WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION COUNTDOWN! By Vonn McKee

I can’t believe that in only SEVEN weeks (September 14-16), we will be gathered in Oklahoma City for the 2018 Western Fictioneers convention! By request, we have more time scheduled for plain old socializing—a great opportunity for catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

Here are a few highlights:

FRIDAY

     Enjoy several discussions led by our very own Fictioneers experts! A discussion of horses in western literature, straight from the horseman’s mouth (Jim Griffin). Diane Garland, Jacquie Rogers, and Ron Schwab will advise on keeping your fiction worlds spinning (very helpful when writing a series). We’ll take a look at the role of women lawyers and doctors in the West (Doris McCaw, Ron Schwab).

ROBERT VAUGHAN

JAMES REASONER

ROBERT VARDEMAN

A LIVING LEGENDS panel, where you’ll hear writing anecdotes from Western literature heavyweights James Reasoner, Robert Vaughan, and Robert Vardeman. Q&A follows.

     Later, we'll be treated to a docent-guided group tour of the NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM, followed by a down-home western buffet at our host hotel, Best Western Saddleback Inn. 

Best Western Saddleback Inn - OKC

SATURDAY

     Learn about Economics of the Old West from Edward Massey. Robert Vaughan will lead the Custer session (as well he should!). And Westerns can get be weird; just ask Troy Smith, James Reasoner and friends.

     “Legal Labyrinths: The Rights Side of the Law” was so popular at the last convention that we’ve asked Nashville attorney W. Michael Milom to encore. Expect a lively Q&A for this session! Tom Rizzo, JES Hayes, and Cheryl Pierson will reprise the Social Media panel, and Troy Smith will expound on “The Politics of Violence in Indian Territory.” Hopefully, Courtney Joyner will drop in with an update on the Western movie industry. We’ll close with an evening of entertainment and fine food.

SUNDAY

     We’ll gather for a Cowboy Church meeting, followed by an optional visit to the H&H Shooting Range.

     So how do you get in on all this fun?

REGISTER HERE AT THE WESTERN FICTIONEERS WEBSITE. Then, pay registration fees either by check or PayPal (instructions are also on the website). Book your hotel room by calling BEST WESTERN SADDLEBACK INN at 800-228-3903 and be sure to mention you are with WESTERN FICTIONEERS. (Unfortunately, hotel rooms for our block cannot be booked via the hotel’s website.)

     As your convention chair, I look forward to seeing you soon in OKC! I know you’ll have an amazing time.

All the best,

Vonn McKee

“Writing the Range”
2015 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Finalist (Short Fiction)
2015 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist (Short Fiction)

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2018 WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION IS OKC BOUND!

Once again, it’s time to stuff the saddlebags, shine up your boots and point your trusty cow pony toward the Great Southwest for the 2018 WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION! We’re headed “where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain,” to the town known as “The Big Friendly.” That would be Oklahoma City!

It’s been THREE YEARS since the Western Fictioneers inaugural convention and it’s high time for another gathering. You’ll enjoy catching up with old pals and making new ones, not to mention joining fascinating discussions led by some of western literature’s most respected authors and historians.

We’ll hang our hats at the BEST WESTERN SADDLEBACK INN, conveniently located near Interstate 40, visit the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and feast on fine chuck wagon-style meals.

More details on the schedule will be released as they are finalized. But . . . you can get yourself registered for this incredible event and reserve your hotel room NOW!

WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION

SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2018

BEST WESTERN SADDLEBACK INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER

4300 SW 3^rd STREET 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  73108

You may reserve rooms at our special convention rate by calling BEST WESTERN SADDLEBACK INN at 800-228-3903. Be sure to mention that you are with WESTERN FICTIONEERS.

REGISTRATION includes admission to all discussions and panels, Friday and Saturday night banquets, and a group ticket to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

                                          Through 7/15   After 7/15
WF Member Individual          $125             $150
WF Member + Spouse Pkg.    $225             $275
Non-member Individual          $150             $175
Non-member + Spouse Pkg.    $250             $275
(Single day attendance is $80)

First, visit the Western Fictioneers WEBSITE and fill out a registration form. There are TWO WAYS to pay registration fees.

