the
the newsLetter of Pennwriters inC. MarCh/aPriL 2016 • VoL. XXiV no. 2
Your three-day conference includes... • 30+ workshops, panels and sessions
Friday Evening Keynote
Jonathan Maberry
Saturday keynote
Kathryn Craft
• Saturday Keynote Lunch with Pennwriter Kathryn Craft Kathryn Craft is the author of THE ART OF FALLING and THE FAR END OF HAPPY, a freelance developmental editor, a frequent workshop leader, and a member of a marketing cooperative of women’s fiction writers. www.kathryncraft.com • Agent/Editor Pitch Appointments: 5-minute spots are offered on a first-registered, first-assigned basis. • Read & Critiques with agents, editors & published authors. Spots are offered on a first-registered, first-assigned basis. • Saturday Pennwriters Breakfast & Annual Meeting: enjoy camaraderie and up-to-date meeting news. • In Other Words Contest for fiction, nonfiction & poetry. Your one-page entry must fit onto one side of an 8.5x11” sheet of paper (typed or printed). It will be posted in the Hospitality Suite to be judged by your peers. For details, email president@pennwriters.org. • Hospitality Suite and Conference Bookstore: Refresh, regroup, pick up freebies, shop for books & merchandise, enter to win raffle baskets, and more. Bookstore by Doylestown Bookshop.
You may purchase passes to the following special add-on events: • Friday Evening Keynote Dinner with Jonathan Maberry Jonathan Maberry is a NY Times bestselling author, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, and comic book writer. Two of his books are in development for TV, and another is in development as a series of feature films. www.jonathanmaberry.com • Friday Networking Lunch with Stuart Horwitz - “You Don’t Know If You Don’t Go” • Friday Published Penns Lunch with Cindy Callaghan - “When Your Writing Life Gives You Lemons” PLEASE NOTE: This luncheon is only open to Pennwriters who have been granted Published Author status. For guidelines on receiving this status, contact Author Advocate Ayleen Gontz at ayleengontz@gmail.com. • Saturday After Hours Entertainment at “The Bees Knees Speakeasy” with open bar for the first hour, open mic and more.
ConferenCe registration
http://bit.ly/1Q909iX
President’s Column Hopefully, you have set your 2016 writing goals and are on your way to achieving them. Pennwriters has several learning opportunities lined up for members. Area 7 is hosting a one-day mini-conference on April 2 in Leesburg, Virginia. Wonderfully informative online courses have been running and will continue to be offered throughout 2016. Many of the Pennwriters areas run multiple meetings and critique groups. See the website for more information or contact your area representative for details. For our latest information, join the Pennwriters group and Pennwriters Annual Conference group on Facebook.
Carol silvis, area 3 PresiDent
Pennwriters Happenings
is an email newsletter that showcases the achievements and writing-related activities of Pennwriters members. Visit www.pennwriters.org to subscribe. scroll to the bottom of the webpage to PUBLishing news, submit your email address, then complete the MailChimp form. You must be a current, duespaying Pennwriters member in good standing in order to have your news published in Pennwriters happenings. submit your news to will Kesling at Pennnews@Pennwriters.org
Newsletter Themes and Submission Deadlines May/June: writers toolbox submission deadline: april 1 July/aug: poetry and language submission deadline: June 1 sept/oct: writers market. submission deadline: aug. 1 nov/Dec: short stories, articles, nonfiction submission deadline: oct. 1
It’s time to be thinking about the upcoming Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster and what we can learn from the keynotes, agents, editors, workshop presenters, and fellow writers. Our conference coordinator, Ayleen Gontz, has been hard at work assembling a terrific slate of presenters, agents, and editors for the conference. I am sure all of us can learn much from their workshops and advice. Friday keynote is Jonathan Maberry, a well-known, multi-published author, speaker, and writing teacher. Saturday keynote is Kathryn Craft, a multipublished Pennwriter, author and speaker. Conference attendees have opportunities to submit work to the read-andcritique sessions, to meet one-on-one with an editor or agent, to pick up free materials, and to meet other Pennwriters (especially those in their areas), and participate in the authors’ book signing. Check the Pennwriters web site and this issue of the newsletter for more details about registering for the conference. Writing conferences are a source of valuable knowledge and opportunity. Do something positive and inspiring for yourself and your writing career by attending the annual conference. After attending the conference, consider writing about your experience and submitting it to The Penn Writer.
Board News Be sure to cast your vote for new and returning officers and board members. Voting will be completed electronically again this year. Offices up for re-election are president; vice president; author advocate; and Areas 1, 3, 5 and 7. Candace Banks has resigned as Area 3 Rep, and we will miss her. Candace brought several wonderful workshops to area members, kept them informed, and provided untold hours of assistance. The Board thanks Candace for her years of service. If you are interested in filling the Area 3 Rep position, please let me or another board member know. next page
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notiCe: Publication herein of articles, interviews, and news concerning markets, contests, seminars, classes, etc., does not imply an endorsement, recommendation or any warranty given by Pennwriters, inc. readers are urged to determine for themselves the reliability, integrity, and financial responsibility of those with whom they deal. The contents of this newsletter are copyrighted ©2016 by Pennwriters, Inc. All rights are reserved. Permission to photocopy is expressly denied. All rights revert to individual authors immediately upon publication. any time you change your mailing address or email address, please notify Jackie shaffmaster at treasurer@Pennwriters.org. we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. 2
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Melissa Gettys has stepped down, leaving the Area 5 Rep position open. We are also looking for a volunteer to serve as Coordinator of Area Reps and someone to take over the Penns Presents duties. The Coordinator must have been an area rep, but the other positions have no stipulations other than being a Pennwriters member in good standing. The Penns Presents duties consist of lining up speakers from within and outside the organization who are willing to answer member questions online for the day. If you would like to volunteer to help with the 2016 conference, please contact the conference coordinator, Ayleen Gontz, at AuthorAdvocate@Pennwriters.org. –Carol
President
Carol silvis, 724-327-2725 President@Pennwriters.org Vice President
annette Dashofy, 724-255-7955 VicePresident@Pennwriters.org Secretary
susan gourley secretary@Pennwriters.org Treasurer
Jackie shaffmaster, 570-878-7056 treasurer@Pennwriters.org Author Advocate & 2016 Conference Coordinator
ayleen gontz, 717-359-9279 authoradvocate@Pennwriters.org
Election News from Terry Friedman, Pennwriters’ Election Chair it’s electric! Yes, it’s time again to electronically elect our superheroes and unsung heroes to the Pennwriters’ Board. You will receive an email ballot around March 7. Please fire your ballot up and send it over. this year, your ballot will be keyed into your area. Please, please make sure you notify our treasurer, Jackie shaffmaster (treasurer@pennwriters.org), and me (tfriedman@sccoast.net) if you are on the run or are changing addresses. if your old address is listed, and that email is closed down, you won’t receive the ballot. if your area is not listed or is incorrect, you will not be able to vote for your own area representative (if it’s areas 1, 3, 5 or 7). see the area Map below. the voting web site will close on March 31, so get those votes submitted. Questions? give me a call (843-236-8189) or email me at the address above. exercise your Pennwriters right to vote, and don’t forget to vote in the national election too.
Webmaster
Charli Mac, webmaster@Pennwriters.org Newsletter Editor
heather Desuta, 412-337-6966 newsletter@Pennwriters.org Public Relations Chair
Leslie tobin smeltz Publicrelations@Pennwriters.org 610-737-3288 Bylaws Chair
Jean Jenkins, 814-774-0557 BylawsChair@Pennwriters.org
Pennwriters Online
Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator
website: www.pennwriters.org Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pennwriters/join facebook groups: Pennwriters; Pennwriters annual Conference You can also join the Pennwriters Linkedin group and follow us on twitter.
Election Chair
Pauline Drozeski onlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org terry friedman, 843-236-8189 electionChair@Pennwriters.org Annual Writing Contest Coordinator
Pennwriters Areas Map
Deborah stevenson writingContestCoordinator@ Pennwriters.org AREA 1 Rep: todd Main
area1rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 2 Rep: Mark Boerma area2rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 3 Rep: Position oPen
area3rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 4 Rep: hilary hauck
area4rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 5 Rep: Position oPen
area5rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 6 Rep: Charli Mac
area6rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 7 Rep: Bobbi Carducci
All areas outside of Pennsylvania are Area 7
area7rep@Pennwriters.org the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Member News & Accomplishments to share YoUr news, email newsletter@Pennwriters.org with “Penn writer submission” in the subject line. Please include your Pennwriters area # in the message.
