Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Book Fair

  • Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC25) is Almost Sold Out!

    There’s still time to Register for the Chanticleer Authors Conference!

    CAC25 banner for the Chanticleer Authors Conference. 2025 Dates are April 3-6.

    First, we want to take a moment to congratulate all our Finalists again! You can find the full lists of Finalists in each division below!

    These wonderful authors put themselves out there, and we are honored to have been able to promote them throughout the 2024 CIBA year and beyond! Good luck in these final rounds of judging!

    What to Expect at CAC25!

    Publishing as the Hub of Technology

    The world of publishing continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Technology has become central to every aspect of the industry, from writing and editing to marketing and distribution. At Chanticleer, we take pride in offering a conference that embraces the latest in publishing technologies. Our event provides a comprehensive look at the best tools and strategies authors can use to build their brands, market their work, and increase sales. We’ll explore everything from AI and metadata management to cutting-edge marketing techniques, ensuring you are well-equipped to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

    A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference or CAC25
    Register today!

    In addition to offering invaluable business and marketing insights, we are also featuring select advanced writing craft classes to help authors take their writing to the next level. Whether you’re looking to improve your storytelling techniques, explore new narrative structures, or refine your manuscript, CAC25 has something for everyone.

    Headliners

    J. D. BARKER- Int’l Bestselling Thriller Author

    J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and the wildly popular 4MK series. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

    CHRISTINE FAIRCHILD – Author, Book Doctor, and Dialogue Expert

    Christine Fairchild offers 35+ years experience as a writer, editor, and book doctor. She’s conducted celebrity interviews (XFiles, SciFiMall.com), edited for technical giants (Microsoft, Hitachi), and served as a marketing/readability specialist for consumer products (DHL, Cingular, AT&T). She now specializes in Suspense fiction and helps authors take their work, and their career, to the next level through her online workshops, classes at conferences and one-on-one book-doctoring of clients’ novels. She also writes suspense and historical fiction, so she understands the challenges authors face in their craft and the publishing industry.

    Kim Hornsby, a young white woman with blonde hair and glasses wearing a stylish yellow jacket with a blue scarfKIM HORNSBY – USA Today Bestselling Author, Producer, and Screenwriter

    Kim Hornsby is a USA Today Bestselling Author and Produced Screenwriter known for adapting her novels to screenplays. With 16 novels and as many screenplays Kim is also a movie producer, with Braving Rapids, a Family Adventure and Secret Life of My Other Wife, a Lifetime Thriller slated to release early ’25. Comfort & Joy starts filming for a Christmas ’25 release as well as Christmas in Crystal Creek. She teaches her method of adapting from book to film at conferences nationally including Chanticleer, the RWA and PNWA. Her Christmas Romance novels and Suspense Mystery novels have sold over half a million books and she’s thrilled write happy-ending stories for her readers.

    A mother, dog owner, kayaker, painter, and avid adventurer, Kim loves to travel but when home she writes from a desk overlooking her forested acreage on an island off Seattle conjuring up entertainment with gutsy heroines amongst diverse and inclusive characters to represent real life.

    www.KimHornsby.info

    See the full list of faculty here!

    Can’t make it on Friday? Saturday-only passes are available! These passes include lunch, the banquet, and participation in the Saturday Book Fair at the Bellingham Yacht Club, followed by the Village Books Book Fair the next day at their flagship store in Fairhaven!

    Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at info@ChantiReviews.com. We try our best to reply within 3 business days.

    The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

    Chanticleer Authors Conference, people, CAC2025

    Join us for our annual conference as we enter our second decade and discover why!

    Thank you again to everyone who participated in the 2024 CIBAs! We wish you all the best of luck during these final rounds of judging and hope to see you at CAC25, April 3 – 6, 2025!

    Best regards,
    Kiffer Brown, David Beaumier, Dena Weigel, Anya Mueller, Scott Taylor, Argus Brown
    and Team Chanticleer

  • Book Fair and Sessions for SUNDAY APRIL 30 CAC23

    Announcing Sunday’s, April 30th’s Exciting Schedule!

    2023 Chanticleer Author Conference

    1) We are excited to announce this exciting workshop that will be presented on Sunday of CAC 23 (April 27 – 30, 2023).

