Meeting of January 30, 2008

Our regular Wednesday meeting was well-attended and anticipation of the conference is definitely building.

Visitors: Four visitors showed up to survey the workshop's workings, including Kristen Lamb, who also joined (she heard about DFWWWW at the Fort Worth Freelance Writer's group, of which she is president) and Jennifer Bennet, who heard about us on the web.

Rejections: Two reported.

Acceptances: Kyle White reported having a book review and an article accepted. A. Lee Martinez announced that his recent book, A Nameless Witch, has been listed by the Amelia Bloomer Project, a list of feminist fiction for young readers. Don Watson has been short-listed in a poetry contest, and David Straiton has had three essays accepted by an e-zine.

Submissions: Anne Perry, Carolyn Williamson, Grace Roeber, Sonja Cassella, Chris Moore, Kyle White (not just one, but five ) and Steve Manning.

Announcements:

Candace Havens says her new book is coning out this Tuesday and that it's receiving fantastic reviews. She will be teaching up a storm in coming weeks. In addition to being the keynote speaker for the conference, she will have a book signing this Saturday with four other writers, at the North Richland Hills Barnes and Noble, at 1 p.m. Next Tuesday, she will be at the Euless Library, where she will speak to a book club at 1:30 p.m. She is also starting another section of her "Fast Draft" online course. For more information on her online courses and appearances, go to www.candacehavens.com

The Conference: President Steve Manning announced we need only 25 more registrations to meet our attendance goal.

There will be a table where DFWWW authors can offer their books for sale; contact Steve for more information if you'd like to participate.

There will be a packet stuffing party at the Ruth Millikan center on Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m. We will be filling the free informational packets that conference attendees will receive. If you have promotional bookmarks for your books, you may bring them for inclusion. Pizza will be served to the volunteers.

DFWWW changing of the Guard

For all of those who weren't there to watch, Michele Nordahl submitted this video of the seating of the 2008 DFWWW Board. (The music was tracked in later, FYI.)

Notes from the January 24, 2008 meeting

Submissions: Kyle White made ten (yes that's not a typo) submissions of short works this week. Ginnie Bivona entered a contest, and Yvonne Issacs reported sending out her non-fiction book proposal.

Rejections: Three reported.

Acceptances: Kyle White had a flash fiction piece accepted by an e-zine. Ginnie Bivona announced that story rights on her novel, "Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party" have been requested by Larry Levinson Productions, which wants to make a TV special, "The Glass Seagull" from the work.

New members: Kendall and Jeannie Furlong joined the workshop.

Announcements:

President Steve Manning announced that more registrations have been coming in for The Conference, but there is plenty more room. We have just 4 weeks to go. Agent pitch sessions are being scheduled.

Avoid Cliche's Like the Plague

This blog post, from Oddlands, a new e-zine, is subtitled "Stories We’ve Seen Too Often" and it is an editor's listing of the same old plots they tend to see in submissions of short fiction. I had to share this with the group, I was laughing out loud by number 5 ...

I think we've seen plotline #1 at the workshop ... I think I've actually written a book that depends heavily on #1 ... but then, I console myself, it's not necessarily the type of plot, but how well you carry it off, that determines whether a work can succeed.

New 2008 Board Members

The new 2008 DFW Writer's Workshop board consists of:

President: Steve Manning

1st Vice President: Alex Martinez

2nd Vice President: Carolyn Williamson

Secretary: Sonja Cassella

Treasurer: Al Brown

Directors: Nik Holman and Don Watson

submitted by nominations and elections chair, Alyssa Radcliff

DFW Regular Meeting, January 16, 2008

At Wednesday's regular DFW workshop meeting:

Rejections: A total of three.
Acceptances were reported by Anne Perry and Alex Martinez. Alex (for the uninitiated, "Alex" is what we've called him since long before he became "A. Lee Martinez, Novelist") also showed us the catalogues from his German publisher.
Submissions: Dan Anders reported one submission.

President Steve Manning lovingly castigated the group for its "leisurely" speed in submitting work.

Announcements:

Caroline Williamson reported that there are still opportunities to volunteer for The Conference and score a free t-shirt in the process. See Carolyn for more info and the sign-up sheet.

A break-out session with Candace Havens, "Revision Hell," has been added to the conference schedule.

Alyssa Radcliff wanted all to realize that pitch sessions with agents are still available, but they are first-come, first-served and only for writers who have a completed work.

Steve Manning encouraged members to post flyers in libraries and other places where those interested in the conference may see them. He has impressive, full-color flyers available.

Anne Perry, Grace Roeber, Michele Nordahl and Andy Valentine announced (in a four part repartee) the Psuedo Serious Literary Contest.

A pseudo-serious writing contest at our upcoming conference

SUBMIT
Your best (or worst?)
Pseudo-Serious Attempts at Writing
to our first-ever DFW Writers Conference Literary Contest

Categories:
Best limerick (limit: two)
Best haiku (limit: three)
Best stand-alone metaphor (max: 25 words)
Best lightning flash fiction piece (75 word limit)
Best paragraph beginning, "It was a dark and stormy night." (125 word limit, including the required first sentence.)
Most outrageous creative non-fiction paragraph (125 word limit)

Rules:
You must be registered for the conference to enter. Register
You may only enter categories for which you are not a judge.
You must serve as a judge for at least one other category.
You must submit your work by Wednesday, Feb. 6, midnight by emailing pseudo_serious_but_short@yahoo.com . In subject line: place category and your name. In body of email, place your entry.

Outcomes:
Do not expect cash, publication, or other traditional prizes.
Winners wil be announced at the conference, and first-place winners will get to read their entries to the audience.

Non-traditional prizes will be awarded.
The intended outcomes are FUN and CREATIVE CAMARADERIE.

Why not register for the conference (if you haven’t already)
and enter your pseudo-serious work(s) today!

Workshop shirts are here!

For those of you who missed the presidential strip tease at a recent meeting, here's a look at the brand new Workshop T-shirt. It has the logo on front and the names of the members from 2007 on back. It's a great way to look dashing, express your support for the Workshop and get our name out into the public eye.

They're $18 each. Orders are being collected at Workshop meetings, so bring your checkbook if you'd like one! We'll take orders for a few more weeks and then have another batch made.

Writers' Retreat in Alpine, Texas

Texas Mountain Trail Writers invite all new and published writers for a weekend of recharging your batteries in the beautiful mountains of West Texas. On March 28, 29, 30, 2008 the Alpine and Big Bend writers will host their 17th Annual Spring Retreat at Camp Mitre Peak Girl Scout Camp halfway between Alpine and Ft. Davis. Learn how to hone your writing skills, sell your words, and publish in several venues while relaxing in the rugged Davis Mountains.

Dubbed a Writing Round-Up, the conference will offer western flair, professional speakers, relaxing activities, and western “grub.” The exciting roster includes Ross McSwain, of San Angelo, who for many years wrote the popular Out Yonder column in the San Angelo Standard Times. McSwain focuses on historical research, separating fact from myth and folklore, and writing for pleasure and for money. Ross’ topics are pure West Texas and great entertainment.
Another conference highlight is the duo of Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne who will give presentations on song writing and poetry connections, mixing their writing expertise with homegrown musical performances. The entertaining couple categorizes themselves as writers and singers of “a spiritual blend of folk-country blues-grass.”

The fourth professional author who will inform and entertain is Dr. Laura Payne Butler, assistant professor of writing at Sul Ross State University, editor of New Texas: A Journal of Literature and Culture, and fiction writer. Dr. Butler will share tips on getting published in literary markets and creating fiction to sell.

This workshop promises to aid writers in gaining motivation, knowledge, and expertise in many genres of writing and publishing. All the speakers have multiple years of experience and look forward to sharing in the rustic atmosphere of the Davis Mountains.

The cost of this fun and fact-filled weekend, from Friday night reception to Sunday brunch, including all meals is $100 for members before February 29, 2008 and $110 for non-members before February 29.

