First Cuenca International Writers Conference begins March 15

By Sara Coppler

Only days remain to register for the first Cuenca International Writers Conference to be held in the Zahir 360 Hotel. beginning Tuesday, March 15.

The conference opens with a welcome party where conference attendees will meet one another as well as the professional writers and editors who will present sessions and host panels during the three-day event. Among the presenters are New York Times bestselling author and 2015 National Book Award nominee Andra Watkins who will kick off the conference with a discussion of why now is The Time is WRITE in Cuenca.

Conference organizer Frances Augusta Hogg is a book editor and story coach, managing editor of Zero Magazine and moderator of the Cuenca Writers Collective critique group. “In the work I do I meet expats every day who want help to write a family history, to achieve their life’s dream of publishing a novel, or to share their travel adventures through blogging,” Hogg says. “Others finally have the time to try to improve, republish and market books they’ve already written. When I was in the U.S., I would advise my clients to attend a writers conference, but the only English-speaking conference in Latin America is the one held in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I realized we needed to have something closer to home.”

According to Hogg, interest in the Cuenca writers’ conference idea was enthusiastic. Among the experienced presenters is Ricardo Segreda from Quito, editor and author for Viva Travel Guides and film critic for Ecuador’s La Hora since 2004, who will teach travel and screenplay writing. Su Terry, internationally known musician, voice actor and writer, will provide guidance for performing one’s work, as well as how to inject “story” into non-fiction writing. And Lynne Klippel, publisher and publicist, will advise on designing author websites and publishing on a budget.

“We’re providing basic skills classes in developing characters, writing dialogue, self-editing, and creating suspense,” says Hogg. “A panel about genres, and genre-specific sessions on food writing, memoir, how-to books, romance, spirituality, and travel writing will help attendees focus in their particular areas of interest. Practical sessions are planned on how to set up blogs and use computer-assisted writing programs. And for more seasoned writers, we are providing sessions on book-cover design, book-publishing practicalities and handling criticism,” she says.

Only fifteen spots remain for those who would like to attend the conference. Registration continues online until March 8. The cost for the conference is $139. Payment can made by PayPal. Hotel rooms are available at a special discount for conference attendees. To register online, go to cuencawritersconference.com.

Registration payment can also be made at Carolina Bookstore on Hermano Miguel near Calle Larga in Cuenca.

For more information, contact Frances Hogg at franny@zeroenterprises.com.