THe
THe NeWSLeTTer oF peNNWriTerS iNc. SepTeMber/ocTober 2017 • VoL. XXV No. 5
Avoidable Mistakes by NaNcy SpriNger, area 7
During the past few months—partly because i was helping judge a contest, and partly because i made a stab at starting a critiquing business—i’ve read a blizzard of manuscripts from aspiring fiction writers. What struck me is that too many of them were making the same avoidable mistakes. Such as: “even though professionally dry-cleaned, Tammy could still see bloodstains on the sweater.” oops. it’s a wonder Tammy could still see anything after she was run through all those dry-cleaning chemicals. The clause at the beginning of a sentence refers to the subject of the sentence, which is Tammy, not the sweater. your english teacher was right about dangling participles, even though this grammatical lapse slips through the cracks a lot these days, especially in narration on TV. but fixed in print for all to see, it can become laughable. “Sitting in my chair, the light was very weak.” “plunging hundreds of feet into the gorge, we saw the waterfall.” or, as in Strunk & White’s classic example: “Having several children, my ironing board is always set up.” can you picture all the baby ironing boards running around? another mistake i’ve seen frequently is not grammatical, but can still be pretty jarring. Here’s an example: “after the fire, the house was in rack and ruin.” oops. a nautical metaphor, wrack and ruin, referring to seaweed and debris washed ashore after a stormy shipwreck, is all wrong for a house fire. Here’s another: “The cage fighter kicked his opponent with main force.” oops again. The Latin root of “main” force refers to the hands, not the feet. So, is it necessary to know the derivation of every platitude? Maybe that’s not possible, but there’s a simple fix for this sort of mistake: Don’t write in cliches. Surely a fire-gutted house deserves “show, don’t tell,” which means the deployment of exact nouns and active verbs. picture that house. it smoked and smoldered, it sagged in ash-gray pathos, it pierced
the sky with jagged beams all awry like black broken ribs —many vivid depictions are possible, depending on the mood the writer wishes to convey. Notice i said “depictions,” not “descriptions.” “Depict” means to make a picture, whereas “describe” is frequently an avoidable mistake. Writers trying to describe will often use adjective after adjective, all of them wasted if loaded onto an inadequate noun. The same goes for adverbs piled onto a flabby verb. by avoiding modifiers, writers require themselves to choose picture nouns and active verbs, and also find themselves using more similes and metaphors, an important breakthrough. Figures of speech not only convey a vivid picture to the reader, but the writer can have them work together to support the story with another layer of meaning, with atmosphere, symbolism or theme. example: early in my career, i was printing out a short story called “The boy Who plaited Manes,” ready to send it in, when something occurred to me as an afterthought. Sighing and rolling my eyes, i threw away the hard copy, went back to the computer and reworked the story so that every time i used a simile or metaphor to characterize the protagonist, the mysterious boy, i compared him to some sort of wild creature. as a result, he came to symbolize a force of nature, something more than merely human. The story was very well received, largely because, at the last minute, i avoided a mistake. That’s the thing about avoidable mistakes. The best way to learn from them is to go ahead and make them, but then fix them before an editor lays eyes on the manuscript. Mistakes, avoided, make for stronger writing. Nancy Springer, author of 56 novels in various genres, is the recipient of numerous awards, most notably the edgar allan poe award from the Mystery Writers of america. recently she has fulfilled her lifelong dream of having a short story collection. ecceNTric SyMMeTrieS: paST/preSeNT/FuTure FaNTaSy STorieS (including The Boy Who Plaited Manes), published by untreed reads, is available in digital format.
