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FOOTNOTES
September 26, 2017
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In This Issue:
Fall classes; events in Dallas & Houston; apply for a signing slot at the WLT's Texas Book Festival booth |
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WLT Class Guide: Fall Edition
We've more than doubled our class offerings in the past year. But which one -- or more! -- of our classes is the right one for you?
We've put together a short guide to our upcoming classes.
Do you...
...have a killer novel idea, but research scares the heck out of you?
Take "Effective Research Methods for Fiction" with John Pipkin, acclaimed novelist who is so committed to research himself that he recently built a bike from scratch and rode it from Warsaw to Paris, all in the name of novel research.
...feel pretty dang sure that you're the next great children's book author, but you're not sure where to get started?
Take
"The Secret to Making Picture Books" with Liz Garton Scanlon, aka Caldecott-honored, bestselling author aka all-around-lovely human. Liz only teaches for us once in a blue moon, so don't miss this!
...want to make your story or novel's setting WOW instead of bleh?
...finally have a finished novel draft (YAY! CONGRATULATIONS!) but you're flummoxed about where to go next?
...have the absolute COOLEST concept for a multi-generational, time-jumping novel...but even you can't keep all your story lines straight?
Take
"Crafting Nonlinear Narratives" with Varian Johnson, six-time-and-counting novelist, whose work captivates readers young and old alike -- he's so beloved that he just came off a six-state tour for his book
To Catch A Cheat.
...keep binge-watching
Insecure
instead of working on your novel?
We'll be announcing November/December classes soon, so stay tuned! And if you have questions about anything classes-related, call us at 512-499-8914.
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We Want to See Your Face!
Join Us in Houston, Dallas, & Austin for Panels on "How to Turn A Mess of Pages Into A Book"
First drafts of novels and memoirs can begin with a spark of an idea and a rush of enthusiasm. But after 70-100 pages, that initial clarity often vanishes, along with any sense of the way forward into the book. Or perhaps you're researching for a nonfiction project, but you feel lost at the thought of organizing your notes into a coherent narrative.
In October, we're heading to three great independent bookstores to host panel discussions on these questions and more. These are
must-attend events for anyone who has recently thrown themselves into a new project or wants to return to a memoir or nonfiction draft that they've put aside. These events are also great for writers in these areas who are looking to connect with us directly, or with other writers. Details below.
Friday, October 6, 2017
7 p.m.
2421 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
If you're interested in attending, click here to RSVP.
Panelists: Chris Cander, Allegra Hyde, Michael Hurd, and Alexander Parsons
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
7 p.m.
10720 Preston Rd.
Ste. 1009B
Dallas, Texas 75230
If you're interested in attending, click here to RSVP.
Panelists: Sanderia Faye, Sarah Hepola, Jeramey Kraatz, and Michael Merschel
Thursday, October 19, 2017
7 p.m.
3rd Floor
603 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
No RSVP required.
Panelists: Dalia Azim, Alison Macor, and Cory Putman Oakes
Hope to see you at one or more of these events!
Call us at 512-499-8914 if you have any questions.
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IN-PERSON CLASS
LAST CHANCE: The Secret to Great Picture Books
with Liz Garton Scanlon
Saturday, September 30, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
In this class, participants will learn current industry standards for picture books, how to keep a picture book child-centered and make it speak to a young audience, and how to get the attention of a tough industry.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF
- You're interested in writing picture books for any reading level.
- You want to understand the structures of the form.
- You're looking for concrete exercises for writing child-centered stories.
Online registration closes Thursday, September 28, at midnight.
Walk-up registrations will be accepted.
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ONLINE CLASS
LAST CHANCE: Effective Research Methods for Fiction
with John Pipkin
Thursday, September 28, 2017
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
In this class, participants will identify what kind and how much research their story needs, determine where to go for information and how to take effective notes, and learn strategies for incorporating information in your story without overwhelming the story itself. The class will also discuss how successful research can provide the inspiration and ideas for generating new stories.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT JOHN PIPKIN'S CLASSES
- "The instructor's advice centered around key points that will help me combine research with the creative writing process."
