Hello, fellow FWA members and guests.
The meeting schedules are included below. I would appreciate some input from the critique members on subjects they would like to cover in upcoming workshops.
I also include other local writing groups and opportunities. Contests, Conferences, Classes and more.
Florida Writer’s Association Manatee
Critique group, bring six to eight copies of up to ten pages Double-spaced
First & third Thursdays, at 6:30 pm, February 7th, 2013 and February 21st, 2013
The third Thursday we generally do something a little more advanced, but beginners will benefit from it as well. We study a style concept each month and then bring work relevant to the concept to that meeting for discussion, followed by a general critique meeting. All other meetings are critiques.
First & Third Saturdays, at 4 pm, February 2nd, 2013, and February 16th, 2013
For new attendees, you may bring up to ten pages, double-spaced 12 font of your work, fiction or nonfiction. Please have a minimum of 6 copies for Saturday meetings and 8 copies for Thursday meetings.
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I am going to attempt to keep you all apprised of the other local writing groups, events, conferences, workshops, and contests. If you are aware of any new groups, please let me know and I will include them. Now onto the writing news from around the region……
Other Local Writing Groups:
Local area critique groups and meetings
Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
An online writing blog for Sarasota and Manatee Writers includes all the vast resources available to local writers. The web address is:
http://bradentonwriters.blogspot.com/
I hope you check it out and find it useful. If you know of any other resources please feel free to add them or forward the information to me and I will add them.
There is a similar blog for Pinellas and Hillsborough writing events at:
http://www.marylouihess.com/enews.html
Ask The Author
Dona Lee co-hosts “Ask the Author,” a radio show airing the THIRD Friday of every month on WWPR 1490 am between 5 and 6 p.m. Please join our discussion on WWPR. Listen in, call in, and Ask The Author. If you know any local book clubs or discussion groups, please let them know about this new exciting program.
Florida Writers Assoc., Sarasota Branch
FWA-Sarasota Chapter
Coordinator: George Mindling
FWA Sarasota meets two evenings each month: on the FIRST and THIRD Wednesday. The training room of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department is located at the corner of US41 and Pavonia Road. Pavonia Road is the street that has the flashing emergency lights on US 41 south of Matthews-Currie Ford. Pavonia is about a quarter mile south of Albee Road.
The FIRST meeting of the month, February 6th, 2013 is dedicated to subgroups of various genres. The members of each subgroup bring stories, poems, articles, or novel chapters for reading and critiquing. The SECOND meeting of the month, February 20th, is the general meeting. A few members read to the entire group and then receive comments and suggestions from the group. The rest of the general meeting is dedicated to questions, discussions, progress reports, and general information about writing, publishing and marketing.
A half hour of socializing is encouraged for attendees arriving at 6:00. The regular meetings begin promptly at 6:30 and last until about 9:00. Come join us on the FIRST and/or THIRD Wednesday of every month.
The leader is George Mindling. He can be contacted at: myakka@embarqmail.com .
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FICTION WRITER’S FORUM
Critique group
6:30pm Second Thursday of the month, February 14th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
6:30pm Fourth Thursday of the month, February 28th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
Bring ten to fifteen copies of up to ten pages of your fiction.
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Sarasota Fiction Writers
February 6th, 2013
General Meeting
Selby Library Auditorium at 6 pm
Guest Speaker: Rusty Coates: E-PUBLISHING—THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY
Sarasota Fiction Writers Critique Meeting
6:30:00 pm, Wednesday, February 20th, 2013
Books-a-Million, Gulf Gate Mall
Bring 5 pages of work to read,
At least ten copies, double-spaced, 12 font.
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Screen Writer’s Circle
Meeting place and time for the Screen Writer’s Circle is Wednesday, February 13th, from 5:30-7:30 pm. at the Selby Library upstairs conference room.
Frances Presley, one of our members, has been working with a number of Hollywood script doctors and mentors to raise her script, “Daddy King and Me,” to a professional level.
