May Member Meeting - two guest speakers!

Thursday, May 19, 2011  (please note the times and location, which are a bit different than normal)

New location:

University Bookstore, Bellevue

990 102nd Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

C. C. Humphreys:  5 - 6pm

"How to Plan a Book Tour" (followed by a book signing)

C. C. Humphreys is the bestselling author of several historical fiction novels, the latest of which is Vlad: The Last Confession. 

Laura Munson:  6 - 7pm

"How to Turn Your Life Experiences into a Bestselling Memoir" (followed by a book signing)

Laura Munson's memoir, This Is Not the Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness, has garnered much critical praise.  She is also a frequent contributor to Author Magazine. 

PNWA members, please bring your membership card.

Southeast Washington Members Share and Socialize

Weather, distance, and now gas prices often make it difficult for writers in the southeast portion of Washington state to attend PNWA events on the west side of the mountains. So for nearly three years now, under the auspices of the PNWA and with significant support and encouragement from Association President, Pam Binder, a dedicated group of members has been getting together monthly to talk to other writers about writing.

Members of the Southeast Washington Chapter of the PNWA (PNWA-SEWA) meet monthly, currently in a 50's-era retro-diner in the Tri-Cities area (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick) to share lessons learned, network, socialize and encourage each other's writing efforts. While most members are from the local area, several members drive from as far away as Walla Walla and Eltopia to participate.

The group is composed of writers representing a wide variety of genres, and skill levels range from occasional writers to dedicated weekend scribes to full-time published authors. Several members of the chapter have placed as finalists in the annual PNWA writing contest, and at least four of the members will be published between now and next spring, two of the four being published for the first time. Members of the chapter also support the local Rivers of Ink writing event held each fall in the city of Richland.

A summer social is being planned to encourage more writers from the local area to come out of the writing closet in an attempt to create a more visible and cohesive writing community. 

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7 P.M. in Rosie's Diner in Richland, and many members tend to arrive early to enjoy a light dinner and socialize. For information about meeting times and locations, contact Randy R. LaBarge at randellob@charter.net.

Former PNWA President and workshop leader Gordon Kirkland's new book, Crossbow, was released on April 12, 2011. The award-winning Canadian author is best known for his six books of short humorous essays, three of which received Canada's Stephen Leacock Award of Merit for Humour.

Crossbow is his first full-length novel, a mystery with comedic overtones. The book got its start when Kirkland was cast for the Canadian TV series The 3-Day Novel, in which twelve writers were locked in an Edmonton big-box bookstore with the task of each completing a short novel in just 72 hours. All of this was done amid train-of-thought-disturbing interruptions from the ever present camera crew, store customers, and the challenges the series' producers assigned them to complete away from their writing. Kirkland wrote approximately 30,000 words during the taping, and has since added flesh to the bones of the story to create a novel that led one reviewer to say, "...like taking an intensive course in plot development. Kirkland wove a terrific plot filled with suspense with a great deal of humour and charm."

Crossbow is available in paperback or on the Kindle electronic book platform. For more information, visit www.gordonkirkland.com.

PNWA member Joe Beernink is pleased to announce that he is now the client of literary agent Sally Harding (The Cooke Agency), whom he first met and pitched to at PNWA's 2009 summer conference.  Congratulations, Joe!  http://joebeernink.com/

PNWA member Lori Pollard-Johnson announces the publication of her culinary mystery, Toxic Torte, available through Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords. 

Jess Harriet slings slop at the Seattle Sun, a weekly newsrag best known for its personal ad selection. When her latest assignment turns out to be yet another obituary, this time for caustic restaurant critic Perry Lowell, she seriously considers leaving the memorial and heading back to her hometown of Ephrata, never to return. But before the buffet is replenished, detectives appear. It seems Perry didn't die of a heart attack after all. He was murdered...with a toxic torte, most likely served to him at the Space Needle's annual Valentine's Day Chocoholic Ball. Jess seizes the opportunity to scoop the Seattle Tribune, and ends up stirring up trouble, not only with Cherrie, fellow Sun reporter by week, Seattle Seahawks cheerleader by weekend, but with a secret society of chefs, all of whom have been panned by Perry. She'll also have to outwit Tom, a college dating disaster who has access to the elusive guest list, and team up with her editor, Rod, who has secrets of his own... including an appetite for Jess.