President’s Column The theme of this month’s issue is networking and the writers market. I recently completed a two-year leadership program with Penn State Extension. The program gave me the opportunity to network with people around the US, and indeed, around the world. I came to realize that as convenient as the internet and social media might be, they cannot rival direct contact with people when it comes to the reciprocal exchange of information. And few industries need such exchange as much as the writing industry does—because of the rapidly evolving market, the vast quantity of information, and the experience we need to improve and succeed in our craft. There is, however, a good chance we can conjure a great deal of that knowledge if a group of us convene. A group of Pennwriters, for example. Hilary Hauck, area 4 preSiDeNT
2017 Newsletter Themes and Submission Deadlines Nov/Dec theme: romance and women’s fiction Submission deadline: oct. 1
There is a good opportunity to convene coming up on October 14 at Area 1’s A Writer’s Road Trip mini-conference in Erie, organized by Area 1 Rep Todd Main and his many dedicated volunteers. The event is open to all Pennwriters and guests. Now in its fifth year, A Writer’s Road Trip offers a full day of quality workshops and ample opportunity to mingle. It’s a worthwhile investment of time. I’m honored to be among the presenters. I’ll be talking about the important lessons I learned in my leadership program, including the importance of unique vision alongside the power of team work. I hope to see you there! Local writing groups offer another opportunity to network. They meet on a regular basis in many Pennwriters communities and are an excellent way to stay in touch, stay motivated, and advance your writing. If there isn’t one within reach, consider starting one. It isn’t as hard as you might think, and your Area Rep will provide guidance. Another regular opportunity for Pennwriters members to tap into that quantity of information happens the fourth Monday of every month, in a dedicated Pennwriters Presents Facebook closed group. If you haven’t joined the group yet, send Coordinator Denise Weaver a request to join. The caliber of the featured guests has been outstanding. You can ask any questions or drop by and enjoy the conversations. September always reminds me of going back to school. If you share this annual itch to study, sign up for our online classes: Creating Narrative Tension with Bill Johnson, Sept. 4-29. Pat Haggerty is presenting a series of four one-week classes in October. Take one or take all four. Details are available on our website. 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 ©2017 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 • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
Board of Directors In our last issue, Leslie Tobin Smeltz put out a call for a volunteer to serve as Interim PR Chair while she is busy planning the 2018 Pennwriters Annual Conference. Donna Royston was gracious enough to answer the call. Donna, welcome, and thank you for your willingness to serve! Donna joins the board in time for our fall board meeting in State College on Oct. 7. This is our longest board meeting of the year, typically running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’ll share a recap of the board meeting in the next newsletter. On the subject of next issue, newsletter editor Heather Desuta welcomes article submissions from members. I encourage you to share your craft or business knowledge with us. If you’re new to writing and to Pennwriters, how about you share something about your experiences to date and hopes for the future? We have just completed our annual membership drive. Immense thanks for renewing your Pennwriters membership. It’s the members who make this a great organization. We’re lucky to have you. Enjoy nature’s most spectacular season, and whatever writing project you’re working on right now, keep at it, keep growing, and Pennwrite on!
President Hilary Hauck, 814-659-6191 President@Pennwriters.org Vice President Bobbi Carducci 540-338-5064 & 540-903-6831 VicePresident@Pennwriters.org Secretary Susan Gourley Secretary@Pennwriters.org Treasurer Jackie Shaffmaster, 570-878-7056 Treasurer@Pennwriters.org Author Advocate Ayleen Gontz, 717-359-9279 AuthorAdvocate@Pennwriters.org Webmaster Mark Boerma, 570-578-1473 Webmaster@Pennwriters.org Newsletter Editor Heather Desuta, 412-337-6966 Newsletter@Pennwriters.org 2018 Conference Coordinators Leslie Tobin Smeltz and Malissa Close ConferenceCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Interim Public Relations Chair Donna Royston PublicRelations@Pennwriters.org Bylaws Chair Jean Jenkins, 814-774-0557 BylawsChair@Pennwriters.org
-Hilary
Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator Pauline Drozeski, 814-392-8819 OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org
Pennwriters Online 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.
Pennwriters Areas Map
Pennwriters Presents Coordinator Denise Weaver, 814-442-4876 PennwritersPresents@Pennwriters.org Election Chair Dave Freas ElectionChair@Pennwriters.org Annual Writing Contest Coordinator D.J. Stevenson WritingContestCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Coordinator of Area Reps (CAR) Annette Dashofy CAR@Pennwriters.org AREA 1 Rep: Todd Main, 814-459-8752 Area1Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 2 Rep: Mark Boerma 570-578-1473 Area2Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 3 Rep: Stephanie Claypool Area3Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 4 Rep: Denise Weaver Area4Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 5 Rep: Sandra Bush 717-891-6412 Area5Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 6 Rep: Suzanne Mattaboni Area6Rep@Pennwriters.org
All areas outside of Pennsylvania are Area 7
AREA 7 Rep: Terry Friedman 610-331-2558 & 843-236-8189 Area7Rep@Pennwriters.org THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Member News & Happenings To SHare your NeWS, email Newsletter@pennwriters.org with “penn Writer Submission” in the subject line. please include your pennwriters area # in the message.
A writer is a thought smith; he educates men to think for themselves. - baNgaMbiki HabyariMaNa
A short story by Joy Givens, Area 3, titled “e Shot Shared Round the World,” was selected in the 2017 Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest for publication later this year by Cat & Mouse Press.
Jim Lee, Area 4, had a book review article published in the magazine Outposts of Beyond in July. For more of Jim’s writing, visit his author page: www.amazon.com/ author/leejim.
Maria Piantanida, Area 3, has launched Learning Moments Press, with SPIRITUALITY AND PEDAgOgY: BEINg AND LEARNINg IN SACRED SPACES by Marilyn Llewellyn, Ph.D. Other recent releases include A PEDAgOgY OF AUTHORITY by Marjorie Barrett Logsdon, Ph.D., and THE OxIDATION OF gRIEF: REFLECTIONS ON ADULT SIBLINg LOSS by Maria Piantanida. Visit https://learningmomentspress.com.
