2024 Pocono Liars Writer Workshop

Welcome to the 2024 Pocono Liars Writer Workshop!

In this day-long event, small, interactive group workshops will be offered, providing participants with information and personal attention. Attendees will be able to choose three workshops from the six offered. [See Below]

Remember: This is a workshop. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and be ready to do some writing exercises!

A1: Plotting Your Story

There are two kinds of stories: ones where things happen, and ones that have a plot. You want yours to be the second kind. Join Kelly Jensen in Plotting 101, a workshop designed to take your ideas and turn them into a plot that will make your characters and readers happy.

Pocono Liar Author and Presenter Kelly Jensen is the author of fifteen novels and over a dozen novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s about a guy losing his socks or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need. Connect with Kelly: Website:

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A2: Adding Tension into Dialogue

Who wants to read, no less write, flat dialogue? It's boring. It takes up space and keeps a story from moving along. But how to spice it up? Join Sahar Abdulaziz in Adding Tension into Dialogue, a workshop designed to make character interactions jump off the page into your readers' hearts.

Presenter and Pocono Liar Author Sahar Abdulaziz specializes in writing psychological thrillers, suspenseful narratives, thought-provoking social commentary, and clever satire. However, there’s nothing that Sahar enjoys more than exercising her demonic proclivity for crafting intricate, multifaceted protagonists confronting formidable challenges. The more dysfunctional, the better.

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B1: Honing your story

Getting an editor to buy your short story is not an easy task. This workshop will help you hone your plot to its necessary parts and will help you narrow down your idea to be as original and unique as possible.

M ichael A. Ventrella writes witty adventures about reluctant heroes. He’s edited over a dozen anthologies featuring award-winning NY Times bestselling authors. His own short stories have appeared in various anthologies and magazines, and he’s also written nonfiction books about music and the U.S. Constitution. His web page is

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B2: Backstory

Why is backstory important to your plot? Do you want to deepen your stories? Find the “why” behind your character’s actions? Join Victoria Marie Lees to learn how to add interiority to your story.

Pocono Liar Author Victoria Marie Lees has published a variety of literary works, including short stories, fiction, essays, memoirs, and poetry. For more information:

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C1: The Magic of the Short Story

Unlock the magic of short stories. Enter the realms of sci-fi and fantasy to wrestle with world-building, character creation, and concise plots in a word-limited manner. Hands-on writing challenges and engaging discussions will offer a chance to practice and implement ideas. Kevin T. Morley’s workshop is your gateway to crafting unforgettable short stories.

KT Morley spent twenty years teaching America’s youth about Algebra and the plight of a hopelessly lost X. Then he began writing SF and F to share with his bride and their children. He’s published several short stories, the most recent with Konsensus’ print 21 Futures, Tales from the Timechain. Find him at . (where he has readings titled Storytime with an Algebra Teacher)

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C2: Crafting the Elevator Pitch

It took you two years to write your book. You find yourself in front of an editor who's about to disappear. How do you sell that book in ten seconds? Well, you don't. But you can grab the editor's interest enough to get more time for a longer pitch, and that's your goal.

Ian Randal Strock is the owner and publisher of Gray Rabbit Publications / Fantastic Books. He previously worked for Baen Books, freelance edited manuscripts that were later published by Alyson, Doubleday, and Padwolf, and has extensive magazine publishing and editing experience (including stints at Artemis, Analog, Asimov’s, Absolute Magnitude, Science Fiction Chronicle, KISS, The Daily Free Press, and more). As a writer, his books have been published by Random House and Carrel Books, while his short fiction has appeared in Analog and Nature. Full details on Ian can be found on .

9:00: Registration, Meet & Greet, Introductions

9:30: Workshop: A1 (Plotting Your Story) OR A2 (Adding Tension to Dialog)

10:30: Break

10:45: Workshop B1 (Honing Your Story) OR B2 (Backstory)

11:45: Lunch [Please bring a bag lunch and drink; there is a grocery store next door, a coffee shop with snacks in the library, and other fast food places nearby]

12:45: Workshop C1 (The Magic of the Short Story) OR C2 (The Elevator Pitch)

1:45: Break

2:00: Question & Answer Panel

3:00 (or earlier depending on the Q&A panel): Closing remarks/cleanup

NOTE: When you sign up, be careful not to reserve two panels at the same time. Choose A1 or A2, B1 or B2, and C1 or C2.

Since we have limited space, PLEASE do not reserve a spot unless you are absolutely planning on attending.

The members of The Pocono Liars are committed to making this workshop one where every person in attendance feels supported and respected for their endeavors, and a place where all writers feel welcome and are treated with courtesy, patience and respect. While we as individuals might not share the same world views, we in The Pocono Liars believe it is imperative to develop a safe environment for creatives from all backgrounds and beliefs to gather in support of one another. It is our collective wish to provide such a venue in support of the intellectual integrity of all those who attend and wish to participate.

Additionally, as writers, we feel it is especially important that we respect the boundaries of each individual. Therefore, while proactive critiques are most certainly welcome and appreciated, we especially request that those in attendance refrain from putting fellow writers in a position of validating their choice of genre, lifestyle or story. Thank you.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, United States