FWA Tampa Writers Group

November 21, 2001 Tampa Writers Group Meeting

2009-11-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

Excellent Meeting!

Kaye Coppersmith dazzled us with her wordsmithing and editing capabilities. The group enjoyed the interactive editing process.

We'd like to welcome Donna Cowden and Julie Eatuline as our guests.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Eckerd College Writers Conference: Writers in Paradise 6th Annual Conference Jan 26 - 24 2010
Special guests: Anita Shreve (an Oprah book club selection for The Pilot's Wife and Sheri Reynolds also an Oprah book club selection for The Rapture of Cannan.)
Application deadline is Dec 1st, 2009
Brochures are available at the table during group meeting.

A&A Printing is hosting a seminar featuring Dan Poynter from 10 am - 4 pm on Saturday Dec 12, 2009 at 6103 Johns Rd Suite 5-6 Tampa, FL 33634 PHONE # 813-886-0065 x 108
cost: $149.97

Literary Competition 2010
2nd Annual Do It! Write Literary Competition is now open. 3 copies of 1st 30 pages of completed manuscript.
Prize: entry read by acquisitions edior of appropriate category.
This year editors are from Medallion Books, Tor/Forge Books, Avalon Books & Harper-Collins
If you have additional questions contact Dahris Clair at PascoRegionalWriters@verizon.net

IMPORTANT NOTES:

THERE WILL BE NO DECEMBER MEETING. The Tampa Writers Group WILL NOT meet in December.

Critique groups will meet on an individual basis. Contact your group leader for time and place.

January Meeting's topic will be on Dialogue and the presenter will be Vicki M. Taylor.

New Tampa/Wesley Chapel Writers Group Meeting Announcement

2009-11-02T06:25:00.000-08:00

Eleanor Brown asked that I share with you information about their speaking guest for their November 7th meeting.

J.C. Hutchins, author of 7th Son: Descent and Personal Effects: Dark Art,
will be speaking to the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel Writers group at Barnes &
Noble in Wesley Chapel on Saturday, November 7. Their meeting runs from
10 am - 12 pm.

7th Son: Descent began life as a podcast novel, reaching more than five
million downloads, and was released by St. Martin's Press on October 27th,
2009.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Brown with any questions,
Eleanor Brown
eleanorbrown@fusemail.com
954-531-7690

Congratulations to our 2009 RPLA Winners

2009-10-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award Winners were announced at the Florida Writers Association Conference including a new category of Unpublished Book of the Year!

If you'd like to see all the winners and their entries, click here!

Congratulations to all the winners!!

FWA Tampa Writers Group November Meeting Notice

2009-10-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Florida Writers Association will hold its next meeting on Saturday, November 21, ten to noon, at Barnes & Noble, Carrollwood. Kaye Coppersmith, FWA's Editing Service's Senior Editor, will present. She'll have edited the first three pages of up to seven manuscripts and will explain the reasons for her suggestions. She'll also address the writing mechanics that separate the polished writers from the novice. Copies of each manuscript, sans the author's name, will be passed out so that attendees can follow along and make notes. Membership required for submission. Lunch at Mimi's Cafeteria follows the meeting.

Kaye requires that all members requesting a manuscript edit, send her their FIRST THREE PAGES as soon as possible as she will only take SEVEN manuscripts. You can send your FIRST THREE PAGES Snail mail FLAT (i.e., don't fold them), DOUBLE-SPACED, to

Kaye Coppersmith
10306 Lake Grove Drive
Odessa, FL 33556

We're also asking sub-mittees to line number their manuscripts. This makes it easy to get everyone to the line Kaye addresses quickly. Instead of, "Page 2, third paragraph down, fourth line starting with 'waving in the breeze',", "Page 2, line 14" hastens our getting there.

Line numbering's simple and as simple to undo, as follows:

LINE NUMBERING

Need MS Word’s XP version

Go to FILE Menu Option

Click on PAGE SET-UP

Click on LAYOUT tab at the top

Near bottom left of window that pops up, look for LINE NUMBERS

Click on it

Click on ADD LINE NUMBERING

Then click on CONTINUOUS at the bottom of window (so your numbers will flow from page to page)

To undo, unclick ADD LINE NUMBERING, and click okay.

See you at the November meeting!!

Vicki M. Taylor
Tampa Writers Group Leader

Tampa FWA Monthly Meeting

2009-09-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hi, guys! We've scheduled a great program for September 19th. Oft-published and popular speaker Elissa Malcohn will talk on Harnessing the Power of Detail and presenting a workshop.

We'll lunch at Red Lobster after the meeting.

Molli Nickell returns for two workshops on query letters and pitching. Tuesday, September 29th and Wednesday, October 14th, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Piccadilly Cafeteria next to our Barnes & Noble. Please plan to supper there. It's fair to do so because Piccadilly's giving us their backroom again even though we can't promise near the number of diners they require to use it. Molli Nickell flyer's attached. Note the RSVP request. Need to know approximately how many are coming so we can let Piccadilly know.

Elissa Malcohn Bio
Published since the 1970s, Elissa Malcohn was a finalist for the 1985 John W. Campbell Award, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) to the best new SF writer of the year. From 1986-1988 she edited Star*Line, journal of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and was a four-time Rhysling Award nominee for best speculative poetry.
In 2008 her stories appeared in three award-winning publications and elsewhere. "Hermit Crabs," in Electric Velocipede #14, is on the recommended reading list in The Year's Best Science Fiction, 26th Annual Edition. Electric Velocipede received a Hugo Award at Worldcon. Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet (Dark Scribe Press), containing "Memento Mori," received a Bram Stoker Award, given by the Horror Writers Association. Riffing on Strings: Creative Writing Inspired by String Theory (Scriblerus Press), containing "Arachne," received an IPPY Silver Medal, given by Independent Publisher.

Elissa's novelette "Flotsam" and poem "Derivative Work" appear in the October/November 2009 Asimov's. Following the demise of Aisling Press, Elissa re-released Covenant, the first volume of her Deviations series, as a free e-book download from her website. She released the sequel, Appetite, in May. Planned release for the third volume, Destiny, is this December. Writes Rachel Baker at Old Musty Books, "If you are looking for something different with a great story line, I would suggest reading these books. They are very well written and draw the reader into the story, possibly against their will."

Visual cues and word-smithing combine forces in Elissa's workshop, "Harnessing the Power of Detail." Through the use of on-the-spot exercises, participants will explore ways of using detail to enhance storytelling and believability.

Elissa has taught creative writing in Massachusetts and Florida. She was keynote speaker at the Florida State Poets' Association 2008 convention and was on the 2008 FWA conference faculty.

Thanks!

Kaye Coppersmith

May Meeting

2009-05-12T01:29:00.000-07:00

Max Courson on Grammar and Editing

Back by popular demand, Max Courson will be talking to us about the finer points of grammar and editing. Max Courson has spoken before to the Hillsborough group and was very well received. We welcome this opportunity to have him back.
Max Courson grew up in Baxley, Georgia, and graduated from high school there. His family moved to nearby Hazlehurst during his senior year. He attended the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, and received two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in journalism and the Master of Arts in journalism. He received his Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Hawaii. He has worked as a radio news director, an information specialist for the U.S. Army and a reporter for United Press International. He established the first public relations office at South Georgia College, and he served as assistant public relations director at the University of Hawaii.

Other academic work included alumni director and publications director at Georgia Southern College, director of public relations at Furman University, associate professor of mass communications at Tennessee Wesley College and at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

He and his wife Naomi moved to Valrico, Florida, in 2000. A year later, he began teaching as an adjunct professor in the school of mass communications at the University of South Florida, Tampa.

Max and Naomi are co-authors of Coursons’ Complete Collection: Wire Service Copyediting Symbols, Capitalization, Abbreviations, Punctuation and Numbers. This text is used in the School of Mass Communications, University of South Florida.

The Pulpwood Annie Chronicles is Max Courson’s first novel. He has two yet-to-be-published biographies that are in various stages of being considered by publishers. One is the biography of Willie Foster Sellers, an Appling County, Georgia, native who chose a life of crime and eventually was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. The other is the biography of Howard Earle Coffin, who helped found several automobile manufacturing companies and who played a major role in developing coastal Georgia as a tourist destination area.

Also in the works is a sequel to The Pulpwood Annie Chronicles. It is tentatively titled The Pulpwood Annie Tapes.

Max is an award-winning writer. He won second place, 2007 CNW/FFWA Writing Competition, nonfiction-unpublished article/essay/book chapter, Dixie Mafia Don Chapter 1, “Easy Money;” Winner Summer 2006 Flash Writing Contest, Florida Writers’ Association for “A Street in Athens;” Winner 2005 Tampa Writers’ Alliance contest in Novel category--three chapters from unpublished novel, The Pulpwood Annie Tapes; National Award Winner 2003, the M.J. Duryea Memorial Cup for outstanding contribution to automotive history, Antique Automobile Club of America, “America’s Foremost Automobile Designer: Howard Coffin or Henry Ford?”

Honorable Mention, 2004, The University of Maine’s Norumbega short story award, “Pulpwood Annie and the bootlegger;” First Place 2003 in Byline Magazine’s Genre Fiction (humor), “Regarding Pulpwood Annie’s Patriotic Gesture;” Winner 2003 First Chapter of a Novel contest, Byline Magazine, for “Being Her Unexpected Trip to Floridy” from The Pulpwood Annie Chronicles.

Winner, third place in fiction 2003 in the Tampa Writers Alliance’s 17th annual writing contest, “Pulpwood Annie and the Diamond Ring;” contributor, “Howard Coffin,” to The New Georgia Encyclopedia’s 2000 edition; National Award Winner 1998 the M.J. Duryea Memorial Cup for outstanding contribution to automotive history, Antique Automobile Club of America, “Howard Coffin, A Prince of Detroit.”

Also on the ticket:

Tom Lowe - Author

Tom Lowe is an award-winning documentary writer/director whose films air nationwide on PBS. As he writes his novels, Tom draws from his travels around the world and his background as a print and broadcast journalist. He worked fifteen years in television news and did freelance stories for CNN. Tom is a sailor and SCUBA diver. He lives in Florida.Tom Lowe’s debut is at once captivating and terrifying, harkening a bold new voice in crime fiction.

Saturday May 16th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Speaker meetings are held every 3rd Saturday of each month with December off.

Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood
11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-871-6446

APRIL MEETNG

2009-04-16T02:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 18th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Robert J. Emery has spent his entire adult life in the television and motion picture industry. For the past 38 years he has written, produced and directed projects that range from national television commercials, corporate communications, network television documentaries and feature films. His most current work is, In the Realm of Eden.

The award-winning series The Directors. Produced in cooperation with the American Film Institute – 91, one-hour episode featuring Hollywood’s finest film directors. The series began its domestic run on the STARZ/ENCORE Cable Network in March of 1999. Ten years later (2009) it is still running on the REELZ cable channel in the U.S. and in 55 other countries around the world. To kick off the series, in February of 1999 an audience of 500 honored his work on The Directors series at the Directors Guild of America facilities in Los Angeles. (Silver Plaque Award, 2002 Chicago International Television Competition – winner, Award of Excellence, winner 2003 Accolade Awards)

Mr. Emery has written and directed eight feature films. His latest, Swimming Upstream (based on the Don Robertson novel The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened) premiered on the Lifetime Movie Channel in January 2005. The movie was awarded the Sapphire Halo Award for Best Dramatic Feature Film at the Angel Citi Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film stars two-time EMMY winner Michael Moriarty, Kelly Rutherford, Ben Savage, Jeffrey DeMunn, Elizabeth Harnois, Matt Czuchry and Ron Dean.

The Genocide Factor: The Human Tragedy, a four-hour PBS mini-series released nationwide in 2002. Hosted by Academy Award winner Jon Voight, the series recounts the entire history of genocide and was awarded the 2002 Gold Special Jury Award for Best Television & Cable TV Series/Documentary from the Houston International Film Festival.

KidHealth, 13 half-hour episodes on Children’s health care in America. The PBS series was hosted by Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming.

DanceSport, six one-hour programs for PBS featuring ballroom dance competition – five camera live-on-tape.

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs, a four-hour documentary on the history of Western Cinema for Starz/Encore’s Western Channel.

Mr. Emery is the author of four non-fiction books: The Directors, Take One, and The Directors, Take Two, and The Directors, Take Three and The Directors, Take Four. Each book is based on interviews conducted for The Directors TV series.

Mr. Emery has taught film production at the University of South Florida as well as serving on the Post Secondary Education Commission, which created the film school curriculum for the Florida State University MFA program as well as curriculum for Vo-Tech schools throughout the state of Florida. He served an eight-year term on the Florida State Motion Picture, Television & Recording Industry Advisory Council as well as serving as its Chairman.

Mr. Emery is the recipient of over seventy-five industry awards for his work including two Golden Camera Awards from the Chicago International Film & Video Festival for best documentary of 1992. He won top honors at the New York Film Festival nine years in a row (1991-1999). He won top honors at the 1997 and 1998 American Business Awards. In 1996 and 1999 he received the Cine Golden Eagle Award for projects he wrote, directed and produced. In 2001 he was awarded a Gold Award from the American Corporate Video Awards. In January of 2002 his series The Genocide Factor was chosen as one of the ten best documentaries at the Prism Foundation 12th Night Film Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.

Mr. Emery is a member of the Directors Guild of America. Full industry credits can be found at IMDB.COM under the name of Robert J. Emery.

His feature films include:
SWIMMING UPSTREAM – Writer/Director
ONE SAVAGE NIGHT – Writer/Director
DARE THE DEVIL – Writer/Director
WILLY & SCRATCH – Writer/Director
SIGN OF AQUARIUS – Co-writer/Director
RIDE IN A PINK CAR – Director
THE FLORIDA CONNECTION – Co-writer/Director
SCREAM BLOODY MURDER – Writer/Director

Speaker meetings are held every 3rd Saturday of each month with December off at:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Carrollwood11802 N. Dale Mabry HighwayTampa, FL 33618. Just south of Stall Road
813-871-6446

Tampa Writers Group Meeting Feb 21

2009-02-18T02:09:00.000-08:00

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Our Speaker for January: Elissa Malcohn

Elissa Malcohn's award-winning fiction, nonfiction, and poetry have appeared in dozens of publications, beginning in the 1970s. She was a finalist for the 1985 John W. Campbell Award, given at the World Science Fiction Convention to the best new SF writer of the year. From 1986-1988 she edited Star*Line, journal of the Science Fiction Poetry Association.

In 2008 her work appeared in magazines The Drabbler, Electric Velocipede, Harp-Strings Poetry Journal, Helix, Poets' Forum Magazine, Space and Time, the We'Moon 2009 calendar, and anthologies Riffing on Strings: Creative Writing Inspired by String Theory (Scriblerus Press) and Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet (Dark Scribe Press). Strange Horizons published her poetry this month, and poetry and fiction are forthcoming in Asimov's. Aisling Press released Elissa's science fiction/fantasy novel Deviations: Covenant in 2007, to be followed by its sequel, Appetite.

Elissa's photos have been featured on the websites for Environment News Service, Gardening in South Africa, and This Old House, with more forthcoming. Visual cues and word-smithing combine forces in her workshop, "Harnessing the Power of Detail." Through the use of on-the-spot exercises, participants will explore ways of using detail to enhance storytelling and believability.

Elissa belongs to the Art Center of Citrus County, whose newsletter she edits and produces. Her memberships also include Broad Universe, the Florida State Poets Association, Florida Writers Association, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and Science Fiction Poetry Association. She is listed with Poets and Writers, Inc. Elissa has taught creative writing at the Cambridge and Dorchester Centers for Adult Education in Massachusetts and at the Art Center of Citrus County. She was on the 2008 FWA conference faculty.

Her business, Malcohn Enterprises, provides communications services in writing and editing, word processing and desktop publishing, tape and digital transcription, and voice-overs.

We always meet the third Saturday of every month except December from 10 am-12 pm at:
Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood
11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-871-6446

The Gulf Coast "Do It Write" Literary Competition

2009-01-14T01:57:00.000-08:00

The Pasco/NPR Writers Group, under the auspices of Florida Writers Association, is hosting a literary competition, The Gulf Coast Do It Write Literary Competition. There will be four categories, General Fiction (mainstream, romance, etc) and Non-Fiction; Science Fiction/Fantasy; Mystery/Thriller/Suspense.

The top three winners will have their entries read by an acquisitions editor. Everyone knows how near to impossible it is to reach an editor, but we have three committed to this project: Christy Philippe, Medallion Press, General Fiction and Non-Fiction; Claire Eddy, Tor/Forge Books, Science Fiction/Fantasy; Faith Black, senior editor at Avalon Books, Mystery/Thriller/Suspense.

One insider tip for Avalon submissions: For these categories they don’t want romance. They want the focus on the plot. This competition is open to both published and un-published authors.
The entry fee is $25.00. The submissions must be received no later than 2/1/09. Please mail your submissions and your check to:
Mrs. Dahris Clair, P.O. Box 538, New Port Richey, FL 34656. Checks should be made payable to Florida Writers Association. Write "Do It Write Competition" in the memo section of your check.

Submissions should include the first thirty (30) pages only, but should end at the end of a paragraph, not mid-sentence; and a one-page synopsis of all important plot elements, especially the ending. Use Times New Roman 12 font, one inch margins all around, double spaced.

Your name should not appear on any of the pages except the separate cover page. Include your mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number. Receipt will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you have questions, e-mail Dahris Clair at PascoRegionalWriters@verizon.net.

Tampa Group January Meeting

2009-01-14T01:52:00.001-08:00

Our Speaker for our Saturday, January 17, 2009 monthly meeting: Brandi Winans

She is the author of her new book called The Flip Side of Glory, (available January , 2009),The Wannabe Seminars, The Stepping Stones of Life (now available on CD at Target.com and Amazon.com), former Radio Host of Parents Talk Teens Rap Radio Show on Christian stations, WTBN 570 & 910AM in Tampa Florida and a D.i.S.C. Behavioral Personality Trainer. She was recipient of the 2005 Woman & Youth Award, for her outstanding dedication to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.

She is a Board of Director and Past President of The Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast Guild, President and Board Member of Day For Our Children, Inc., a former member of the Hillsborough West Juvenile Detention Community Advisory Board, a member of the District 6 Department of Juvenile Justice Steering Committee, a member of the Charles Britt Faith and Community Advisory Board, and founder of the Wannabe Outreach Program for Troubled Teens. In 2006, she was given an award for her dedication to the youth of Florida by the Department of Juvenile Justice and a Certificate of Appreciation from Charles Britt Halfway House for residential and staff advocacy and support.

She was past Education Chair for Women’s Council of Realtors, Buyers Agent Specialist, Corporate Relocation Specialist, Graduate of Source One Mortgage College, Graduate of Floyd Wickman’s “Sweathogs”, Train the Trainer I, and majored in Communications, Business Development and Marketing.

She is a member of the National Assoc. of Women Writers, The Florida Writers Association, Pinellas County Schools Speakers Bureau, The Florida Writers Association, World Speakers Association, The St. Pete Chamber and has Chaired many Charitable and Special Events.
Her “I believe in you” attitude makes her a sought after speaker. Her Greatest Blessing: Her Family and friends.

We always meet the third Saturday of every month except December from 10 am-12 pm at:

Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood
11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-871-6446

FWA HILLSBOROUGH WINNERS OF THE 2008 ROYAL PALM LITERARY AWARDS

2008-11-21T02:12:00.000-08:00

We had five Hillsborough members win six awards at this year’s Royal Palm Literary Awards held on Saturday, November 15, 2008.

They are:

1st Place Published Essay titled Goodness Knows
- - - - Ruth Ellen Jones

1st Place Unpublished Women’s Fiction titled The Great Hunger
- - - Eugene Orlando

2nd Place Unpublished Women’s Fiction titled The Maypole of Valhalla
- - - Robert West

2nd Place Published Humor/Satire titled A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- - - Amanda Martin

Honorable Mention Published Children’s titled Imagine That!
- - - Jan Evans

Hon. Mention Unpublished Science Fiction title The Ascension
- - - Eugene Orlando

Congratulations to the winners and all who submitted

No November Meeting

2008-11-02T03:47:00.000-08:00

Due to the FWA conference falling the same weekend as our November meeting, our regularly scheduled meeting on November 15 will be cancelled. See you at the conference.

A reminder that there is never a December meeting at Barnes and Noble for any group. Stay tuned for news on an early December Christmas party.

