Children’s Books

Bill says:

When I was attending the Newt Gingrich speech at the Capitol Theatre last Thursday, I happened to have a real life Medicine Man, Dr. Heynes Landveld, from Suriname, South America sitting 3 seats away from me.  He had just flown in to this country that morning.  His sponsor had just moved back to Wheeling from Florida.  Dr. Landveld is going to be speaking at local colleges and schools from now until October 28th.  I don’t have his schedule yet.

The reason I’m putting this in our blog is:  They gave me a poster talking about Dr. Landveld and his connection with the rain forests.  I went to their WEB site http://www.teddybearguardians.com/index.php and found that his sponsors have started a children’s book publishing business using the lessons he learned when he visited the rain forest.  For those who are interested in children’s books or for those who are interested in a new and different marketing plan, check this site out.

BTW I’m writing this on my desk top using a new plug-in from Microsoft called Windows Live Writer.  It’s free and will support multiple blogs since I have two blogs, soon to be three, that I’m on.

OWL On Line Writing Lab

During the course of the last meeting, I mentioned a good resource for all aspects of writing. I mistakenly thought it was the University of Colarado, it is actually Purdue.

Here's the link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Of particular help is the Grammar and Mechanics tab on the right hand side of the homepage under Navigation.

-Rebecca

What Should Be In Your Bio Paragraph in Your Query Letter

Another very helpful article from "Writer's Digest;" regarding what to include and what to exclude in your bio paragraph of your query letter. Phyllis

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/What+Should+You+Write+In+The+Bio+Paragraph+Of+A+Query+Letter.aspx

Populer Fiction Awards

But hurry! The deadline is looming: all entries must be in by November 2.

http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

~Jo

How to Protect Your Work (Publishing Contracts 101)

http://writersdigest.com/article/publishing-contracts-101

Online Writing Classes

I really enjoyed our last group meeting, and I'm looking forward to the next one! Here are the web sites for the online classes we discussed:

Writer's Digest Workshops: http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com
Gotham Writers' Workshops: http://www.writingclasses.com
Writer's Village: http://www.writersvillage.com

~Jo

Writing Conferences

WRITING CONFERENCES
Many writing conferences and workshops can be found by typing in “writing conference” and a particular state into a Google search. Many conferences are ‘on hiatus’ so it is best to call and determine its status before making plans. However I found the following which is a nice one stop search location:

Shaw Guides
http://writing.shawguides.com/ and click Writers Conferences and Workshops
You can type in the site’s search box for specific locations such as “Pittsburgh, PA” to limit findings.

Some select examples below:

Pennwriters
2010 Conference: May 14 to 16 at the Best Western Eden Resort in Lancaster PA
http://www.pennwriters.com/

WV Writers annual Summer Conference
June 11-13, 2010 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley, WV.
http://www.wvwriters.org/conference.html

Antioch Writers Workshop
July
http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com/history.php

Central Ohio Fiction Writers
September
http://www.cofw.org/conference.html

However, it should be noted that many small but excellent conferences are not found on the Internet since many organizations host conferences locally for members but are gradually expanding. Case in point:

The Write-On Writers Conference
Coshocton, OH, held in Spring
Contact: Sharon Mooney (740) 623-8348 sfmooney@parakrisis.com


Remember to network with others about conferences. Try to distribute contact information and dates through flyers you picked up at the last conference. Use e-mail, telephone calls, and libraries.

Rich

Phrase Oddities for fun

Check this site for some fun. Found on my AOL News it shows:

8 phrases that don't mean what you think they mean
9 words that don't mean what you think they mean

Because sometimes writers just like to kick back and have fun outside the crossword.

http://www.asylum.com/2009/10/06/phrases-that-dont-mean-what-you-think-they-mean/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl5link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asylum.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fphrases-that-dont-mean-what-you-think-they-mean%2F

Storyteller Rich