PNWA member Joan Richter's book, The Gambling Master of Shanghai and Other Tales of Suspense, was published in April under the imprint of  Peace Corps Worldwide. It is a collection of seventeen short stories set in Asia, Europe, Africa and the United States, and is available on  Amazon.

PNWA member Jade Leone Blackwater's poems "Shore" and "Springtide" are finalists at Line Zero and will appear in the May 2011 issue. http://linezero.org

PNWA member Katherine Pym announces the release of her second historical novel, Twins. 

London, 1661: A Medieval superstition still prevails that a man can only sire one child at a time.  When a woman has twins, she declares before the world she is an adulteress.  Desperate to protect her children from their violent father, Elizabeth Torbet flees, and finally settles in London.  Twenty years later, the twins themselves are caught up in a life of turmoil:  Edgar embarks on an affair with a married woman and is forced to strike an ominous agreement with her ailing husband, while Emma, who has been declared the bastard, is forced to marry a widowed gentleman farmer.  To her horror, Emma discovers he's not only a penniless gambler, but is also having an affair with his sister-in-law.

PNWA member Sherrida Woodley's novel, Quick Fall of Light, has been listed as an award-finalist with ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award for 2010 in Science Fiction.  For those in the Portland/Seattle area, she will be doing a book signing at Klindt's Booksellers in The Dalles, OR on Saturday, June 4 from 11 to 3:00. 

PNWA member Mary Brockway announces the publication of her World War II novel, St. Annie's Corp, available as an e-book through Amazon and Wings Epress.   

PNWA member Myne Whitman announces the release of her new romance, A Love Rekindled, available through Amazon, Smashwords, and bn.com. 

Efe returns to Nigeria after years in the United States, dreaming of an uncomplicated life. However, her nights become plagued by nightmares of Kevwe Mukoro, her ex-fiancé. Long hours at work and drinking in nightclubs only provide temporary relief, and when she encounters Kevwe's twin brother, she knows it's a matter of time before Kevwe is back in her life.  Sparks fly when they finally meet again, but desire is no match for bitter memories of heartbreak. All these years, Efe believed she was rejected; now Kevwe claims he'd never stopped loving her. Stuck at a crossroads, Kevwe prefers to look to the future, but Efe is not so sure. Can the traumatic events of the past be resolved, and will she give in to rekindled love?

The video has been uploaded on Youtube here.

CONTESTS/SUBMISSIONS:

AuthorCloud 

There's a new publisher on the block, and it's called AuthorCloud (www.authorcloud.com). Founded by long-time book and electronic publisher (as well as author and recent PNWA member) Randy Morse, AuthorCloud is unique in several ways. It's web-based and offers the usual sorts of POD low-cost printing & binding services. However it also places an emphasis on the importance of editing and design, and has assembled a team of seasoned professional editors and designers to help authors craft books they'll be proud of. AuthorCloud is singularly focused on working with writers based in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (they're based in Kaslo, B.C.). They plan to publish an annual, The Sasquatch, featuring the works of PNW-based established and emerging authors and artists (the first edition is scheduled for publication this December). Founder Morse reports that he's engaged in discussions with independent booksellers, looking for ways to support regional writers while helping bolster the fortunes of that embattled sector. Ebooks and audiobooks loom large in AuthorCloud's plans, as do the possibility of establishing one or more online book clubs, by region and/or genre. If any of this sounds intriguing, visit the AuthorCloud website for more information. Or feel free to contact Morse directly, by email at info@authorcloud.com, or by phone at (503) 545-8930.

Ephemerata Speculata Call for Submissions

EphSpec (pronounced Eff Spek) is seeking short stories (3,000 words or less) for a Portland, Oregon public reading. Authors of the five highest rated submissions will be selected to appear before the public in a one-of-a-kind, not-to-be-repeated literary event.

Who:  The EphSpec competition is open to area writers who are able to travel to and read their submission at the event in SE Portland. We accept original submissions from previously published and unpublished authors alike.

What: We're looking for original stories, stream-of-consciousness meanderings, vignettes, heart-rending prose, intense characters, literary flourishes, wild embellishment and abandon-provided it falls under the category of speculative fiction and is 3,000 words or less.

