Seton Hill University and Seton Hill’s Writing Popular Fiction Master of Arts degree program alumni group will host the eighth annual “In Your Write Mind” working retreat for all fiction writers from June 25-28, 2009. “In Your Write Mind” will be held on Seton Hill University’s Greensburg, Pa. campus. This retreat is open to any writer, published or unpublished, and features workshops on various elements of fiction writing in addition to presentations about the publishing industry. Attendees also have the opportunity to have their writing critiqued by peers, meet with agents, and network with other writers in a supportive, informal environment. The cost for the retreat is $140, and campus housing is available for an additional fee. For a detailed retreat schedule or to register online, visit http://alumni.setonhill.edu/wpf09 . For more information, contact Mary Ross Cox at 724-830-1027.

The featured speakers for “In Your Write Mind” are Diana Fox, literary agent, Fox Literary Agency; Bob Mecoy, literary agent, Bob Mecoy Literary Agency; and Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, literary agent, Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation. Also scheduled to lead workshops and retreat sessions are published authors and writers Shelley Bates (SHU ’02); Sally Bosco (SHU ’03); A.G. Devitt (SHU ’04); Matt Duvall (SHU ’04); Natalie Duvall (SHU ’04); Ron Edison (SHU ’06); Ed Keleman; Deanna Lepsch (SHU ’04); Donna Munro (SHU ’04); and Jeff Strand.

Workshop and retreat session topics include “Marketing Your Book Begins with You,” “Police Procedures for Writers,” “Make ’Em Laugh: Adding Comic Relief to Your Fiction,” “The Art of the Pitch,” and “Writing Up a Virtual Sweat: Circuit Training for the Writer.”

“In Your Write Mind” coincides with the June intensive residency for students of Seton Hill University’s Master of Arts degree program in Writing Popular Fiction. Attendees of “In Your Write Mind” are welcome to attend a special panel discussion on Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m. The panel features editors Betsy Mitchell and Kate Seaver and agent Uwe Stender. The panel discussion will take place in Seton Hill University’s Cecilian Hall.

Seton Hill’s unique Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Students attend two weeklong, on-campus residencies each year to master the core elements of fiction writing and effective marketing and to gain inspiration from faculty mentors and special guests, all published authors in genre fiction. Established authors mentor students one-on-one as they work toward completing a market-ready manuscript from home. Readings, classes, and on-line discussion about the history, trends, and techniques of genre fiction add depth to the student's experience. For more information about the Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill, visit http://fiction.setonhill.edu or contact Seton Hill’s Office of Graduate and Adult Studies at 724-838-4209.