Did you see us in the Joplin Independent July 8, 2011?

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.

Joplin Chapter of Missouri Writers' Guild To Publish Anthology To Rebuild School Libraries Destroyed By Tornado

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