With 20+ years industry experience, co-founders literary agent Beth Marshea and award winning writer tammy lynne stoner are redefining the landscape of Writers’ Conferences by cross-pollinating writers of print, screen, and theater with an unyielding commitment to being the most enjoyable, diverse, and engaging conference out there.
By fostering a creative and collaborative environment, attendees will have the opportunity to explore new perspectives, exchange ideas, and tap into the synergy between all types of storytellers: poets, memoirists, screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, short story writers, and creative producers.
Our mission is to bring storytellers from all backgrounds together to explore and grow while they build careers and community!
One of the most exciting aspects of The Gertrude Conference is its "hotel takeover" where the entire hotel will be a hub of creative energy. Each room will house a Conference attendee, there will be our mini-film festival at the Closing Gala, poolside drinks, story themed games, and professional Roundtables on-site, transforming the space into a vibrant community. This approach ensures a truly immersive experience, fostering organic connections and inspiring collaborations.
In addition to the diverse programming with established industry professionals who represent a wide ranging community including queer, BIPOC, women, and many more, TGC will also feature events and collaborating opportunities for all, whether you’re just getting started or an established professional.
Join us!
Gertrude is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 by writer Eric Delehoy as a print journal. In 2018 we became an on-line journal to extend our global reach. Now, we are a Writers' Conference for all kinds of storytellers, always grounded and faithful to our mission to hold space for LGTBQA voices!
Click below to access past Gertrude Journal issues, podcasts, the LINEAGE series, book reviews, and more. . .
tammy creates gritty, redeeming, queer-centric stories. Her novel, SUGAR LAND, won an IPPY, was shortlisted for the Crook's Corner Prize, a finalist for a Forewords Indie Award, an Amazon #1 category Bestseller, starred by Kirkus Reviews, and called "writing at its finest" by the New York Journal of Books. A short film based on the book premiered at the American Pavilion in the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. The pilot for the TV series is a eight-time Festival Finalist. Another pilot of hers won the Portland Screewnriting Contest against 1,000 scripts. tammy, a 2017 Sou-Wester Artist-in-Residence and a 2019 VCAA fellow, has been involved with Gertrude for two decades of loving goodness.
Beth is the owner of Ladderbird Literary Agency. She has a BA in Literature and a MBA, and is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring more diversity into publishing and beyond. Some of Ladderbird's clients include V. Castro, Stephanie Sy, Cathering Adel West, Jennifer Savran Kelly, H.D. Hunter, and many more.
Outside agenting, Beth teaches writing in her local community with a focus on bringing reluctant writers and readers into the magical world of books. She relentlessly searches for more ways to encourage writers to create stories that matter!
Award-winning writer, cultural catalyst, and storyteller, Karena Stoner creates "delicious" (Cheryl Strayed), "engaging" (Kirkus Reviews), and whimsical characters while tackling important topics like diversity, big pharma, and fulfillment. With experience in screenwriting (Vivian's TV Dinner) and producing (“Dottie's Magic Pockets”, Power Up), Karena also brings years of corporate event management experience ranging from C-suite leadership meetings to large-scale product launch and expo events. She runs Marionberry Books.
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If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.
- Billy Wilder
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