Heather Snow and Holly Atkinson will present Critique Mystique
2016 Mega Critique Group and Write-In
December Meeting
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, December 5, 2015 - Annual Potluck and Christmas Gift Exchange
We will be starting with our annual potluck dinner at NOON. Instead of a monthly speaker, we will have our Dirty Santa gift exchange. Please bring a $10-$15 gift, wrapped or in a gift bag, if you would like to participate. Regifting is fine as long as the item is in excellent condition and good taste.
The December 5 meeting will be at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. We'll be at the Creamery for our Mega Critique Group and Write-In in January, then back to our regular location at the Library Station starting in February.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
November Meeting
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, November 7, 2015 – Sherry Foley – “It’s all about that platform”
It’s all about that platform! But…wait…what exactly is a platform? Is it a one size fits all? We will discuss the dos, don’ts and dibs on defining what a platform is and how to create a solid on which to stand.
Sherry Foley is the author of the Captive Series and Switched in Death. She also is the managing editor at WinterGoose Publishing. Her next book is based in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri and releases in 2016.
Twitter: @sherry_foley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherry-Foley-Author/253958441304150
Please note that in November, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker begins at 1:00.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – November 6, 2015
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – November 6, 2015
We've had to cancel our November Authors at Art Walk, but watch for us in 2016!
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, October 3, 2015 - Panel of Professionals for Character Ideas
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, October 3, 2015 - Panel of Professionals for Character Ideas
- Fire Marshal - Ben Basham has been with the Springfield Fire Marshal’s office for 9 years and the Fire Department for 17 years. He is an arson investigator, bomb technician, commissioned law enforcement officer and all around good guy (as long as you keep him well-fed). He pretends to be shy but secretly loves the spotlight. His favorite movie is Backdraft and his favorite TV show is Chicago Fire.
- Doctor - Chuck Sheppard Born many many years ago in Springfield, Graduated from Greenwood, got a degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell then Medical School at the University of Missouri Columbia. Did internship at Presbyterian hospital in San Francisco. Served as Medical Director Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic in San Francisco Drug Treatment/Rock medicine section for 4 years. Residency at Presbyterian. Moved to Massachusetts practiced Internal Medicine for 6 years the became ER director. Did that for several years then moved to Ohio for a year then Upstate NY and then back to Mercy (then St. Johns) in Springfield in 1992. Currently working in the Emergency Department and serving as the medical director for Mercy Life Line and Mercy Kids Transport. In Springfield. Lecture around the country on all things prehospital/emergency medicine. Also have a miniature horse farm (7S Miniatures) see web site www.7sminiatures.com. Love to read all kinds of books and magazines.
- Attorney - Jonathan Barker received the Prosecutor of the Year Award in 2008 and 2009. He has spent 5+ years in the Greene County Prosecutor’s office, working in different units (Major Crimes, Crimes Against Persons, and General Crime). He has attended jury trials, bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and motion hearings. He has worked on a variety of cases for crimes committed against people (involving children, kidnapping, sexual offenses, domestic violence offenses, assault, assault on law enforcement) , drugs (drug possession, drug distributing, drug manufacturing) , arson, and robbery (robbery, burglary, stealing and other property crimes).
Please note that in October, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker panel begins at 1:00.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Congratulations to the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest WINNERS!
Congratulations to the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest WINNERS!
Historical Category
- 1st Place: Pam Bazemore, "A Choice Between"
Pam Bazemore. (Birchwood, 20 minutes NE of Chattanooga, TN) She’s attempted a number of things to find her primary role in life: secretary, cashier, piece worker, fork-lift driver and even tank driver in the TN Army Nat’l Guard. Writing short fiction and personal journals is something she’s done off and on since high school. ‘A Choice Between’ is her first novel. She has a completed second, a raw third, and eight chapters (so far) of a fourth. When not writing, she makes the claim of ‘glorified gopher’ for her husband’s business, devoted mom to their brilliant 23 year old son, and chief feeder and caretaker to six dogs she didn’t really intend to have but couldn’t give them up even if she wanted to.
