We're putting together a fantastic lineup of speakers. Stay tuned for more details!
Springfield, Missouri -- where Ozarks Romance Authors is based -- was just ranked by Amazon.com as the third-most romantic city in the USA!
Our local newspaper, the Springfield News-Leader, called to interview ORA President Jill Slack to see what we think of this honor. Jill is quoted in a story on the front page of the Saturday, February 11, 2012 edition.
We saved a screenshot of the story to share with you.
Click here to open the PDF and read: SNL ORA quote 3rd Most Romantic City 2-11-2012
What did Jill have to say?
Jill Slack, president of Ozarks Romance Authors, said she thinks the rating isn’t necessarily because Springfield is a romantic place all on its own.
“I think it’s more that it’s the people,” Slack said. “It’s more of a traditional area.”
Slack also said there are quite a few writers in the Ozarks, which might be why romance book sales are higher — purchased for inspiration.
“When you’re a writer, you’re also a voracious reader,” Slack said.
Here is a link to a press release from Amazon.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110208005991/en/Amazon.com-Announces-Top-20-Romantic-Cities-America
Excerpt from the original press release:
SEATTLE--Love is in the air. Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced its list of the Top 20 Most Romantic Cities in America. After compiling sales data of romance novels and relationship books (Kindle Books and print books), romantic comedy movies (digital movies and DVDs), Barry White albums (CDs and MP3s), along with sexual wellness products, since Jan. 1, 2011, on a per capita basis in cities with over 100,000 residents, the Top 20 most romantic cities in the U.S. are:
Amazon.com’s Top 20 romantic cities 1. Knoxville, Tenn. 2. Alexandria, Va. 3. Springfield, Mo. 4. Orlando, Fla. 5. Cincinnati, Ohio 6. Vancouver, Wash. 7. Miami, Fla. 8. Murfreesboro, Tenn. 9. Dayton, Ohio 10. Columbia, S.C. 11. Pittsburgh, Penn. 12. Clearwater, Fla. 13. St. Louis 14. Erie, Pa. 15. Clarksville, Tenn. 16. Everett, Wash. 17. Gainesville, Fla. 18. Las Vegas, Nev. 19. Rochester, N.Y. 20. Tallahassee, Fla.
We LOVE Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty. We follow her on Facebook, listen to her podcasts, read her books, check what's new at her web site often, and her new book, "Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again," will be a door prize our our annual writers' conference in Springfield, Missouri, on July 23, 2011.
If you click on the image above (or on the link below), it will take you to a quick video of Grammar Girl thanking Ozarks Romance Authors members for our support. How cool is that?
Our 2011 writers' conference is listed in The Shaw Guides: The Guide to Writers Conferences & Workshops.
Ozarks Romance Authors
Website: http://www.ozarks-romance-authors.com Year Established: 1987 Program Description: Fiction writers conference that includes lectures, panel & group discussions, pitch sessions, Q&A. Number of Programs/Year: 1 Program Length: 1 day Group Size or S:T Ratio: ~75 Program Focus: Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult Faculty 2011: Literary agent Louise Fury; editor Lia Brown (Avalon Books); novelists Leigh Michaels, Shannon Vannatter, Shannon Butcher, Eliza Lloyd. Costs: $65 (early bird $60). U.S. Locations: Springfield, Missouri
Months: July Contact: Jill Slack, President Ozarks Romance Authors Springfield, MO 65802 United States Phone: 417-597-4716 E-Mail: ozarksromanceauthors@gmail.com
About ShawGuides Established in 1988 as a publisher of comprehensive worldwide guides to educational travel and creative career programs, ShawGuides has offered free online access to the unabridged, continually updated content of each guide since 1995.
You can search our updated database of career and recreational cooking schools, wine courses, golf & tennis schools & camps, high performance programs, writers conferences, photography, film & video workshops & schools, art & craft workshops, language vacations, cultural travel programs, and artists' and writers' residencies & retreats.
ShawGuides are recommended by many national and international publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Week, Fortune, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today.
The Joplin Independent, an online newspaper based in Joplin, Missouri, ran our press release about our annual writers' conference coming up July 23, 2011.
Joplin is our neighbor, approximately an hour west of down Missouri I-44. You've probably heard about Joplin a lot in the national news lately, since an EF-5 tornado ripped through the town on May 22, 2011. As of today, the death toll stands at 159.
Joplin is beginning to rebuild, but still needs long-term assistance. If you would like to donate to Convoy of Hope, please click HERE to go to the organization's web site.
HERE is a link to the story.
The text of our press release is as follows:
Conference for fiction writers is scheduled Updated: 2011-07-08 10:12:38 SPRINGFIELD - A conference for all who write fiction sponsored by Ozarks Romance Authors is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jul. 23, 2011. The annual event will feature agent and editor pitch sessions, workshops, panel discussions, break-out sessions, and networking. It will be held at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. A book signing will kick off the event from 4-6 p.m. on July 22 at Barnes & Noble, 3055 S. Glenstone Ave.
Attendees may pre-schedule one-on-one meetings to pitch their completed manuscripts with Louise Fury, literary agent with the L. Perkins Agency, or Lia Brown, editor with Avalon Books. Also scheduled to conduct workshops will be novelists Leigh Michaels, Shannon Vannatter, Eliza Lloyd, and Shannon Butcher. Their topics will include revision and self-editing, plotting, pacing, backstory, transitions, dialogue, character development and a review of the publishing industry. Winners of the annual Weta Nichols Fiction Contest, named in honor of the group's late founder, will be announced to conclude the day.
Tickets are $65, payable online via secure server here or via check at the door.A discount on sleeping rooms at The Clarion is available.
Ozarks Romance Authors is multi-genre non-profit group founded in 1987 in the southwest Missouri region. Monthly speakers help writers of all genres hone their skills and explore writing opportunities. Regular meetings are held the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station in Springfield. Visitors are welcome. More information is available by calling (417) 597-4716.
Hi, future attendees of Ozarks Romance Authors' annual conference, which will be held in Springfield, Missouri, on July 23, 2011. (Sorry! I got the year wrong in the video.)
I wanted to show you something interesting. We're going to have a little quiz later.
Click to watch the short video at the top of this page and you will drive around with me (Jill, 2010-2011 president of Ozarks Romance Authors) in a parking lot on the southwest corner of East Battlefield and South Glenstone in Springfield, Missouri.
You'll see several buildings in the same, large parking lot.
There is a small building with a Game Stop store in the north end and an AT&T Wireless store in the south side. Behind this Game Stop building is the only Barnes & Noble store in Springfield.
Here is the quiz: What could the Game Stop building possibly have in common with this Barnes & Noble, which is where we're going to have the booksigning for our speakers the evening before our annual fiction writers' conference?
The booksigning will be here at Barnes & Noble, within walking distance of The Clarion Hotel, which is where our conference is taking place. The booksigning will be Friday, July 22, which is the night before our conference, from 4:00 - 6:00, here in this large, lovely Barnes & Noble store.
Are you curious about what this Barnes & Noble might have in common with the little Game Stop building?
I'll give you two hints. The clues about what they have in common are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Yes, Brangelina.
Does that make you even more curious?
By the way, be sure to plan on attending our:
* Booksigning Friday, July 22, here at Barnes & Noble, 3055 S. Glenstone
* Annual Writers' Conference just down the road at The Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone
in Springfield, Missouri.