Area 7 Cindy Callaghan’s much-loved book JuST ADD MAGIC has been made into a television series by Amazon. (Visit Cindy’s blog to read about her adventures in LA for the pilot filming, interviews with actresses Olivia Sanabia and Abby Donnelly, and all the other TV-related info.) In other news, her Lost in europe books (LOST IN LONDON, LOST IN PARIS, LOST IN ROMe) are now available as a box set. In March, her mega-popular LuCKy Me will be re-released under the title LOST IN IReLAND. e next book in the LOST IN series will be released this fall. Visit www.cindycallaghan.com for more information.
Area 3 Hana Haatainen Caye’s article: “e Darker Side of Facebook: Bringing Joy Back to Social Media” appeared in the Feb/March issue of Zip Code magazine in Las Vegas. She also published two children’s dramas with Leap and Learn, a company teaching english as a second language to children in Korea. 4
Area 3 member and Pennwriters Vice President Annette Dashofy has been nominated for the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel of 2015 for BRIDGeS BuRNeD, the third of her USA Today Bestselling Zoe Chambers mystery series. e award winners will be presented at Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD, on April 30. Also, WITH A VeNGeANCe, the fourth in the series, will be released on May 3. Paramedic Zoe Chambers and the rest of rural Monongahela County’s EMS and fire personnel are used to wading into the middle of trouble to rescue the sick and the injured. But when someone with an ax to grind seeks retribution by staging accident scenes and gunning down the first responders, Zoe finds herself forced to not only treat her own brethren of the front lines, but also, in her role as deputy coroner, seek out whoever is killing her friends. At the same time, Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams races to track down a gun, a mysterious all-terrain vehicle, and the sniper before Zoe goes back on duty, placing herself—and Pete—firmly in the gunman’s crosshairs. To learn more, visit www.annettedashofy.com.
Area 3 Wende Dikec will release STARR VALeNTINe (March 10, Inkspell Publishing.) What happens when the beautiful swan becomes the ugly duckling? Starr Valentine has a perfect life in Middleton, Ohio. But everything comes
crashing down when she finds out her parents are actually monarchs in exile from a mysterious planet called Vega. Starr doesn’t want to leave, but loves the idea of being a princess, and decides moving to an alien world might not be so bad. When she gets there, however, she discovers that something is terribly wrong. Starr has always been the winner of the family, but now everyone is fawning over her chubby older sister, Astra. And everyone, even a handsome and annoying young duke named Julian, seems to hate her. at is when she realizes the awful truth. Astra is now the pretty one. Astra has all the friends. Astra gets all of the attention. And Starr Valentine, voted Miss Perfect, is now the ugly duckling. Her biggest fear is... will she be able to turn back into a swan, or is she doomed to be a loser forever? Visit wendedikec.com.
Lorraine Henderson, Area 3, started the new year with a sale to True Story magazine. e January issue included her story “New year’s eve...in a Cemetery.” e February issue will include two of her stories. “Romance In e Dark” is about a "dark" restaurant, where patrons eat in complete darkness, and the wait staff are all blind. “A Valentine Worth Waiting For” is based on her hubby's unusual Valentine’s gifts over the years.
Lisa Lawmaster Hess, Area 5, has released her second novel, CHASING A SeCOND CHANCe. In this sequel to CASTING THe FIRST STONe, Marita Mercer, her daughter Charli and Charli’s stepmother, Angel, are coping with the challenges that come with new beginnings. As Angel struggles to create the family she’s always wanted, Marita works to reconcile her feelings for Lukas with her feelings about faith and religion. And Charli? Well, Charli's a teenager, sharing her own point of view as she navigates faith, family and friends in unexpected ways. To learn more about
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Lisa, visit e Porch Swing Chronicles at www.L2Hess.blogspot.com.
Jim Knights, Area 3, is pleased to share this news: retried NASA astronaut and current Carnegie Mellon university professor Jay Apt has penned a forward for my fictional trilogy, BeNJAMIN’S FIeLD. Jay is a pilot and veteran of four Space Shuttle missions as a mission specialist. e forward will be added to the second edition of book one, BeNJAMIN’S FIeLD: ReSCue.
Area 4 Jim Lee has work in three anthologies. 9 TALeS TOLD IN THe DARK #8 features a reprint of his Afghanistanset/Soviet invasion era horror story “Big eyes.” His story “e Dying Dragon” is in FROM THe DRAGON LORD’S LIBRARy, VOL. 1 (a book of 11 fantasy stories from england’s 18th Wall Productions). Lastly, the small South African art and lit mag EALAIN celebrates its first year with a “best of ” ebook, eALAIN ANTHOLOGy 1. is includes Jim’s poem “e Dumping Ground.” (available from Magzter.com)
Lisa Lepovetsky, Area 1, is the featured poet in the March issue of Disturbed. She also has a story in the anthology CROSSROADS IN THe DARK.
Ramona DeFelice Long, Area 7, was awarded a 2016 Masters Fellowship in Fiction from the Delaware Division of the Arts. e fellowship includes a
$10,000 grant and is based on quality of writing, publishing history, and service to the artistic community. In April, Ramona will give her required public reading with poet Maggie Rowe, also a 2016 fellowship winner, at the Judge Morris estate, the 1790-era home of Delaware native and distinguished federal judge Hugh M. Morris. e reading is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://ramonadef.com.
Heidi Ruby Miller, Area 3, and Matt Betts, Area 7, are hosting a launch party with publisher Raw Dog Screaming Press to release their latest books during Cleveland Concoction in March. Heidi, Matt, and several other authors, including Jason Jack Miller, Area 3, and K.W. Taylor, Area 7, will be guests for the literary track of this annual science fiction convention. STARRIe is a standalone novel set within Heidi’s popular world of Ambasadora. Visit www.heidirubymiller.com. uNDeRWATeR FISTFIGHT is Matt’s latest speculative poetry collection. For more information, visit www.mattbetts.com. James Rada, Jr., Area 5, has taken on a new genre (and a new pen name) with his latest book. THe MAN WHO KILLeD eDGAR ALLAN POe by J. R. Rada was published in January. e novel connects three characters—Lazarus of the Bible, edgar Allan Poe, and the Poe Toaster who leaves cognac and roses on Poe’s grave
each birthday—into a historical horror novel that spans 2,000 years and weaves Poe’s life story into a tale that he could have written himself. For more information, visit www.jamesrada.com.
Area 7 Nancy Springer is delighted to announce the publication of her first graphic novel— in France! Based on book one of the enola Holmes series, the French hardcover sold out its first printing and is going into its second edition. As a result, the next book in the series will come out as a French graphic novel in June 2016.
Area 5 Jessica omas, writing as Kimber Lee Ball, is publishing an erotic romance novella series through PANN Publishing. e “year to Love” series will feature one novella per month, available at the start of each month. Titles include JANuARy JeJuNe, FeBRuARy FABuLIST, MARCH MACROBIAN, APRIL AFFINe, and so on. e series follows librarian Clara Stephens as she attempts to discover what she wants from a partner and from herself after her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her. She meets a new man each month, to learn from and experience all life has to offer. To learn more, visit www.kimberleeball.com.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Online Courses
Area 1 todd Main • area 1 representative 814-459-8752 • area1rep@Pennwriters.org Meadville Vicinity Pennwriters (MVP) Meets 1st saturday, 1-4 p.m. at tim horton’s on Conneaut Lake road. Contact Babs Mountjoy at bmountjoy@zoominternet.net. north east group Meets 2nd tuesday, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at McCord Memorial Library in north east. Contact Diane wickles at dwickles@yahoo.com. Presque isle group Meets 2nd saturday, 1-4 p.m. at tom ridge environmental Center on Presque isle. Contact todd Main at todd_main@steris.com. shenango Valley Pennwriters (sVP) Meets 3rd saturday, 1-4 p.m. at the shenango Valley Library in sharon. Contact Catherine McLean at catherinemclean@windstream.net. erie group Meets 4th saturday, 1-4 p.m. at Barnes & noble near the Millcreek Mall in erie. Contact Dave szymanowski at daveszy@adelphia.net. fellowship of the Quill (fotQ) Meets every thursday, 7-10 p.m. at tim horton’s, 2565 west 12th, erie. Contact todd Main at todd_main@steris.com. Meadville group Meets 3rd tuesdays, 7-10 p.m. at Barnes & noble at 5909 Peach street. Contact Jean Jenkins at jean.jenkins10@gmail.com (group geared for more experienced writers.) Corry writers group Meets 1st Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. at tim horton’s, 7 e. Columbus ave., Corry. Contact Kathy otten at jersey.vt.1774@hotmail.com.
Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary. - JosePh B. wirthLin
Area 2 Mark Boerma • area 2 representative area2rep@Pennwriters.org Danville group Meets 1st and 3rd wednesdays, 7 p.m. at the episcopal Church on Market street. Contact Dave freas at quillracer@pa.metrocast.net. 6
the heart of Creative nonfiction MarCh 1-31, 2016 instructor: Deanna R. Adams Cost: $45 enroll now at www.pennwriters.org CoUrse DesCriPtion: Creative nonfiction can be described as using fictional elements in nonfiction writing. whether you’re an aspiring or more experienced writer, learn how to tell your story as you would fiction: with dialogue, details and scenes to enhance your story. turn bare facts and memories into intriguing personal stories that hook readers in the first paragraph and take them on a compelling journey. this session will spark ideas, help you tell your story in a more intriguing way, and inform you of the markets available. includes writing exercises. Participants will be invited to submit their first doublespaced page (1 page only) of their work-in-progress for comment and critique. it may also be used as an example (with permission from author). this CoUrse wiLL heLP YoU: • Know the importance of heart in your story to help readers become emotionally involved • hook your reader right away, beginning with the very first sentence— as well as title • Use credible dialogue that moves the story forward • Develop your story using the 5 senses: sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing • Discover the underlining premise of what your story is truly about (you may be surprised) • Create smoother story structure from the beginning, throughout the middle, and conclude with a satisfying ending aBoUt the instrUCtor: Deanna r. adams is author of both fiction and nonfiction books, as well as an award-winning essayist, writing instructor and speaker. her most recent book is the writer’s gPs: a gUiDe to writing & seLLing YoUr BooK. Deanna is also director and coordinator of several annual writers’ conferences and writers’ retreats. Visit her website at www.deannaadams.com. for more course information or to register, visit www.pennwriters.org.
Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge and adding to your experience, so that you can make the most of opportunity when it occurs. - Mario anDretti
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Time to Revisit Those New Year Resolutions
the Penn PraCtiCe • CoLUMn #1
BY fritze roBerts, area 1
in this first installment of the Penn Practice, we look at evaluating our current goals for achievability. in future articles, we’ll discuss practical tips for the writing life, including how to fight the inner editor and how to build writer’s stamina. Many writers start the year with the intention of writing more. We vow to get back to our stories, to write every day, or at least every week. We set word-count goals. We make promises to ourselves. Now that a couple months have passed, reality is starting to set in. Spring is in the air. The final push of the school year sets in. Old excuses resurface, and our actions are based more on habits than intentions. Often the writer’s confidence is flagging at this time of year, and we worry that we’ve already blown our chance at success. But that’s not true—it’s not too late! Now is a great time to check in on year-long writing goals, because there is still time to correct the course. We’ll start by taking a look at the goals we set at the beginning of the year and evaluating if they are SMART goals. Next, we’ll evaluate progress toward our goals. If you use a writing journal, you may want to get that out. If not, grab some scrap paper so you can make notes. First, write down the resolution you set at the beginning of the year. Are you meeting your goal? Falling behind? Or unsure? A good way to evaluate is in terms of the SMART goal, which is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. If you are unsure whether or not you are meeting your goal, perhaps your resolution is too vague. Try rewording it in terms of a goal that is more specific and measurable. Maybe your goal was simply to write more than you did in the previous year. That’s an admirable goal, but how do you know if you’ve achieved it? Assess how much you wrote last year, and define how much more you’ll do in 2016. For example, if your goal was to write every day, ask yourself what you really meant by that. every weekday, every weekend day, or literally every day of the year? Now is a good time to redefine a specific goal. Write down your revised goal. This is also a great time in the year to assess if a new year resolution is achievable. Are you making adequate progress toward your goal?
In real life, as in storytelling, we get satisfaction from a sense of progress. If you aren’t tracking your writing, I recommend you do so. A simple calendar or excel chart where you enter your daily word count will do the trick. Keep in mind: Any progress is good progress. If you set a measurable goal in January, but now it seems that you won’t be able to meet it, that’s okay. Now is a great time to make adjustments. Ask yourself how far off-track you are. If you’re close, see if you can adjust your habits. There is nothing more satisfying than rising to a challenge and succeeding at a difficult task. On the other hand, if you find you were over-ambitious when you set your resolution, don’t feel bad about making adjustments. “Achievable” is the most important characteristic of a SMART goal, but also the most difficult. Modifying your goal to ensure success is not cheating. It’s being realistic. especially for new writers, it is difficult to know what is achievable. Some people find pouring out new words is easy, but reworking them into finished product is difficult; others find creating new words is difficult, but then editing is easy. The point is, you won’t know what you are capable of until you try. Continue to work toward your goals and document your progress, so that you know what adjustments to make. Don’t be ashamed to adjust your goal to make it realistic, based on your new understanding of what works for you. Goal setting and achieving success are difficult disciplines that require long-term practice, but they do get easier every day. you will be encouraged if you can see that you are closer to your goal at the end of each writing session. Stick with it, and you’ll see that each day’s effort adds up to remarkable success. Fritze Roberts is an author-entrepreneur and an active member of Pennwriters Area 1. In 2015 she met her goal of publishing the booklet PRoject MAnAgeMent FoR AuthoRs, in which she describes the sMARt goal in detail and gives tips and tricks for becoming a more productive writer. she lectures on the writer’s life and on writing for academics. to learn more, visit www.APeculiarProject.com. If you have any questions for Fritze about how to succeed in the writer’s life, email her at fritzeroberts@gmail.com. she’ll address as many questions as she can.
People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going. - earL nightingaLs
Goals are dreams with deadlines. - Diana sCharf
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Area 3
2016 Pennwriters Conference Schedule
Candace Banks • area 3 representative area3rep@Pennwriters.org second tuesday of the Month group on BreaK UnitL aPriL 2016 the group is still looking for a permanent host. if you would consider hosting or co-hosting, contact interim coordinators Carol Moessinger at pcmoes@verizon.net; Cheryl williams at cherylewilliams205@yahoo.com or Candace Banks at area3rep@Pennwriters.org. the Mindful writers group - north our goal is to complete a manuscript in 9 months using writing Meditation Method. Meets every wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at eat ’n Park at the wexford exit of i-79. to join, contact Madhu wangu at madhu.wangu@me.com. group is currently at its 20-member limit. the Mindful writers group - east first meeting is thursday, March 17 at 10 a.m. at eat ’n Park at the waterworks Mall. to join, contact Madhu at madhu.wangu@me.com. Pittsburgh east writers group small critique group focusing on fiction. all genres welcome. Meets 3rd saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Monroeville Public Library’s upstairs conference room. Contact Chuck rakiecz at crakiecz@verizon.net. south hills writers group experienced fiction writers meeting weekly for camaraderie in writing, studying of craft, and critiquing. group is limited to four members. we presently have one opening. Meets every thursday at 10 a.m. (meetings last about 4 hours w/writing) at Market District express on washington road in Peter’s township. Contact stephanie Claypool at stephanieclaypool@outlook.com. Critique group north group is full, but interested writers may submit their names for the waiting list. Meets 2nd thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at King’s restaurant at wexford exit of i-79. Contact Maryalice at maryalicemeli@yahoo.com. robinson evening Critique group Meets the 4th wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Panera in settlers ridge. the group is limited to six members. we currently have four. we welcome anyone, published or not. anyone who would like to join the group, get additional info, or come to a session and see how we work, contact Barb D'souza at barbrett@verizon.net.