Area 7 Donna Royston’s short story “e Mists of Lu-shan,” about an innocuous bureaucrat, a usurping general, and a guardian dragon in ancient China, appeared in the anthology FANTASTIC DEFENDERS, published in May. It’s available at www.amazon.com/ gp/product/B071J27BPC/.
Area 4 Tanya Schleiden’s DEAL OF A LIFETIME was published by Harlequin on Sept. 1. is Harlequin Heartwarming book is her third in the “Home to Bear Meadows” series, set in central Pennsylvania. Tanya writes as T.R. McClure. Visit her website at www.trmcclure.com.
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” - E. L. Doctorow
please log into your account at pennwriters.org to verify you’ve supplied pennwriters with a valid email address. Thank you in advance for helping keep our member roster current.
Long patience and application saturated with your heart’s blood— you will either write or you will not— and the only way to find out whether you will or not is to try. - JiM TuLLy
People say, ‘What advice do you have for people who want to be writers?’ I say, they don’t really need advice, they know they want to be writers, and they’re gonna do it. Those people who know that they really want to do this and are cut out for it, they know it. - r.L. STiNe
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THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
The Blue, The Gray, and the Red: A Serialized Novella five 10,000-word segments, to be published in e Perry County Times—one segment per month for five months To Wade Fowler, the son of the late Robert and Beverly Fowler, giving back to Perry County was important to his parents. e Robert H. and Beverly U. Fowler Foundation was founded to support charitable and literary arts in central Pennsylvania. e foundation provided a grant to the Perry County Council of the Arts to assist local writers involved in creating a novella to be published in a series of newspaper installments. e PCCA, with executive director Erika Juran, has collaborated with its students and faculty from their “A Novel Idea” workshops. A Novel Idea was formed by PCCA members Don Helin and Roger Smith in May 2014 to help writers draft and market their novels. e PCCA is proud to offer readers a historically themed serial novella. Real places and events will be woven together with fictional characters set in Perry County’s Civil War era, 1863. is story, titled e Blue, the Gray, and the Red, will be published in five installments as an insert in e Perry County Times beginning in January 2018. Student writers, assisted by a mentor, will write each segment. Catherine Jordan will serve as editor and review all work to ensure continuity. e story will include historical pictures and artwork. Catherine Jordan, a horror novelist and short story author, has been featured in a variety of anthologies and on-line publications, and is a contributor to e Burg magazine. She has been a judge for the Bram Stoker Award and for the ITW Young Adult Award. Jordan also facilitates several writing courses and critique groups. e Blue, the Gray, and the Red is a story about sisters Matilde Kesler, a devout braucher (spiritual and natural healer) and petulant young Abigail. e sisters are left behind to manage the family homestead after their mother perished in a fire and their father left to fight in the Civil War. Josiah, a seriously injured Confederate soldier, stumbles out of the woods and onto their property. When Matilde decides to nurse the beguiling soldier back to health, and the man Abigail loves is drafted, resentment builds. Abigail consults a witch in a selfish act that brings swift, unintentional consequences. Carrie Jacobs, a third-year student writer, wrote the first installment with mentoring from editor and facilitator Catherine Jordan. Jacobs spent 15 years as a newspaper columnist and frequently writes articles for a local nonprofit. Jacobs laid the story’s groundwork and introduced conflict strong enough to carry the entire novella. Her guidelines were simple; set the project during the Civil War somewhere in Perry County, and include a supernatural element.
