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FOOTNOTES
January 30, 2018
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In This Issue:
Manuscript Contest Deadline; Upcoming Classes; A&E Conference Registration; Volunteer Opportunities; Member News; & More |
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LAST CHANCE: Enter the 2018 Manuscript Contest, now with bigger and better prizes!
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"Winning the 2016 Writer's League of Texas manuscript contest not only gave me a great line in my query, but it gave me confidence. On top of this, I won a wonderful consultation from a top literary agent and from that I got a full request."
-Alex Kiester, winner in the Mystery category (2016)
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"The path toward publication is going to look different for every writer, and my journey won't be the right fit for everyone. But, in retrospect, it's clear that taking the initiative and entering the WLT's Manuscript Contest was the jumpstart my career needed."
-Sofie Darling, winner in the Romance category (2016)
Read an article by Sofie on the success she experienced after her win!
Attention, writers: the 2018 Manuscript Contest closes this
Wednesday, January 31 at midnight CST. This is a firm deadline--no exceptions!
The
contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers with at least ten pages from a single work ready for sharing.
The 2018 Manuscript Contest gives you the chance to
- Win a registration to the WLT's 2018 Agents & Editors Conference (June 29-July 1, 2018).
- Meet one-on-one with a top literary agent in your category or genre (in person at our annual conference or via phone call) if you're one of our ten winners.
- Be recognized during the opening session of the 2018 Agents & Editors Conference and in the printed program (if you're a winner or a finalist).
- Receive valuable (and specific) written feedback on your work. The optional critiques by independent editors and industry professionals focus on strengths and weaknesses and offer constructive feedback for improving the material.
You don't have to live in Texas to enter this contest. It's open to everyone, everywhere! Other questions? Read our
FAQ
,
call us at (512) 499-8914 or email our Contest Coordinator, Sara Kocek, at [email protected].
Entry fees as low as $25!
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ONLINE CLASS
The 3-Act Structure
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Registration closes Wednesday, January 31, at 5 p.m. CST. Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until February 8.
This class can also be purchased as part of the Online Class Package. Click
here to learn more.
The 3-act structure has been used in plays and screenplays for time eternal, and it can be just as useful for novels. Thinking about a "call to adventure," "rising action," and a "climax" can help writers create an outline before they begin or sort out writer's block once they've started.
Participants will develop an outline or a structure format to consult during revisions.
To illustrate 3-act structure, the class will discuss the Harrison Ford film
Witness
. Students are recommended to watch the film or remind themselves of its plot before class.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS CLASS
- "Lots of brainstorming--a very useful adjunct to the lecture on structure."
- "Carolyn was great--funny, comfortable, easy to listen to and follow."
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IN-PERSON CLASS
The Online Suite: Websites, Blogs, and Social Media for Authors
Saturday, February 3, 2018
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, February 1, at midnight. Walk-ins will be accepted, as space allows.
If you have not created an author website, blog, or other essential promotional tools, this is the class for you.
This class will introduce practical, effective strategies for the four major components of author promotion: website, blogs, social platforms, and strategies for hanging onto readers once they're engaged. The class will answer these questions: Why do I need a website and how do I get one? What's the point of blogging and what do I blog about? Which social platforms should I use and what do I do with them? Once I have readers, how do I keep them engaged?
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STEPHANIE'S CLASSES
- "It's clear Stephanie has a passion for what she does, along with tremendous knowledge and experience."
- "With Stephanie's help, I traded confusion for a platform."
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Meet our 2018 Agents & Editors
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"Understanding your own commitment to writing and to your current manuscript will help you identify which agents to submit to and what questions to ask them when they get in touch and/or offer representation (and it will help prepare you to answer their questions!)."
-Sharon Pelletier,
Agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
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"Read! Consider it research for your career. Read books within your genre, and stay up to date on what is successful in mainstream publishing."
-Arielle Datz,
Agent at Dunow, Carlson
& Lerner
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We're always looking for great volunteers for Writers' League of Texas events, and right now, we're especially in need of new volunteers for several upcoming events:
- The San Antonio Book Festival (April 7)
- 2018 Agents & Editors Conference (June 29-July 1)
- In-office volunteering, including writing thank you notes and more
Please note that opportunities are open only to current members of the Writers' League of Texas. Find more details on these volunteer opportunities on our website.
Make friends. Get to know our staff. Be part of your literary community.
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Ageless Authors
Writers age 65 and older are
invited to submit entries to the 2017 Ageless Authors Writing
Contest
now through February 28.
Click here to submit
a short story, essay or poem on one of three topics, win cash prizes and be published.
Are you a business or organization interested in getting involved?
Community Membership is a great way to connect with the Writers' League's membership base and share news and information about writing-related services and events. For more information on Community Membership click
here or call our office at (512) 499-8914.
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Awards & Honors
Michael Hurd (The Woodlands), WLT Board Member, is on the list of 2018 Texas Institute of Letters honorees, along with eighteen other honorees including Richard Linklater, Bret Anthony Johnston,
Kirk Lynn, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Willie Nelson, and others. Read more here.
Judge Janice Law (Houston) was recently honored at a reception attended by about 500, with other graduates of her law school who became judges. Law's photo joined the other judges' in permanent display on the atrium wall of Nova University. Law is the author of seven books, one of which was a 2006 nonfiction finalist for the Writers' League of Texas Book Award.
Events
Sloane Calder (Austin) invites WLT members to participate in Austin RWA's upcoming workshop with
Chuck Wendig
, who'll present "
Characters as Architects, Not Architecture," on
Saturday, March 24
from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Go to
www.austinrwa.org
to register and select "Special Event" in the red header. Questions? Send an email to
[email protected]
.
Interested in having your news listed here? Current Writers' League members can submit their news to [email protected]. Announcements should adhere to the following guidelines: third-person, starting with your first and last name, followed by your city of residence, maximum 50 words. We may edit your announcement for style and clarity.
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Open Office Hours: February 8
February Open Office Hours will be on Thursday, February 8.
The deadline to sign up is Thursday, February 1, at noon.
Writers' League m
embers can meet one-on-one with a WLT staffer (in person or call in). This member benefit is available to all members regardless of their city of residence.
Current members only.
Due to limited availability, please email [email protected] to sign up. Please be sure to indicate whether or not you'd like to speak in person or over the phone (and provide your phone number), and outline what questions you'd like to discuss so we can be prepared for your appointment. Before you send an email, please read the OOH guidelines available here.
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Texas Touring
Roster Application Form Now Available
Texas Commission on the Arts (
TCA) maintains a
roster of approved Texas-based touring companies and artists. This program is open to artists of all artistic disciplines including literary arts.
Every two years, all interested artists, companies, and organizations may apply to be listed on the Texas Touring
Roster
. Even artists on the current
roster
must apply in full to be listed on the upcoming
roster
.
The application to be included on the 2018-2020
roster
is available
here
. Find more details about the program
here
.
Deadline: January 31, 2018
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Writer Classifieds
Looking for a writing group or critique partner? Look no further than our Writer Classifieds. Current Writers' League members can submit their name, contact information, and additional details to be included as a listing on a private page on our website.
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Coming Up @ WLT
Classes, Free Programs, Deadlines, and Other Events Across the State
January 31
Online Class
Registration closes Wednesday, January 31, at 5 pm CST. Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until February 8.
February 3
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, February 1, at midnight. Walk-ins will be accepted, as space allows.
February 10
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
February 15
February 17
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
February 24
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
Carl & Mary Welhausen Library, Yoakum, TX
February 28
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This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.
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Writers' League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts - Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to
www.arts.texas.gov
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This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities,
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