1. ONLINE VIA PAYPAL (choose “Send Money” option and enter this email address: mfmilom@comcast.net (Account is named "Great Planet Enterprises")

2. MAIL CHECK PAYABLE TO: Great Planet Enterprises  P.O. Box 59463   Nashville, TN 37205

You’ll be hearing more about the convention between now and September. For now, RESERVE your room and REGISTER for a special time for informative discussion, food and fun, and camaraderie with some of Western literature’s greats. Oklahoma City, here we come!

See you there, saddle pals!

 

WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION 2015!

YEE HAW!

Pack your saddlebags and shine up your boots for the first ever WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION! We’ll be rendezvousing near beautiful historic St. Louis, Missouri––the Gateway to the West––on October 30, 31, and November 1, 2015. Many WF members will be meeting each other for the first time and we have crammed as many fascinating workshops, panels and meet-and-greets as two and a half days will possibly hold!

Here’s a peek at the schedule (tentative):

                

FRIDAY             MUSTERING THE TROOPS: Introducing the Western Fictioneers!

2-9 PM              WHAP! BAM! POW! Punching Up Your Fight Scenes

                         WRITE ‘EM UP, MOVE ‘EM OUT: Tips for Selling Your Story

                         THE “RIGHTS” SIDE OF THE LAW: Legal Labyrinths

                         WELCOME RECEPTION AND DINNER

SATURDAY      CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8 AM-NOON     LIVING LEGENDS PANEL: Q & A with WF Giants

                         BUILDING A FRANCHISE: Serial Novel Tips and Tricks

                         ROMANCING THE WEST

                         WRITING ABOUT INDIANS WHEN YOU’RE NOT ONE

                         BADGES & BAYONETS: Lawmen, Rangers and the Cavalry

1-9 PM              PUBLISHERS PANEL: What We Want from Writers

                         THE DOCTOR’S BAG: Medicine and Surgery of Yesteryear

                         DECONSTRUCTING CUSTER

                         HOLLYWOOD WEST: The Scoop on Screenplays

                         TAMING SOCIAL MEDIA: Marketing and Other Necessary Evils

                         THE CIVIL WAR AND THE WEST

                         DINNER (Wear your over-the-top cowboy & cowgirl duds for 
                                   HALLOWEEN!)

SUNDAY           CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8-11 AM            THE WOLF CREEK SERIES: Behind the Scenes

                         COWBOY CHURCH

You’ll get to meet and visit with many legendary (and up-and-coming) Western Fictioneers like Robert Randisi, James Reasoner, Dusty Richards, Robert Vaughan, Frank Roderus, Jacquie Rogers, Keith Souter, Tom Rizzo, Cheryl Pierson, Troy D. Smith, L.J. Martin, James J. Griffin, Chuck Tyrell, Kathleen Rice Adams..and many more! They'll be happy to hand out autographs at the Western Fictioneer Book Store! 

AND...there'll be special entertainment provided at

Friday and Saturday dinners.

<--------------------------------::::

HOTEL INFO:

WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION

OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1, 2015

SHERATON WESTPORT PLAZA HOTEL

900 WESTPORT PLAZA 

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI  63146

You may reserve rooms at our special convention rate of $109 per night by:

Clicking HERE to book online or... 

Calling the hotel at (314) 878-1500. 

Be sure to mention that you are with WESTERN FICTIONEERS.

REGISTRATION FEES (includes all workshops, panels, two continental breakfasts, one welcome reception, and two dinners)

                                                       Early Registration Sept. 1-30

                                                       (Through Aug. 31)

WF MEMBER INDIVIDUAL $179 $199

WF MEMBER + SPOUSE PKG. $279 $299

NON-MEMBER INDIVIDUAL $205 $225

NON-MEMBER + SPOUSE PKG. $305 $325

SINGLE DAY ATTENDANCE $115 $125

There are TWO WAYS to pay registration fees.

1. ONLINE VIA PAYPAL (choose “Send Money” option and enter this email address: mfmilom@comcast.net
2. MAIL CHECK PAYABLE TO: Micki Fuhrman (WF Convention Chair)  P.O. Box 59463   Nashville, TN 37205

You’ll be hearing more about the convention between now and October. For now, RESERVE your room and REGISTER for what may be the best convention you’ve ever attended!