She chose Shermans Dale as the setting, mainly for its proximity to Sterretts gap, gettysburg, Harrisburg and Duncannon. She selected March 1863 because President Lincoln had just signed the Draft Act, and the country was four months away from the Battle at gettysburg. Angela Binner, a student writer, follows with the second installment. Binner, a ninth grade English teacher, earned her MA in creative fiction from Seton Hill University. For Binner, the project involved two subjects of fascination—the Civil War and Pennsylvania Dutch Magic— along with the chance to work one-on-one with an established writer, Laurie Edwards. Laurie Edwards, a former teacher and librarian, is the author of magazine articles and print books under several pen names. e founder and former owner of Leap Books, a small YA publisher, she also works as a freelance editor and copy editor for several educational publishers. Cindy Simmons, a second-year student with the Perry County Council of the Arts writing workshop, and newest faculty facilitator Heather Heyford, partnered for the third installment. Simmons, a former political reporter, teaches journalism at Penn State’s University Park Campus. Heyford sold her first romance novel in 2014 to Kensington Publishing’s digital imprint, Lyrical Press. Having garnered a following in digital, her first mass market paperback series launches in 2018. Sandra Bush, a student in A Novel Idea II, and founder/ facilitator Don Helin, have the fourth installment. Bush has written articles for the Pennsylvania School Board Association’s magazine, e Bulletin, and the online magazine, Keystone Edge. She worked in advertising and museum script writing and is the Pennwriters Area 5 Representative. Helin is a published novelist whose thrillers draw from his military experience. His novel, SECRET ASSAULT, was selected as the best Suspense/riller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. Don has been active with the Perry County Council of the Arts for almost 20 years. Brenda Taydach, a participant in the charter A Novel Idea writing workshop, and facilitator/editor Catherine Jordan tackle the fifth and final piece. Ms. Taydach is a freelance writer and contributor to the Dauphin County publication Woman. She has also been published in several newspapers and online publications. Lawrence Knorr, founder and CEO of Sunbury Press, has agreed to publish the complete story as a novella in book format. Check for publication details in the Member News section of this newsletter next year.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Online Courses SepTeMber 4-29, 2017 creating Narrative Tension instructor: Bill Johnson cost: $49 courSe DeScripTioN: When a story’s audience is drawn in to feel tension over the course and outcome of a story, that audience will feel a need to experience the relief offered by a story’s resolution and fulfillment. To create this tension, something of interest to a story’s audience has to be set in motion. For example, a storyteller might set in motion an issue revolving around redemption. because a story’s audience already has feelings and thoughts about redemption and its value through how a story resolves and fulfills its events, the members of the audience can experience a relief from their own unresolved feelings about redemption or have their feelings about it validated. This process of generating narrative tension needs to weave through every aspect of a story to sustain the interest of an audience. a story that lacks narrative tension is un-engaging to its audience. abouT THe iNSTrucTor: bill Johnson is a produced playwright, optioned screenwriter, and has read manuscript submissions for a literary agent. He is the author of a Story is a promise and The Spirit of Storytelling, a workbook that explores how to create dramatic, engaging stories; and webmaster of essays on the craft of Dramatic Writing, a site that explores principles of storytelling through reviews of popular movies, books and plays (www.storyispromise.com). bill has led workshops on writing around the united States, including the Southern california Writing conference, Write on the Sound conference, and the expo Screenwriting conference in Los angeles. ........................................................................................................
For additional information or suggestions about upcoming courses, email Pauline Drozeski, Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator, at OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org.
days you are much more likely to find him spending his evenings writing romance than code. patrick is an active member of romance Writers of america, romance Writers of australia, romance Writers of New Zealand, and is president of his local rWa chapter and Director of Virtual Meetings for outreach international rWa. ........................................................................................................
NoVeMber 6-30, 2017 getting results from your author Newsletter instructor: Jessie Clever cost: $49 abouT THe iNSTrucTor: Jessie clever always wanted to be a writer. Then she found out you had to market your books. While she went on to write the bestselling regency romance Spy Series, Jessie kept to the practical course and earned her Mba with a concentration in marketing, gaining hands-on experience in companies ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to multi-channel international retailers. She now uses her knowledge and experience to help authors expand their readership and deepen the loyalty of their readers. connect with Jessie at www.jessieclever.com. ........................................................................................................
and upcoming events...
ocTober 2-27, 2017 Four one-Week classes with pat Haggerty cost: $49 for all 4, $42 for three, $32 for two, and $20 for one Week 1 perfecting the look of your Wordpress site with cascading Style Sheets (cSS) Week 2 effective writing with Scrivener for ipad Week 3 advanced Scrivener compile settings Week 4 Story timelining with aeon Timeline abouT THe iNSTrucTor: after a failed attempt at college and four years in the uSMc learning to be a better apex predator, patrick Haggerty attended georgia State university where he studied to be an actuary. Not a very romantic or literary major, but a good paying one. He started consulting on software development and design in 1995 and has spent most of the time since developing and delivering technical training courses for Learning Tree international. in 2004, while stuck reading a mediocre book in yet another hotel, patrick decided to try his hand at writing fiction. He may not be published yet, but these 6
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
Being Yourself While Networking and Marketing THe peNN pracTice • coLuMN #10 • by FriTZe roberTS, area 1
