Keep Current on 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference

Want to keep current of all the happenings until the April 11-13, 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild conference in St. Louis, Missouri?

Here you go! The 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild blog! http://mwgconference.blogspot.com

Right now, check out the first part of USA Today bestselling author, Mary Buckham's interview with Brian Katcher.

While at the conference, Buckham will present two Saturday workshops. In her workshop, "Analyze This: Scene Survival Test: Test Your Scene's Strength," attendees will learn the three key elements to a powerful scene. Another of Buckham's popular workshops, "Active Settings: For All Genres and Sub-Genres," among other craft techniques, she'll spell out the difference between active and passive setting, as well as offer other craft techniques to bring your story to life.

And if you want to learn strategies for "Super Power Openings," Buckham will discuss techniques on characterization, hooks, and pacing that can be used throughout your story for a Super Power manuscript!

Complete details on Buckham's workshops, as well as other workshops offered at the 2014 MWG conference can be found here.


The second segment of Mary Buckham's interview will be on Monday, December 9, 2013.

So, stay tuned!

Until next time. . . .

2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Contests

2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Contests

Get Ready, Get Set, Write! 

It’s almost time again—for the 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference contests, that is—so get ready, get set, write! Below are the current categories for the President’s, Chapter, and Sponsor contests. This year we have two new additions to the contests—a YA Short Story contest, and a Sci Fi Short Story contest. Also new this year is an increase in the entry fee to $10 for all contests. Along with this increase in fees is an increase in awards. Winners of the President’s contests will receive $100/$50/$25 for First, Second, and Third place, respectively. Awards for First, Second, and Third place winners for the Chapter and Sponsor contests will be $50/$25/$15.

2014 President’s Contests

1. Walter Williams Major Work Award – Sponsored by Missouri Center for the Book

2. Best Newspaper Article or Column – Sponsored by Missouri Press Association

3. Best Magazine Article – Sponsored by Missouri Life Magazine

4. Best Anthology – Sponsored by Blank Slate Press

5. Best Poem – Sponsored by Mozark Press

6. “Show Me” Best Book Award – Sponsored by Blank Slate Press

2014 Chapter Contests

1. Flash Fiction – Sponsored by Saturday Writers

2. Inspirational Essay – Sponsored by Saturday Writers

3. Free Verse Poem – Sponsored by St. Louis Writer’s Guild

4. Short Story – Sponsored by Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild

5. YA Short Story – Sponsored by Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild (NEW CONTEST)

2014 Sponsor Contests

1. Humorous Short Story – Sponsored by Jo Anna Dale

2. Sci Fi Short Story – Sponsored by Walrus Publishing (NEW CONTEST)

All contest categories will accept entries beginning January 1, 2014. The President’s contest will accept entries until January 31, 2014, and entries to the Chapter and Sponsor contests will be accepted until March 1, 2014. Also, no later than January 1, the names and bios of each contest judge will be listed on the conference website.

And last, but not least, the MWG conference committee is still seeking contest sponsors for several Chapter and Sponsor contests. Also, if you, your chapter,or someone you know is interested in sponsoring a new contest, email Donna Essner at mwgsecretary@gmail.com. Write “Contest Sponsor” in subject line. Contact Donna with any contest questions as well.

Complete contest guidelines and contest descriptions will be available on the MWG website within the next few days. So, keep your eyes peeled, your pens poised, and your fingers nimble, then get ready, get set, write! 

In the meantime, check out our great lineup of agents, editors, speakers, workshops, and Sunday Master classes at the 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference site. Best selling USA Today author Mary Buckham will also be our luncheon keynote and will teach several workshops. Also on board is Margie Lawson of Lawson's Writing Academy and Architect and author, Matthew Frederick.  Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest will present several workshops, and will conduct one-on-one critique sessions. He will also present the keynote at the Saturday night Awards Banquet.

And don't forget about pitch sessions!  Click on the agents' websites below to review their bios and see what they are looking for from writers.

