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FOOTNOTES
November 7, 2017
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In This Issue:
National Novel Writing Month write-ins; fall classes; Open Office Hours with a special guest; and member discounts on events throughout the state |
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How to Find Drama in Historical Details
Thursday, November 16, 2017, 7 p.m.
603 N. Lamar Blvd., 3rd Floor
Austin, TX
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Some of the bestselling books in recent years have been historical fiction or nonfiction that examines events from the recent or distant past. The appeal of such books is, in part, the joy of immersing ourselves in these long-gone worlds. Yet anyone who sets out to write such a story quickly realizes that research and worldbuilding can overwhelm the actual narrative.
This panel of novelists and nonfiction writers will discuss the ways that writers can both bring a historical world to life and also tell a riveting story.
Our illustrious panelists will be:
- James L. Haley, an award-winning historian and author of numerous books on Texas and Western history;
- Dan Oppenheimer, author of Exit Right: The People Who Left the Left and Reshaped the American Century.;
- Natalia Sylvester, author of Chasing the Sun and the forthcoming Everyone You Know Goes Home;
- Sherry Thomas, acclaimed author of both historical romance and young adult fantasy.
You won't want to miss this look at finding drama in historical details. This will be our last Third Thursday of the year -- we'll be taking the month off in December. Find the event on Facebook.
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Group Write-Ins at Austin's New Central Library
Show up, sit down, write. It's that easy. No speaker or presentation. Just a group of people tapping at laptops or scribbling in notebooks.
The Writers' League is hosting
eight write-ins
at the Austin Public Library's new Central Library (710 W. César Chávez St.). The library is astoundingly beautiful with soaring walkways, a rooftop garden, and classrooms that look out over the immense atrium. Seriously, it might be the most beautiful building in the city and maybe the entire state! We have reserved two of those rooms (522 and 531) for our write-ins.
- Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7:00-8:45 p.m. (Following a 6 p.m. panel with authors, moderated by Executive Director Becka Oliver)
- Monday, Nov. 6, 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6-8 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m.
These write-ins are free and open to the public. No registration is needed, but since space is limited in the reserved meeting rooms, please RSVP. (In the case of overflow attendance, space will be available throughout the library.)
RSVP here.
The Austin Public Library's
Recycled Reads will also make
dedicated writing space available every day the store is open to the public. Writers are welcome to bring a snack and drink. Recycled Reads (5335 Burnet Road) is open
Thursday from 12
-8 p.m. and
Friday,
Saturday and
Sunday from 12
-6 p.m. (except
Friday, November 10 for Veteran's Day and November 23-24 for Thanksgiving).
On Saturdays from 12:30-1:45 p.m., Recycled Reads will have
discussion time and pointers for writers.
If you're looking for write-ins in cities other than Austin, visit the NaNoWriMo website.
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ONLINE CLASS
How to Get Writing Gigs with Marketing and PR Agencies
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Good news for writers: The demand for copy in marketing and advertising is going up, but the supply of skilled writers hasn't. If you've ever wondered, "How can I make money doing freelance writing?" this is the class for you.
Discover what opportunities are available to writers at marketing and publicity agencies, how to secure gigs, and how to act like a seasoned professional. Learn what types of agencies are hiring, who's in charge of contracting writers and how to contact them, the types of projects writers work on, how to price services, industry lingo, and other best practices.
WHAT PAST STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT SHENNANDOAH
- "Everything about this class was an 'aha' moment."
- "Her classes are providing exactly what I hoped they would."
- "She is a wealth of information."
Registration closes Wednesday, November 8, at 5 p.m. CST.
Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until November 16.
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IN-PERSON CLASS
Plotting Your Book with Scenes and Narrative Arcs
Saturday, November 11, 2017
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
For many writers, outlines are great until they fall apart and are discarded. But then we get lost and off track, and so we return to the outline, updating it--and then the same thing happens all over again. What if there was a way to combine the structure and sense of direction of an outline with the freedom and creativity of writing blind?
This class will introduce a new approach to "plotting." Rather than trying to create a single narrative arc for your book, Stuart will show how most books have multiple arcs and show you how to discover yours by looking at your manuscript scene by scene.
Everyone who registers for the class will receive a complimentary copy of Book Architecture
, Horwitz's practical craft-of-writing guide, which offers different detailed outlines based on well-known books that anyone can adapt to their own work.