She’s waiting for final feedback from one of them on Tuesday, February 5th.. If all goes well, she plans to have a re-written script finished by February 9th. As soon as I receive it from her, I will forward it to you. She’d like our opinions on the script and will share her journey in adapting Murray Silver’s memoir of his 17 year relationship with “Daddy” King into this script.
The moderator is Laurie Stoner. For more information and to join the notification list or to join, contact Laurie Stoner at Laurissas@msn.com Hope to see you there!
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Sarasota Authors Connection
Sarasota Authors Connection meets Monday, February 11th, 6:15 PM at Fruitville Library. The guest speaker is Wayne Barcomb, an author from St. Martin’s Press.
The Authors Connection Radio Show
The Authors Connection Radio Show is a one-hour, web radio show and can be heard every Tuesday from 11 AM to 12 PM and repeats on Thursdays from 9 to 10 AM on Radioearnetwork.com. The show consists of interviews with local authors as well as bestselling authors such as Michael Connolly, Tom Corcoran, David Hagberg, Tim Dorsey and others. If you have a book and would like to be interviewed, please contact Susan Klaus, the show director at furryklaus@aol.com
We are pleased to announce that Radio Ear Network now has a listening audience of 10 million in 148 countries worldwide.
Thursday’s– 9 to 10 AM
Due to the closing of Circle Books, the Authors Connection is now being taped at the Coffee Loft, 5025 N. Taimiami Trail, a few blocks south of the Ringling Museum on US 41 Circle on the second Wed. of the month.
Authors Connection Radio Show
February Guests:
Feb. 5 –Terry Griffin
Feb. 12 — rerun
Feb. 19 — The authors of Sluethfest, Sarasota
Feb. 26 — The authors of Sluethfest, Sarasota
For those writers to our south….
New Writing Group
Peace River Writers
Group Leader: Douglas Houck
Type: Critique and Discussion
Meets: First Saturday of every Month at 9:00 am
Location: Morales Cuban Cafe
321 Taylor Street
Punta Gorda, Florida 33950
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Contests
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Voice Magazine for Women
Calling all WRITERS! Voice Magazine for Women is holding a short story contest to gather stories for WHIMSICAL PETALS, a collection that will be released from Mountain Girl Press. You can check out the rules on Page 22 of the January issue found at www.voicemagazineforwomen.com. (Also, I have cut and pasted the rules below for your convenience. Hope you will all consider entering and please forward this email to all of your writer groups and friends!)
ANNOUNCING OUR 2013 SHORT STORY CONTEST
FROM JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC.
Enter your short story in Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.’s writing contest and maybe your story will be published in the forthcoming Mountain Girl Press story collection, Whimsical Petals in the fall of 2013.
Whether you are an experienced writer or a novice, we are currently soliciting short stories for entry into our new writing contest. Beginning January 1, 2013 and running through June 30, 2013 we will be posting your submitted short stories online at http://www.voicemagazineforwomen.com/ for our readers to read and rank. When the contest ends we will pick the top 10 stories to publish in a new short story collection from Mountain Girl Press titled Whimsical Petals. The new collection will be an addition to our other short story collections titled The Zinnia Tales, Self-Rising Flowers and Christmas Blooms. You may view those collections on our website http://www.jancarolpublishing.com/.
Contest requirements:
1.) The story must be set in the Appalachian mountains and must feature strong Appalachian women, either from the past or contemporary times.
2.) The theme of the story should reflect the Appalachian woman’s humor and grace through adversity.
3.) The length of the story must be no less than 1500 words and no more than 2500.
4.) All stories should include the name, address and daytime telephone number of the author.
5.) All stories may be submitted online at submissions@jancarolpublishing.com and should be accompanied by a $10.00 administrative fee mailed to Voice Magazine for Women, P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN, 37605.
6.) Contest will close June 30, 2013. Winners will be notified by a representative of Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
7.) Stories not fitting the guidelines will not be published online.
Tammy Robinson Smith
Operations Consultant
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
Mountain Girl Press ~ Little Creek Books ~ Express Editions
P.O. Box 701
Johnson City, TN 37605
423.926.9983
Tintota (UK)
We’re really excited about this years’ short story competition here at Tintota. Submissions, always surprise and delight us, and invariably, we discover a new and talented author, in the process.