Now, if you are curious about what this Barnes & Noble store (where our booksigning will take place) has in common with the Game Stop building, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie, here are the details!
Ready?
1. GAME STOP BUILDING -- BRAD
Colonel Day's Levi's Emporium, which is where Brad Pitt worked as a sales clerk between the time that he graduated from Springfield's Kickapoo High School and went to seek his fame and fortune in Hollywood, used to be the only tenant in the Game Stop/AT&T building.
At that time, Brad looked like this:
I couldn't find any photos of the old Colonel Day's store, but the building has not changed much. Currently, the building looks like this:
Back then, it had an odd stucco finish with deep grooves to match the exterior of the Venture store on the west side of the parking lot. These were the only two buildings on the parking lot at that time, but the lot now also has Barnes & Noble, Office Depot, and Olive Garden.
The Venture store has been gone for many years and is now a K-Mart store.
This is the K-Mart Brad and some of the kids reportedly shopped at during their December 2010 trip to Springfield.
2. GAME STOP BUILDING -- ANGELINA
Take a closer look at the windows in the Game Stop building. Who do you see there, along with Super Mario?
Yup, that's an image of Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, long before she and Brad became Brangelina. The Game Stop building has several large images of Angelina hanging in its windows.
Gee, I wonder if that was the topic of conversation on the Jolie-Pitt private jet. "Darling, did you see the large posters of me in the windows where you used to work? Shall I have the longitude and latitude added to the tattoo on my bicep?"
3. BARNES & NOBLE / STARBUCKS
This is the Barnes & Noble store that became famous in December 2010 when, while in town to visit Brad's family, Angelina stopped at the Starbucks inside of the bookstore and bought coffee. News of the sighting of Angelina, Zahara, and Shiloh made its way onto the Internet, including:
People magazine
JustJared.com
It was also during this visit that Brad and Angelina posed for photos at St. John's Hospital (where I was born) to dedicate the new Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, named in honor of Brad's mom, Jane Pitt. To see the story in People magazine, click HERE.
There you have it! Thanks for playing, and we'll see you at our fiction writers' conference in Springfield, Missouri, on July 23! Click HERE for more details about the great speakers and topics we have scheduled for the day.
P.S. Stop by Barnes & Noble in Springfield to have coffee, just like Angelina! Enjoy it, along with some conversation, during our booksigning on July 22. We can't promise you'll see Brangelina but, based on last year's event, we think you'll have a lot of fun.
Ozarks Romance Authors' very own Jennifer Jakes discussed the Alpha Male yesterday on Rachel Leigh's blog.
EXCERPT:
So what do you think, ladies? Do you find yourself drawn to Alpha or Beta males in movies or books? Action hero or Romantic Comedy? Rouge or guy next door?
Want to see what all of the fuss is about? Click HERE to visit Rachel Leigh's blog.
Rachel Leigh is a writer of erotic romance who loves mixing love with good sex and plenty of cheeky laughter. She says the aim of her stories is to turn readers on, as well as making them feel love may be just around the corner. She is basked in the United Kingdom.
Jennifer Jakes writes hot western romance novels. She is the author of "Rafe's Redemption." Click HERE to visit her web site.
Eliza Lloyd is one of the authors coming to speak at our annual writers' conference, and she just gave a little sneak peek on her blog HERE. In fact, this is the second time she has mentioned our writers' conference, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Springfield, Missouri. We mentioned the other occurrence HERE, along with links to Eliza's books.
If you like a sexy, steamy read, click on her titles below.
Follow Eliza Lloyd on Twitter! Her Twitter name is @elloydwriting .
Writers' conferences and conventions of this quality in the midwest are not easy to find. This year's conference is full of presentations and workshops by award-winning authors, plus our attendees can schedule pitch sessions with a literary agent and publishing house editor from New York City. Opportunities like this do not happen often in the Ozarks! If you would like more details about who will be speaking (and who will be taking pitch sessions) at our conference, click HERE.
Ozarks Romance Authors, a non-profit group for Missouri writers of all genres, was founded in 1987. The regional writers’ group holds its meetings the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, in Springfield, Missouri.
Visitors are welcome. Your first three visits are free. For details about upcoming meetings, please click HERE.
Our annual conference will be held July 23, 2011, at The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about the amazing lineup of speakers and workshops, click HERE to visit our conference page.
If you have questions about the group, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com or call (417) 597-4716.
http://elizalloyd.blogspot.com/2011/06/ozark-writers-conferencejust-around.html
Congratulations to the 8 finalists in our 2011 Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest!
Their entries are now in the hands of our final-round judges, literary agent Louise Fury and Avalon Books editor Lia Brown, who will be here in person at our annual conference July 23 in Springfield, Missouri.
During the conference, which will take place at The Clarion Hotel Convention Center (between Target and Friendly Ford on South Glenstone), we will announce the winners and present the cash prizes -- $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. (If you are a finalist and can't make it, we will mail your prize.)
This year, we had a record-breaking 99 submissions from all over the world, representing many genres.
Many thanks to our first-round juges. Without them, we never would have been able to see our contest double in size.
Our 2011 finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Linda Carroll Brad San Antonio, Texas "Hannah's Promise" Historical Romance
Cecily Cornelius-White Springfield, Missouri "Snatchers" Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Alice Cummings Springfield, Missouri "The Treasure Hunter's Lady" Fantasy Romance
Rebecca Davis Cincinnati, Ohio "The Goddess of Michigan Avenue" Paranormal Romance
Lily Herman Pont Vedra Beach, Florida "Out the Backdoor" Young Adult
Brenda Littau Pallyup, Washington "Love and Zombies" Romance/Horror
Normandie Ward Fischer Gloucester, North Carolina "Heavy Weather" Mainstream
Gail Zerrade Boise, Idaho "The Patriarch" Mainstream
If you are interested in competing in our 2012 contest, please click HERE to follow us on Twitter, or click HERE to follow us on Facebook.
Would you like to be included in the fun, learning, and networking that we have planned for our July 23, 2011, conference? Click HERE for details.
If you are a fan of (or writer of) romance fiction, you've probably heard the latest round of bru-ha-ha about the genre supposedly being bad for women. It came in the form of a news story titled Romance novels can be as addictive as pornography on a news site affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This claim comes from Dr. Julianna Slattery, of Focus on the Family. She is a psychologist and author of “Finding the Hero in your Husband," and her views on the romance fiction industry were shared in an article written by Kimberly Sayers-Giles, a Latter-day Saints “life coach," for KSL.com.
Slattery's theory includes the following points:
There are similarities between what happens to a man when he views pornography and what happens to a woman when she reads a romance novel.
Men are very visual, and viewing pornography produces a euphoric drug in the body. This drug is the reason pornography becomes addictive. When the natural high wears off, a man will crash and feel depressed (as happens with any drug) and crave another hit.
Women are more stimulated by romance than sex, so when they read romantic stories (and they don’t have to be explicit to work) they can experience the same addictive chemical release as men do.
For many women, these romance novels may be more than a necessity; they may be an addiction -- and Slattery said she is seeing more and more women who are clinically addicted to romantic books.
Women may find their standard for intimacy begins to change over time because may not be able to get as satisfied with their partners as they can reading a book.
Tamar Bihari has written a fabulous blog post in response to Slattery's claims over at Women's Voices for Change: Redefining Life After 40.
