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WIWA NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 008 April 2002 -- May 2002
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CONTENTS
Message From the Editor
Letters to the Editor
On the Island
-- Poetry Workshops
-- Poetry Meets the Sea at Skagit Valley College
-- Monthly Writers' Group
Authors Remember First Book, Interviews with Lisa Dale Norton and Kirby Larson
Cheers
My Top Ten List for Writing
-- by Mary Bartnikowski
WIWC Tapes Available from VW Tapes
WIWC Attendees Share Their Success Stories
Edna Hansen Weaves Her Magic for Writers
-- by Micky Coleman
Scholarship and Contest Winners
Recent Releases
Contests and Market Requests
The Continuing Saga of a Dairyman's Guide to Self Publishing
-- by Murray Anderson
Cyber Surfing
Quotes
Problems Reading the Newsletter?
To Contact Us
To Unsubscribe
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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
If I waited for a muse or creativity to hit me, we’d all starve. -- Ann Rule
The morning after the writers’ conference (WIWC 2002) I woke staring at my personal bottle of "bum glue." I planned to apply it so that I would stick to my chair and practice all the techniques and advice I had learned from so many talented presenters during the prior three days. But sometimes life doesn’t go as planned.
I had the flu. Like a baked Alaska, I was frozen on the inside and hot on the outside. For five days I shivered under a pile of blankets as random thoughts drifted through my feverish head: "Dialogue has to reveal character . . . The weeds are out of control . . . First comes the dramatic truth, then the literal truth . . . I may never recover . . . Notice the detail in the details . . . I’m such a lump . . . Nothing counts but the quality of the emotions . . . and good health."
Eventually, I had to see a doctor who prescribed antibiotics when the flu progressed to a sinus infection. I could tell the drugs were working when my random thoughts turned to a nagging reminder, "You have three articles due, one with a looming deadline." Honking and wheezing, I put my left pinkie in my ear to try to clear my sinuses like Felix Unger on "The Odd Couple." With my right hand, I poked at the keyboard. Thoughts slogged through my slurry-filled head so slowly that I needed only one hand for typing anyway. I cobbled together something that I hoped resembled a feature about a golf course and its log clubhouse. When I handed it to my husband for comment, I wondered if it was even coherent.
My husband has a knack for knowing what to say and do when I’m feeling down. "The best you’ve ever done," he said. I adore him. "Log Home Living should give you a raise." He’s so perceptive. Then he baked my favorite comfort food -- homemade chicken potpie. No wonder I married him. First he roasted the chicken and braised the vegetables. He made a roux for the gravy and added whipping cream, a luxury I don’t allow myself. Finally, he topped the pie with a crust so light and flaky that I told him he should see Jan Gunn about a job. She bakes those delicious berry pies at Whidbey Pies Café in Greenbank.
Maybe Bob’s enthusiasm for my article was a little much, but sometimes that’s what it takes to get through the muck in my head. I have enough confidence in his opinion to know that he would never let me embarrass myself by submitting something poorly written. So I sent off the piece. Nourished physically and mentally by his potpie, I’m now strong enough to meet my next two deadlines.
Thoughts and memories from the conference continue to roll through my mind. Some bring smiles such as Marvin Bell’s love poem To Dorothy. Others bring guilt, such as Catherine Coulter’s admonition that "Nothing should interfere with your writing schedule except death, and maybe only yours." But the one thought that sticks with me is that best selling author Ann Rule wrote 1,400 articles for true confession and detective magazines. At two articles per week, that’s 104 articles per year for 13 ½ years! I appreciate Ann sharing her story and letting us see that her success is based on hard work. When the opportunity arose, Ann was ready to become America’s top true crime writer because she had built a foundation of solid writing.
You, too, can build a solid foundation. Just get out that bottle of bum glue, and keep writing. Write us. We want to hear from you.
May goodwill prevail,
Candace
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WIWA Board Says Thank You
We've received so many wonderful letters from you about this year's Whidbey Island Writers' Conference. Your comments are what inspire us to try to make this the best conference possible. We'd like to be able to respond to all of you personally, but that isn't possible. Please understand, however, that we read your letters carefully and consider all of your suggestions. When we hear from you it brightens our day. You are what makes our efforts worthwhile. Thank you so much for writing.
Warm wishes,
WIWA Board
Writers' Womb
I just wanted you to know that you exceeded my expectation for this weekend. I think you should call the conference the Writers' Womb because that's what it felt like, safe and nurturing. I made all the contacts and more that I had set out to make. I was inspired to rewrite my first chapter of my psychological thriller. I spent Monday cleaning up Moonlight Madness (one last time, if you know what I mean.) and sending it to three agents. I hope next year that I'm one of those writers who stands up on stage and says, "I'd like to thank the people who made all this possible. . ." Anyway, thank you, thank you. I'll be back forever, maybe someday as a presenter.
