Pacific Northwest Writers Association
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WRITERS ASSOCIATION
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JANUARY E-NOTES:

E-Notes is your monthly electronic newsletter full of the latest news about the literary world. Our newsletter is a PNWA Member Benefit.

Please send us an email if you would like to place an announcement in next month's E-Notes: [email protected]



(Announcements must be received by the 20th of
the previous month to be included).


PNWA NEWS:

PNWA member Dave Pratt's nonfiction book, Pragmatic Project Management; Five Scalable Steps to Success, will be coming out in February, 2010 through  Management Concepts Publishing House.

 


PNWA member Dan Gimness is seeking critique of his short, fictionnovel which is a blend of fantasy, adventure and spirituality. If interested in providing comments on the manuscript, please contact [email protected].


CONTEST/SUBMISSIONS:

PNWA LITERARY CONTEST:
It's your chance to shine. Every writer knows there comes a time to send their work out into the world. Don't miss this opportunity to put your work to the test and compete with some of the best at the Annual PNWA Literary Contest. There are twelve categories with cash prizes; and each qualified entry receives two critiques. In addition, finalists' entries are read and judged by an agent or editor to determine the top three in each category. Winners are announced every year at the PNWA summer conference to an audience of writers, agents and editors.

Categories:
  1. Mainstream
  2. Historical (NEW THIS YEAR)
  3. Romance
  4. Mystery/Thriller
  5. Science Fiction/Fantasy
  6. Young Adult Novel
  7. Non-Fiction Book/Memoir
  8. Screen Writing
  9. Poetry
  10. Short Story
  11. Children's Picture Book or Chapter Book
  12. Adult Short Topics (Article/Essay/Short Memoir)

Please visit our website (www.pnwa.org) for details and contest entry form.



12th ANNUAL SCRIPTAPALOOZA SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Early bird deadline January 5


Why should you submit your script to Scriptapalooza?

Grand Prize: $10,000

Two writers got their scripts made into movies by Lifetime.
Two writers this year got their scripts optioned.
All the reading is done by ninety production companies.
Entertainment Weekly magazine calls us 'One of the Best'.
We promote the winners, runners-up, finalists and semifinalists for a full year.
We are considered one of the best screenplay competitions by agents, managers and producers.
We do accept scripts by E-mail


About Scriptapalooza:

The Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition was founded in 1998, and has generated heat, publicity and a reputation that demands respect. Scriptapalooza, Inc., along with its various divisions, was created to nurture talent and create opportunities. Storytellers come from all over the world and from all walks of life because of the simple fact that everyone has a story. Scriptapalooza's goal: to seek out that storyteller and honor his or her script with a grand prize of $10,000. Each year dozens of production companies and literary representatives sign on as participants to read our winners, resulting in many scripts being optioned, sold or outright bought. Please check us out at www.scriptapalooza.com.

Questions? Comments? call the office 323.654.5809
or email us at [email protected]


CLASSES/WORKSHOPS:


FOLLOW THE STORY: WINTER CREATIVE NONFICTION CLASS
Follow the Story will explore the genres of creative nonfiction, one of the most popular and influential styles of writing today. The eight-week course will introduce you to a wonderfully diverse mix of writing--personal essays, profiles, travel stories, short light pieces and nonfiction books. What are the "rules" and conventions of each genre? How can you use genre to deepen and enrich your own work? How can genre help you hit all the right notes in your writing? You'll also learn essential techniques of creative nonfiction--dramatic scenes, dialogue, characterizations and scene by scene construction.

The Seattle writing course will run January 13 to Feb. 17 on Wednesday evenings (and two Monday evenings, January 25 and Feb. 1) from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 221 of the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood (4649 Sunnyside Avenue North).