    WORKSHOP – TIPS for WRITING WITH FILM in MIND

    There’s growing interest among authors in their books being optioned, transformed into a screenplay, and produced as a feature film or network series. Why don’t producers ask authors to write the scripts? How is a screenplay different than a novel or memoir? You needn’t become a screenwriter to write a story that would make a great film, but knowing how films are made in relation to the script can help you write with audio-visual storytelling in mind. This workshop will show you elements of film craft, such as shot type and sound, that are usually written into screenplays. Filmmakers borrow conventions from theater, such as mis-en-scene; knowing this can inspire your use of elements like props or costume to communicate themes. A screenplay is an engaging set of instructions for using sound and moving pictures to tell a story. What holds true for films as much as books: story rules.

    Lisa Gruell Spicer

    Tips for Writing with Film in Mind Workshop will be presented by Lisa G. Spicer. Spicer came to writing from her career in film and video production. Starting with PBS/Seattle, documentary unit and then Bill Nye—her work in editing won three Daytime Emmys. Spicer received screenwriting certificate with Stewart Stern at UW and has worked as a producer & editor for the award-winning film projects and documentaries. Click here for more info. Registration is required. 

     

    2) Additional Sessions on Sunday:

     Alphabet Soup (SEO, AISEO, ISBNs, ASINs, Meta-data & More)

    and 

    Marketing and Publicity Tips and Tools

    3)  BOOK FAIR

    A ship on Bellingham Bay for the Books by the Bay Book Fair

    Books By the Bay Book Fair

    Sunday, April 30th, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    A FREE and FUN FAMILY EVENT

    Door Prizes and Raffles

    Free Parking at the Hotel Bellwether

    Featuring

    Kids Scrap University Recycling Program

    Bring your aluminum can(s) to recycle in Jessica’s bin and receive fun prizes on Sunday from Jessica and Kids Scrap University.

    The proceeds from recycling the cans brought in will be donated to a playground for disabled children.

    Jessica will read her book, The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans at 2 p.m.

    A Musical Number

    Yep, that’s correct! Author and Entertainer, Daniel Finkel is doing a musical number from his refreshingly original book and its soundtrack, 3 p.m.

    Mr. Taffle’s Pants of Insanity

     – We don’t quite know what to expect, but, hey – why not!

    The title of his work is Mr. Taffle’s Pants of Insanity (adult-leaning humor & satire with a splash of Douglas Adamseque and John Kennedy Tool’s Confederacy of Dunces). Come on by to see for yourself what he is going to do. We are!

    Ongoing Activities

    Plus more activities as authors join in! We invite you to check back! 

    – Meet Authors at the “Speed Dating” Event – Win Prizes 

    AUTHOR SPEED DATING – On-Going – Each person participating will receive a chance to win raffle prizes.

    What is Author Speed Dating: Authors sit at tables with their books and swag. There are timers involved – 90 second ones. Book Fair attendees rotate through the authors sitting at their tables every ninety seconds while the authors try to tell them about their books. In between rounds, we will draw raffle tickets for fun prizes!

    OR Meet Authors the Old Fashioned Way – stop by their tables and chat with them at the Book Fair.

    You can check out the authors participating in the Books By the Bay Book Fair by clicking here.

    and, of course, Books are for SALE! 

    Village Books is the Book Room Manager! Credit cards are accepted!

    * As with these crazy times, presenters, times of sessions, sessions, just about anything is may change at the last minute and without notice. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Team Chanticleer

    ** If you are already have the 3-Day Registration or the Saturday/Sunday Registration, all of the above is already included! No need to do anything. We will send you more information automatically. Questions? Send David or Kiffer an email.

    This is Day 4 of the annual Chanticleer Authors Conference 2023 that is held Thursday – Sunday, April 27 – 30, 2023

     at the Hotel Bellwether at Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, Wash.

    Please click here for more information about CAC 23 Registrations, the 2022 CIBA Banquet and Ceremony, and the Book Fair and Sunday’s “Local” Day.

  • POP-UP Books & Gifts Event – Just in Time for Palentine’s & Valentine’s Day

     Pop-On Over and Visit Us

    at the Chanticleer 

    Pop-Up Books and Gifts Event

    February 4 & 5, 2023

    Saturday  10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    and Sunday  11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    The Herald Building – First Floor, Downtown Bellingham, Wash. 


    FREE! Local Authors and Artists Event featuring Gifts for Palentine’s and Valentine’s Day:

    • Books
    • Children’s Books
    • Candles
    • Soaps
    • T-shirts
    • Toys & Games
    • Prints & Paintings
    • Cards
    • Vintage Goods
    • Bric a Brac

    Open to the Public

    POP on over to our POP-UP Event on Sat. & Sun. Feb 4th & 5th at the Herald Building, First Floor – Downtown Bellingham!

