Pacific Northwest Writers Association
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WRITERS ASSOCIATION
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 SEPTEMBER 2010 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 19th of
the previous month to be included).

PNWA NEWS:

 

Member Meeting

(DATE TBD - will announce soon)

Chinook Middle School Auditorium/Library (2001 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004)

Board Meeting @ 6:00pm

Member Meeting @ 7:00pm

 

Presenter: Jason Black

Topic: "Show, Don't Tell" Demystified 
 
Probably no writing rule is cited as often as "Show, Don't Tell." And with good reason; "Show, Don't Tell" is the bedrock of narrative fiction. But what does it really mean? How do you tell the difference between a "show" and a "tell?" And what's the relationship between a "show" and a "tell" on the page? 
 
In this month's member meeting and workshop, book doctor Jason Black will explore all these questions, give you a concrete framework for implementing "Show, Don't Tell" in your work, and through workshop examples will demonstrate how "Show, Don't Tell" is the root from which all other writing rules spring.

 

Jason Black is a freelance book doctor who, in 2008, escaped a career in the software industry for a life of helping other writers improve their craft and get published. He writes novels (one published so far), essays, short stories, and more articles for his blog than he can keep track of.

He has appeared as a book doctor at the PNWA Summer Writers Conference, and writes a monthly character development column for PNWA's Author Magazine. You can find his blog and learn more about him and what he does for his clients at www.PlotToPunctuation.com.

 

 

2011 Literary Contest

Our 2011 Contest is an opportunity for you to showcase your unpublished work.  Submit to any of 12 categories:

1. Mainstream

2. Historical

3. Romance (this year accepting electronic submissions only) 

4. Mystery / Thriller

5. Science Fiction / Fantasy / Horror

6. Young Adult

7. Nonfiction / Memoir

8. Screenwriting

9. Poetry

10. Short Story

11. Children's Picture / Chapter Book / Middle Grade

12. Adult Short Topics: Article / Essay / Short Memoir

 

Finalists are judged by an agent/editor/industry professional to determine the top two in each category.  $700 First Prize per category; $300 Second Prize.  Entries are $35 for current PNWA members and $50 for non-members (per entry).  Simultaneous entries are accepted ONLY in different categories (i.e. you may not submit more than one entry to a single category).  All entries must be received by February 18, 2011.

 

Entry forms and detailed guidelines are coming soon to our website.

 

 

 

Member News

 

PNWA Member Jade Leone Blackwater announces her poems "Snow Drop," "Surfacing," "The n-Body Problem" and "The Maker" available to read now in Issue 5 of The Monongahela Review. http://monreview.com

 

PNWA Member Steven Hughes announces the publication of his historical mystery short story, Death Most Poisonous, in the November 2010 issue of Down in the Dirt Magazine (http://scars.tv/).


PNWA Member Lisa Murphy is looking for bids on a proofreading project, 136,500 words. Email Lisa at [email protected].


Online writers' group seeking one or two new members. We critique only via e-mail, so you could live anywhere and participate. We're looking for experienced writers of literary fiction. Please email with your background and writing interests to [email protected].


CONTEST/SUBMISSIONS:

Front Range, an internationally-circulated annual literary journal, seeks submissions of high quality fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction beginning 1 August for our 6th (2011) issue.  Deadline 7 November 2010.  We report results by end of December, publish first week of March each year.

 

Strongly suggested:  Take a look at a recent copy.  Archives and submission guidelines on our website:  http://www.frontrangeMT.org

 

We love Montana, and the Rocky Mountain West.  We also love work from and about other places that juxtaposes our existence with that of the world at large.

 

Poetry: Up to 8 unpublished (preferably) poems, maximum 15 pages total, single or double-spaced, left justified.

Short Fiction: Up to 3 unpublished (preferably) stories, not to exceed 4,000 words each, double-spaced, following standard conventions of paragraphing.

Nonfiction: Up to 3 unpublished (preferably) creative nonfiction pieces, not to exceed 4,000 words each, double-spaced, following standard conventions of paragraphing.

Artwork: .JPEG files of paintings, drawings, or photography, each file saved with title of piece.  Shock us, surprise us, or yank on our emotions.  We publish two pieces in color each year (front/back cover); all others are converted to b/w.  Color photos should be high res, at least 430 dpi.

 

While we have accepted previously-published work from established authors, this is normally by prior arrangement.

 

Please note requirement for separate identifying info and author/artist bio:  Name, address, phone number/email of writer should appear on a separate cover sheet, no identification on the work itself.  Please list title of each submitted poem or story on cover sheet.  Artist/author bio should appear on cover sheet or in text of email. 

 

Electronic submissions only, as separate email attachments in .doc, .docx or .rtf format (no other formats).

 

Simultaneous submissions accepted.  All rights revert to author/artist upon publication. Payment in contributor copies.

 

Submit to:  [email protected]  (preferred) or [email protected]

 

 

 

Fault Zone: Words from the Edge, an anthology of short stories, will be published this fall by the SF/Peninsula Branch of California Writers. We're perched on the edge of the San Andreas Fault, on the edge of the Pacific Rim. Will we fall in? Or is Fault Zone more of a comment on human frailties and foibles? We're looking for stories with a California slant and a good slice of life. We can't wait to see your interpretation.

 

First Prize is $300 and publication in our Fault Zone anthology. Second Prize is $100. Third Prize is $50. Contest deadline is August 15, 2010. Reading fee is $15. Previously published work will be considered. Novel excerpts must stand on their own.

 

Submission Guidelines:

Submit 2 copies of your short story or stand-alone novel excerpt. Title and author should be on each page, as well as page number. Include word count on first page. Please submit work typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times Roman, with standard one inch margins.

