Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Character Checklist
Author Star Davies has created a check list that she uses when developing her characters, focusing on the character's inner workings that reveal what the character might do in any given situation. You can view the article here.
WRWA Fall Conference
The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association's fall conference will be held September 26–28, 2008 at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Wausau.
Speakers include:
Ralph Sharp (Internet Content Developer)
“Authors and the Internet–
Make a Splash on the World Wide Web”
Nancy Christie (Professional Writer)
“Making Money with Words–
Corporate Writing Opportunities”
Joanna MacKenzie (Literary Agent)
“The Author-Agent Relationship: What You Need to Know About Finding Representation; Building a Platform and Getting Published”
Lamoine MacLaughlin, Jane Osypowski, (poets)
“Poetry and Our Youth”
Rosanne Bittner
(Established Novelist, ten million books sold)
“The Measure of Success”
You can attend one or both days ($45 for one day, $65 both; members receive a discount).
For more information, visit their website.
Speakers include:
Ralph Sharp (Internet Content Developer)
“Authors and the Internet–
Make a Splash on the World Wide Web”
Nancy Christie (Professional Writer)
“Making Money with Words–
Corporate Writing Opportunities”
Joanna MacKenzie (Literary Agent)
“The Author-Agent Relationship: What You Need to Know About Finding Representation; Building a Platform and Getting Published”
Lamoine MacLaughlin, Jane Osypowski, (poets)
“Poetry and Our Youth”
Rosanne Bittner
(Established Novelist, ten million books sold)
“The Measure of Success”
You can attend one or both days ($45 for one day, $65 both; members receive a discount).
For more information, visit their website.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Author Visit
Denis Guillickson, author of "Vagabond Halfback: The Life and Times of Johnny Blood McNally and Before They Were The Packers," a historical account of the Packer's football baginnings from 1895 through 1921, will do a discussion and booksigning at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at Barnes and Noble Store, Grand Chute. For more information, call 920-831-7880.
Literary Magazine Give-Away
Hope S. has donated sample copies of popular U.S. literary magazines that feature fiction, essays and poetry. Experts recommendation authors look at sample issues before submitting work for publication; most sample copies are $5 or more but you can get free copies at the next meeting on Saturday, June 7th.
Summer Reading Program
The Oshkosh Public Library adult summer reading program has begun. Register at the 1st floor Information Desk or online at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.
Participation is easy; for every 20 minutes you read, check off a box on your reading ticket. When the ticket is full, turn it in to the Information Desk. Every Friday, tickets are randomly drawn for prizes. For more information, call 236-5202.
Participation is easy; for every 20 minutes you read, check off a box on your reading ticket. When the ticket is full, turn it in to the Information Desk. Every Friday, tickets are randomly drawn for prizes. For more information, call 236-5202.
Author Visit
Jamie Miller, local author of the nationally popular “Make It Your Own” cookbook, will be at Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh, at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7th.
Jamie was born in 1963, in Okinawa, Japan, to American parents, and grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. When not working on recipes for her cookbooks, Miller is trying out recipes she's developed for cooking contests. She's won more than $80,000 in cash and prizes over the past eight years.
Don’t miss this delicious treat to meet Jamie and get your cookbook signed by the author!
Jamie was born in 1963, in Okinawa, Japan, to American parents, and grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. When not working on recipes for her cookbooks, Miller is trying out recipes she's developed for cooking contests. She's won more than $80,000 in cash and prizes over the past eight years.
Don’t miss this delicious treat to meet Jamie and get your cookbook signed by the author!
Monday, June 02, 2008
Screenwriting Class
Love Movies?
Want To Learn How To Write One?
***INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING***
Taught by Vermont’s Goddard College
MFA Screenwriting Candidate
MATTHEW J. FORSS, BA, MS
2-DAY SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
(AUG. 15th & AUG. 16th, 2008)
Learn:
• Formatting
• Dialogue/Character Development
• Act Structure
• Rewriting
• Selling Your Script and more!
Time: 9AM-4:30PM BOTH DAYS
Breaks Provided – Bring Lunch/Eat Out
Location: Faith Lutheran Church
1745 Ohio St.
Oshkosh, WI
Limited Enrollment. Cost $25.00. Sign-Up Before JUNE 23, 2008 By Calling 920-966-0325
***Certificate Upon Completion***
Want To Learn How To Write One?
***INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING***
Taught by Vermont’s Goddard College
MFA Screenwriting Candidate
MATTHEW J. FORSS, BA, MS
2-DAY SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
(AUG. 15th & AUG. 16th, 2008)
Learn:
• Formatting
• Dialogue/Character Development
• Act Structure
• Rewriting
• Selling Your Script and more!
Time: 9AM-4:30PM BOTH DAYS
Breaks Provided – Bring Lunch/Eat Out
Location: Faith Lutheran Church
1745 Ohio St.
Oshkosh, WI
Limited Enrollment. Cost $25.00. Sign-Up Before JUNE 23, 2008 By Calling 920-966-0325
***Certificate Upon Completion***
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Next meeting
Just a reminder that there are five Saturdays in May so our next meeting won't be until 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7th, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Dan is the Spotlight Author.
Life Stories Needed
FieldReport is a new web site that awards significant cash prizes for the best in personal writing. This call for submissions is for FieldReport's pre-launch beta period. Submission deadline is June 30, 2008 and there is no entry fee. Prizes are awarded July 1, 2008.
Post 2,500 words or less by going to the web site and typing in the password "truelife." (without the quotes). Award categories include Animals, College Life, Friends and Relations, Home and Garden, Parenting, and many others.
Post 2,500 words or less by going to the web site and typing in the password "truelife." (without the quotes). Award categories include Animals, College Life, Friends and Relations, Home and Garden, Parenting, and many others.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Writing Prompt for June 7
The writing prompt for the June 7 meeting is: "Pick up a few to take with you." The prompt may used any way you want.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Open Mic & Free Magazines
Just a reminder that we're hosting an open mic night at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, under the Library Dome, 106 Washington Ave. You can read old or new stuff, yours or someone else's. Please bring a dish to pass.
Of note: Hope S. is cleaning out the office of the Wisconsin Review and will be bring a box of FREE sample issues of various literary magazines to the open mic. It's commonly suggested to look at sample issues of a magazine before you submit something for publication; Hope is giving us a great opportunity to browse an array of magazine titles where we might want to submit future work.
Of note: Hope S. is cleaning out the office of the Wisconsin Review and will be bring a box of FREE sample issues of various literary magazines to the open mic. It's commonly suggested to look at sample issues of a magazine before you submit something for publication; Hope is giving us a great opportunity to browse an array of magazine titles where we might want to submit future work.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Local Author Jess Riley
Oshkosh native Jess Riley will do a book talk and signing at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Oshkosh Public Library. Her appearance is co-sponsored by the club.
Jess spoke to the Writers Club in June 2006 about her self-published novel, which has now been picked up by Random House and will be available in stores May 20. The book, "Driving Sideways," is about a road trip taken from Fond du lac to L.A. by a young woman with Kidney disease (PKD) and a recent transplant. Lots of twists and turns in the plot and a killer sense of humor. Target has already selected it as one of their breakout books.
Jess's visit will be a great opportunity to ask her about going from self-publishing to working with a major publishing house, and what she has learned along the way.
Jess spoke to the Writers Club in June 2006 about her self-published novel, which has now been picked up by Random House and will be available in stores May 20. The book, "Driving Sideways," is about a road trip taken from Fond du lac to L.A. by a young woman with Kidney disease (PKD) and a recent transplant. Lots of twists and turns in the plot and a killer sense of humor. Target has already selected it as one of their breakout books.
Jess's visit will be a great opportunity to ask her about going from self-publishing to working with a major publishing house, and what she has learned along the way.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Writing prompt for May 17
There are two writing prompts for the Saturday, May 17 meeting; use them in any way that suits you.
1. "Get off me!"
2. Write about your first apartment, dorm room, etc.
1. "Get off me!"
2. Write about your first apartment, dorm room, etc.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
tips for distraction free
Lifehack org has an article on ways to keep yourself from being distracted while writing. It is at least some food for thought. Click on the link below to go to the article.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/tips-and-tricks-for-distraction-free-writing.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/tips-and-tricks-for-distraction-free-writing.html
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Online Word Processor
Do you need a word processing program? Do you work on your writing in different locations or on different computers? The following article describes several online word processing sites:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/write-here-write-now-write-anywhere-13-web-based-word-processors.html
I have tried Inet Word at http://www.inetword.com/. It is a free web-based word processor and seems pretty good. You type documents online and can save it online. These means you can retrieve it from any computer with web access. It seems to have many features- more than most will ever use.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/write-here-write-now-write-anywhere-13-web-based-word-processors.html
I have tried Inet Word at http://www.inetword.com/. It is a free web-based word processor and seems pretty good. You type documents online and can save it online. These means you can retrieve it from any computer with web access. It seems to have many features- more than most will ever use.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Free Comic Book Day
House of Heroes, downtown Oshkosh, will be giving away comic books from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2008, as part of the national Free Comic Book Day.
Titles include Simpsons, Superman, Iron Man, Transformers, Hellboy, X-Men, Naruto and more!
Titles include Simpsons, Superman, Iron Man, Transformers, Hellboy, X-Men, Naruto and more!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Free online search for publishers
Here is some information from the website Duotrope:
It looks like a good way to find a publisher.
Duotrope’s Digest is a free, online resource for writers of fiction and poetry.
why duotrope? Search for the perfect market for your fiction and poetry, based on a number of criteria. We list well over a thousand current markets, and we check each listing once a week to ensure everything stays as up-to-date as humanly possible. You can also get nifty reports on markets’ response times and acceptance/rejection ratios. Sign up for a free account and track your submissions in one place. We’ll even remind you when it’s time to query. Explore and see what else we have on tap.
how can I duotrope? Pull up your web browser and head over to duotrope.com. Remember, it’s free!
duotrope.com
It looks like a good way to find a publisher.
Duotrope’s Digest is a free, online resource for writers of fiction and poetry.
why duotrope? Search for the perfect market for your fiction and poetry, based on a number of criteria. We list well over a thousand current markets, and we check each listing once a week to ensure everything stays as up-to-date as humanly possible. You can also get nifty reports on markets’ response times and acceptance/rejection ratios. Sign up for a free account and track your submissions in one place. We’ll even remind you when it’s time to query. Explore and see what else we have on tap.
how can I duotrope? Pull up your web browser and head over to duotrope.com. Remember, it’s free!
duotrope.com
Friday, April 25, 2008
Author Boni Ashburn
Children’s author Boni Ashburn with her adorable book, “Hush Little Dragon,” will give a book talk at 3 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh. The book is a sweet lullaby to a fussy eater of a baby dragon. Never mind the taste of that magician, he’s good nutrition!
