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FOOTNOTES
October 1, 2019
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In This Issue:
Texas Writes in ATX, One Page Salon, Writers in the Field & More
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Hello, writers,
Since 2013, the Writers' League has been hosting craft workshops in small community libraries across Texas. That first year, we visited five libraries with five authors. By this Saturday, we'll have visited 72 libraries with 52 authors. On a personal note, I've been lucky enough to be at 42 of those events, moderating a discussion with the presenters about the writing life and taking just as many notes as the attendees. When I tell you that these presentations are pretty wonderful, I'm speaking from experience.
Recently, we've heard from writers in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and beyond who've taken note of these events and have asked, "Hey, that sounds awesome, what about us big city folks?"
Well, here it is:
Texas Writes in ATX. We've invited ten of our Texas Writes presenters to join us for a weekend of craft talks, panel discussions, and writerly communing. The topics are varied, the presenters are top notch, and the price is a bargain. Plus, we've reserved a block of rooms at a hotel near the venue at a discounted (less than $100) rate. Come one, come all!
We hope you'll register to join us on November 9 and 10. Over one weekend, you'll hear some of the best writing presentations that have been traveling the state. Plus, you'll eat, drink, and be merry with fellow writers, WLT staff, and our special guests.
The brilliant Michael Noll and I will be in conversation with the presenters throughout the weekend, a bookseller will be on hand with lots of great books available (did I mention
everyone receives a $5 voucher towards on site book purchases? Whaaa?!), and lunch will be available to all registrants on Saturday the 9th.
Seriously, you don't want to miss this.
2 days, 10 presentations, and more than 100 writers getting together in one spot to do what we love to do: Hone our craft, get inspired, meet other writers, and remember why it is we love to write in the first place.
See you in November!
Becka Oliver
Executive Director
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One Page Salon is celebrating its 6th birthday!
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
7:30 PM
The North Door
Austin, TX
We love One Page Salon. Seriously. We love it so much.
This one is particularly special because we're celebrating One Page Salon's 6th birthday. Stop by the North Door for a special evening of quick readings, slow drinking, and lots of literary shenanigans.
Called "the best literary evening in town" by the Austin American-Statesman, One Page Salon is the brainchild of novelist, screenwriter, and comedian Owen Egerton.
Although we're not co-hosting this time around (December, here we come!), we'll be there tomorrow night! Come out and say hello. It's a guaranteed good time.
Find the Facebook event
here.
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Come and find WLT at Writers in the Field! This indoor/outdoor "research camp for writers" will present 13 acres of hands-on classes, interactive exhibits, and do-it-yourself activities on October 12th & 13th. Practice your archery, pick locks, try on armor, learn crime scene analysis, dye and weave cloth - and don't miss Michael Noll's special session on sentence-crafting!
Use code W
LT2019 to save $10 on a weekend pass - ticket sales end on October 9th. Learn more
here.
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Volunteer to help out at the Writers' League's booth at the upcoming Texas Book Festival!
October 26-27, 2019
Texas State Capitol and Grounds
Austin, TX
We love the
Texas Book Festival, and we're excited to once again participate as a festival exhibitor! We're in search of WLT members to work as volunteers at our booth. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Texas literary community and to meet the writers and readers of Texas! (Not to mention spend some quality time with your friendly staff members.)
At our booth (Tent 3, Booths 313-314), we have one table with information about WLT programming, and one table where members of WLT who are authors may promote their books to the general public. We're looking for volunteers to work two-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on both days of the festival. Duties will include speaking to festival attendees about upcoming WLT events and membership benefits; signing up new members; and managing the schedule of authors promoting their books.
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Throw More Stones: How to Build Your Character Through Conflict
Saturday, October 5, 2019
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
No matter whether you're writing a character-driven or plot-driven story, comedy, drama or tragedy, it's the characters that readers follow. And to keep those characters moving and growing, you need conflict. Conflict can be big or small, come from outside or inside, but it must be challenging. When story gurus tell students to chase their characters up a tree then throw stones at them, they're talking about conflict. Conflict not only drives stories forward, it helps readers learn who the characters are by the decisions and actions they make. Conflict makes the story go round!
In this class, you'll learn about developing well-rounded, fully realized characters, the importance of conflict, types of conflict and how to use it to make your stories better.
Online registration closes Thursday, October 3, at midnight.
Walk-ins will be accepted at the door.
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ONLINE CLASS
Finding a More Natural Structure for Memoir
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
What if your memoir doesn't follow the narrative path of the Hero's Journey?
Instead of escalating events into a life-changing decision, the events in many memoirs and personal stories follow a pattern of history repeating itself. In this class, a critically-acclaimed memoirist will explore how to develop a narrative structure that underpins many modern essays and memoirs, one that allows you to escape the Hero's Journey and move back and forth in time.
Expect to come away with practical exercises for mining prose from your relationship patterns and a list of recommended reading and resources for further exploration.
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Crafting an Effective Novel Synopsis
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Writers' League of Texas offices, Austin, TX
In this special evening intensive class, you will learn the necessary components of a novel synopsis in the classroom component, and then work on your own synopsis in the lab component. Students will leave the class with a draft or revision of a synopsis for their writing project.
Prior to the class, each student will send the following to the instructor:
- Two-page synopsis draft for your writing project
- Your author bio.
If you don't have any or all of these things, you can still attend the class, but we do urge you to send in what you can in order to have a richer experience.
Sign up soon (current members only!), as registration will be strictly capped at
10.
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Community Member News
Kallisto Gaia Press is excited to announce the first annual Contemporary
Poetry Chapbook Contest. Any human writing poetry primarily in English
may send 28 to 48 pages of contemporary poetry through our Submittable.
Prize is $800 in cash
PLUS 20 copies of the chapbook
PLUS up to $300 travel stipend to join KGP in Austin for the release
event
PLUS a press kit and up to 20 more copies sent to review and literary
awards foundations of the winner's choice.
Deadline is midnight on December 31, 2019. The judge is 2018 Texas Poet
Laureate Carol Coffee Reposa. There is a $20 reading fee. More info here.
Member News
Kirk Blackard (Houston) has announced the release of A Tale of Conflict and Peace at the B Bar Ranch, a humorous story of farm animals who learn to deal with conflict by regarding one another like human beings who know God and pursue instruments of peace, rather than like animals.
Heather Harper Ellett (Dallas) will discuss her debut novel, Ain't Nobody Nobody, at Murder by the Book in Houston on October 3.
George Arnold's (Garland) 25th book, a historical mystery chronicling the 200-year history of the abuse of the Navajo Diné by the US government just released by Eakin Press. Navajo Nightmare: Before the Thunder Sleeps will be available at Barnes & Noble by mid-October.
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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Open Office Hours
Sign up for a one-on-one meeting with a WLT staffer!
On the second Thursday of every month, the Writers' League is happy to open its doors for an opportunity to schedule a 30 minute meeting with a staff member in person or over the phone. Bring all of your burning questions on the craft and business of writing!
Open Office Hours for October will be held on Thursday, October 10.
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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
October 5
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, October 3, at midnight.
Walk-ins will be accepted at the door.
Carl and Mary Welhausen Library, Yoakum, TX
October 9
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
October 12
Bandera Public Library, Bandera, TX
October 15
Writers' League of Texas offices, Austin, TX
October 17
BookPeople, Austin, TX
October 19-20
This class has sold out.
October 23
October 26-27
Texas Capital Grounds, Austin, TX
November 2
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
November 9-10
ACC Riverside, Austin, TX
November 16
ACC Highland, Austin, TX
December 7-8
Writers' League of Texas offices
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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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