--Laura Doerflinger
Next Year
It is professionals like you who make the success of the conference. I was one of the last three to make it on the list before the conference was closed. I am so glad that I attended this year. The staff in total was courteous, helpful, pleasant, courageous, encouraging, and kind, but the newsletter is what convinced me to be involved. Thank you for your big part in this; I am planning on next year too.
--Kathryn Pigott
Workers of Magic
Dear workers-of-magic...
Of course your goal of inspiring participants at the conference is wonderful.
And you do that.
And your goal of bringing together inspiration and "how to" is admirable.
And you do that.
That goal of opening a window into the world of writing for the young, the restless, and the scared is priceless.
And you do that.
Your goal of exposing the wistful writer to the business of publishing is necessary.
And you do that.
Your goal of demonstrating the vast number of genres and opportunities for writers is splendid.
And you do that.
Your goal of exposing the creative underbelly of Whidbey Island is tolerable (some of us try to hide it).
And you do that.
Your goal of making presenters feel valuable, both for what they do and what they can teach, is a great gift.
And you do that.
But...with it all...I'm not sure how much you realize your dedication, your enthusiasm, your attention to detail, and the final result of the conference itself actually inspires the presenters -- this year especially, as I crawled off to bed to rise to the desire for a nap from which I've just risen, I realize that I had some new goals for my own writing clarified, that I'm feeling renewed energy for the teaching at the college, that I greatly treasure the gift of living where I do, of knowing you all, of having the opportunities that you spotlight. I'm very grateful to be a part of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. And, please, will you pass this on to all of you who make this Whidbey Island blessing possible?
--Marian Blue
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ON THE ISLAND
Poetry Workshop
A poetry workshop series will be held April 13th, 27th and May 11th at 2:00 p.m. in the Freeland Library Conference Room.
The cost is $10.00 per session or $5.00 for Whidbey Island Writers' Association (WIWA) members. Participants may join WIWA at any of the workshops. Dues and fees help support special events such as workshops and writing groups sponsored by WIWA.
Anyone interested in taking any or all of the workshops should contact Dorothy Read to reserve a spot. You may call her at 360-331-2038 or email her at thereads@whidbey.com.
April 13: Structure in Poetry, presented by Dorothy Read
Investigate both form and free verse poetry: use of regular rhyme and rhythm, line breaks, stanza arrangement.
April 27: Finding the Words, presented by Robin Barre
Study the use of language in poetry: word choice, figurative language, creating imagery.
May 11: Critiquing and Revising, presented by well-known local poets, Joni Takanikos and Barton Cole.
Experience a critiquing process and use it to revise your own work. Participants will be invited to share their own poetry.
Poetry Meets the Sea at Skagit Valley College
A six-credit learning community combining biology and poetry will be part of the spring Skagit Valley College offering of classes. Students will spend much of the quarter prowling the local beaches to observe the life there. Observations will identify creatures and translate to poetry using the rhythms, sounds, energy, and color of life in harmony with those aspects of poetry. Creative journaling for the purpose of natural history writing and recording scientific observations will be part of the course. Marian Blue will teach poetry and Frank Campbell will teach biology. Visit South Whidbey Center, Skagit Valley College, Kens Korners, Clinton to sign up. 360-341-1630.
Monthly Writers' Group
The WIWA Writers' Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Freeland Library. Anyone interested in writing is invited to attend. It is a place to discuss writing techniques or problems you may be having with your work. Informal brainstorming and support for fellow writers are encouraged. If you feel like sharing something you have written, please bring it with you to the meeting and read it aloud. For more information, contact Dottie at: thereads@whidbey.com or 331-2018, or contact Steve: at clark@whidbey.com or 331-3887.
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OFF ISLAND
Write, Publish & Market Your How-To Book
The North Seattle Community College (NCCC) is offering a continuing education class called "How to Write, Publish & Market Your How-To Book." It will be held Wednesday nights from April 17 through May 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The cost is $95. The instructor, Michael E. Odell of Veritas Research & Publishing, is the author of several financial and small business "how to" books. For more information, see: http://www.swiftsite.com/veritas/small.html. To register call NCCC at (206) 527-3705.
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AUTHORS REMEMBER FIRST BOOK
WIWC Director Celeste Mergens recently asked several authors who instructed at WIWC 2002 how they felt when their first book was published and how it changed their lives. This month, you will hear from literary nonfiction author Lisa Norton and children's author Kirby Larson.
An Interview with Lisa Norton
Q. How did it feel to hear that your first book was accepted?
A. I was so excited my arms went numb. I was sitting at the island counter in our house on the coast of Oregon, looking out into a vast field of beach grass, gazing toward the dunes that front the ocean, and I was listening to the news from New York come across the phone line, and the feeling was of pure shock. It crept up my arms like Novocaine making its way through my jaw. In minutes I was numb, so happy I was numb.