Tamar Bihari's arguments include the following points:
Because romance novels at their core are all about relationships and largely aim for a happy ending, they necessarily reflect their authors’ takes on what it takes to build a healthy relationship. How two people learn to communicate, how to treat each other with respect and appreciation, how they can help each other heal from old wounds. They don’t generally begin from a healthy place, but the characters grow and learn through the story.
In so doing, they can illuminate that process for their readers, much like women might do in person, sharing stories while sitting around an office break room, or hanging out at the local playground with their toddlers. Shared experience, giving the reader a few new tools to bring to her own relationship. What’s wrong with that? (Unless you don’t believe that a woman should challenge her spouse to bring more to the relationship emotionally? Hmm…)
Relationships, emotional connections, these are foundational to our lives. To dismiss (or condemn) an entire genre because it focuses on the subject smacks of Victorianism, dismissing the “women’s sphere.” Sexist? I think so, yes.
Incidentally, romance, like any other genre (including literary!), has its share of clunkers and unfortunate genre cliches, but also a surprising richness of high quality fiction. Beautifully written or delightfully fun depictions of a place, a time, a relationship.
Bihari graduated from Harvard University with cum laude honors in History & Literature. A native New Yorker, she lived in Los Angeles for several years before returning east, and edited low-budget features and high-profile TV shows, including "Northern Exposure" and "LA Law," before turning to writing full time. Bihari recently wrote a review for WVFC of HBO's Temple Grandin; she's also given us her story of sharing her brilliant and talented son, Damian, with her Harvard reunion. She also written about her family for Autism Speaks and has published articles and personal essays in various other venues. As a screenwriter, Bihari was a quarter-finalist in the prestigious Nicholl and Austin screenwriting competitions and had three screenplays optioned by producers. She, Damian, and her husband Dan Valverde now live with their two cats in New York City.
What is YOUR take on this topic? Do you feel that romance novels equal pornography for women?
Several folks have emailed and called Ozarks Romance Authors to ask if we will be live-tweeting from our annual conference, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2011, at The Clarion Hotel Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri.
It seems that a few folks were hoping that they could just check in on Twitter to stay up-to-date with everything the award-winning novelists say during their workshops and presentations.
So, the big question is -- Will Ozarks Romance Authors live-tweet from our annual conference?
The answer is, "Sort of."
Here's the deal.
We will tweet to let our followers know what's going on behind closed doors to a certain extent. We'll let you know who is speaking and, toward the end of the day, we'll announce the winners of the 2011 Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest.
However, we will NOT tweet excerpts of the presentations and workshops.
You may be wondering, "Why not?"
There are several reasons.
1. The presentations and workshops contain material that falls under the copyright of the individual speakers. Out of respect for them, we won't put their information out there on Twitter.
2. Our attendees are paying a fee to attend the conference. Out of respect for them, we will not divulge the contents of the workshops and presentations on Tw. We hope that doesn't seem harsh. But, think about it. If you had paid anywhere from $50 to $65 to attend an all-day conference, would you be happy if you knew there were folks out there who were reading the same material that you just heard -- for free? Didn't think so.
There is still time to reserve your seat! If you still have not registered for our annual fiction writers' conference, click HERE to read all of the details and register at the bottom of the page.
Ozarks Romance Authors is a multi-genre writers' group, founded in 1987. We are a registered non-profit in the state of Missouri, and more than half of our members have been published.
Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station on North Kansas Expressway in Springfield, Missouri.
Visitors are welcome! Your first three visits are free. Join us for our critique group at 10:00 a.m., lunch at noon, and a guest speaker with a message relevant to the publishing industry at 1:00 p.m.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/OzarksRomance and "Like" us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/OzarksRomanceAuthors.
If you have questions about visiting our group, feel free to email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com or call (417) 597-4716.
Information about this conference is being provided by Ozarks Romance Authors because we support and encourage other writers' groups within our geographic region. In fact, many of our members overlap and are also members in these other groups.
Writing in the Ozarks: Writers' Conference at Ye Olde English Inn in Historic Hollister, Missouri August 18-19-20, 2011 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) Sponsored by Ozark Adventures, Inc.
The renovated English Inn, of Downing Street in downtown historic Hollister, MO, is the exciting, yet relaxing, working getaway site for writers of all genres: Westerns, Mysteries, Horror, general interest articles, mainstream fiction.
This historic inn features on-site dining at the River Stone Restaurant and the Black Horse Pub. Comfortable and elegant rooms include free wi-fi. All presentations are on-site or nearby on Downing Street, or at the campus of The College of the Ozarks (Saturday events only).
PRESENTERS
Janet Dailey introduced the “Western romance,” which focused on the female, who was often marginalized in traditional Western novels, and provided the “first look at heroines, heroes and courtships that take place in America, with American sensibilities, assumptions, history, and most of all, settings.” She is the author of the popular Calder Series, and she is now the owner of the English Inn! Visit Janet Dailey online by clicking here: http://www.janetdailey.com/blog.
Dusty Richards has written dozens of Western short stories and novels. He is the only writer who has won two Spur Awards in the same year (for short story and novel) and was named by Readers Choice in True West magazine as the “greatest living American Western writer.” He is the author of "Writing the West: A Western Novel Roundup." Visit Dusty online by clicking here: http://www.dustyrichards.com.
Radine Trees Nehring is the creator of the popular mystery series “Something to Die For,” set in the Ozarks, and featuring the adventures of Carrie Culpepper McCrite and Henry King. Her latest novel, "A Journey to Die For," was the winner of the 2010 Silver Falchion award at the Killer Nashville Conference. Visit Radine online by clicking here: http://www.radinesbooks.com.
Fred Pfister is a retired English professor and editor of The Ozarks Mountaineer magazine, and author of "The Insider's Guide to Branson and the Ozark Mountains" and "The Littlest Baby: A Handbook for Parents of Premature Children." Visit Fred online at the web site for Ozarks Mountaineer magazine by clicking here: http://www.ozarksmountaineer.com.
REGISTRATION & COSTS
Call Ozark Adventures at (417) 239-0203 to register. See program details in June on their website by clicking HERE. $60 ($70 at site) registration fee includes free, rest-of-year membership in the Ozarks Writers League (OWLs), to those not already members. (Click HERE for information about the group.)
Lodging and meals are at the expense of participants. Eateries within only two minutes walking distance of the English Inn are Vintage Paris, Little Hacienda, Japanese Kitchen, and Audi's #1 Pizza and Pub. Call Innkeeper Pam Hatch, 417-544-9056, and ask for special “Writer Rates” ($69 and $99). That rate includes breakfast at the Inn.
Visit www.oldenglishinnhollister.com for room views and information. Other lodging is located in the general area of Branson and Hollister. We would suggest the nearby Keeter Center on the campus of College of the Ozarks.
Read the article about “double Spur Award Winner” Dusty Richards in the forthcoming July-August issue of The Ozarks Mountaineer magzine. Subscribe and see sample articles and features at www.ozarksmountaineer.com.
This conference in Hollister coming up in August 2011 sounds fantastic! If you would like to attend, please post below or send us an email at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com so we can make plans to ride together or meet you there.
Ozarks Romance Authors is a non-profit, multi-genre group for writers and was founded in 1987. Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, in Springfield, Missouri.
Join us for critique group at 10:00 a.m., lunch at noon, and our meeting/guest speaker at 1:00 p.m.