When:  SUBMIT NOW until June 20th. If selected, read your work to the public on the evening of Sunday, July 17, 2011.

Where:  Tabor Space - 5441 SE Belmont (corner of 55th and SE Belmont) Portland

We are NOT a publication, on-line journal, chapbook or blog. You retain all rights to your piece.

Details, Guidelines, and Contact Info at www.ephspec.com

Puyallup Writer's Cooperative

The PWCo-op is open to all who are interested in writing: non-fiction, literary fiction, or genre fiction; poetry or prose; short or long format.  Come and share your needs, your vision, and your writing.

Meetings are held in the Puyallup Public Library in downtown Puyallup.

The first two meetings of the PWCo-op have been scheduled for:

Monday, May 2nd, 7:15pm
Monday, June 6th, 7:15pm

These are both first Mondays of the month, the time is always 7:15pm, and we'll be meeting in one of the public meeting rooms at the front of the library. As we develop a sense of purpose and a core membership, further meeting times will be planned.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Qualifications? Contact Benjamin Newland.

Indigo Workshops

Saturday, May 21

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dialogue Clinic: Conflict, Implication, and Subtext with Susan DeFreitas
In this very special Indigo Editing workshop, writers of fiction are invited to come with a piece of dialogue from a work in progress. Actors and actresses will act out these scenes, revealing opportunities for more natural idioms, stronger exchanges, heightened emotions, and implied subtext within the conversation. Each writer will leave with detailed feedback on strengthening both the dialogue and the scene.

Partnering Successfully with Local Bookstores with Sally McPherson
Selling and marketing your book is an integral part of the publishing process. At this workshop you will learn how one local independent bookstore (Broadway Books) makes decisions about the store's inventory and events, and how you can partner successfully with bookstores to deliver your book to its intended audience. The interactive workshop will focus on three primary topics: how bookstores make decisions about what to stock in the store and how you can best position your book for maximum exposure and sales; what makes for successful bookstore events and what authors can do to maximize their success; the future of bookselling and the advent of ebooks.

The small-group format of the workshop will enable you to engage in productive dialogue with bookstore owner and with your peers to determine what steps are best for your individual situation.

Register for both classes for just $50 at www.indigoediting.com/workshops.  
Each class is limited to ten students. All classes will be held at the Indigo office, 519 SW 3rd Ave., 5th-floor conference room, Portland, Oregon. Preregistration is required.

Special Offer for Indigo Workshop Attendees  If you're aching for an even bigger educational experience that weekend, augment the Indigo workshops with Ooligan seminars! Ooligan Press's Write to Publish conference takes place at PSU Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. Indigo and Ooligan have teamed up to offer a special deal: take Indigo's morning workshops ($50 total) and two of Ooligan's afternoon seminars ($35 each) on Saturday, and receive free admission into Sunday's Industry Mingle! More information on Write to Publish can be found at http://www.ooliganpress.pdx.edu/w2p/?page_id=2.

Learn from Lew! A Master Screenwriting Workshop with Lew Hunter

On May 13, 2011, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild is proud to welcome screenwriting instructor, producer and executive Lew Hunter.

Recognized as one of the foremost screenwriting teachers in the world, Lew has helped shape many of the industry's most acclaimed screenwriters. Shane Black, David Keopp, Mike Werb and Alexander Payne are among his former students at UCLA, where from 1979 to 1988 he taught screenwriting in the Department of Film and Television.

His professional career in the entertainment industry spans working for Columbia, Paramount, Disney, NBC, ABC, CBS and Lorimar as a writer, producer and executive. Since 1988 he has been Chair/Professor Emeritus in the screenwriting department at UCLA, where every winter he returns to teach his acclaimed Screenwriting 434 course to graduate students in the MFA program, the modern form of which he helped create.

His best-selling book Screenwriting 434, based on the UCLA class, is counted as one of the leading sources of knowledge and insight into the art and craft of screenwriting. He has taught at the Sorbonne in Paris and continues to teach around the country; twice yearly he runs an intense two-week screenwriting colony in his hometown of Superior, Nebraska.

Following a Friday evening Q&A, at Seattle Pacific University, Demary 150, Lew will lead a Saturday workshop based on his Screenwriting 434 class that explores the art and craft of screenwriting. For more information visit www.nwsg.org.