Q. How did having your first book published change your life, or perhaps unexpectedly, not change your life?
A. Everything changed. I spent the next year supported by an advance, not worrying about bills, and finishing the manuscript--Hawk Flies Above--sold on a book proposal. Then I toured the country with the book. That experience changed me as a writer; it changed my view of myself as a writer, and it changed the expectations I have of myself as a writer. Nothing in my career will ever be the same.
Q. From your experience, what advice do you have for aspiring writers?
A. I learned that selling one book doesn't solve the problem of supporting yourself as a writer.
An Interview with Kirby Larson
Q. How did it feel to hear that your first book was accepted?
A. I hung up the phone. Despite my editor's earlier assurances that everything was great, my first book would not only not be coming out in the fall of 1991, it wouldn't be coming out. Period. Everyone I had bragged about my first book to -- and I seemed to have reached a good portion of the North American continent -- had to be told. My broken heart gave way to shame as I explained to friend after friend that, no, there wasn't going to be a book after all. My editor blamed it on a financial setback but I knew the truth -- they discovered that I couldn't write. What other possible explanation could there be? This was the lightning bolt with my future writ across it. The answer was clear.
I stopped writing. Hid my thesaurus under the bed, shoved my writing books in a closet and did everything but write. After a few months, I realized -- with some helpful and pointed guidance from my family -- that I was miserable. Grumpy. Unpleasant to be around. "Okay," I thought, "maybe it's better to write and not be published than not write." I started a chapter book, a couple of picture books, took some writing courses and joined a fabulous critique group.
About 18 months after resigning, I was back to pounding the keys. And thinking maybe it was time to send something out again. Actually, it was the constant harassing of one special friend, Tricia Gardella, ("Do you think editors are going to come to your house to read your stories?") that drove me to it. I carefully selected 5 publishers and mailed off my chapter book.Within a few weeks (things were different 10 years ago!) I found two form rejections in my mail box. Another few weeks passed and the mail carrier delivered another rejection. This time, an editor had addressed a note to me personally, suggesting a few revisions. Wow! Then, a few days later, another letter arrived. Before I had a chance to open it (upon opening, I would discover a 2 page single spaced letter of editorial suggestions with an invitation to resubmit), the phone rang. "Hello, this is Margery Cuyler from Holiday House. We'd love to publish "Second Grade Pig Pals."
I know I answered her, hopefully in English. I have no clue what I said or anything she said after those few words. I stammered my thanks, and hung up the phone. I think she said they would be sending a contract within a few weeks -- or was that months? What kind of advance were they offering? What were the terms? Who cared! I sat on my bed and shook uncontrollably for five
or ten minutes. I'd sold a book! Bliss, joy, jubilation! Life was good.
I got on the phone. After all, there were a lot of people to call.
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CHEERS
Your good news cheers us on! Please share your successes with us. email the editor at: candace@whidbey.com.
For Brian Ames, frequent WIWC participant, good news comes in threes. His essay, The Pearl of the World, was published in Southwestern Oklahoma State University's literary magazine, Westview, Vol 21, No. 1. For satire, see Brian's piece Six Long Books for the Soak online at http://www.sweetfancymoses.com/. Finally, Brian has a "short ditty" on the site Eyeshot at: http://www.eyeshot.net/u1.html
WIWC instructor Marian Blue has an essay in the Seal Press anthology Drive: Women's True Stories of the Open Road. Seal Press was recently purchased by Avalon.
Lisa Hanson, past participant in WIWC won third place in MOTA's 2002 Emerging Writers' Contest for her short story How to Close the Wound. This is Lisa's first piece of published fiction and it is scheduled for publication in the MOTA Anthology in September. The contest was sponsored by Triple Tree Publishing http://www.tripletreepub.com/news.htm
Kirby Larson, a favorite instructor at WIWC, has been nominated for the Prairie Bud Award for her book The Magic Kerchief. The award is South Dakota's version of the Young Reader's Choice Award. Also nominated was last year's Caldecott honor book, Click Clack Moo by Doreen Cronin.
WIWC participant Cheryl S. Smith's latest dog book, Quick Clicks (written with Mandy Book) is leaping off the shelves at DogWise, Sitstay, and J&J Supplies, purveyors of dog books and equipment. Cheryl also has articles in the February and April issues of Dog World and the March issue of the AKC Gazette. She is the author of eight books. For more information see: http://www.writedog.com/
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MY TOP TEN LIST FOR WRITING
By Mary Bartnikowski
My rules for writing, changing your life and taking the teeth marks out of your tongue:
1. Plug up your ears with your earlobes when sisters, spouses, and neighbors act disdainful that you are doing something scary like hang gliding this afternoon. Just go ahead and do it anyway.