    Featuring the Following Authors:

    Susan Conrad, Peggy Sullivan, Gail Noble-Sanderson, Wendy Kendall, Jennifer Mueller, Robert Wright, Rob Slater, Donna LeClair, Strider Klusman, Marian Exall, Christine Smith, Sean Dwyer, MW Soapworks, Neal Cronic – Artist & Kiffer Brown.

    POP on Over for this FUN and FREE event! We have a few spots left, if you are interested or in the neighborhood.

    We’d love to help create these pop-ups for Chanticleerians all over.

    Message or email Kiffer at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com

  • Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015 Schedule

    Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015 Schedule

    cac3-150x1501.pngSchedule of Sessions at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2015

    This is the projected schedule as of September 22, 2015. Please check back frequently for updates and more details. Thank you!

    To find out more information about the presenters and their sessions, please click here! 

    Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 CAC15 Sessions and Events will take place at the Bellingham Yacht Club at Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, Wash. 

    9:00 a.m. Registration Opens in the BYC Lounge

    9:30 a.m.  Saturday  Sessions @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room: Characterization—Creating Memorable Characters to Keep Your Readers Coming Back – Pamela Beason, award winning author, private investigator, editor
    • Ward Room:  Social Media Savvy for Authors: Building and Author Platform Using the Best Social Sites for YOUR Audience, presented by Shari Stauch, CEO of Where Writers Win

    10:45 a.m. Saturday Sessions  @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room:  Community Marketing – James R. Wells
    • Ward Room: Platforms (not shoes!): How to Position Yourself as Expert on a Topic – Cami Ostman

    12:00  Saturday Casual Luncheon (included) in the BYC Lounge 

    1:10 p.m. Sessions and Workshops begin @ BYC

    • Fireplace Room: WattPad Wonderful, presented by Amanda June Hagarty
    • Ward Room: Barnes and Noble’s New Publishing Platform, presented by Stefanie Winger, Barnes and Noble Community Development Manager
    • Main Lounge:  BOOK COVERS – What you need to know – a ‘no holding back’ conversation! presented by Kiffer Brown

    2:10 p.m. Sessions – Saturday

    • Fireplace Room: Kindle World: What is it? And How Do You Get Your Works on this Elite Amazon Marketing Platform – Janet Oakley, award-winning author writing in a Kindle World.
    • Ward Room: How to Use BOOKS I LOVE App to Build Book Buzz,  presented by Elizabeth DiMarco

    3:10 p.m. Sessions – Saturday  

    • Fireplace Room: How Barnes and Noble Services Can Help You Increase Your Readership and Book Sales, presented by Stefanie Winger of Barnes & Noble
    • Ward Room: Taming Your Inner Critic by Cami Ostman, author, family therapist and a life coach.

    4:10 p.m. Saturday DAILY PANEL DISCUSSION in the WARD ROOM – Ask the Panel Anything (almost anything) 

    5:10 It’s Happy Hour at the Bellingham Yacht Club – The Bar is Officially Open! 

    6:00 p.m.  Casual Dinner at the  BYC

    7:30 p.m. The Penny Stinkers Band starts – dancing sure to follow

    SUNDAY, September 27 – CAC 15 moves to the Hotel Bellwether

    Registration will be held in the Bellwether Ballroom

    • Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.
    • Sessions begin at 9:10 p.m. daily

    Coffee & Tea will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Exhibitors and Sponsor Tables will be in set-up in the Bellwether Ballroom 

    The CAC 15 Book Room will open at 11 a.m. in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium.

    • Book Room is OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
      • 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Sept. 27, 28, & 29)
    • Book Room will be open for CAC participants at 9:30 a.m.

    9:10 – 10:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Sub-genres in Fantasy and Science Fiction and How It Relates to Reader Expectations, presented by Lindsay Schopher, Steampunk Author and Writing Coach – Board Room
    • 7 Steps to a Great Author Website: It’s All About Function vs. Form, presented by Shari Stauch of Where Writers Win – Admiral’s Room
    • Riding the Radio Tiger, presented by John Trudel – Compass Room

    10:10 – 11:00 Sessions – Sunday

    • Rev up Your Writing Process with Agile Project Management, presented by Tom Wise and Nancy Bechtel-Wise – Compass Room
    • Story Telling in a Modern World, presented by Diane Isaacs – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch  – Creating Your Indie Marketing Plan with Susan Colleen Browne – Bellwether Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Bublish Webinar – Sunday

    • BUBLISH – How to Use Bublish, presented by Kathy Meis, CEO of Bublish and Joy Caps, Marketing Director – Board Room

    11:10 – 12:00 noon Sessions – Sunday

    • Digital Writers: Cutting Edge Resources and Tools of the Trade, presented by Dawn Groves, International Communications Expert – Admiral’s Room
    • Like Icarus Taking a Selfie: Driving Sales with eBook Discount Promotions – James R. Wells – Compass Room

    12:10 Luncheon with Keynote Presenter: Diane Isaacs, Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions resume at 1:10 – Sunday  (Sessions are 40 – 50 minutes including Q&A unless otherwise noted).

