Thursday, November 29, 2007

Author Paul Salsini

Paper Tiger Bookstore, located in City Center, downtown Oshkosh, is hosting author Paul Salsini from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1st, to promote his newest title, "The Cielo: A Novel of Wartime Tuscany."

Salsini is a former editor and writing coach at The Milwaukee Journal, and teaches journalism at Marquette University. His articles about Italy have appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Barbara.

For more information on the event, you may call the bookstore at (920)231-0800.

Poetry Circle

Neenah Public Library hosts a Poetry Circle on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. in the first floor Shattuck Community Room, Neenah Public Library, 204 E. Wisconsin Ave. Members learn a bit about poets and their work among folks who simply like poetry and enjoy a good conversation.

If you want to check it out, the next meeting is December 13, when the discussion will be Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "The Lady of Shalott." Plumb the depths of what may appear to be a simple narrative poem. In this audio-visual, actress Charlotte Cornwell reads the complete text over illustrations by Charles Keeping.

For more information about the Poetry Circle, contact Pat at 886-6330 or email hewitt@neenahlibrary.org.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Club Christmas Party

The club will host a Christmas Party for the first half of the Dec. 15st meeting.

Interested members are asked to bring a wrapped White Elephant gift to exchange; a White Elephant gift is something you have around the house that you don't use or need. The object can be useful or totally silly; pretty much anything goes. So start digging through your closets and junk drawers now for the perfect gift for that special writer in your club.

Author Spotlight Schedule

“Author Spotlight” allows writers to bring in pieces of work that are eight or more pages, or a compilation of pieces that are best read/reviewed together.

The last hour of each Saturday meeting is devoted to discussing the works of the featured author; advance registration is required and authors must bring ten copies of their work prior to their turn in the “Spotlight.”

Those who accept a copy of the author’s work must commit to reading it and showing up for the review.

The upcoming schedule of Spotlight Authors:

Dec. 1 - JoAnn G.

Dec. 15 - Joyce F.

Jan. 5 - Ruth P.

Jan. 19 - Dixie J.

Feb. 2 - Bob B.

March 1 - Hope S.

2008 Winter Schedule

2008 WINTER SCHEDULE

Writing Critique Sessions:

10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5

10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19

10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2

10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16

10 a.m. Saturday, March 1

10 a.m. Saturday, March 15

10 a.m. Saturday, April 5

10 a.m. Saturday, April 19

10 a.m. Saturday, May 3

10 a.m. Saturday, May 17

Meetings are held on the first and third Saturday of each month in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Story Starters

Need some inspiration? Join us for Story Starters - 5-minute writing sessions based on writing prompts to awaken your creativity and imagination!

7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26

7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23

The one-hour sessions are held in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Bring paper and pen.

Open Mic

7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21
Library Dome, 2nd Floor

Whether you want to read your own work or that of your favorite author or poet, this open mic event is open to the public. What a great opportunity to share your writing with family and friends! All ages welcome.

Members are asked to bring a snack to share; beverages will be provided.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Author Visit - Dennis Rockhill

Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh, will feature children’s author/illustrator Dennis Rockhill from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, as part of the Gallery Walk. A special reception for the release of his new book, “Meadow Dance”, will be held on December 5th.

Rockhill attended Drake University, studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay with a degree in Art and Graphic Design. He lives in Green Bay with his wife and two daughters and works as a graphic artist and illustrator.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Writing Assignment for Dec. 1

Some members have indicated they would like a writing prompt to get them started on a piece to write/read at a future meeting. The prompt may used in a poem, essay, character or description sketch.

The assignment, if you choose to accept it, for the Dec. 1 meeting is to write complete story in 500 words or less.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Writer's Digest Poetry Contest

The Dec. 20th deadline is fast approaching for the Writer's Digest Poetry Awards. Any poetry style will be accepted - rhyming, free verse, haiku, etc. - but all entries must be 32 lines or fewer.

Prizes
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth Through Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books.

Competition Rules

1. The competition is open to poems 32 lines or fewer. Entries longer than 32 lines will be automatically disqualified. Long poems may not be broken into segments and entered as separate entries. Each poem must be self-contained and must be titled. Style and subject matter are open. Judging is blind. Type the line count on a separate cover sheet along with your name, address, phone number and email address.

2. Entry fee: $10 for first poem, $5 for each additional poem. You may enter as many poems as you wish, but all poems must be entered at the same time. If you enter one poem or batch of poems and then submit another entry later, you must again pay the full entry fee of $10 for the first poem, $5 for each additional poem. You may send one check (in U.S. funds) and one entry form for a single entry or batch of entries. Entries received without an entry fee will be disqualified. Entry fees may not be sent after poems have been received. There will be a $10 fee for declined credit cards or returned checks.

3. All entries must be in English, original, unpublished, and not submitted elsewhere at the time of submission. "Unpublished" means poems may not have appeared in print or on the Internet for public consumption (i.e., poems posted on a public forum or on your Web site may not be entered).

4. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, all entries must be on one side of 8-1/2 x 11 or A4 white paper. Unusual typefaces, colors, and graphics should not be used. Poems will not be returned so keep a copy for your records.

5. Entries must be postmarked by Thursday, December 20, 2007. Online entries will close after midnight EST on December 20.

6. Winners will be notified by March 3, 2008. If you have not been contacted by this date, you may assume that your entry is not a finalist and may be marketed elsewhere.

7. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your entry if you want to be notified of its receipt. We cannot notify you personally of your poem's status before the winners are announced.

8. Winners' names will appear in the August 2008 issue of Writer's Digest magazine. Their names and poem titles will be posted at www.writersdigest.com.

Entry Form

To submit your entry online, visit our secure online entry form.

To enter via regular mail, use the printable form, and send it with your entries and entry fee to:

Writer's Digest Poetry Awards
4700 E. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

Monday, November 12, 2007

Give the Gift of Reading

The Oshkosh Public Library and Salvation Army are again sponsoring "Give the Gift of Reading." Donate a new children's book from Nov. 12 through Dec. 11 and the Salvation Army will distribute it to an Oshkosh area child - from newborns to teens - in time for Christmas. Donations can be deposited in the Gift Box located in the lower level Children's Department at the Oshkosh Public Library, and the Salvation Army will distribute the books after Dec. 11. For more information, please call the Children's Desk at 236-5208.

R.I.P. Normal Mailer

Considered one of the greatest American authors, Norman Mailer passed away this weekend at the age of 84.

He once said, "I knew that there was one thing I wanted to be and that was a writer."

To listen to Norman Mailer speak in 2002 at the Barnes & Noble store in New York City's Union Square, click here.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Writing tips

Looking for some writing tips? Check out J.A. Konrath's website. It has many tips located here:

http://www.jakonrath.com/tips.html

This website also has a lot of other interesting information.