OFFICIAL 2016 WEBSITE
For Registered Authors Only
Mon, Feb 8 - Fri, Feb 12, 2016
Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort (O'ahu, Hawai'i)
This author conference is for established, powerhouse romance authors interested in advanced ad/marketing/business training, peer collaboration, and networking with influential industry professionals and specialists. There will be panels and sessions with industry professionals and advertising/marketing specialists, featured speakers, and author workshops / author networking events.
The Conference Portion
Industry Professionals & Ad/Marketing Specialist:
PANELS/TRAINING SESSIONS: Given the established experience of all the veteran authors attending, there will be industry professionals and marketing/ad specialists presenting sessions specifically with this in mind. The publishing house editors, e-retailers, business and marketing specialists (i.e. online ads, social media for business, etc.), and other niche industry professionals in attendance will thus be presenting more on advanced tips and intensive "what works/what's next" topics. Each industry professional will be given answers from info sheets authors will fill out with their registration on what specifically they want to learn about/get training and/or insight into throughout this conference. These panels will be in large group and breakout format.
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS GROUPS / BREAKOUTS: In addition, some of the industry professionals have expressed an interest in working with authors in focus groups & breakouts to conduct unique two-way dialogues. We are most definitely encouraging this. For example, one eretailer wants to talk about new collaborative and/or themed promotions with groups of authors, one of the publishing houses wants to conduct a think tank brainstorm session across subgenres, one of the anti-piracy organizations wants to dialog about how to better address the specific issues authors are seeing in terms of piracy to tailor their services, etc. These are being spearheaded by the industry professionals attending and will be in small group format.
Author Workshops / Networking Events (Submit a proposal HERE):
WORKSHOPS: Authors can submit individual or group proposals for business workshops (i.e. branding/rebranding, social media reach beyond FB, navigating hybrid careers, unique promotions, etc.) or craft workshops. Proposals for facilitated/moderated group sharing/brainstorming sessions are also most welcome. Please feel free to get as advanced and specific as you want as the authors attending are hungry for advanced topics that address the specific needs of bestselling authors. A discount in registration will be credited to all presenting authors for accepted proposals.
NETWORKING EVENTS: Authors can submit individual or group proposals for author networking events spanning pretty much anything under the sun -- i.e. a consortium where authors invite special guests, a meeting to launch a charity project, a collaborative research opportunity off site (i.e. Pearl Harbor), a writing exercise (i.e. peer feedback on blurbs), etc. Events just for fun is also very much encouraged. Want to go dancing? Propose it! :) Fitness focus (i.e. morning yoga, running on the beach, etc.)? Bring it! Feel free to get wildly creative – we want authors to have FUN while networking. A discount in registration will be credited to all presenting authors for accepted proposals.
The Retreat Portion
We won't keep you indoors the entire time (perish the thought). Beyond the beach luau and off-site group island tour activities included with registration, there will be a number of specially reserved activities at great rates (first come, first serve by reservation). Feel free to email us about any activity you and your author friends might be interested in (i.e. swim with sharks, get tattoos together, go clubbing, etc.).
There are slots built in throughout the week to the schedule for authors to specifically head outside to brainstorm, relax, and spend time with their colleagues (note that the Hilton is a beachfront hotel, which also has its own saltwater lagoon literally steps away from our meeting rooms -- http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/resort-experiences/beach-and-lagoon).
The retreat portion is as much about enjoying the islands as it is about networking and bonding with other authors/industry pros. The conference schedule will be rigorous, yes, however, we've made sure to schedule the agenda for flexibility for those interested in more off-site activities (we can help you find/book those -- note that some of the industry professionals have also asked to sponsor activity events that authors can sign up for). In addition, we know that many of you will be coming with your spouses/families and we are of course mindful of that. There will absolutely be time for couple/family time on the island, and we can also help with booking activities for your spouses/families while you are in sessions (please email us if you have specific requests -- i.e. golfing, surfing, etc). Spouses/family members are most definitely welcome for the luau (email us to reserve them tickets). However, the other island activity included with the registration is reserved just for authors and industry professionals.
Bottom line, we want everyone to be able to play as well as work together -- learn hard, have fun, and enjoy Hawai'i.
REGISTRATION COST:
Early Registration ($425) -- by 7/31/15
Regular Registration ($450) -- by 9/30/15
Late Registration ($475) -- by 10/31/15
No-Off-Site-Activities Option
Early ($350), Regular ($375), Late ($400)