WHAT WRITERS ARE SAYING ABOUT STUART'S BOOKS ON OUTLINE AND STRUCTURE
- "If you have yet to consider how series/throughlines intersect and/or interrelate in a story, then this book is a must-read."
- "I love the approach to writing a book based on how often and when ideas or elements happen rather than plots or "pinch" spots."
- "Some powerful advice (and not your run-of-the-mill story structure advice either) with some comprehensive case studies. Highly recommended.
Registration closes Thursday, November 9, at midnight.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted, pending availability.
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ADVANCED CRAFT WORKSHOP
Saturday,
December 9, 2017
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
AND
Sunday, December 10, 2017
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX
Deadline to apply is Thursday, November 9.
If you want in-depth, thoughtful feedback from an award-winning author and incredible teacher, apply for this workshop. The class is limited to 10 students and will be structured as an MFA-style workshop. Submit either a short story, novel excerpt, or narrative-driven memoir.
For more details on Advanced Craft Workshops (and specifics on eligibility and the application process), visit our
website page or call us at 512-499-8914.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT JOHN PIPKIN'S CLASSES
- "John Pipkin is a great instructor. He brought a lot of positive energy and guidance to the workshop."
- "It was a treat to be in a workshop with so many good writers across so many different genres."
- "A wonderful experience, very important to my progress as a writer.
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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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Ageless Authors (Dallas):
Writers aged 65 and older are invited to submit entries to the 2017 Ageless Authors Writing Contest now through
December 15.
Submit a short story, essay or poem on one of three topics, win cash prizes and be published. Find submission guidelines
here.
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
Susan Morrison's (Austin) book
A Medieval Woman's Companion: Women's Lives in the European Middle Ages
(Oxbow 2016)
won several awards:
the Gold Medal in College Nonfiction from Literary Classics, as well as the
2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award. For the Foreword INDIES, her book also received a Bronze Medal in Women's Studies and Honorable Mentions in Adult Nonfiction and Young Adult Nonfiction.
Additionally, it was published in German as
Frauen des Mittelalters: Künstlerinnen - Herrscherinnen - Denkerinnen
(Berlin University Press 2017).
Events
H
olly Castillo (Pleasanton) will be at BookPeople on Saturday, November 11 at 2 p.m. for a special celebration of her Texas Legacy Series. There will be a reading from her latest novel, Texas Christmas, and she will be available to sign all four of her books in the series. Join her in this fun celebration of Texas Legacy!
Michelle Newby (Spur) of Lone Star Literary Life announces the first
Paragraph Ranch Writers' Weekend,
December 1-3, 2017, with Tex Thompson.
Tex will read your work, ask questions, and help you discover insights to develop your writing. This workshop lets writers get away in Texas's caprock country and includes sessions, critique, lodging, and meals.
New Releases
Frankie Joseph (San Antonio) announces the release of her new book Called to the Marketplace, a practical guide that helps believers visualize their ministry in the marketplace. Frankie Joseph aims to inspire those outside of formal ministry to use their God-given and acquired abilities and skills to fulfill God's purpose in their business, career, and life.
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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HOUSTON AREA WRITERS: Come Say Hello at the Writers' Family Reunion!
Special Discount for WLT Members
November 11, 2017
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Silver Street Studios
2000 Edwards Street
Houston, TX 77007
The Writers' Family Reunion
is a one-day gathering and Build-Your-Writing-Community event designed to give writers an opportunity to develop friendships with other writers, learn from more experienced writers, and fortify their knowledge of craft and career. All levels and all genres are welcome!
Just as a family reunion nourishes ties amongst long-lost relatives, the Writers' Family Reunion is an opportunity for the large, diverse family of writers living in and near Houston to come home to one another and nurture the deep love of writing that we share.
Come visit the Writers' League booth in the exhibitor area, where Program Director Michael Noll will be representing! If you'd like to attend, WLT members receive a special discount. The discount code is WLTMEMBER.
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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
November 1-29
Central Library, Austin, TX
November 8
Online Class
Registration closes Wednesday, November 8, at 5 p.m. CST.
Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until November 16.
November 11
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, November 9, at midnight.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted, pending availability.
Alpine Public Library, Alpine, TX
Silver Street Studios, Houston, TX
November 16
November 18
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
December 2
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Comfort Public Library, Comfort, TX
December 5
December 9
St. Edward's University, Austin TX
December 9-10
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX
December 11
Online Class
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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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