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For the FULL listing
of all of Alice's Events
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Alice's Latest Book Review on Pedestal Magazine
 Reading the opening poems in Jeannine Hall Gailey's new collection Unexplained Fevers, the reader is immediately struck with a sense of dread. What we've been led to believe as children-or as the princesses in Gailey's poems-is all false. You're not promised good health or fertility, a stable marriage, or lifelong happiness. And even if you're able to present a hale appearance, there's a good chance you're dying a slow death internally..
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NC Writers' Network
The Doris Betts Fiction Prize awards the first-prize winner $250. Up to ten finalists will be considered for publication in the North Carolina Literary Review. The deadline is February 15. ***
CAROLINA WOMAN MAGAZINE WRITING CONTEST
DEADLINE FEB 28
Entries of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction essays under 2,000 words will be considered. Only e-mailed submissions will be accepted. Winners' stories, poems, and essays will be printed in the April issue. Email HERE and Visit HERE for more information. ***
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Sundry Poets: A Poetry Reading with Alice Osborn Location: Quail Ridge Books & Music, Ridgewood Shopping Center, 3522 Wade Ave. Raleigh, NC 27607 Sunday, February 2, 2014 Time: 3-4:30pm OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Enjoy an afternoon of the Sundry poets, three well-respected poets in North Carolina at a favorite NC bookstore. Join Alice Osborn from Raleigh as well as poets Scott Owens and Tim Peeler from Hickory.
25th ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST
Deadline: Postmarked by Feb. 28, 2014
Guidelines: All work must be unpublished. Your name, address, email and title of work should appear on a separate cover sheet. The entry fee is $30 ($25 for Workshop members) for up to three entries. Multiple entries are accepted. Each poem should not exceed two pages. Enclose self-sealing s.a.s.e. for critique and list of winners. Make check or money order payable to The Writers' Workshop, and mail to: Poetry Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Road, Asheville, NC 28805 http://www.twwoa.org
What They're Saying About Alice & Blogging
Some years ago--how swiftly time passes--I took my first ever writing course from you at Meredith. I was thinking about writing a book based on my journal writings about
heartache and the garden that was healing me. Almost as an aside, you mentioned blogging as one way to get writing and get the story out there.
It changed my life.
I wrote that garden blog for three years; it gave me great satisfaction. It improved my writing and it helped me write more quickly and not obsess (a lesson I was needing to learn). I also picked up my camera to add visuals to the blog, and began seeing beauty better, as well as writing about it; and the camera has proved to be a great love in my life.
I got several followers, a lot of affirmation, and made new acquaintances because of that blog. It led me to a Tinker Mountain writing workshop -- my first real experience of investing money in myself. I met one of my now-best friends there.
I'm on to a different blog now; and I built a website that I enjoy. I have even more followers of the new website. I'm working on a very different writing project (hopefully book). I'm heading to my third week of writing camp. I have had columns published in the small local paper here and I attend two writing groups. All because I took a course from Alice Osborn and she mentioned blogging. Thank you thank you thank you. Namaste.
--Gretchen Staebler, Whidbey Island, WA
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Photo by David Williams
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I love reading! If I didn't love to read, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today. I grew in a house of books filled with Pat Conroy, science fiction and lots and lots of nonfiction like Desmond Morris's The Naked Ape. I also read the newspaper, magazines and comic books, but not many age-appropriate novels. I have yet to read Anne of Green Gables.
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Pat and Alice Dec 12, 2013
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What's your favorite book/author? Email me as part of the random prize this month. Susan Bourland of Wake Forest won last month's prize. Congratulations, Susan! My favorite book is Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, a science fiction author who died in 2006 at age 58. Butler received the MacArthur Grant, as well as the prestigious Nebula and Hugo awards. If you're a fan, I encourage you to join the Octavia Butler Society, which is just starting up and become a member on the ground floor. Discover Wonderland Book Club this year and all of the authors you can meet and have lunch with! Since this is Wonderland's 6th anniversary, I'd like to go down memory lane. Back in the spring of 2008, I wasn't reading. True story. I was teaching high school, had just given birth to my now six-year-old daughter, and was growing my editing/writing career. I complained about my lack of reading to my writers' group and they suggested I start a book club-please note they wanted me to do it. So I configured an email group from my contacts and scheduled a meeting time at the library from 10 am-noon. What controversy erupted! No one will show up because everyone's working. Why couldn't I start one at night? I ignored the naysayers and soldiered on. Our first book was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and we had six people show up. A few months later I expanded Wonderland by making it a Meetup Group, which was very smart, since the original six all dropped out by June.
Wonderland became part of my NC Writer's Network Regional Rep outreach efforts in 2009 and I worked hard to expand our membership. Our new members loved our reading list and appreciated the fact that we scheduled out our books for the entire year. They became friends with each other and soon we told inside jokes to each other. Don't you want to be part of a group like this? Signing up is very easy--just show up to Book Club there are no dues or initiation rituals--reading the book is recommended, but not necessary!