Ken Sherman, Ken Sherman & Associates www.kenshermanassociates.com 

Danita Allen Wood, Missouri Life www.missourilifecom

Laura Biagi, Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency Inc. www.jvnla.com

Sorche Fairbank, Fairbank Literary Representation www.fairbankliterary.com

Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary Services talcottnotch.net

Until next time. . . .

JUST OUT! Chuck Sambuchino, Editor at Writer's Digest Books, to Headline 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference

Okay, line up!

The 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference  line up of faculty, agents, and speakers is set. And boy, what a lineup!

Thanks to Sarah Patsaros, MWGs Publicity Chair, here's a sneak preview of what's in store for all of us!

So, line up and register NOW!

 Chuck Sambuchino, Editor at Writer’s Digest Books, to Headline Annual Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference
Register before Dec. 31 to receive a chance to win a query letter critique from Sambuchino or a One-on-One practice pitch session with Author Matthew Fredrick

SAINT LOUIS (Nov. 6, 2013) – Writer’s Digest Books Editor Chuck Sambuchino will headline the 99^th Annual “Fifty Shades of Writing” Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference from April 11-13, 2014 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel St. Louis Downtown Convention Center. Early registration opens today and runs through Dec. 31.

 “This year’s conference reflects the many ‘shades of writing’ through our conference line-up, which addresses topics like non-fiction, query letters, agent etiquette, mystery writing, character building and more,” said 2014 Conference Chair Lisa Miller who is also the owner of St. Louis-based Walrus Publishing, Inc. “Regardless of whether they’re published or not, conference attendees will have an opportunity to network with writing professionals from around the country who can help them reach their writing goals.”

Sambuchino will welcome conference attendees Saturday morning with his “Pitch Perfect” presentation geared to help attendees with their agent pitches. He will spend 20 to 40 minutes talking about what a pitch is and what not to do when sitting next to an agent. He'll also break down what does and doesn’t need to be in a pitch. In addition, he will present the keynote address during the “Annual Show Me Awards Banquet” on Saturday night. Sambuchino edits the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents Blog is one of the largest blogs in publishing.

“Writers and authors will want to secure their spot as soon as possible this year,” Miller said, “because, in addition to receiving a considerable Early Bird discount, everyone who registers early may enter a raffle for a chance to purchase one of a limited number of in-person query letter critiques from Mr. Sambuchino.”

Sambuchino has donated 10 in-person query letter critiques to the Guild, a non-profit organization. Early bird registrants may sign up for the raffle during the registration process. Ten names will be

randomly drawn in the first week of January. For a $50 tax-deductible donation to MWG, the winners

will receive one of the in-person query sessions.

In addition to Sambuchino’s sessions, Author Matthew Frederick will do 10, One-on-One Pitch Practice sessions with registrants. Early bird registrants must sign up for this session during registration as well. These sessions will take place on Friday afternoon. There is no charge for the pitch practice sessions.

The “Fifty Shades of Writing” Conference begins Friday afternoon with an early arrival session presented by Literary Agent Sorche Fairbank. Friday night sessions, include a Reading the Slush Pile agent panel, Night Cap Networking sessions and an Open Mic session, presented by The St. Louis Writers’ Guild. Friday afternoon activities will also include Sambuchino’s One-on-One Critique sessions and Matthew Frederick’s Pitch Practice sessions.

Conference breakout sessions, packed with craft-specific instruction and inspiration, begin Saturday morning. Additional activities included in the conference registration fees are agent pitch sessions on a first-registered, first-served basis and a luncheon keynote address by USA Today Best-Selling Author Mary Buckham. In-depth, 3-hour Master Classes are available on Sunday for an additional fee.

            The full speaker line-up is as follows:

o   Danita Allen Wood, Editor-in-Chief of Missouri Life Magazine

o   Ken Sherman, President of Ken Sherman & Associates Literary Agency

o   Laura Biagi, Agent at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency Inc.

o   Margie Lawson, of Lawson’s Writing Academy

o   Mary Buckham, USA Today Best Selling Author

o   Sorche Fairbank, Agent at Fairbank Literacy

o   Chuck Sambuchino, Editor at Writer’s Digest Books

o   Gina Panettieri, President of Talcott Notch Literary Services

o   Matthew Frederick, Architect & Best Selling Non-Fiction Author

Early Bird Registration runs through Dec. 31. Registration fees during this period are $135 for MWG members, $145 for chapter members and $165 for the general public. Prices will increase on Jan. 1.