Visitors are welcome. Your first three visits are free.
Our annual conference will be held July 23, 2011, at The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri. To learn more about the amazing lineup of speakers and workshops, click here to visit our conference page.
If you have questions about our group, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com or call (417) 597-4716.
Ozarks Romance Authors, a multi-genre, non-profit group for writers (founded in 1987), met Saturday, June 4, 2011, at The Library Station on North Kansas Expressway in Springfield, Missouri.
The June presentation was by member Kelly Henkins, who writes as Angela Drake.
Her topic was perfect as we prepare for one-on-one pitch sessions at our July 23 annual conference, with Avalon Books Editor Lia Brown and Literary Agent Louise Fury of The L. Perkins Agency -- "The Editor/ Agent Pitch Session: How to Make it a Success!"
We live-tweeted during the meeting until Twitter gave us a message that we had exceeded the number of posts allowed. Follow us on Twitter at @OzarksRomance!
Here is the entire transcript of the live-tweet:
June 4, 2011 -- 1:10 p.m. CT
Kelly Henkins writes as Angela Drake. Her site is http://angeladrake.blogspot.com/ She is speaking to Ozarks Romance Authors today http://ow.ly/53hr3 Topic: How to have a successful pitch session with editor or agent http://ow.ly/53hr3
Register for our 7/23/11 conference for 2 pitch opportunities #sgf #mo #amwriting http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Avalon Editor Lia Brown and Lit Agent Louise Fury will take pitches at our 7/23 conf http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Everything is a "what if" that moves the story forward.
Same with your writing career.
Must continue to ask "what if" to move your writing career forward.
Pitching is one of those "what if's."
When will you have another chance to pitch your book to an editor or agent?
What if you don't pitch at our conference 7/23/11?
When will you have another chance to pitch? Need to take advantage of this opportunity.
Kelly's info on pitching was a result of a last-minute pitch opp with an editor 10 years ago.
She gave her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for pitching at the conference.
Got her conf packet and found out she was able to pitch to 2 that day.
Advice on having a great pitch?
Don't be nervous.
Kelly/Angela walked out of her first pitch session EVER with a request for full manuscript.
Agents/Editors told Kelly they are amazed by # of writers who have no idea what to do/say in pitch session.
Pitch session is like a job interview. Prepare for this!
You lose out if you don't target right editor/agent when pitching.
Sure, you'll be nervous. But be as prepared as possible.
Editors/agents are people, just like you. They've been on job interviews, been nervous, too.
Prepare well. Do your best. You are asking them to trust you to tell great story, meet deadlines.
They may ask you to make changes you don't totally agree with.
Separate yourself from the story and realize they know more than you.
You think your story is perfect? Pitch it. Editor/agent will ask questions, offer suggestions.
If editor/agent offers advice, don't be offended. Give it some thought. Will it work?
Editor/Agent knows what the book needs, often without reading it.
How do you prepare for those all-important 5 or 10 minutes in pitch?
Learn about the company. Dress appropriately. Just like a job interview.
You want this editor. Don't be mousy, mumble, etc. Be confident!
No such thing as a textbook pitch session/interview.
No editor/agent is the same. All are looking for certain things.
10 steps to making your pitch session go well...
1. Have the book finished.
What if the editor/agent asks for the full manuscript and you haven't finished?
Will you have time to finish it, polish, go over it several times, make it perfect?
All the time spent scurrying to finish book, editor/agent is waiting, accepting other offers, still looking.
She'll pick up the authors who are finishing the work and getting it to her.
Don't miss out on your opportunity because you don't have it ready to go.
Usually ask for first 3 chapters and synopsis.
Even if you get first 3 chapters and synopsis into the mail, don't let life grind to halt to finish book.
Must be in proper format and FLAWLESS.
You can't give a confident pitch if you don't even know what's going to happen in your story.
1 of first ? asked in pitch session is "Is this book finished?"
You need to know your story inside and out. If you pitch 1 story but change it, your pitch might be invalid.
If editor/agent wants to see story you pitched, but you changed it so much that it isn't the same...
... might not be interested since it's so different.
Basically, the blurb on back of book is your pitch.
Just like a reader deciding if she wants to spend $ to buy your book,
... editor/agent looks at pitch to see if she wants to take chance on you as writer.
Register for our 7/23/11 conference for 2 pitch opportunities #sgf #mo #amwriting http://ow.ly/4lZmp Avalon Editor Lia Brown and Lit Agent Louise Fury will take pitches at our 7/23 conf http://ow.ly/4lZmp
10 steps to making your pitch session go well...
2. Know your qualifications.
Do you need to be an expert? Expert on subjects mentioned in your book?
No, you don't have to be an expert. But know the topic well enough.
Maybe you worked at a summer job related to the heroine's career.
Maybe you've studied it well, researched well, have access to experts.
If non-fiction, being an expert is sometimes required.
Other qualifications? Holding position in writers' group, contest winner, degree in whatever...
...speaking at confererence or workshops, mentor other writers, critique group.
Anything that lends credibility and lets editor/agent know you are serious about writing career.
If writing non-fiction, need to show knowledge. Example?
Writing about hiking in national forest, and you do this as a hobby.
The more you pad your writer's resume with credentials, the better.
Take a college course on the topic you're writing about. Interview people.
Need to know about guns? Take a handgun course.
10 steps to making your pitch session go well...
3. Know the house.
Would you walk into a job interview knowing nothing about the company or job? No!
Learn about the publishing house. Who is the acquisitions editor?
It's not the senior editor. It's the underdogs.
Do they publish what you write?
Do you write steampunk but you're pitching to house that wants contemporary?
What about word count? What are they looking for?
Know your genre, the publishing house, and what they are looking for.
How many titles do they release in a month? Year?
Do they accept unsolicited manuscripts?
If they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts, here is your loophole:
You don't have an agent? You're not getting in that way.
Conferences are your loop hole!
If Writers' Market says a house does NOT accept unsolicited ms, why are they at a conference?
They are looking for ms.
They won't waste their time going to conf if they're not looking for new material, new writers.
Register for our 7/23/11 conference for 2 pitch opportunities #sgf #mo #amwriting http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Avalon Editor Lia Brown and Lit Agent Louise Fury will take pitches at our 7/23 conf http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Take advantage of conferences where editors/agents are accepting pitch sessions!!!
Conf can be expensive - tuition, travel, hotel, etc.
Choose conferences where you can get more bang for your buck.
Writer's Digest lists upcoming conferences.
Writers' associations list conferences in their genres.
Research conferences and find out where agents/editors will accept pitches.
Invest your money well in conferences with editors/agents accepting pitches.
Ozarks Romance Authors has 2 TOP NAME people coming to 7/23/11 conf, accepting pitches.
If you don't even know house's word count, how do you know your ms is right for them?
Guidelines are usually online. Do your research before pitch session.
Know the publishing house, know the editor/agent. Know what she's looking for.
If they're looking for contemporary romance, do you pitch sci-fi fantasy? NO!
Many editors/agents now have blogs and discuss what they're looking for. Do your research.
See what they are looking for. Look at their web sites.
eHarlequin.com often has free reads online. This is what's selling, so it's what they're looking for.
Don't let someone tell you no one is reading what you're writing.
Don't let someone tell you genre is dead.
Write what's in your heart, what you want to write.