Eugene Orlando
Regional Director of Hillsborough County

Janet Evanovich Book Signing

2008-11-02T03:43:00.000-08:00

Special Event – Volunteers Wanted

Our own special Barnes & Noble is hosting a book signing for the famed author Janet Evanovich and has asked FWA Hillsborough is we would like to volunteer to help them in this very special event. An author signing of this fame will bring in hundreds of people. They estimate they need 12 volunteers and I know that more than 12 of you will want to help. I know I'm first in line (benefit of being group leader). The event is not until January 6th, which is just over 2 months away. So, I know that some people may not know if they can commit to that date until closer to that time, so here's what I'm going to do. Press the 'Volunteer' button above to send me an email. PLEASE: Make sure your full name is in the email. I will take everyone's name down on a first come first serve basis. About two weeks prior to the event, I will confirm with the top twelve or so to see if they can still keep their commitment. If they can't, then I'll use the next person in line, and so on. Sound fair? One last thing, you must be a current FWA member to participate.

Janet Evanovich is the multi-bestseller of many novels, most notably the Stephanie Plum series and the Alex Barnaby Series.

Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood11802 N. Dale Mabry HighwayTampa, FL 33618 813-871-6446

Feel free to contact me with any questions.Steven Mather - Florida Writers Association Hillsborough Group Leader steven@steven-mather.com

Our July Meeting

2008-07-15T02:14:00.000-07:00

Our Speaker: Joan Johnston, Best Selling Author with 46 novels to her name!
http://www.joanjohnston.com/

Topic: Developing compelling conflict that will keep the reader turning pages, or in Joan's words, the muddle in the middle.

When: Saturday, July 19th, 2008, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Joan's books have appeared on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publisher's Weekly Bestseller Lists. She is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America and Florida Romance Writers.

See you at:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Carrollwood Just south of Stall Road, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618 813-962-6446

This promises to be a great speaker meeting and I'll see you there.

Tampa FWA Monthly Meeting

2008-06-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

Our Speaker:

Eugene Orlando, YA Author and Speaker http://www.eugeneorlando.com/

The Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors

"Lights, cameras … write!" Method actors hold seven secrets to creating characters. This session will explore them and how they can assist the novelist in the creation of their own. Solve such writing problems as writing about something in which you have no experience, repeated gestures, carbon-copy characters, forced and shallow dialogue, and several more.

Eugene is giving us a preview of his speaker event at the upcoming November FWA statewide conference. As an award-winning author of Young Adult novels and an active FWA member, Eugene brings a great amount of experience we can all learn from.This promises to be a great speaker meeting and I'll see you there.

FWA Hillsborough group monthly Speaker MeetingSaturday June 21st, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood11802 N. Dale Mabry HighwayTampa, FL 33618 813-871-6446

Local Member Book Signing

2008-05-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

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FWA Hillsborough member Amanda Martin, author of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, will be signing copies of her comedic mystery.

When: 1-3 PM on Saturday, May 17

Where: Barnes & Noble (South Tampa), 213 N. Dale Mabry. map
She's hoping you'll join her there after the speaker meeting.

Buy a book and receive a $5 B & N gift card!

Tampa Writers Alliance Opens Contest to All

2008-05-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Writers Alliance has opened their yearly writing contest to non-members. Printed below are SOME of the major guidelines. If you want to enter and want the complete guidelines, you can go to their website at http://www.tampawriters.org/ and download them in the very near future. If they are not there, then email me at orlando@EugeneOrlando.com and I will send them to you.

ENTRY CATEGORIES, “UNPUBLISHED” REQUIREMENT

Each contestant may enter any or all of the following categories:
FICTION
NON-FICTION
NOVEL
EMERGING WRITERS FICTION/NON-FICTION (TWA Members Only)
PLAY/SCRIPT WRITING
DR. ED HIRSHBERG AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FLORIDA WRITING
SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY
POETRY (Up to 72 lines may be entered per submission. See Rules ).
WORDSMITH COVER PHOTO

Entries must be UNPUBLISHED at the time of submission. Unpublished is defined as not having been commercially printed and circulated to more than fifty (50) persons. Editing a work you won with last year does not make it eligible to be re-entered again this year.
Please do not enter stories that you have ever entered in a TWA contest and won awards with. Please do not enter stories that have been published in Wordsmith or anywhere else for that matter. Follow the unpublished rule, use common sense and if there is a question, ask.

CONTESTANT ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to adults (18 years and older). Membership in the Tampa Writers Alliance is not required to enter. Membership dues are $35 per year. (See Membership Application with Entry Form.)

DEADLINES

Entries will be accepted on and after June 1, 2008. All mailed entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2008. All other entries must be received by the Contest Coordinator no later than Wednesday, October 1, 2008. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS will be accepted.

ENTRY FEES:

Make checks payable to TAMPA WRITERS ALLIANCE. Contest fees for TWA members in good standing (dues paid as of the contest deadline) are $5 for each submission. Contest fees for non-members are $10 for each submission. There is no limit on the number of submissions a person may submit to any category.

Judges evaluations are available for purchase @ $15.00 per entry. See Judging Criteria.

Eugene Orlando
Regional Director/Hillsboroough County

New Daytime Critique Group

2008-05-09T02:06:00.000-07:00

Some people have expressed an interest in having a critique group in the daytime as opposed to our regular Monday night critique meetings that occur on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00.

In an effort to accommodate that need, Vicki Taylor, a long standing member of FWA with many publishing credits has agreed to hold a daytime critique group. Vicki brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience that would benefit all who attend.

Currently, the day and time of this group will be the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1:30 to 2:30. The length of time for the meeting will be adjusted as the group grows.
The meeting will be held at the same place as the Monday night meetings, the Barnes and Noble in Carrollwood.

If you are interested in attending this new critique group, please send an email to Eugene Orlando at Orlando@EugeneOrlando.com. We need to know if there is enough interest and support to start this group.

FWA Tampa Group Monthly Speaker Meeting

2008-05-09T01:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 17th, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

Barnes & Noble BooksellersCarrollwood
11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-871-6446

Our Speaker: Kerry Estevez , Acquisition Editor, Medallion Press.
http://www.medallionpress.com/

KERRY ESTEVEZ, Editor, Medallion Press
Kerry Estevez is a native of Tampa , Fl. She lives with her husband of 15 years, daughter, and two Shih Tzus. When not reading submissions or manuscripts, Kerry spends her time with friends and family, or playing a good game of poker. Sundays are always reserved for football.

Kerry has been with Medallion Press for two years. She started as a proof editor and was offered the position of Acquisitions Editor/Author Liaison. This position is perfect for Kerry as she loves talking to people and helping aspiring authors. When the president of Medallion Press, Helen A. Rosburg, shared her vision for Medallion as being an author friendly publishing house, Kerry wanted to be a part of something big. Over the last year, Medallion has joined with IPG (Independent Publishers Group), and many authors have not only been nominated but won several National awards. Medallion Press is known for outstanding covers and the working relationship between author and publisher.

Kerry enjoys meeting with authors hoping they will see “the other side” of an editor. After meeting Kerry, newbies in the industry realize not all editors are fire breathing demons. She likes to guide aspiring authors on the “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to submitting to publishers. Her motto is very simple: Always follow the Publisher’s guidelines.

The president of Medallion Press believes in publishing “out of the box” material. There are so many great voices to be heard.

The speaker meeting will be followed by a group lunch where Kerry will be available to answer more of your questions.

Brandon Writers Critique Group

2008-03-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

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DO YOU WRITE FICTION?

Come to a FREE, anonymous marketability analysis of your first two pages.“Limited Space Available” RSVP author Eugene Orlando at (813) 657-2636 ASAP!

FOR WHOM: Anyone wishing to bring her or his fiction to publication.

WHAT:

FREE marketability analysis (anonymous – no other store patron will know whose work is being analyzed).
FREE craft mastery assessment (anonymous).
Bring the first two double-spaced pages of your fiction piece, whether novel or short story. DO NOT put your name on it. Two pages per participant.

SPONSOR:

1. Barnes & Noble of Brandon and the Florida WritersAssociation.

2. Facilitated by an award-winning published author.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, March 27 from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Brandon Barnes & Noble, Brandon, FL.

Bloomingdale Writers Connection

2008-03-17T01:31:00.000-07:00

FREE - Melody O'Shea Life Story Writing Workshop

When: Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:30-4:30

Where: Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Road, Valrico, FL

Register by email at BloomWC@live.com or call 813-273-3652 and ask for the Bloomindale Regional Library.

For the last part, participants will form writing groups to share 5-7 minutes of any life writing samples they may have brought.

Writing Guidelines: Bring five copies of your double-spaced, 5-7 minute long writing on the topic of a piece of your clothing (past or present) that has a story connected to it.

Schedule:

12:30-12:45 Registration & Welcome
12:45-1:45 Speaker Carol Byrd, teacher of life story writing.
1:45-2:00 Break
2:00 - 3:00 Judy Hill, article publisher for Tampa Tribune
3:00 - 3:30 Break/refreshments
3:30 - 4:30 Writing Groups

Fall Inspirational Writers Workshop

2008-02-19T01:17:00.000-08:00

Click to Enlarge

All,

There will be a workshop this Fall for anyone who writes in the inspirational genre. All information is included on the poster. This is NOT an FWA sponsored event.

February Meeting

2008-02-14T02:04:00.000-08:00

This is just a reminder that this weekend, Terra Pressler will be our guest speaker. She will talk on using the five senses to enhance your writing. This should be a great topic so be sure to attend. We will go to Mimi’s for lunch afterward.

WHAT: “Using the Five Senses to Enhance Your Writing.”
WHO: Terra Pressler
WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood)11802 North Dale Mabry Hwy.Tampa, FL 33618813-962-6446 (store)
WHEN: Saturday, February 16 from 10 am to noon.

Also ... come and meet our new group leader, Steven Mather.

January Meeting

2008-01-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone,

It’s hard to believe this will be my final announcement to you for our up-and-coming meeting, but so it is. In shifting gears, in light the notice I just sent you, our focus at Saturday’s meeting will be how to interject humor into our writing. Our speaker will be Freda Gower Ward, the Pinellas group leader. The title of her presentation is “How to turn ordinary life into humor.” She is not a stand-up comedian, but rather, will be showing us how to take ordinary life events and give them a humorous twist. True story. Freda wears many hats, one of this which is that of realtor. She was bringing a client to a pre-arranged 10 am appointment at an open house. She rings the door bell, and a 300 pound, beer-bellied man cracks open the door wearing nothing but his boxers and says, “Uh. We’re having sex.” Imagine. Now you’ll have to come to the meeting to see how she turns that every day event into something humorous.

