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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – August 7, 2015

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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

Tierney James* 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)

brandy nacole* Willy Robbins -  author of the children's books In My Closet and Brooding School Blues

Willy Robbins

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Monthly Meeting – Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Sharon Kizziah-Holmes will present "Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding"

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Monthly Meeting – Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Sharon Kizziah-Holmes will present "Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding"

 Sharon Kizziah-Holmes

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.

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TODAY is the LAST DAY to enter the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest!

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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!

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Monthly Meeting–Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Lisa Wells will present "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!"

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Monthly Meeting–Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Lisa Wells will present "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!"

Lisa Wells

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. 

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.

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – May 1, 2015

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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/

rosalie stanton* ALLISON MERRITT — http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/

allison merritt* Heather Snow — http://www.heathersnowbooks.com/

Heather Snow* Yvonne Erwin — http://www.amazon.com/Yvonne-Erwin/e/B007M0KQPK

Yvonne Erwin

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 Groner
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.

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – March 6, 2015

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – March 6, 2015

ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, March 6, 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.

Participating authors:

* CARA BRISTOL — http://carabristol.com/

cara-bristol

* LISA MEDLEY — http://lisa-medley.com/

Lisa Medley Facebook Crop

* LYNDA KAYE FRAZIER — http://www.lyndakayefrazier.com/

lynda frazier

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!

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, February 7, 2015 Ben Reeder will share “Navigating the Amazon: Finding Success on the Digital River”

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, February 7, 2015 Ben Reeder will share “Navigating the Amazon: Finding Success on the Digital River”

Ben Reeder
The world of publishing has changed radically in the past few years. What was once the realm of the Big Six has now become a wide open frontier. Authors have become the new pioneers in the world of self-publishing, making themselves a power to be reckoned with. But like any newly discovered part of the world, there are pitfalls and dangers along with the potential rewards. Self-published author Ben Reeder will be sharing his experiences in this new frontier, talking about what worked for him, what didn’t and what to avoid in publishing. Topics covered include gaining visibility for your work, the role of author as publisher and protecting yourself from scams.
Bio:
Ben Reeder has self-published four novels in the zombie and paranormal genres, two of which have made the top 100 in three genres. A naturalized Missourian, he has called Springfield home for 25 years. Any resemblance to Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise is entirely unintended, and he vehemently denies being a superhero.
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.

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Mega Critique and Write-In--Saturday, January 3, 2015

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Mega Critique and Write-In--Saturday, January 3, 2015 Instead of our monthly meeting, ORA and Sleuths' Ink will be co-hosting our 4th annual Mega Critique and Write-In! You DO NOT need to be a member of either writers’ group to attend. Writers of all genres are welcome.

Check out the 2015 Write-in Flyer then click here for more information and to register.

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Monthly Meeting – Saturday, December 6, 2014 - ORA's annual Christmas party and Dirty Santa Gift Exchange

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Monthly Meeting – Saturday, December 6, 2014 - ORA's annual Christmas party and Dirty Santa Gift Exchange

 

*** We’re Starting At NOON Today, Not Our Usual 1:00 p.m. ***

Ozarks Romance Authors’ Christmas party is a BLAST each year! Mark your calendar now so you don’t forget.

Rather than having a guest speaker at our 1:00 meeting, we will start the fun at noon with a potluck lunch.

A Dirty Santa Gift Exchange will follow, and it’s always full of laughs and good-natured gift stealing.

Bring your favorite dish or dessert and a wrapped (or gift-bagged) gift in the $10 range for the game. The gift can be nice, silly, writing-related or not. Regifting is welcome. All we ask is that the gift be in good taste.

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – December 5, 2014

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ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, from 6:00 – 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.

Dec 5 AAWParticipating authors:

* BARBARA BETTIS, author of “Silverhawk” and “The Heart of the Phoenix” — http://barbarabettis.com/

* TERRI LEE, author of "The Bootlegger's Wife" and "Back to Austen" — http://www.terrileeauthor.com/

* S.J. MCMILLAN, author of The City of the Gods series, "City of the Gods: The Descendant" and "City of the Gods: The Betrayal", "Dark Light 3 Anthology", "Lillian's Christmas Surprise" and "An Author's Assistant" — http://www.mcmillansj.com/

* BRANDY NACOLE, author of "Uniquely Unwelcome", "Broken Faith", "Blood Burdens" and "Sacrifice: A New Dawn" — http://www.brandynacole.com/

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!