2. Always have an escape hatch in your day. If you have to nail your door shut to write while family members pound it on the other side, do it. They will figure out where the pop tarts are eventually.
3. Don’t answer the door; it will be the Jehovah’s Witnesses. If you do answer it, tell them, "God and I are real tight." Then close the door so they don’t have a chance to pry it open with their children.
4. Refuse to be shaped like a door mat any longer. Aren’t you tired of having people wipe their feet on you? Know that living your dream is more important than always putting legs on your husband’s desire to be the next millionaire on the block or finding
meaning in bleaching grout as a metaphor for your stain free life or just always putting yourself last, there isn’t time to be original today.
5. Even if you hate your job there has to be some tiny part of the day when you can breathe fresh air and think thoughts that aren’t stale. If you have to hide in a closet to get some time alone do it! You can pretend you’re in the woods. Your mind can go anywhere! In fact breathing is very good for the soul. I recommend doing it at least twice a day in a very deep up from the toenails kind of way.
6. Quit blaming others for your lack of motivation and enthusiasm. No one is running your life but you and God. I’d much rather hang out with Her/Him than a bunch of nay sayers who wonder, like a relative asked me, "Who would want to read your writing?"
7. Give up "friends" who want you to fail. This is hard cuz you might not have any real friends for awhile. But authentic people won’t find you unless you are free of the debris of those who are pissed that you are writing a screenplay when they didn’t get out
of bed today. You will know these people by their remarks, "Oh she’s on an ego trip," or "She used to be nice but now she just wants to talk about herself." Non-supportive things like that. Steer clear. And keep a lifeboat in sight. You’ll need it.
8. If you happen to be married to a person who does not support your soul you might have to reconsider your spouse's stature as the most intimate human on the planet to you. Don’t you want an authentic love, not just make believe?
9. When your knees are knocking your windpipe and you are scared stiff from fear and you think you might throw up, just get a brown paper bag to breathe into and pretend you are confident. Act like an Oscar winning actor on stage. Make believe you aren’t
shivering. You’ll stop shaking after awhile.
10. And teach your kids how to cook! They will become masters of the universe at making chocolate pancakes, which is what they want to eat all the time anyway without you there to bother them.
When you don’t feel like doing any of the above, just take a nap or go skating with your kids or rent some children and leave town. You’ll breathe much deeper when you get back after being with teenagers, believe me.
Mary Bartnikowski's book, Everyday Naked, Sacred and Profane Morsels of Truth, brings an unusual combination of spiritual panache and deadpan hilarity to topics that range from the mystical to the mundane. It is available online at Barnes and Noble: http://www.bn.com/
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WIWC TAPES AVAILABLE FROM VW TAPES
VW Tapes has tapes of most of the WIWC 2002 sessions. You can purchase them for $12.
If you received a tape of unsatisfactory quality, contact VW Tapes directly. They will be glad to exchange the tape for you.
VW Tapes
P.O. Box 1058
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Telephone: 1-310-546-4936
Fax: 1-310-802-0825
email:
- mike@vwtapes.com
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WIWC ATTENDEES SHARE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES
We asked past participants of the Whidbey Island Writers' Conference how the conference has helped them achieve a success. Here are some of their stories.
A Cup of Comfort -- Donna Marganella Shares Her Success Story
My personal essay Friends Are Like Shoes will be appearing in A Cup of Comfort for Friends published by Adams Media, edited by Colleen Sell. It will be in bookstores May 2002. My essay is a humorous look at my best friends who accompany me through life's journey and, like a pair of shoes, bring comfort, support and little crazy color to my life.
A Cup of Comfort for Friends is the second book in a series. The first Cup of Comfort was promoted via book signings for each contributor at their nearby Barnes & Noble or Borders. Adams Media coordinated all the events so that they occurred on the same day and dubbed it a National Take Comfort Day. They're hoping to do something similar this time around.
I've had great experience working with Colleen Sell. She's also editing three more books: A Cup of Comfort for Women, A Cup of Comfort for Sisters, and A Cup of Comfort Cookbook and is looking for submissions. Guidelines are available online at http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
This is my third year at the Whidbey Island conference. It's the best combination of unconditional support and encouragement, plus great instruction (I feel as if I'm learning from the best!). And it's fun. All this in a breath-taking location.
In the past year, when I was really neglecting my writing, I would get your newsletter and be rejuvenated knowing that others from the Whidbey Island writing community were still working and being supportive. It was like a comforting hand on my shoulder.
Sister in Crime Turns to Cooking -- Cindy Bentson Shares Her Success Story
Cindy Bentson is co-president of the Sisters in Crime, http://www2.whidbey.com/sinc/index.htm, which hosted the tea table and dessert reception at WIWC 2001 and 2002.