Humor and laughter are vital to our health but also can be important to our stories, be it children’s stories, memoirs, coming of age, mysteries, or thrillers. She likes participants to go home with something meaningful. I know there many of you are working on manuscripts. All of our writing, or much of, comes from the creative spin we give to what’s ordinary. If there is a scene where you’re asking yourself, “How can I interject some humor?” or “Is it appropriate it to bring in humor?”, bring to the meeting three, double-spaced, unnamed typewritten pages. She will read from them, and we will all have a chance to add a different slant to the scene.

WHAT: “How to turn ordinary life into humor.”
WHO: Freda Gower Ward
WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood)
11802 North Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33618
813-962-6446 (store)
WHEN: Saturday, January 12 from 10 am to noon.

Lunch follows at Nikki’s

REMINDER: If you would like to know how to put some humorous pizzazz into a scene, bring your pages to the meeting.

Julia ThornbroughGroup Leader – Hillsborough

Local Author Makes Good

2008-01-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

Kudos to our very own Steve Mather. Back in April when we held our monthly meeting, Bo Savino, Editor-In-Chief of Aisling Press (fka Koboka Publishing) came and devoted the entire day and heard forty-two people pitch their manuscript. Today Steve Mather is the proud recipient of a publishing contract from Aisling Press. It is for his thriller, Three of a Kind. Steve, I’m sure this is the start of many great publishing possibilities for him. Way to go!

Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader – Hillsborough

Annual Lighthouse Book Awards Competition

2007-12-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

Here's a contest announcement from Vic DiGenti, FWA Regional Director for NE Florida. The 2nd Annual Lighthouse Book Awards Competition.

Like last year's successful competition, this one is open to all writers with unpublished manuscripts in the following categories: Mysteries/Suspense/Thrillers, Fiction-General, Young Adult, and Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Once again, the finalists in each category will be judged by acqusition editors from major publishing houses. Please note that the contest deadline is January 25. For the contest rules and the entry form, go to http://www.windrusher.com/ContestRules.html. Or email me and I'll send them to you: vicdig@comcast.net.

One of last year's winners was asked to send his entire novel to the acquiring editor. This could happen to you, but first you must enter. We will be announcing the winners at our regional 1-day conference on May 17, 2008. Look for more information in the future at http://www.fwapontevedra.blogspot.com/.

FWA Pinellas Meeting

2007-12-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

Press Release

Florida Writers Association (FWA) will gather at 6:00 p.m. to eat and 7:00 to meet at Po Folks Restaurant at 2001 34th Street N. on Thursday, January 10, 2008. Topic of discussion is "Hooking the Reader". Bring your questions, the first few pages of everything you're presently writing, and suggestions for others. Meetings are free and open to the public.

The FWA will also meet on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at Po Folks Restaurant at 2001 34th Street N at 6:00 p.m. to eat and 7:00 to meet.

Contact Freda Ward at 727-864-1846 (fredagowerward@earthlink.net) for additional information.

St. Pete Times Searches for Hillsborough Authors

2007-12-07T01:31:00.000-08:00

We received the following request from the St. Pete Times. Those interested who are not from the areas requested for Hillsborough County should contact the Tampa office of the St. Pete Times. They are conducting the same thing.

Here is Mr. Bennett's request:

We are looking for local authors who have had books published this year for an upcoming story. Can you point me to any local authors who have had books published in the past 12 months (excluding self-published, works published by so-called "vanity press" publishing houses and Internet-only publishing)?

Our story will be a buying guide about local authors for the holiday book-buying season.

By "local" authors, I mean east Hillsborough: Seffner, Mango, Thonotosassa, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Lithia, Ruskin, Palm River and Gibsonton. Authors from Tampa are being handles by someone in our Tampa office.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give, as well as for a timely reply. If you know of anyone else who might be able to help me with this query, feel free to pass this inquiry along to them.

Cordially,

Doug Bennett
Brandon Bureau Chief
Brandon & South Shore Times/St. Peterburg Times
DBennett@stptimes.com

Charitable Campaign for Sligh Middle School

2007-11-23T02:08:00.000-08:00

All FWA members,

Barnes and Noble, in Carrollwood only, is getting behind our sponsorship of one of the neediest schools in Hillsborough County … FWA Hillsborough’s adopted Sligh Middle School. Sligh is a school struggling to bring their grade 6-8 students up to grade level in reading skills. They have a desperate need for high motivational reading material in fiction that covers grade levels three and up. Some of the more popular series would be appropriate such as the His Dark Materials trilogy, of which the first book, The Golden Compass is about to be released as a movie December 7th. Anything Harry Potter is also good, or the following: R. L. Stein, the Hobbit, C. S. Lewis, Eragon, Dish! (the middle-grade series involving a cooking club), any type of biography (particular of famous African Americans), anything involving African American culture, any kind of urban fantasy, former FWA speaker and conference presenter Greg Neri’s book Chess Rumble, and anything else you feel might be appealing. Just take the book to the counter and tell the cashier that you are an FWA member and that you are buying the book for Sligh Middle School. Starting Friday, November 23rd and going through December 8th, Barnes and Noble Carrollwood only will set aside a portion of the profit to go toward Sligh.

Isn’t this a great thing to do in this season of giving? Please help us help build future readers who one day as adults may be buying our own books.

We were so surprised at our CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN being given so much time, we’re looking to see if books purchased can be kept behind the counter and picked up every few days. If you’re coming to our Christmas party, by all means bring them then. This campaign will be ongoing throughout the year. This is our effort to also give back to Barnes & Noble, who graciously let us hold our meetings there rent free and give forward to Sligh Middle School.

Julia ThornbroughGroup Leader – Hillsborough

Our November Meeting

2007-11-15T01:50:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Our scheduled speaker is not available this month, so at the last minute Eugene Orlando stepped up to the plate. He will distribute and review a handout of detailed instructions for using MS Word as an author and field questions on those quirks that have been bugging us all. He will also present a mini presentation of a session he will be proposing for next year's FWA conference. It is titled Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors after the book by the same name and is a Stanislavski method acting approach to creating and writing good characters. Having been trained in method acting, Eugene realized about two years ago that he "got into" his characters using this method.

Following our meeting, we will join our guest speaker for lunch at a nearby TBA restaurant.

WHAT: Using MS Word for Authors and Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors

WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood)11802 North Dale MabryTampa, FL 33618813-962-4799

WHO: Eugene Orlando our Regional Director

WHEN: Saturday November 17 -- 10 am to noon. Lunch follows at a nearby restaurant TBA.

Self-Published Authors Regional Conference

2007-10-24T01:46:00.000-07:00

Holiday PARC S SPARC self-published authors regional conference.

November 16 and 17 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM

3190 Tyrone Boulevard North Street, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Come browse and buy special books from talented local authors.

Book sales benefit the children and adults at the multi-hazard shelter complex campaign for PARC (Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens)

For more information contact: Marcia Freespirit of Jimsam Inc. at 813-748-9523 or mfreespirit@jimsaminc.com

Also visit PARC at their web site http://www.parc-fl.org/

"Years ago I took a tour of the PARC facilities and it is amazing what good they do for the mentally handicapped. I was greatly impressed."

Eugene Orlando
Regional FWA Director
Hillsborough County

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest

2007-10-19T01:47:00.000-07:00

This is an unpublished fiction novel contest open Oct 1 – Nov 5 accepting the first 5,000 entries. NO ENTRY FEE! You register online for one of the 5,000 entry spots and have up to 7 days to submit your full manuscript. For more details, go to the amazon.com home page, scroll down to “Amazon Services” (on the left side) and “For the Community” and click on “Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest”. I just registered on Oct 18, and they were still taking entries. Grand prize is a contract with Penguin and a $25,000 advance on royalties.

Eugene Orlando
FWA Regional Director/Hillsborough County

FWA St. Pete November Meeting

2007-10-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

The Florida Writers Association (FWA) will hold its November 8th meeting at the West Library on the campus of St. Petersburg College, 67th Street and 7th Avenue North.

The meeting begins with networking at 6:30 p.m. with the program at 7:00 in the conference room. The evening will be spent in a round table discussion focusing on punctuation with emphasis on why, what, where, and when. Come prepared with questions, realizing this discussion may slide into the realm of verb tenses and other tense issues of writing.

If you have specific written material where you can’t make a decision, bring it with you and present your dilemma to the panel of experts.

Contact Freda Ward at fredagowerward@earthlink.net.

October Meeting

2007-10-16T01:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

This Saturday we have a real treat for you. How many of you out there are creating characters for your award winning novel or story from your cerebral? You know, descriptions like, Joe’s a policeman, has brown hair, oldest of six children, and always wanted to be a cop. The character is actually pretty flat. Right? Our guest speaker, Dr. Terra Pressler, received her doctorate in screenwriting and is an attorney. If there’s anyone who knows how to work both sides of the brain, it’s Dr. Terra Pressler. Instead of creating our characters from the head up, she’s going to show us how to go full body and give our characters an exciting three dimension.

You’re not going to be passively sitting. Oh, no! She’s going to have us up and moving about. Once we learn her technique, it should be pretty interesting. Come one! Come all. Let your hair down and allow yourself to be a kid again. Life is fun. Characters are fun, if we let them come alive.

Following our meeting, we will join our guest speaker for lunch at Nikki’s.

WHAT: How to Create Characters with Pizzazz
WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood)
11802 North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33618
813-962-4799
WHO: Dr. Terra Pressler
WHEN: Saturday October 20 -- 10 am to noon

Lunch follows at Nikki’s.

Julia Thornbrough

2nd Pitch Workshop

2007-10-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

Everyone,

If you missed the first opportunity to perfect your pitch, have no remorse. Another chance awaits you. Molli Nickell has graciously agreed to return to Piccadilly on Tuesday, October 16. As before, we will gather at 5:30 for dinner. From 6:30 – 8:30 we will take turns practicing. Whether you have something ready to go or are in the process of crafting your work, it never hurts to be prepared. When opportunity knocks, you definitely want to be ready.

Please remember to buy dinner. We need at least ten participants. This is our way of giving back to Piccadilly for being so kind and generous to us. We’ll be meeting in the back room.

You can let Kaye Coppersmith know if you plan to practice your pitch by e-mailing her at sunnyskyes@earthlink.net.

Molli Nickell is a publishing consultant who will be leading a workshop on October 13 from 9 AM to 5 PM on “Getting Published Now.” You can check out her website at www.gettingpublishednow.biz. Her e-mail address is mollikatee@yahoo.com And she can be reached at 727-772-8270.

Thanks to all.

