Reminder - Feb 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010

 
   IN THIS ISSUE: 1.  Writing Programs in the OKC Area 2.  Contests, Conferences 3.  My Blog – "The Diagnosis" 4.  Writer’s News, Letters to the Editor 5. Book Review – "Saving Jack”  by Jack Willis 6.  Writing Opportunities 7.  NEW Story Call Outs: Chicken Soup, more… 8. Website Winner – Anastasia “Staci” Hobbet 9. More Announcements       10. Miscellaneous Opportunities for Writers 3,000 words. Reading time 7 minutes (including clicks) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. OKC Writers- Dr. Sheldon Russell I am SO EXCITED! One of my very favorite authors will speak at the meeting this Saturday. I have read every one of his six historical novels – some more than once – and loved them. You won’t want to miss meeting this guy and getting his autograph. Russell’s most recent work “The Yard Dog” is NOT about a four-legged critter, but is centered around the history of the German Prisoner of War camp in the Alva & Waynoka OK area during World War II and the railroad that supplied the camp. Research reveals there were many of these POW camps scattered across the midwest. I won’t tell more, but all history buffs are gonna love this mystery. Russell’s 2006 book, “Dreams to Dust, A Tale of the OK Land Run” won the Langum Prize for Excellence in Historical Fiction AND the 2007 OK Book Award. VISITORS ARE WELCOME! Meetings are free & open to the public. (Always the third Saturday of each month) OKC Writers Inc programs are held at Oklahoma City University Meinders Building, Student lounge. (Meinders School of Business is on North McKinley between 25th & 27th St) Plug this address into Mapquest or Google for a map to the OKC Writers meeting: OCU - 2501 N. Blackwelder For continuing info: http://okcwriters.toogroagency.com/ Casual dress. Coffee at 9:30 am Meeting opens at 10 am – usually out by 11:30 One-on-one lunch following the meeting. Place is announced at each meeting. EDITOR’S NOTES: If you paid your OKC Writer dues for 2010, then you should have received your newsletter this week from Editor Inez Phillips. IF NOT, send $20 (check or money order) to Jean Stover, Treasurer. Send an email to theotherjean@cox.net to get the mailing address. President Bonita McCoy presented an excellent writing lesson in her OKC Writers newsletter column “A Match Instead of a Blowtorch.” Upcoming programs will be announced by Dana Seaton, Program chair. --cl— 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS, CONTESTS, CONFERENCE NEWS Dutch History Contest Opportunity The annual Hendricks Manuscript Award application is due March 15. This award is given to the best published or unpublished book-length manuscript relating to any aspect of the Dutch colonial experience in North America and carries a prize of $5,000 and a framed Len Tantillo print with a brass name plate. http://www.nnp.org/nni/Awards/hendricks.html --cl— NW Arkansas Writers March 13: The Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop will present its annual Free Writer's Conference at Ozarks Electric on Wedington Road in Fayetteville, AR. The conference will begin at 8:30 am with registration and coffee. At 9 a.m. Wrangler award-winning author Dusty Richards will welcome everyone to a great full day of writing instruction. vebrotherton@gmail.com or dustyrichards@cox.net -----------cl----------------- OWFI CONFERENCE 2010 Put this on your TO DO list and in your Calendar - now! 2010 OK Writers Federation (OWFI) Conference and Contest has moved back to the OKC Embassy Suites Hotel, 1815 S. Meridian. With a great Conference name: Write Every Day; and a great new president: Dan Case of Denton, TX. Dates: Thurs, Fri, & Sat, 29 Apr thro 1 May, 2010 Save Money, Register Now. This conference features more than two dozen agents, editors, and professional writers who will present forty informative seminars on a range of topics during the three days. The event gives writers the rare opportunity to meet one-on-one with an agent or editor, as well as to improve their skills, network, make professional contacts and have fun! Save $25 bucks by registering before March 15 while registration--including evening meals-- is still $150, one of the best bargains for any writer’s conference in the nation. www.owfi.org to register, or learn more. --------cl---------- Don’t forget Bernhardt’s upcoming Writers Workshop New York Times-bestselling author William Bernhardt has become one of the most in-demand writing instructors in the nation. Bill will host a small-group seminar for aspiring writers struggling with a work-in-progress in April.     