Meet Elizabeth Berg
New York author Elizabeth Berg will do a reading from her new book, "The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted and Other Small Acts of Liberation," at noon, Tuesday, May 13 at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. This is her only Wisconsin appearance north of Milwaukee.
Her novels of strong women, families, and new beginnings make excellent choices for contemporary fiction including Oprah’s book club choice, “The Art of Mending”, or others like “Open House”, “The Year of Pleasures, “What We Keep”, “Dream When You’re Feeling Blue”, and “The Handmaid and the Carpenter”.
The free event is sponsored by Apple Blossom Books.
Her novels of strong women, families, and new beginnings make excellent choices for contemporary fiction including Oprah’s book club choice, “The Art of Mending”, or others like “Open House”, “The Year of Pleasures, “What We Keep”, “Dream When You’re Feeling Blue”, and “The Handmaid and the Carpenter”.
The free event is sponsored by Apple Blossom Books.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Author Visit - Joseph Amato
Noted author and historian Joseph Amato will speak about his newest book, "Jacob's Well: A Case For Rethinking Family History" published by Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2008. Amato has a long list of publishing credits, including "A Place Called Home: Writings on the Midwestern Small Town" (2003).
Writers interested in genealogy and storytelling will want to attend; this is a great opportunity to get advice on organizing your life stories.
The program will take at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8th, the Dome Area, 2nd Floor, Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. The author will have books for sale. For more information, call the library at 236-5205.
Writers interested in genealogy and storytelling will want to attend; this is a great opportunity to get advice on organizing your life stories.
The program will take at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8th, the Dome Area, 2nd Floor, Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. The author will have books for sale. For more information, call the library at 236-5205.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Next Meeting - April 19th
The next meeting of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.
Note: Due to filming, you will need to approach the library from the north, coming on Merritt Avenue and then turning onto Jefferson St. If there are barricades, just tell the person at the barricade you are coming to the library and they will let you in.
Note: Due to filming, you will need to approach the library from the north, coming on Merritt Avenue and then turning onto Jefferson St. If there are barricades, just tell the person at the barricade you are coming to the library and they will let you in.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Discussion Topic - Define "Romantic"
One of our authors wrote in one of his Life Stories of growing up in the early sixties a description of coming home to find his mother sitting up late watching Johnny Carson and smoking her Chesterfields. This image was described by another as romantic and this lead to the question: What is meant by romantic in this context?
We couldn't really come up with a definition, but in reading "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren, this writer came across the passage, “It is because he is a romantic, and he has a picture of the world in his head, and when the world doesn't conform in any respect to this picture, he wants to throw the world away.” This seems to be the answer.
Do we want people sitting up alone with a vice (or vices if you count TV watching) that isn't good for them? No. But when we think of people in the fifties or sixties, don't we want them watching Johnny Carson on a black and white TV and smoking? That's how we picture that time. Don't we envy this mother in a simpler time when you could indulge in a cigarette and didn't worry about carcinogens and second hand smoke? When you could enjoy late night TV without hearing a commercial for ED or see a young starlet without underwear? Those times probably weren't any simpler than today, yet we yearn for them romantically. ~ TC
We can continue this discussion using the "comment" forum.
We couldn't really come up with a definition, but in reading "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren, this writer came across the passage, “It is because he is a romantic, and he has a picture of the world in his head, and when the world doesn't conform in any respect to this picture, he wants to throw the world away.” This seems to be the answer.
Do we want people sitting up alone with a vice (or vices if you count TV watching) that isn't good for them? No. But when we think of people in the fifties or sixties, don't we want them watching Johnny Carson on a black and white TV and smoking? That's how we picture that time. Don't we envy this mother in a simpler time when you could indulge in a cigarette and didn't worry about carcinogens and second hand smoke? When you could enjoy late night TV without hearing a commercial for ED or see a young starlet without underwear? Those times probably weren't any simpler than today, yet we yearn for them romantically. ~ TC
We can continue this discussion using the "comment" forum.
First Annual Fox Cities Book Festival
Celebrate the pure joy of reading and make plans today to attend the inaugural Fox Cities Book Festival, which will be held April 16-20, 2008.
The festival will connect readers and writers and offer an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the literary arts. It will also reach across all generations and genres with activities spanning the entire Fox Cities. A book fair featuring numerous publishers will be held at City Center Plaza in Downtown Appleton on April 19.
The Fox Cities Book Festival will feature many national, state and local authors. Among the national writers coming to the Fox Cities:
Charles Baxter
As one of America's best-selling poets, Collins is known for his witty writing style. He was appointed as Poet Laureate in 2001 by Congress and served two terms. Collins has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Foundation and was also the recipient of the Poetry Foundation's original Mark Twain Award for humorous poetry. Some of his most popular books of poetry include "Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems," "Picnic, Lightning" and "The Art of Drowning." Collins is an English professor and lives in New York
Speaking with Dean Bakopoulos Friday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. about finding your writing mentor, UW-Fox Valley Aaron Bohrod Gallery; Speaking Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m., Stansbury Hall, Lawrence Univ.; Panel discussion Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. on turning fiction books into movies, Appleton Public Library
Alex Flinn
Alex Flinn is one of the country's best-selling authors of books for young adults. She was born on Long Island, moved to Miami as a teen and still calls Florida home. Although Flinn went to law school and was a practicing attorney, she always loved writing and started work on her first novel, "Breathing Underwater," while completing her college studies. Flinn now has five published novels to her name with "Fade to Black" and "Diva" as two reader favorites.
Speaking Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m., Harmony Café, Appleton. Her topic is Dating 101: Finding Your Way.
Alice Hoffman
Hoffman is one of America's most distinguished novelists. She has published a total of 18 novels, two stories of short fiction and eight books for children and young adults. Her novel, "Here on Earth," was an Oprah Book Club choice and several of her books, including "Practical Magic" and the New York Times Bestseller, "The River King," have been made into movies. She currently splits her time between Boston and New York. Alice will be speaking about her popular novels Blackbird House and Green Angel.
Speaking Thursday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m., Kaukauna Public Library
Speaking Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m., Appleton Public Library
Speaking Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m., Neenah Public Library
Naomi Shihab Nye
Naomi Shihab Nye has traveled the world and is known for evoking a humanitarian spirit and drawing upon her cultural experiences in her poetry. She received the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award for "You and Yours" and is credited for several books of poetry including "19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East" and "Different Ways to Pray." Nye has also written for young readers and received several honors including two Jane Addams Children's Book Awards and four Pushcart Prizes. Nye resides in Texas with her family.
Speaking Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m., Harmony Café, Appleton
Speaking Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m., Kaukauna High School
Conversations with Nye and FCBF Committee Member Ellen Kort, Sunday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m., Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Please note this is a ticketed event.
In addition, there more than a dozen state/local authors appearing throughout the area. For a complete schedule of events, click here.
The festival will connect readers and writers and offer an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the literary arts. It will also reach across all generations and genres with activities spanning the entire Fox Cities. A book fair featuring numerous publishers will be held at City Center Plaza in Downtown Appleton on April 19.
The Fox Cities Book Festival will feature many national, state and local authors. Among the national writers coming to the Fox Cities:
Charles Baxter
As one of America's best-selling poets, Collins is known for his witty writing style. He was appointed as Poet Laureate in 2001 by Congress and served two terms. Collins has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Foundation and was also the recipient of the Poetry Foundation's original Mark Twain Award for humorous poetry. Some of his most popular books of poetry include "Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems," "Picnic, Lightning" and "The Art of Drowning." Collins is an English professor and lives in New York
Speaking with Dean Bakopoulos Friday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. about finding your writing mentor, UW-Fox Valley Aaron Bohrod Gallery; Speaking Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m., Stansbury Hall, Lawrence Univ.; Panel discussion Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. on turning fiction books into movies, Appleton Public Library
Alex Flinn
Alex Flinn is one of the country's best-selling authors of books for young adults. She was born on Long Island, moved to Miami as a teen and still calls Florida home. Although Flinn went to law school and was a practicing attorney, she always loved writing and started work on her first novel, "Breathing Underwater," while completing her college studies. Flinn now has five published novels to her name with "Fade to Black" and "Diva" as two reader favorites.
Speaking Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m., Harmony Café, Appleton. Her topic is Dating 101: Finding Your Way.
Alice Hoffman
Hoffman is one of America's most distinguished novelists. She has published a total of 18 novels, two stories of short fiction and eight books for children and young adults. Her novel, "Here on Earth," was an Oprah Book Club choice and several of her books, including "Practical Magic" and the New York Times Bestseller, "The River King," have been made into movies. She currently splits her time between Boston and New York. Alice will be speaking about her popular novels Blackbird House and Green Angel.
Speaking Thursday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m., Kaukauna Public Library
Speaking Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m., Appleton Public Library
Speaking Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m., Neenah Public Library
Naomi Shihab Nye
Naomi Shihab Nye has traveled the world and is known for evoking a humanitarian spirit and drawing upon her cultural experiences in her poetry. She received the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award for "You and Yours" and is credited for several books of poetry including "19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East" and "Different Ways to Pray." Nye has also written for young readers and received several honors including two Jane Addams Children's Book Awards and four Pushcart Prizes. Nye resides in Texas with her family.
Speaking Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m., Harmony Café, Appleton
Speaking Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m., Kaukauna High School
Conversations with Nye and FCBF Committee Member Ellen Kort, Sunday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m., Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Please note this is a ticketed event.
In addition, there more than a dozen state/local authors appearing throughout the area. For a complete schedule of events, click here.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Free Print Cartridge - April 2nd
Thanks to Dixie for alerting us to this gem:
For one day only, April 2, Walgreens is giving away free ink cartridges (not available for Canon or Epson printers); when you present the free coupon at http://www.walgreens.com/dmi/inkrefill/default.html?ec=hn522p_trouble.
For one day only, April 2, Walgreens is giving away free ink cartridges (not available for Canon or Epson printers); when you present the free coupon at http://www.walgreens.com/dmi/inkrefill/default.html?ec=hn522p_trouble.
Author Spotlight Schedule
Just a reminder of upcoming Spotlight Authors:
April 19 - Tom
May 3 - Ron
May 17 - Dixie
June 7 - Dan
June 21 - Mike
April 19 - Tom
May 3 - Ron
May 17 - Dixie
June 7 - Dan
June 21 - Mike
"Read Across America" Authors Celebration
We've been invited to "Read Across America" Authors Celebration 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20, under the Oshkosh Public Library Dome. Winners will read their short stories and refreshments will be served. It would be nice if a few of the judges can attend!
Please RSVP by calling 233-5955 by April 14th and leave your name and the number of people attending.
Also, the organization wishes to thank Ruth, Jessica, Bob, Joyce, Jane, Mike, Hope and Dorothy for being the final judges in the create-a-book contest.
Please RSVP by calling 233-5955 by April 14th and leave your name and the number of people attending.