- 2nd Place: Veda Boyd Jones, "Will Jolie's Excellent Vietnam Adventure"
Veda Boyd Jones (Joplin, MO) has written romance novels and children’s fiction and nonfiction books and is trying her hand at a mainstream historical novel. She reread letters she received from her husband during his army years (previous to their marriage), and using them as a catalyst, she decided to fictionalize the turmoil and angst of the Vietnam era on a young man and the young woman he loved. New ebooks: The Governor’s Daughter, That Sunday Afternoon
- 3rd Place: Lindsey Edwards, "Awaiting the Viscount's Kiss
Contemporary Category
- 1st Place: Jessie Gussman, "When Silence Speaks"
- 2nd Place: Lindy Dierks, "Who Says You Can't Go Home"
Lindy Dierks, an avid reader her entire life, began writing a few years ago. She squeezes in writing contemporary romances in the early morning hours, between a full time job, three kids, and the mountains of laundry.
- 3rd Place: Lori Younker, "Without Borders"
Lori Younker has enjoyed the world of words with her international friends for over 30 years. Whether she is learning a new language or teaching English, she appreciates the power of words to capture issues that inspire others. She has had several short stories published in anthologies some of which placed first and second in contests. Lori and her husband raised three kids in warm and woodsy Missouri. Currently, she is president of the COMO Writers’ Guild and donates her energies to recent immigrants and to her writing.
Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- 1st Place: Rosalie Stanton, "Hellion"
Rosalie Stanton is a multi-published erotic romance author, with emphasis in paranormal and contemporary. A lifelong enthusiast of larger than life characters, Rosalie enjoys building worlds filled with strong heroes and heroines of all backgrounds.
- 2nd Place: Allison Merritt, "Lawless"
A love of reading inspired Allison Merritt to pursue her dream of becoming an author who writes historical, paranormal, contemporary, and fantasy romances, often combining the sub-genres. She lives in a small town in the Ozark Mountains with her husband and dogs. It's not unusual to find her lurking in graveyards, wandering historical sites, or listening to ghost stories.
- 3rd Place: Anne Belen, "Past Mistakes"
Young Adult/Middle Grade
- 1st Place: Mary Holm, "The Fatal Crown"
Mary Holm started writing her first novel after her twins were born as a way to stay sane between feedings and diaper changes. Since then, she’s written two novels and is working on a third. After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a BA in Television, she worked in production, did documentary research, and currently works as a script researcher for TV programs and movies.
She lives in Burbank, CA with her wonderful husband of 32 years. Her boy and girl twins are now grown and have recently made her a grandmother to two beautiful grandsons, three months apart. On the rare occasions when she has spare time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, watching TV and tweeting.
- 2nd Place: Charles Robertson, "Ghost Tree"
- 3rd Place: S.D. Keeling, "Songs Never Sung, Words Never Spoken"
S. D. Keeling is the pen name of Sharon Keeling Davis, an award-winning photographer, aspiring author and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She is often drawn to historical and time travel fiction--not surprising since she spent five years as a grad student in ancient and medieval history.
ORACon 2015 – September 18-19, 2015
Ozarks Romance Authors' Annual Conference (ORACON) is almost here!
You are invited to Ozarks Romance Authors’ Annual Fiction Writers’ Conference! This event is NOT just for romance writers. The fundamentals of good writing are universal, and you will learn vital information about the publishing industry, no matter the genre you write. Check out our lineup of fantastic speakers and register here. We will also announce the winners for the 2015 Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest, named in honor of the woman who founded our group in 1987, the late novelist Weta Nichols.
The conference itself will be held Saturday, September 19, 2015 at University Plaza in Springfield, MO. Check out the agenda to see the pre-conference activities on Friday, September 18th and plan to join in the fun!
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – September 4, 2015
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – September 4, 2015
ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, September 4, 2015, from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m., at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St., Ste 101, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-501-1062). www.Facebook.com/BookMarxbooks
Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!
Participating authors:
Rosalie Stanton — a multi-published erotic romance author, with emphasis in paranormal and contemporary, author of LOST WAGES OF SIN, SEX, SIN & SCANDAL, FLIP SIDE OF SIN, FIRSTS, WITNESS, KNOW THINE ENEMY, and MOVING TARGET.
Ellen Harger — a writer at the Chick Lit end of Women’s Fiction and the Women’s Fiction end of Chick Lit, author of STRONG ENOUGH and THE ANONYMOUS BLOG OF MRS. JONES.
Lisa Medley — a reader and writer of paranormal romance/urban fantasy novels about monsters in love, author of The Reaper Series (REAP & REPENT, REAP & REDEEM, REAP & REVEAL), HAUNT MY HEART, and SPACE COWBOYS & INDIANS.