Julia Thornbrough

Get Published Now

2007-09-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

Learn how to market your manuscript during this one-day intensive workshop for writers, taught by former publisher, Molli Nickell
October 13, 9AM to 5 PM in Eastlake Woodlands, Oldsmar
Your manuscript is well under way—or even completed. Now what?
It’s time to introduce your work to an agent or publisher. In order to do this effectively, you’ll have to learn to write three vital sales documents. This workshop will teach you how!

With 25 years experience in publishing (as both author and publisher), Molli Nickell is uniquely qualified to teach you how to write the marketing documents you need.

Once you’ve mastered the techniques of writing a professional query and cover letter as well as a compelling first page, you’ll greatly increase the odds that your manuscript will be requested by an agent or publisher (which moves you one step closer to becoming a published author).

During this one-day intensive workshop you will:
1. Complete a draft of a professional query letter
2. Complete a cover letter to accompany your manuscript
3. Re-write the opening paragraph of your manuscript

Can you accomplish this in one day? Absolutely.

Workshop information:
Date: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Place: East Lake Woodlands Country Club 1055 East Lake Woodlands Parkway, Oldsmar, FL 34677 (East of Tampa Rd. And McMullen Booth intersection.)

Fee: $75 which includes all-day beverage service and lunch
Workshop space is limited to 24. Reserve your space by going to her website and clicking on "Workshos & Talks". You can either pay on line or print out a registration form and send a check:
Molli Nickell 305 Woods Landing Trail, Oldsmar, FL 34677 Map provided online.
Got questions? Email Molli at mollikatee@yahoo.com
Check out Molli’s website, www.getpublishednow.biz

Hone Your Pitch

2007-09-23T03:20:00.000-07:00

Molli Nickel, former publisher and Time-Life Editor attended our meeting as a guest. With her vast years of experience from hearing pitches, she knows what works and what doesn’t. She has offered to allow us to practice and perfect our pitch with her.

What better way to attend the FWA convention relaxed and confident when you deliver your pitch. Guys, this is Molli Nickel’s way of giving back to the community. We get this incredible opportunity for FREE. Another exciting perk of being a FWA member. So practice your pitch and come on down!!!

WHERE: Piccadilly Cafeteria in the back room
WHEN: Wednesday, September 26 5:30 until (?)
WHAT: Practicing Your Pitch

PLEASE NOTE: Piccadilly Cafeteria is being gracious by allowing us to use their back room. We need at least 10 people to step up the plate and buy dinner. Again, this is our way of giving back to the community. They’ve been very good to us.

Let Kaye Coppersmith know your intention. Her e-mail address is sunnyskyes@earthlink.net Thanks!

Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader – Hillsborough

P.S. A tentative second date is reserved for Tuesday, October 16 at the same time and place. Will keep you posted.

September Meeting

2007-09-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

Is your “baby" ready to be shoved out the door and presented to the world? If so, wouldn’t it be nice to have a professional show you how to do it? I’m referring to understanding the do’s and don’ts of presenting your manuscript up close and personal with an editor. FWA Hillsborough offers you a golden opportunity to remove anxiety and instill confidence the next time you speak with an agent or acquiring editor. What perfect timing to prepare you for when you pitch your work in the real world to an editor or agent at the FWA convention in November.

At our regular meeting, Saturday September 15, Janet Strand, senior editor of Hardshell Word Factory, will show us how to pitch our work the correct way and thereby grab the attention of an editor or agent. For the first half of the meeting, she will guide us step by step on how to do that, which will be accompanied with a handout. In the next segment, Janet Strand will listen to pitches from our members. These are to be thirty-second sound bites -- nothing longer than five sentences.

Hillsborough FWA members will receive first priority on the number sequence, however, this meeting is open to everyone who wants to learn and practice their pitch. To claim a spot with Janet Strand, please contact either Kaye Coppersmith at 813-920-7144 mailto:sunnyskyes@earthlink.net or me, Julia
Thornbrough at 813-881-0911 mailto:jthornbrough@tampabay.rr.com To have your pitch heard and critiqued, you must be a FWA member in good standing.

Janet Strand will join us at Mimi’s Café and answer any lingering questions. Because of the larger anticipated response, we would like you to send an RSVP by Thursday September 13 to either of the above e-mail addresses. We need a head count to make sure we have enough chairs on hand to accommodate our members and guests. As always, thanks for your cooperation.

WHAT: FWA Hillsborough monthly meeting

WHEN: Saturday September 15

10 A.M. until noon

WHO: JANET STRAND, Senior editor of Hardshell Word Factory presenting:

"PERFECTING YOUR PITCH"

WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood)

11802 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33618
813-962-6446 (store)

LUNCH FOLLOWS AT:

Mimi’s Cafe
11702 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33618

(Located one shopping strip south of Barnes & Noble. By stepping over a
shrub, we’re practically there.)

Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader
FWA Hillsborough

Our July Meeting

2007-07-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

How’s everyone doing? I hope really well. First I want to thank everyone who responded and gave me your feedback on which of the four workshops you wanted for this month’s meeting. Democracy in action. Isn’t it great? Would you believe two workshop suggestions tied? I called Shannon Greenland, and we discussed the two options. After our discussion I decided on “Fun with Young Ones.” And here’s why:

You’ve joined FWA because you want to write, either for yourself or to add published author to your resume. Right? How many of you would like to earn money from your writing? Shannon told me she’s written romance mysteries and mysteries for young adults, but only when she began writing for young adults did she start to make serious money from her writing efforts.

I would lay ten to one odds every one of you has experiences begging to be told. Wouldn’t it be great to weave your wisdom and take on life into a story? Offer young people, our next generation, a positive spin on life or show them light can come from a dark passage.

That’s exactly what Shannon Greenland and Simone Elkeles are doing. They have several books under their belt and have each won several awards. Check out Shannon’s website at www.shannongreenland.com and Simone’s website at www.sinoneelkeles.com Come discover what’s hot in the young adult market and what’s not. Is the young adult genre a good fit for you? You won’t know unless you come to our meeting. Plus learn about issues, plotting, ages, page length, and young adult no-no’s. And, I might add, we’re all worth knowing. So come check us out.

Following the meeting our two guests will have a book signing.

WHO: Shannon Greenland and Simone Elkeles

WHAT: Fun with Young Ones

WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood Location)
11802 North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33618
813-962-6446 (store’s number)

WHEN: Saturday July 21, 2007
10 AM to Noon
Book signing follows immediately.

LUNCH: Nicki’s (located two shopping strips south of B & N, exactly
where you’ll find Outback Steak House)

Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader for FWA Hillsborough
813-784-2929

P.S. If you want to make room for more books on your bookshelves, bring your discards to our meeting. They could be on anything. On your next travel adventure, you might want a romance, mystery, or whatever to take on your vacation. Your books will be included in our raffle.

Romance Writers

2007-06-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

For an extensive list of romance novel writing contests check out http://www.stephiesmith.com/contests.html

Most of the contests are for romance writers, but a few are for other genres. Our own FWA RPLA contest made the list.

Writing Contest, Deadline June 17

2007-05-31T02:39:00.000-07:00

New Millennium Writings
Awards & Contests (Deadline June 17th)

$4,000 in Prizes, plus publication in NMW and on the Web at www.NewMillenniumWritings.com

$1,000 for best Story; $1,000 for best Poem;

$1,000 best Nonfiction ( Nonfiction includes humor, memoir, creative nonfiction, travel, opinion, essay, interview, features, investigative reporting, etc.)

Plus, $1,000 for best Short Short Fiction (1,000-word limit)

NEXT MEETING MAY 19

2007-05-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

Can you imagine? It’s that time again? We must all be having a real good time. But I’d like to give you a friendly reminder of our meeting coming up on Saturday May 19. As writers who are helping writers, our goal is to help our members get across the finish line and land in the acceptance pile on an editor’s desk. One of the ways we do that is by crafting a knock-out query letter. No matter how hard we’ve worked on our manuscript or article, the query letter becomes our admission ticket into the publishing world.

Back by popular demand is Bo Savino. She will give a workshop on the do’s and don’ts of writing a great query letter. Bo Savino happens to be the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Koboca Publishing. As you can imagine countless query letters cross her desk. Come learn what it takes to write a winning query letter and avoid pitfalls of novices.

Any time you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with an editor it’s worth your while to do it. A contact is a contact. And when you can mention that in a letter, you’re that much further ahead in the game. It shows you’re serious about writing. So come on out and meet Bo and your fabulous fellow writers.

MEETING PLACE:

WHERE: Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood Location)
11802 North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33619
813-962-6446 (of store)
WHEN: Saturday May 19
10 AM – noon
WHAT: Do’s and don’ts of writing a great query letter
WHO: Bo Savino, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Koboca Publishing

RAFFLE: Five lucky winners will have the honor of having lunch exclusively with Bo Savino. You will have a great opportunity to ask questions and learn from a professional in the field.

LUNCH:

WHERE: Nicki’s. It is located two shopping strips south of Barnes & Noble. Outback is located in the same strip.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader
813-784-2929

SUMMER BOOK GROUPS FOR KIDS AT INKWOOD BOOKS

2007-05-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

Most of you know our wonderful children’s book specialist, Laura Spies, as your young readers look for her recommendations on each visit. We’re thrilled she’s offered to host two summer book groups, leading discussion of a new novel each week. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity for your child to explore new books, meet new friends, and keep reading all summer long.

The first group, for 4th and 5th graders, will meet from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. The first title will be Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson.

The second group, for middle schoolers, will meet from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st.

Readers can bring a brown-bag dinner, and Inkwood will provide drinks. Cost is $40, and includes a copy of each book. (If your child already has a book we are reading, you may select another book of equal value.) Parents can drop off their children, or browse the store during the meeting.

Each group is limited to 10, so sign up as soon as possible.

*********** While you're online, visit us at www.inkwoodbooks.com for shopping and store info 24/7...

Inkwood Books
216 South Armenia Avenue
Tampa FL 33609-3310
ph 813-253-2638
fax 813-253-2396

FORMER TAMPA GROUP LEADER RECEIVES AWARDS

2007-04-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

FWA member and former Tampa Group Leader Tracy A. Akers is pleased to announce that her novel, The Fire and the Light, Book One of the Souls of Aredyrah Series, has been named the Winner in the Young Adult Fiction category of the Eric Hoffer Awards. This awards program was established to honor independent books of exceptional merit. All of the honored books are covered in the annual anthology, Best New Writing.