Bernhardt’s big annual workshop is scheduled for June 5-6. For more information or to register for one of the programs, visit http://www.williambernhardt.com/writing_programs.php ----------------- Christian Writing Conference March 19-20: American Christian Writers Oklahoma Conf. Oklahoma City, OK – La Quinta Inn 20 workshops. Contact: Reg Forder PO Box 110390 Nashville, TN 37222 1-800-21-WRITE ACWriters@aol.com www.ACWriters.com --------cl----------  OK Society of Book Writers and Illustrators Spring Conference, 27 March 2010, 9 am to 5 pm Embassy Suites Hotel SPEAKERS: Amy Lennex, Editor, Sleeping Bear Press; Kate Fletcher, Associate Editor Candlewick Press; Greg Ferguson, Editor Egmont USA; Stephen Fraser, agent, Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency; Art Director, Kerry Martin, Senior Designer, Clarion. All three editors come from closed houses (only consider agent submissions) however, they will accept from attendees. http://www.scbwiok.org/index.htm -----cl-------- Cowskin Prairie Book Festival Sponsored by United Daughters of Confederacy, Oklahoma Saturday March 27, 2010 Grove OK Grove Community Center, 104 W. 3rd St. Authors from all walks of life are invited to set up and share their books. No admission fee. Full conference table display space $20, half tables: $10 Come and go. Contact: Gregathcompany.com/cpokudc book@gregathcompany.com or phone: 918-542-4148 --------cl--------  Heartland New Day BookFest in Edmond, Oklahoma
April 9, 10, 11, 2010
9 AM - 3 PM For more info: http://www.hndbookfest.com/festival-details.php --------------cl----------------- Short Story Contest I wrote a short story once, back in the 1980s. It was a good one and it won a prize in the Federation competition. I never could sell it. Until I sell that one, I don’t need to write another one, but here is your chance: $2,000 Awaits Winners of Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition Entries are now being accepted for the 2010 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, created to enthusiastically support the efforts and talent of emerging writers of short fiction whose voices have yet to be heard. For more info:http://www.shortstorycompetition.com/ --cl --    3. MY BLOG –“The Diagnosis”  The Diagnosis Today I heard the three most dreaded words in the English language. “You have cancer.” I read somewhere that once you are diagnosed, you become a survivor. The thing is, I don’t feel like I have something that warrants a title like Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I feel fine. This is all the fault of that darned lump. The first 48 hours are busy. First, you need to have a good cry, but you may not have time for that. I didn’t. I have too much to be thankful for. First, I had to break the news to my husband, the left-brained engineer. We just celebrated our 17th anniversary. A year after he lost his first wife to breast cancer, he met and married me. Flash back to 1993. Jon told me he never wanted to go through anything like that again. I promised I wouldn’t let that happen. Oops. So, afraid he would run for the hills, I apologetically told him my diagnosis. He promised he would be here for me. Love that quiet guy...click here --cl--   4.  Writing News WOW! LOOK AT THIS! Everybody's favorite cowboy auctioneer/writer just won the Western Heritage fiction award for 2010! The Western Heritage Center at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City just announced the winner: Dusty Richard's western novel, “The Sundown Chaser.” The Wrangler award will be presented at the Cowboy hall on April 17th at the annual award banquet.  Standing more than a foot in height, the Wrangler, an impressive bronze sculpture, is awarded to principal creators of the winning entries in specified categories of Western literature, music, film and television. The category is broad. Western Novel includes genre and mainstream, historical and contemporary fictional or fictionalized book-length works that could not have taken place in any part of the country but the West. Only two Wranglers will be presented per category, one to the Author and one to the Publisher, For more info, or to reserve your tickets, go to: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org. Congratulations Dusty! -------------------cl------------------- Judy Howard sent this: Receive a FREE publishing guide from Xulon Press Looking for a Christian book publisher? Are you a Christian author or writer searching for the best Christian book publisher to publish your book? Xulon Press makes self-publishing quick, affordable, and easy. As a print-on-demand self-publisher for Christian authors, they have helped thousands of writers and authors get published, from pastors to professors, housewives to businessmen, missionaries to