Mark Sarvas in conversation with Peter Carey at The Hammer

Oscar and Lucinda, anyone?  


Go see founding Writers Junction member, Mark Sarvas  (author of Harry, Revised & voice behind acclaimed lit blog The Elegant Variation)  in conversation with one of his favorite living authors, Peter Carey - two-time Booker Prize winner for Oscar & Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang. 
Peter Carey will read from his new book, Parrot & Olivier in America, then Mark and Mona Simpson, author of Anywhere But Here, will host a conversation with the prolific, lauded author.
UCLA Hammer: Some Favorite Writers Series
7 p.m. 
Tuesday 
May 4, 2010

Copyright? Useful, not foolproof.

As long as we're on the topic, here's an informative Q & A from Film Independent's Legal Ease blog about registering your script for copyright.  Notable:  having your script copyrighted can potentially help you fight copyright infringement, but registering for and receiving copyright shows only that you claim to have written something.  The copyright alone does not prove authorship.  

This all goes back to the previously mentioned idea that the best protection for your story is to express, express, express it in your unique voice.

Expression = Protection.

At Cocktails & Copyright with Simon Lamb at TWJ we heard from writers concerned about protecting their brilliant ideas.  Well, Simon says (Simon says get your pens), just having that great idea offers you no protection under copyright law.  The protection comes in the expression of the idea, not in the idea itself.  Let's reiterate: you own the expression of your idea, but you don't own the idea.  So write it down!  Be original, be unique, but most important, get writing.  Simon says.

Thanks to our members who brought their questions and thanks to Simon for his time!

*Copyrights protect the original expression of an idea fixed in a tangible medium of expression.*

Need a literary agent?

Maybe you should go see this panel.  We're getting to know IWOSC, so if you can attend, be sure to let us know what you thought of it!

LITERARY AGENTS 101:
What Writers Must Know About Finding, Securing & Working with Representation
hosted by The Independent Writers of Southern California
Monday, April 26
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Building: 4117 Overland (at Culver Boulevard), Culver City


COST:  Free for IWOSC members, $15 for non-members.  Reservations are
required.
FREE parking adjacent to the building, enter on Culver.


As every savvy writer learns, getting the words onto the page is just half the battle. To gain proper exposure and compensation for these efforts, writers must develop marketing intelligence. It also helps to be aligned with someone who has been down this road before – the literary agent. IWOSC’s April program presents a stellar panel of agents and a literary
attorney, who will reveal how to find the right representative, get their attention, and create a successful relationship.  We’ll look at new trends, and how to protect yourself in the current marketplace.

Click here to read about the panelists, Angela Rinaldi, Sally Van Haitsma, Natalie M. Fischer, & Michael S. Klein.  Moderated by Robin Quinn.


DEADLINE: Noon, Monday, day of the event.  Call (877) 799-7483 or e-mail info@iwosc.org.  NOTE: If you reserve and cannot attend, please notify the IWOSC office at info@iwosc.org.

LOCATION: Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City, Ca.
(corner Culver Blvd - free parking; entrance on Culver)

Wear layered clothing.  The room is usually comfortable, but the temperature can vary.

IWOSC, the Independent Writers of Southern California, is a nonprofit association that has provided support, tools, and resources to help self-employed professional writers in Southern California since 1982.

Meet & MIngle with Hollywood Career Coach, David Brownstein

David Brownstein
Premiere Hollywood Career Strategy & Executive Coach
Meet, Mix & Mingle Event
FREE
open to all members & non-members 
Wednesday April 21st
7:00- 9:00 PM
at The Writers Junction

This is a great opportunity to meet, mix, mingle and network with David Brownstein, premiere Hollywood career coach.  We're hosting David's signature "Schmooze" event where you can join the eclectic, electric, creative crew for an evening of fascinating, unstructured, minimally moderated conversation and networking.  Come and be pleasantly surprised at the honesty, wisdom and generosity of Hollywood professionals.

To find out more about David check out his website & blog here: Hollywood Coaching.

Cocktails & Copyright

for members  only

April 20th
5:00-6:00 pm
 Want to know how to protect your idea? Wondering how to obtain the rights to a story?
Come in, have a drink, & ask your own question.
Entertainment Lawyer Simon Lamb will be at The Junction with the answer.

Simon has over 15 years of experience in the industry: film, television, music, publishing, and new media.

This is an exclusive event for our members only.
You heard us right: free legal advice. For you, our members.