In addition, The Fire and the Light was recently recognized as an Award Winning Finalist in two categories of the Indie Excellence Awards: Young Adult Fiction, and Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Previous awards for The Fire and the Light include being named a Finalist in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards (winners to be announced June 1,) and a Bronze Medal Winner for Young Adult Literature in the Florida Book Awards. As a result of the Florida Book Awards, The Fire and the Light will be a highlighted title in the Florida Humanities Council's summer edition if their quarterly publication, Forum.

For additional information about Tracy A. Akers and her series of books, please visit www.soulsofaredyrah.com.

TAMPA GROUP MEETING FOR APRIL

2007-04-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

I'm alerting you sooner than normal about our April 21st meeting because our guest speaker is Bo Savino, who is Editor-in-Chief of Koboca Publishing. She'll talk about why manuscripts are accepted/rejected and take questions thereafter for a total speaking time of forty-five minutes.

What's really cool is following her talk, Bo will READ MANUSCRIPTS ON THE SPOT. Do you want to be a published author? Do you want to find out the inside scoop about what works and what doesn't? Do you want to make a connection for the future, particularly if your manuscript is a work in progress? If you've answered yes to any or all of the above questions, I urge you to come to our meeting.

INSTRUCTIONS: READ CAREFULLY
To have your manuscript read, you must be a FWA member in good standing.
To have your manuscript read, you must have a number. Respond as quickly as possible because news has leaked out of Bo Savino's coming. Numbers are being scarfed up. If you want your manuscript read, please contact either Julia Thornbrough, The Tampa Group Leader at jthornbrough@tampabay.rr.com or Kaye Coppersmith, our resident editor of FWA at sunnyskyes@earthlink.net.
Bring only the first five pages of your manuscript. If Bo wants more, she'll ask you to send it along with a query letter and synopsis.

On the cover page of your manuscript, type your genre. Drop down a few lines and type, couble-spaced in a 12 point Courier or Times New Roman font, a three to five sentence blurb (think 30 second pitch) covering what your books' about.

Bo Savino will allot five (5) minutes per manuscript. We'll have a stop watch and someone will call time.

MEETING LOCATION:

WHERE:
Barnes & Noble (Carrollwood location)
11802 North Dale Mabry HWY
Tampa, FL 33618
813-962-4799 (of store)

WHEN:
Saturday April 21
10 AM - noon

WHO:
Bo Savino
Editor-in-Chief of Koboca Publishing

WHAT:

What works and what doesn't in manuscript submission
Will review manuscripts on the spot

LUNCH AFTERWARDS

WHERE:

Nicki's Omelette and Grill
11610 North Dale Mabry HWY
Tampa, FL 33618
813-908-3447
(Is located in same business strip as Carrollwood's Outback restaurant.)

Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader
Hillsborough County

LIGHTHOUSE BOOK AWARDS CONTEST CLOSED

2007-03-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

FYI, I sent this out to our NE Florida Region this morning.

Those of you who waited until the last minute to enter the Lighthouse Book Awards are out of luck. Contest coordinator Terri Ridgell informed me yesterday we were close to our maximum limit of 80 entries, and would surely surpass it today. Any entries arriving after that will be returned unopened.

This is an amazing, and unexpected, turnout for a first-time contest, and I want to thank everyone for their support and wish you the best of luck. We will now distribute the entries among the preliminary judges. Remember, the top three finalists in each category will be forwarded to the acquiring editors in those categories for final ranking. Our finalists will be announced at the May 19 conference.

If you haven’t registered for the conference, you might want to do so soon, as we are limited to around 75 people by the size of the meeting rooms. For more information, go to http://www.windrusher.com/Conference.html.

Victor DiGenti
FWA Regional Director

FWA ST. PETE APRIL MEETING

2007-03-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

FWA presents “Blogging for Beginners” with Lary Crews

Blogs are the new "magazines," but you are in charge of what gets published. Discover an interesting way to promote your work and reach out to an unlimited audience.

Since November 2005, Lary Crews has been employed as an analyst/writer by the Institute for Corporate Productivity [i4cp], formerly known as the Human Resource Institute, in St. Petersburg . His primary subject areas include: Flexible Work Arrangements, Work Ethics, Productivity, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Retirement Benefits, and Health Promotion and Wellness. Supported by a team of researchers, proofreaders and editors, he and his fellow analysts summarize published business information for large companies, worldwide. Lary and the other analysts are mostly telecommuters, working from their home offices.

He has two blogs at present: A Rational Baby Boomer (www.larycrews.org) and Hand-Drummer (under construction), which addresses his only hobby: playing conga and bongo drums semi-professionally.

From 1983 to 2005, Lary pursued a full-time freelance writing career from Sarasota FL, writing more than 1,000 magazine articles, monthly newspaper and magazine columns and four published books. He wrote a regular humor column for Tampa Bay Magazine, articles for a dozen other magazines and newspapers and was also a Staff Writer for Sarasotan Quarterly and the Florida Business Journal.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 12 at the St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. North, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Arrive by 6:30 to meet other writers and to network.

For more info, contact, Richard Budin, Florida Writers Association St. Petersburg Group Leader, DickBudin@juno.com. Phone: (727) 461-3897

PENUMBRA POETRY & HAIKU CONTEST

2007-03-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

PENUMBRA POETRY & HAIKU 20th ANNIVERSARY CONTEST sponsored by the Tallahassee Writers' Association. Deadline JUNE 30 2007. Up to $200 in cash prizes and publication in annual contest anthology. Mail entry with fees of $5 per poem and/or $3 per haiku to: TWA Penumbra, PO Box 15995, Tallahassee, FL, 32317-5995. Contest email and complete entry guidelines at sponsor web site www.tallahasseewriters.net

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

2007-03-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Entries are now being accepted for the 27th annual Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, created to recognize and encourage the efforts of writers who have not yet achieved major-market success. Writers will compete for a $1,000 firstprize, $500 second prize, and $500 third prize in this internationally acclaimed competition. Several honorable mentions are also awarded each year. Stories in all genres of fiction are welcome. Maximum length is 3,000 words, and writers retain all rights to their work. The final deadline is May 15, 2007;winners will be announced at the end of July. For complete guidelines, please visit www.shortstorycompetition.com, e-mail Calico2419@aol.com, or send an SASE to the Lorian Hemingway Short StoryCompetition, P.O. Box 993, Key West, FL 33041.

SUCCESS FOR FORMER TAMPA GROUP LEADER

2007-03-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

Former 2005 Tampa Group Leader and group leader for the Young Writers of East Pasco, Tracy Akers has an amazing success story to relate. If anyone out there has good news about themselves please sent it to Regional Director Eugene Orlando at tpg@EugeneOrlando.com. I'll post it here and we can all celebrate.

"The Fire and the Light, Book One of the Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series by FWA member Tracy A. Akers, has won the Bronze Medal for Young Adult Literature in the 1st Annual Florida Book Awards. The awards program was established in 2006 to honor the best of Florida literature, and is coordinated by The Florida State University Program in American and Florida Studies, and co-sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book, State Library and Archives of Florida, Florida Historical Society, Florida Humanities Council, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Florida Library Association, "Just Read, Florida!," Governor's Family Literacy Initiative, Florida Association for Media in Education, Florida Center for the Literary Arts, And Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

In addition to being named a winner in the Florida Book Awards, The Fire and the Light has been named a Finalist in the Young Adult Fiction Category of ForeWord Magazine's 2006 Book of the Year Awards. Foreword Magazine is one of the largest trade journals showcasing independently published works. Their awards program is designed to discover and promote books based on editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, and the value the book adds to its genre. Winners will be announced June 1 at Book Expo America in New York City.

Ms. Akers is a former teacher of students with language learning disabilities, but now writes and publishes full time. She is an active member of Florida Writers Association, was the 2005 Tampa Group Leader, and established and currently leads Young Writers of East Pasco, a group for writers grades 6-12. Other memberships include Florida Publishers Association, The Independent Book Publishers Association, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is a scheduled presenter at this year's FWA Conference.

The Fire and the Light, Book One of the Souls of Aredyrah Series, begins the saga of two boys from very different cultures who learn they are bound not only by blood, but by a prophecy that will define their lives and change their world forever. Five books are planned for the series which explores what can happen to individuals and societies when mythologies evolve into opposing religions. Also a finalist in the USABookNews Best Books 2006 Awards, The Fire and the Light is receiving excellent reviews and recognition for its message of tolerance and the consequences of prejudice. For more information about the author and her series, visit www.soulsofaredyrah.com."

Eugene Orlando
FWA Regional Director/Hillsborough County

FWA NEWSLETTER ONLINE

2007-03-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

You can reach all the news of the Florida Writers Association by going to their blog. Just go to http://www.floridawritersnewsletter.blogspot.com

NE Florida FWA Sponsors Unpublished Novel Contest

2007-03-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

Lighthouse Book Awards

Unpublished Novel Competition

Beginning writers can strive for years to catch the attention of an editor or publisher. Because of that, this competition, sponsored by the northeast region of the Florida Writers Association, will place the top three entries in each category in the hands of legitimate acquisition editors working for major publishing houses. This could be the Big Break you’ve been looking for.

Contest Rules: Open to all writers whose entry has not been contracted/published with any publisher.

Fees: $35 per entry
Multiple entries are allowed
Fee will not be refunded in the event of disqualification or withdrawal
DO NOT SEND CASH

Make checks payable to: Florida Writers Association

Categories:

Mysteries/Suspense/Thrillers
Fiction-General
Young Adult

It is the author's responsibility to enter the work in the correct category.

Submissions:
Submit three (3) copies of the first thirty pages of the manuscript and three copies of a one-page synopsis
Finalists will be announced at the FWA conference at the Ponte Vedra Library on Saturday, May 19, 2007.
Please note that the contest is limited to the first 80 entries only.

Send submissions to:
Lighthouse Awards Competition
P.O. Box 17024
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035

Judging:
First round judges will follow a standard evaluation form and are encouraged to write their comments on the forms and on the manuscripts.

Two of the submitted manuscripts will be evaluated by different judges, the third sent on to the final judge if you are one of the three finalists per category. The top three (3) scored entries in each category will advance to the final round.

Manuscript Guidelines:
1-inch margins
Double-spaced
White paper only
12 point font (Courier or Times New Roman)
One line header on each page: Title & Category on left side, page number on the right side
Contestant’s name MUST NOT appear on any of the pages, including title page, of the manuscript.
Bind manuscript with a binder clip or large paper clip. Do not staple or bind in any other way.