Genres come in and out of style. It might come back if it's "out" now.
A year ago, you didn't see the word "steampunk" everywhere, but now it's hot.
A year ago, people were writing steampunk so they rode along and it's popular now.
10 steps to having a great pitch session...
4. Know the editor or agent
Editors/agents often have certain time period they're interested in.
Read their blogs.
Editors/agents often say on Twitter or Facebook if they're looking for certain things.
Follow them on FB and Twitter!
Are there authors who write in a way that's similar to yours?
You're not copying, of course. But similar genre, style, etc.
Are you more of a sweet romance? Women's fiction? Mainstream?
Is your writing style edgy? Are you the next Tom Clancy? What's your flavor?
Editor/agent hasn't read your stuff yet, but if you say...
"I write in a style similar to ____"
or "My story is a cross between ___ and ____"
... this helps editor/agent know more about your writing.
Can you find out something personal about the editor/agent?
Example: If editor/agent is a new mom and your story focuses on kids,
bring that up in the pitch session.
It's not all about your book. It's about the whole package.
Authors often mention their agent or editor. It takes detective work sometimes to discover.
Find out agent/editor of authors you like, authors who you are similar to.
Do research. Has editor/agent recently lost authors? Might be looking for new ones.
Some publishing houses won't work with certain agents.
Send email if you're curious. Ask agent if they work with specific houses the most.
You've done your homework, know everything about agent/editor you're pitching to.
Book is finished, flawless, and you've written blurb.
Now what? Take your blurb/pitch, stand in front of mirror, watch yourself deliver pitch.
Look at your reflexion. Make eye contact with yourself.
Look confident. First few times, you'll be wobbly. This is silly!
Get it out NOW, in front of mirror, and you'll feel confident at pitch session.
If you have a critique group (like Ozarks Romance Authors), pitch to each other.
You'll be more comfortable pitching to someone you know.
They'll see things you need to change. Stop fidgeting, etc.
They'll notice things that you do not notice.
Once you have the book finished, everything else is easy.
Business cards -- Vital if you are pitching!
White card with black print is best. No cutesy stuff!
Editor/agent often takes home hundreds of biz cards at a conference.
Graphics are OK, but not too busy or cutesy.
Use the back of biz card if you are pitching.
Set aside biz cards for pitch session and include on the back:
Title, target market, theme, word count
Don't put this on all of your biz cards for general networking. Only for pitch sessions.
This info will help you stand out and remind editor/agent about you.
Little things like this help you stand out immediately after appointment
Helps when you submit, too. Same info will be carried across.
Oops! Sorry! I lost track of which number we were on.
8. Dress appropriately
Business attire is best. Make a good impression.
If you want to dress casually for rest of conference, fine. Just change before pitch.
Women: Dress, skirt, pants, whatever. As long as you look polished.
A short heel is best, but do not wear flip-flops!
Men: Nice dress pants, business casual, possibly blazer.
Don't go into pitch dressed in a gimmicky way to promote your book!
Don't go into pitch dressed like Laura Ingalls Wilder!
This is not professional and it distracts from your goal.
Avoid cologne, perfume, jewelry that will distract.
The last thing you want is to attack editor/agent who has allergies.
Don't want her to spend your entire pitch sneezing at your cologne.
Dangly jewelry can be a distraction.
Kelly says she sees so many people go into pitches popping gum.
Sure, you just had lunch and you're worried about breath.
Use a mint instead of popping gum!
Neat, clean, and tidy is the key.
You're not out to impress with fashion sense. You're a confident business person.
9. Be on time!
Get there about 10-15 minutes early.
Yes, you will end up sitting there waiting. That's fine.
This can work to your advantage. If someone gets too nervous and drops out, you might go early.
You might end up with 2 time slots if person in front of you drops out.
10. Be confident!
You're there. You're prepared. You're confident. You're ready.
How do you feel? Are you getting nervous? Think you can't handle it?
Stop and ask yourself "What if?"
What if you don't go through with pitch session?
Don't let this end with you giving up without a fighting chance.
5 years from now, do you want to say "If only I hadn't chickened out"?
You'll look at friends' books on the shelves and wish you had followed through.
Be confident! You've come this far! Writing the book was the hard part.
Being early is also good in case you can hear other pitches.
Listen and get an idea of questions asked, editor/agent personality, etc.
When you arrive for pitch, extend your hand and introduce yourself.
Basic etiquette is rare these days.
Introducing yourself shows you are confident and you're a serious business person.
Agent/editor often have questions/comments to help break the ice.
These questions help separate you-the-person from you-the-writer.
Then you give her the pitch you have rehearsed so well.
Let your passion for the story take over. That passion is what you want editor/agent to hear.
If you talk about book in monotone voice, it says you have no interest in story.
Don't have to bounce in chair and be all excited. Just let natural flavor of story come through.
Editor/agent will recognize you're at the end. Now you ask if she has questions.
Don't let her questions scare you. They serve a purpose.
She's trying to see if her house has a place for your story.
She might be thinking "We've been thinking about doing a line of ___" and you fit.
Answer her questions with utmost confidence. You know the answers. Don't get flustered.
If you can't tell her about your characters, who can?
She may even ask more questions to dig deeper. Be prepared.
When meeting is over, extend hand, thank editor/agent BY NAME for their time.
Remember biz card you wrote info on? Give editor/agent this biz card!
If she asks for first 3 chapters and synopsis, be ready to send it as soon as you get home.
Did she ask for hard copy or email? Send what editor/agent asks for.
Do not take your entire manuscript to the conference and expect editor/agent to take it!!!
While you are fresh in editor/agent's mind, send whatever she asks for.
When you leave pitch, take a minute to step aside and make notes about meeting.
Jot down whatever editor/agent said that will help your pitch stand out.
Did she suggest certain things? Make a note on back of another biz card along with editor/agent name.
Attach that biz card to ms if you snail mail it.
Or if you email it, mention this info in body of email.
Example: "We spoke at the ORA conference in Springfield. You suggested..."
Some editors/agents give you 3 keywords to include in cover letter w/partial.
This helps cut down on unsolicited ms. If you don't use 3 keywords, they pitch.
If editor/agent says not interested, ask what they ARE looking for.
Ask what they would like to receive.
Anything you come out of pitch session with makes you a winner.
Even if they don't ask for ms or partial, you have grown!
What if your manuscript isn't finished? Should you pitch?
Absolutely! Very rare to get this type of opportunity.
Ask professionals ins and outs that you want to clarify.
Ask about the business in general.
Sure, you could email questions but might not ever hear from editor/agent.
This pitch session can be a huge foot in the door!
Google "Predators and Editor" -- great resource!
Thanks for joining us today via live-tweet!
ORA's next meeting is Sat, July 2, 2011. http://ow.ly/5byNH
Follow us @OzarksRomance & http://www.facebook.com/ozarksromanceauthors for July details.
Reminder: Register for our annual conference by July 1 for discount. http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Attendees can pitch to Lit Agent Louise Fury & Avalon Editor Lia Brown! http://ow.ly/4lZmp
Have you registered to attend our annual conference in Springfield, Missouri, on July 23, 2011?
Once you register, you'll be able to schedule your one-on-one pitch session. Opportunities like this DO NOT come along often in the midwest. A pitch session can be one of the best ways to get your foot in the door and establish a relationship with your future editor or agent. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity now by registering for our conference by clicking here.