Gift Certificates
Do you have a writer or aspiring writer on your list? Then buy them a gift certificate from me in quantities of $25, $50 or $100. Good for all of my workshops and even my Dream It, Do It Writing Retreat next August! Email me.
Jump Start Guide Into Writing Your First Book
**EXCLUSIVE OFFER**
Buy my 30-min recorded download guide on getting going with your writing for 2014! In this recording I cover how to be an effective writer, how to value yourself as a writer and tips on creating 15 minutes a day toward writing your first book. Only $9.99 (reg. $20). Order HERE
Check out this Month's Blog Posts
Happy Valentine's Day and see you at Book Club this month!
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Dream It, Do it: 2nd Annual Women's Writing Retreat with Alice Osborn
Location: Bend of Ivy Lodge, Marshall, NC outside of Asheville 3717 Bend of Ivy Rd. Marshall, NC 28753
Friday-Monday August 8-11, 2014 4-Day, 3-Night Retreat!
EARLY BIRD RATE: Pay $50 now and $100 by February 15th, Balance of $500 by 2014 ($650, savings of $100) (Reg. $800, all inclusive) WOW! This is a GREAT DEAL!!!
 Immerse yourself in a weekend of writing without interruption in the mountains of Western Carolina. This is your answer to, "I'll write when I can find the time!" Come and fulfill your purpose, which is to write. Empowered women are powerful writers-grab your power so you can dream and accomplish your dreams of writing your story! Together over the course of this weekend, we'll delve into our stories of defining moments, healing and self discovery. This is called "Living the Writing Life!" There'll be plenty of time for reflection and individual writing during the day, and on Saturday night we'll share our work over  marshmallows and fellowship. Bend of Ivy Lodge is an intimate retreat setting surrounded by woods, rivers and streams that will foster community and creativity. Relax by the waterfall, hear the call of herons and walk the many trails on the converted tobacco farm property.
Participation limited to 15 women writers of any genre and experience. If you haven't already worked with Alice, please submit a two-page writing sample with your registration to Alice Osborn to best accommodate your experience at this retreat. You'll be treated to eight organic meals and snacks. Bring your hearts, your pens and paper. All writers receive a 10-minute consult with Alice Osborn. |
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 Unless something relevant happens in transit, don't burden the reader with descriptions of how characters get from one place to another.
In life, there is no authorial voice-over announcing people's motives and emotions. Nor should there be in fiction.
Think of your writing as a series of double doors opening inward, drawing the reader ever deeper into the story.
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Wake County Open Mics
Royal Bean Coffee House (Literary Open Mic)
1st Thurs of every month
Next one is Thurs February 6th
Time: 7-8:30pm
Organizer: Maureen Sherbondy
Fuquay Varina Third Thursdays Open Mic Reading Series (Literary Open Mic)
STARS Theater and Arts Center, 123 E. Vance St.
Thurs February 20th
3rd Thursday of every month, 6-8:30pm
Organizer: Jan B. Parker
Amplified Voices Poetry Open Mic (poetry and music)
Amplified Art Gallery, City Market, 325 Blake St. Downtown Raleigh
4th Tuesday of the month, February 25th, 7:00-9:00 pm
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February Events & Programs! |
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Sundry Poets: A Poetry Reading with Alice Osborn
Location: Quail Ridge Books & Music, Ridgewood Shopping Center, 3522 Wade Ave. Raleigh, NC 27607
Sunday, February 2, 2014 Time: 3-4:30pm
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Enjoy an afternoon of the Sundry poets, three well-respected poets in North Carolina at a favorite NC bookstore. Join Alice Osborn from Raleigh as well as poets Scott Owens and Tim Peeler from Hickory. Alice will read her old favorites from previous collections as well as new selections from her upcoming collection, Heroes without Capes.
Book Launch Signing Featuring Authors Kevin F. Jones and Alice Osborn
Location: The Eccentric Art Gallery, 1506 Central Ave, 2nd floor, Charlotte, NC 28205 in Plaza Midwood above Raggae Central
Sunday, February 9, 2014 Time: 3-4 pm
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and light refreshments served
Enjoy an afternoon with Kevin F. Jones of Charlotte who will read from his just launched historical novel, Due Unto: Denmark Vesey's Story and poet Alice Osborn from Raleigh will read her old favorites from previous collections as well as new selections from her upcoming poetry collection, Heroes without Capes.