randy ingermanson at advancedfictionwriting.com recently interviewed marketing expert James L. rubart on how authors should brand themselves. rubart proposes we should base our branding on theme. Further, he claims if you tell him your three favorite movies, he can tell you the theme of your life and that should be your brand as an author. This resonated with me more than any other information on author marketing. Most of the marketing advice i have seen talks about sticking to one genre or two related genres. The advice is full of marketing lingo and calls for authors to be “on brand” all the time, especially when networking. but how can we keep from feeling phony? No author wants to be a walking salesperson. i think part of why so many authors resist marketing is because we see ourselves as artists. We want to share our stories and find our readers, but we don’t want to be marketers. So how do we sell books without feeling like a sell-out? We have to learn to be comfortable being ourselves. Here’s how: Step 1: List your influences Start by listing your favorite pieces of art in whatever media you enjoy. include movies, television shows, novels, poems, paintings, and any other art that comes to mind. be sure to include writing: books, poems, or plays. Next, list your personal heroes and role models. They can be anyone from royalty to mountain climbers to your mother. Make a separate list of your writing heroes. Try to limit yourself to about three in each category. Step 2: identify themes for each item on your lists remember that a theme is not a hook, a plot, or a character arc. The theme is the overall message and feeling you get from the artwork or person as a whole. For this purpose, it is unimportant if other people agree with you on what the theme is for each one. Different people may identify different themes in the same work. For example, Star Wars. To one person, the theme may simply be the fun and excitement of space exploration. For another person, the point of the films may be the political challenges of intergalactic society. To a third person, Star Wars is about personal growth and finding the force within oneself to do what is needed. None of these are wrong. go through your lists, and write down what each item means to you. No one but you will see these notes, so write whatever comes to mind. Step 3: Look for commonalities is there a theme to your list of themes? There probably will be. We all have our own particular interests and questions about life. While some of us are most concerned with the struggle between good and evil, others may be more interested in the balance between freedom and
responsibility. Some people feel boxed in by mundane life and seek adventure or mystic experiences. others are more disturbed by the limitless space of the universe and how lonely that makes us feel. reflect on how your theme shapes the decisions you make and the actions you take. What themes do you like to explore? Step 4: express yourself when you network you don’t have to go around telling people you’ve discovered the theme of your life, but there may be subtle ways you can emphasize your theme—in the design you pick for your website, in the style of clothes you wear to conferences, in the ideas you explore in your writing. part of being “on brand” as a writer is talking about the topics that interest you. That’s what you’re going to write about, after all. There is no point in hiding yourself in an effort to be likable. if you misrepresent yourself, you won’t find your ideal readers. The wrong people may buy your books, resulting in bad reviews. Step 5: ignore bad advice a lot of generic advice for writers tells us to be professional, but that does not mean you can’t be yourself. it means you should always be respectful of other people’s voices. i often hear advice about avoiding anything political. That’s easy for someone in a place of privilege to say. but if you are a member of a oppressed or underrepresented minority, you have the same right to be yourself as everyone else. you have a right to be heard as an author. Just as with books, it’s true that you won’t like everyone you meet, and not everyone will like you. That’s okay. When you are your authentic self, you’ll be on the right path to making likeminded connections and finding your tribe. your personal theme is a major factor that defines you as a unique individual. So go ahead—march to your own drum. Just remember to let other people play fiddle if that’s what they want. Fritze Roberts is a freelance editor and author of science fiction and fantasy, and is an active member of Pennwriters Area 1. She likes to help authors commit to their writing and enjoy success. To learn more, visit www.APeculiarProject.com.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
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Area 1
Area 3
Todd Main • area 1 representative 814-459-8752 • area1rep@pennwriters.org
Stephanie claypool • area 3 representative area3rep@pennwriters.org
Meadville Vicinity pennwriters (MVp) Meets 1st Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at Tarot bean roasting co. at 252 chestnut St. contact Janet Wells at wellswoodjanet@gmail.com.
Second Tuesday of the Month group Meets on 2nd Tuesdays at panera bread in Settlers ridge near robinson Township (295 Settlers ridge Dr., pittsburgh 15205) from 7-8:30 p.m. The topic is chosen each month by group attendees. all requests and suggestions for topics are welcome, as are guest presenters. For information, contact anne Slates at prinatiller@hotmail.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 catherinemclean00@gmail.com. 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 eat ‘n park in erie. contact Todd Main at todd_main@steris.com. 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.
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.
Mindful Writers group North Meets every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at eat ‘n park at the Wexford exit of i-79 (2650 brandt School rd.). Novice as well as professional writers are welcome to join us for 15 minutes of body, Heart, or Mind Meditation, followed by three to four hours of writing. The Mindful Writers fellowship is inspiring and highly productive. To join, email Madhu b. Wangu at madhu.wangu@me.com. Mindful Writers group east Meets every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at panera bread at the Waterworks Mall (942 Freeport road). Novice as well as professional writers are welcome to join us for 15 minutes of body, Heart, or Mind Meditation followed by three to four hours of writing. The Mindful Writers fellowship is inspiring and highly productive. To join, email Lori Jones at Lomojo33@yahoo.com. The pittsburgh east Writers group Small, friendly 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. critique group North Seven members writing shorts, flashes, novels. Meets on the second Thursday of the month 10 a.m.-2 p.m., including time for lunch. The new location is eat ‘n park on brandt School rd. at route 10, just east of the i-79 Wexford exit. The group is presently full, but interested writers may submit their names for the waiting list. Writers interested can contact Maryalice at maryalicemeli@yahoo.com.