In addition to the classroom work, I'll schedule individual conferences with each of you. This will give me a chance to go over your story or book chapter with you one-on-one and suggest ways to improve it. There will be six assignments: a 100-word story idea or book concept statement, a 250-word scene, a 100-word genre exercise, a 1500- to 2500-word story or book chapter and its revision, a cover letter for your story or book. The cost will be $525 per person. Texts: Follow the Story by James Stewart; Best American Essays of the Century edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Both titles are available at the Elliott Bay Book Company.

To enroll, send a check to Nick O'Connell, 201 Newell St., Seattle, WA 98109. The course is limited to 15 participants and usually fills several weeks prior to the start of class. For more information, contact me at [email protected] or call 206-284-7121.


EVENTS/SPEAKERS:

SPEND A DAY WITH A LITERARY AGENT
Calling All Writers: Literary Agent to Share Publishing Secrets on Feb. 21, 2010

Do you dream of being a published author? Do you have a half-written novel in the desk drawer, a how-to book on the hard drive, a memoir in the making? Have you always wanted to share your ideas with an experienced literary agent?     

If the answer is yes, join Sheree Bykofsky, of Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc., on Sunday, February 21 for a one-of-a-kind workshop called Spend a Day with a Literary Agent. This all-day intensive seminar will teach you the ins and outs of the publishing universe, including:
  • What's hot right now in both fiction and nonfiction
  • The difference between a query letter, a pitch and a proposal 
  • How to develop ideas with true commercial potential
  • How to write a query that really sells
  • How to locate and work with the right agent
  • How to craft an effective book proposal
  • What to realistically expect in a first-book contract
  • Why becoming a published author is just like being a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!

You'll also learn:
  • The six secrets of successfully published authors
  • The five reasons you need an agent
  • The difference between placing, publishing and marketing fiction and nonfiction
  • When, if and how to self-publish


Best of all, this workshop will give you one-on-one contact with an industry veteran who can answer  your questions, evaluate your query, and guide you on the path to real authorship (that's right-with your name on the cover, your name on the royalty checks, maybe even your face on TV).
 
The first 10 people who sign up will get a free copy of Sheree's bestselling book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published, 4th Edition (which, title notwithstanding, is not for idiots!).

Turn your writing dreams to reality by joining Sheree, Sunday, February 21, 10am-5pm  at Megan's Restaurant, Indiana Ave. and  the Boardwalk, Atlantic City. Lunch and refreshments included. Admission is $120 through February 18, $180 thereafter. Register by Paypal at [email protected], or by check or money order payable to Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc., PO Box 706, Brigantine, NJ 08203.

Literary agent Sheree Bykofsky has written, co-authored and edited more than two dozen books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published, 4th Edition, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles, The New York Public Library Desk Reference, The Best Places to Kiss In and Around New York City, The Rules of Poker, and Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Hold 'Em Poker. She is an adjunct assistant professor of publishing at NYU and a member of both the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).

Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc. (est. 1991) recently moved from NYC to the Jersey Shore, while Sheree's associate Janet Rosen maintains an office in New York City. The agency represents hundreds of authors in all areas of adult nonfiction and literary and commercial fiction, including popular reference, business, health, psychology, spirituality, self-help, humor, cookbooks, finance, poker and women's issues. Clients include Richard Roeper, Mike Matusow, Taro Gold, Rachel Vreeman, M.D., Aaron Carroll, M.D., John Link, M.D., Eric Maisel, Rosemary Ostler, supermodel Roshumba, Matt Gaffney, Cy Tymony and Leslie Rule.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit shereebee.com.



MISCELLANEOUS:

2010 AUTHOR-EDITOR CLINIC MANUSCRIPT SESSIONS 
Will 2010 be the year to get your novel, memoir, or nonfiction manuscript in shape? The Seattle-based Author-Editor Clinic has been helping authors revise and polish their books-in-progress since 2004. One reasonable rate for a complete read and thorough editorial critique. Clinic sessions begin February 10 and April 16, 2010. See our website at www.authoreditorclinic.com or contact administrator Kyra Freestar for details ([email protected], 206-300-2601). 

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