Details of the competition http://www.studiohousepro.co.uk/tintota/tintota-short-story-competition-2013/
Please stress to your writers, that entry is totally free.
Enter our New Year Competition to win publicity and promotion for your work. Win all the benefits and services on Tintota for life and 70,000 new fans.
Write about anything you like. It can be fiction or fact. It can be your own experiences (put to paper) or those of someone you know or like. The subject matter is all yours. We just want to read it.
The Prizes:
1st Prize: Free publishing account and optional use of all benefits and services with Tintota for life with the addition of 70,000 followers sent to you on Twitter (you will need a twitter account if you haven’t already got one).
2nd Prize: Guest writer option to publish with Tintota and showcase your work for 1 year FREE and each piece promoted to up to 100,000 of our Twitter followers each week.
3rd Prize: Your story showcased on Tintota for Life
Free to Enter: Deadline for all entries Midnight March 1st 2013
Summary Of Requirements:
Print in Arial font in reasonable sized type (12-14). Attention to spelling and structure to a reasonable standard when self editing is required as part of the selection process outcome. The Tintota Prize is judged anonymously by an online panel of authors. You can enter as many stories as you wish, but each must be sent seperately. All entries to be sent attached to an email containing full author details (including name, address, age, etc) to Editor @ Tintota . com – Receipt of entry will be by email. Stories will not be returned.-
Rules Of The Short Story Competition 2013
- No entry form is needed. Entry is by email attached in Word (.doc), Openoffice (. ods) Adobe (.pdf) or plain text (.txt). Files can be compressed (.zip)
- You may submit as many entries as you wish.
- The competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English.
- There is no restriction on theme or style.
- Maximum number of words is 5,000.
- The winning stories must be available to publish by Tintota without restriction and must not have been published previously.
- Tintota holds sole publishing rights for one year after publication, after which publishing rights revert to the author.
- Notification of receipt of entry will normally be by email.
- The judges’ verdict is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
- Stories cannot be altered or substituted once they have been entered.
- Judging is anonymous.
- Entry is taken as acceptance of these rules.
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Classes
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Conferences
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Mystery Writers of Florida present Sleuthfest 2013
February 16, 2013
Hurry, only a few openings left
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Marketing Options:
• For writers who have already published their books there are a few local marketing options you should consider.
• The first is Susan Klaus’ radio show, “The Author’s Connection”. “The Authors Connection” Radio Show is a one-hour, web radio show and can be heard every Tuesday from 11 AM to 12 PM and repeats on Thursdays from 9 to 10 AM on Radioearnetwork.com. The show consists of interviews with local authors as well as best-selling authors such as Michael Connolly, Tom Corcoran, David Hagberg, Tim Dorsey and others. If you have a book and would like to be interviewed, please contact Susan Klaus, the show director at furryklaus@aol.com
They are pleased to announce that Radio Ear Network now has a listening audience of 10 million in 142 countries worldwide.
Due to the closing of Circle Books, the Authors Connection is now being taped at the Coffee Loft, 5025 N. Tamiami Trail, a few blocks south of the Ringling Museum on US 41 Circle on the second Wed. of the month.
And then there is local author and publisher E. P. “Ned” Burke is hosting a Web site, Sarasota Authors Showcase, Sarasota.Authors.Showcase@gmail.com , on which local authors can post info about their books. The service is free. Send bio information along with the title of your book (s) and the book’s URL sales page address on Amazon.com or another location to authorepburke@gmail.com.
Burke also invites submissions and free subscriptions to his online magazines: www.theperspiringwriter.comand www.yesterdaysmagazette.com. See guidelines on site.
Of Writing Interest
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Running Out of Ink.
We are a new webzine that just launched its third issue on the 1st January at
www.runningoutofink.com. We accept short stories of all genres as variety is going to be a focus of our webzine – no story too short, no plot too off the wall as we counter balance it with other stories within the issue. The only rules are that the story is previously unpublished
and under 2500 words.