Also, the organization wishes to thank Ruth, Jessica, Bob, Joyce, Jane, Mike, Hope and Dorothy for being the final judges in the create-a-book contest.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Arthur C. Clarke
We're sad to note the passing of science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke.
I'm sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people think about it. I'm rather proud of the fact that I know several astronauts who became astronauts through reading my books.
~ Arthur C. Clarke, Address to US Congress, 1975
I'm sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people think about it. I'm rather proud of the fact that I know several astronauts who became astronauts through reading my books.
~ Arthur C. Clarke, Address to US Congress, 1975
Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Writer's Digest is currently accepting submissions for their Annual Writing Competition.
Entry Fee: $10-$15
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize:
$3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
Entry Fee: $10-$15
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize:
$3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
Flash Prose Contest
Writer Advice is sponsoring the 3rd annual Flash Prose Contest.
Submissions can for flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction that grabs, surprises, and mesmerizes readers in fewer than 750 words. First Place earns $75, Second Place earns $50, Third Place earns $35, and Fourth Place earns $20. Honorable Mentions will also be published. A list of all winners will be posted in the June - July issue of WriterAdvice. Deadline April 10, 2008; $10 entry fee.
Submissions can for flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction that grabs, surprises, and mesmerizes readers in fewer than 750 words. First Place earns $75, Second Place earns $50, Third Place earns $35, and Fourth Place earns $20. Honorable Mentions will also be published. A list of all winners will be posted in the June - July issue of WriterAdvice. Deadline April 10, 2008; $10 entry fee.
Strongest Start Novel Writing Competition
The Next Big Writer is sponsoring the Strongest Start Novel Writing Competition (you need to be a member of the The Next Big Writer to enter).
Run by the TheNextBigWriter online community, the competition provides a $2,000 professional editing package for the writer who submits the most compelling starting three chapters. The judges include a NY Times Best-Selling author, a former literary agent and publisher from HarperSanFrancisco, and the previous year's winner. Writers
may submit as many novels as they like and will receive feedback on every entry. Deadline April 16, 2008.
Prizes: 1st Prize $2,000 Professional Editorial Package and $100, 2nd prize $50, 3rd prize $25.
Run by the TheNextBigWriter online community, the competition provides a $2,000 professional editing package for the writer who submits the most compelling starting three chapters. The judges include a NY Times Best-Selling author, a former literary agent and publisher from HarperSanFrancisco, and the previous year's winner. Writers
may submit as many novels as they like and will receive feedback on every entry. Deadline April 16, 2008.
Prizes: 1st Prize $2,000 Professional Editorial Package and $100, 2nd prize $50, 3rd prize $25.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Online Writing Courses
Become a better writer, get organized, and get published with a growing collection of online, non-credit writing courses taught by experienced professionals through the University of Wisconsin.
All courses are taught for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end, for a total of eight weeks. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
Each class is offered four times this spring: March 19, April 16, May 21 and June 18. Cost is $89 per class. For more information and/or to register, click here.
Class offerings include:
Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers
Who doesn't know the fear of the blank page? How can we transform our visions into the written word? Is it really possible to become a terrific writer? You'll find the answer to these and more of your questions in Writeriffic. In this high-energy class you'll learn lots of tricks from the published writer's toolbox. Whether you're at work now or hoping to write a novel, a nonfiction book, a memoir, short stories or articles, Writerific liberates the imaginative, inventive bolts of genius that are inside everyone.If you've ever dreamed of hearing your writer's voice and writing what's in your heart and head, this class will make it happen.
Write Fiction Like a Pro
What’s the single biggest difference between professional authors and novices? Professionals know how to structure novels and stories for maximum dramatic effect. This course helps you develop the same story structuring skills the pros use. You'll understand how your passion, theme, premise, and characters help you create the structure of your story, and you'll discover how viewpoint, dialogue, pacing, and many other techniques are used to build scenes and move your story from beginning to end.
Each assignment in this course helps you develop your own original novel or story. As you apply each technique, your story will take shape, with a clear path from beginning to end. And whenever you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in the Discussion Area for some interactive brainstorming! Before you know it, you’ll be prepared to ...write fiction like a pro.
Romance Writing Secrets
Learn the secrets of writing romance novels that get publishers excited. Facilitated by a bestselling, multi-published romance author, this course will guide you on your road to writing your first romance and getting it published.
Romance writing is the hottest fiction genre going. From Nora Roberts to Jayne Ann Krentz to Linda Howard, readers gobble up romance novels to the tune of $1.2 billion a year. This course starts with the fundamentals of organizing your book, beginning with the overarching theme, and moves on to the basic elements of good storytelling—character development, structuring your plot, internal and external conflict, and point of view. The class then proceeds to the specifics of romance—the importance of writing emotions, love scenes, witty banter, and romantic imagery. The course concludes with hints and tips on getting published within the romance market.
Students will be exposed to real-life examples from popular romance novels and from the instructor’s 12 years of experience as a published author of 39 romance novels.
Pleasures of Poetry
If you want to write poetry, this course will help you to create your best possible work. You'll learn the formal elements of the craft, become aware of how particular forms work, and explore many avenues for possible poetry topics. Interactive exercises will help you to create at least one poem with formal elements, and you'll receive instruction and commentary in a constructive and nurturing environment. If you're serious about becoming a published poet, you'll also learn how to prepare a manuscript for publication and where to send it for the best possible results.
Creating a Sense of Place
You may live among the prickly pears, dust devils, and intense sun of the desert. Or you may reside in a small town nestled alongside cornfields. Or perhaps you live in the big city and take a train in to work every day.
No matter where you live, your surroundings have special physical, historical, and spiritual characteristics that you can--and should--rely on to breathe life into any work of fiction or nonfiction.
During this course, you'll learn to tap into the world you know in order to establish a realistic sense of place in your writing. You'll develop your eye for detail, and you'll find out how to collect the information you'll need to infuse your works with believable characters, memorable settings, and detailed descriptions.
This hands-on course is filled with a variety of valuable exercises that will help you hone your skills of observation, interviewing, collecting oral histories, remembering details and descriptions, reproducing dialogue and diction, using figurative language, developing realistic characters, and more.
By the time you finish this course, you'll be well-prepared to create truly unique works filled with vivid and meaningful observations of the people, places, foods, customs, and events in not only your local community, but also in places that exist only in your memory.
Write Your Life Story
Have you thought about writing your story, sharing life-altering events? Does your family really know about their heritage? If you've ever thought about writing your life story, now is the time. You will have the satisfaction of telling history your way. You may even find a lucrative market for your story, just like the authors of the bestselling Rocket Boys and Angela's Ashes. This course walks you step-by-step through the process of writing your life story. It's fun. It's exciting. It's a story only you can tell.
Writing for Children
Join a published children's author and discover how you can touch the hearts of children by creating books for them. If you're a beginning writer, this course will help you transform a book idea into a finished product that you'll be proud to place into the hands of potential publisher. And if you're already a successful writer, this course will help you explore new opportunities and markets for your work.
In this highly interactive, hands-on course, you'll take pen to paper and begin work on your very first fiction or nonfiction manuscript. In the process, you'll explore the changing world of children's literature and understand the various formats--from baby's first books to novels for young adults. You'll get insights from guest authors and editors to gain a better understanding of the needs of today's market. By researching the genre and recognizing niche players, you'll open doors of opportunity, many of which you may not have previously considered. By the time you finish this course, you'll have all the tools and resources you'll need to continue to grow as a writer for children.
Mystery Writing
What makes a mystery?
If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.
This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.
Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.
The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.
Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.
Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.
This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!
All courses are taught for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end, for a total of eight weeks. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
Each class is offered four times this spring: March 19, April 16, May 21 and June 18. Cost is $89 per class. For more information and/or to register, click here.
Class offerings include:
Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers
Who doesn't know the fear of the blank page? How can we transform our visions into the written word? Is it really possible to become a terrific writer? You'll find the answer to these and more of your questions in Writeriffic. In this high-energy class you'll learn lots of tricks from the published writer's toolbox. Whether you're at work now or hoping to write a novel, a nonfiction book, a memoir, short stories or articles, Writerific liberates the imaginative, inventive bolts of genius that are inside everyone.If you've ever dreamed of hearing your writer's voice and writing what's in your heart and head, this class will make it happen.
Write Fiction Like a Pro
What’s the single biggest difference between professional authors and novices? Professionals know how to structure novels and stories for maximum dramatic effect. This course helps you develop the same story structuring skills the pros use. You'll understand how your passion, theme, premise, and characters help you create the structure of your story, and you'll discover how viewpoint, dialogue, pacing, and many other techniques are used to build scenes and move your story from beginning to end.
Each assignment in this course helps you develop your own original novel or story. As you apply each technique, your story will take shape, with a clear path from beginning to end. And whenever you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in the Discussion Area for some interactive brainstorming! Before you know it, you’ll be prepared to ...write fiction like a pro.
Romance Writing Secrets
Learn the secrets of writing romance novels that get publishers excited. Facilitated by a bestselling, multi-published romance author, this course will guide you on your road to writing your first romance and getting it published.
Romance writing is the hottest fiction genre going. From Nora Roberts to Jayne Ann Krentz to Linda Howard, readers gobble up romance novels to the tune of $1.2 billion a year. This course starts with the fundamentals of organizing your book, beginning with the overarching theme, and moves on to the basic elements of good storytelling—character development, structuring your plot, internal and external conflict, and point of view. The class then proceeds to the specifics of romance—the importance of writing emotions, love scenes, witty banter, and romantic imagery. The course concludes with hints and tips on getting published within the romance market.
Students will be exposed to real-life examples from popular romance novels and from the instructor’s 12 years of experience as a published author of 39 romance novels.
Pleasures of Poetry
If you want to write poetry, this course will help you to create your best possible work. You'll learn the formal elements of the craft, become aware of how particular forms work, and explore many avenues for possible poetry topics. Interactive exercises will help you to create at least one poem with formal elements, and you'll receive instruction and commentary in a constructive and nurturing environment. If you're serious about becoming a published poet, you'll also learn how to prepare a manuscript for publication and where to send it for the best possible results.
Creating a Sense of Place
You may live among the prickly pears, dust devils, and intense sun of the desert. Or you may reside in a small town nestled alongside cornfields. Or perhaps you live in the big city and take a train in to work every day.
No matter where you live, your surroundings have special physical, historical, and spiritual characteristics that you can--and should--rely on to breathe life into any work of fiction or nonfiction.
During this course, you'll learn to tap into the world you know in order to establish a realistic sense of place in your writing. You'll develop your eye for detail, and you'll find out how to collect the information you'll need to infuse your works with believable characters, memorable settings, and detailed descriptions.
This hands-on course is filled with a variety of valuable exercises that will help you hone your skills of observation, interviewing, collecting oral histories, remembering details and descriptions, reproducing dialogue and diction, using figurative language, developing realistic characters, and more.
