Congrats to Deb Ledford on the publication of Staccato!

And to Leslie Kohler for Sins of the Border!

Please support our fellow writers – buy their books, and pass the word along to friends and family!

Don’t forget, books make fantastic holiday gifts!

Click either book to order.

Hello Group-

Just wanted to give a heads up to those following the SWG blog–my debut suspense novel “Staccato” is still on track for release September 15th.  My copy of the Print Proof should arrive any day now.  If you would like to be one of the first to receive “Staccato” go to: www.secondwindpublishing.com to pre-order your copy.

Hi everyone!

Spring is almost here, can you believe it?  I have fresh dirt under my nails to prove it. It was a nice day to perk up the flower pots on my front patio. A bit warmer than I’d like for this time of year; hopefully it’s just March coming “in like a lion.”

My cat, Leo

Here are a few events at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe:

MEET THE BUYERS 2-4PM SATURDAY, MARCH 14 If you have a new book idea or you’re about to do another printing of your present volume, come talk to one of our buyers and get expert advice about shelf appeal before it’s too late to make changes. If it’s a new book, you might want to bring samples of covers you are considering, an abstract of the book, and any questions you might have regarding marketing or how to contact other bookstores with your new book. One of our buyers will take a look at the book or your abstract and give you tips on how to improve its shelf appeal. Cost: $25 for 15 minutes with either our Children’s or Adult buyer. Registration and pre-payment required at 480.730.0205. WORKSHOP:

SCREENWRITING 1-4PM SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Writing a screenplay? Want to sell a screenplay you’ve already written? Screen and television writer and producer Jeb Rosebrook is here to inform, advise, and assist. Rosebrook also discusses his 40 years’ experience as a professional writer. Cost: $30. Registration and pre-payment required at 480.730.0205.

WRITING WORKSHOP FOR GUYS: CREATING DYNAMIC HEROES & NEFARIOUS VILLAINS 3-4:30PM SUNDAY, MARCH 29 J.S. Lewis, co-author of the Grey Griffins fantasy novels for young readers, helps guys ages 11-18 write fiction and nonfiction pieces based on a variety of exercises. Attendees will also edit each other’s work and discuss published works as good story models. Cost: $25. Registration and pre-payment required at 480.730.0205.

Looks like fun!  For you singletons out there, try the “Sweet on Geeks” singles night!  That and other events can be seen here:

http://www.changinghands.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=storeevents&

Have a wonderful week,

Heidi

  WHEN:  7:00 P.M. Wednesday MARCH 18, 2009

                WHO:  SISTERS IN CRIME  

             WHAT:   LYNN WIESE SNEYD TO SPEAK

           WHERE:   Café Carumba located at 7303 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale.  

Hi Gang,

I subscribe to a weekly newsletter called “Funds For Writers,” by C. Hope Clark.  There are always great tips and articles to get you going, and give you new ideas.  Hope is a great proponent of finding contests, markets and funds that you didn’t even know existed, and everything she lists is a paying market.  You can sign up for the newsletter here: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/  

For an amazing interview, where she talks about how she got started, and more about funds, listen to this podcast : http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2006/05082006.html   

Be prepared to take notes!

Another fantastic podcast, by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, out of University of California/Irvine: http://writersonwriting.blogspot.com/  Barbara interviews authors, as well as many in the publishing industry, like editors &  agents.

Another newsletter, with paying markets and industry news, including a writer’s forum: http://www.writersweekly.com/  

There is so much information out there, and with just these few sites, you will find inspiration, information, and hopefully – publication!!

Good Luck,

Heidi

Well, up late online again, and I came across this interesting call for submissions.  Here’s the link – check it out!  And let me know when you get published…

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/abbyholcomb/

See you at the library,

Heidi

Hey Gang!

Well, It was a whirlwind of a holiday season, and I can’t believe it’s already 2009 — what happened to 2008?  If the unofficial growth chart on my pantry door is any indicator of how fast time goes by, it’s no wonder the months are such a blur.  Every year the kids grow more than they did the year before, and the time seems shorter. If we ever move from this house the new owners will have to get themselves a new pantry door, because this one goes with us!

Thanks for hanging in there with me, I’ve been a bit lax with the updates.  Don’t forget this forum is for everyone in the Scottsdale Writers’ Group.  If you’d like to post an announcement, all you need is a wordpress account, and to email me your info, so I can add you as a user.  

Speaking of announcements, I’d like to let everyone know there is a Writer’s Workdhop at the Poisoned Pen:

Writers Workshop with Barrett Tillman

Tillman, currently collaborating with Harold Coyle in a series of thrillers, will teach a workshop. One hour will be on collaborative authorship, a fascinating topic. Then we’ll have a coffee break and do an hour on Queries, Pitching your work, Proposals. Fee: $10. No advance registration required. 

Also, here’s a contest from www.fundsforwriters.com:

WRITER ADVICE CONTEST
http://www.writeradvice.com
—
$10 ENTRY FEE
Need flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction that 
grabs, surprises, and mesmerizes readers in fewer than 750 
words. If you have a story or memoir with a strong theme, 
sharp images, a solid structure, and an unexpected discovery, 
please submit it to the WriterAdvice Flash Prose Contest. 
Deadline April 15, 2009. First Place earns $150; Second 
Place earns $75; Third Place earns $50; Fourth Place earns 
$25; Honorable Mentions will also be published. A list of 
all winners will be posted in the summer issue of 
WriterAdvice.

Happy New Year, and hope to see you at the Library!

Heidi

Hey Gang,

I recently found this link, and thought it might appeal to our members who can’t usually make it to the regular meetings at the library.  It’s called the Desk Drawer, and its motivation is to help writers get their work OUT of the desk drawer!

http://www.winebird.com/

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving, and hope to see you all soon at the library.

Heidi

Hi gang!

Just wanted to let you all know that I won my first writing award!  With editing help from the Critique Group, and a gentle nudge from Deb, I entered an essay (my horsey memoir, Charlie Horse) in the 2008 Society of Southwest Authors annual writing contest.  I was so pleased to get a letter saying that I had earned an Honorable Mention!  My husband and I went to the winners’ luncheon in Tucson October 19th, and had a wonderful time.  What a great group – so many fascinating characters, all friendly and welcoming to us newbies.  I encourage all of you to attend an SSA function in the future.  Many thanks to MaryAnn Hutchinson, Harvey Stanbrough, and Penny Porter for being so gracious.

The end of the event was a very moving tribute to the late Michael Lacapa, given by his widow, Kathy.

I was also pleasantly surprised to meet a fellow writing group member, who also happened to be a fellow winner!  Art Kerns and his wife were at the luncheon as well. Art won Honorable Mention for his short story, Family Affair.  Congratulations, Art, and it was great meeting you.  Our stories, along with all the other winners,  were published in this years’ issue of the Storyteller.

Thanks so much to the group for your support and encouragement, and I hope this honor will be the first of many.

Arthur and I are seated front left, the SSA president, Dale Adams is the tall bearded gentleman standing in the back row.

By the way, our own Virginia Nosky will be a highlighted guest at the next event, the SSA Holiday Book Fair.

The trip south is a day well spent!  For more info: http://www.ssa-az.org/wwcurrent.htm

See you at the Library!

Heidi