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In This Issue:
May Third Thursday; Statewide Free Events; Upcoming Classes; A&E Conference Registration; Member News; & More |
May Third Thursday:
May 17, 2018
7 p.m.
BookPeople
603 N. Lamar Blvd., 3rd Floor
Austin, TX 78703
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
As a narrative artform, memoir has grown and transformed from its early days in slice-of-life ruminations from writers such as Montaigne to tell-all shockers from the latest hot celebrity to the current state of the genre. In this panel, four authors will discuss how the narrative forms and arcs of memoir differ from those of novels, the purpose and appeal of the genre, and what makes one person's story stand out from all the rest.
We'll talk with a panel of authors on the art of writing memoir:
Hope to see you there!
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Upcoming Free Events Across Texas
May 11, 2018
Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
It has been said that all fiction and poetry is autobiographical to a degree. But how can a writer borrow overtly from their past -- or someone else's? How does the writing process change when elements in a narrative are clearly torn from real life? To what degree can a writer obscure or change a story that is inspired by their own experiences? And in the case of memoirs, personal essay, and first-person reportage, how do writers recount their past or other's pasts accurately? Where should the story begin, what is the right frame, and how much context and background should the writer provide? Join our panelists Joshua Dewain Foster, Charlotte Gullick, Jennifer Mathieu, and Anna Meriano for a discussion on these topics and more.
May 12, 2018
Join us for this free and open event featuring two presentations on craft from two acclaimed authors, plus the opportunity to meet other writers in the area, learn about the WLT's programs and offerings, and more.
May 19, 2018
Join us for this free and open event featuring two presentations on craft from two acclaimed authors, plus the opportunity to meet other writers in the area, learn about the WLT's programs and offerings, and more.
June 2, 2018
Nacogdoches Public Library, Nacogdoches, TX
Join us for this free and open event featuring presentations on the craft of writing and the business of publishing from WLT's own Michael Noll and Becka Oliver, plus the opportunity to meet other writers in the area, learn about the WLT's programs and offerings, and more.
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ONLINE CLASS
Better Prose Through Poetry: Using Rhythm, Repetition, and Other Poetic Tools In Your Writing
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Want to craft more memorable prose and images in your novel, story, or memoir?
Poetry's economy of language and use of powerful images offers creative, succinct points of divergence for writers of all genres. This class will focus on specific poetic tools such as rhythm, repetition and alliteration to seed, deepen, and refine new and in-progress writing. The instructor will lead students in study of 3-5 poems and essays that engage poetic techniques and generate new material to incorporate into a current project or begin a new one.
Registration closes Wednesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. CST. Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until May 17.
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ONLINE CLASS
Better Novel Beginnings Through Character Development
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Are you starting a novel and worried about getting off on the wrong foot?
This class will focus on how to imagine your character's yearnings and foreshadow future events so that your beginning can engage your readers and prepare them for what is to come. Participants will learn how to build a character with a need to change and exercises for introducing plot and complications at the beginning of a novel.
Registration closes Wednesday, May 23, at 5 p.m. CST. Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until June 1.
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Are You Ready to Change Your Writing Life? Attend the 2018 Summer Writing Retreat!
Registration Now OPEN TO ALL.
Ever want to step away from life's distractions, focus on your craft, and get inspired? Here's your chance.
This year's retreat will take place in beautiful, historic Nacogdoches, TX.
Not sure which class to take? Do you...
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...have a great idea for a novel or short story but aren't sure how to dive in?
Stacey Swann's class,
"The Fiction Hatchery: Moving Ideas to the Page Through Characterization, Plot, Setting, and Theme,"
is for you! This week-long version of one of our most popular classes
will give you the skills and confidence to jump in head first.
Find out more and sign up here
.
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...want to write a winning nonfiction essay?
Rachel Starnes' class
will explore personal, lyric, and traditional longform essays with an eye towards exploring the depth and versatility of the form. Past students of Rachel's say she's a "wonderful" and "generous" instructor and we're so thrilled to have her out our retreat for the first time!
Find out more and sign up here.
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...want to learn how to write poetry from an acclaimed poet?
Open up surprising doors of possiblity for how to craft your work with Christine Butterworth-McDermott.
Whether you are new to writing poems or an experienced poet, this course will help you draft poems that are both "pleases" and "thank yous" to yourself, others, and the world. We're so thrilled to welcome Christine to our retreat this year!
Find out more and sign up here.
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...learn the art of memoir writing from two of our most popular instructors?
This workshop aims to help writers reflect on their own experience in the light of their explorations of other sources, adding nuance and depth to their narratives. "
Donna and Kirk make a great team. I learned so much, not only about the art of writing memoir, but about writing in general," says a past retreat attendee.
Find out more and sign up here.
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You can find more information about the week and hotel accommodations
here
on our website.
Hope to see you this summer!
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Meet our 2018 Agents & Editors
"I do not shy away from a book that has potential but needs revision."
-Grace A. Ross, agent, Regal Hoffman & Associates
Actively Seeking
Fiction:
Literary, Women's, Short Fiction
Nonfiction:
Narrative, History, Memoir, Essay
Read an interview with Grace
here
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View the full list of agents at the 2018 A&E Conference here and the full list of editors at the 2018 A&E Conference here
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Ageless Authors
Ageless Authors (Dallas) has completed judging in its nationwide writing contest exclusively for seniors age 65 and older. More than 175 entries were submitted, with entrants from every state. Contest results can be viewed 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
Marc Hess (Fredericksburg) won a Best Travel Writing Solas Award (Bronze) for his creative non-fiction piece, "The Fare to Aunu'u." 2018 marks the Twelfth Annual Solas Awards issued by Travelers' Tales, a UK-based publisher of travel journals, books and guides. "The Fare to Aunu'u" recounts a solo hike in search for a mythical lake of blood on a small island in the Samoan archipelago -- a hike that the author almost didn't make it back from.
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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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 9
Online Class
Registration closes Wednesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. CST. Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until May 17.
May 11
Panel: "Tell It Slant: Writing True Stories in Fiction and Nonfiction"
Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
May 12
Texas Writes with Charlotte Gullick and Antonio Ruiz-Camacho
Peñitas Public Library, Peñitas, TX
May 17
Third Thursday: The Art of Memoir
BookPeople, Austin, TX
May 19
"How to Conceive and Structure Personal Essays" with Antonio Ruiz-Camacho
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
This class is sold out. Consider taking the online class on August 8 (see below).
Bonham Public Library, Bonham, TX
May 23
Online Class
May 31
Online Class
June 2
Nacogdoches Public Library, Nacogdoches, TX
June 6
Online Class
June 29-July 1
Hyatt Regency, Austin, TX
July 29-August 3
Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
August 8
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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