By the time you finish this course, you'll be well-prepared to create truly unique works filled with vivid and meaningful observations of the people, places, foods, customs, and events in not only your local community, but also in places that exist only in your memory.
Write Your Life Story
Have you thought about writing your story, sharing life-altering events? Does your family really know about their heritage? If you've ever thought about writing your life story, now is the time. You will have the satisfaction of telling history your way. You may even find a lucrative market for your story, just like the authors of the bestselling Rocket Boys and Angela's Ashes. This course walks you step-by-step through the process of writing your life story. It's fun. It's exciting. It's a story only you can tell.
Writing for Children
Join a published children's author and discover how you can touch the hearts of children by creating books for them. If you're a beginning writer, this course will help you transform a book idea into a finished product that you'll be proud to place into the hands of potential publisher. And if you're already a successful writer, this course will help you explore new opportunities and markets for your work.
In this highly interactive, hands-on course, you'll take pen to paper and begin work on your very first fiction or nonfiction manuscript. In the process, you'll explore the changing world of children's literature and understand the various formats--from baby's first books to novels for young adults. You'll get insights from guest authors and editors to gain a better understanding of the needs of today's market. By researching the genre and recognizing niche players, you'll open doors of opportunity, many of which you may not have previously considered. By the time you finish this course, you'll have all the tools and resources you'll need to continue to grow as a writer for children.
Mystery Writing
What makes a mystery?
If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.
This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.
Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.
The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.
Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.
Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.
This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Documentary is Done!
Jim Stevens has graciously created a documentary on the Oshkosh Area Writers Club and we all appreciate the time he took away from his family and other obligations to put this together. While it's not ready for television viewing, you can preview it here. It is 19MB.
"Power of the Pen" writing workshop
Jessica alerts us that the 4th annual "Power of the Pen Writer's Conference" will be held Friday, March 28 through Saturday, April 5. This year's schedule looks better than ever and the fee is ONLY $14.11 per class.
Classes to choose from include:
Chapbook 101 with John Leman
Expanding the Reach of Poetry with Ellen Kort
Image, Form and Voice Across Genres with Bruce Taylor
Writing, Not Typing with Bruce Taylor
Character Development with Tim Meier
For more information, click here and then click on "Power of the Pen" in the lower right hand corner.
Since this is the fifth weekend of the month and there's no meeting, we can organize a car pool!
Don't confuse this workshop with Write Away!, a one-day creative writing class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the UW-Fox Campus, Menasha, 1478 Midway Road, Room 1346.
Instructor Bill Gillard (M.F.A. Creative Writing) will lead the class in memory and imagination exercises; experiments in a variety of forms and genres; and revision techniques. No writing experience is necessary; fee is $79 (bring a bag lunch).
For more details or to register, go to www.uwfox.uwc.edu/conted or phone 920-832-2636.
Classes to choose from include:
Chapbook 101 with John Leman
Expanding the Reach of Poetry with Ellen Kort
Image, Form and Voice Across Genres with Bruce Taylor
Writing, Not Typing with Bruce Taylor
Character Development with Tim Meier
For more information, click here and then click on "Power of the Pen" in the lower right hand corner.
Since this is the fifth weekend of the month and there's no meeting, we can organize a car pool!
Don't confuse this workshop with Write Away!, a one-day creative writing class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the UW-Fox Campus, Menasha, 1478 Midway Road, Room 1346.
Instructor Bill Gillard (M.F.A. Creative Writing) will lead the class in memory and imagination exercises; experiments in a variety of forms and genres; and revision techniques. No writing experience is necessary; fee is $79 (bring a bag lunch).
For more details or to register, go to www.uwfox.uwc.edu/conted or phone 920-832-2636.
Upcoming Events
In addition to the writing critique sessions, we're holding the following special events this spring:
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.
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.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Congrats to Hope!
A big congrats to member Hope S., who was recently appointed editor of the Wisconsin Review, a literary publication of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Writing Prompt for March 1
The writing prompt for the March 1st meeting is: "I don't know why I remember this..."
Use the prompt any way you wish!
Use the prompt any way you wish!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Children's Book Fest
The Rhinelander Children's Book Fest 2008 is a two day conference that will be held at the Rhinelander Holiday Inn on March 11 and 12, 2008.
Registration information for Children's Book Fest can be found on the RDL website home page. Scroll down under Library Catalog to Upcoming Library Programs. It will be necessary to mail the form and check. All registrations must be received no later than March 7. Payment of $6.00 per person must accompany each registration form. No purchase orders, please.
Registration information for Children's Book Fest can be found on the RDL website home page. Scroll down under Library Catalog to Upcoming Library Programs. It will be necessary to mail the form and check. All registrations must be received no later than March 7. Payment of $6.00 per person must accompany each registration form. No purchase orders, please.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Ask Beverly Clearly
If you've ever wanted to ask Beverly Cleary a question about her books, the memorable characters she has created, or her life as a writer, here's your chance! In celebration of National D.E.A.R. Day -- that's Drop Everything and Read -- Reading Rockets is collecting questions for Mrs. Cleary from readers. Teachers, librarians, parents, and readers of all ages can submit their questions.
The best questions will be selected for Mrs. Cleary to answer. Visit Reading Rockets on April 12th to hear what she has to say in a new exclusive audio interview.
You have until February 29 to send your question. If your question is selected to be answered, HarperCollins Children's Books will send you a set of Beverly Cleary titles! Visit the Reading Rockets D.E.A.R. web page to learn more or to submit your question at the Reading Rockets website: http://pbsmail.org/ct/mp1twK41F4NI/dearday
The best questions will be selected for Mrs. Cleary to answer. Visit Reading Rockets on April 12th to hear what she has to say in a new exclusive audio interview.
You have until February 29 to send your question. If your question is selected to be answered, HarperCollins Children's Books will send you a set of Beverly Cleary titles! Visit the Reading Rockets D.E.A.R. web page to learn more or to submit your question at the Reading Rockets website: http://pbsmail.org/ct/mp1twK41F4NI/dearday
Thursday, February 07, 2008
UW - Fox Writing Class
Write Away!, a one-day creative writing class, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the UW-Fox Campus, Menasha, 1478 Midway Road, Room 1346.
Instructor Bill Gillard (M.F.A. Creative Writing) will lead the class in memory and imagination exercises; experiments in a variety of forms and genres; and revision techniques. No writing experience is necessary; fee is $79 (bring a bag lunch).
For more details or to register, go to www.uwfox.uwc.edu/conted or phone 920-832-2636.
Instructor Bill Gillard (M.F.A. Creative Writing) will lead the class in memory and imagination exercises; experiments in a variety of forms and genres; and revision techniques. No writing experience is necessary; fee is $79 (bring a bag lunch).
For more details or to register, go to www.uwfox.uwc.edu/conted or phone 920-832-2636.
Writing Prompt for Feb. 16
The writing prompt for the Feb. 16 meeting is: "That was the worst thing that anybody ever said to me."
Feel free to use the prompt any way you'd like.
Feel free to use the prompt any way you'd like.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Sandvidge Sisters author visit
The Sanvidge Sisters, who grew up in Oshkosh, will talk about their new book, "Apple Betty & Sloppy Joe," 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2008 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. A book signing will follow the talk; books are available for purchase at Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh.
A great cookbook that includes lots of cute stories, the book is garnering lots of attention. One of the sisters, Julie Sanvidge of Ohio, was recently featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio. For local articles, click below:
Oshkosh Northwestern
Wisconsin State Journal
A great cookbook that includes lots of cute stories, the book is garnering lots of attention. One of the sisters, Julie Sanvidge of Ohio, was recently featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio. For local articles, click below:
Oshkosh Northwestern
Wisconsin State Journal
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
New Books for Writers
New books for writers available through the Oshkosh Public Library:
The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within by Fry, Stephen
Careers in Writing by Camenson, Blythe
The Longman Guide to Intermediate and Advanced Fiction Writing by Stone, Sarah
The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing by LaPlante, Alice
Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir by Goldberg, Natalie
How to Get a Literary Agent by Larsen, Michael
The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself by Bell, Susan
The Legacy Guide: Capturing the Facts, Memories, and Meaning of Your Life by Franco, Carol
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction by Benrey, Ron
Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story by Myers, Linda Joy
Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing by Leonard, Elmore
Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book by Poynter, Dan
Only as Good as Your Word: Writing Lessons from My Favorite Literary Gurus by Shapiro, Susan
How to Write: A Screenplay by Schwartz, Mark Evan
Will Write for Shoes: How to Write a Chick Lit Novel by Yardley, Cathy
How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead by Gore, Ariel
The TV Writer's Workbook: A Creative Approach to Television Scripts by Sandler, Ellen
The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within by Fry, Stephen
Careers in Writing by Camenson, Blythe
The Longman Guide to Intermediate and Advanced Fiction Writing by Stone, Sarah
The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing by LaPlante, Alice
Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir by Goldberg, Natalie
How to Get a Literary Agent by Larsen, Michael
The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself by Bell, Susan
The Legacy Guide: Capturing the Facts, Memories, and Meaning of Your Life by Franco, Carol
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction by Benrey, Ron
Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story by Myers, Linda Joy
Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing by Leonard, Elmore
Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book by Poynter, Dan
Only as Good as Your Word: Writing Lessons from My Favorite Literary Gurus by Shapiro, Susan
How to Write: A Screenplay by Schwartz, Mark Evan
Will Write for Shoes: How to Write a Chick Lit Novel by Yardley, Cathy
How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead by Gore, Ariel
The TV Writer's Workbook: A Creative Approach to Television Scripts by Sandler, Ellen
Monday, January 28, 2008
WFOP Triad Poetry Contest
The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets annual Triad Contest ends Aug. 1, 2008.
Rules:
Contestant must be a current WFOP member in good standing. (Annual dues are $25)
There is no entry fee. Do not send a SASE. Entries will not be returned.
Entry form must be completed in full, included with the submission and postmarked by the contest deadline date listed on the entry form.
Contestant may enter only one, original, unpublished poem in each category. The same poem may not be entered in more than one category. Categories are Designated Theme (theme for 2008 is "Keepsake); Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet (no specific subject or form) and Poet's Choice (no specific subject or form). Maximum length of all poems is 75 lines.
Manuscript must be typed on 8.5" x 11" white paper, one side only, one poem to a page. Type the category in the upper left corner.
Writer's name should not appear on the page with the poem.
Prizes:
Designated Theme: $50, $30, $20
Poet's Choice: $50, $30, $20
Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet: $50, $30, $20
For complete contest rules and entry form, click here.
Rules:
Contestant must be a current WFOP member in good standing. (Annual dues are $25)
There is no entry fee. Do not send a SASE. Entries will not be returned.
Entry form must be completed in full, included with the submission and postmarked by the contest deadline date listed on the entry form.