I really like this conference -- it's big enough to get lost in and to attract some terrific speakers, but it's intimate enough to be able to talk to nearly everyone. The Fireside Chats are fabulous and unique to my extensive conference attendance; the skill building sessions and the keynote speakers are also tremendous. The best part, though, is all the attendees and the atmosphere you set as a conference team. When people ask me what I'm working on, they're sincere in wanting to know. No one's eyes glaze over. The right people seem to be coming to the right conference!
I have always loved to cook, cater, and make up recipes. I have been puttering with the idea of writing a cookbook and finally got my act together to do so. While working on the first book, mm-mmm Muffins!, I got the brilliant idea of self-publishing and raising funds to publish my cookbook by producing a related product. Thus, my publishing company, CB Cooks, was born. My first product was a series of muffin recipes, encased in snazzy, colorful, 4 x 6 polyvinyl envelopes. The sale of these (and yes, they're still for sale), enabled me to publish two books.
Mm-mmm Muffins! is a cookbook with original recipes, both traditional (e.g., blueberry) and unusual (e.g., black bean salsa muffins), nutritional information, muffin making tips, substitutions, information and stories about ingredients (e.g., what makes raspberries turn blue and blueberries turn red). How To Create Your Own Family Cookbook is a how to book written in an informative, breezy style. Chapters include How to Choose Your Project, How to Choose Your Paper, How to Choose Your Adhesives, etc.
My first sense of success was hanging up my business license when I created CB Cooks. The second thrill was receiving my ISBNs (making them "real" books, in my mind). The third gratification was building a growing word-of-mouth sales record for the books and the recipe card sets. Number four is making them available on Amazon.com. And the fifth is having a couple more cookbooks in development (Slow Cooker Recipes and Rookie Cooking for Firefighters and Paramedics).
A Not So Shaggy Dog Tale -- Chris Hamer Shares Her Success Story
My journey began over 25 years ago when I was a professional dog trainer (I bet you thought I was going to start with my childhood). During that time, I realized that the largest flaw in training programs and training books is the "one size fits all" philosophy. I had a budding idea and even played around with some chapters but it was at the 2000 Whidbey Writers conference that the spark finally ignited a flame.
The spark's name is Craig Nelsen, who happened to be attending as the editor for his small publishing house in Colorado. Craig showed interest in what I "pitched" to him during the brief editor/agent interview time. He asked me to send him my proposal. I didn't have a book proposal, in fact I wasn't even sure how to accomplish it. I noticed that Eva Shaw's book was promoted and published through his house so I bought it and modeled my proposal to her guidelines.
With a kiss and a prayer, I mailed the package of "requested material" to Rodgers and Nelsen Publishing and--shock--I received a phone call from Craig. To make a long story short--no this is not a Cinderella story, the shoe didn't fit. But Craig has continued to be incredibly supportive. We met again at the 2001 Writers' Conference and spoke and emailed a few times throughout the year. His input and confidence in me and my project--despite the fact that he wasn't destined to be the publisher on this project-- was just the boost I needed to plow though the reams of re-writes.
I finally did make a local connection and together we have created something even better that my original concept. I recently mailed a copy of the completed cd-rom/book to Craig as a thank-you for all his support.
I have attended other writers conferences, but there is something magical about the Whidbey's conference. Perhaps it's the careful selection of teachers who are not egocentric, but truly care about teaching their craft and passing knowledge freely. Perhaps it's a magical location. I'm not sure what, but I know that good things happen when I attend with an open heart and mind. I can't wait to see what treasures this conference has hidden waiting for me to discover.
Thanks for your interest and best wishes. The name of my cd-rom/book is Dogsense-Building a Bond through Obedience
It is available through Ulti-media Productions in Anacortes Wa.-- email Andy Stevens at: astevens@ulti-media.com. Or see my Web site: http://www.dogsensecentral.com/
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EDNA HANSEN WEAVES HER MAGIC FOR WRITERS
by Micky Coleman
Every year this conference is a mystical happening. At what is usually the wettest time of the year, the weather clears. Problems turn into opportunities. Unlikely friendships are formed. People learn they really are writers and discover others who are just as excited about words and language and the expression of ideas as they are. The informal atmosphere nurtures conversations and chance encounters between attendees and presenters that can lead to life-changing opportunities.
It takes many dedicated people to make all this happen, and to set the stage for these serendipitous occurrences. One of these generous souls is Edna Hansen. Every year, since the conference began four years ago, she opens her home to attendees and creates a new community of writers. Housed in the nooks and crannies of the house she designed and her husband built from the cedar on their own land, up to a dozen people find home for the weekend at a price so low that it doesn’t jeopardize the skinny wallets of many who are trying to make a living as a writer. And the setting is so right. From the sunken living room with cozy circles of soft sofas to the lofts and corners, this Dome surrounded by trees becomes it’s own magical place.
This house was built for a growing family and to make a place for a very special school, The Learning Park. The atmosphere of the school is all around, from the whale and orca murals on the walls, to the play equipment in the back yard.