“The breadth of experience and insight provided by this year’s list of writing experts, agents and successful authors will once again prove that the Missouri Writers’ Conference offers, not only Midwest hospitality, but provides the best value of any writing conference anywhere,” Miller said.

Registration information and payment through PayPal is available at www.missouriwritersguild.org.

Additional opportunities include the Saturday night banquet, Sunday Master Classes and book signing events. Tickets for Saturday night’s writing awards banquet, featuring Chuck Sambuchino, can be purchased for an additional $40 for conference attendees and $45 to the general public. For an additional $50, conference attendees can register for an in-depth Master Class to be held Sunday morning.

Additional information regarding speakers, classes or registration can be found at www.missouriwritersguild.org or http://mwgconference.blogspot.com.

Requests for additional information or questions, contact Conference Chair Lisa Miller at mwgconferenceinfo@gmail.com.

About the Missouri Writers’ Guild
Established in 1915, the Missouri Writers' Guild is a statewide, non-profit organization for professional writers in all genres. The Guild has 14 chapters throughout Missouri that provide regular opportunities to network with other writers, authors and publishers and learn more about the craft of writing. 

Until next time. . . .

Karma: A New Concept in Social Media to Market Your Book

I just found out about another means to market your books. Even though I've yet to hold a book with my name gracing the cover, I'm always on the lookout for ways to market it, WHEN it does!

Anyway, I wanted to share the site with you, in case you want to check it out further.

It looks like a new social media concept to help widen your marketing network--globally--and
your social network as well. FREE, no less.

Basically, it's authors helping authors market their books through their social media networks.

Check out http://bookarma.net. And watch the video!

The registration process looked straightforward: email address, number of books you've sold, where you live, social media networks you subscribe to.  That's all that is requested.

In essence, you use your social media networks to let your contacts know about your book. You write your own blurbs about your book, as usual. Other authors do the same thing.

But in signing up with bookarma, your market widens when other authors "blast" your blurb about your book to their contacts in their social media network, which, in turn, widens your marketing possibilities. Exponentially, no less.

And this could increase your marketing/selling network, not just locally or nationally, but globally.

Plus, you get to choose which books you want to blast. So, if you don't think a particular book warrants, or would be interesting to your readers/contacts, you are not obligated to "blast" it.

This sounds like a win-win all around.

Check it out and let me know how it works for you!

Until next time. . ..

DIG INTO THE <3 AND THE 'UGLY' IN BULLYING

BULLY. It's an ugly word, isn't it?

And like the word, the act is ugly, too. Whether physical or mental, it's destructive. For the bullied. For everyone. Bullies included.

Bullies. Who are they? They, like the kids they pick on, are little kids, big kids, nice kids, mixed-up kids, straight kids, gay kids, smart kids, not-so-smart kids, pretty kids, not-so-pretty kids, disabled kids, you name it. And they come from every walk of life.

Have you been bullied? Witnessed bullying? Or maybe just heard about someone else's kid being taunted by bullies. Or has your child been bullied, but when asked for help to stop the bullying, no one came to you, or your child's aide? Maybe you don't have a kid and think that bullying really doesn't affect you.

Yes, there are anti-bullying programs set up in schools. But they don't prevent or stop bullying. We all know that.

Why is that? What can WE do? How do WE stop it? What steps can WE take? And who is the WE seeing to it that the bullying stops? You? Me? If not, who?

A few years back, Heather Brewer, YA author of the Vladimir Tod, Slayer Chronicles, and Legacy of Tril series, and a survivor of bullying while in school, asked these same questions. She tried to find a place where she could speak about bullying and talk about ways to stop it. She found none.

