FOOTNOTES
April 11, 2017

In This Issue:

April Third Thursday, Classes, Agents & Editors Conference, and More

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Hello, Gorgeous!

Spring is here. The wildflowers are blooming, the April showers are showering, and we thought it was time to do a little spring cleaning of our own. With this April 11 issue, we're excited to share with you, dear readers (and writers), a new look for Footnotes.

We love this responsive design (if we do say so ourselves) and we've worked hard to make it easy for you to find the information you need. With this new layout, you'll still get all the latest on our classes and programming, plus resources to improve your craft, as well as news from our members and the Texas literary community.  You'll also see that we've organized content by the pillars of our mission -- craft, business, and community -- and we've included a special section for member-specific news and announcements. 
 
One of our goals was to make this new layout as intuitive as possible, but as an added bonus, today's newsletter will include a few editor notes to explain the purpose of each section so you know what to expect going forward. Look for the green text labeled "NOTE."

Happy reading, and happy spring! 

Best,
WLT Staff
 
 
NOTE: Short on time? This "Featured" section will include what you absolutely need to know this week -- upcoming programs, approaching deadlines, and more.
April Third Thursday Panel
Writing for Film & Television

Thursday, April 20, 2017, 7 PM
BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
 
Join moderator Michael Noll and panelists Jill Chamberlain (founding director of The Screenplay Workshop), Joe Gross (journalist at the Austin American-Statesman) and Maya Perez (screenwriter and Emmy Award-winning producer of On Story), as they discuss how screenplays and scripts are written. And remember, if you can't make it in person on April 20, the recording will be available (alongside past Third Thursday recordings) as a podcast.
NOTE: This is where you'll find details on upcoming programs and services that will help you hone your craft, including information on in-classroom and online classes, intensives, and advanced craft workshops. You'll also find useful links to our podcast, interviews and book reviews from our blog, and anything else craft-related.
Upcoming Classes

In-Classroom
April 15, 2017
10 am - 4 pm
with Adam Soto
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX

Working on a late or final draft of your novel or memoir? Does revision feel like drudgery instead of creative joy? Not sure when you'll know when the revision is done?  This class can help.   Find more info here on our  website Registration closes April 13 at midnight. Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the venue, as space allows. 
 
Online
April 20, 2017
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Establishing and Developing Convincing Characters in Narrative Fiction
with John Pipkin

Having problems with your story's plot? Do your characters feel flat and unconvincing? Want to strengthen your story through your cast of characters? This class can help. Find more info here on our website.  Registration closes April 20 at 5 pm.

View Upcoming Classes Here
Writers' League of Texas Podcast
 
Have you checked out our podcast lately? If not, you're missing out on an array of great discussions featuring some of our favorite writers sharing craft tips, tricks, and advice. Last July, we talked with panelists Nikki Loftin, Karen MacInerney, and Ron Seybold about forming writing groups, critique groups, and other partnerships. Have a listen! 
 
"Curate a few members you gel with -- don't be afraid to make the group yourself." - Nikki Loftin
 
 
NOTE: This is where you'll find information on the business side of writing, from details and reminders for our annual Agents & Editors Conference, to classes on self-publishing and the agent search, to links to resources that can give you a better understanding of the publishing industry.


"The most significant investment I have made as a writer."
- 2016 Conference Attendee
 
Reminder: The price for the 2017 Agents & Editors Conference will increase after April 30. Don't delay -- register before the end of the month to enjoy a lower rate.

Click  here  for more information on the 2017 Agents & Editors Conference, including registration details and a listing of confirmed agents, editors, and speakers. 

 
Meet the Faculty

Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties
Sara Crowe is a senior agent at Pippin Properties. She loves finding new talent to champion and nurturing and developing careers.To read an interview with Sara, click  here.

"Publishing is waiting. Always be writing!" - Sara Crowe

Actively Seeking
Fiction: Literary, Thrillers, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Graphic Novels
Children's: YA Fiction, YA Nonfiction, MG Fiction, MG Nonfiction, Picture Books, Early Readers 


Annie Hwang, Folio Literary Management
Annie Hwang is an agent at Folio Literary Management. Annie worked in journalism before joining the publishing world, where she digs for stories that keep her reading late into the night and stay with her long after she puts them down. To read an interview with Annie, click  here

"I don't see myself as their agent for 'this' book or 'that' book, but for the entirety of their writing career." - Annie Hwang
 
Actively Seeking
Fiction:  High Concept Commercial, Literary, Women's, Thrillers, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Nonfiction:  Pop Culture, Lifestyle, Family/Parenting, Self-help

Find the full list of  agents and  editors on our website. For more details on pricing and to register, click below.
 
    
 
NOTE: Members, this one's for you. Here you'll find news and announcements from us and from fellow members, as well as information on special member events, sign-up reminders and links for Open Office Hours, details on member benefits, and more.

Announcing: 2017 Board of Directors Special Election

In May, we'll be holding a special election to re-elect several members of our Board of Directors whose terms expired at the end of last year. The bios for the candidates are available on our website and the ballot will be emailed to all current members in May.  Voting on board candidates empowers you to make your voice heard in our community and we urge you to participate. Please  reach out if you have questions related to this process or if you'd like to learn more about board service. We'd love to hear from you!  
 
 
Member News 
NOTE: We'll now be grouping Member News items by category, such as "Publications," "Events," and more. When appropriate, we'll also add additional labels to help you navigate within categories. If you're submitting to Member News, please feel free to suggest a category for your announcement! 


Awards & Honors
Millie Naylor Hast (Bellaire) has won the Freddie Award for Writing Excellence from the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America for her as-yet unpublished thriller. The award was presented at Sleuthfest, the group's annual conference in Boca Raton.
 

Lupe Ruiz-Flores (San Antonio) is one of the winners of the 2017 VIA Poetry on the Move contest. Her poem, "El Gallo - the Rooster," will be posted on all VIA Metropolitan Transit buses along with the accompanying art for the entire month of April (national poetry month).
 

Interested in having your news listed here? Current Writers' League members can submit their news to member@writersleague.org. 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.  
 
Meet the Members

"It's been wonderfully affirming to meet other writers in various stages of our journeys to publication." -Stacey Berg

If you're a Writers' League member and you'd be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It's a great way for our community to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you're working on!

 
Open Office Hours
 
April Open Office Hours will be on Thursday, April 14. 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. After signing up, please email member@writersleague.org to confirm your appointment time and to let us know what you'd like to discuss with a staff member.
 
 
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. 
 

Celebrating Texas Independents
We just wrapped up a full month of panels to celebrate our great literary state's independent journals, booksellers, and publishers! We loved interviewing Anne Hollander (Deep Vellum Books, Dallas) and Benjamin Rybeck (Brazos Bookstore, Houston), who each hosted our panels at their bookstores during the month. Read their interview  here. You can read interviews with all of the month's panelists and bookstores  here on our blog.


Are you a Texas independent (publisher, journal, bookstore, etc.) interested in participating in a future event and/or learning about other opportunities for partnership and promotion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at wlt@writersleague.org

 
Coming Up @ WLT
Classes, Free Events, Deadlines, and More
NOTE: What's upcoming in the next month? Find it listed here -- your one-stop shop for all things WLT.
 

April 15 
"Novel and Memoir Revision: Conventions and Experiments" with Adam Soto
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, April 13, at midnight. 

April 20 

"Establishing and Developing Compelling Characters in Narrative Fiction" with John Pipkin
 


This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.

 
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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