Deadline:
Entries must be postmarked by close of business, Friday, March 30, 2007
Entries received after this date will be ruled ineligible by the competition judges and returned to sender.

Contest is limited to the first 80 entries only!

Entries arriving with Postage Due will be discarded.
Finalists will be announced at the Conference on Saturday, May 19.
Send entries by U.S. Mail, but no entries requiring a signature as proof of delivery will be accepted.

Awards:
Since this is, above all, an opportunity to place your work before a legitimate editor, the real prize for all entries will be the written evaluations of the preliminary judges, and the opportunity to have your work read by an acquiring editor.
All finalists will receive a Certificate of Achievement
Each winner will receive free entry to next year’s NE Florida conference

Check List:
Signed & dated entry form
Payment (one check may be submitted for multiple entries; please indicate this on entry form)Include a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope with adequate postage (STAMPS only) for return of score sheet and entry. No metered, FedEx, or UPS returns accepted. No score sheet/entry will be returned without SASE.Mark the SASE with the title and category of the entry. Please don’t send cash or money orders for postage.Optional - SAS postcard if you wish to be notified of receipt of your entry.

Multiple entries may be submitted in one envelope, but a separate entry form is required for each different entry.

TWO FWA ONE-DAY CONFERENCES

2007-03-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE

MARCH 10, 2007
10:00-5:00
PELICAN BEACH CLUBHOUSE
1495 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL
Cost to Members of Florida Writers Association or Space Coast Writers' Guild: $ 39.00Cost to Non-members : $59.00Presented by: Mary Brotherton and Daniel Griffith
Members of Florida Writers Association & Space Coast Writers Guild

Conference Schedule

Nobody’s Mouse
March 10th Writers Conference
10:00 to 10:15 a.m. Welcome * Mary Brotherton
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Workshop 1 * Frank Cavelli * "From Genesis to Armageddon: A Book: the Idea, the Production, the Marketplace”
11:15 to 11:30 a.m. * Break
11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Workshop 2 * Lee Boyland * “What New Authors Need to Know"
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. * Lunch
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Workshop 3 * Valerie Allen * “Methods of Mega Marketing”
2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Workshop 4 * Grace Granozio * The Gift of Encouraging Words: the Silver Box"
3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Workshop 5 * Pat McDonough * "Editing Your Writing Like a Pro"
4:30 to 5:00 p.m. * BreakdownTo Register, please print and fill out the following form. Mail the filled out form with your check or money order to the address shown, to reserve your space at this exciting new Conference. We look forward to seeing you on March 10th.

(Copy and paste to your word processor)
Name:___________________________________
Address:_________________________________
City, State, ZIP:____________________________
Phone: ______________
Email:___________________________________
Website:_________________________________
Are you published? _______________________
If yes, is it printed, audio, or ebook? _________
If yes, what is the title?______________________________________________________________
If Yes, who is your publisher?________________________________________________________
Have you published articles or columns?______
Where have your written works beenpublished?_________________________________
Member of Florida Writers Association? _____
Member of Space Coast Writers Guild? ______
www.floridawriters.net — www.scwg.org
To join, add dues, FWA $45, SCWG $35 $_____
Member FWA or SCWG Conference Price $39.00 Non-Member Conference Price $59.00 $_____
Conference Checks payable to "FWA"Check Amount $________
Mail to: Writers Conference1345 East Scots AvenueMerritt Island, FL 32952Dan.Griffith@FloridaWriters.net

NE Florida Region Hosts One-Day Conference

It’s time to tune up your writing skills and fuel your passion for the written word with an intensive one-day conference presented by the NE Florida chapters of Florida Writers Association. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry will keynote the conference, titled Shift Your Writing into High Gear, on Saturday, May 19 at the Ponte Vedra Library from 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

The conference is for rookies and pros alike, and will bring together a team of veteran authors and presenters to help educate and motivate writers. The presenters will cover a variety of subjects from screenwriting to plot development, from writing short stories to tips on revision.

Early-bird registration through April 30 is only $40 for FWA members and $60 for non-members. After April 30, the conference fee increases to $50 for FWA members and $75 for non-members. Ten minute one-on-one appointments are also available with any of the presenters except Steve Berry for $20 per session. The fee includes a box lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments, and an invitation to the May 18 Book Fair. The Book Fair will feature author panels, a question and answer session with agent Susan Graham, and book signings.

Advance conference registration is requested, and the registration form may be downloaded from the FWA website, www.floridawriters.net.

The conference includes the following workshops:

Screenwriter Sharon Cobb on Writing the Hollywood Thriller; Sandra McDonald on The Perils of Plot; Dr. Darien Andreu on The Long & Short of Short Story Writing: Suddenly Short is More; Queries, Outlines, Proposals, Oh, My! with Carol D. O’Dell; Steve Berry on Back Roads & Fast Starts, a look into how Berry conducts his research for his international thrillers and how to write opening chapters that keeps the reader turning the page; Jumpstarting the Revision Process with editor Camille Cline; in Tension Headaches, thriller authors Lynn Sholes and Joe Moore provide tips on how to build more tension into your books; and finally, agent Susan Graham will discuss The Top Ten Reasons Why Agents Say No and How to Avoid Them.

Go to www.fwapontevedra.blogspot.com for the complete program schedule and presenter information.

The Northeast Florida region of the Florida Writers Association is also sponsoring the Lighthouse Book Awards, a competition for unpublished novels. The competition is limited to three categories of fiction: Mysteries/Suspense/Thrillers, Fiction-General, and Young Adult. Finalists in each category will be judged by acquiring editors from major publishing houses, and announced at the lunch break of the May 19 conference. There is a link to the contest rules and contest entry form at www.fwapontevedra.blogspot.com, or contact Terri Ridgell, Competition Coordinator, at terri@taridgell.com, or NE Florida Regional Director, Vic DiGenti, at windrusher@comcast.net

COOL WRITING TOOL

2007-02-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

Check out http://www.artnatomia.net/ for a really cool writing tool. Select either "English" or "Spanish" and then "Application". "Level I" shows you all the different facial muscles. "Level II" (the really helpful part) shows visually the expressions of emotional reactions and which muscles are affected. Instead of writing, "...he said in anger." You can click on "anger" and describe the face muscle changes making your writing more active. You can download the website and use it off line, too. Just make sure the computer you use has automatic Internet access.

Eugene Orlando
FWA Regional Director/Hillsborough County

NEWS FROM THE STATE

2007-02-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

FWA ON-LINE WORKSHOPS MOVED BACK TWO MONTHS Register in February. Visit http://www.floridawriters.net/OnlineWorkshop.html#January_2007 for workshop and registration details; but note the January listings have been moved to March 1, and the other workshops will each be two months later. Spend two to four weeks learning the art, craft and business of writing from award-winning published authors and industry professionals in the comfort of your own home, at your convenience! Get personalized attention to your writing goals and meet other writers with interests similar to yours. Fees range from $12 to $30.

MELBOURNE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE MARCH 10, 2007
The Florida Writers Association's Melbourne Writers Group will host a one day conference on March 10, 2007. The conference runs from 10 am to 5 pm at the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, Route A1A, Satellite Beach. To register, send an email to Dan.Griffith@FloridaWriters.net and mention the FWA Melbourne One Day Conference at Satellite Beach. Dan will send you conference and registration details. All presentations and lunch are included for the $59 fee with a $20 discount for FWA members.This is an excellent networking opportunity! As writers it isn't always easy to find peers. This one day conference provides an opportunity to mingle and learn from your peers. Attendees will gain valuable information to advance your writing career.

Workshops:
Frank Cavelli: From Genesis to Armageddon: A Book: the Idea, the Production, the Marketplace.
Lee Boyland: What New Authors Need to Know.
Dr. Valerie Allen: Methods of Mega Marketing.
Grace Graziano will inspire and motivate writers with her encouraging words.
Pat McDonough will present Edit Your Writing Like a Pro.

Questions? E-mail Mary Brotherton at writermary@gmail.com or Dan Griffith at
Dan.Griffith@FloridaWriters.net for more information.

NEW PORT RICHEY ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, APRIL 1, 2007 for central eastern Florida.
DO IT! WRITE! Conference - Sunday, April 1, 2007, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.New Port Richey Public Library, 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL
Visit http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb/id18.html for activities schedule.
Advance online registration at: www.floridawriters.net
$39.00 for FWA members, $59.00 for non-members. Early bird deadline 3/9/07.
Add $10.00 after 3/9/07. Admission includes Goody bags, box lunch, mid-morning and afternoon snacks. Individual interviews with agent, editor or publisher $20.00 for 10-minute interview. Advance registration necessary. for interviews

For additional information contact Dahris H. Clair: pascofwa@verizon.net, in New Port Richey, or Susan C. Haley in Sarasota: shaley1112@cs.com.

WATCH FOR MORE 2007 FWA ONE-DAY CONFERENCES IN JACKSONVILLE, AND MIAMI. And watch for news of the FWA Conference November 9-11, 2007, at Disney's Coronado Springs Center.

WRITER'S DIGEST CONTESTS

2007-02-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCING THE 76TH ANNUAL WRITER'S DIGEST WRITING COMPETITION!

Now in its 76th year, the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition continues the time-honored tradition of rewarding great talent with huge prizes. In fact, we’re giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes this year!

Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and an all-expense paid trip to New York City to share your work with four editors or agents.

1,001 winners will be chosen in all!

For a complete list of prizes and guidelines, and to enter online, visit our Web site.

Deadline: May 15, 2007

ANNOUNCING THE 15TH ANNUAL WRITER’S DIGEST SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS
For the past 15 years, Writer’s Digest has honored self-published authors with the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. And this year is no exception! Whether you’re a professional writer, part-time freelancer, or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the only competition exclusively for self-published books. Your entry must be postmarked by May 1, 2007 in order for your book to be eligible, so enter today!