Pennwriters Online Courses
The bridgeville critique group Meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the panera bread in the chartiers Valley Shopping center (1025 Washington pike, bridgeville). Fiction or nonfiction Wip are accepted, and any level of writer is welcome. We review one person's work each month. Work to be critiqued is sent to all group members at least a week in advance so everyone has ample time to review it before the meeting. The group is currently full but keeping a wait list. We welcome anyone, published or not. please contact barb D’Souza at barbrett@verizon.net.
SepTeMber 4-29, 2017 creating Narrative Tension instructor: Bill Johnson
cranberry Township critique group We are a small group focused on fiction, mainly novels, meeting every other Saturday at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to join, contact amy Wagner at amywagner00@gmail.com
ocTober 2-27, 2017 Four one-Week classes instructor: Pat Haggerty NoVeMber 6-30, 2017 getting results From your author Newsletter instructor: Jessie Clever
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Join the area 3 yahoo group—if you wish to stay informed of area 3 news and last-minute updates, please join the area 3 yahoo group. Joining allows you to post news of sales and new markets, ask questions, suggest discussion topics, or announce area events of interest to pennwriters. To join, email pennsarea3-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
Area 4
Area 6
Denise Weaver • area 4 representative area4rep@pennwriters.org
Suzanne Mattaboni • area 6 representative area6rep@pennwriters.org There are currently no pennwriters groups meeting in area 6, but if you are interested in forming a group, contact Suzanne.
The inkwell (altoona area) Meets 1st Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. in the altoona area. contact Denise Weaver at area4rep@pennwriters.org. 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. Additional groups meeting in State College: oLLi Writer's group meets monthly at the Schlow Library (211 S. allen St.). contact rita Lumpkins at ritalouise@gmail.com. Nittany Valley Writers Network meets 2nd Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at Schlow Library (211 S. allen St.). Nittany Valley Writers Network: The early risers meets 3rd Wednesday from 7-8 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 Sandra bush • area 5 representative area5rep@pennwriters.org york area group critique structure: bring 7 copies of up to 5 pgs. of manuscript, double-spaced. Meets 3rd Tuesday from 6-7:45 p.m. in the Study room of the Dover area community Library (3700-3 Davidsburg rd., Dover) cynthia Hospador at chospador@gmail.com. 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. Additional writers groups meeting in Area 5: The gettysburg Writers brigade meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at o’rorke’s eatery (44 Steinwehr ave.) to talk about writing topics. readings are every 3rd Wednesday. contact Jim rada at jimrada@yahoo.com.
Area 7 Terry Friedman • area 7 representative 610-331-2558 • 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 carducci at Vicepresident@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.
Other events of interest to writers Pittsburgh Sisters in Crime Fall Retreat Workshops Come join the Mary Roberts Rinehart chapter of Sisters in Crime for a day of learning, writing and relaxation. Susan Meier, the author of more than 50 novels, will be presenting two workshops: Know Your Story and Can is Manuscript be Saved? e workshops will be held at the Carnegie Library in Oakmont on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, starting at 10 a.m. Cost for the day is $35. For additional details, or to make a reservation, please email Mary Sutton at pghsinc@gmail.com.