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friDaY, MaY 20 8:00 aM 8:30-9:30 aM 9:45-10:45 aM 11:00 aM-noon noon-1:30 PM 1:45-2:45 PM 3:00-4:00 PM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:30 PM 8:30 PM
registration opens workshops workshops workshops Published Penns Luncheon or networking Lunch workshops workshops pre-dinner cocktails Keynote dinner and book signing with Jonathan Maberry read & Critique sessions fictional Characters anonymous hosted by hana haatainen Caye
satUrDaY, MaY 21 8:00 aM 8:30 aM 8:30-9:30 aM 9:45-10:45 aM 11:00 aM-noon noon-1:30 PM 1:45-2:45 PM 3:00-4:00 PM 4:00-5:00 PM 6:45 PM 8:00 PM-Midnight
Pennwriters Breakfast and general Meeting registration opens workshops workshops workshops Keynote Lunch with Kathryn Craft workshops workshops authors Booksigning Pennwriters area Meetings after hours entertainment at the Bees Knees speakeasy
sUnDaY, MaY 22 8:30-9:30 aM 9:45-10:45 aM 11:00 aM-noon noon
workshops workshops workshops Closing Ceremonies and Basket Drawings
(schedule is subject to change)
Conference Location and Lodging the eden resort & suites, a Best western Premier hotel 222 eden road, Lancaster, Pa 17601 toll-free: (866) 801-6430 the conference will be held at the eden resort & suites, located in the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, less than an hour-and-a-half drive from both Philadelphia and Baltimore, and only a three-hour drive from new York City. Mention Pennwriters and receive a special rate of $135.95 + taxes per night for a standard Deluxe room. King business suites and king parlors are also available at a discounted rate. triple and quad rates are also available. for directions, visit www.edenresort.com/contact-us/directions
About Our Pitch Sessions five-minute pitch sessions are offered at no extra charge on a first-registered, first-assigned basis. availability is limited. Please make your first choice on the registration form. an appointment time will be e-mailed to you prior to the conference. writers pitching fiction must have a finished manuscript, but do not bring it to the pitch session.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Friday Evening Keynote
Saturday keynote
Jonathan Maberry
Kathryn Craft
ConferenCe registration http://bit.ly/1Q909iX
Build Your 2016 Pennwriters Conference Experience! the three-day Pennwriters Conference pricing structure allows you to build a conference experience that suits your budget and your writing needs. Choose from a three-day package, a friday-only package, or a saturday-only package—and then add on any of our four additional events. register online at http://bit.ly/1Q909iX. Make your conference selection; pre-register for special sessions, workshops and pitch appointments; and choose your meal options, etc. for assistance with registration, contact registration Coordinator Mark Boerma at area2rep@pennwriters.org.
Base Conference Fees
Add-On Items
three-DaY ConferenCe, friDaY throUgh sUnDaY
friDaY networKing LUnCh with stuart horwitz
$319 for Pennwriters / $399 for nonmembers •30+ workshops and sessions to choose from •Buffet breakfast (saturday) •Keynote lunch with Kathryn Craft (saturday) •agent pitch sessions (first come, first scheduled) •friday evening read-&-critiques (first come, first scheduled) •Book signing (saturday)
$28 for Pennwriters / $35 for nonmembers
friDaY onLY (no meals included)
$50 for Pennwriters / $75 for nonmembers
friDaY PUBLisheD Penns LUnCheon with Cindy Callaghan $28 for Pennwriters (must have Published Penn status)
friDaY KeYnote Dinner with Jonathan Maberry $149 for Pennwriters / $174 for nonmembers •15+ workshops and sessions to choose from •agent pitch sessions (first come, first scheduled) •friday evening read-&-critiques (first come, first scheduled)
satUrDaY onLY (includes breakfast & keynote lunch) $179 for Pennwriters / $229 for nonmembers •15 workshops to choose from •Buffet breakfast (saturday) •Keynote lunch with Kathryn Craft (saturday) •agent pitch sessions (first come, first scheduled) •Book signing (saturday)
satUrDaY after hoUrs at the Bees Knees speakeasy $20 for Pennwriters / $28 for nonmembers
Non-Writer Guests non-writer guests may attend the breakfast buffet and the keynote lunch with Kathryn Craft (saturday, meals only): $70 non-writer guests are also welcome to attend the friday evening keynote dinner and the saturday networking Lunch with stuart horwitz at the nonmember prices.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Area 4
Perry Co. Council of the Arts: A Novel Idea
hilary hauck • area 4 representative area4rep@Pennwriters.org
a novel idea, a program through the Perry County Council of the arts, is a 12-month program on how to write a novel. Below is a list of one-day classes that are being offered in 2016. Visit www.perrycountyarts.org for more info.
the southern alleghenies writers guild (Johnstown, Pa) Meets 3rd saturdays from noon-3 p.m. Contact Jim Lee at 814-442-1241 or jimlee.author@gmail.com.
• MarCh: “writing Plays” with Lori Myers • aPriL: “so You want to Be a writer” with Laurie edwards • MaY: “Critiquing Your Manuscript” with ann stewart • JULY: “writing and Marketing short stories” with Cathy Jordan • sePteMBer: “Putting Magic & fantasy into Your fiction” with Maria V. snyder • noVeMBer: “writing Young adult fiction” with Laurie edwards
the inkwell (Duncansville, Pa) Meets 3rd thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. at Marzoni’s at 164 Patchway road. Contact hilary at area4rep@Pennwriters.org. Additional writers groups meeting in Area 4: nittany Valley writers network Meets 2nd tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at schlow Library (211 s. allen st.). (on winter break until March 2016.) nittany Valley writers network: the early risers Meets 3rd wednesday from 7-8:00 a.m. at the waffle shop on w. College avenue. nittany Valley writers network: social Meets 4th tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. at the autoport (1405 s. atherton st.).
Area 5 Position oPen • area 5 representative area5rep@Pennwriters.org York area group Critique structure: bring 6 copies of up to 5 pgs. of manuscript, double-spaced. Meets 2nd thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at Books-a-Million, 3000 whiteford rd., York, Pa. harrisburg area group Critique structure: bring 10 copies of up to 5 pages, double-spaced. all genres welcome. Meets 4th wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. at the new Cumberland Library’s back annex (1 Benjamin Plaza, new Cumberland). Contact Don helin at dhelin@copper.net. Lancaster area group Meets 2nd & 4th tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. in the Lancaster Barnes & noble cafe. Contact walt honsinger at walthonsinger@hotmail.com.
Area 6 Charli Mac • area 6 representative area6rep@Pennwriters.org there are currently no Pennwriters area 6 groups meeting, but if you are interested in forming a group, please email charli-mac@comcast.net. 10
A Novel Idea Workshop Recaps Area 2 Representative Mark Boerma has been attending the A NOVEL IDEA workshops in Perry County. Each Pennwriters newsletter in 2016 wil feature recaps of those sessions.
