Hi all - Just thought some of you might be interested in checking out this webinar from Writer's Digest: "How to Hook an Agent With Your Query Letter."

http://www.writersdigestshop.com/product/how-to-hook-an-agent-with-your-query-letter/?r=wdpb052211&et_mid=505282&rid=3058160

~Jo

Author Podcasts

Hi Writers,


This is Jason Pyles writing to you from Salt Lake City. I found this article that might interest the more tech-savvy, do-it-yourself types of members in the group. Here's the link with my explanation below:

http://www.bookmarket.com/podcasts.htm

A brief explanation:
I'm a huge fan of podcasts, which are basically radio shows that are recorded and posted on the Internet, so people can listen to them at their convenience. Lots of people run their own podcasts, including me. My podcast is about movies. Anyway, the article above explains how some authors are promoting their books through podcasting. Neat! (Not to mention, it would be an ideal storytelling medium for tall tale tellers like Rich — who was once a guest on one of my podcasts.)


Again, it's probably for those who are more technically ambitious, but it's not as difficult as you might think; after all, if I can do it — anyone can.

Happy writing (and podcasting!)

JASON
sequelspodcast@gmail.com

Calling all members

Hi all.
We have a special guest coming to this month's meeting. She is Meredith Mileti Cohen, who's debut novel will be released this year by Kensington Publishing. Meredith is co-coordinator of this year's Pennwriters Conference May 13-15 in Pittsburgh. She will also discuss the writing life. Meredith is a friend of mine and I would appreciate if everyone made an effort to turn out. There will be a press release in the paper sometime this week and I may make the talk radio rounds. There will be no pressure to sign up for the conference. It is a great chance to talk to an author who has gone through the same pains that we all know so well. She will be bringing printed material so I am trying  to get a handle on how many to expect. Please let me know at fredconnors@comcast.net

Thank you. Fred

Joanie's Blog

Hi All
Make sure you check out Joanie's new Blog. http://buglehillfarm.blogspot.com/
Fred

I really haven't forgotten you all!

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to send a little note to say hello and that I haven't forgotten you! As many of you know, my family and I moved in November, and things went from crazy to really crazy in a very short amount of time. Plus, I started grad school in January, so just about every free minute has been spoken for since then. In any case, I wanted to let you all know that I haven't bailed on you, I promise! :) I keep checking the blog and I try to stay on top of what's happening. I'm really going to try to come to the next meeting, so hopefully I'll see you all there. Take care and happy writing!

~Jo

Interesting link

Hi All
I thought some of you might be interested in this: http://writingraw.com/
Fred

Our Blog's New E-mailing List Works!

Not to beat a dead horse, but this e-mailing list does, in fact, work.

So, this post is mostly a demonstration for Fred; it's also a reminder that if you want to join this mailing list where every new post from this blog will show up in your inbox, then send me a quick e-mail to sequelspodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Jason Pyles,
Salt Lake City

An E-mailing List For EVERYBODY in the OV Writers' Group

Hi Writers,

This is Jason Pyles in Salt Lake City. For a long time now, the members of this group have wanted a way to receive e-mail updates from this blog. Blogger only allows for a small number of people (like, 10) to receive these posts via e-mail. So, this won't matter as much to you exclusive folks who are already receiving this post in your inbox.

Nevertheless, I've THINK I've figured out a clever way for the rest of us to receive these updates via e-mail every time someone posts something new. Therefore, if you'd like to receive these e-mail updates, send me a quick e-mail to this address:

sequelspodcast@gmail.com

I will enable the forwarding of every post that's published on this blog to come to whatever e-mail address you use to write to me.

Thank Fred. He has harassed me long enough to figure this out. I had to do something, so he'd leave me alone.     ; )

Thanks,

Jason

Tolstoy's Top 4 and BookBaby

Hello Fellow Writers,

Jason Pyles writing again from Salt Lake City. I have two potential gifts and one announcement:

1.) I was listening to a podcast the other day and heard someone quote Leo Tolstoy's "Top 4 Elements of a Great Novel." (Yes, the Tolstoy of "Anna Karenina" fame.) Here are the four, starting with the greatest:
a.) Transitions
b.) Context
c.) Character
d.) Story
There ya go. Now go write your "War and Peace."

2.) Also, there's a relatively new Web site that might interest you self-publishers. It's called BookBaby, and here's the link:  http://www.bookbaby.com/.  I'm just passing the info along; this isn't necessarily a recommendation. Nevertheless, I will say that I've sold my CDs through its affiliate company, CDBaby, for years, and I've been very pleased. Check it out.