For Immediate ReleaseJune 2, 2011
Contact: William “Bucky” Bowman, Missouri Literary Festival chair, (417) 865-0450
Since Ozarks Romance Authors is a non-profit group for the benefit of Missouri writers and a member of the Springfield Regional Arts Council, we wanted to share information with our readers about this event coming up during the Missouri Literary Festival. Sounds like fun! High Tea with author Janis Cooke Newman planned Sept. 24 During 2011 Missouri Literary Festival: The Civil War
The public is invited to a unique author event – High Tea with Janis Cooke Newman, author of “Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln,” from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011, at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway, in Springfield, Missouri.
The event is part of the September 23-25, 2011, Missouri Literary Festival, which has three days of stirring programs and author events devoted to the American Civil War to commemorate the war’s sesquicentennial.
Tickets to the high tea are $25 per person and are available by calling festival chairman William Bowman at (417) 865-0450. A limited number of tickets is available. Tickets to the tea also provide general admission for all three days of the festival, a $15 value.
Newman’s “Mary” is told from the perspective of Mary Todd Lincoln, whom the author calls one of the most misunderstood women in American history. “Mary” is a story filled with love and war, sex and séances, assassination, infidelity, madness and politics. The book was honored as the USA Today’s Best Historical Fiction of the Year in 2006.
Newman is one of a host of national and regional authors of Civil War-related books who will talk and read from their books during the Sept. 23-25 literary festival at the Creamery in Springfield.
Events will run 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets are $15 for the three-day event unless attendee has purchased a ticket for the Saturday High Tea.
Activities will include dozens of authors including headliners such as historian William C. Davis, author of numerous Civil War books including “The Battle of Bull Run;” Jeff Shaara, author of “Gods and Generals;” historian Adam Arenson, of “The Great Heart of the Republic: St. Louis and the Cultural Civil War;” David Wilson Atwood, of “Where The Mockingbird Sang – A Novel of the Civil War,” and many more regional and national authors of Civil War titles.
Other activities will include storytellers, discussions of the common soldier, demonstrations of the common Civil War family tent, period photography, Civil War-era music, quilting, a medical display, cooking demonstration, a celebration of African-American Poetry, entertainment by Marideth Sisco and Blackberry Winter at a Saturday night Authors Gala, children’s games and make-and-take activities, book sales and much more.
For more details or ticket information, go to www.missouriliteraryfestival.org, or call William “Bucky” Bowman, Missouri Literary Festival chair, (417) 865-0450.
Ozarks Romance Authors, a non-profit, multi-genre Missouri writers' group founded in 1987, has joined the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
The Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) connects people and the arts. It supports some of the most prominent visual, performing, literary and film/media arts organizations within 27 counties, the largest outreach of any in the state of Missouri.
The Arts Council launched Artsfest in Phelps Gove Park in 1980, and moved it to historic Walnut Street in 1990. In recent years, Artsfest on Walnut Street has attracted 35,000 people as a celebration of visual and performing art becoming the largest fine arts festival in Southwest Missouri.
In 1990, First Night Springfield launched to celebrate the performing arts on New Year’s Eve in a family-friendly atmosphere in downtown Springfield. This event attracts 5-7,000 people annually.
Since 1997, both festivals have been operated under a management contract with the Urban Districts Alliance and are the two largest fundraisers for the Arts Council.
In 2001, the Arts Council was given the opportunity to lead a Cultural Trust initiative, working with the Missouri Arts Council to build endowment for regional arts organizations. In October 2001, the Arts Council changed its name to the Springfield Regional Arts Council, with the goal of becoming a full-service Arts Council for the region. It also implemented the First Friday Art Walk.
In 2009, Springfield was recognized as the 2009 Creative Community by the Missouri Arts Council. The Arts Council also launched its third festival, the Missouri Literary Festival, to be held bi-annually as well as opened Fresh Gallery, a collective gallery of local fine art and fine craft in downtown Springfield.
The SRAC accepted an agreement with the City of Springfield to restore an 1890s warehouse building in Jordan Valley Park. Plans were to renovate the building for use as an Arts and Culture Center, providing educational activities for the community. Staff officially moved into the partially renovated facility called The Creamery Arts Center in September 1, 2002. The official grand opening was held November 16-17, 2002. Currently, The Creamery houses the offices of the Arts Council, Springfield Symphony, Springfield Ballet, Springfield Regional Opera, Springfield Community Center, Care to Learn, as well as a board room, arts library, exhibition hall, film editing bays, shared costume and set design shops and shared costume and instrument storage.
The Arts Council partners with member organizations, the Springfield-Greene County Board, Springfield Community Center and Springfield Public Schools on various education programs that reach over 30,000 children a year. The Arts Council also supports the following programs by serving as their fiscal agent: Claymobile, First Friday Art Walk, Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield, Eclectic Endeavors and LemonDrop.
The SRAC has a 21-member board and has a full-time Executive Director, Finance Director, Programs/Exhibition Director and Executive Assitant/Facility Manager. In addition, there are several active volunteers who help with major events and projects. The SRAC has developed a solid internship program with local universities.
The SRAC's operations are funded through memberships, festival/event proceeds, grants, donations and a portion of the local hotel/motel tax.
The current mission of the SRAC is to transform lives and enrich our Community through the Arts.
Ozarks Romance Authors, a non-profit group for writers of all genres, was founded in 1987. The regional writers’ group holds its meetings the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, in Springfield, Missouri.
Join us for critique group at 10:00 a.m., lunch at noon, and our meeting/guest speaker at 1:00 p.m.
Visitors are welcome. Your first three visits are free.
If you have questions about the group, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com or call (417) 597-4716.
NOTE: When the first Saturday of the month falls on a holiday weekend, we often reschedule. If you’re thinking of visiting and it’s a holiday weekend, please email us to find out if we have rescheduled.
Our neighbors (and a few members and friends of Ozarks Romance Authors) in Joplin, Missouri, were hit by an EF-5 tornado on May 22, 2011.
We are thankful to report that none of the members of our writers' group lost homes, businesses, or their lives. However, a dear friend of ORA, who recently spoke to us, lost her home. We send prayers for those who have lost so much.
If, by chance, you have not heard about the devastation, here is a story from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/us/24tornado.html
As writers, here is a small way that we can help.
The following information was shared on the web site of the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Since we are a member of the SRAC and because we support other writers' groups as much as we are able, we wanted to help spread the word regarding this call for submissions and how the funds raised will benefit Joplin.
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, a monster tornado hit the town of Joplin, Missouri, leaving a 6-mile path of destruction that has made this disaster one of the worst, if not the worst, in the state’s history.
Among the casualties were four of the schools in the Joplin School District, two of which lost roofs and a high school that is a total loss. We have partnered with the Joplin School District and are being kept apprised of their specific needs as they assess damage and begin the healing and rebuilding process.
To assist in the Joplin relief effort, the writers of the Joplin Writers' Guild, a chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild, plans to publish an anthology, Storm Country, with all proceeds from sales going toward rebuilding the school libraries damaged or destroyed by the tornado. In an attempt to re-establish a much-needed sense of normalcy within the devastated community, the Joplin School District plans to open school on the regularly-scheduled date of August 17, 2011.
Please help us to help them by submitting your writing to the anthology and purchasing Storm Country when it is published.
Thank you for your support of this effort.