Story Structure and Plot Development (November) Ann Stewart discussed story structure as it related back to the earlier workshop on premise. In premise, stasis was discussed. e first exercise in the workshop was to write down the stasis—how things are right now before a change. (How is life deficient for your character?) From the standpoint of structure, this is the beginning of the novel. e remaining exercises in the workshop were: What do your characters want? What is their quest? What stands in the way of achieving their quest? What is the change bomb? What are the choices your characters made? Where does your character arrive at the end of the story? When it comes to approaching structure and plot, it boils down to the kind of thinker you are. ere are two kinds of writers: linear thinkers and non-linear thinkers. For those of you old enough to remember, there was a game show on TV called e $64,000 Question. Whichever type of thinker you are, all writers should ask themselves this question: e $64,000 question is can I turn this situation into a story? What is a story? A story is this: A lead character finds himself in trouble of some kind and makes active efforts to get himself out of it. each effort, however, merely gets him deeper into his trouble, and each new obstacle in his path is larger than the last. Finally, when things look blackest and it seems certain the lead character is finished, he manages to get out of his trouble through his own efforts, intelligence or ingenuity. Plot development is nothing more than making a list of things your protagonist does, and from the standpoint of structure, this is the middle of the novel. Creating Spellbinding Characters (December) In most stories, there are two types of characters: flat (one dimensional) and rounded (three-dimensional). Don Helin presented the three dimensional character, with the three dimensions being: physiological, sociological and psychological. Handouts were given, and each dimension was discussed separately and combined as a whole, like putting together pieces of a puzzle, and concluded with a workshopped exercise. Physiological dimensions of a character are height, age, weight, etc. Sociological dimensions of a character are wealthy, poor, church attender, religion, political, etc. Psychological dimensions of character are the product of the physiological and sociological. Knowing this, and being a student of human nature, will help assist the writer “do the homework” to create a spellbinding character. Consider the following two paragraphs taken from CHARACTeR, SCeNe By SCeNe (Writer’s Digest, Jan. 2015, David Corbett, pp. 21-25) that each describe the same character: • Avery McNaughton is 22 years old, five foot six, smart and a little overweight, with chestnut hair and green eyes. She was born in Boston, but now lives in Houston, working as a lawyer. She dresses sensibly, lives in a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the ship channel, seldom socializes, and reads voraciously. • Avery McNaughton almost died from pneumonia when she was six after an iceskating accident. Her older brother, Mark, read to her while she was bedridden. at is when her love of literature began. Mark died in a car accident at age twenty-two, and Avery’s terror at “falling through the ice” returned. She has never felt safe in the world since. She moved from Boston to Houston to escape her memories—and winter. She has no friends, wants none and dresses as though trying to be invisible. Which one puts a spell on you?
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Pennwriters Conference Keynotes Friday Dinner Keynote: JoNAtHAN MABeRRy Jonathan Maberry is a NY Times bestselling author, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, and comic book writer. Two of his books are in development for TV, and another is in development as a series of feature films. www.jonathanmaberry.com
Friday Luncheon Speakers Published Penns Luncheon Guest Speaker CiNDy CALLAGHAN is the author of SyDNey MACKeNZIe KNOCKS ’eM DeAD (2017) and six more books published by Simon & Schuster. Her 2010 release, JuST ADD MAGIC, is now a liveaction series on Amazon. www.cindycallaghan.com Presentation: “When your Writing Life Gives you Lemons: A Book to Screen example” When Cindy’s publisher opted to stop publishing her 2010 release, JuST ADD MAgiC, Cindy thought her writing life may come to an end. Find out how this author struck a bookto-screen deal that breathed new life into her and her career.
Networking Lunch Guest Speaker StuARt HoRWitz is the founder and principal of Book Architecture and has spent the past 15 years helping writers to become authors, sign with top literary agents, seal deals with publishing houses, and navigate a successful path through indie publishing. www.bookarchitecture.com Presentation: “you Don’t Know if you Don’t Go” The easiest way to thwart your writing career is to quit. Find inspiration and practical advice to keep yourself going.
Saturday Lunch Keynote: KAtHRyN CRAFt Kathryn Craft is the author of THe ART OF FALLING and THe FAR eND OF HAPPy, a freelance developmental editor, a frequent workshop leader, and a member of a marketing cooperative of women’s fiction writers. www.kathryncraft.com
Multi-Session Workshop Leaders JAMie SALoFF assists authors in a book’s delivery from manuscript to final form, including interior layout and cover design, file prep, copyright filings, ebook creation, market messaging, and much more. She’s the author of 7 eASy STePS TO PROFeSSIONALLy SeLF-PuBLISH yOuR BOOK. www.saloff.com Workshop: Self-Publish your Print Book in 7 easy Steps: A three-Part Presentation Looking to self-publish? This extended, three-session workshop will show you how to avoid poor quality books and disappointing sales. You can do-it-yourself—even if you are a non-techie or golden ager—by first gathering a little knowledge and learning a few trade secrets. (Part 1: Before You Begin Self-Publishing. Part 2: The Details of Self-Publishing on Your Own. Part 3: The Final Mile of Self-Publishing.) The first 20 people who attend all three sessions will receive her book for free.
SuSAN MeieR is the author of 60+ books for Harlequin, entangled, and Guideposts' Grace Chapel Inn and has won numerous publishing awards. She loves to teach as much as she loves to write and is a popular speaker at RWA chapter conferences. www.susanmeier.com Workshop: “Writing the Modern-Day Romance: A three-Part Presentation Romance novels hit the bestseller lists every day—and you want to be part of that! How do you know what works? What keeps readers coming back? What about story structure? Join Susan as she answers these questions and more in a threepart series. (Part 1: Writing to Your Audience. Part 2: increasing the Conflict. Part 3: Plotting with the W Plot.)
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Area 7
Registration is now open
Bobbi Carducci • area 7 representative 540-338-5064 • area7rep@Pennwriters.org Blue ridge group (Virginia) Meetings include critique on request, sharing resources, writing exercises and discussion. Beginning to multi-published writers welcome. Meets 2nd & 4th wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Purcellville Library in Purcellville, Virginia. Contact Bobbi at area7rep@Pennwriters.org. northern Delaware group Meetings will be held monthly. all levels of experience are welcome. for details, email Cindy Callaghan at callaghancindy@gmail.com. anyone interested in forming a group, please contact area rep Bobbi Carducci. if you have a place to meet and a desire to spend time with fellow writers, it is possible to host a group.
Writer’s toolbox:
Join us for a day of ideas, inspiration and networking with people like you who are ready to take their writing to new heights.
MarKeting: worD of MoUth In recent years, I have not been as active of a Pennwriter as I have been in the past. This is partly because I have been working on my doctorate degree, which I just earned last month. (Now you can call me Dr. Nate Hardy.) I thank my fellow Pennwriters who helped me with my doctoral research on word of mouth (WOM) book marketing. Here are some highlights of the findings: • WOM affects 60% of book choices. • The more WOM about the book, the more sales for the book. • People who give more WOM about books buy/read more books than others. • early adopters (the first 20% of people who buy/read new books) not only tend to give WOM, but also rely on it. early adopters buy/read more books than others as well. • In marketing to people to get them to spread WOM, use elements that will involve the audience & spark socializing. Be trustworthy & not seem self-serving. • Give & follow WOM in numerous info channels like social network sites. - from A Profile of early Adopters and opinion Leaders as spreaders of Word of Mouth about Books (Dissertation), by nate hardy, area 6
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Pennwriters area 7 is thrilled to announce it is again hosting a one-day mini conference in Leesburg, Virginia. open to all writers, this conference is also designed to introduce Pennwriters to aspiring and published authors in the northern Virginia, Maryland, west Virginia and washington, D.C. areas.
scheduled speakers include the following published authors, journalists, publishers and book sellers:
nancy Martin author
eric egger publisher
Carol silvis author
Bobbi Carducci author
Dixiane hallaj publisher/author
Linda sittig author
Dan Morrow publisher/author
Val Muller author
David sackrider playwright
Jay foreman author
Kathy Jo shea owner, second chapter Books
online registration is now open: http://pennwriters.org/area-7-mini-conference-writers-project-runway-ii/ or http://bit.ly/1PVMl6Q sign-in: 8 a.m.; workshops 9 a.m.-4 p.m. author signing and Book sale: 4-5 p.m. $75 for Pennwriters members; $100 for non-members; $85 for students Catered Lunch included stay tuned for details on www.pennwriters.org and our social media sites. Contact Bobbi Carducci at area7rep@Pennwriters.org.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Pennwriters Conference Agents MARK GottLieB is an agent with Trident Media. His focus on publishing began at emerson College and continued as vice president of Berkley Books. At Trident Media, he worked with foreign rights and audio rights before building his own client list. www.tridentmediagroup.com LOOKING FOR: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Children's, Graphic Novels, Thriller, Mystery/Crime, Women’s/Romance, young Adult, and certain nonfiction categories such as Pop Culture, Memoir, How-To, and Humor.
eRiC MyeRS has a strong affinity for young adult and middle grade fiction. He joined Dystel and Goderich Literary Management in 2015 after 13 years at The Spieler Agency. A graduate of uCLA and the Sorbonne, eric entered publishing as a journalist and author. www.dystel.com LOOKING FOR: Middle grade, young adult, adult thriller, adult nonfiction. NOT LOOKING FOR: Picture books, literary fiction, mysteries, memoir without a strong social media platform. PITCHING TIPS: Try to keep your pitch to one page if possible.
