ORACon 2015 – September 18-19, 2015

Ozarks Romance Authors' Annual Conference (ORACON) is almost here!

You are invited to Ozarks Romance Authors’ Annual Fiction Writers’ Conference! This event is NOT just for romance writers. The fundamentals of good writing are universal, and you will learn vital information about the publishing industry, no matter the genre you write. Check out our lineup of fantastic speakers and register here. We will also announce the winners for the 2015 Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest, named in honor of the woman who founded our group in 1987, the late novelist Weta Nichols.

The conference itself will be held Saturday, September 19, 2015 at University Plaza in Springfield, MO. Check out the agenda to see the pre-conference activities on Friday, September 18th and plan to join in the fun!

Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – September 4, 2015

Authors at Art Walk during Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk – September 4, 2015

ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, September 4, 2015, from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m., at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St., Ste 101, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-501-1062). www.Facebook.com/BookMarxbooks

Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!

Participating authors:

Rosalie Stanton — a multi-published erotic romance author, with emphasis in paranormal and contemporary, author of LOST WAGES OF SIN,  SEX, SIN & SCANDAL, FLIP SIDE OF SIN, FIRSTS, WITNESS, KNOW THINE ENEMY, and MOVING TARGET.

Ellen Harger — a writer at the Chick Lit end of Women’s Fiction and the Women’s Fiction end of Chick Lit, author of STRONG ENOUGH and THE ANONYMOUS BLOG OF MRS. JONES.

Lisa Medley — a reader and writer of paranormal romance/urban fantasy novels about monsters in love, author of The Reaper Series (REAP & REPENT, REAP & REDEEM, REAP & REVEAL), HAUNT MY HEART, and SPACE COWBOYS & INDIANS.

VJ Schultz— a writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, author of DEATH OF BIGFOOT & OTHER TALES, TRUTH OR DARE & OTHER TALES, UNDERCOVER LOVE & OTHER TALES, VERA’S VERSION, and THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT.

Monthly Meeting – Saturday, September 5, 2015 - Holly Atkinson will present Pitching to Editors and Agents

Monthly Meeting – Saturday, September 5, 2015 - Holly Atkinson will present Pitching to Editors and Agents

 Holly Atkinson was fortunate to receive her first taste in editing when she was thirteen and wrote copy for a local realtor show. In 2008, Holly graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in English, emphasizing in Creative Writing. Her first real job in the literary world came in the role of line editor for Lyrical Press. In 2011, she was recruited by Mundania Press as a content editor, where she met one of her future Samhain coworkers. In 2012, Holly joined the amazing team at Samhain Publishing.

Holly lives in Missouri with her husband, loves travel, musicals, and goes a little nutty around the holidays. In her spare time, she writes erotic romances and serves as a copywriter for a local marketing firm.

Please note that in September, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker begins at 1:00.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

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

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

ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, August 7, 2015, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., at the Park Central Branch Library (128 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-831-1342).

Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!

Participating authors:

* Tierney James — author of the Enigma Series (An Unlikely Hero, Winds of Deception), There's a Superhero in the Library, Zombie Meatloaf and The Rescued Heart

* Brandy Nacole - author of The Shadow World series (Uniquely Unwelcome, Blood Burdens, Sacrifice: A New Dawn) and the Spiritual Discord series (Broken Faith, Raging Storm)

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

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

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

 

You’ve heard it over and over again…show, don’t tell. In Sharon’s program, Telling communicates facts; Showing invites understanding, she will give us insight on how to engage readers by putting them in the character’s world. Showing helps the reader experience the story through actions, words, thoughts, senses, expressions, feelings and conveys your story in more of a visual presentation.

Sharon is a retired road musician and has written songs since the age of fourteen. She became interested in writing novels and short stories in the early 1990’s and joined ORA in 1992. Sharon has served as the ORA President, Vice President, and Secretary, and for four years she was the Conference Coordinator. Ozarks Romance Authors is like home to her. She is also a member of Springfield Writers’ Guild, Ozarks Writers’ League and Sleuths’ Ink Mystery Writers.

Her latest novel, The Will and the Wisp, is historical fiction based on a true story. Though she writes mostly romance, Sharon says, “Venturing out into the mainstream world with my co-author James Armstrong has been a great experience.” She and James are shooting for spring 2016 for release of the sequel The Voice in the Wind.

For three years, in the mid 1990’s, Sharon published an e-zine, Short Stories Magazine, which featured local authors. She gave it up because grandkids started to come along and she felt family time was more important.

However, Sharon has helped writers self-publish since 2002, and in 2012 decided to start her own indie assist publishing company. She now has four imprints - Paperback-Press, Kids Book Press Publishing, e-Book Press Publishing and (with her husband’s recording studio to accommodate) Audio Book press. Being an indie assist publisher has been a learning experience to say the least. Nonetheless, with over sixty books, of all genres, published over the last three years she is proud of her accomplishments and the growth of the company.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paperbackpresspub

Twitter:  @paperbackpress

Please note that for the August meeting, ORA will be meeting at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., Springfield, MO. The speaker begins at 1:00.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

The 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest is now CLOSED

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest. Submissions are now closed. Winners will be announced at our annual conference on September 19, 2015 then posted on the website. Check back next year for another chance to enter and win!