Claudia Mundell, President, Joplin Writers' Guild Deborah Marshall, President, Missouri Writers’ Guild
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Joplin (Missouri) Writers’ Guild, in coordination with the Missouri Writers’ Guild, is seeking fiction, non-fiction and poetry to be included in an anthology, Storm Country, to be published near the end of the summer. All proceeds from book sales will go to the purchase of books for school libraries damaged or destroyed by the May 22, 2011, tornado. Midwest writers are encouraged to submit their original work June 1, 2011 through July 15, 2011. Submit work with the theme of storms and severe weather in the Midwest. All forms of stormy weather should be considered: ice, floods, tornadoes, wind, and snow. Include name, address, phone number, and email address on first page of submission.
Poetry of any form and up to 30 lines may be submitted. A maximum of THREE poems from any author will be considered.
Short fiction in any genre, 1,500 words or less, will be considered.
Nonfiction (features, essays, memoirs, etc.) of 1,500 words or fewer may also be submitted. A maximum of three pieces of prose will be accepted per author.
All submissions must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Prose should use three-space paragraph indention and double-spacing. Poetry should be single-spaced. Pages should be numbered. Spelling and grammar must be as the author intends. Author retains all rights. Please include third-person author bios up to 75 words.
Submit your Word documents by July 15, 2011, to joplinwritersguild@yahoo.com or mail to:
Claudia Mundell 1815 River Street Carthage, MO 64836
Join us Saturday, June 4, 2011, as our guest speaker presents "The Editor/ Agent Pitch Session: How to Make it a Success!"
This information is especially hot right now because those attending our July 23, 2011, annual conference have the chance to pitch to Lia Brown (editor with Avalon Books) and Louise Fury (literary agent with the L. Perkins Agency).
You have a scheduled appointment with the editor or agent of your dreams. Now you’re petrified you’ll never make it through the interview. What do you need to do to prepare?
Guest speaker Kelly Henkins (who writes as Angela Drake) will walk us through ten tried and true tips to overcome anxiety, breeze through that all-important five minutes, and walk away a success.
Kelly Henkins began actively pursuing a writing career twenty years ago. Since then, she has won many awards for short pieces, partials and poetry and published in art magazines.
Kelly is member of Ozarks Creative Writers, Mid-South Writers' Group, Sleuths Ink, and Ozarks Romance Authors.
For eight years, she hosted a weekly workshop on AOL. She continues to moderate a Yahoo Group extension of that workshop, The Writers' Zone, and is owner of the World Romance Writers and World Romance Readers loops.
When not writing, she speaks at conferences and enjoys time with her granddaughter, gardening, journaling, and a myriad of artistic pursuits. Her husband and best friend of twenty-seven years, Bob, supports her many avenues of creativity.
Visit her online at: http://angeladrake.blogspot.com
Ozarks Romance Authors, a non-profit group for writers of all genres, was founded in 1987. The regional writers' group holds its meetings the first Saturday of each month at The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, in Springfield, Missouri.
Join us for critique group at 10:00 a.m., lunch at noon, and our meeting/guest speaker at 1:00 p.m.
Visitors are welcome. Your first three visits are free.
Our annual conference will be held July 23, 2011, at The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about the amazing lineup of speakers and workshops, click here to visit our conference page.
If you have questions about the group, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com.
NOTE: When the first Saturday of the month falls on a holiday weekend, we often reschedule. If you’re thinking of visiting and it’s a holiday weekend, please email us to find out if we have rescheduled.
Have you discovered "Writers' Wednesday" yet? It is a feature on the blog of Ozarks Romance Authors member Barbara Bettis. Each Wednesday, she hosts a special guest to discuss their writing. It's always a quick, fun read. Click HERE to see today's interview with fellow ORA member Brenda Brinkley.
BRENDA BRINKLEY Writer/Photographer Brenda Brinkley has been a published writer since 1983. After taking sporadic breaks to raise a family, she now writes passionately. She has had more than 400 articles published, and her short stories have won awards and been published in a number of anthologies. Her photography has graced magazine and anthology covers, including the January 2011 launch of Ozarks Romance Authors' magazine (click HERE) and Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine.
Her latest project is a book for children titled "Cleveland the Green Camel."
Brenda's work has appeared in Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Magazine, Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine, and several editions of anthologies such as Mysteries of the Ozarks and Echoes of the Ozarks.
Visit Brenda's blog by clicking HERE.
BARBARA BETTIS Barbara Bettis is an award-winning author of historical fiction, and a long-time instructor of English and journalism at the college level.
She lives in the Missouri Ozarks and is active in several writers’ groups in the area, including Ozarks Romance Authors.
Visit Barb’s blog by clicking HERE. Her main web site is HERE.
Be sure to check Barb’s blog for future Writers’ Wednesday features!
When Ozarks Romance Authors meets on the first Saturday of each month, sometimes we have the opportunity for one of our members to "live tweet" during our guest speaker's presentation. If you follow us on Twitter (@OzarksRomance) you will see our live tweet take place at approximately 1:05 p.m. Central Standard Time.
At our May 7, 2011, meeting, one of our members traveled back home to the Ozarks from the Boston, Massachusetts, area to visit with family and speak to our writers' group. That member was Diana Groe, who wrote as Emily Bryan in the past and currently writes for Kensington as Mia Marlowe.
To learn more about this fabulous author, visit her web site, www.MiaMarlowe.com or her author's page on the official Kensington web site, http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkid=2836&linkon=subsection
The live tweet is on our Twitter page, but it's probably buried by now. We've had several requests to share the information, so we are posting the entire live tweet below.
It really helps if you stand on the shoulders of others. Don't have to go it alone.
Enter every contest that you can afford. If you have something worth taking a look at, enter.
Contests = excellent feedback from target readers and work in front of eyes of agents.
If you're in RWA and you win, place or show in RWA contests, your name is in RWA mag for industry insiders to see.
Publishing is such a subjective business. It's important to give them a reason to say no to you.
Win, place or show in contest = someone likes you, so industry insiders more likely to take a chance.
Diana wrote 2 complete manuscripts before 3rd one sold.
If you're working on 1st manuscript, this is your "training wheels" manuscript.
However, there ARE some people who DO sell their first book.
First novel pub in 2006 under her own name, Diana Groe.
Distracting the Duchess was so different than 1st book that she needed pen name, Emily Bryan.
Kensington liked her but wanted a NEW pen name, Mia Marlowe.
Must be flexible in this businsess, even if changing pen names.
We continue to learn, even once we are published. Continue to learn and grow.
Some writers are plotters. Some are pantsters. Some use Snowflake Method. Many methods. Use what works for YOU.
Christopher Vogler's Hero's Journey
Archetypes are characters that tend to reappear (not stereotypes).
Hero or Heroine = most important character of all. Comes from Greek "to protect and to serve."
Why is hero/heroine memorable? They live large. They are the person we'd like to be.
We want to at least try their life on for a while.
Primary psychological function of hero/heroine is letting reader slip into their shoes.
Character Arc = They must be different for having made the journey through the story.
Hero is the one who acts, not who is acted upon. They need to be the prime mover.
If hero or heroine practices self-sacrifices, it REALLY pulls in the reader. Motivated by someone else's danger.
Hero/heroine is how reader learns how this person deals with death (metaphorical or real). Death of dream, business, marriage, etc.