NoAH BALLARD is an agent at Curtis Brown, Ltd. He received his BA in english from the university of Nebraska-Lincoln, and began his career in publishing at emma Sweeney Agency. Noah has appeared across the country at graduate programs and writing conferences. www.curtisbrown.com LOOKING FOR: Literary debuts, upmarket thrillers, narrative nonfiction, manuscripts from honest provocative new writers.
Reserve Advertising Space in the conference program full page..........................$65 half page.........................$45 Business card size..........$25 to reserve space and get payment instructions, email heather Desuta at newsletter@pennwriters.org. file formats: .pdf or .jpg Use exact dimensions or submit ads scaled to size. Program booklet will be printed in color. full page: 4.5” wide x 7.5” tall half page: 4.5” wide x 3.5” tall Business card, horizontal only: 3.5” x 2”
Pennwriters Conference T-shirts
Conference t-shirts are onLY available by pre-order. $20 per shirt. shirts will be distributed at the registration table at the conference, to those who have pre-ordered.
ConferenCe registration http://bit.ly/1Q909iX the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Conference Presenters Annette Dashofy is the best-selling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series. Her first novel CIRCLe OF INFLueNCe, was a finalist for both the Agatha Award and the David Award. Annette is vice president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime and Pennwriters. www.annettedashofy.com Cathy Jordan is the author of horror novels SeeKING SAMIeL and THe BOOKSeLLeR’S SeCReT and contributes to magazines, anthologies, and online publications. She judged for the Bram Stoker Award and the ITW young Adult Award. www.catherinejordan.com
Jon Sprunk is the author of THe BOOK OF THe BLACK eARTH epic fantasy series as well as the SHADOW SAGA trilogy. His first book was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award and nominated for the David Gemmell Award for Best Debut Novel and Best Fantasy Novel. www.jonsprunk.com Laurie J. edwards, a former senior editor for yA and publisher of Leap Books, now focuses on her own writing, freelancing, and illustration career. She has more than 2,200 articles and 20 books in print. She also writes as erin Johnson and Rachel J. Good. www.lauriejedwards.com
Connie Scharon credits a trip to the British Isles with setting her successful self-publishing career in motion. Books in her HIGHLAND LeGeND series made the Amazon Scottish Historical Romance and Medieval Romance Best Seller’s Lists.
Lori M. Myers writes creative nonfiction, fiction, essays, and plays. She is an adjunct professor of writing at Dominican College in New york and senior interviews editor for Hippocampus Magazine. www.lorimmyers.com
Don Helin published his first thriller, THy KINGDOM COMe, in 2009. His most recent novel, SeCReT ASSAuLT, won best suspense/thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards and a gold medal at the Military Writers Society of America Conference. www.donhelin.com
Maria V. Snyder has written more than a dozen novels and has been on the New york Times bestseller list, has won a half-dozen awards, and has earned her master’s degree in writing from Seton Hill university where she’s now part of the MFA faculty. www.MariaVSnyder.com
Donna Galanti authored the paranormal thrillers in THe eLeMeNT TRILOGy and the middle grade series, JOSHuA AND THe LIGHTNING ROAD. She is a contributing editor for International Thriller Writers’ the Big Thrill magazine and blogs with other middle grade authors at Project Middle Grade Mayhem. www.donnagalanti.com
Michelle Markey Butler teaches at university of Maryland College Park. She is the author of fantasy novel, HOMeGOING, and co-author of THe LAST ABBOT OF LINN DuACHAILL. www.michellemarkeybutler.com
Hana Haatainen Caye runs SPeeCHLeSS, a business focused on writing, editing, and voice-overs, and the author of GReeN GRANDMA’S VINeGAR FRIDAyS and 90+ children’s books for iStorybooks. She teaches writing at Carnegie Mellon university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. www.wordsinyourmouth.com Jack Hillman is a journalist, novelist, playwright, and medical underwriter. In addition to five novels and a novella, his published short fiction has appeared in multiple magazines, both online and print. He is a member of SFWA and HWA. www.jackhillman.com Jean Jenkins, professional librarian, teaches the “secrets” of successful research. She has conducted research across the uS and in europe, including several projects undertaken while on fellowships from the National endowment for the Humanities. 14
Ramona DeFelice Long is an author, editor, and writing instructor. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and memoir have appeared in regional and literary publications. She has received multiple fellowships in fiction and creative nonfiction. www.ramonadef.com tamara Girardi is an assistant professor of english at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. She studied fiction at the university of St. Andrews in Scotland and writes young adult fantasy and contemporary works. Vickie Fisher is an inspirational author and photographer who lives on 19 acres in Westminster, MD. She works for Amtrak as a chief entitlement clerk. www.vickiefisher.com
ConferenCe registration http://bit.ly/1Q909iX
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Workshops and Sessions Genre Spotlights Fantasy—Beyond the Horses and Castles with Jon Sprunk The fantasy genres are filled with familiar tropes and archetypes, but its boundaries are as limitless as your imagination. We'll discuss the less-followed paths of fantasy and how to bring your off-beat story to new life. Historical Fiction—Welcome to the Historical Petting zoo with Michelle Markey Butler and K.B. Inglee enhance fiction set in the past (historical romance, mystery) or fiction influenced by history (alternative history, historical fantasy) by touching, wearing, using—and yes, tasting— the everyday items of the past. How Far is too Far in Middle Grade and yA? with Eric Myers, agent Children and teens are no longer as sheltered as they once were. They now confront adult realities—good, evil, and everything in between—at an earlier age. How far should your MG or yA manuscript go in reflecting this? Bring a brief synopsis of your manuscript to discuss. Writing Memoir: your Life on Paper with Lori M. Myers your life story could be the best story of your life. Why not write it? In this workshop, Lori will share tips and techniques for turning your personal experiences into powerfully crafted memoirs and essays and discuss markets for your finished work.
Promotion 5 things to Start Doing Right Now Before you Get a Book Deal with Donna Galanti even if you don’t have a literary agent, a book deal, or a polished draft, you can do 5 things right now to successfully pave the way to an author career. Start building your author platform as you continue to seek publication. that’s How We Roll: Setting up an Author tour Both online and offline with Stuart Horwitz Where does your audience congregate? How can you reach them in a unique way? Take a look at what a book tour should be, who we naturally are in front of an audience, and whether we enjoy physical travel or social media...or both.
From Blog to Book with Hana Haatainen Caye Gathering a faithful following of readers in your blog community is the perfect scenario for book sales. This workshop will focus on how to best use your blog to prep your readership, as well as how to transform blog posts into a book.