    1:10 – 2:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Website Options for Authors, presented by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • My SciFi Publishing Journey, presented by Ben Coles, Titan Books – Board Room
    • Blogging for Writers: Doing the Least to Generate the Most, presented by Dawn Groves, Inter’l Communications Expert – Compass Room

    2:10 – 3:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • The Book Pitch, presented by Sara Stamey, Book Doctor – Compass Room
    • Creating Original Worlds, presented by Lindsay Schopher – Board Room
    • Book to Film Labyrinth – the art of loglines, high concepting and pitching, presented by Diane Isaacs – Admiral’s Room

    3:10 – 4:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • How to Set-up Mailchimp by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • Children’s Books in Today’s Market, presented by Ben Coles, publisher of Promontory Press – Compass Room
    • Continuity Editing Tools and Tips, presented Diane Garland, Continuity Editor – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch: Social Shenanigans, presented by Social Media Master Amanda June Hagarty – Ballroom Room

    4:10 – 5:10 Sessions – Sunday

    • Increase Your Author Website’s Traffic with SEO Optimization, presented by Gary Pickering, CEO of CLICKMONSTER – Board Room
    • Discoverability Tools & Strategic Planning for Heightened Visibility – PDQ, presented by Kiffer Brown – Compass Room
    • Daily Panel – Sunday – SciFi Fiction Authors – Admiral’s Room
      • Robert Slater
      • James R. Wells
      • Vijay Laksham
      • Jesikah Sundin
      • Moderated by Ben Coles, author of the Virtues of War series with Titan Books

     “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app – A New Book Discovery Tool

     The Book Room will be open.

    Official Opening Night Dinner with a Short Keynote Presentation by Cami Ostman begins at seven o’clock in the evening at the Bellwether Ballroom

    Monday, Sept. 28 the CAC15 continues at the Hotel Bellwether

    • Registration will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium beginning at 8:30 a.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to attendees and presenters at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to the GENERAL PUBLIC at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • Exhibitors, Sponsorship Information, Coffee and Tea, etc. will be n the Ballroom
    • Sessions are 40 to 50 minutes including Q & A time unless otherwise noted

    9:10 – 10:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Managing Your Author Marketing Resources presented by Lindsay Schopher, Writing Coach — Board Room
    • How to be a Best Seller? It’s All About the Influence! How to Grow Your Audience Using Key Industry Influencers, presented by Shari Stauch, CEO of Where Writers Win — Admiral’s Room
    • Planning a Series – Pamela Beason  (ninety minutes) – Compass  Room

    10:10 – 11:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Working with Illustrators and Illustrations –  Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room 
    • Planning a Series continues – Pamela Beason – Compass Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch with Diane Isaacs and Kiffer Brown – The Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Session Webinar

    • Creating TOMA (Top of Mind Awareness) with Readers presented by Joy Capps, Bublish – Compass Room

    11:10 – 12:00 Sessions – Monday

    • Riding the RADIO Tiger, presented by John Trudel – Compass Room
    • The State of Independent Publishing Panel Moderated by Sean Curley – Admiral’s Room
    • Creating TOMA Webinar continues until 11:30 – Board Room

    Monday Luncheon with Keynote Presentation by Diane Isaacs 12:10 in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions continue at 1:10 p.m.

