Cleveland INKubator

Conference Schedule

The INKubators

​Registration

2018 Cleveland Inkubator - Schedule Overview

Register Online

Registration at Cleveland Public Library Stokes Wing (525 Superior Ave., Cleve. 44115), 8:00-9:00 am
Workshops and craft talks from 9 am - 2:45 pm
Lunch, free ice cream and Bullets into Bells reading in Eastman Reading Garden from 12:15-1:15p
Keynote reading w/award-winning author Benjamin Percy interviewed by Brad Ricca, 3-4:30p
Resource fair with independent booksellers, 9a-4p

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Workshop Schedule

9:00 - 10:30 am

​What Happens After "The End?"-- Reworking and Revising Your First Draft
w/ D.M. Pulley
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Most writers will tell you the real work happens in the rewrite. Learn strategies to improve your first draft by identifying plot holes, cutting out unnecessary exposition, adding sensory details, and keeping your reader turning pages. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sample page or short work in progress to share and rework. D.M. Pulley will share first draft and second draft rewrites from her own novels along the way.

​Unlocking Your Creative Unconscious
w/ Cordelia Eddy

Our minds are filled with great material: memories, dreams, and images that we often fail to access because we overthink our writing. In this workshop, participants will develop strategies for overcoming the inhibitions that prevent so many of us from accessing this material. Participants will practice putting conscious self-critique on hold in order to make writing a more natural act. We will let our unconscious minds run free by playing surrealist writing games and experimenting with automatic writing, exquisite corpse, and writing exercises inspired by writer and illustrator Lynda Barry. The goal? Participants will walk away with strategies for unleashing the creative potential already buried within their own brains.

Understanding Bias: Exploring the Connections Between Language and Injustice
w/ Pam Turos and Erica Merritt

Through the power of our pens (and keyboards) writers and journalists have the ability to shape the way people see each other and the world. Helping our readers connect with the human side of an issue is one of the most effective ways to drive awareness and support toward injustices such as racism, addiction, mental health stigma and poverty. But sometimes, the language we use to describe people and their life experiences can unknowingly contribute to the judgment and marginalization we seek to dispel. In this interactive workshop, writers will learn how to identify and overcome some of the unconscious bias and assumptions that impact our storytelling.

10:45 - 12:15p

The Wonder Fears: How to Balance Exposition and Reflection in Your Nonfiction
w/ Charlotte Morgan

Did you ever wonder if your prose was missing something? As memoirist and poet Vivian Gornick suggests, story creation in non-fiction writing surrounds “situation and the story”, but it also involves investigating the causal and consequences of the inciting event (the situation) which caused you to write. To do so, the writer must show and tell. There are peaks and valleys in storytelling, but how does a writer strike a balance in the prose? In this all-levels workshop,  we will delve into a discussion of the craft of causality and consequence by looking at examples, and practice what we have learned. Participants share their work, and come away with more confidence about their non-fiction.

Making Bullets into Bells: Tips for Creating Powerful Activist Poetry
w/ Mimi Plevin-Foust and others

Do you want to write poems that address social issues in ways that engage readers’ hearts and minds? Inspired by the anthology Bullets into Bells: Poets & Citizens Respond to Gun Violence, presenters will share strategies to write powerful activist poetry without beating readers over the head with your message. Participants will have time to interact to respond to what they’ve heard. The panel will conclude with opportunities to take meaningful creative and/or citizen action on this pressing issue. 

Art of Fact: The Origins and Evolution of Literary Journalism ​
w/ Sam Allard

A roaring precis of narrative nonfiction's precipitous mid-century rise, as practiced by the new journalists -- Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion, Hunter Thompson, etc. -- and its contemporary practitioners. The seminar will include a craft portion, featuring tactics and techniques for artful reporting, as well as prompts for your writing and tips for developing your ideas into pitches.

1:15 - 2:45p

Nonfiction Is 100% True (Or Is it?)
w/ Brad Ricca

If fiction is made up, then does that mean nonfiction represents the truth? Of what? And how do you go about writing something that impossibly absolute? In this session, we will question the boundaries of truth and...other stuff...in order to find out the best way to tell true stories that can resonate with your reader just like fiction does. Our main questions will be: what is the truth and how can we best tell it? This session is for all writers of any level interested in writing nonfiction or memoir and will include a practical writing exercise to get writers started on their own projects.