novelists. http://bit.ly/9DtyoZ ----------cl--------- Kathleen Ewing is an award-winning freelance writer headquartered in Central Arizona's high country, her headquarters for hiking, trail riding, four-wheeling and target shooting. Among her credits are feature articles in Art Calendar Magazine, American Falconry, TrailBlazer and Hobby Farms Magazine. You can visit her site at www.nothingbinding.com/writer/kathleen-ewing.html ---------------cl------------ Don’t Go There! This is a special secret message for friends who bought my book. If you go to the website “WhosYourDaddyBook.com” to read about my book, be SURE to put the word BOOK in there or you will get an x-rated porn site. Embarrassing. If you decide to test my warning, don’t let your children watch. ---------------------- Help me Out Here: Having just survived several book signings and autograph parties for my new book, I am working on an article to help others in the same boat. If you have any tips to share on pre-publicity, what to bring along, how to speak to a crowd without letting them see you sweat, a statement of your feelings in general, or a funny thing that happened to you at an autograph party, please send it to me. I have already received several and some are hilarious. -----------$$$$$-------------- Send Copies here: Book marketing expert Penny Sansevieri says authors should submit their book to the following publications for review: Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Forecast. These publications are largely used by libraries, and often librarians will buy based on a good review in one of these publications. Penny spoke at OWFI conference a few years ago. She does a great newsletter. Subscribe free at www.amarketingexpert.com --------------------cl------------ 5. BOOK REVIEW – “Saving Jack” by Jack Willis The best way to write publishable books is to read books; then sit down and write books. Everything else is optional. –Jennifer Ashley, romance author. Saving Jack: A Mans Struggle with Breast Cancer It isn’t just a woman’s disease: few men stop to consider it, but one in a thousand males contracts breast cancer. SAVING JACK is a moving first-person account of a man’s experience with breast cancer. In a tale of challenge and adversity, Jack Willis relates his personal experience, from first feeling a pea-sized nodule in his breast to being diagnosed, from mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments to positive prognosis. Read the rest here ... --cl— 6.  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR; book signings, tips & tricks, & more FACEBOOK FACTS The OU Press recently created a Facebook Fan page. Most of you are probably aware of the explosive growth of social media in recent years, and OU Press will be promoting its authors and books in that space. Did you know Facebook has 350 million users and more than 6 billion minutes are spent on the social networking site each day worldwide? That’s a lot of potential readers for your writing.  If you are on Facebook, you can become a fan of OU Press to be the first to know about new book releases, author events, Press news, etc. They also promise to feature sales, giveaways, and special offers for Facebook fans. The Press continues to publish award-winning books. Check their spring catalog. http://bit.ly/b4yrl5 Click here for more: www.facebook.com/oupress. OU PRESS OFFERS HELP TO AUTHORS For the past 18 months, OU Press worked with broadcast students at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication to create videos to help authors promote their books. http://www.oupress.com ----cl---- 7. AUTHOR’S WEBSITE WINNER February WEBSITE WINNER: Anastasia Hobbet http://www.anastasiahobbet.com/Small_Kingdoms/Small_Kingdoms.html Anastasia “Staci” Hobbet, a past member of OKC Writers, announced the publishing of her novel, Small Kingdoms, last month.  “Hobbet’s second novel, set in Kuwait between the two Gulf wars, beautifully evokes both character and place....Hobbet vividly renders both the stark landscape of the Middle East and its class disparity....An eloquent, haunting, and enlightening novel.”   --Booklist, starred review.  Visit her Web site for more reviews and to purchase. Be sure to visit her PHOTOS page with Images of Kuwait. Anastasia describes her book: “A personal look at the place I portray in Small Kingdoms with photography and locations that evoke the novel for me. I offer my warm thanks to the fine photographers from all over the world who offered their work for use on this website.” Anastasia “Staci” Hobbet ... was nominated by Laura Westervelt. ----cl------- 8. STORY CALL OUT! Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup Share Your Story in Cup of Comfort! Do you have a real-life love story you'd like to share? Then, send it in! http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ They are looking for uplifting true stories about happy marriages, great romantic partnerships, and unforgettable love affairs. The story can be about a past love or a current love, about your relationship or a relationship you admire. A Cup of Comfort for Couples