THE CATEGORIES:
Mainstream/Literary Fiction
Genre Fiction
Nonfiction
Inspirational (Spiritual, New Age)
Life Stories (Biographies, Autobiographies, Family Histories, Memoirs)
Children’s Picture Books
Middle-Grade/Young Adult Books
Reference Books (Directories, Encyclopedias, Guide Books, How-to, Travel, etc.)
Poetry

THE PRIZES:

ONE GRAND-PRIZE WINNER will be awarded $3,000 cash and promotion in Writer’s Digest and Publishers Weekly, and marketing advice from self-publishing guru Dan Poynter. Plus, the editors of Writer’s Digest will endorse and submit 10 copies of the Grand Prize-winning book to major review houses and an excerpt will be published in Writer’s Digest.
In addition, awards Co-sponsor Book Marketing Works, LLC will provide a one-year membership in Publishers Marketing Association, a customized Book Market Map Directory, guaranteed distribution to bookstores and libraries through Baker & Taylor, six hours of book shepherding from Poynter Book Shepherd Ellen Reid, an all-day PublishingGame.com workshop with Fern Reiss, and a guaranteed review in Midwest Book Review. Visit our Web site http://www.writersdigest.com/ for a full list of prizes and guidelines, and an entry form.

The Seven Hills Conference

2007-02-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

The Tallahassee Writers' Association
Presents

The Seven Hills Conference
At The Holiday Inn--Tallahassee, Florida
Friday March 16, & Saturday March 17, 2007

More information

View the Registration Form

Florida Writers Helping Florida Writers

2007-02-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hillsborough Florida writers will hold their monthly meeting on February 17 at the Carrollwood Barnes & Noble at 11802 N. Dale Mabry under the banner "We're Florida writers helping Florida writers." There phone number is 813-962-6446. It's our membership drive, and we will have "good eat" available. Our meeting will start at ten and end at noon. Our featured author is Neal Schupbach, a self-published author who wrote Flying the Canyons of the Sky. Coming from a place of experience he will share with us the do's and don'ts of publishing. With self-publishing being accepted as a publishing vehicle, it's always better to be armed with information.

Flying the Canyons of the Sky compiles what Neal saw as he flew to the corners of the globe, while in the Navy and after. He will have on hand an 85 pound remnant of the Berlin Wall. He'll also be sharing what he witnessed when the Berlin Wall crumbled and saw lives shattered from the reign of communism. Here's a great opportunity to use a local resident as a resource for your imaginative endeavors, be it in mystery or romance. Let your imagination juices rip.

Also on hand will be Billy Ashby of A & A Printing. He is the local source Neal Schupbach used to print his book. Billy Ashby will have samples on hand.

Come one. Come all. Remember we're Florida writers helping Florida writers. Please invite anyone you know who wants to learn the craft and connect with other writers. All are welcome.

Following the meeting we gather at Perkins for lunch and more networking.
Julia Thornbrough
Group Leader

A FEW GOOD BOOKS

2007-02-08T11:05:00.000-08:00

Writer’s Digest is looking for the best self-published books. They have $3,000 to give away in prizes. Deadline May 1, 2007. For more information go to:

http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/self_published.asp

Sleuthfest 2007

2007-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Sleuthfest is specifically for mystery and thriller writers and readers. This year’s conference is in Miami Beach, April 19-22. Special guests are author Linda Fairstein and Law & Order producer/writer, Rene Balcer. Go to this website for more details: http://www.mwa-florida.org/sleuthfest.htm

First Annual Conference for Pasco County FWA

2007-01-31T08:29:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 4/1/07

The entire presentation schedule is on the blogsite:
http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb

Please refer to the index in the sidebar. We hope to have the online registration up soon; until that time, snail mail is our option. This will be an excellent networking opportunity and a valuable learning experience. Seating will necessarily be limited, so register early.

Authors who would like to have their books in the bookstore should contact Susan for submission guidelines: shaley1112@cs.com.

Advance Registration Required
Early-bird registration fee deadline : Feb 28, 2007
FWA member $39.00
Non-member $59.00
Private Interview with agent, editor, publisher or presenter:
$20.00 each
After Feb 28:
FWA member $49.00
Non-member $69.00

Box lunch and beverages provided.

Morning/Afternoon break

Online registration form will soon be at:
www.floridawriters.net

Downloadable mail-in form at:
http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb/id17.html

Schedule Offerings:
Registration 8:30 – 9:00 am

Rita Milios, MSW, LCSW–Instant Inspiration: How to Have Creativity on Tap.

Craig R. Smith -Effective Public Speaking and Reading: How NOT to Put Your Audience to Sleep!
Linn Random - Suspense 101

Julie Ann Howell, founder/publisher/editor of The Pepper Tree Press

Keynote speaker - Rita Milios

Don M. Fox – Writing Historical Non-Fiction

Robert Gelinas - ArcheBooks Publishing

Barbara Casey, The Barbara Casey Literary Agency

Linda Bilodeau, Conducting Historical Research for Fiction

Linn Random, Beyond the Bookstore: Marketing, PR

INKWOOD EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH

2007-01-31T08:22:00.000-08:00

Suspense, humor, politics, art, sports, and love! Check out the diverse events at Inkwood in the next few weeks and join us for whatever tickles your fancy:

On Thursday, February 8 at 7, Edgar nominee BOB MORRIS returns with BERMUDA SCHWARTZ, his third tropical tale of ex-NFL linebacker Zack Chasteen, now on the trail of hidden treasure. In Morris's offbeat island-themed adventure, Zack embarks for Bermuda to deliver palms but is quickly sidetracked by the discovery of a wetsuit-clad corpse. Morris combines wry humor and engaging Bermuda history in what Booklist calls "a ripping good yarn". http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780312328931

BOOK GROUP NIGHT - Join us for one of our most popular events, as Carla and Leslie present some of their favorite books for your book group selections. For book group members or wanna-bes, or for those simply looking for some new reading ideas, this is an evening of lively discussion of books we love (and don't...). We are delighted to be offering samples of wine from our friends at Vintage Wine Cellars (www.vintagewinecellars.com) and treats from local personal chef, Anita Jimenez (http://www.uspca.net/fl/bayareachef/). There will be special door prizes, and everyone goes home with free books and new friends. Thursday, February 15, at 7.

Former Democratic National Committee Chair TERRY McAULIFFE will discuss and sign his political commentary and memoir, WHAT A PARTY! MY LIFE AMONG DEMOCRATS: PRESIDENTS, CANDIDATES, DONORS, ACTIVISTS, ALLIGATORS & OTHER WILD ANIMALS, On Friday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss this chance to chat with a man who had a front row seat - make that behind the scenes view! - for some fascinating recent history...Call now to reserve your books and stay in touch for more details, including location, as the date approaches. http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780312357870

Meet the immensely talented illustrator FLICK FORD as he discusses and signs the gorgeous FISH: 77 GREAT FISH OF NORTH AMERICA on Saturday, February 17 at 3 p.m. The handsome book has Ford's unique watercolor portraits, plus history, habitat, bait, and even recipes from Dean Travis Clarke. Pick up your autographed book for every gift occasion, and enter our drawing for a framed fine art print of Ford's beautiful Black Grouper. http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780867130959

On Monday, February 19 at 6 p.m., award-winning poet MARISA de los SANTOS will read and sign her debut novel, LOVE WALKED IN. Bursting with keen insight and beautifully rendered prose, Love Walked In invokes classic movies to illuminate the mystery and wonder of love in all its permutations. Now in paperback, and a perfect choice for reading groups... http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780867130959

Popular USF basketball alum TONY GRIER will debut his new book, A RAGING BULL: CHASING THE BIG TIME. Grier follows the basketball program from the very first team in 1970, the debut of the Sun Dome in 1980, and the journey to the Big East Conference, with the challenges and successes of all the players and coaches. Known for his insight and articulate commentary as a player, Grier has written a book that promises to please any fan of local sports, Tampa history, or behind the scenes memoir. Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m., S.V. DATE, Tallahassee bureau chief of the Palm Beach Post, returns with JEB! AMERICA'S NEXT BUSH, a revealing look back over our outgoing Governor's term and, perhaps more importantly, what we can expect in the future. A journalistic thorn in Jeb's side for two terms, Date produced award-winning stories that revealed the real winners and losers of the governor's policies, and his insights and perspective give credence to his predictions of Bush's aspirations. http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780867130959

SAVE THE DATE: RANDY WAYNE WHITE returns on Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m. with the next Doc Ford adventure, HUNTER'S MOON. Details to be announced as the date nears... http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9780399153709

*********** While you're online, visit us at www.inkwoodbooks.com for shopping and store info 24/7...Inkwood Books216 South Armenia Avenue Tampa FL 33609-3310ph 813-253-2638/fax 813-253-2396

Brandon Writers Group Forming Again

2007-01-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

Those FWA Hillsborough members in the Brandon area, take notice. We have eight people interested in re-starting the Brandon Writers Group as a workshop, craft-oriented group. Once, or twice a month (whatever the group decides to do in its initial meeting) the craft of writing will be studied. Speakers will be few and far between.

Of course we invite any Hillsborough member to attend.

So, if you are interested in helping to form this group, call Eugene Orlando at 813-657-2636

St. Pete FWA Feb '07 Meeting Announcement

2007-01-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

January 17, 2007
Contact: Nancy Frederich
(727) 403-1551
murmaid@tampabay.rr.com

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The Genres – talking to a panel of Semi-Diva's

Curious? If you've ever asked these questions, then you'll want to come to this exchange where we'll compare the different genres of stage plays, screen plays, and books so you'll know what the advantages and limitations are in writing for each and whether your work can be converted from one to the other.
Book and play writers, if they are successful, are often contacted by the movie industry for options. Because of the differences in the genres, they assign their rights to a film company only to find the result doesn't come close to what they originally wrote. Why?
Screen and play writers write for audiences that have some similarities but have some major differences. What are the differences? Why can't we just take one and convert it to the other? After all, don't the scripts look similar? Is it easy or is there a marked difference in what the scripts say? … the way the authors think?
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Is there a difference in personality traits between book writers, screenwriters, and playwrights that attracts a writer to one craft vs. another? Are you in the wrong craft?
What are the requirements of a good work? How do you break into each business? How much does it cost? What are the rewards? Who owns what?
Who's the boss? What's the path to success? What and who do you need for support?
Can you support yourself or are you a hobbyist? Is your work commercially viable or merely a curiosity? How do you know when you’re finished?
Who are you ultimately writing for? Who is your final customer? What do they want? What are their demographics? Why should they pay attention to your work? Is what means something to you meaningful to them?
These are a few of the interesting topics covered by the panelists: Screenwriter, Richard Natale; Scriptwriter, Dick Budin; Novelist, Jack Romig and moderator Grady Garrett, Program Director of the local chapter of FWA.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 8 at the St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. North from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Arrive by 6:30 to meet other writers and to network.
For more info, contact, Richard Budin, FWA St. Petersburg Group Leader, DickBudin@juno.com. Phone: (727) 461-3897

Eugene Orlando
Regional Director