So, she took matters into her own hands.

Heather put together the Less Than Three Conference. The first anti-bullying conference of its kind that I've found. The all-day conference is set for Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the St. Charles County Public Library, 427 Spencer Road, St. Peters, MO. Heather chose the title of the conference based on the emoticon for the heart: <3.

Teenagers, tweens, booksellers, teachers, administrators, parents (and grandparents), librarians, and authors will gather together to tackle this issue head-on.

Tickets are sold out. That should tell us something.


Others have stepped up to the plate as well.

St. Louis local authors Antony John, Jody Feldman, Sarah Bromley, and Cole Gibson will moderate panel discussions throughout the day on "Bullying in School," "Self-Bullying," "Cyber-Bullying," and "Bullies & LGBTQ."

Panelists for the conference include YA/MG writers across the landscape. Many, like award-winning author, Ellen Hopkins, have tackled abuse in its many forms. As in her novel, Identical, Hopkins work reveals the sexual abuse (yes, a form of bullying) of one girl's identical twin sister. Parts of the novel are difficult to read. Unimaginable. But real. And just like all other forms of bullying, insidious. Even so, talking and writing about any form of bullying brings it to the forefront, as will this conference.


Other notable panelists include award-winning novelists, as well as debut authors. Some are survivors of bullying. The four separate panels scheduled throughout the day will include: Susane Colasanti, Jennifer Brown, Alethea Kontis, Dale E. Basye, Cheryl Rainfield, T.M. Goeglein, Ellen Hopkins, Rachel Caine, Carrie Jones, Mari Mancusi, Lisa McMann, Shannon Messenger, David Levithan, A.S. King, Carrie Ryan, and Andrew Smith.

Heather Brewer, along with a special guest, will present the Less Than Three Conference Luncheon Keynote.

This conference is for all of us. WE are the ones that need to shine a spotlight on bullying. Tackle bullying head on. Find positive approaches to not only prevent, but stop the atrocities and tragedies bullying brings about--for the bullies and the bullied. This Less Than Three Conference will be a good start to end bullying.

For more on the conference, Heather Brewer, and panelists, visit: http://lessthanthreeconference.com.



The Less Than Three Conference will be held Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the St. Charles County Public Library, 427 Spencer Road, St. Peters.

From the <3, I'll be happy to share what I learn. 

SAVE THE DATE: 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Faculty

Here Ye, Here Ye All Writers!

I want to share some of the details on the 2014 Missouri Writers' Guild Conference with you.

Mark your calendar now for the conference to be held in St Louis at the Ramada Plaza Hotel St. Louis Downtown at Convention Center, April 11-13, 2014.     
                    
Thus far, we have an impressive and exciting line-up of speakers, workshop leaders, agents, and publishers!

Here’s a sneak preview!

First up, Chuck Sambuchino, editor for Writers’ Digest books, the Guide to Literary Agents, and Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, as well as bestselling humor book writer. Sambuchino will present the Awards Banquet keynote address on Saturday evening. Additionally, he will attend the Friday nightcap sessions. He’ll also present three Saturday workshops, AND, sit in on one-on-one critique sessions on Friday for early bird attendees! Check out his website at www.chucksambuchino dot com.

Award-winning author, Mary Buckham, will present our luncheon keynote. A highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader, Ms. Buckham attributes her international travels as a catalyst in writing her high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories. In addition to her keynote address, she will attend the Friday nightcap sessions, offer three Saturday workshops, and a Sunday Master class. Check out her website: www.marybuckham dot com.

             Margie Lawson, author, psychologist, and instructor at Lawson’s Writer’s Academy offers writing instruction on writing craft—from world building to blogging to deep editing. She will attend the Friday nightcaps, and will present three Saturday workshops in addition to a Sunday Master class. Her website is www. margielawson dot com.       

We also have several other agents and publishers who have agreed to attend. As soon as details are firmed up, we’ll add them to our agent line up.        