Contestant may enter only one, original, unpublished poem in each category. The same poem may not be entered in more than one category. Categories are Designated Theme (theme for 2008 is "Keepsake); Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet (no specific subject or form) and Poet's Choice (no specific subject or form). Maximum length of all poems is 75 lines.
Manuscript must be typed on 8.5" x 11" white paper, one side only, one poem to a page. Type the category in the upper left corner.
Writer's name should not appear on the page with the poem.
Prizes:
Designated Theme: $50, $30, $20
Poet's Choice: $50, $30, $20
Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet: $50, $30, $20
For complete contest rules and entry form, click here.
2008 Fabulous Five Writing Contest
The Wisconsin Romance Writers of America is sponsoring the 2008 Fabulous Five Writing Contest. Submit the first ten pages of your manuscript in one of several categories listed below; only the first 25 submissions in each category will be accepted.
The contest is open to all authors unpublished in RWA approved full-length fiction in the past five years; deadline for submissions is March 1, 2008.
Fee: $18 for WisRWA members /$20 for RWA members /$22 for non-RWA members
Categories:
Short Contemporary
Long Contemporary/Single Title Romance
Romantic Suspense/Intrigue
Historical
Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal/Time Travel
Erotica
Women's Fiction
For submission guidelines, registration form and other information, please click here.
The contest is open to all authors unpublished in RWA approved full-length fiction in the past five years; deadline for submissions is March 1, 2008.
Fee: $18 for WisRWA members /$20 for RWA members /$22 for non-RWA members
Categories:
Short Contemporary
Long Contemporary/Single Title Romance
Romantic Suspense/Intrigue
Historical
Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal/Time Travel
Erotica
Women's Fiction
For submission guidelines, registration form and other information, please click here.
Wisconsin Romance Writers Convention
The Wisconsin chapter of Romance Writers of America will hold their 2008 convention May 16-18 at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center & Oneida Casino, Green Bay. Fees for Friday/Saturday are $110 for members; $145 for non-members. Day fees are also available.
Keynote speaker Lori Foster first published with Harlequin in January 1996. Her second book launched Temptation Blaze and her 25th book launched Temptation Heat. Since those early days, Lori has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year. She's a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author with over 50 titles published through a variety of houses, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette. In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.
Other workshops include:
Anna Schmidt Self-Editing: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright What Were You Thinking!?
Editor & Agent Q and A session
Rhonda Penders Size Doesn't Matter: Its not the size of the publisher you should be looking at when deciding who to query.
Dianne Castell The Heroine Revolt...or you've come a long way, baby. Heroines from Mythology to Meryl Streep, complete with props.
The conference will also feature editors from publishing houses St. Martins Press, Avon, Bantam, The Wild Rose Press, Harlequin and others.
For a complete schedule of events, fees, and registration form, click here.
Keynote speaker Lori Foster first published with Harlequin in January 1996. Her second book launched Temptation Blaze and her 25th book launched Temptation Heat. Since those early days, Lori has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year. She's a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author with over 50 titles published through a variety of houses, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette. In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.
Other workshops include:
Anna Schmidt Self-Editing: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright What Were You Thinking!?
Editor & Agent Q and A session
Rhonda Penders Size Doesn't Matter: Its not the size of the publisher you should be looking at when deciding who to query.
Dianne Castell The Heroine Revolt...or you've come a long way, baby. Heroines from Mythology to Meryl Streep, complete with props.
The conference will also feature editors from publishing houses St. Martins Press, Avon, Bantam, The Wild Rose Press, Harlequin and others.
For a complete schedule of events, fees, and registration form, click here.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wisconsin Science Fiction Writers Convention
WisCon, an annual Wisconsin science fiction writers convention, will be held May 23-26, 2008, in Madison. Registration is capped to the first 1,000 writers who register. The conference fee is only $45 for the weekend and childcare is available for $1 per child.
Over the weekend, attendees will get to choose from more than one hundred multi-tracked items, incuding lectures, readings, book signings and critique groups. Genres range from science fiction to fantasy to horror to non-fiction, from books to movies to comics to scholarly papers, from items populated with professional authors to detail-loving academics to attentive fans. For a schedule of events, click here.
Joyce F. has attended the conference several times and highly recommends it!
Over the weekend, attendees will get to choose from more than one hundred multi-tracked items, incuding lectures, readings, book signings and critique groups. Genres range from science fiction to fantasy to horror to non-fiction, from books to movies to comics to scholarly papers, from items populated with professional authors to detail-loving academics to attentive fans. For a schedule of events, click here.
Joyce F. has attended the conference several times and highly recommends it!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Key to Creativity
"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."
Joseph Chilton Pierce
There's a neat article by Rob Daughery titled "Understanding the Mind: 5 Keys to a Writer's Creativity" that has some interesting ideas; it's not very long, yet has great information about how to use the brain's natural abilities to be more creative.
Joseph Chilton Pierce
There's a neat article by Rob Daughery titled "Understanding the Mind: 5 Keys to a Writer's Creativity" that has some interesting ideas; it's not very long, yet has great information about how to use the brain's natural abilities to be more creative.
Club Judging Contest
The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will be judging entries for the Create-a-Book contest at the March 15 meeting. The contest is open to students in grades 3-5 and ends March 3. For more details on the contest, please click here.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Author Alice Hoffman coming to Neenah
Author Alice Hoffman will be coming to Neenah Public Library at 10 a.m. Friday, April 18.
Bestselling novelist Alice Hoffman has published 20 novels for adults and several books for children and young adults. Her novels have received mention as notable books of the year by New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Her book, "Here on Earth," was an Oprah Book Club selection. The newest “Fox Cities Reads" titles (a community-wide reading program), are Blackbird House and Green Angel, both by Alice Hoffman. Copies of the books are available at the Neenah Public Library and other Winnefox libraries. Seating is limited; first come, first served.
Bestselling novelist Alice Hoffman has published 20 novels for adults and several books for children and young adults. Her novels have received mention as notable books of the year by New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Her book, "Here on Earth," was an Oprah Book Club selection. The newest “Fox Cities Reads" titles (a community-wide reading program), are Blackbird House and Green Angel, both by Alice Hoffman. Copies of the books are available at the Neenah Public Library and other Winnefox libraries. Seating is limited; first come, first served.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club is 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The writing prompt is: "A picture is worth a thousand words" and the Author Spotlight is Dixie J.
Congrats to Dixie
Dixie’s novel, Running Crazy, which many of you reviewed, has been selected by the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest to move to the second stage of the contest. As one of 1000 semi finalists, she will get a review by Publishers Weekly. Please post a review on her site after reading the 5000 word excerpt: http://tinyurl.com/34hybf
No word yet from other members who submitted contest entries.
No word yet from other members who submitted contest entries.
Club Documentary
Kudos to Jim Stevens, who has finished the documentary on the club; thanks to everyone who agreed to be interviewed and for allowing Jim to tape our meeting. Jim hopes to get the documentary aired on the Oshkosh Communty Access Televion (OCAT) Channel 10 but you can view the 10-minute piece at: http://www.boathouseloopers.com/videos/OAWCtest2.wmv
Thanks Jim for undertaking this project!
Thanks Jim for undertaking this project!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Classes at the Clearing
The Clearing Folk School in Ellison Bay has announced it's 2008 schedule of classes. Some of the offerings of interest to writers are below; prices are reasonable. More information can be found at their website.
Winter 2008 (registration now open)
Beginning to Write Poems
Mondays from 10 - 11:30
4 Sessions; First Class: February 4
Classes will include a variety of writing exercises and prompts to help students write their own poems. Please bring pens and a large notebook or legal pad.
Location: The Conference Room in The Meadows at Scandia Village, Sister Bay
Tuition: $40.00
Summer 2008 (registration opens Feb. 21)
The Process of Writing: Focus on Poetry & Short Prose - Chris Swanberg
May 18 - 24
Poetry Camp: Generating New Work - Robin Chapman & Judith Strasser
May 25 - 31
Writing Personal Fiction - Sara Rath
June 22 - 28
The Spirit & Practice of Poetry - Ellen Kort
July 13 - July 19
Joy Seeking & Journal Writing - Darlene Cole & Joyce Morrison
July 20 - July 26
Writing from Your Life - Jerry Apps
Aug. 3 - Aug. 9
The 3-in-1 Writing Workshop - John Lehman
Aug. 24 - Aug. 30
Women's Writing Retreat - Judy Bridges
Sept. 7 - Sept. 13
Winter 2008 (registration now open)
Beginning to Write Poems
Mondays from 10 - 11:30
4 Sessions; First Class: February 4
Classes will include a variety of writing exercises and prompts to help students write their own poems. Please bring pens and a large notebook or legal pad.
Location: The Conference Room in The Meadows at Scandia Village, Sister Bay
Tuition: $40.00
Summer 2008 (registration opens Feb. 21)
The Process of Writing: Focus on Poetry & Short Prose - Chris Swanberg
May 18 - 24
Poetry Camp: Generating New Work - Robin Chapman & Judith Strasser
May 25 - 31
Writing Personal Fiction - Sara Rath
June 22 - 28
The Spirit & Practice of Poetry - Ellen Kort
July 13 - July 19
Joy Seeking & Journal Writing - Darlene Cole & Joyce Morrison
July 20 - July 26
Writing from Your Life - Jerry Apps
Aug. 3 - Aug. 9
The 3-in-1 Writing Workshop - John Lehman
Aug. 24 - Aug. 30
Women's Writing Retreat - Judy Bridges
Sept. 7 - Sept. 13
Curtis L. Brown Challenge
The Fox Valley Writers Club is again sponsoring the Curtis L. Brown Challenge (Dixie J. took second place last year!). This year's theme is "Inventing and Inventiveness."
Rules:
There is no entry fee.
Deadline: Entry must be postmarked before midnight February 29, 2008.
Any high-school senior or older resident of the Fox Valley and surrounding communities is eligible to compete.
Entries should not exceed 2,000 words.
Any form of writing is acceptable - prose or poetry, fact or fiction - but must not have been published before.
The contest's theme, Inventing and Inventiveness, can be explored from any angle. It can cover the story or impact of an invention; the solution to a problem; or any event, in which quick thinking saved the day, rescued a pet or a person, or resolved an embarrassing situation.
Correct English is assumed, and entries will be judged primarily on originality and clarity. The judging decision is final, and entries cannot be returned.
Entries should be double-spaced on one side of sequentially numbered sheets. Only the title of the entry may appear on top of every page. The writer's name, address, and telephone number, the title of the entry, and its word count should appear on a separate sheet and nowhere else in the manuscript.
Mail to: "Curtis L. Brown Writing Challenge" 635 Quarry Lane, Neenah, WI 54956-4146.
Award certificates and monetary prizes will be given to the three best entries. First place: $45.00; second: $35.00; third: $20.00.