Kama Hunter, Edna’s daughter, explains, "What Edna’s most passionate about is children and brains and especially children’s brains! Edna has an MA in Child Development and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education. She is an Adjunct Faculty for both Honolulu University and Central Pacific University in Hawaii. At the Learning Park on Whidbey she did observational research on children between 3 and 5 years old. She was looking at what differences there might be in children who had a learning environment with the freedom to move or stop and explore on their own initiative, undirected by a teacher’s agenda, a place where gross motor skills were encouraged and challenged to reach higher levels, as opposed to children who spend hours in front of a TV screen.”
Edna no longer runs the children’s program at the Learning Park, but it is still being used as a conference center.
During the Writers' Conference, this very learned woman maintains a home away from home for her lodgers, some of whom return each year, others who have never been to this part of the country before. Even this year, when crutches necessary after a fall slowed her down just a little, we saw her shepherding people around town, making sure they got to the conference and also had a chance to see some of the island, and then helping them get to the ferry when it was all over. All this at the same time that she was attending sessions at the conference and working on her own writing dreams. Edna Hansen is a very special woman and we are so lucky to have her on our team!
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SCHOLARSHIP AND CONTEST WINNERS
Youth Scholarship Winners
The Whidbey Island Writers' Association youth scholarship program allows talented youth in the Washington community to attend the Whidbey Island Writers' Conference. This year's youth scholarship winners are:
High School: Joyce Faith Donato, Alicia Guenther, Rosa Hendrickson, Natalie Knight, Lindsay Seeley
College Winner: Jon Brent Trimble
Volunteer Scholarship: Sara Pierce Magdalik
BookBay Community Scholarship Winners
Barbara Joy Laffey and Jonathan D. Evelegh won this year's BookBay scholarships.
Winners of the Celebrate Writing Contest for Adults
The Celebrate Writing Contest for Adults is sponsored each year by the Whidbey Island Writers' Association to promote the spirit of writing in our community. WIWA announces the winners of the 2002 event.
Poetry: Willy Datin, 1st Place; Jeanne King, 2nd Place; Ann E. Gerike, 3rd Place; William Rubel, 4th Place.
Short Fiction: J. Foster Krajack, 1st Place; Janice O¹Mahony, 2nd Place; Barbara Read, 3rd Place; Lynette Schultz, 4th Place.
Essay: Diane V. Adair, 1st Place; Barbara Read, 2nd Place; Barbara Dunn, 3rd Place; Jill Johnson, 4th Place.
Life History: Barbara Read, 1st Place; Julie Quiring, 2nd Place; Willy Datin, 3rd Place; Marjiann Moss, 4th Place.
Children¹s Literature: Michele Ianniciello, 1st Place; JoAnne Blevins, 2nd; Karen Conkle, 3rd; Barbara Read, 4th.
Celestial Writers Contest
Fiction (final judge was Elizabeth Engstrom)
1. Eugene Marckx of Lake Stevens, WA for his short story, "Dogtooth Violet"
2. T. Dawn Richard of Medical Lake, WA for the short story, "The Deacon's Closet"
3. Mary Ann High of Kooskia, Idaho for the short story, "The Partnership"
4. Marti Anamosa of Langley, WA for the short story "Old Times"
5. Holly Cupala of Seattle, WA for the short story "Razzia's Shoes"
Nonfiction (final judge Cynthia Dial)
1. Jeanie Huff of Auburn, CA for "A True Southern Gentleman"
2. Diana Greenwood of Napa, CA for "Annalise"
3. Joyce Case Potter of Mercer Island, WA for "Twenty-Nine Steps to Tranquility"
4. Nikki Arana of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for "Words"
5. Lois Meltzer of Seattle, WA for "You Are What You Drive"
Poetry (final judge David Lee)
1. C. A. Losi of Bellevue, WA for "Juan de Pareja"
2. Nancy Schoellkopf of Sacramento, CA for "Vagrant"
3. Ann E. Gerike of Coupeville, WA for "New Year's Day"
4. Natalie Olsen of Freeland, WA for "Coyote"
5. Patricia Boies of Seattle, WA for "Crossing the Grand Canal"
The overall winner was Jeanie Huff of Auburn, CA for "A True Southern Gentleman."
We considered 18 poetry entries, 20 nonfiction entries, and 24 fiction entries from all across the country. Some others were disquaified because they didn't follow the guidelines, such as deadline or word limit. One of the reasons for the conference contest is to give writers practice in following submission guidelines.
The judges worked hard and long over the submissions. Excellent work abounded in all three categories, and many of the decisions were difficult.
Scholarship Sponsors
We want to thank the following scholarship sponsors: BookBay, Eva Shaw Writerrific Scholarship, Blue and Ude Writers' Services, Pomada Larsen Literary Agency, Jandy Nelson, and Robin Gunn.