    1:10  Sessions – Monday

    • Community Marketing, presented by  James R. Wells – Board Room 
    • The First Five Pages, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room
    • Compound Interest for Your Books, presented by Christine Smith – Admiral’s Room

    2:10 Sessions – Monday

    • WattPad Wonderful, presented by Amanda June  Hagarty – Compass Room
    • Book Buzz Your Way, presented by Kayce Hughlett – Board Room
    • Five Pillars of Engaging Readers, presented by Kiffer Brown – Admiral’s Room

    3:10 Sessions – Monday

    • Websites for Authors, presented by Rochelle Parry, Megabite Design – Board Room
    • Kindle World, presented by Janet Oakley – Compass Room 
    • Understanding Book Distribution, presented by Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Katsch: Selling to Millennials and Digital Natives – Fox Deatry  – The Ball Room

    4:10  Sessions – Monday 

    • Increasing Author’s Website Traffic Using SEO Optimization, presented by Gary Pickering, CEO ClickMonster –  Board Room
    • Traditional Publishing from Pitch to Contract and Beyond, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room
    • Daily Panel – Admiral’s Room

    5:10 – 5:40 AUTHORS’ PANEL Discussion in the Ballroom – Open to the Public

    “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app begins at 5:15 – Cash Bar; Complimentary Appetizers

    7:30 p.m. Join up with a restaurant group or strike out of your own! 

     

    TUESDAY, September 29th is AWARDS Banquet and Gala Evening 

    • Registration will be available in the Bellwether Ballroom’s Atrium beginning at 8:30 a.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to attendees and presenters at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • The BOOK ROOM will be open to the GENERAL PUBLIC at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
    • Exhibitors, Sponsorship Information, Coffee and Tea, etc. will be n the Ballroom
    • Sessions are 40 to 50 minutes including Q & A time unless otherwise noted

    9:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • Top Twenty: “Outside the Box” Book Marketing Ideas! How Thinking About Your Readers Will Sell More Books, presented by Shari Stauch, Where Writers Win C.E.O. – Admiral’s Room
    • Keeping it Short: Writing Novellas, Novelettes, and Short Fiction to Enhance Your Writing Career and Increase Your Readership, presented by Susan Colleen Browne – Board Room
    • Selling to The Trade, presented by Bennett Coles – Compass Room

    10:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • ACX – Audio Books: How to Make Your Books Available on this Platform for Today’s Busy Readers, presented by Janet Oakley – Compass Room
    • Like Icarus Taking a  Selfie – Driving Sales with Epub promotions – James R. Wells – Admiral’s Room
    • Kaffee Klatsch – Increasing Your Internet Identity’s Foot Print, presented by Kiffer Brown,  Christine Smith,  Amanda Hagarty, & Fox Deatry – The Ballroom

    10:30 – 11:30 Session – Bublish Webinar – Tuesday

    • Marketing with Metadata, presented by Kathy Meis, CEO Bublish – Board Room

    11:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • Branding for Authors, presented by Steve Lundin – Admiral’s Room
    • Cooperative Book Publishing, presented by Sara Stamey of Bookview Cafe – Compass Room

    12:10 Luncheon with Keynote Presentation by Shari Stauch at Noon in the Bellwether Ballroom

    Sessions resume at 1:10 p.m.

    1:10 Sessions – Tuesday

    • SHOW ME THE MONEY: Pricing Strategies for Indie, Hybrid, Traditional, Digital E-books, and Print – Running Real-World Publishing Numbers –Discussion led by Pamela Beason, Susan Colleen Browne, and Ben Coles – Admiral’s Room
    • Continuity Editing Tools & Tips, presented by Diane Garland – Board Room
    • BOOKS I LOVE App – the App that Creates Book Buzz – Be on the forefront! Learn how to install, use the app, and share on social media. BookSnips, Happenings, Author Events, and More, presented by Elizabeth DiMarco, CEO of Books I Love app. Compass Room

    2:10 Sessions – Tuesday 

    • Yipida – a new platform for selling books, presented by Paul Wegenast, CEO of Yipida – Admiral’s Room
    • Children’s Books Market, presented by MaryAnn Kohl, Literary Agent/Publisher – Board Room
    • Marketing Business Models for Authors, presented by Jennifer Snow – Compass Room

    3:10  p.m. Special Session with Robert Dugoni, #1 Amazon Selling & New York Times Bestselling Thriller Author, will present a special session in the Ballroom.

    4:30 Daily Panel Discussion with Robert Dugoni – The Future of Publishing will be held in the Admiral’s Room

    5:45 Book Signing in the Ballroom Atrium

    6:30 Appetizers Served in the Ballroom 

    “Appy Hours” sponsored by BOOKS I LOVE mobile app

    The Chanticleer Writing Competitions Awards Banquet and Gala begins at 7:00 in the evening in the Ballroom

    Opening Remarks will be made by Robert Dugoni.

    After Awards Cocktail gathering to continue at the Hotel Bellwether’s Fireplace Bar and Lounge. Don’t miss out on the fun!

    Please continue to check back as we update the schedule and add more detailed information.

    Stay tuned!

    Please email KBrown@ChantiReviews.com for more information.