In conjunction with the 2014 Clive Cussler Collector’s Society Annual Convention and the Adventure Writer’s Competition, we are proud to announce:

 A Writer’s Seminar/Roundtable: The Secrets of Bestselling Novels - to be lead by Number One New York Times Bestselling author Grant Blackwood.

The New York Times bestselling author of the Briggs Tanner series, (The End of Enemies, The Wall of Night, and An Echo of War) Grant Blackwood is also the Co-author of the Fargo Adventure Series (Spartan Gold, Lost Empire, and The Kingdom) with Clive Cussler, as well as the co-author of the #1 NYT Bestseller, Dead or Alive, with Tom Clancy, and the current best-seller, The Kill Switch, with James Rollins.

A U. S. Navy veteran, Grant spent three years aboard a guided missile frigate as an Operations Specialist and a Pilot Rescue Swimmer.

Grant lives in Colorado, where he is working his own standalone series starring a new hero. You can visit Grant’s web site at: http://grantblackwood.com

Seminar Details:
The cost is $25 per person, which includes participation in a day-long seminar held Friday, October 10th, and having your (up to ten page, double spaced) manuscript excerpt critiqued by Grant Blackwood.

The seminar is intended for both novice and seasoned authors, so if you are a published author you are eligible (and encouraged) to attend.

Limit is ten (10) participants - and participants must register and attend the entire convention to be deemed eligible.

Seminar/Roundtable Schedule:
Friday, October 10th
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lunch break (on your own)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Manuscript Guidelines:
Your input must be an original excerpt from a novel in the adventure/mystery/crime/thriller genre. The excerpt shall not exceed ten (10) pages double-spaced The except must be sent to Grant Blackwood electronically no later than September 1, 2014. (details to be provided after registration) contact Kerry Frey

During the critique process, Grant will concentrate mainly on story content. Each participant will also have a ½ hour individual one-on-one follow-up session with Grant (over the remaining convention weekend). During this time, Grant will also discuss the quality of the writing. This will be scheduled with Grant. Material must be of the adventure/mystery/crime/thriller genre.

Registration Process:
Registration for the 2014 Scottsdale Clive Cussler Collector’s Society Convention is at: http://cusslersociety.com/convention.html

The Grandmaster Fiction Writers Roundtable

The Grandmaster Fiction Writers Roundtable is something that the CCCS experimented with at the 2006 convention with some success.

The roundtable is designed to be an informal critique and discussion group. Space at the convention location will be provided for this continuing event. All levels of writers interested in the adventure genre are welcome and a limited number of participates will be accepted.

Prior to the convention, participants will submit a chapter or short story (adventure-related genre) and will be given copies of each others work beforehand. The roundtable will begin with the moderator determining the time available for the critique and discussion process of each chapter/story. Each writer will be asked to give a very brief overview of his/her submitted
writing, its history and thought-process. Each piece of writing will be read and discussed, followed by other roundtable writers giving a non-judgmental critique. Comments and suggestions on how that particular piece of writing might be improved for future use and publication will also be provided. This process will continue until all works have been presented and discussed. Non-participating observers may be present as space permits and (at the discretion of the moderator) take part in critiques and discussions.

For more information, contact Kerry Frey

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