We don’t yet pay our writers unfortunately, but feel this is a fantastic opportunity for new writers to gain a voice and experienced writers to add to their CV. One thing that does pull us apart from other markets and may make your followers keen is that we are interested in having recurring writers throughout our issues, so if we really like you
we will request you back. This can really help in building a following for writers as readers from the site will go on to see Joe Bloggs’ latest story and knowing that they consistently enjoy them, they may look elsewhere to see what he’s done.
Submissions are emailed to: submit@runningoutofink.com.
We are located in Scotland but have a worldwide readership with an especially large US base. We seek a range of short stories, aiming to create an eclectic mix in each issue, but it is only fiction we accept for the time being. We want to build a magazine that unites all fiction lovers without prejudice, quality is the only issue and our Facebook fans are already responding
to this. Judging from Facebook, our readership is both male and female (though a higher emphasis on female readers), and ranges from mid-twenties to retirement age, though most our readers are in their forties or fifties.
It’s early days, but we currently receive just under 1000 views a month, mainly from the UK and US, but a decent sized base in Australia and Canada and regular views in Greece and France.
In the future we plan on expanding the site to have a separate section for our recurring writers with 3 stories or more on the site. These pages will have an extended biography advertising how else to read work from them as well as links to each of their stories, and a photo if the writer wishes. Other plans include future competitions and possible an E-book compilation somewhere down the line. The webzine is completely free to read, just go to the current or past issues and click on the cover to view the stories.
Amy Kinmond
Senior Editor
Running out of Ink
Leodegraunce (http://www.leodegraunce.com), founded in 2010, is a site for quality flash fiction funded entirely by its owner, author and editor Jolie du Pre. Every author is paid for their work. Jolie also has an associate editor on staff who she pays once a month. Jolie is hoping to keep Leodegraunce online for 2013. All donations are greatly appreciated to keep Jolie’s labor of love up and running for 2013!
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GATORS AND GLADES
A Gathering Places for Florida Writers
On January 1, 2012, a new resource and reference for Florida writers debuted entitled
Gators and Glades. This blog celebrates creative writer’s living, working or writing about the great state of Florida. The blog is in beta test now; readers are able to access and read the blog immediately. We encourage your recommendations and ideas while we are in beta.
Gators and Glades publishes new writing related articles every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Tweets are added daily.
We invite individual writers and group leaders to contact us with news, features, events and other information of value to the Florida writing community.
Writers — if you are about to release a title, have a magazine article or other publishing news, please share with a short posting (under 400 words) with the key information on who, what, when, where and how. We cannot guarantee every submission will be posted, but we will try.
Florida Publications — if you are seeking submissions for fiction, non-fiction, and/or poetry, let us know. If you have writing guidelines, we’ll link them or offer as PDFs.
Reader comments are always welcome.
Guest writers are encouraged to submit their own blog entries to broaden interest in creative writing, share insights, knowledge and references.
The site offers several resources, such as Community Chatter, Events, Florida Writer’s Group Directory, Links & Blogs and other resources.
A Twitter feed brings a wide spectrum of tweets and retweets on writing, publishing and other content of interest to writers.
Visit www.GatorsAndGlades.wordpress.com to visit the blog.
Follow @GatorsAndGlades on Twitter to connect to our tweets.
Find us on Facebook at Gators and Glades Writers Group .
Email us at GatorsAndGlades@gmail.com .
The Peppertree Press Bookstore is ready to open their doors.
Julie Ann Howell advised: “Just a few short years ago when the first seed was planted here at The Pepper Tree as a literary magazine which is dedicated to writers and illustrators in our fi ne community. Then another seed was planted a short while after, which took root when Peppertree Press became an independent book publishing company, offering to publish manuscripts for writers from all over the globe. Now we offer over 500 titles, published in all genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, educational, children, inspirational, religious, self-help and even coffee-table style books. Dreams are coming true for those aspiring writers each and every day. Now it is only fitting that Peppertree comes full circle and plants just one more seed.
We will be opening our very own bookstore, yes indeed, a bookstore offering that personal touch to our community and Peppertree Press authors who have published their books with us. The Peppertree Press Bookstore shelves will be filled with titles of books we have published here at Peppertree Press since fruition in 2006. In addition, we will feature many creations from local artisans, such as artwork, notecards, pottery, jewelry, and stained glass.
