The Aloha Writers Conference and Retreat was held Jan. 18-27, 2013. The Ritz Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii hosted the conference. Multiple writers, authors, poets and those interested in all the above attended or spoke at the event. The retreat was held at the Pioneer Inn, also in Maui.
The conference and retreat was led by Dr. Vicki Draeger. John Draeger, MD, Rick Ludwig and Keiki O Ka' Anai Family Learning Centers. Theirs and others' combined efforts helped make the event possible.
The conference was held Jan. 18-21. The event continued with the retreat being held Jan. 22-27.
Registration to the conference included, on Saturday and Sunday, a complimentary continental breakfast and a grab and go lunch.
Admission to the E Komo Mai Welcome Reception featured entertainment, pupus (Hawaiian appetizer), a cash bar, and one-on-one “Pitch Sessions” with top agents and editors.
Genres represented were fiction, creative non-fiction (including memoir, biography, autobiography, journalistic explorations and historical accounts) and screenplay writing (including all major aspects of writing and storytelling for movies and television).
Speakers at the event are listed below. Additional information about each is available at the website under Authors/Agents.
There were also booths set up to display and sell Hawaiian art.
Barnes & Noble made their appearance with a mini-store that offered not only the books written by the invited literary guests, but it also had a variety of other books, paper, journals, art sets and more. In addition, there were authors available for book signings.
Following the conference the retreat ensued. The Pioneer Inn was the perfect spot for the retreat. The inn was built in 1901 and remodeled to meet Best Western standards.
"The Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Maui captures the ambiance of the whaling days and the plantation era with architecture that evokes the tranquil lifestyle of turn of the century Lahaina. It offers all the comforts and convenience of a modern hotel." - Pioneer Inn
Special Guest Speakers:
Kaui Hart Hemmings, John Lescroart, Rebecca Walker, Joseph Valencic, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Diane Lake, William Bernhardt, Kealoha, Ann Garvin and others
Agents and Editors:
Neil Nyren, Les Stobbe, Elizabeth Evans, April Eberhardt, Marcy Posner, Melissa Flashman, Claudia Herr and others
Examiner.com was honored to be part of the conference. Here are a few of the many comments made of attendees.
"This event is wonderful. I am glad I am part of it!"
"What a wonderful excuse to visit Hawaii. I do not live here, but I most certainly would like to. Oh, yes, the conference and retreat are wonderful too. I am learning so much!"
"I am not a writer, but I have a strong desire to be one. This conference lets us get up and share what we have written, published or not, in front of our peers. What a wonderful idea. Now I know if I can summon up the courage to speak of what I love, writing, then maybe I can have the same courage to get it published - thanks Aloha Writers Conference!"
"It is great meeting other writers. We have so much in common. I hope all these new friends I've made here in Hawaii remain friends for life!"
"I would like to thank all those who made this conference and retreat possible. Thank you!"
Rick Ludwig had this to say about the retreat.
"The retreat ended today and it was a joy. We held it at the Pioneer Inn and most of the groups met outside in the patio area. I sat in on William Martin's group and it was fantastic. I heard similar kudos from those in each of the other groups. Best wishes and Aloha."
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