e Authors’ Zone 2017 Writers’ Conference e Authors’ Zone (TAZ), in collaboration with Author Ann Howley, and CCAC, will host the 4th Annual Writers’ Conference on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at CCAC Allegheny Campus in Pittsburgh. Writers of all levels will benefit from intense instruction, have an opportunity to discuss their manuscript with an editor (optional), get their questions answered, network with like-minded authors, and more. For details, visit www.theauthorszone.com/2017-writers-conference-a-collaborative-effortbetween-taz-community-college-of-allegheny-county-ccac-and-annahowle-author/.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
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Market News
coLuMN #121
by JiM Lee, area 4, aSSociaTe eDiTor, MarkeT reporTS
One of the primary themes to be explored in this issue is the value of networking in a writing career. Our first entry this time is a small example of its value. A mutual friend introduced me to a sometime-actress who became a Facebook friend of mine. She is associated with an independent theatre company and passed along the following info: Sundog Theatre is seeking submissions of short (15-25 minutes running time) one-act plays on theme “Scenes from the Staten island Ferry.” The plays should be unproduced, have only 2-3 characters and be contemporary, although some SF or supernatural aspects are okay. These works should be suitable for a general audience. They’ll pick six winning entries, and each will earn its playwright $100 and his/her work will be performed by the theatre in april 2018. For details visit www.sundogtheatre.org. Their mail address is Sundog Theatre, po box 183, Staten island, Ny 10301. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, 2017. With that out of the way, here’s info on assorted publishing opportunities gathered from various sites... pyr books pays pro rates and will buy long mainstream novels (100,000-130,000 wds), but most of their line consists of science fiction (85,000 wds and up) or fantasy novels (95,000 minimum). They’re also interested in ya novels (lengths not specified). in any event, they’re not looking for story collections or anthologies. They’re one of the few fairly big publishers that will consider works from writers without agents. They got a bad reputation some years back for being way slow to pay but are under new management, which says they’re dedicated to doing things right. www.pyr/contactus. Dreaming robot press is again reading/accepting SF stories appropriate for middle grade readers for another installment of their young explorers’ adventure guide anthology series. They need new stories, 3,000-6,000 wds long and pay 6 cents/wd. editor corie Weaver will be considering subs until Dec. 31, with the book slated for publication in December 2018. Like others in the annual series, it will be available in both print and ebook forms. To submit, you need to use the onsite form at the bottom of their guideline page: www.dreamingrobotpress.com. editor Lee allen Howard and Dark cloud press are looking for psychological thrillers and horror stories for an anthology called Tales of blood and Squalor. New stories: 2,500-5,000 wds considered, and ideal range is 3,000-4,000. as the title perhaps hints, he wants “wretched, low-class characters living in filth and poverty—lots of misery and blood.” For such cheerful works, he’s paying 3 cents/wd. Deadline for next submission period: Sept. 30. The book will be out in both poD and ebook editions. Visit www.darkcloudpress.com/TbSantho.htm. The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction was temporarily closed, but this genre pro zine recently reopened to submissions.
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on the other hand, uncanny: a Magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy is closed to subs until they schedule a new reading period. Mind candy is the title of an anthology of SF/F stories dealing with the intricacies of the human mind. in contrast to the above, the parent company (Myriad paradigm publishing) does NoT want anything too depressing, violent or graphic. They want unpublished stories up to 5,000 wds in length before the January 15, 2018 deadline, and will pay authors 6 cents/wd. guidelines are at www.hig4s09.wixsite.com/myriadparadigm/home. Submissions should be sent via email to higts09@gmail.com. perihelion SF is another magazine recovering from past technical problems. This monthly e-zine focuses on ‘hard science’ fiction. They want unpublished fiction (800-7,000 wds) and perhaps the occasional science fact article. pay is 1 cent/wd for both (though fiction has a $12 minimum/a $75 max for extraordinary work). Send submissions to editor@perihelionsf.com. Details: www.perihelionsf.com/1704/submit.htm. crimson Streets, a magazine mentioned last time, has now added Westerns (if written in pulp style) to the genres they will use. grievous angel is an online SF/F/H zine that pays 6 cents/wd for very short (700 wds max) flash fiction and $1/line for poetry (40line max; submit up to 5 poems at a time). all payment via paypal. www.urbanfantasist.com/-submission-guidelines.html. another e-zine, the bi-monthly Deep Magic specializes in “clean” SF/F (no extreme violence, harsh language, explicit sex, etc.). They’ll use work up to 40,000 wds but will only pay for the first 16,000. pay rate (for new stories) is 8 cents/wd up to 5,000 wds; 6 cents/wd for additional length up to $1,060 total max. reprints, on the other hand, earn 2 cents/wd. guidelines are online at www.deepmagic.co/submissions/, and they use submission manager you access at the bottom of their guides. east of the Web is a website for children ages 5-12 years old. They pay 5 cents/wd (with a $200 minimum) and will use either new or previously published work (as long as the author still has reprint rights, of course). They want you to query first. To do so, visit www.eastoftheweb.com for details. They say they respond within three weeks, although i’m told they answer back only if interested in seeing your work. arbordale publishing is a niche outfit with reportedly good distribution in places like zoos, aquariums and museum gift shops. They do entertaining picture books for kids designed to spark readers’ interest in math and science. They want their books to also feature a “cuddle factor”—encouraging parents and kids to read together. New books only. They accept subs in english or Spanish. but one odd thing i noted: nowhere that i can see is payment mentioned. probably a simple oversight, but be sure you know what’s what, and have it in contract form, before committing to anything. Visit www.arbordalepublishing.com/Submissions.htm.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