Intro to Comedy Writing with Alice Osborn
Location: The nuLimina Center, MacGregor Park, 107 Edinburgh South Dr, #109, Cary, NC 27511 
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Time: 7-8:30pm
Fee: $29
To Register Click Here
Writing memorable comedy can be so rewarding and so terrifying all at the same time. Getting folks to laugh exposes the author to fear and anxiety, but usually these risks are worth the reward! In this class with experienced author, editor and humorist Alice Osborn, you'll learn basic comedy writing: the rule of 3s, timing, detail, absurdity and acute observation. Alice learned that once she injected humor into her writing, more people liked her work-imagine that! We welcome anyone who wants to liven up their prose or poetry. All writers at all levels of experience are welcome.
Wonderland Book Club, Co-sponsored by the NC Writers Network Presents Author Clifford Garstang, What the Zhang Boys Know
Location: Center for Excellence, 3803-B Computer Dr. Suite 106, Raleigh
Friday, February 21, 2014 Time: 10:00-noon
To Register: Click Here
Join us as we welcome Clifford Garstang, now living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, who recently won the prestigious Library of Virginia Award in Fiction for his book What the Zhang Boys Know. Set in a condominium building on the edge of Chinatown in Washington, D.C., these stories present the practical and emotional struggles of Zhang Feng-qi, originally from Shanghai, to find a new mother for his sons following the death of his American wife. Along the way, the stories spotlight Zhang's neighbors as they seek to fill gaps in their own lives: the young bookseller diagnosed with a life-threatening illness; the young lawyer trying to cope with a failed marriage; the obsessive painter haunted by the image of a face; the middle-aged woman forced to sell her possessions in order to survive; the sculptor, overwhelmed by longing for the son he didn't know he had. And then there are the Zhang boys, who firmly believe that their mother is coming back.
Free Critique Session with Belea T. Keeney and Alice Osborn
***SOLD OUT, BUT WAIT LIST AVAILABLE!***
 Location: Center for Excellence, 3803-B Computer Dr. Ste. 106 Raleigh NC
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm-Refreshments served
Fee: FREE, but you must register prior to the session. Limit 12.
To Register: Click Here
How do you know your manuscript is publication-ready? Come join us at this critique session with experienced editors/authors Belea T. Keeney and Alice Osborn so you can get your novel or memoir off of the ground. After your individual session you'll walk away knowing what's working and what's not working with your masterpiece-in-progress.
Correspondence Course with Alice Osborn for Fiction and Memoir
$1200 for 12 months (that's only $100/month!) 
or $600 in two payments
Self-paced year-long class begins February 15th 2014-February 15th 2015
To Register: Click Here
- Do you want to write your book?
- Do you have a dream of getting published?
- Do you need help navigating the publication maze?
This correspondence class is perfect for memoir and fiction writers who want a one-on-one writing/editing session with Alice, but don't necessarily live in North Carolina or need more accountability with their writing practice. Writers submit 1 piece per month based on Alice's emailed writing prompt, up to 20 pages, double-spaced. Then the hand-written critique is emailed back to the participant. With published author Alice Osborn as your writing coach you'll improve your writing and get published this year!
Editor and Author Alice Osborn will
- Help you with the writing process
- Be your accountability partner
- Strengthen and tone your writing
- Help you with marketing and publishing your book
Also included are 6 accountability chats and 12 video modules to help motivate your writing practice.
You can skip ahead to finish your modules early in 9 months or you can take your time to finish in a year-that's the beauty of this self-paced course.
How to Write and Publish Your Romance or Paranormal Novel Like a Rock Star!
Location: Center for Excellence, 3803-B Computer Dr. Ste. 106 Raleigh NC 27609
Saturday, March 8, 2014 
Time: 9:30am-2pm-Refreshments served
Fee: $25
To Register: Click Here
Do you want to finally write your romance or paranormal novel in 2014? You can do it! Throughout the morning, participants will be treated to lectures and discussion with Belea T. Keeney and Alice Osborn, two authors and editors who have guided countless aspiring novelists and memoirists on their way to publication. During this instructive yet fun workshop, Belea and Alice will discuss the importance of writing well so you can attract your audience. You'll also get all of your burning publication questions answered. Whether you're just starting to think about your book or have completed your manuscript, this workshop is for you!
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Want to Get Published the Right Way? Contact Alice TODAY!
919-971-9414
9660-138 Falls of Neuse #294
Raleigh, NC 27615
Alice Osborn, M.A. is the author of three books of poetry: After the Steaming Stops (Main Street Rag, 2012), Unfinished Projects (Main Street Rag, 2010) and Right Lane Ends (Catawba, 2006) and is the editor of the anthology, Tattoos (Main Street Rag, 2012); she is also a writing coach, speaker, blogger and teaching artist. Besides working with corporations and small businesses, Alice teaches creative writing in schools and in community settings where she uses sensory images and road-tested prompts to stimulate her students' best work. Her writing has appeared in Raleigh's News and Observer, Soundings Review, The Pedestal Magazine, and in numerous journals and anthologies. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Writers' Network. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two children. Visit her website: www.aliceosborn.com. |
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