All workshops will take place in the Historical Classroom on the 2nd floor. Seating is limited to 60. 
2-3pm
A Day in the Life of Death: Walking Through A Victorian Funeral
with Featured Author Christine Trent
Although Queen Victoria certainly brought mourning to an art form, many aspects of funerals and mourning of the period had already come into existence prior to Prince Albert's death, such as watching and recording a loved one's demise. What was it about this particular time and place in history that elevated death to a special place? Why is it no longer this way? 

Join Christine Trent, author of the Lady of Ashes series (about a Victorian undertaker), as well as the author of the new Florence Nightingale Mysteries, as she considers these questions. She will also walk through a typical Victorian funeral and explore the role of the undertaker in Victorian society. 
3-4pm
From Novice to Novelist: How to Write a Novel
​with Featured Author John DeDakis
Aspiring writer? Established, but stuck and struggling? Got great ideas, but no discipline? This class will demystify and deconstruct the novel-writing process from beginning to end (with a nod to that all-important step: procrastination!). 

You'll learn:
• How to transform ideas into reality
• How to tap into your subconscious and life experiences to
  transform them into a book-length project
• Techniques to stay organized when creativity gets chaotic
• How to populate your story with interesting characters,
  a twisty-turny plot, and snappy dialogue
• Strategies for finding an agent and marketing the finished product
• How to face your writing and marketing fears

The class includes a writing exercise. You'll come away from our time together prepared to begin work on a novel and equipped with the confidence to perfect it. 
4-5pm
The Many Hats of a Writer
with Authors from the Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia and Mysteries by the Sea Chapters
There is more to being a writer than writing a story. Whether traditionally or self-published, there are many more things an author must do in order to achieve fame and fortune. This fun panel discussion will cover many of the "hats" a writer must put on in order to achieve success. 

Topics include:
• Party hat
• Convention hat
• Editor's hat
• Artist's hat
• Thinking cap
• Writing hat
• Business hat
​• Marketing hat