VJ Schultz— a writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, author of DEATH OF BIGFOOT & OTHER TALES, TRUTH OR DARE & OTHER TALES, UNDERCOVER LOVE & OTHER TALES, VERA’S VERSION, and THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT.
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, September 5, 2015 - Holly Atkinson will present Pitching to Editors and Agents
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, September 5, 2015 - Holly Atkinson will present Pitching to Editors and Agents
Holly Atkinson was fortunate to receive her first taste in editing when she was thirteen and wrote copy for a local realtor show. In 2008, Holly graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in English, emphasizing in Creative Writing. Her first real job in the literary world came in the role of line editor for Lyrical Press. In 2011, she was recruited by Mundania Press as a content editor, where she met one of her future Samhain coworkers. In 2012, Holly joined the amazing team at Samhain Publishing.
Holly lives in Missouri with her husband, loves travel, musicals, and goes a little nutty around the holidays. In her spare time, she writes erotic romances and serves as a copywriter for a local marketing firm.
Please note that in September, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker begins at 1:00.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – August 7, 2015
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – August 7, 2015
ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, August 7, 2015, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., at the Park Central Branch Library (128 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-831-1342).
Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!
Participating authors:
* Tierney James — author of the Enigma Series (An Unlikely Hero, Winds of Deception), There's a Superhero in the Library, Zombie Meatloaf and The Rescued Heart
* Brandy Nacole - author of The Shadow World series (Uniquely Unwelcome, Blood Burdens, Sacrifice: A New Dawn) and the Spiritual Discord series (Broken Faith, Raging Storm)
* Willy Robbins - author of the children's books In My Closet and Brooding School Blues
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Sharon Kizziah-Holmes will present "Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding"
Monthly Meeting – Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Sharon Kizziah-Holmes will present "Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding"
You’ve heard it over and over again…show, don’t tell. In Sharon’s program, Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding, she will give us insight on how to engage readers by putting them in the character’s world. Showing helps the reader experience the story through actions, words, thoughts, senses, expressions, feelings and conveys your story in more of a visual presentation.
Sharon is a retired road musician and has written songs since the age of fourteen. She became interested in writing novels and short stories in the early 1990’s and joined ORA in 1992. Sharon has served as the ORA President, Vice President, and Secretary, and for four years she was the Conference Coordinator. Ozarks Romance Authors is like home to her. She is also a member of Springfield Writers’ Guild, Ozarks Writers’ League and Sleuths’ Ink Mystery Writers.
Her latest novel, The Will and the Wisp, is historical fiction based on a true story. Though she writes mostly romance, Sharon says, “Venturing out into the mainstream world with my co-author James Armstrong has been a great experience.” She and James are shooting for spring 2016 for release of the sequel The Voice in the Wind.
For three years, in the mid 1990’s, Sharon published an e-zine, Short Stories Magazine, which featured local authors. She gave it up because grandkids started to come along and she felt family time was more important.
However, Sharon has helped writers self-publish since 2002, and in 2012 decided to start her own indie assist publishing company. She now has four imprints - Paperback-Press, Kids Book Press Publishing, e-Book Press Publishing and (with her husband’s recording studio to accommodate) Audio Book press. Being an indie assist publisher has been a learning experience to say the least. Nonetheless, with over sixty books, of all genres, published over the last three years she is proud of her accomplishments and the growth of the company.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paperbackpresspub
Twitter: @paperbackpress
Please note that for the August meeting, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker begins at 1:00.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
The 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest is now CLOSED
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest. Submissions are now closed. Winners will be announced at our annual conference on September 19, 2015 then posted on the website. Check back next year for another chance to enter and win!
TODAY is the LAST DAY to enter the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest!
The countdown has begun. Don't miss out! Submit your entry to the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest TODAY!
Submit the first chapter (up to 2,500 words) of your unpublished novel to win prizes and a chance to be read by the agent or editor serving as our final judges. Louise Fury, an agent with The Bent Agency, will judge Historical and Young Adult/Middle Grade. Candace Havens, Editorial Director with Entangled Publishing, will judge Contemporary and Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy.
Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, but the piece submitted must be unpublished (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub) and not under contract to be published. Entries are open genre and not required to contain romantic tones. Categories in which entries may be judged are:
- Historical
- Contemporary
- Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- Young Adult/Middle Grade.