3.) I live in a small town just southwest of Salt Lake City. Population 23,000. Anyway, I was pleased to discover that my tiny town has its own version of the OV Writers' Group. They're funny, and they do a nice job. Here's their blog if you'd like to check them out:  http://www.inkingcap.blogspot.com/

Take care and happy writing.
Jason

Hi All

Here is a website that might interest some of you: http://blog.WritingSpirit.com/

Also: Here is one for Rich: http://www.jordandrew.com/about-2/

And: Rich, have you changed your email address? Your mail is coming back to me.

Fred

Monday Readings?

Hey Rich
Do we have any readers lined up for Monday?
Fred

Writers Write

I though this may interest some of you. Forwarding does not imply endorsement.
http://www.writerswrite.com

Fred

Screenwriters Contest

From Bill:

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I just came across this site from an ad on Facebook for anyone interested in Screenwriting.  Who knows what may happen!

http://www.scriptpipeline.com/screenwriting-competition

Facebook Link

From Bill:

I just came across this new resource for authors while browsing through Facebook.  Check out the links.  It may be helpful.

http://www.facebook.com/BowkerManuscriptSubmissions

Christmas Party

From Bill:

We had our December monthly meeting tonight at Books-A-Million and decided to adjoin to Applebees shortly thereafter.  We had six people in attendance and were sorry that more members couldn't make it.  Everyone had a good time.  Many stories were exchanged.  Our plans for 2011 were discussed.

Fred mentioned the Pennwriters Conference in Pittsburgh sometime in May.  It would be worth-while if we could attend.  More details to follow.

Season's Greetings to everyone.  May 2011 be prosperous.

Chris Berhalter

Hi, everyone.  I read Chris's book after buying it on Amazon.com.  I showed it to Sean Duffy at the library, gave him Chris's e-mail address, and voila!!!

Bill

PS  Hope to see everyone next Monday for some refreshments and camaraderie.

Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library created an event.



Heir to the Throne with author Chris Berhalter


Tuesday, May 17 at 12:00pm at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library


On Tuesday, May 17 at noon, Belmont County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Berhalter, the author of a new political thriller titled Heir to the Throne (Aberdeen Bay)..., will present a program on his book at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library. The book follows presidential candidate Fred Downey who discovers a mystery concerning his late mother’s estate that leads to more discoveries that endanger his political career, his own life and the lives of those he loves. The man who has never failed to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, now faces his greatest test. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

New link for self-published authors

Hi, all.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Just came across this link on facebook for anyone who has self-published a book.  It could be another way to network.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Association-of-Independent-Authors/153950101314438

Bill

December's Meeting

From Bill:

Since December's meeting will be on December 20, it was discussed that we should meet at the usual location and then proceed to a local establishment for food and refreshments.  So just bring your appetites.

November 15th Meeting

From:  Bill

We had another good meeting last night with 12 people in attendance. We started off by having four readers read their short stories or poems.

Bill started it off by reading B I G O T which is not what it sounds like it would be.  BIGOT was the top of the line in secrets during World War II.

Rich read  Victorian Christmas Tree which was published in his book.

Alice read Breeding Ground, Journey Back, The Adversary, Emergent, and Wasteland.

Helen read An Ode to the Computer which was published in 1985 when everybody in business had to learn to use a new tool.

Todd read one of his blog entries on how to downsize so that everything you own has to fit in a compact car to make the cross-country journey from CA to WV.

After the readings, we met our newest member, Chris Berhalter, who had his first book published in August.  The book is Heir to the Throne and is published by Aberdeen Bay Publishers.  He had it published without knowing anything about the business of getting a book published.

Meeting on Monday

Meeting is at 7pm on Mon. Nov. 15 at Books a Million. Try to bring a friend for some free entertainment and shopping. FORWARD THIS EMAIL AND ADVISE ON FACEBOOK. Send me email address of those who want to be on the list.

Listed readers who will read original material include.Bill Orkoskey, Jomana Krupinski, Rich Knoblich, Alice hemgra, Joanie Murray Todd Foose, Emily, Andy Fred Conners. Not everyone will have time to read. Please limit reading to 5-6 minutes. don't have to read the entire piece, nothing wrong with a cliffhanger.

I'll have NO signups for DEC. The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20, mighty close to Christmas. It was suggested we gather at Books a Million then as a group we go someplace (restaurant?) for shop talk and hot cocoa, wine, or beer. I support this suggestion but am open to further ideas.

Rich Knoblich, Storyteller
14 Ken Mar Rd.
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-232-6436 Home
304-780-0046 Mobile
knoblichr@frontier.com (NEW!)