild Guide to Self-Publishing.
Wednesday, 6:00-10:00PM (CT)
CONVERSATION ROOMS
One of the best things about a conference is meeting like-minded people who share your interests, and this year is no different! Check out the themed Conversation Rooms in our Histfic Hub.
Wednesday, 7:30-8:30PM (CT)
WELCOME FROM THE HNSNA BOARD! Let’s kick off the conference officially as we join together to learn, share, connect, and inspire.
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