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

The countdown has begun. Don't miss out! Submit your entry to the 2015 Weta Nichols Writing Contest TODAY!

Submit the first chapter (up to 2,500 words) of your unpublished novel to win prizes and a chance to be read by the agent or editor serving as our final judges. Louise Fury, an agent with The Bent Agency, will judge Historical and Young Adult/Middle Grade. Candace Havens, Editorial Director with Entangled Publishing, will judge Contemporary and Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, but the piece submitted must be unpublished (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub) and not under contract to be published. Entries are open genre and not required to contain romantic tones. Categories in which entries may be judged are:

• Historical
• Contemporary
• Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Young Adult/Middle Grade.

Membership in Ozarks Romance Authors is not required in order to enter. There will be three prizes awarded in each category:

• 1st place – $75 and a 1-Year ORA Membership (a $25 value)
• 2nd place – $50
• 3rd place – $25.

Please read all guidelines carefully. If you have questions about the rules, please email us at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com with WETA QUESTION in the subject line.

Good luck!

NO MEETING IN JULY!

There will be NO JULY MEETING since our normal date falls on the July 4th holiday. See you in August!

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

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

In her presentation "Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power!", Lisa will show us how to:

• Check your manuscript to see if your dialogue has the essential ingredients of great dialogue. • Weed out the most common dialogue flaws. • Learn techniques to craft dialogue that will emotionally impact (manipulate) the reader.

Lisa Wells is a 25-year veteran educator. For the past 18 years, she's enjoyed a rollercoaster journey called: The School Counselor – Dramas, Dreams, and Destinies. Add the theme song to Jaws, and you have the feel for this fun ride.

Author of DIBS, a sexy romance, nominated as Debut Book That Rocks and Best Book of The Year, Lisa believes writers should never quit studying their craft. Her Dialogue class was born out of a treasure trove of information she discovered while studying dialogue from a screenwriter's perspective.

Represented by Literary Agent, Tish Beaty. In August, her book THE SEDUCTION OF KINLEY FOSTER will be released by Entangled Publishing as part of their What Happens in Vegas series.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.wells.737

Twitter @lisawells1

ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, May 2, 2015 Ramon Ballard will present information about querytracker.com.

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, May 2, 2015 Ramon Ballard will present  information about querytracker.com.

Ramon Ballard will present  information about querytracker.com. You can learn how to use the site to your best advantage. Find out how to find agents, query, and track your queries.

Bio:
I grew up in Salt Lake City and was invisible throughout my schooldays (due to my shyness). I had the lonely child's habit of making up stories and holding conversations with imaginary persons. Invisibility has definite advantages, especially when combined with a vivid imagination. I created magical fantasy worlds with magical inhabitants. 

Time does not stand still.  Fantasy worlds evolve into mundane, everyday life. As I grew older, my whimsical travels to far off places diminished and my invisibility slowly faded into visibility. All foolish realms were forgotten, pushed to the farthest regions of my mind. I grew up, but a small part of my mind, the part stuffed with imaginary worlds, refused to get older. I must have a Peter Pan soul.

I would tell the stories, once only heard by my imaginary friends, to my own children. Alas children, like time, do not stand still, and grow too old for such nonsense. But, I still loved my stories and would tell my wife that one day I would write a great children's novel. One day my life was changed forever when my wife told me to "shut up and write." It seems that life has a way of going in full circles. Late at night, I find myself having conversations with imaginary persons.

The rest is or will be history.

ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

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

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

ORA is participating in yet another First Friday Art Walk with our signature event, Authors At Art Walk! It’s Friday, May 1, 2015, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St., Ste 101, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-501-1062). www.Facebook.com/BookMarxbooks

Please show up, support our members, and make sure it’s a fun night. There is no charge to attend First Friday Art Walk. You will have the chance to meet these authors, purchase their books, and have them signed. We look forward to seeing you!

Participating authors:

* ROSALIE STANTON - http://rosaliestanton.com/bookshel/

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

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

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

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, April 4, 2015 Christopher Johnson will share “What Movies Teach Writers”

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, April 4, 2015 Christopher Johnson will share “What Movies Teach Writers”

Everyone loves to see movies, but are there lessons to be learned for an author in them? Christopher will cover screenplay structure, dialog, and scene structure. Christopher is a Writer-Director for a National Insurance company, handling all of their video corporation, as well as an independent screenwriter. He has thirteen years of experience in this field and ran his own company for independent film for five years.

ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, March 7, 2015 Wayne Groner will share “Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang”

Monthly Meeting–Saturday, March 7, 2015 Wayne Groner will share “Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang”

Wayne will be speaking on Great Beginnings: Start your book with a bang. His webpage is waynegroner.com. Stay tuned for more info!

ORA meets in the Frisco Room at The Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in Springfield, MO at 1 p.m.

Join our critique group from 10 a.m. to Noon. Want your work reviewed by talented writers and published authors? Bring twenty copies of up to five pages of your work to share for critique or just listen and offer advice.

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

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/

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

* LYNDA KAYE FRAZIER — http://www.lyndakayefrazier.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, 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”

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.

www.chancefortunato.com

http://www.amazon.com/Ben-Reeder/e/B005FB6LNY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

https://twitter.com/TheOneTrueBen

https://www.facebook.com/theonetrueben

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Participating 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!

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

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.

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”

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.