ON CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION

Heather Richardson - Novelist Heather Richardson shares her experience of telling a story in an unconventional way, through an embroidered dress.

Heather Richardson is a Belfast-based multi-genre writer. Her work has appeared in journals and anthologies in Ireland, the UK and Australia. She is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University. 

Gerald M. Kilby -  How a real world radio interview inspired an off-world story. Ideas for stories can come from many sources, but a radio interview with a group who planned to send people to Mars, on a one way ticket, proved to be the inspiration needed to create a bestselling sci-fi series. 

Gerald M. Kilby is an acclaimed science fiction author. Reaction is his first novel written in the old-school techno-thriller style. His latest books, Colony Mars and The Belt, are best sellers, topping Amazon charts for Hard Science Fiction & Space Exploration. 

Dr. Nita Mishra, A Woman of Letters weaves academic research writing with poetry and theatre, and indicates possible subjects for writing using letters as a tool of creative research. 

Dr. Nita Mishra is a post-doctoral researcher on Social Inclusion and part-time lecturer for International Development at University College Cork. Her poetry, critically acclaimed as the future of Irish feminism, reflects the lives of migrant women globally. 

M.G. Crisci - Engaging multi-media discussion of how every author has personal experiences that can become the inspiration to create best-selling literary works. Includes a personal real-world example. He will also try to convince us “There is No Such Thing as Writer’s Block!”, showing us how to use true stories and events to build a critically-acclaimed library of books you can be proud of. 

Manhattan-born M.G. Crisci is the critically acclaimed author of 16 books across multiple genres inspired by real events, and his library ranks in the 10% of Amazon authors. He is also considered an expert in consumer behavior and product branding and has been elected to Who’s Who in the World 24 times. 

Ann Richardson talks about her three creative non-fiction books – about living with AIDS in the early 1990s, working in end-of-life care and being a grandmother – comparing them to TV documentaries. 

Ann Richardson, a retired social researcher, writes on varied topics that capture her interest, using in-depth interviews. Current books are about people with HIV/AIDS during that pandemic, people who work in end-of-life care and grandmothers. A memoir, The Granny Who Stands on her Head, will be available shortly. 

Dr. Hari D. Sharma, civil and geoenvironmental engineering expert, uncovers the secret message of the most iconic world monuments and statues and learns why now is the best time to be alive. 

Dr. Hari D. Sharma is a Ph.D civil and geoenvironmental-engineering expert turned author dedicated to environmental preservation and improving the quality of human life. His new book, “Climate Change and Leadership Shaping Civilizations: An Ongoing Journey of 40,000 Years as Evidenced by Iconic Monuments and Statues,” was launched this October. 

Chris Rush - author, paranormal investigator, Horror Writers Association member and chair of the Horror Writers Association – Ireland Chapter, Emma Ennis, author, screenwriter and reviewer, Dr. Sarah Cleary, horror academic, consultant and creative director at Deadly Doses on writers who want to begin the journey, or are already journeying towards publishing their work and some of the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Although directed mainly towards horror writing there are some valid points that can be applied by an author of any genre. Main points discussed include: the importance of writing for yourself and not censoring your voice; sources of inspiration and applying them to your writing; Marketing techniques and the resources out there that can help a writer network, learn and most of all get people interested in their work. 

Wendy H. Jones - author of police procedurals, humorous & YA mysteries & children's books & a book marketing podcaster & President of the Scottish Association of Writers, will speak about How to get started in Writing Books that Children and Teenagers will Love. 

Anne Janzer - award-winning author, will talk about Intentional Incubation. You know how great ideas hit you when you’re walking or showering? That’s the incubation effect. We’ll talk about how to get more of it in your writing process. 

Anne Janzer is a nonfiction author, development editor, and unabashed writing geek dedicated to helping others make an impact with their writing.