We read to know that we are not alone. We want to find out how others have dealt with loss because everyone goes through this.
Diana was so in love with her first heroine, but readers hated her. She was too perfect. Heroine needs to be flawed in some way.
"Monk" is a good example of flawed hero, and we are pulling for him all the way.
Another mask for hero/heroine or another character = mentor
Mentor represents call to our higher selves.
Mentors = editor in Romancing the Stone, Obiwan, Gandolph, Fairy Godmother
Fallen Mentor = used to be a hero, but has tumbled from pedestal
A League of Their Own = Tom Hanks is fallen mentor (former star player)
Sometimes mentor is inner mentor for hero/heroine = code of ethics, faith, Star Trek's Prime Directive
Mentor may morph into Threshold Guardian
Anything that keeps their forward progress down. Could be positive, negative, or neutral.
In some cases, value of having Threshold Guardian is showing potential danger in story.
Hero/heroine must be smart. Won't plunge into danger without any thought. Threshold Guardian can help with this.
Threshold Guardian might test to see if hero/heroine is worthy.
Threshold Guardian = neurosis
We want hero/heroine to earn everything they get. Threshold Guardian might help H/H be ready to face vill
Herald = another character. Signifies change is coming. Starts things in motion.
Herald could be force of nature, like tornado in Wizard of Oz.
Herald in Romancing the Stone = phone call to Joan Wilder that set story into motion.
Shape Shifter character = Might project what characters WANTS to see. Someone who changes abruptly.
Shape Shifter = Loyalty always in doubt. H/h wonders if this person will betray him/her.
Very last knot you want to untie in your story is relationship. Work it through to very end.
Hero might possibly be Shape Shifter. Example = Thomas Crown in The Thomas Crown Affair.
It has been said that your story is only as strong as your villain.
Shadow Character = psychosis
Sometimes it's the issues that keep the H/h apart. This is where shadow character is internalized.
Provide Hero with worthy opponent, whether internal or external.
Vigo Mortensen in GI Jane = Threshold Guardian / Shadow Character.
Make sure your villain isn't a cardboard character.
Every villain is the hero in his own story. Villain also needs something good, whether they love their children, nice to mother, something.
If but for a few bad choices, this person (villain) could have been so different.
You might want to redeem your villain.
Trickster = Character spreads mayhem. Good for sidekicks and also heroes. Bugs Bunny and other rabbit heroes across the globe.
Trickster can be catalyst for change.
Any character, at any time, can wear one of these masks.
The most satisfying stories have elements of Hero's Journey. Once you know them, will recognize in books and movies.
Orinary world
The title you choose sets the stage for your book. Give people an idea of what kind of a story they'll get.
Title is your first hook for the reader. Make it a good one.
Once you sell, your editor may or may not change title. But a dynamite title can help you sell.
Red Pencil Thursdays on http://www.miamarlowe.com blog. Looking for volunteers again. Email her through site.
Need 500 words of ms for Red Pencil Thursdays. She'll critique, send back to you, and then post on blog.
1st sentence of novel must surprise and delight. Grab them and don't let go.
Do not start first page of your novel with the weather (unless character is a meteorologist).
1st sentence is a promise to your reader that the story will move forward.
Avoid a backstory-dump! Don't spill your guts about the character. Tease the reader with info.
Foreshadowing is vital in the beginning of your story. Seeds of everything that's going to happen.
Hint at both the inner and outer conflicts in the beginning. Story must have both inner and outer conflicts.
Introduce H/h in unique way that draws in the reader. Something that will stick with reader.
Excellent example of introducing character is Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts -- "She woke in the body of a dead friend."
In the beginning, show what your character lacks. Something must change.
Sleepless in Seattle = Tom Hanks is burying wife and says it doesn't happen twice. All we need to know. Unhappy and we're pulling for him already.
For a good story, must also have call to adventure. Invite H/h to face the unknown.
Inciting incident = loss of loved one, temptation, something that stires restlessness, disorientation, discomfort.
Donald Maase says something must happen within first 5 pages to turn H/h's life on end.
Another vital part of story = refusal of the call
Why refuse the call to adventure? Why say no? Creates tension. Shows intelligence. Adventures are messy things.
The stronger the refusal, the more satisfying it will be when H/h jumps into it, finds out they are made for each other, etc.
Put a secret door into your story. Whatever you do, don't do ____. You know, at some point, they will face this.
Good idea to give H/h a wingman or wingwoman so they have someone to talk to.
Even with mentor, at some point, H/h must stand on his/her own. This is why mentors die. Obiwan, Dumbledore...
Threshold for adventure = usually toward end of chapter 3.
At this point, there is no returning to life as they know it.
Next portion of story = Tests, Allies, and Enemies. H/h will probably fail at first. Otherwise, the story would be over.
Approach to the Inmost Cave = Greatest challenge on journey. H/h must face his/her most daunting fear.
If your Approach to Inmost Cave is strong, your story won't have the dreaded "sagging middle."
Reward = After faced fear and moved foward, H/h get the reward. Could be true love, realization of goal, finding treasure.
Transformation & Revelation = Ritual death as hero overcomes greatest foe. Black moment.
Best if characters get into trouble because of something they've done. Because of their own choices.
Each action bridges on what comes before. Everything builds. Stakes are raised with each scene.
Black moment: Donald Maase says no matter how bad it is, make it WORSE!
The Return = Ready to go back to everyday life stronger, filled with purpose and deeper understanding.
Not all stories use all stages of the journey, but the most satisfying tales have several of these hot buttons.
Thanks for joining us for live-tweet of novelist http://www.miamarlowe.com speaking to Ozarks Romance Authors! #sgf
12 for critique group and 18 for meeting, which is great for a holiday weekend (Mother's Day)!
Barbara Bettis' guest today on her blog's "Writers’ Wednesday” column is fellow Ozarks Romance Authors member Mia Marlowe. Click HERE to see the interview.
By the way, Mia will be the guest speaker this Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the monthly meeting of Ozarks Romance Authors. Be sure to stop by! She will begin at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on North Kansas Expressway. We haven't seen her for many months, since she moved away from our area, and we are so looking forward to this visit and her words of wisdom.
MIA MARLOWE Mia learned much of what she knows about storytelling from singing. A classically trained soprano, she won the District Metropolitan Opera Auditions and has shared a stage with Placido Domingo. As she prepared for operatic roles, she devised back stories for her characters. Since she’s worn a real corset, and had to sing high C’s in one, she empathizes with the trials of her fictional heroines. But in Mia’s stories, they don’t die in a Parisian garret. They get to live and keep the hero!
Now an award-winning author, she writes historical romance for multiple publishing houses. Her debut title received advance ovations from romance luminaries. #1 New York Times bestseller Victoria Alexander says Mia’s Touch of a Thief has “adventure and heat and everything I want in a great story!” UK’s BooksMonthly has crowned Mia Marlowe “the queen of saucy historical romance.”
You can visit her at any of the following places: Facebook, Twitter, or her website.
BARBARA BETTIS Barbara Bettis is an award-winning author of historical fiction, and a long-time instructor of English and journalism at the college level.
She lives in the Missouri Ozarks and is active in several writers’ groups in the area, including Ozarks Romance Authors.
Visit Barb’s blog by clicking HERE. Her main web site is HERE.
Be sure to check Barb’s blog for future Writers’ Wednesday features!