  

Thus far, agents Laura Biagi of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency in New York, and Ken Sherman of Ken Sherman and Associates in Los Angeles have signed on. Each will sit on the Slush Pile Reading panel, attend Nightcaps, present workshops, and take pitches. Ken Sherman also will teach a Sunday Masters class.

Ms. Biagi’s interests lay in literary fiction (dystopian and apocalyptic as well), magical realism, cultural themes, and debut authors.  Also YA, middle grade, and picture books are on her “want” list. To learn more about Ms. Biagi, visit www.jvnla dot com.

Ken Sherman of Ken Sherman and Associates agency works with film, television and both fiction and non-fiction book writers. Their agency also handles film and television rights to books.

We think the 2014 conference is suiting up to be the best yet!

Stay tuned for more conference news, agents, publishers!

Read to Learn

Unexpected and life-threatening illnesses or situations can challenge anyone, at anytime. When this happened in my family recently, my astute daughter-in-law simply said, "Bad things happen to good people."

Such is life. Sometimes there is no explanation, so we adapt. We learn to live with what we've experienced. And, if we allow ourselves, we are given the opportunity to grow and change. Hopefully for the better.

Such is the opportunity in reading. As wordsmiths, opportunities abound--for us and our audience. As wordsmiths, we challenge our characters and our readers and turn the ordinary topsy turvy. Through our characters, their words, their situation, their take on life, our audience experiences life through a different set of eyes.

As writers, how do we learn to do that?

Read.

Read.

Read some more.

Whether the writing is well-penned, or not-so-well-crafted. Both give insight to crafting your own stories. Also, read in the genre you write. Read that in which you don't write. Just read.

"But who's got time to read?" Well, I sometimes don't make time to do laundry, but I do it. And not just because I'd run out of my writing attire (pajamas mainly), but because I'll have something different and fresh to wear. And my husband will be forever grateful not to see me in the same old attire. Even if it is my best pair of ratty PJs.

Reading is the same. Reading gives us, as writers--and readers--a fresh perspective on life. One that may spark a different, maybe a bizarre take on the ordinary. A take we might not have otherwise explored, imagined, or even wanted to imagine. But we owe it to ourselves and to our audience to put it out there. To think about. To chew on it. To spit it out and examine it.

Whether a story leaves you feeling good, bad, or just blah, it doesn't matter. The end result is still good. You've read. You've learned. You've experienced life through another's eyes.

Plus, when you enter another's world, you get to travel--perhaps on ships, in rattle-trap cars, on foot, or just around the block--without ever leaving home! And sometimes that's just as good. Sometimes better.

Food for thought:

In life, we experience death.
In death, life.
In fiction, we experience life, death, and everything in between.

Does Your Synopsis Twist and Shout?

I'm in the process of writing a synopsis for my next middle grade novel. For someone who, according to my husband, is "a bit wordy," that is not an easy task! For many writers, this is a dreaded task. Me included.

So, to make sure I include, or exclude, what an agent expects and wants to read in a synopsis, I searched the web for some much-needed synopsis-writing advice. Fortunately, I landed on Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents at writersdigest.com. He offered five simple synopsis-writing tips to make the task easier. So, I wanted to share his expert advice with you, in case you haven't already read it.

This article is a quick, easy read, so take a look.  http://writerunboxed.com/2012/02/27/untitled-2-27/.

But for now, I'll paraphrase Sambuchino's tips:

1. Don't surprise your agent. Reveal the ending. 

Hmmm. . . I thought that was odd the first time I heard this. But now I realize an agent should be in the loop. They are in the need-to-know business. Otherwise, how can they sell your story? They want and need to know this story doesn't just have another hum-drum, run-of-the-mill ending. Like readers, they want something new. Something with a twist.

I'll take mine with a twist of a lime, thank you.

2. Keep it short. 

For me, this is an "Oh, boy" moment. Fortunately, rewriting is what I like best. That initial blank page and getting-it-all-down part of the story is tough.

However, after I throw everything up on the page, I've got lots of cleaning up to do. Maybe it's my OCD tendencies, but I'll obsess over a single verb or phrase for the good part of an hour. Or more. But that's the thing, if I (we) don't take the time and expend the energy to write the best I (we) can, there are those who will. The competition is stiff. Make every word count.