For more information or Conference Overview and Registration Form, contact:
Reba Cross Seals: rcrossseals@wildblue.net -- 432-837-2919
Jackie Siglin: bakedalaska1@bigbend.net – 432/364/2399
Kip Piper: kip@mtcia.com – 432/386/6646

For snail mail information packet write:
Texas Mountain Trail Writers
Word Wright Business Park
46561 State Highway 118
Alpine, TX 79830

News from January 9, 2008 meeting

Acceptances: Anne Perry and A. Lee Martinez reported acceptances.
Rejections: 1 reported rejection.
Submissions: Anne Perry and Harry Robins reported submissions.

Long-time former member Macky Murdock stopped by to visit. He took a moment to tell the members how much the workshop helped him with his first books. He says he expects to see his 6th and 7th books published soon.

Carolyn Williamson announced that a new copy of The Writer's Journey, a favorite book of members, is now available. Previous copies have repeatedly "walked off" while being borrowed, she said.

Rosemary Clement Moore announced that she will be holding a free workshop, "Method Writing: Using Acting Techniques to enrich your writing" at the Arlington Main Library 6:00-7:30 p.m. on February 19, 2008. More info is at Arlington Library Literary Learning Lecture Series (scroll down until you see her photo).

Poetry workshop will be next week at the regular meeting of the workshop.

President Steve Manning announced that conference registrations are picking up, but that we are still short of the break-even level. Press releases have gone to all Texas writer's workshops that Steve could locate, and also to small newspapers in the DFW area. Al Brown will be producing a conference budget this weekend. Pitch sessions with agents, for completed books only, are available on a first-come, first served basis. Registration is $150 non-members, $100 for members, and $75 for educators and full-time students.

Volunteers for the conference are still being sought. Get a free t-shirt for working four hours in the information booth!

More info: DFW Writer's Conference 2008

DFW Writers Conference: Meet literary agents, learn from experts

Just 51 days to go until the Workshop's biggest event ever, the DFW Writers Conference, Feb. 23-24!

This is a great opportunity for writers to meet literary agents in person and pitch their work. We've also got a stellar lineup of more than 30 speakers covering all kinds of writing-related topics, from how to write strong characters to how to put together a great press kit. The conference is designed to benefit anyone who's interested in learning more about the craft and business of writing.

The conference will take place at the Grapevine Convention Center, just two blocks south of downtown Grapevine at 1209 S. Main St.

We have four visiting literary agents: Doris Booth, Jim Donovan, Paul S. Levine and Elaine Spencer.

Opportunities for writers to meet the agents include a cash bar and reception Saturday evening, breakout sessions presented by the agents, and a panel Q&A session with all four agents.

In addition, we're happy to announce that we'll be able to offer one-on-one pitch sessions with some of the agents. We have a limited number of slots and they will be parceled out in the order in which writers registered for the conference. So, if you would like a shot at one of these, now is the time to register! If you register in the next few days you stand an excellent chance of getting a one-on-one meeting with an agent.

Registration is $150. For educators and full-time students, it's $75 (Must be 18 to attend). The fee includes Saturday lunch. Attendees are responsible for all other meals. The convention center is conveniently located close to Grapevine's downtown area and Restaurant Row.

The Baymont Inn in Grapevine, only a few blocks from the convention center, has a limited number of hotel rooms at a reduced rate of $99 a night for conference attendees. Call 817-329-9300 to reserve a room. Just tell them you're with the DFW Writers Conference. Rooms must be reserved by Jan. 22.

Conference schedule:

Saturday, Feb. 23

8:30-9 a.m.: Registration
9 a.m. to noon - Breakout sessions
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch and keynote speaker Candace Havens
1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Breakout sessions
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Cash bar and reception

Sunday, Feb. 24

10 to 11 a.m. Breakout sessions
11 a.m. to noon - Agent panel Q&A session
Noon to 3 p.m. - Breakout sessions

This is going to be a fantastic event that you don't want to miss!

To register, you can go to our secure online registration site or you can download this form and bring it to a DFW Writers Workshop meeting with your payment.

For more information, visit the conference web site.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Conference mention in eChaser newsletter

Member Paul LaRocque got the February conference mentioned in the eChaser, the newsletter for the Fort Worth chapters of IABC, SPJ and PRSA. It's a great little writeup!

http://www.spjfw.org/ec0809/p1jan08.html

This is exactly the kind of publicity that is needed. Thanks, Paul!