Chapter One: How to Hook Readers, Agents and Editors
w/Kevin Keating

This workshop will focus on how writers can develop the first chapter of a novel so it will appeal to potential readers—including agents and editors. The opening carries within it the promise of the entire work, and so by looking keenly at where to begin, writers can often discover where they need to end up. Keating will explore specific elements of craft like setting, characters, dramatic dialogue, significant detail, and style, all through the lens of the first chapter. He will also consider things like tone, tense, point of view, and plot.

Asking “What if?”: An Introduction to Speculative Fiction
w/ Alex DiFrancesco
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In this workshop and talk, we will define the slippery category of “speculative fiction,” and discuss how it differs from science-fiction, fantasy, literary, and other genres while incorporating their elements. Using examples such as the British television show Black Mirror, the classic show The Twilight Zone, modern novels such as Hari Kunzru’s White Tears, Indra Das’s The Devourers and more, we’ll use prompts and guided writing to create our own “what ifs.” We'll share and examine our own work, and how asking these questions creates vibrant writing and literature. 

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Craft Talk Schedule

9 - 10:30a

The Craft of Comics
w/ Marc Sumerak:

Words and pictures collide as comic book writer and editor Marc Sumerak shares insight from nearly two decades of work at Marvel Comics. Join him for an in-depth look into the collaborative art of making comic books and graphic novels, as well as a candid discussion about his many adventures with some of the world's most recognizable characters.

The Indie Press Experience
w/ Susan Petrone, Christopher Johnston, and Dan Crissman

There are hundreds of independent and small presses operating in the United States. Some have a dozen imprints and backlists with several thousand titles; some publish only two or three titles a year. All of them of provide authors with an attractive alternative to chasing the brass ring of a Big Five publishing contract or the DIY world of self-publishing. What can you expect as far as editing, marketing, and distribution if an independent press publishes your book? Writers Christopher Johnston and Susan Petrone will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working with an independent press and offer tips for submitting and succeeding, while book editor Dan Crissman will discuss his experiences working with Big Five and small publishers and provide an inside view of startup Belt Publishing.

10:45 - 12:15p

Crafting a Killer Plot: What Makes Your Mystery or Novel a Bestseller?
w/ Amanda Flower

Find out the essential ingredients to turn your crime story into a novel readers can't put down. Learn about the set up, gripping chapter ends, red herrings, and how to create heart-pounding tension with USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Amanda Flower.

Learn How Literary Editors Respond to Your First Page
w/ Laura Maylene Walter and Matt Weinkam

Have you ever wondered what a literary journal editor is thinking while reading your story or essay? This is your chance to find out! Using volunteer audience submissions as an example, Gordon Square Review editors Laura Maylene Walter and Matt Weinkam will share craft tips and advice for the openings of short prose pieces. Attendees may anonymously submit a hard copy of the first page of prose at the workshop; Matt and Laura will read submissions aloud and share their impressions and feedback. They'll also provide an overview of the literary magazine submissions process and offer tips for writers. Limit one page of prose (double-spaced, size 12 font, with no name or identifying information) per attendee.

1:15 - 2:45p

Social Media for Writers
w/ Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

Do you know the difference between a Facebook page and a Facebook profile? Do you wonder why you’re not getting likes, comments, or shares? Are you interested in sharing your blog with readers? In this session, we will talk about how to curate your social media presence, as well as how to blog successfully for the social media age. Together we’ll explore the importance of keeping blogs and social media posts short, connecting with readers by writing beyond the anecdote, and remembering that real humor has heart, not just zingers.

Education for Authors: Tips for Working with Independent Booksellers
w/ Suzanne DeGaetano, Harriett Logan and Lynn Quintrell

Independent bookstores have survived despite challenges over the past 10 years, including the rise of e-books and online retailers. In this panel discussion, hear from owners about how to turn these small but mighty bookshops into powerful allies. Panelists will share best practices they’ve formulated over the years about organizing successful events, marketing and promotion, and working with authors. They’ll also share in-depth knowledge about the publishing industry that will help you understand the role of authors and booksellers in the distribution chain.