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In This Issue:
May Third Thursday, Summer Writing Workshop, Classes,
Agents & Editors Conference, and More |
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May Third Thursday Panel
Mr. Swipe Right? Writing Contemporary Love Stories
Thursday, May 18, 2017, 7 PM
BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Since before Romeo met Juliet, readers have been drawn to love stories.
This panel discussion will focus on what makes a love story successful today--in any genre, including memoir.
The event will feature four distinguished panelists:
Clara Bensen (author of the travel memoir
No Baggage
), Liana LeFey (author of the
A Scandal in London
series), Benjamin Reed (seasoned short fiction writer), and Paige Schilt (author of
Queer Rock Love
).
Find the event on
Facebook
.
And remember, if you can't make it in person on May 18, the recording will be available (alongside past Third Thursday recordings) as a podcast.
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Registration Now Open!
Ever want to step away from the constant distractions of everyday life and spend a week with your fellow writers immersed in your craft and drawing inspiration from the literary community? Here's your chance.
From August 14-19, 2017 we'll host our annual Summer Writing Workshop in Austin for the first time. Think of it as a staycation if you live in town - or a chance to experience the city's literary community firsthand if you're from outside ATX. We're offering six classes, all taught by experienced and highly rated instructors, one of which has already sold out.
Full class descriptions, including instructor bios, can be found on our website; click on the class titles below for more information.
You can find more information about the week and hotel accommodations here on our website.
Hope to see you in August!
Questions? Email us at member@writersleague.org or call 512-499-8914.
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Upcoming Classes
In-Classroom
May 13, 2017
9 am - 12 pm
with Greg Garrett
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Joseph Campbell's analysis of the archetypal hero's journey inspired George Lucas to write
Star Wars and led to a widespread use of the pattern by scriptwriters and story analysts in Hollywood. But anyone telling a longform story can benefit from close study of the model. This class will cover:
- how this pattern might help you write your best novel,
- how the pattern can be reshaped to suit your purposes, and
- what kinds of stories don't fit the pattern.
Find more info here on our
website
.
Registration closes Thursday, May 11 at midnight. Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the venue, as space allows.
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In-Classroom
May 20, 2017
9 am - 12 pm
How to Write Funny
with Wendi Aarons
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Learn tips, tricks, and easy ways to lighten up dialogue and prose to be more humorous in conceptual humor pieces. The class will cover:
- Types of humor (parody, satire, comedic monologues, and others)
- Strategies and appropriateness for each type
- Outlets that accept humor submissions
- Ways to raise your profile as a humor writer
Find more info
here on our website.
Registration closes Thursday, May 18, at midnight.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the venue, as space allows.
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Writers' League of Texas Podcast
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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 April, WLT program director Michael Noll discussed writing and publishing short stories with panelists Michael Barrett, Jill Meyers, Chaitali Sen, and Kirk Wilson. Have a listen!
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"The most significant investment I have made as a writer."
- 2016 Conference Attendee
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
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Brandi Bowles, Foundry Literary + Media
Brandi Bowles' lifelong passion for the written word, a great sense of humor, and the art of engaging storytelling have led her to cultivate a standout client list and an uncommon approach to book representation. At Foundry Literary + Media, Brandi is often the invisible hand helping her clients develop marketable book ideas that take their careers into new directions and heights. To read an interview with Brandi, click
here.
"The joy of making a difference in someone's life - perhaps someone who's dreamt about a book their whole life, and put an incredible amount of legwork into making it happen - that's very real and there isn't anything like it." - Brandi Bowles
Actively Seeking
Fiction: High Concept Commercial
Nonfiction: Narrative, Memoir, Pop Culture, Lifestyle, Family/Parenting
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Andy Ross, Andy Ross Agency
Andy Ross opened his literary agency in 2008. Prior to becoming an agent, he was the owner of the legendary Cody's Books in Berkeley. You can read more about Andy on his popular blog "Ask the Agent." To read an interview with Andy, click
here.
"A lot of writers think that the purpose of an agent is to negotiate a contract and disappear. I don't work that way. I begin by helping the writer define what the real idea is in their project, or in fiction, what the real story is. " - Andy Ross
Actively Seeking
Fiction: High Concept Commercial, Literary, Women's
Nonfiction: Narrative, Current Events, History, Biography, Memoir, Pop Culture
Children's: YA Fiction, YA Nonfiction
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Find the full list of
agents and
editors on our website. For more details on pricing and to register, click below.
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Upcoming Class
6:30 - 9:30 pm CST
Marketing Beyond the Basics
The authors with the most creative marketing are the ones who truly stand out and get attention. They look
beyond social media, blogging, and media interviews to alternative methods of marketing and connecting with readers. This class will cover:
- Alternative methods of marketing including events, competitions, video, cross-selling, and other strategies.
- Case studies of authors who have successfully marketed "outside the box."
- Ways authors can "borrow" ideas from other experts and sectors such as business, retail, celebrities, and more.
Find more info here on our website. Registration closes May 24 at 5 pm CST.
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Rusty Williams
(Dallas) won the
2017 Oklahoma Book Award
for nonfiction for his book,
The Red River Bridge War: A Texas-Oklahoma Border Battle
(Texas A&M University Press). Find out more about the book here.
Book Signings
Classes
Len Bourland (Dallas), author of
Normal's Just a Cycle on a Washing Machine,
is offering her course "How to Publish Quickly, Economically, and Professionally to Get into Bookstores" at SMU in June. This class sold out quickly last winter, so don't delay. Find more info on Len here and find information on the class here.
Angela Shelf Medearis (Austin), award-winning author, is teaching a motivational writing seminar and luncheon, "Jump Into Children's Book Writing." Two sessions are available, one on Thursday, May 18, and one on Friday, May 19. Space is limited. Find more information here.
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.
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Meet the Members
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"While writing may seem a solo activity, there is a huge, generous community of knowledgeable writers in the WLT that are happy to help." -Martha Miller
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!
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Open Office Hours
May Open Office Hours will be on Thursday, May 11.
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, May 10 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. 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.
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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
May 13
"On the Hero's Journey: Discovering Plot, Character, and Meaning for Your Novel" with Greg Garrett
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, May 11, at midnight
Walk-in registrations will be accepted.
May 18
Third Thursday: "Mr. Swipe Right? Writing Contemporary Love Stories"
BookPeople, Austin, TX
May 20
"How to Write Funny" with Wendi Aarons
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
May 24
"Marketing Beyond the Basics" with Shennandoah Goodson
ONLINE
May 27
"Developing Conflict in Fiction" with Brian Yansky
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
June 3
"Crafting Openings that Hook the Reader" with Nan Cuba
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
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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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