3. Genre Fiction: Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. But does your story Twist & Shout?

It stands to reason that every story must have a beginning, middle, and end. And each should be a part of your synopsis. But does your story have that TWIST, the one that makes your agent want to SHOUT it from the rooftop--or her desktop?!

Agents--and your readers--don't want the same-old, same-old--which reminds me of a Beatles song, "Twist and Shout."

Bear with me here, and please forgive the corny twist on the lyrics. But an agent might want, to the tune of this famous Beatles song, sing the following to an author who has submitted a synopsis.

                                       Shake your, shake your, shake your story now.
                                                 Shake your story.
                                       Twist it on out.
                                                 Twist it on out.
       
                                       Make me dance on top of my desk.
                                                 Top of my desk
                                       Make me shout it all out.
                                                 Shout it all out.
                                       This book's the one I've been lookin' for,
                                                 Lookin' for.
                                       For way too long.
                                                Way too long.
                                       Wooooo!

                                       So, shake your, shake your, shake your story now.
                                                Shake your story.
                                      Work it on out.
                                                Work it on out.
                                      Really get me going now.
                                                 Going now.
                                      Just like I hoped you would.
                                                 Hoped you would.
                                      Woooo!

Okay, in all seriousness, as writers we've got to give that extra umph, that TWIST and turn to our story which makes an agent want to kick off her heels, jump on top of her desk, break open a bottle of champagne and SHOUT--"Finally! A best seller!" (Your bestseller!)

(Not to burst your bubble here, but your story in its entirety will need to follow through with all that umph. But you already knew that.)

4. Synopsis Language 

Sambuchino says, "Lean, clean language is great." Stay in your story when writing your synopsis. Avoid author intrusion.

5. CAPITALIZE Major Characters' names.
 
Another suggestion: The first time you mention a major character in your synopsis, CAPITALIZE their name. That's a new one on me, but great advice. Like he says, capitalizing a character's name says to the agent, "I'M IMPORTANT! SO, STAND UP AND TAKE NOTICE." This is definitely something all writers want their readers to do.

So, I'm on to writing my synopsis, in all its wordiness. Then I'll do the dance and break it down. "Lean [and] clean." I'll make every word count, check my spelling, and send no more than the recommended two page synopsis, double-spaced.

One more suggestion, one I'm sure you've heard time and again: Always, always visit the agent's website and read their writer's submission guidelines, as well as the genres they accept. Then follow them to the letter.

Okay, I'm off.

Cheers!

Blogging: Plan It. Schedule It. Do It.

Blogging is not one of my strong points. Although I do have good intentions.

It's just, well . . . there never seems to be enough time in the day to do chores--like laundry, which I hate, and mowing, which I hate. And napping, which I don't do. Much.

Naps do have their place, however. It was with one such nap recently, that I realized I had to stop procrastinating and actually sit down and blog. I slice out a part of the day for my writing, and blogging is writing. So, what's the big deal?

Just Do It, as the saying goes. 

So, that's what I've done. Like everything else in my life: Plan It. Schedule It. Do It.

And I promise, I won't blog just to blog just to blog. I'll put some meat into it, as the saying goes. I'll include something any writer might be interested to know, whether it be contests, workshops, tips on writing craft, conferences, new agents, bloggers, editors, websites, books! Ah, yes, books.

I may even throw in some things I've learned. After all, every writer has something to offer our community of fellow writers.

So now that I've put myself out there and committed to blogging consistently, I'll have to forego one of my naps. Maybe.

Next up . . .

Missouri Writers' Guild Conference 2013 begins today!

Take a look at www.missouriwritersguild.com to see all the happenings. I'm excited about the great lineup of agents, speakers, and publishers this year, and of course, indulging myself with a new book or two at the book sale.

It'll be good to connect with old friends, and hopefully make some new ones, too.

And learn. Learn. Learn. Learn. One can never learn too much.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers!