Claire Cook wrote her first book in her minivan in the parking lot outside her daughter’s swim practice when she was 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack. Claire is now the New York Times, USA Today, #1 Amazon, and international bestselling author of twenty four fun and inspiring books, both fiction and nonfiction, including her latest, . You can find out more about Claire at ClaireCook.com.

The Witches of Pitches (Aileen Weintraub and Megan Margulies, both native New Yorkers) have formed a partnership from the modern love story playbook of online writing sessions. They have workshopped numerous articles, essays, and book proposals, helping writers produce top-notch material. Now they want to continue to share their knowledge. Together, Aileen and Megan have placed articles in top-tier publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Elle Magazine, Vogue Magazine, InStyle, and Glamour Magazine, among others, published two memoirs and over fifty children’s books, and helped numerous writers find their angle and voice.

Award-winning author Pamela Taylor blends historical fact with captivating fiction in her novels, including the Second Son Chronicles series. Her upcoming release, The Rest of His Days, delves into the mystery surrounding Edward II's death. A history buff and avid reader, Pamela finds inspiration in the vast landscape of the past. "Human history offers endless stories waiting to be told," she says. Pamela's expertise extends beyond medieval times. As a freelance editor and member of the Historical Novel Society, she has edited novels across diverse eras. An active member of the writing community, Pamela served as a judge for the Ink & Insights Writing Contest and presented at the DFW Writers Conference. When not crafting stories, she enjoys walks with her two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, her furry muses.

Sean Sexton was born in Indian River County and grew up on his family’s Treasure Hammock Ranch. He divides his time between managing a 700-acre cow-calf and seed stock operation, painting, and writing. He has kept daily sketch and writing journals since 1973. He is author of three full volumes of poems including Blood Writing, Anhinga Press (2009), May Darkness Restore, Press 53 (2019) and Portals, Press 53 (2023). He has performed and read at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV, Miami Book Fair, and Dali Museum reading series in St. Petersburg, FL. He has garnered several nominations for Pushcart Prizes, and received a Florida Individual Artist’s Fellowship in 2001. He became inaugural Poet Laureate of Indian River County in 2016.

Bobby Nash is not a man of action or a hero, super or otherwise. He is, however, an award-winning author who pens comic books and graphic novels, novels, short stories, screenplays, audio dramas, and the like. Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, International Thriller Writers, and Southeastern Writers Association. On occasion, he acts, appearing in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind or beside your favorite actor, but sometimes they even let him speak. For more information on Bobby Nash and his work, please visit him at www.bobbynash.com, www.ben-books.com, and across social media.

SWA 2024 Evaluations by faculty Rules and Guidelines

How to submit? Fill out the provided form to submit via email: Please copy the Email Faculty Evaluation Packet Submission Form and fill it out along with your attached submission packet to SWA50CNE@gmail.com. Items marked with asterisks are mandatory, please don’t leave them blank. Please type in the faculty member + word[s] in bold revealing the nature of your submission project to discuss in the subject line of the email when submitting an evaluation packet.

NOTE: You should receive an email confirming your evaluation packet and information within 48 hours. Questions about your submission? Send Amy an email to SWA50CNE@gmail.com.

Email Faculty Evaluation Packet Submission Form to fill out with your evaluation packet submission:

First Name: * [___]

Last Name: * [___]

Email Address: * [___]

Faculty and Evaluation Category: * choose appropriate subcategory from the list of our five faculty.

• [___] Claire Cook

o [___] Opening Polish

o [___] Getting Unstuck

• [___] Witches of Pitches: Aileen Weintraub or Megan Margulies

o [___] a query review (for a literary agent)

o [___] pitch (for a print or online publication's editor)

o [___] an essay up to 1,000 words

• [___] Bobby Nash

o [___] novel or novellas

o [___] screenplays or audio dramas

o [___] short story

o [___] Comic book or graphic novel

• [___] Pamela Taylor

o [___] First 10 manuscript pages for review and critique

o [___] Any 10 pages of the novel that you feel need particular attention

o [___] Questions concerning research methods and sources

o [___] Questions concerning authenticity

o [___] From synopsis to back-cover material

o [___] Open Dialogue

• [___] Sean Sexton

o [___] Open Dialogue

Title of your submission *

This is my only entry to this specific faculty person [* agree ___]

I have read the evaluator’s description and:

• my entry is formatted appropriately [* agree ___]

• my entry meets the word count criteria [* agree ___]

My SWA membership is current [* agree ___]

I plan to be at the full SWA June conference [* yes ___, no ___] only people in attendance for the full conference may submit evaluation packets in advance of the meeting to be evaluated by faculty. In addition, registrants must agree to pay for their one-on-one sessions in the bookstore before the bookstore closes sometime Monday June 12 [each session is $10 with proceeds going directly toward the faculty member’s stipend].

I understand that my appointment time for my one-on-one appointments with faculty will be emailed to me in advance and be included in my registration packets as well as posted on an easy-to-find area at the conference. By June 1 each registrant who has submitted a manuscript sample to be evaluated by faculty in advance will be emailed the schedule for their meeting[s]. [* agree ___]

I understand that I must be at the meeting at the appointed day and time or forfeit my opportunity for a one-on-one session, note the faculty may or may not have printed notes to share with you if you miss your appointment [* agree ___]

I understand that I must pay $10 for my one-on-one session with this faculty member at the bookstore during the June conference even if I miss my appointed meeting [* agree ___]

Attached file * [* yes ___, no ___]

I have not used A.I. to generate any of this content [* agree ___]

Subject line contains faculty member and bolded key word for evaluation packet * [* yes ___, no ___]