Our grand opening took place January 26th and we look forward to welcoming you into our cozy retreat set next door to our endearing office in downtown Sarasota at the corner of Cocoanut and Palm Avenue. We are very excited to be planning many book launches, events, lectures, book signings and fundraisers dedicated to our authors and their awesome work.
Writer’s Retreat
Kames Castle, Isle of Bute, Scotland
We are a small, Scottish estate on the Isle of Bute. We are family owned and this is where we live and work. Currently, our 20-acre estate offers several cottages to guests who wish to holiday here and sample the slow pace of island life.
Given the private nature of our grounds, we find that more and more of our guests choose Kames Castle as a retreat to convalesce, find peace of mind or to escape from the rigours of modern life. This is a very special place. There is no noise pollution, the air is pure and the scenery stunning. Our medieval keep stands central to the grounds and all our cottages are old and stone-built. For the epitome of peace, we have a 2-acre Georgian walled garden which offers a haven of tranquillity and beauty.
Those who wish to retreat to write or paint; to find their muse in the most congenial of surroundings, would be welcome to come to our home and live alongside us in a place where the old principles of community spirit still exist.
Currently, our guests choose Kames Castle because of the privacy they enjoy. With automated gates by the Gate Lodge entrance, we are surrounded on two sides by the original castle moat which has flowed for centuries. Kames Castle keep is over 650 years old and stands as it was originally built; a fine example of medieval architecture.
We write to you now, as we feel we would be the perfect venue for those who seek this sort of rare atmosphere in which to find inner peace and allow natural impetus to shine through.
We ourselves, and our family, live very quietly here by choice, and know that like-minded people would also enjoy our way of life too.
Please take a look at our website- www.kamescastlecottages.co.uk and at the attached image.
We would very much like to be contacted by you. Please bear in mind that we would offer a bespoke arrangement, less structured than by our holiday guests, where we could offer something tailored particularly to the needs of your group.
We are certain that this is a place where you would lose yourselves in the history of Kames Castle and feel the slow pace of life slowly seep into your very being. A glass of chilled white wine in the walled garden could help this along the way!
Please contact us via e-mail; we would love to hear from you.
Stuart & Lesley Scott and family,
Kames Castle, Isle of Bute, Argyll, Scotland.
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Self-Promotion Page
My writing is heating up. I write weekly features in “Around the Town” in the Venice Sun.
I am rocking the airwaves as well. I previously mentioned my monthly WWPR 1490 “Ask the Author” show. If you would like to arrange an interview, please contact me. Listen in each month on the third Friday between 5 and 6 pm and call in during the show with any relevant questions. 941 745-1490.
I also host a weekly show on Radioearnetwork every Thursday at 2pm called Culture Coast. I interview musicians and artists on alternating weeks. Check it out online at Radioearnetwork.com, 2 pm on Thursday. Help my numbers shoot up by listening in while you learn about local musicians and artists and their exhibitions and appearances in our area.
At the book gallery, Village Voices, we are celebrating the new year. Village Voices offers books written exclusively by Florida Residents as well as some unique gifts for the people who already have everything. Please come join us for the celebration on Friday, January 4th from 6 until 9.
And I can’t forget to promote the book we worked so tirelessly on. If you have finished or are close to finishing your manuscript, it would behoove you to buy a copy of my book, Published! A Complete Guide to Nontraditional Publishing.
The book helps every writer decide whether to follow the path to traditional publishing, use a subsidy, or self-publish, and if the decision is subsidy or self-publishing, how to choose the best option for your manuscript. It includes sections on editing, formatting, and marketing as well.
With this research under my belt, I have been selected to teach Publishing 101 at State College starting in October. If you are interested in taking the course, please sign up online. More information is in the section on Classes. If you know any other writers contemplating self or subsidy publishing, please tell them about the class, it is designed to save them money. Lots of money.
This is my new radio show, listen in and learn about all the talented artists and musicians residing among us here on the Culture Coast.
That’s it for this month!
“Writers Helping Writers”