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RECENT RELEASES
Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer
By Bruce Holland Rogers
May 2003
Invisible Cities Press in Montpelier, Vermont
Writing/Self-Help, ISBN 1-931229-17-1
http://www.invisiblecitiespress.com/publications/wordwork.htm
Special offer for WIWA Subscribers
Award winning author Bruce Holland Rogers' latest book, Word Work addresses the psychological and spiritual challenges that writers face at every stage of a seriously committed literary life, from beginner to established pro. An instructor at WIWA 2001, Bruce has a Pushcart Prize in literary fiction, a Stoker in horror, two Nebula Awards, and many award nominations including one for the Edgar Allan Poe Award in mystery.
Bruce is extending a pre-order offer to WIWA Newsletter subscribers. For the regular retail price of $16.95, you can order a signed copy of his book, with no charge for shipping, if you mention the WIWA Newsletter. Bruce will donate $1 of each such sale to WIWA, a nonprofit organization that supports writers through writing programs. To receive your signed copy, contact Bruce directly and be sure to mention this newsletter. Payment of $16.95 can be made through PayPal.com to bruce@sff.net, or by check to:
Bruce Holland Rogers
1485 E. Briarcliff Lane
Eugene, OR 97404-3268
Here's what authors are saying about Bruce's book:
"Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer by Bruce Holland Rogers will likely end up on every writer's desk, or it should. Rogers' wise and helpful book is full of sound advice for the beginner, innovative ideas for the working writer, even ingenious motivation techniques for the stalled professional. Every writer will find something of value, including those who just need a little push to get started each day. Even people who have never thought of putting pen to page, or pixel to computer screen, but have
wanted insight into the minds of those who do will find Word Work fascinating." --Jean M. Auel, author of The Clan of the Cave Bear and The Shelters of Stone
"In Word Work, Bruce Holland Rogers has given us the most useful, reliable writer's guide imaginable. His thoughtful chapters explain and analyze every kind of psychological pitfall known to the working writer, whether beginner or experienced pro. His counsel is always sensible and wise, and he knows how to solve the besetting problems of a working writer's life. This is a remarkable book." --Peter Straub, author of Magic Terror and Mr. X
"These brilliant essays illuminate the art of writing in a way that I have never seen before. I recommend Word Work to every writer and to everyone who hopes to be a writer." --Damon Knight, Hugo and Nebula Award winner and author of Creating Short Fiction
"Word Work offers sound, supportive advice from someone who's been there and back. Balancing real depth with an engaging wit, Rogers is a knowledgeable guide through the perils and pitfalls of the writing life." --Dennis Palumbo, psychotherapist and author of Writing From the Inside Out
"Can't focus? Can't get in the mood? Can't shut out those critical voices whispering in your ear? Word Work offers excellent personal insights on how to beat those writing demons and deal with life as a professional writer. I recommend it highly to anyone with the intention of writing seriously." --Mary Freeman, author of Bleeding Heart and other mysteries
For more information about the author: http://www.sff.net/people/bruce
Head, Body, Legs: A Story from Liberia
by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert
Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
April 2002
Henry Holt and Company
Head is all alone. Arms swing about, Body bounces along, and Legs stand around. They can't do much by themselves, so they try to join together. But how? Straight from the oral tradition comes this magical retelling of a creation story from the Dan culture.
Smoke Follows Beauty
by Brian Ames
March 2002
Pocol Press: www.pocolpress.com
A compilation of "22 literary adventures exploring the forest and hunt of the mind."
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CONTESTS AND MARKET REQUESTS
Triple Tree Publishing Contest and Request for Submissions
Triple Tree Publishing is now accepting both regular submissions and Emerging Writer Contest submissions for MOTA 2003: Courage. Submission guidelines are on the Web site: http://www.tripletreepub.com or available for a SASE to: Triple Tree Publishing, PO Box 5684, Eugene, OR, 97405.
God Allows U-Turns Seeks Submissions
God Allows U-Turns is seeking story submissions for its next volumes: "Especially for Teens," "It's About Worth Not Weight," and "Where is Your Treasure." Complete guidelines with details are available at http://www.godallowsuturns.com or by sending a blank email to: writersguidelines@godallowsuturns.com. Payment for accepted stories is a $50 honorarium and one copy of the book.