Membership in Ozarks Romance Authors is not required in order to enter. There will be three prizes awarded in each category:
- 1st place – $75 and a 1-Year ORA Membership (a $25 value)
- 2nd place – $50
- 3rd place – $25.
Please read all guidelines carefully. If you have questions about the rules, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com with WETA QUESTION in the subject line.
Good luck!
NO MEETING IN JULY!
There will be NO JULY MEETING since our normal date falls on the July 4th holiday. See you in August!
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Lisa Wells will present "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!"
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Lisa Wells will present "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!"
In her presentation "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!", Lisa will show us how to:
• Check your manuscript to see if your dialogue has the essential ingredients of great dialogue. • Weed out the most common dialogue flaws. • Learn techniques to craft dialogue that will emotionally impact (manipulate) the reader.
Lisa Wells is a 25-year veteran educator. For the past 18 years, she's enjoyed a rollercoaster journey called: The School Counselor – Dramas, Dreams, and Destinies. Add the theme song to Jaws, and you have the feel for this fun ride.
Author of DIBS, a sexy romance, nominated as Debut Book That Rocks and Best Book of The Year, Lisa believes writers should never quit studying their craft. Her Dialogue class was born out of a treasure trove of information she discovered while studying dialogue from a screenwriter's perspective.
Represented by Literary Agent, Tish Beaty. In August, her book THE SEDUCTION OF KINLEY FOSTER will be released by Entangled Publishing as part of their What Happens in Vegas series.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.wells.737
Twitter @lisawells1
ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, May 2, 2015 Ramon Ballard will present information about querytracker.com.
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, May 2, 2015 Ramon Ballard will present information about querytracker.com.
Ramon Ballard will present information about querytracker.com. You can learn how to use the site to your best advantage. Find out how to find agents, query, and track your queries.
Bio:
I grew up in Salt Lake City and was invisible throughout my schooldays (due to my shyness). I had the lonely child's habit of making up stories and holding conversations with imaginary persons. Invisibility has definite advantages, especially when combined with a vivid imagination. I created magical fantasy worlds with magical inhabitants.
I grew up in Salt Lake City and was invisible throughout my schooldays (due to my shyness). I had the lonely child's habit of making up stories and holding conversations with imaginary persons. Invisibility has definite advantages, especially when combined with a vivid imagination. I created magical fantasy worlds with magical inhabitants.
Time does not stand still. Fantasy worlds evolve into mundane, everyday life. As I grew older, my whimsical travels to far off places diminished and my invisibility slowly faded into visibility. All foolish realms were forgotten, pushed to the farthest regions of my mind. I grew up, but a small part of my mind, the part stuffed with imaginary worlds, refused to get older. I must have a Peter Pan soul.
I would tell the stories, once only heard by my imaginary friends, to my own children. Alas children, like time, do not stand still, and grow too old for such nonsense. But, I still loved my stories and would tell my wife that one day I would write a great children's novel. One day my life was changed forever when my wife told me to "shut up and write." It seems that life has a way of going in full circles. Late at night, I find myself having conversations with imaginary persons.
The rest is or will be history.
ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – May 1, 2015
Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – May 1, 2015
ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, May 1, 2015, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St., Ste 101, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-501-1062). www.Facebook.com/BookMarxbooks
Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!
Participating authors:
* ROSALIE STANTON - http://rosaliestanton.com/bookshel/
* ALLISON MERRITT — http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/
* Heather Snow — http://www.heathersnowbooks.com/
* Yvonne Erwin — http://www.amazon.com/Yvonne-Erwin/e/B007M0KQPK
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, April 4, 2015 Christopher Johnson will share “What Movies Teach Writers”
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, April 4, 2015 Christopher Johnson will share “What Movies Teach Writers”
Everyone loves to see movies, but are there lessons to be learned for an author in them? Christopher will cover screenplay structure, dialog, and scene structure. Christopher is a Writer-Director for a National Insurance company, handling all of their video corporation, as well as an independent screenwriter. He has thirteen years of experience in this field and ran his own company for independent film for five years.
ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, March 7, 2015 Wayne Groner will share “Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang”
Monthly Meeting–Saturday, March 7, 2015 Wayne Groner will share “Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang”
Wayne will be speaking on Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang. His webpage is waynegroner.com. Stay tuned for more info!
ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.
Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.