Updated conference schedule

SCHEDULE

	ROOM A								ROOM B
8:30 to  9:45	NEW ADULT: It's Not Your Momma's YA Sophie Jordan								WHAT'S YOUR SOCIAL   MEDIA GAME  PLAN? Amy Atwell
9:45 to 10:00							Short Break-- Buy Your Door Prize Tickets
10:00 to  11:15	FUNDAMENTALS AND ESSENTIALS OF   WRITING THE SUSPENSE NOVEL Linda Castillo								WORLD BUILDING IN WOMEN'S FICTION Jodi Thomas
11:15						DRAWING FOR VIP LUNCHES
11:30 to 12:45						Lunch Break
1:00 to 2:15	HISTORICAL ROMANCE FOR THE   MODERN READER Sophie Jordan								SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMAZATION   MADE EASY Clover Autrey
2:15 to 2:30						Short Break--Buy Your Door Prize Tickets
2:30 to 3:45	DEALING WITH NEGATIVITY Linda Castillo								ONLINE RETAILER OPPORTUNITIES:     GAIN AN EDGE THROUGH EDUCATION Amy Atwell
3:45 to 4:00						Short Break--Buy Your Door Prize Tickets
4:00 to 5:15	RAISING YOUR WRITING   TO THE NEXT LEVEL Cindy Dees
5:15 to 5:30					Last door prizes and parting thoughts
6:30	Join us in the lobby for dinner at Dos Gringos. Dinner's at your expense, but there is ride sharing (and very large margaritas. Check out the map page for the address and directions.

Updates on photographer

Just a reminder, local photographer Andrea Pender will be on-site on Saturday for appointments.  If you need a head-shot (and if you don't have a professional photo, you do!), be sure to take advantage of this opportunity! Here is some additional information on pricing:

Special Group Pricing:

$75

This includes:

• 15 minute session
• One outfit 
• Around three images to choose from
• One digital image

All images will be completely edited (skin smoothed, teeth whitened, whites of the eyes whitened). 

Additional images may be purchased for $50 each.

If you're interested, be sure to contact Andrea to arrange an appointment!

Jodi Thomas Two-Step Grant Winners!

Many thanks to all who applied for the Jodi Thomas Two-Step Grant.  While we wish we could have accommodated everyone, we had to pick three.  The winners of a free conference registration are...

Rachel Firasek

Elizabeth Webb

And congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner, who receives a free conference registration and a complimentary 2-night stay at the conference hotel!

Mary Hicks

If you entered but did not win, you can still register for the conference at the discounted rate of $125.

See you all in a few weeks!

Parking for the conference

Here are a few parking options for you to consider if you're driving to the conference.  For a complete list of parking options in Fort Worth, please go here.

Hotel parking:

Overnight self-parking is $20, or there is valet parking for $25. The day rate is $16 for 8 hours.

Garage parking:

You can park at the Sundance Square Garage II which is one short block from a trolley stop, but unfortunately the trolley doesn't begin its route until 10 am. This particular garage is just under 1 mile from the Sheraton.

Address: 400 Jones Street 

Hours, Pricing and Info:  $1.25/half hour $10.00/daily $120/monthly

Free Evenings Weekdays After 5pm & All Weekend

For more information about Molly the Trolley (which is free to ride!), click here.

Conference schedule

We're getting closer to the big day!  Here is the schedule of events for our conference.

FRIDAY
6 pm: Book signing at Barnes & Noble (NE Mall location)

9:30 pm: Evening social (hotel bar)

SATURDAY

SUNDAY
2 pm: Book signing at Barnes & Noble (Southlake location)

Conference Headshots!

I'm thrilled to announce that local photographer Andrea Pender will be on site Saturday for author photographs!  If you need a professional author photo (and let's face it, everyone does) now is your chance to schedule an appointment!

If you'd like to get your picture taken, contact Andrea at 817.607.3867 or andrea@andreapender.com.  For more information about what is included in your photography package, click here.  Andrea will be offering a special conference rate, so check back for more details as we get closer to the conference.

In the meantime, here are some helpful tips from Andrea for getting the most out of your photography session!

1. Wear something you are confident in.  

2. Wear a color rather then black or white.  Black and white tend to wash people out and we all have a color that looks great on us.  Wear that color.  

3. Women - keep necklines high. 

4. Women - keep jewelry "classic"...diamonds, pearls, etc...I advise staying away from the "Texas Trendy" jewelry.  You want to love the picture tomorrow....and in six months!   

5. Style hair and apply make up how you normally would be seen.  You want to look like "you" in your portrait. 

Also, I always tell my clients that with my editing I make them look like themselves....on a really good day.  I do skin smoothing, teeth whitening, and whitening of their eyes.

You don't want to miss this great opportunity!

The Jodi Thomas Two-Step Grant!

I'm excited to announce more details regarding the Jodi Thomas Two-Step Grant!

Jodi Thomas is a multi-award winning, bestselling author, and all around great lady.  She approached the chapter a few months ago about presenting at our conference, and said that rather than accepting a speaking fee for her time, she would prefer the chapter offer a grant program so that writers who otherwise would not be able to afford the conference can attend.

The requirements to apply for this grant are simple: this must be the first time you have attended the NTRWA Texas Two-Step conference.

That's it.

Three winners will receive a waived conference registration fee.  In addition, one of those lucky winners will receive a free night at the hotel (room fee and taxes only--any room service, pay-per-view, or mini-bar expenses will not be comped).

To enter, simply fill out this form: Grant application

Winners will be chosen using a random number generator, and winners will be contacted on March 1, giving them plenty of time to make travel arrangements for the conference.

Questions?  Contact us!

Writing resolutions

How many of you have made writing-related New Year's resolutions?  Whether you have a defined daily word count goal, or you just want to make writing a priority, we wish you the best of luck!

Image credit

Happy New Year!

www.123rf.com

Looking forward to seeing you in a few months for our great conference!