Word limit: 2,500 max. (more or less, within reason). Shorter entries are encouraged!

Mail to: SF/Pen CWC, P.O. Box 853, Belmont, CA 94002

Or: Submit on line at www.cwc.peninsula.org and click on the Contest button.

Classes/Workshops:


PNWA President Teaches Popular Fiction Class


Pam Binder, a New York Times bestselling author and president of PNWA, will again teach Popular Fiction through the University of Washington's Popular Fiction 1 Extension Class.
 
Explore the backbone of the commercial fiction industry, including several genres such as mystery, romance, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, and thriller.  Examine the art of captivating readers through strong characters and plots, setting, and page-turning scenes. Learn how to construct a suspenseful and complex storyline with emotion and believable dialogue. Master the development of the beginning, middle, and end of your novel. You will also learn how to write a query letter and book proposal, and how to select the agent and editor who is right for your project.

To register, or if you have questions, contact 206-685-8936. 

 

 

Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference

November 11-13, 2010

Featured writers: Diana Gabaldon, Karen White, Adam Davies and Ciji Ware

  

Scribblers' Retreat Writers Conferences take place at the historic King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island's only oceanfront hotel. Workshop participants enjoy contemplative walks along the beach, and are within minutes of St. Simons's Island's beautiful lighthouse and pier village with its many shops and restaurants. Special rates are available for conference participants.

 

Conference fee, including ten writers' workshops, opening banquet and authors cocktail reception, is $395 per person. Conference fee, including the above and three nights at the King and Prince Hotel, is $795 per person, including taxes. Special group rates are available.

 

For information about Scribblers' Retreat Writers Conferences, please call toll-free
800-996-2904, or visit them online at www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com.

 

 

San Francisco Writers Conference & San Francisco Writers University

When: Feb. 18th -21st, 2011

            Conference begins on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon.

            San Francisco Writers University classes are on Monday, Feb. 21st.

Faculty & Program: Keynotes and classes with Dorothy Allison (Bastard Out of Carolina) and David Morrell (First Blood) plus nearly 100 other authors, agents, editors and publishing professionals.  Publishing houses represented at the event include Jossey-Bass/Wiley, Pocketbook/Simon & Schuster, Grand Central Publishing and self-publishing leader, Author Solutions.

Where: InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, 1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA

Website: www.SFWriters.org  Enticing early registration rates are available on the website!

Contact: Elizabeth Pomada at (415) 673-0939 or Barbara Santos at (925) 560-1403 -560-1403

 

 

Spalding University's four-semester, brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing combines superb instruction with unparalleled flexibility. Students may choose semesters in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, children's, playwriting, and/or screenwriting. At the beginning of each semester, students and faculty work together at a 10-day residency (in Louisville or abroad), after which they return home to correspond one-on-one through an exchange of 5 packets between the student and the faculty mentor for the rest of the semester. Semesters begin in spring, summer, and fall. For more information, email: [email protected], call: (800) 896-8941, ext 2423, or see our website: www.spalding.edu/mfa.

 

Spalding University has been around since 1814 and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. We are members of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). Our MFA program began in 2001 and we have more than three hundred alumni and currently have 170 students. Our program includes a summer residency abroad (Tuscany, 2011; Paris, 2012; Greece 2013).

 

 

Revising Your Life: Turning True Events into Compelling Stories

How do you push beyond the messy first draft most writers produce to craft a compelling story or book chapter? This eight-week class in nonfiction and fiction will show you how to make that happen. You'll learn essential techniques of research, interviewing, writing scenes, character sketches, structuring, revision, and how to put the finished manuscript into the hands of the right editor.

The course will run Oct. 13 to Dec. 1 on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 221 of the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.)

There will be six assignments, including a 100- to 250-word story idea, a 250-word scene, a 500-word profile, a 750-word first person story, a revised 1,000-word profile or first person story, and a 250-word cover letter. In addition to the classroom work, I will schedule individual conferences with each student. This will give me a chance to go over your work with you one-on-one and suggest ways to improve it.

Texts: Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, and Best American Essays of the Century edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Both titles are available at the Elliott Bay Book Company.

    To enroll, please send me a check for $525 to 201 Newell St., Seattle, WA 98109. Enrollment is limited to 15. For more information, contact me at [email protected] or 206-284-7121.

 

 

Hill House Residency Program

ISLAND is proud to announce the second application round of the Hill House Residency Program, providing dedicated time and space for writers at any stage in their career and emerging musicians. Applications for round two, which will run from November 2010 to April 2011, are due September 15.

The goal of the Hill House Residency is to support talented emerging songwriters and writers at all stages of their career with a two, three or four week stay in a semi-secluded log cabin near East Jordan, Michigan. Room and board is covered along with a selection of instruments and some basic recording gear. The musician residency also offers performance opportunities and a small stipend to aid in professional development. Musicians and writers age 21 and older from anywhere in the world may apply. Solo writers as well as teams of up to four people may apply. There is a $20 application fee.

 

ISLAND (Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design) is a non-profit arts and ecology center located in Bellaire, MI. To learn more about ISLAND and the Hill House Residency, or to download an application, please visit http://www.artmeetsearth.org/artistresidency.html


MISCELLANEOUS:


Literary agent Andrea Hurst is looking for a fall intern.

 

Gain experience in the book publishing industry by working alongside a literary agent on Whidbey Island. Your responsibilities will include reading and evaluating incoming queries and manuscripts, attending acquisitions meetings to discuss the manuscripts, researching publishers and writing pitch letters, assisting with editing manuscripts and book proposals, and compiling information for conferences and classes. Office management skills as well as experience with Microsoft Word and Excel are expected. Unpaid. Minimum 8 hours a week for six months; some work can be done from home.  Send cover letter with resume attached as Word document to [email protected].


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