- "Focused with LOTS of info."
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Registration closes Thursday, September 28, at 5 p.m.
All registrants will have access to the class recording until October 6.
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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. And remember, you can now find us wherever you get your podcasts
.
Subscribe
so you never miss an episode!
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Judge Janice Law's
(Houston) biography and books are featured on the cover and double page spread inside the September issue of neighborhood magazine
Tangled Tales
. Click here to visit her website.
Margot Weidemann (London) announces that her performance of her song, "Taka and Librino" has been selected as one of the top 10 finalists in Listen Up Britain's Top Songwriter Contest. Performing as Daisy Oracle, she will play in London at end of October for the title of Top Songwriter. Find more details
here
.
Events & Book Signings
Walter Danley (Boerne, TX) will read selections from his Wainwright Mystery series
The Tipping Point and
Inside Moves on October 25 at 4 pm at the Clubhouse of the Terraces at Cibolo, 518 Fabra Street, Boerne. The event will be free and refreshments will be served.
James Garrison
(Houston) will have a book signing for his novel,
QL 4 (literary crime fiction set in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War), at the
River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer, Houston, TX on Thursday, September 28
from 5 to 7 pm.
Martha Miller (San Antonio), author of Times New Roman: How We Quit Our Jobs, Gave Away Our Stuff & Moved to Italy, is the featured speaker at Writing for Life, a local writer series. Universal City Public Library -
100 Northview Dr, Universal City, TX
on
Tuesday, October 10 at 6:30 pm
.
Marit Weisenberg (Austin) will celebrate the release of her debut YA novel
Select on
October 10, 7 pm, at BookPeople where she will be in conversation with author Amanda Eyre Ward.
Select follows seventeen-year-old Julia Jaynes's search for identity and love outside her exclusive circle of highly-evolved humans.
New Releases
George Arnold's (Garland) 21st book,
Rumble in Recífe: Los Gatos of the CIA, was recently released by Eakin Press. This book, the ninth in the CIA Cats' international adventures, is set in Brasil, where the secret cats track down a gambling ring that threatens the integrity of the International Cat Futebol Association. The book also features a Portuguese phrase and pronunciation guide.
Mary Bryan Stafford (Liberty Hill) is pleased to announce the publication of her poem "Dying Young" in the upcoming anthology of
Blue Hole.
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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Meet the Members
"If I ever met Ursula K. LeGuin, I'd thank her for being so amazing.
"
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If you're a Writers' League member and you'd be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at [email protected] 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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LAST CHANCE: Apply for a signing slot at the Writers' League booth at the 2017 Texas Book Festival
November 4-5, 2017
Texas State Capitol and Grounds
Austin, TX
Every year, we look forward to our booth at the
Texas Book Festival,
where visitors can meet our staff and volunteers,
learn about membership, and raise a glass to toast our book award honorees. And this year as in years past, we're thrilled to offer our members the opportunity to sign and promote their books at our booth.
If you'd like to take advantage of the opportunity to sell and sign your book during one of our 45-minute signing slots at our Texas Book Festival booth, the guidelines are fairly simple, and the process for submitting your name and book for consideration is easy -- find the guidelines and link to sign up
here.
DEADLINE:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, at NOON.
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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
September 26
Writers' League of Texas Offices, Austin, TX
Members Only
This class is sold out.
September 28
Online Class
Registration closes Thursday, September 28, at 5 p.m.
Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until October 6.
September 30
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, September 28, at midnight.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted.
Shallowater School County Library, Shallowater, TX
October 6
Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
October 7
Inprint, Houston, TX
This class is sold out.
October 10
Interabang Books, Dallas, TX
October 11
Online Class
October 12
Mitte Carriage House, Austin, TX
Members Only
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
October 19
BookPeople, Austin, TX
October 21
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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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, visit www.arts.gov.
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