Craft Finish your Book in three Drafts with Stuart Horwitz How many drafts does it take? Only three. Really. Join Stuart to set the best outlook and direction for each of the three drafts so that you can increase your efficiency, satisfaction, and engagement with both your writing process and your final product. the Cold, Hard Slog: aka the Middle with Maria V. Snyder eighty percent of your novel is considered “the middle,” and for most writers, it’s a cold hard slog until you reach the thrilling climax at the end. Get through the middle by developing characters, advancing the plot, and weaving in sub-plots to reach your goal—finishing! Fantastic Fight Scenes with Maria V. Snyder Action scenes are a difficult balance among the 4 essential elements: description, dialogue, inner dialogue, and character emotions. Discover how to tap into the special effects of your reader’s mind and write thrilling, realistic fight scenes. Premise, Don’t Write Without it with Cathy Jordan Do you have a story in mind but don’t know where to begin? Is your WIP falling flat? A story begins with a premise, the fundamental concept that drives your story. This class will help you build a solid premise through structure and steer your plot forward. talk is Cheap; Good Dialogue? Priceless with Kathryn Craft From a quick overview of mechanics we’ll move into the fun stuff: analyzing masterful dialogue with an eye toward the ways in which it contributes to character development, pacing, setting, atmosphere, and more. Raiders of the Lost Arcs with Kathryn Craft While writing a book-length project, accumulating detail can obscure clear character development. This look at macroediting will build character arcs that offer the reader a rewarding experience.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Workshops and Sessions the opening Promise with Ramona DeFelice Long The first chapter of a story creates a promise between the writer and reader. This workshop will examine how to write a story opening that hooks the reader but also reveals what kind of story is ahead and what kind of writer is creating it. Includes a checklist. Writing your Setting as a Character with Annette Dashofy Do you enjoy reading novels that take you to another place and leave you feeling as though you've been there? This workshop will help you add depth to your writing and dimension to your setting. Avoiding emotional Clichés with Annette Dashofy How can we show our characters’ emotions without resorting to the same tired clichés? Study examples of how the best in our field tackle this problem to find new and creative ways to show emotion in your own work. the Villain's Journey: Writing Compelling and Believable Villains with Don Helin Villains have to be strong and unique, not just your run-of-the-mill bad guys. And they have to be motivated to do what they do. Learn how to make your villain catch your reader's imagination—and keep it—throughout your novel. true to Character with Ramona DeFelice Long Why do fictional people act as they do? What is your protagonist’s arc? How—and why—do characters act out of character? What does your character want? These and other questions about creating a unique fictional human being will be addressed here. it’s there, it’s Free, use it with Jean Jenkins Take a digital tour through the best of the best websites for writers. No hand-holding, ego-fluffing, time-wasting Internet way stations make this list—just websites you can consult quickly to get what you need to write productively and proficiently. Reaching your Writing Dreams with Laurie J. Edwards Innovative techniques based on cutting-edge brain research will help you discover your hidden potential, come up with creative ideas, overcome writer’s block and procrastination, and blast through other roadblocks holding you back from reaching your dreams. you’ll also find out why willpower isn’t enough, why you struggle to meet goals, and how to keep yourself motivated.
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What Can (and Should) We Learn from tolkien as a Writer with Michelle Markey Butler Since its publication in 1954, LOTR has never been out of print. It is brilliant, beloved—and casts a big shadow. This session discusses Tolkien’s approaches to reading and writing, what we can gain from adopting them—and a couple we should avoid.
Publishing Get your Pitch on with Jon Sprunk Work out the kinks in your agent/editor pitch—and calm your nerves—in this “as interactive as you make it” workshop. Jon provides an opportunity for you to practice your pitch on him and offers helpful critiques. A Novel idea Panel: Don Helin, Lori M. Myers, Laurie J. Edwards, with Cathy Jordan, Maria V. Snyder Five authors who run a year’s worth of monthly workshops sponsored by the Perry County Council for the Arts share their publishing experiences and answer questions about everything and anything that goes into drafting a novel. Getting Published with Jack Hillman you’re here to find out how to write better. Odds are you want to have your writing published after you do that. Learn how to research your markets and find out where to send your manuscript once it’s finished. Write an effective Query with Mark Gottlieb, agent Join Mark, a literary agent from Trident Media, as he shares his best, frontline tips and techniques for writing a query letter that puts your best words forward. the Voice: Query edition Panel: Agents Modeled after The Voice, this workshop focuses on queries instead of songs. Bring your one-page, double-spaced query letter (name blacked out!) for a moderator to read out loud, and we’ll see which agents like which works, and when. Getting your Manuscript Past the Gatekeeper with Donna Galanti A past intern for the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Donna shares what can get your manuscript past the gatekeeper and into the hands of an agent. Identify and overcome the 13 most common mistakes that stop a manuscript dead in its tracks.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Workshops and Sessions Demystifying Self-Publishing: An Author’s Perspective with Connie Scharon If you think you are ready to take the plunge into self-publishing, first get some tips from Connie to help you avoid the perils and pitfalls of wearing many, many hats—writer, editor, publisher, cover designer, and marketing coordinator—for your book. Building your Nonfiction Platform and Proposal with Noah Ballard, agent When it comes to an agent’s desk, nonfiction and fiction are two very different animals with very different requirements. Join agent Noah Ballard as he explains the inner workings of the nonfiction proposal and how that should be a natural extension of your platform. the Business of Writing with Hana Haatainen Caye Running a freelance writing business can be more profitable than you may think. In this workshop we’ll cover the various types of business and creative writing opportunities that exist for writers who see beyond their fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Cyber Pitching with Tamara Girardi everyone could use a little, if not a lot, of pitching practice. Join Tamara as she explains the new online pitch trend. Get a detailed list of the top online pitch contests, the dos and don’ts (etiquette is important here!), and general tips for success.
ConferenCe registration http://bit.ly/1Q909iX
Stay Connected Visit our website regularly at www.pennwriters.org. follow us online on facebook (Pennwriters annual Conference) and twitter (Pennwriters) for the latest Pennwriters Conference news. specific questions can be directed to ayleen gontz, conference coordinator, at ayleengontz@gmail.com.
BasKet Donations for the 2016 ConferenCe once again, we are asking for basket donations for the Pennwriters conference basket raffle. the raffle proceeds go toward helping to offset the conference costs, allowing us to bring you quality workshops with exceptional speakers. if you cannot donate a complete basket, consider donating items we can use to put together into baskets. Books, writing supplies, music, journals, coffee, tea, chocolate, candles...any items writers may enjoy are appreciated. Donations of services (critiques, book cover designs, marketing expertise, website building, etc.) are also welcome. Members especially love autographed books by Pennwriters authors. all donations are appreciated. if you have a basket or individual items to donate, please email ayleengontz@gmail.com.
Calling All Volunteers if you plan to attend the conference, please consider volunteering. we have a number of opportunites. Many jobs take only a few minutes, while others may take an hour. Positions are available prior to and during the conference. the rewards of volunteering are many. in addition to getting to see what happens behind the scenes, you can get up close and personal with many accomplished authors and speakers. some jobs even pair you with agents and editors. MoDerators introduce a session speaker by reading a short bio (already written and provided to you) and distribute handouts if necessary. tiMeKeePers for agent and editor pitch appointments keep the 5-minute appointments running smoothly. Penn PaLs greet agents, editors and speakers. they pass out conference materials and answer questions that arise throughout the conference. if you would like to volunteer for any of these spots or would like to offer help but do not have a particular preference, contact the conference coordinator, ayleen gontz, at ayleengontz@gmail.com.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Market News
CoLUMn #112
BY JiM Lee, area 4, assoCiate eDitor, MarKet rePorts
We’ll start with some limited time opportunities...
Assorted ongoing markets…
the deadline to submit to Best women’s erotica, Volume 2 is april 1. editor rachel Kramer Bussel, in association with Cleis Press, is paying $100 plus two contributor copies for exciting and exceptional quality erotic fiction by women authors. this is a market for new material only—no reprints. story length: 1500-3500 wds. bweoftheyear@gmail.com.
southwest: the Magazine is the general interest, inflight magazine of the airline. they pay “up to $1/wd” for narrative essays, profile pieces and trend articles (3000-3500 wds) for an upscale audience. Chief editor J.K. nickell reports 3.9 million monthly readers and needs a query/proposal before you submit. www.southwestmag.com/writers-guidelines/
story Magazine is doing a themed issue on “identity” with a May 1 deadline. they want short stories, poetry, essays and interviews—”material about the way we tell stories about ourselves and have ourselves storied by history and society, on such topics as gender, race, sex, family, culture, and bodies.” Pay: $200/story, $30/poem, $100/interview. www.storymagazine.org/submit/.
a new online sf/f magazine, Cosmic roots and eldritch shores is paying 6 cents/wd for new material (except nonfiction) and 2 cents/wd for nonfiction (reviews, interviews and such) and reprints. they want stories of 1000 wds and up (no firm upper limit as yet, but shorter is better for now). they’re also open to graphic stories, videos and podcast scripts. their online submission link is on the guideline page: www.cosmicrootsandeldritchshores.com/submissions/.