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – November 7, 2014

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ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s this Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, from 6:00 – 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.

Nov 7 2014 Authors at Art Walk

Participating authors:

* LISA MEDLEY, author of The Reaper Series, “Reap & Repent” and "Reap & Redeem" — http://www.LisaMedley.com

* ELIZABETH OBREY, co-author of “Stars in Her Eyes"

* ROSALIE STANTON, author of “Lost Wages of Sin”, "Know Thine Enemy", "Ripples Through Time", and "Moving Target" — http://www.rosaliestanton.com

* T. SUE VERSTEEG, author of "My Ex-Boyfriend’s Wedding", "Twisted Fate", "Secrets of the Sapphires", "Another Time, Another Place", and co-author of "Luck Be A Lady" - http://tsueversteeg.com

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!

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, November 1, 2014 Lori Copeland will share “I Meant To Tell You That”

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, November 1, 2014 Lori Copeland will share “I Meant To Tell You That” lori copeland

We are delighted to present novelist Lori Copeland!

Lori will share “I Meant To Tell You That” with Ozarks Romance Authors, a group that she helped launch in 1987. Her interactive presentation will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at The Library Station in Springfield, Missouri. Lori is the author of more than 100 titles, both historical and contemporary fiction. With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, she has developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She has been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books’ Best Seller award. In 2000, Lori was inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market.

We’ll be 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.

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Authors at Art Walk during Springfield's First Friday Art Walk - October 3, 2014

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Authors At Art Walk NOV 03 2014 bannerORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It's this Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, from 6:00 - 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.

Participating authors:

* BETH CARTER, author of "Tuesdays at Coconuts" and the children's books "What Do You Want to Be?" and "The Missing Key" -- http://www.BethCarter.com

* VJ SCHULTZ, author of "Death of Bigfoot," "Truth or Dare," and "Undercover Love" -- http://VerasVersion.blogspot.com

* ELLEN HARGER, author of "The Anonymous Blog of Mrs. Jones" and "Strong Enough" -- http://www.EllenHarger.com

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!

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 Ellen and Jeremy Pollreisz of PixelTwister Studio to Speak on The Basic Do’s and Don’ts of Book Trailers

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 Ellen and Jeremy Pollreisz of PixelTwister Studio to Speak on The Basic Do’s and Don’ts of Book Trailers

PTLogoFB

Ellen and Jeremy Pollreisz of PixelTwister Studio will discuss the essential principles behind what makes a good book trailer. It will be a lively presentation with videos and lots of energy. “Ask us questions and at the end of the program we’ll announce an exciting opportunity.”

We’re a team made up of author and trained character animator. Together, word motion is our passion making book trailers a natural fit.

Jeremy Pollreisz is the Creative Director, specializing in videos that use dynamic typography. His creative energy is like Old Faithful on constant burst. He needs to share.

Ellen Pollreisz is an author whose mission is to help readers challenge the absolutes they carry around. She’s also obsessed with the process. “Screw results. Show me how you got there.” Which makes her the perfect partner in creating book trailers. Think details.

We believe everyone has a story to tell. What’s popular changes, but personal truth and passion is always en vogue.

We make stories come alive.

We’ll be 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.

 

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Meet The Authors of ORAcon Friday, Sept. 19 at Barnes & Noble 4-6 p.m.

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Leigh Michaels Come mix and mingle with a lot of published authors, including:

* Leigh Michaels | author of how-to-write books, highly sought-after writing instructor, and author romance fiction -- http://www.leighmichaels.com/

* Angie Fox | New York Times Bestselling author of urban fantasy -- http://www.angiefox.com/

* Mia Marlowe | bestselling author of historical romance fiction -- http://www.miamarlowe.com/

* Rosalie Stanton | author of paranormal erotic romance -- http://rosalie-stanton.net/

The event is free to attend and will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers 3055 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, Missouri 65804 (Map). We'll be toward the back of the store. Grab some coffee or tea at Starbucks and then follow the noise to find us.

These fabulous authors have traveled to Springfield to speak at a fiction writers conference the next day.

If you are a writer (or hope to become a writer), please stop by to visit, and think about coming to the all-day conference on Saturday, September 20, at University Plaza Hotel. Cost to attend this fabulous, jam-packed event is just $75. Details are available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/551199241559207/

Topics that our guest speakers will cover at the conference are vital for writers of all fiction genres, not just romance.