A Cup of Comfort Seeks Submissions
Adams Media Corporation is producing a series of Cup of Comfort Books. Guidelines for submissions are available online at http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
Appalfolks of America Association Announces the 2002 Save The Stonewall Theater Big 4 Story Contest
During the past ten years, The Stonewall (510 Main Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia) has been the site of more than 50 dramatic productions. It is often the scene of readings by story writers, poets and dramatists. Fees from The Big 4 Contest will be budgeted to the theater. Here are the guidelines. Authors retain all copyrights. Stories must be the original work of the author, and entries cannot have been published. Author's name must not appear on the story pages, but a title sheet with full address must accompany each story. Word limit is 3,500 per story. Themes may be on any topic. Entries must be printed on white paper and double-spaced. A $10 entry fee (payable to Appalfolks of America) must accompany each story. Winning writers will be awarded $200 and invited to have the story published in a nonprofit magazine at a later date. No stories will be returned. Send SASE for contest results. Fees and donations are tax-deductible. Mail stories postmarked from April 1 through April 30 to: Appalfolks of America, P.O. Box 613, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Contest winners will be announced June 1, 2002.
Writer's Digest Offers $25,000 in Prizes
The deadline for the Writer's Digest Contest is May 15. More than $25,000 in prizes will be awarded including a trip to Maui. For details see http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/2002writingcomp.asp
ByLine Sponsors Contests
Check out ByLine's Web site http://www.bylinemag.com/contests.asp for the many contests it is sponsoring between April and December 2002.
NTPWA Seeks Contest Submissions
The North Texas Professional Writers Association (NTPWA) is accepting submissions until May 31, 2002 for its 7th Annual Short-Story, First Chapter and Poetry Contest. For more information, see: http://www.ntpwa.org/new.html
April 15 is Deadline for Annual Wretched Writers Contest
Follow in the footsteps of Bulwer-Lytton who penned "It was a dark and stormy night . . ." and compose the opening sentence for the worst possible novel. This annual contest is sponsored by San Jose State University. See http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ for details. The prize is notoriety.
Threads of the Tapestry Seeks Voluntary Submissions
Threads of the Tapestry, an online magazine is seeking submissions that promote ecological and economic harmony, social equality and individual development. Submissions are voluntary; payment is not available. For details, see: http://www.towngreen.org/submitguide.htm
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THE CONTINUING SAGA OF A DAIRYMAN'S GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING
By Murray Anderson
This is the fifth of a series of articles Murray Anderson has written about his experiences self-publishing his novel Breederman.
Self Publishing Update: We have sold books in 31 states and Canada. I have given readings at four senior centers, the Oak Harbor Library, and Village Books. But the "after Christmas doldrums" have descended. and book orders have dropped. We are currently waiting for news releases to be published in midwestern farm magazines and hope that will increase sales.
It is amazing how many books one gives away. So you should estimate that in your budget. I have sent books and brochures to five state dairy associations to be used as door prizes or auction items. They include the brochures in their registration packets for the conferences etc. Protocol and good practice requires giving a book to the reporter when submitting a news release to a newspaper or magazine.
The Bellingham Herald had a nice review of the book. Another review will be coming out this month in the WSU Alumni magazine. The book will also be put in the alumni library at the alumni center at WSU. Kitsap, Whatcom and Pierce County Libraries have bought books. There are two copies at Sno-isle library.
Many past customers are reordering for friends and relatives. The most repeated comment that we hear is that they couldn’t put the book down. As one farm wife said, "My husband and I have been married 30 years, and my husband never read much, but when he got your book I couldn’t pry him away from it so that I could read it." Those kind of comments are pretty heady for a new writer.
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CYBER SURFING
Have you encountered some helpful Internet sites? Send us the address and your brief review.
Literary Traveler, http://www.literarytraveler.com, Francis and Linda McGovern's online magazine was inspired by their love of literature and travel. The site features well-known authors and the places they traveled or lived.
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PROBLEMS READING THE NEWSLETTER ?
If you have trouble reading the WIWA Newsletter because of gobbledygook, or unwanted characters, please contact the editor at: candace@whidbey.com. She will put you on a list to receive the newsletter in plain, instead of stylized, format, which may alleviate the problem.
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QUOTES
Making a book is a craft, as is making a clock; it takes more than wit to become an author.
-- Jean de la Bruyere, 1688
Fairy tales, unlike any other sort of literature, direct the child to discover his identity and calling.
-- Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment (1976)
Words are cheap. The biggest thing you can say is elephant.
-- Charlie Chaplin (on the universality of silent films)
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TO CONTACT US OR SUBMIT AN ARTICLE
We are interested in hearing from you. Perhaps you've been to a recent book fair, heard a favorite author speak, learned some valuable tips from a writing class. Perhaps you're a professional willing to share your expertise. If you would like to submit an article; tell us about your good news for the Cheers or Recent Releases columns; send us your favorite quotes, markets, contests and cyber sites; or contact us about the newsletter for any reason, please email the editor at: candace@whidbey.com
To contact the Whidbey Island Writers' Association, email : writers@whidbey.com
The WIWA Web site is: http://www.whidbey.com/writers
Whidbey Island Writers' Conference:
Feb. 28-- March 2, 2003
The Spirit of Writing
http://www.whidbey.com/writers/conference
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