editor Corie weaver needs sci-fi stories (3000-6000 wds) for middle grade readers for the 2017 Young explorer’s adventure guide. Payment will be 6 cents/wd for this anthology, which will appear in both print and e-book forms. Deadline: May 15. Visit www.dreamingrobotpress.com for guidelines. as always, the Chicken soup for the soul anthology series is paying $200 per story or poem on various themes. Upcoming themes and deadlines include: the Joy of Christmas (april 30), teachers and teaching (June 30), and Blended families (June 30). Visit www.chickensoup.com. one story Magazine publishes a single new piece of mainstream literary fiction every 4 weeks (3000-8000 wds) in both digital and print forms. they pay $500 and give 25 contributor copies for each. they need first rights, so no reprints. their current submission period ends May 31. www.one-story.com/index.php?Page=submit. editor hy Bender is putting together one of the oddest themed anthologies i’ve ever heard of. ghosts on Drugs is, indeed, all about ghostly characters involved with drugs. as wide a range of stories as possible are encouraged, including humor. Maximum length: 7500 wds. he wants mostly new, but query him about reprints (assuming anyone has already published something on this eccentric subject). Pay is also unusual: 15 cents/wd for the first 2500 wds, with 6 cents/wd for anything beyond that—plus royalties. there’s no formal deadline for this one, so it’s open “until it’s filled.” www.ghostsondrugs.com. in australia, editor robert n. stephenson is reading a wide range of stories (4500-10,000 wds) for Volume 2 of the worlds of science fiction, fantasy & horror. this print and ebook anthology wants new works only. Pay (on acceptance) is $100 (australian) via Paypal. Deadline is october 15. www.robertnstephenson.com/anthology.html. 18
Chicago review Press is a nonfiction book publisher; academy Chicago is their fiction-publishing sister company. they report releasing 60 books/year and pay royalties every 6 months. they will consider queries and subs from authors without agents. for info, visit: www.chicagoreviewpress.com. Crimson streets is a weekly webzine (they plan print compilations later) that pays 1 cent/wd for many types of pulp-style fiction (but no sf or westerns). 800-6000 wds. editor Janet Carden strongly prefers work set in the heyday of the pulp era (1930s and 1940s), complete with appropriate language/slang. focus on action and atmosphere. www.crimsonstreets.com/submission-guidelines/. Bracken Magazine is looking for “lyrical fantasy fiction and poetry”—especially things with the flavor of woodland myths and magical realism. they want unpublished only, 2500 wds max, with submission pasted into the body of the email. editor is alina rios. she’s paying 2 cents/wd for fiction; $15/poem (100 line max). www.brackenmagazine.com the establishment is a nonfiction online publication that wants to be a “platform for voices that are marginalized by mainstream media.” they pay $125/short article (800-1500 wds), $500/longer article (3000 wds and up). www.thestablishment.co/pitchus/. a weekly online publication, forge Literary Magazine uses narrative nonfiction (3000 wds max), flash fiction (under 1000 wds) and short fiction (1000-3000). original work only, but simultaneous subs are okay (just keep them informed if it sells elsewhere first). Pay is by Paypal, ranging $20-50 according to length. Visit www.forgeliterarymag.com for guides and to access their submittable account.
the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Chronicle Books puts out 90 books each year. they do nonfiction on topics such as art and design, interior design, photography, food & drink, kids & teens, literature, lifestyle and pop culture. You can email your proposal (strongly preferred) or send it by regular mail. what to include in your package is detailed in their guides: www.chroniclebooks.com. Light and Life Magazine is the monthly publication of the free Methodist Church-Usa. they pay $100/feature article and $50/short discipleship article. 500-2100 wds. the contact person is Jeff finley and more info is available online: www.fmcusa.org/lightandlifemag/writers/. gallery of Curiosities is a new audio-zine specializing in podcasts of a steampunk/retro-future nature. as with most such outfits, they’re perfectly okay with reprints from text publications. stories up to 7500 wds welcomed. Pay is 1 cent/wd via Paypal. the editor is Kevin frost. guides: www.gallerycurious.com/submissions/. You and Me Magazine pays 4-5 cents/wd for personal experience essays about being a medical patient (they also use a limited number of essays from care providers). 10002500 wds. they pay on acceptance, but want you to query before sending a submission. www.youandmemagazine.com. Military Money needs nonfiction about finances for those serving in the military and their families. news, tools and resources to help them get by are all needed. 650-700, up to 1200 wds max. they want new work, no reprints and say they pay “competitive rates.” they have a very specific proposal format and detailed guides, so check out www.incharge.org/military-money/story/write-for-us. on the off-chance some Pennwriter is into dog-powered sports, i mention Mushing Magazine. they use nonfiction (1000-2500 wds and a few 150-wd shorts) on canine health and nutrition, sled dog behavior, training, musher profiles, interviews, how-to pieces and articles about equipment. Pay runs up to $250 max. they want queries, but subs can be by email or regular mail. www.mushing.com/magazine/editorial.php
And some quick tidbits before we close… the website Upworthy pays $150-200 for posts (500-wd average) about making the world a better place. www.upworthy.com/pitch-us.
a literary agent named alexa stark is reportedly looking for clients who write literary fiction, up-market commercial fiction, Ya, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, popular science, cultural criticism and women’s issues. Contact her at www.tridentmediagroup.com. Joe Donatelli, the sex & Culture editor at Playboy.com, reportedly pays up to $350 for articles on a variety of subjects. www.playboy.com/articles/contact-sex-and-culture-playboy. guideposts pays $250 for faith-related personal experience articles (1500 wds max). www.guideposts.org/tell-us-your-story Modern farmer reportedly pays $150/article. You may pitch your story idea at www.modernfarmer.com/submissions. Doctor of Credit pays $50 for personal finance essays centered around using credit. www.doctorofcredit.com. if you are visually impaired (or know a writer who is), check out Lighthouse. this blog site pays $100 for uplifting essays by blind or visually impaired writers. editor is will Butler. lighthouse-sf.org/blog/submit referee Magazine pays 4 cents/wd for nonfiction (500-3500 wds) on various aspects of sports officiating. www.referee.com/referee-magazine/writers-guidelines/. the pro horror magazine Dark Discoveries has gone out of business. sf/f writers should avoid an outfit called Mirror Matter Press. a post by them on a market site claimed they would pay 3 cents/wd minimum, but an accepted contributor got a contract calling for royalties only. she refused the contract and withdrew her work. when a company starts out lying to you, that’s a pretty definite red flag! saveur reportedly pays $150 minimum for “amazing nonfiction stories about food and travel.” go to www.saveur.com/contact and scroll down to story submissions for pitch/query address. Sources tapped this time included Ralan.com; Freedom with Writing, FreelanceWriting.com, publishedtodeath.blogspot.com, make-a-living-writing.com, The Erotica Readers & Writers Association, Duotrope.com and Facebook’s Open Calls for Submission: Science Fiction page. To send market tips, email jimlee.author@gmail.com.
Anyone can be remarkable, if they have something truly remarkable to do. set remarkable goals for yourself and get to work on achieving them. then, watch in amazement as you become remarkable. - MareLisa fáBrega the Penn writer • March/april 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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2016 Penn Writer Newsletter Themes and Submission Deadlines May/June theme: writers toolbox—what you use to help you in your writing submission deadline: april 1 July/aug theme: poetry and language submission deadline: June 1 sept/oct theme: writers market—selling your work, your writing career, making money, etc. submission deadline: aug. 1 nov/Dec theme: short stories, articles and nonfiction submission deadline: oct. 1
About Pennwriters
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e Mission of Pennwriters Inc. is to help writers of all levels, from the novice to the award-winning and multipublished, improve and succeed in their craft. Pennwriters, a not-for-profit organization of more than 390 members from Pennsylvania and beyond, was established in 1988 as a networking organization for published and aspiring writers of all genres. e group offers an annual three-day writers conference and area events and has a strong internet presence, with email groups, online classes and social networks. Authors who meet set criteria are granted Published Author status. For more information about Pennwriters and its members, visit www.pennwriters.org or contact Carol Silvis at President@pennwriters.org.
neXt DeaDLine: aPriL 1 (MaY/JUne issUe) e Penn Writer newsletter is published bimonthly. Contact Heather Desuta, newsletter editor, at Newsletter@pennwriters.org. Please share your news, accomplishments, tips, book recommendations, great quotes, etc. Include relevant artwork, photos and book cover images. Word counts—articles: 800 words (1-pg), 1,600 (2-pg). For articles exceeding 1,600 words, contact the editor in advance. Blurb submissions of any length are welcome. Type “PeNN WRITeR SuBMISSION” in the subject line of your email message, and please include your Area number. (See the map on page 3.)