Winning entries may qualify for publication in the Club's Experimental Literary Journal, Ego Trips, but copyright stays with the author.
Rules:
There is no entry fee.
Deadline: Entry must be postmarked before midnight February 29, 2008.
Any high-school senior or older resident of the Fox Valley and surrounding communities is eligible to compete.
Entries should not exceed 2,000 words.
Any form of writing is acceptable - prose or poetry, fact or fiction - but must not have been published before.
The contest's theme, Inventing and Inventiveness, can be explored from any angle. It can cover the story or impact of an invention; the solution to a problem; or any event, in which quick thinking saved the day, rescued a pet or a person, or resolved an embarrassing situation.
Correct English is assumed, and entries will be judged primarily on originality and clarity. The judging decision is final, and entries cannot be returned.
Entries should be double-spaced on one side of sequentially numbered sheets. Only the title of the entry may appear on top of every page. The writer's name, address, and telephone number, the title of the entry, and its word count should appear on a separate sheet and nowhere else in the manuscript.
Mail to: "Curtis L. Brown Writing Challenge" 635 Quarry Lane, Neenah, WI 54956-4146.
Award certificates and monetary prizes will be given to the three best entries. First place: $45.00; second: $35.00; third: $20.00.
Winning entries may qualify for publication in the Club's Experimental Literary Journal, Ego Trips, but copyright stays with the author.
BIC HOK TAM
BIC HOK TAM is the motto of Book-in-a-Week, which means butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly.
Book-in-a Week writers are connected through a list created at Yahoo. The main purpose of the group is to write, but they also exchange information, publishing news and kudos. Anything writing related.
The Monday of the first FULL week of the month (usually) we begin BIW at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The dates are planned for the year making it is easy to mark your calendar and plan ahead.
BIW writers decide on their own goals and submit them to the list the week prior to BIW. During BIW, writers write as much as they can and post their daily totals to the list. To stay motivated we recommend checking in everyday whether you write or not. We’re here to help with the support and accountability. The group works on the honour system.
No editing, no going back over what’s been written. Write, write, write. What is important is getting the words down, creating a first draft. Editing and revising comes later. Allow yourself to write quickly and without worry. Get your ideas down first.
Some members actually finish a book in one week and for others the only time they write is during BIW, thereby giving BIW a double meaning.
Writers can work on whatever they wish--a story, an article, book length fiction. It should be in the beginning stages rather than something you have already written and want to polish. You can even select something from work or school, like a research paper, as long as it is writing related.
At the end of each day writers post their page total to the list. Just the number of pages written, not the actual pages. If you had problems writing, share what happened and why. If you did really well, share that, too. List members are always supportive. Discussing the problems and successes helps.
The BIWs are scheduled a year in advance. Most of the traffic on the list is generated during this week but it doesn’t end there. You are welcome to stay and be as active as you like. We have some regulars who participate every month and some who only participate a few times a year. Check out “When” in the navigation bar to find out when the next BIW will occur.
We have members from all over the world: The US, Canada, India, Ireland, Australia, France and Taiwan. This BIW list unites writers from all walks of life, published and unpublished.
Book-in-a Week writers are connected through a list created at Yahoo. The main purpose of the group is to write, but they also exchange information, publishing news and kudos. Anything writing related.
The Monday of the first FULL week of the month (usually) we begin BIW at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The dates are planned for the year making it is easy to mark your calendar and plan ahead.
BIW writers decide on their own goals and submit them to the list the week prior to BIW. During BIW, writers write as much as they can and post their daily totals to the list. To stay motivated we recommend checking in everyday whether you write or not. We’re here to help with the support and accountability. The group works on the honour system.
No editing, no going back over what’s been written. Write, write, write. What is important is getting the words down, creating a first draft. Editing and revising comes later. Allow yourself to write quickly and without worry. Get your ideas down first.
Some members actually finish a book in one week and for others the only time they write is during BIW, thereby giving BIW a double meaning.
Writers can work on whatever they wish--a story, an article, book length fiction. It should be in the beginning stages rather than something you have already written and want to polish. You can even select something from work or school, like a research paper, as long as it is writing related.
At the end of each day writers post their page total to the list. Just the number of pages written, not the actual pages. If you had problems writing, share what happened and why. If you did really well, share that, too. List members are always supportive. Discussing the problems and successes helps.
The BIWs are scheduled a year in advance. Most of the traffic on the list is generated during this week but it doesn’t end there. You are welcome to stay and be as active as you like. We have some regulars who participate every month and some who only participate a few times a year. Check out “When” in the navigation bar to find out when the next BIW will occur.
We have members from all over the world: The US, Canada, India, Ireland, Australia, France and Taiwan. This BIW list unites writers from all walks of life, published and unpublished.
Writing Prompt for Jan. 19
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 writing prompt for the Jan. 19 meeting is: A picture is worth a thousand words.
The writing prompt for the Jan. 19 meeting is: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Playwriting Class
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is holding an introductory playwriting class on Tuesdays, from Feb. 5 to March 11, 2008. The class provides a supportive environment for beginning writers and curious non-writers who are interested in creating texts for live theater. Participants will work collaboratively to create original monologues, scenes, and short plays. This class is intended for people ages 17 and up. Instructor: Dr. Dean Yohnk, Rep Education Artist. $150. Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-224-9490 for more information.
Florence Lindemann Humor Contest
Members of the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association are welcome to enter the Florence Lindemann Humor Contest, which opened Jan. 1 and closes March 15, 2008.
Contest rules:
Include your name, address, phone, local newspaper (including an address), title of manuscript and word count ON THE COVER PAGE ONLY. The pages of the manuscript should contain only page number and title of the work.
There is an 800-word limit.
All entries must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.
All entries must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side of white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Entrants are urged to keep the original of their manuscript and submit a good-quality photocopy.
Entrants should include a SAS postcard ONLY if they wish to be notified their manuscript has been received.
Entries will not be returned. (They may be retrieved after the awards ceremony in May. Any manuscripts not recovered at that time will be destroyed.)
Winners (including up to two Honorable Mentions) will be notified when the judge returns his/her decision. They are not told how they placed and they are asked not to reveal their status before the ceremony.
A check for $8 made out to WRWA must accompany the manuscript.
First place winners are not eligible to enter this contest for the following three (3) years.
Winners receive:
First Place - check for $50, Certificate, and a traveling trophy engraved with their name to keep for one year.
Second Place - check for $30 and Certificate.
Third Place - check for $20 and Certificate.
Not meeting these qualifications will result in disqualification of the manuscript and return of the manuscript and entry fee.
The contest opens January 1, 2008.
All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2008.
Send all entries to:
Barb Jensen
410 Winnebago Ave.
Portage, WI 53901
Not a member of WRWA? Click here for a membership application.
Contest rules:
Include your name, address, phone, local newspaper (including an address), title of manuscript and word count ON THE COVER PAGE ONLY. The pages of the manuscript should contain only page number and title of the work.
There is an 800-word limit.
All entries must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.
All entries must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side of white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Entrants are urged to keep the original of their manuscript and submit a good-quality photocopy.
Entrants should include a SAS postcard ONLY if they wish to be notified their manuscript has been received.
Entries will not be returned. (They may be retrieved after the awards ceremony in May. Any manuscripts not recovered at that time will be destroyed.)
Winners (including up to two Honorable Mentions) will be notified when the judge returns his/her decision. They are not told how they placed and they are asked not to reveal their status before the ceremony.
A check for $8 made out to WRWA must accompany the manuscript.
First place winners are not eligible to enter this contest for the following three (3) years.
Winners receive:
First Place - check for $50, Certificate, and a traveling trophy engraved with their name to keep for one year.
Second Place - check for $30 and Certificate.
Third Place - check for $20 and Certificate.
Not meeting these qualifications will result in disqualification of the manuscript and return of the manuscript and entry fee.
The contest opens January 1, 2008.
All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2008.
Send all entries to:
Barb Jensen
410 Winnebago Ave.
Portage, WI 53901
Not a member of WRWA? Click here for a membership application.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Next Meeting - Jan. 5
Just a reminder that there are five Saturdays in December so our next meeting will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Anthology Update
For those who are curious, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club anthology, "Hearts We Know By Stories," has sold 74 copies since the book was released in June '07. The book is available from lulu.com for $7.85 plus shipping. It's 166 pages and features the writings of over a dozen club members.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
2008 Writing Goals
"Public humilation is a great motivator" - Dixie J.
At the Dec. 15 meeting, each of us stated a writing goal we wanted to accomplish in 2008. Goals varied from finishing a first draft to publishing two items to organizing a collection of work. If you missed the meeting, come prepared in January to publicly declare what your goal is for 2008!
At the Dec. 15 meeting, each of us stated a writing goal we wanted to accomplish in 2008. Goals varied from finishing a first draft to publishing two items to organizing a collection of work. If you missed the meeting, come prepared in January to publicly declare what your goal is for 2008!
UW-Milwaukee Spring Writers Festival
UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education is sponsoring the sixth annul Spring Writers Festival March 7-9, 2008. The fee is $269.
The three-day conference is offering sessions on things like:
- Crafting the Short Story-- From Start to Finish
- How to Pitch Your Ideas
- What Every Author Learns from Their First Book
- Crafting An Other World
- A Visit to the Book Doctor
- Breaking In: The Basics of Writing for Magazines
- Pitch Session Workshops
- Agent and Editor Panel
- How Editors Think
- Show, Don't Tell: How to Grab Readers by the Neck
- Pathways to Publishing
- A Writer's Website
- Wiki-Whatia: Finding Credible Sources Online and Off
- How to Write Without a Muse
- Book Proposal Basics
- The Personal Essay
- Poetry Workshops
The three-day conference is offering sessions on things like:
- Crafting the Short Story-- From Start to Finish
- How to Pitch Your Ideas
- What Every Author Learns from Their First Book
- Crafting An Other World
- A Visit to the Book Doctor
- Breaking In: The Basics of Writing for Magazines
- Pitch Session Workshops
- Agent and Editor Panel
- How Editors Think
- Show, Don't Tell: How to Grab Readers by the Neck
- Pathways to Publishing
- A Writer's Website
- Wiki-Whatia: Finding Credible Sources Online and Off
- How to Write Without a Muse
- Book Proposal Basics
- The Personal Essay
- Poetry Workshops
Friday, December 14, 2007
Random Daily Writing Prompts
Writingfix.com offers daily writing prompts simply by clicking the Random Daily Writing Prompt Generater.
Some sample prompts:
"How does the nose know? Invent a story where an unwelcome smell brings a character sheer happiness."
"How did you get up there? Write about something that happened on the roof."
"Why did you get involved? Write about a time you could have said: 'Oops! I should have never gotten involved!'."
Some sample prompts:
"How does the nose know? Invent a story where an unwelcome smell brings a character sheer happiness."
"How did you get up there? Write about something that happened on the roof."