 Submission deadline: April 20, 2010 http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ Online Writing Workshop! How to Write a Winning Cup of Comfort Story: The 2010 Refresher The publishers at Cup of Comfort guide you through the story creation process so that you'll be able to write a successful story every time! http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ ---------------cl---------------------------------- CHICKEN SOUP IS LOOKING FOR STORIES. LOTS OF WRITING OPPORTUNITIES HERE: Chicken Soup for the Soul stories have been translated into more than forty languages and can be found in more than one hundred countries. Every day, millions of people experience a Chicken Soup for the Soul story in a book, magazine, newspaper or online. If this is your first time submitting a story or poem, please read Story Guidelines.    1. The ONLY way to submit your stories or poems is via the website:  www.chickensoup.com.  2. Stories and poems should be non-fiction, ranging in length between 300-1200 words. 3. No anonymous, author unknown or "as told to" submissions, please. 4. Send only one copy of each submission. 5. Be sure to keep a copy of the stories and/or poems that you submit. 6. Submit only stories or poems that have not been previously published. They pay $200 upon publication, plus ten copies of the book your item appears in. Read more at www.ChickenSoup.com. Here Are Some Future Topics: Devotionals for Mothers: 
 Deadline 28 Feb 2010. Dieting and Fitness: 
Eat less - exercise more! Deadline 31 Jan 2010. Family Matters: Wacky or dysfunctional family member? Deadline 28 Feb 2010 Grandmothers: 
Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. 31 Mar 2010. Grieving and Recovery: 
Grieving is a difficult process. 31 Mar 2010. My Cat's Life: 
Focus on memorable ages and stages. 30 Mar 2010. My Dog's Life: 
Memorable ages and stages of dog. 30 Mar 2010. New Moms: 
 Physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of having a child and creating a family. 28 Feb 2010. Preteens: 
The preteen years – nine to twelve -- can be rough. Stories written by preteens. 30 Jun 2010. Teens: 
Stories written almost entirely by teens. 30 Jun 2010. --cl-- 9.  ANNOUNCEMENTS: Your Attention Please! Looking for a Job? part-time/full-time AWOC.COM Publishing is considering hiring a book distributor on commission for the state of Oklahoma. Contact Dan Case for more info by emailing him with your job requirements and qualifications at <dan@awoc.com>  -------------------cl-------------------------- Writing for Dollars! The latest issue of Writing for DOLLARS! is available free at http://www.writingfordollars.com/.  Case says, “Our database of writer’s guidelines is readily available to everyone for FREE! All links have been checked within the last year so you can be sure to have the most up-to-date information.” Maybe someday he will reveal the secret of the strange name for his company. An acronym? Maybe it is for All Writers of Class ... published here? Whatever it is, the name seems to work for him. ------cl--------- Increase Traffic to your Website: Well-written, relevant articles can net you quite a bit of activity to your website. Don't forget to add your URL in your byline. Articles should be 500 to 2,000 words in length. You can send articles to sites like: articlecity.com, goarticles.com, submityourarticles.com and ezinearticles.com. Don’t send any to Dan Case unless they fit his strict guidelines at www.writingfordollars.com ---cl------ Learn about Book Marketing from an expert… These FREE teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up! Media Training Magic! w/ Penny Sansevieri
When: Thursday, February 18, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
 Getting on Radio and TV w/ Penny Sansevieri
When: Thursday, March 11, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
 How to join in:
To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com. The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://www.amarketingexpert.com/iclasses.html. Missed a class? Here's an easy way to catch up on past classes, just visit the AME-University All Access Pass. 10. INTERESTING BLOGS Need Help with Grammar? Grammar Girl is a self-described “defender of the sacred comma, orator of the mysterious grammar way, and deliverer of practical tips.” Her regular podcasts are filled with short tips on improving your grammar. The podcast is currently the 47th most popular download from Apple’s iTunes online music store.  Grammar Girl podcasts are downloadable for free from www.iTunes.com or at www.qdnow.com. -------------- Computer Club Check this out for lots of computer tips and info from the OKC Computer Club: http://www.ccokc.org/ Bill James, Editor, ccOKC eMonitor  ------------ Need a Logo? Have you seen the beautiful new Buffalo Industries logo created by Leslie Earnest, editor of my hometown newspaper, at Leslie Earnest Studios. Contact Leslie for an estimate if you are thinking of creating a logo or artwork to illustrate a book or website. Leslie is talented, quick and reasonable -- and great to work with. Here’s her email. leslie_n_earnest@yahoo.com ---cl--- Looking for an Agent? Look here for agents who want to see your work. http://www.writersdigest.com/article/24-agents-who-want-your-work-2009/ -------cl----------------  --cl--  Tell a Friend If you know another writer who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, tell him or her to sign up online by sending an email to the editor at carolynswebmail@me.com Put “I am a writer too” in the subject line and be sure to say in the message box you would like to be added to the Writers Reminder e-zine. ---cl--- Write on -- Write Now!   Carolyn Carolyn B. Leonard Editor, Writer's e-Reminder http://okcwriters.toogroagency.com/2009contest/http://okcwriters.toogroagency.com/2009contest/mailto:theotherjean@cox.nethttp://www.nnp.org/nni/Awards/hendricks.htmlmailto:vebrotherton@gmail.commailto:dustyrichards@cox.nethttp://www.owfi.orghttp://www.williambernhardt.com/writing_programs.phphttp://www.williambernhardt.com/writing_programs.phpmailto:ACWriters@aol.comhttp://www.ACWriters.com/http://www.scbwiok.org/index.htmmailto:book@gregathcompany.comhttp://www.hndbookfest.com/festival-details.phphttp://www.shortstorycompetition.com../../../../My_Blog/Entries/2010/2/19_The_Diagnosis.htmlhttp://www.nationalcowboymuseum.orghttp://bit.ly/9DtyoZhttp://www.nothingbinding.com/writer/kathleen-ewing.htmlhttp://www.amarketingexpert.com/../../../../Book_Reviews/Entries/2010/2/19_saving_jack.htmlhttp://www.oupress.com/bookdetail.asp?isbn=978-0-8061-4060-5#http://bit.ly/b4yrl5http://www.facebook.com/oupresshttp://www.oupress.com/http://www.anastasiahobbet.com/Small_Kingdoms/Small_Kingdoms.htmlhttp://www.anastasiahobbet.com/Small_Kingdoms/Small_Kingdoms.htmlhttp://www.anastasiahobbet.com/Small_Kingdoms/Small_Kingdoms.htmlhttp://www.cupofcomfort.comhttp://www.cupofcomfort.com/http://www.cupofcomfort.comhttp://www.chickensoup.com/cs.asp?cid=guidelineshttp://www.chickensoup.com/cs.asp?cid=guidelineshttp://www.chickensoup.com/http://www.ChickenSoup.commailto:dan@awoc.comhttp://www.writingfordollars.com/http://www.writingfordollars.com/http://www.writingfordollars.commailto:author@amarketingexpert.comhttp://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103057933552&s=7378&e=001jipLTYzzmkYYgCZZmZoLrJ96EJ-gYI4QBBbT7DOIKGi8TKfrPG11Kbvl37zT7i0kdLcGBmAkt2GhzpgamGpnJU3iKErlayINe2jM1JrD8mcpsTDMx23GQTbKh8QW05UYOhbe-Jj_Lsw=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103057933552&s=7378&e=001jipLTYzzmkbcSjaCic4Ns2Q0FumG7pw3VMji_Q4FATLpDzL1v4AoXVy_2s834R7PXJjgZIshaOg52gIhwvThostPbaPCMq3WHqsDfS4EWJxNpYMuTMutKJ4ZNkd8Lu1ArGIboUJl07ibCsPIjlX7hQOg0RYtfvjromvgom9u-wbHvyhA14DIRYLgyIou1QQppa2u0S2KVrT3kdviEjBc_ua5ISfoS-fohttp://www.iTunes.com/http://www.qdnow.com/http://www.ccokc.org/emonitor/2009eMonitor/eMonitorJun2009.pdfmailto:leslie_n_earnest@yahoo.comhttp://www.writersdigest.com/article/24-agents-who-want-your-work-2009/http://www.writersdigest.com/article/24-agents-who-want-your-work-2009/mailto:Buffalo234@cox.netshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5shapeimage_3_link_6shapeimage_3_link_7shapeimage_3_link_8shapeimage_3_link_9shapeimage_3_link_10shapeimage_3_link_11shapeimage_3_link_12shapeimage_3_link_13shapeimage_3_link_14shapeimage_3_link_15shapeimage_3_link_16shapeimage_3_link_17shapeimage_3_link_18shapeimage_3_link_19shapeimage_3_link_20shapeimage_3_link_21shapeimage_3_link_22shapeimage_3_link_23shapeimage_3_link_24shapeimage_3_link_25shapeimage_3_link_26shapeimage_3_link_27shapeimage_3_link_28shapeimage_3_link_29shapeimage_3_link_30shapeimage_3_link_31shapeimage_3_link_32shapeimage_3_link_33shapeimage_3_link_34shapeimage_3_link_35shapeimage_3_link_36shapeimage_3_link_37shapeimage_3_link_38shapeimage_3_link_39shapeimage_3_link_40shapeimage_3_link_41shapeimage_3_link_42shapeimage_3_link_43shapeimage_3_link_44shapeimage_3_link_45shapeimage_3_link_46shapeimage_3_link_47shapeimage_3_link_48
 
 

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