Life is a lot more interesting if you are interested in the people and the places around you. So, illuminate your little patch of ground, the people that you know, the things that you want to commemorate. Light them up with your art, with your music, with your writing, with whatever it is that you do. - aLaN Moore
Writing is an extreme privilege but it's also a gift. It's a gift to yourself and it's a gift of giving a story to someone. - aMy TaN
If I haven't any talent for writing books or newspaper articles, well, then I can always write for myself. - aNNe FraNk
Now onto some nonfiction-focused outlets... The martial arts magazine black belt needs nonfiction that enlightens or educates about various aspects of its area of interest. pay is $15-300 for articles of 1,000-3,000 words and accompanying photos. For details: www.blackbeltmag.com. any pennwriters up on the latest in newsroom tools and technologies? Source is a trade publication that pays $200-500 for “introductions and walk-throughs of tools developed in and for newsrooms, case studies and examinations of specific issues in new developments and data journalism.” They want queries. guides are online at www.source.opennews.org/. edible cleveland focuses on how people and communities in northeast ohio “shop for, cook, eat and relate to food.” They’re interested in locally grown/produced foods and have seasonal themes as part of their quarterly schedule. editor Jon benedict wants authors knowledgeable about that area of ohio. contact him by email: jon@ediblecleveland.com with an article proposal for assignment. pay is negotiable. article lengths: 1,000-2,000 wds for features; 250-1,000 wds for their departments. include writing samples with your query. www.ediblecleveland.com/contributor-guidelines. cabinet is a magazine dealing with the arts and culture, and they say they apply an expansive definition to both. They use feature articles, 3,000-5,000 wds and advise contributors to avoid scholarly jargon. They want proposals from would-be contributors and only respond (within 6 weeks) if interested, citing the small staff and number of queries they receive. issues have individual themes, but a few more general submissions unrelated to the chosen theme appear in each issue as well. Lengths are open; pay low (amount not specified). Details are at www.cabinetmagazine.org/information/submissions.php. electronic subs only; you’ll find a click-on link to the online form you use at the very bottom of their guides.
adventure cyclist uses articles about bicycle travel, recreational cyclist topics, accounts of tours, unusual/memorable bicycling experiences and humor. Various sections and departments use writing ranging from 1,200 wds to 3,500. Their pay range is 30-50 cents/wd. current reading period ends oct. 31. Visit www.adventurecyclist.Submittable.com/submit and click on ‘more” for guides, then click on the submit tab to attach your work. a magazine for hunters and anglers, gray’s Sporting Journal appears quarterly. articles run 2,000-3,000 wds and pay is $600-1,000 (depending on length and quality). poetry (usually 1 poem per issue) earns $100. They accept digital subs only. Details: www.grayssportingjournal.com/submissions/. The title of Diabetes Self-Management pretty much explains what they need—articles about living with and managing diabetes. 2,000-3,000 wds. Query with writing samples. pay varies according to article length, difficulty and writing skill shown. Visit www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/about-us/info-authors/. Salvo uses “an eclectic range of articles” on three basic subjects: sex, science and society. They seek the “systematic deconstruction of false ideologies, philosophies and worldviews.” Wow, right? Target audience is age 25-40, secular young adults. Vastly prefer unpublished work. Nonfiction lengths of 600-2,500 wds, and pay is 20 cents/wd (plus contributor copy of the issue). Query or send ms. Details are at www.salvomag.com/new/subguides.php.
And there you have it: Another varied and (I hope) valuable bunch of potential markets. Info this time from AuthorsPublish.com, FreelanceWriting.com, Ralan.com, Facebook’s Open Calls Pages, my inquiries, and a friend who’s part of my personal network of contacts. Tips, leads and other info always welcomed. To submit market tips/leads, email jimlee.author@gmail.com. Contributions are always appreciated.
THe peNN WriTer • September/october 2017 • www.pennwriters.org
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Writer’s Toolbox: Marketing Slogans Generally limited to 7 words or less, a slogan sums up the key benefits your product delivers. Every time people think about your product they’ll recall your catchy slogan and, subsequently, the needs it says your product satisfies. What are your strengths that impress, resonate, and differentiate the most? What has your audience nicknamed you? These are places to start for slogans. Position yourself as the cream of the crop in something, thereby communicating to customers your work is quality and won’t disappoint. “The bard of England” –William Shakespeare, playwright and poet “A writer’s writer” –Norman Mailer, literary author “Founder of Positive Psychology” –Martin Seligman, psychology professor and nonfiction author “The Goals Guy” –gary Ryan Blair, self-help author “Write better. Get published” –Writer’s Digest magazine “When it absolutely, positively has to be there” –FedEx overnight shipping firm -from Strategic Marketing Made Easy For Writers: Optimize Your Promotions for Bestseller Results by Dr. Nate Hardy, area 6. www.plusSignproductions.org
About Pennwriters
Submissions
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 400 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 Hilary Hauck at President@pennwriters.org.
NeXT DeaDLiNe: ocT 1 (NoVeMber/DeceMber iSSue) THeMe: roMaNce aND WoMeN’S FicTioN e Penn Writer is published bimonthly. Contact Heather Desuta, newsletter editor, at Newsletter@pennwriters.org. Please share your news, accomplishments, tips, great quotes, book recommendations, 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.)