"Why did you get involved? Write about a time you could have said: 'Oops! I should have never gotten involved!'."
New Reading Device - Kindle
Amazon has introduced a new reading device for electronic books that doesn't require a computer or internet access called Kindle. It sells for $399 and holds over 200 books; almost 100,000 titles are currently available for the product, including newspapers, magazines and blogs.
For more information and an online demonstration of how it works, click here.
For more information and an online demonstration of how it works, click here.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thank a Soldier
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com, you can pick out a Thank You card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.
It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.
It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.
Next Meeting
Just a reminder that the next meeting of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.
Please bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (something in good condition from your home) to exchange. Donuts and beverages will be provided.
The second hour of the meeting will be devoted to the Author Spotlight. This week's author is Joyce F.
Please bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (something in good condition from your home) to exchange. Donuts and beverages will be provided.
The second hour of the meeting will be devoted to the Author Spotlight. This week's author is Joyce F.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Jennifer Chiaverini
Over 100 people attended author Jennifer Chiaverini's appearance at the Oshkosh Public Library on Nov. 29th. If you'd like to see photos form the event, click here.
Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Submissions are now being accepted for the 77th annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Compete and win in ten categories:
Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
Memoirs/Personal Essay
Magazine Feature Article
Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Rhyming Poetry
Non-rhyming Poetry
Stage Play
Television/Movie Script
Children's/Young Adult Fiction
$10-$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
For complete rules, click here.
Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
Memoirs/Personal Essay
Magazine Feature Article
Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Rhyming Poetry
Non-rhyming Poetry
Stage Play
Television/Movie Script
Children's/Young Adult Fiction
$10-$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
For complete rules, click here.
Merton Prize For Poetry of the Sacred
Merton Prize for Poetry of the Sacred is sponsoring a contest for poetry that expresses, directly or indirectly, a sense of the holy or that, by its mode of expression, evokes the sacred. The tone may be religious, prophetic, or contemplative.
Contest Guidelines
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.
Prizes: First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.
Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site: www.mertoninstitute.org.
Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.
Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.
Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.
Contest Guidelines
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.
Prizes: First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.
Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site: www.mertoninstitute.org.
Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.
Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.
Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.
Poetry Fireside Chat
The Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Grand Chute is hosting a Poetry Fireside Chat at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17. For more information, click here or call the store at 920-831-7880.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Writing Prompt - Jan. 5
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.
We will not have a normal critique session at the Dec. 15th meeting due to the Christmas party and Author Spotlight but Mike N. has given the following writing prompt for the Jan. 5th meeting: "The guy's no hero."
Have fun!
We will not have a normal critique session at the Dec. 15th meeting due to the Christmas party and Author Spotlight but Mike N. has given the following writing prompt for the Jan. 5th meeting: "The guy's no hero."
Have fun!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
http://www.jakonrath.com/tips.html
This website also has a lot of other interesting information.
Monday, October 29, 2007
National Novel Writing Month
For those who haven't heard of it, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is held each November, with the goal of writing a 50,000-word manuscript in 30 days. It's not suppose to be good, or even pretty - the idea is to force you into the habit of writing on a regular basis, regardless of quality.
The NaNoWriMo website has lots of great resources - local contacts and events, writing tips, prompts to work with when you get stuck, and information on how to upload your work and get it counted.
Good luck!
The NaNoWriMo website has lots of great resources - local contacts and events, writing tips, prompts to work with when you get stuck, and information on how to upload your work and get it counted.
Good luck!
Beth Ziarnik
Some time ago, Oshkosh Christian author/speaker Beth Ziarnik spoke to the club about all things related to writing conferences. Recently, she launched her own website that includes information on her own writing career as well links of interest to other writers.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Private Soldiers: A Year in Iraq w/Wisconsin National Guard
Sgt. Joseph Streeter, squad leader for the 2-127th Gator Battalion of the Wisconsin National Guard and one of the photographers of the book Private Soldiers, will offer a rare first-hand account of life in Iraq.
The program shares the title of the book, "Private Soldiers : A Year in Iraq with a Wisconsin National Guard Unit," and will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Oshkosh Public Library. Area soldiers also will attend. This is a free program and open to the public.
The book chronicles the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2-127th Infantry Battalion's year-long deployment from the unique perspective of the soldiers themselves. Their mission would take them into the most dangerous regions of Iraq, where they would withstand hundreds of attacks, see dozens wounded, and lose three members killed in action.
Written and photographed by three battalion members, Private Soldiers provides a rare first-hand account of life in Iraq. Fascinating soldier interviews reveal the effects of deployment on the troops and on their families back home, and interviews with Iraqi civilians describe the Iraqis' perceptions of life, war, and working alongside Wisconsin troops. Brilliant photography illuminates the 2-127th's year, from training to "boots on the ground" to their return home, while candid photos taken by battalion members capture the soldiers' day-to-day lives and camaraderie.
The program will include a discussion of Gator Battalion’s experiences in Iraq and a display of photos from Private Soldiers. A book signing opportunity will follow the presentation; books will be available for purchase from Apple Blossom Books.
All royalties from sales of Private Soldiers will go to the 2-127th's family support groups and to funds established in memoriam of the battalion members who gave their lives in the Iraq war.
Click here to listen to Ben Buchholz and Joseph Streeter's September 24th Wisconsin Public Radio interview on the Larry Meiller Show.
The program shares the title of the book, "Private Soldiers : A Year in Iraq with a Wisconsin National Guard Unit," and will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Oshkosh Public Library. Area soldiers also will attend. This is a free program and open to the public.
The book chronicles the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2-127th Infantry Battalion's year-long deployment from the unique perspective of the soldiers themselves. Their mission would take them into the most dangerous regions of Iraq, where they would withstand hundreds of attacks, see dozens wounded, and lose three members killed in action.
Written and photographed by three battalion members, Private Soldiers provides a rare first-hand account of life in Iraq. Fascinating soldier interviews reveal the effects of deployment on the troops and on their families back home, and interviews with Iraqi civilians describe the Iraqis' perceptions of life, war, and working alongside Wisconsin troops. Brilliant photography illuminates the 2-127th's year, from training to "boots on the ground" to their return home, while candid photos taken by battalion members capture the soldiers' day-to-day lives and camaraderie.
The program will include a discussion of Gator Battalion’s experiences in Iraq and a display of photos from Private Soldiers. A book signing opportunity will follow the presentation; books will be available for purchase from Apple Blossom Books.
All royalties from sales of Private Soldiers will go to the 2-127th's family support groups and to funds established in memoriam of the battalion members who gave their lives in the Iraq war.
Click here to listen to Ben Buchholz and Joseph Streeter's September 24th Wisconsin Public Radio interview on the Larry Meiller Show.
Dinotophia Author James Gurney
Author/illustrator James Gurney will appear at the Oshkosh Public Museum on Saturday, Nov. 4. Gurney is best-known as the author and illustrator of the best-selling illustrated book series, Dinotopia.
Gurney will do a presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. and sign books from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Books will be available for purchase in the Museum Gift Shop. Please note: There is an admission charge to the museum.
Gurney will do a presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. and sign books from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Books will be available for purchase in the Museum Gift Shop. Please note: There is an admission charge to the museum.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Article on the Writers Club
Crystal Cummins, a reporter for the Oshkosh West High School Index, wrote a nice article on the Oshkosh Area Writers Club. The article is available online here.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Gotham Writers' Workshop
Gotham Writers' Workshop is the largest and most comprehensive private creative writing school in New York City and online. Ten-week, six-week, four-week, and one-day workshops are offered in more than a dozen forms of writing including fiction writing, screenwriting, nonfiction writing, and more.
For more information on online courses and how they work, click here.
For a list of online courses, click here.
For more information on online courses and how they work, click here.
For a list of online courses, click here.
Steal from the Best Contest
The Steal from the Best Contest for short stories offers the following prizes: First place: $750, Second place $150, Third place $75, 17 Fourth places $25 each
Rules:
Each submission MUST contain one of the seven phrases below. Pick one per submission.
“I didn’t know the meaning of fear until I kissed Becky.”
“Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”
“Don't say that you're more sorry than I am, because I'm capable of being just as sorry as you are…”
“Murderers are the best I think; they’re so polite.”
“Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way.”
“I'm going to rest my eyes for a moment. But go on. I am listening...”
“I hate it when someone gives away the ending.”
Length: Each submission must be between 800 and 2500 words long.
Entry fees:
$10.00 for up to two submissions.
$15.00 for 3 to 5 submissions
Deadline: March 15th, 2008.
How to submit: Original, unpublished work only. Entries may be submitted via the website using Paypal or you may email an entry directly to the judges at contest08@hazelst.com in the body of the email or email an MSWord or txt attachment.
Submissions can also be mailed with check or money order to:
Hazel Street Productions
PO Box 635
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0635
The top winning entries will be published at www.HazelSt.com. If this contest receives enough entries, each and every winning entry will also be published in an anthology.
Rules:
Each submission MUST contain one of the seven phrases below. Pick one per submission.
“I didn’t know the meaning of fear until I kissed Becky.”
“Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”
“Don't say that you're more sorry than I am, because I'm capable of being just as sorry as you are…”
“Murderers are the best I think; they’re so polite.”
“Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way.”
“I'm going to rest my eyes for a moment. But go on. I am listening...”
“I hate it when someone gives away the ending.”
Length: Each submission must be between 800 and 2500 words long.
Entry fees:
$10.00 for up to two submissions.
$15.00 for 3 to 5 submissions
Deadline: March 15th, 2008.
How to submit: Original, unpublished work only. Entries may be submitted via the website using Paypal or you may email an entry directly to the judges at contest08@hazelst.com in the body of the email or email an MSWord or txt attachment.
Submissions can also be mailed with check or money order to:
Hazel Street Productions
PO Box 635
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0635
The top winning entries will be published at www.HazelSt.com. If this contest receives enough entries, each and every winning entry will also be published in an anthology.
Writing Prompt for Nov. 3
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.
For the Nov. 3 meeting, there are two prompts to choose from:
1. America the Great.
2. Love is the most common of emotions.
For the Nov. 3 meeting, there are two prompts to choose from:
1. America the Great.
2. Love is the most common of emotions.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
St. Louis Writers Guild Short Story Contest
St. Louis Writers Guild's decades-old annual short story contest opened for submissions on October 1, 2007. This is one of the longest running writing contests in the country. Tennessee Williams won first place in 1935 for his story, "Stella for Star." Contest seeks previously unpublished stories of 5,000 words or less. Cash prizes: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, $100 for third place. Three Honorable Mention awards. Additionally, all finalists receive award certificates and publication of their stories on the Guild's website. Deadline for entries is November 15, 2007; there is a $15 entry fee.
NPR's Peter Sagal
Peter Sagal, author of The Book of Vice: Very Naughty Things, will speak at 7 p.m.,
Tuesday, October 30, 2007. The host of National Public Radio’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” will delve into the culture of vices: the appeal of many vices, how to indulge in them, what their inherent risks are, and how not to look completely foolish when inevitably caught. He reviews famous, infamous and heretofore under-reported incidents of people caught indulging in their vice of choice and includes how they explained themselves, if and how they apologized, and to what extent they were lying when they did so. Harry W Schwartz Bookshops, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-332-1181.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007. The host of National Public Radio’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” will delve into the culture of vices: the appeal of many vices, how to indulge in them, what their inherent risks are, and how not to look completely foolish when inevitably caught. He reviews famous, infamous and heretofore under-reported incidents of people caught indulging in their vice of choice and includes how they explained themselves, if and how they apologized, and to what extent they were lying when they did so. Harry W Schwartz Bookshops, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-332-1181.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
Submit your manuscript for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. It’s the perfect opportunity to become the next great novelist: the winning author will receive a publishing contract from Penguin Group, including promotional support for their book on Amazon.com, and a media suite from Hewlett-Packard. All entrants are eligible to self-publish their novel with CreateSpace and sell it on Amazon.com. Enter your manuscript for consideration by November 5, 2007!
Once the submission period ends, Amazon editors and top Amazon customer reviewers will read submissions and select authors for the semi-final round, beginning January 15, 2008. Each semi-finalist will receive a full review of their manuscript by Publishers Weekly and a book page on Amazon.com featuring a short excerpt from their novel that customers can download, read, and review. Penguin will select manuscripts to read from the semi-final round based on customer feedback and Publishers Weekly reviews and announce the Top Ten finalists on March 3, 2008. Amazon.com customers will then select the winner of the Amazon Breakthrough Award, to be announced on April 7, 2008.
Register now and break through! Only the first 5,000 submissions will be accepted. The registration deadline is November 5, 2007.
For more information, click here.
Once the submission period ends, Amazon editors and top Amazon customer reviewers will read submissions and select authors for the semi-final round, beginning January 15, 2008. Each semi-finalist will receive a full review of their manuscript by Publishers Weekly and a book page on Amazon.com featuring a short excerpt from their novel that customers can download, read, and review. Penguin will select manuscripts to read from the semi-final round based on customer feedback and Publishers Weekly reviews and announce the Top Ten finalists on March 3, 2008. Amazon.com customers will then select the winner of the Amazon Breakthrough Award, to be announced on April 7, 2008.
Register now and break through! Only the first 5,000 submissions will be accepted. The registration deadline is November 5, 2007.
For more information, click here.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Writing Prompt for Oct. 20
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 writing prompt for Oct. 20 is: That Jack O' Lantern looks sick.
The writing prompt for Oct. 20 is: That Jack O' Lantern looks sick.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Wisconsin Book Festival
Wisconsin Book Festival will be held Oct. 10 through the 14th. The following is a sample of events, all held in Madison.
Distinctive Voices
Two distinct Midwest voices, Jean Feraca & Patricia Hampl, share their memoirs about family.
Oct. 14, 12:00-1:45 Orpheum Theater
Kevin Kling explores of the notion of happiness, and reminds us that there are two sides to everything, including ourselves.
Wednesday, October 10, 9:00 - 10:45 PM
Venue: Cafe Montmartre
Michael Perry, a perennial Festival favorite is back on the streets of Madison with his Truck: A Love Story.
Thursday, October 11, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Venue: Borders Books & Music (West Side)
Ask A.J. Jacobs, "What would it require for a person to live all the commandments of the Bible for an entire year?"
Sunday, October 14, 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Venue: Wisconsin Studio/Overture
Bring your book club to this event featuring Jacquelyn Mitchard, Judy Merrill Larsen, and Ellen Baker.
Saturday, October 13, 7:00 - 8:45 PM
Venue: Promenade Hall/Overture
Rock n' Read: Two authors share their stories set against the backdrop of the punk and indie rock scene.
Saturday, October 13, 9:00 - 10:00 PM
Venue: Cafe Montmartre
Click here for a full schedule of events.
Distinctive Voices
Two distinct Midwest voices, Jean Feraca & Patricia Hampl, share their memoirs about family.
Oct. 14, 12:00-1:45 Orpheum Theater
Kevin Kling explores of the notion of happiness, and reminds us that there are two sides to everything, including ourselves.
Wednesday, October 10, 9:00 - 10:45 PM
Venue: Cafe Montmartre
Michael Perry, a perennial Festival favorite is back on the streets of Madison with his Truck: A Love Story.
Thursday, October 11, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Venue: Borders Books & Music (West Side)
Ask A.J. Jacobs, "What would it require for a person to live all the commandments of the Bible for an entire year?"
Sunday, October 14, 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Venue: Wisconsin Studio/Overture
Bring your book club to this event featuring Jacquelyn Mitchard, Judy Merrill Larsen, and Ellen Baker.
Saturday, October 13, 7:00 - 8:45 PM
Venue: Promenade Hall/Overture
Rock n' Read: Two authors share their stories set against the backdrop of the punk and indie rock scene.
Saturday, October 13, 9:00 - 10:00 PM
Venue: Cafe Montmartre
Click here for a full schedule of events.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Jan Brett - guest author
Children’s author and illustrator Jan Brett will be speak at the Appleton Public Library on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5 p.m., signing books from 5:30 -7 PM. The entire Jan Brett collection of books will be on sale, including her newest book, The Three Snow Bears. Conkey’s Bookstore will have plenty of books to purchase to accommodate everyone.
At 4:00 p.m. numbered tickets for the event will be given out next to Jan Brett’s touring bus located in the library’s parking lot. Please arrive early. The first 100 tickets in line will receive a free signed Jan Brett poster.
Each ticket guarantees that the family will get to meet Jan. She will sign a minimum of one book per ticket. If time does not permit Jan to sign every book, Conkey’s will have special signed bookplates featuring Jan’s artwork for all of the extra books. All family members may visit with Jan, and if you have a camera, you may have your photo taken with her.
Before the book signing Jan Brett will conduct a 15-minute drawing illustration and presentation. It will begin at 5 p.m. Everyone with or without a ticket is invited to come and listen to the presentation. Please arrive at Appleton Public Library by 5 p.m. to see Jan’s demonstration which will be held in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Appleton Public Library.
Contact information: Conkey's Bookstore at 920-735-6223.
At 4:00 p.m. numbered tickets for the event will be given out next to Jan Brett’s touring bus located in the library’s parking lot. Please arrive early. The first 100 tickets in line will receive a free signed Jan Brett poster.
Each ticket guarantees that the family will get to meet Jan. She will sign a minimum of one book per ticket. If time does not permit Jan to sign every book, Conkey’s will have special signed bookplates featuring Jan’s artwork for all of the extra books. All family members may visit with Jan, and if you have a camera, you may have your photo taken with her.
Before the book signing Jan Brett will conduct a 15-minute drawing illustration and presentation. It will begin at 5 p.m. Everyone with or without a ticket is invited to come and listen to the presentation. Please arrive at Appleton Public Library by 5 p.m. to see Jan’s demonstration which will be held in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Appleton Public Library.
Contact information: Conkey's Bookstore at 920-735-6223.
Novelist Andrew Vachss
Andrew Vachss, author of "Terminal: A Burke Novel" will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 14, at Harry W Schwartz Bookshops, 2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-332-1181.
The blistering new thriller from Vachss forces Burke back in time to keep a commitment to a brother from his prison past and avenge the cold-case murder of a teenage girl. When the former shot-caller of the country’s feared white supremacist prison gang comes calling he comes with references and the possibility of a huge score. The terminally ill ex-con needs a fortune to gamble on the long-shot possibility of a cure in Switzerland. His only card is a degenerate he paid for protection in prison.
The blistering new thriller from Vachss forces Burke back in time to keep a commitment to a brother from his prison past and avenge the cold-case murder of a teenage girl. When the former shot-caller of the country’s feared white supremacist prison gang comes calling he comes with references and the possibility of a huge score. The terminally ill ex-con needs a fortune to gamble on the long-shot possibility of a cure in Switzerland. His only card is a degenerate he paid for protection in prison.
Deanna Favre booksigning
Deanna Favre, wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, will sign copies of her book, Don't Bet Against Me, her inspiring memoir about becoming a reluctant celebrity overnight when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Now cancer-free, she shares the role her faith has played in her life, from her years as a single mom to her high profile marriage to Brett, to her battle with breast cancer.
A ticket is required for the event; tickets are free with purchase of her book. This is a booksigning event only; no talk.
The booksigning will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, 17145 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, Milwaukee County. Contact: Nancy Quinn, 414-270-3434 ex. 117.
A ticket is required for the event; tickets are free with purchase of her book. This is a booksigning event only; no talk.
The booksigning will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, 17145 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, Milwaukee County. Contact: Nancy Quinn, 414-270-3434 ex. 117.
Wisconsin Authors panel discussion
Love writing? Wish you knew more about the craft and what it takes to get published? Join six successful Wisconsin authors for a conversation about their work.
The free event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Redbird Studio, Milwaukee.
In this intimate setting, you'll be able to ask questions about style, character, genre, submissions and publication. A book signing and social gathering will follow the panel discussion. Panelists include Sharon Hart Addy, Liam Callanan, Kurt Chandler, Stacey Kannenberg, Sandra Kring and Paul Salsini.
Contact information: Redbird Studio/Marian Center, 3195 S. Superior St. #210, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-481-3195.
The free event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Redbird Studio, Milwaukee.
In this intimate setting, you'll be able to ask questions about style, character, genre, submissions and publication. A book signing and social gathering will follow the panel discussion. Panelists include Sharon Hart Addy, Liam Callanan, Kurt Chandler, Stacey Kannenberg, Sandra Kring and Paul Salsini.
Contact information: Redbird Studio/Marian Center, 3195 S. Superior St. #210, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-481-3195.
An American Girl Tea
An American Girl Tea Celebrating Women of Oshkosh will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 6, under the Dome (2nd floor) of the Oshkosh Public Library.
The program is for girls in grades 1-5 only, with their adult female guest.Girls are welcome to dress up in their finest party wear and bring their favorite doll!
Program will include:
Accomplished women of Oshkosh sharing their stories of leadership.
A fun presentation on proper manners.
A style show presented by "A Little Attitude."
Book Fair by Apple Blossom Books, LLC.
Tea party refreshments.
Seating is limited, so please call the Oshkosh Public Library Children's Desk at 236-5208 to register.
The program is for girls in grades 1-5 only, with their adult female guest.Girls are welcome to dress up in their finest party wear and bring their favorite doll!
Program will include:
Accomplished women of Oshkosh sharing their stories of leadership.
A fun presentation on proper manners.
A style show presented by "A Little Attitude."
Book Fair by Apple Blossom Books, LLC.
Tea party refreshments.
Seating is limited, so please call the Oshkosh Public Library Children's Desk at 236-5208 to register.
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