Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Miles Dean Poetry Titles for Sale at Taylor Books
Miles will be doing a reading and book signing at Taylor Books on February 13th at 5pm.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
WV Writers 2013 Contest Judge releases FIELD TRIP TO THE MUSEUM
to publish Field Trip to the Museum, from Finishing Line Press.
Pre-orders are now available for the book, which is a thematic
collection in the voice of an 18 year-old girl examining her life
during weekly sessions with a psychologist. These 25 narrative poems
tell the story of a young girl who travels away from self-destructive
behavior to a new acceptance of herself.
Pre-publication sales determine the press run, so pre-orders are very
much appreciated. To read some of the poems and find out how to order,
please see the FIELD TRIP TO THE MUSEUM blog at
http://fieldtriptomuseum.blogspot.com/.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Arts Monongahela to host Arts Listening Tour for WV Division of Culture and History
Arts staff will hold a series of meetings across the state to listen to the needs and comments of community members. The information gathered will be used to develop new programs and policies for grants available to community, schools and artists through state and federal funding.
The arts staff will provide discussion starter questions to begin the conversation at each listening tour stop. For more information on the State Arts Plan and the programs and services of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts contact Debbie Haught at 304-558-0240 ext. 714 or Debbie.R.Haught@wv.gov .
For information on the Arts Listening Tour stop in Arts Monongahela, 201 High St. Morgantown, WV or 304-291-6720 or executive@artsmon.org. from 6:00-7:30.
Monday, November 25, 2013
"Mystery Diseases and Me"
"Mystery Diseases and Me" by Ron Brunk is now out on Amazon in Kindle and Print formats.
The early reviews from a variety of health care professionals and others have been incredible. For example, here are just a few...
“This book is a testament to the wonder of human resilience…Ron’s very easy-to-read and frank advice has the potential to change lives.” – Kate Chatfield, MSc, FHEA, Course Leader MSc Integrated Healthcare School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England
"Ron relates his frightening story in an entertaining manner, and demonstrates how he moved from victim to victor over his afflictions. A great read for anyone facing health challenges." – Laura Duksta, New York Times bestselling author, I Love You More
“A tale of health horrors, decline, and then recovery. Ron finds the wisdom to understand that life is about Balance and the Choices we make.” – Tad Yoneyama, M.D., Vanderbilt Medical Center
“This inspiring book will aid other patients and physicians too.” – Kelly M. Pitsenbarger, M.D
“A must-read for anyone who suffers with debilitating illness of any kind.” – Dena Bazzie, LPC, LMFT, NBCC, CTS, CEAP
“Ron’s book offers so much in what it takes to make it through life happy, whole, and inspired.” – Joseph A. Wooten, Hands of Soul, Keyboardist/Vocalist for the Steve Miller Band
Sometimes frightening, but always entertaining, "Mystery Diseases and Me" tells the true story of my battle with nearly 30 mysterious ailments including fibromyalgia, IBS, anxiety disorders, degenerative arthritis, manic depressive disorder, panic attacks, shingles, eating disorders, OCD, and depression. It describes the three intestinal hemorrhages that nearly took my life, and the deep darkness into which I descended. This uplifting and engaging book will inform and inspire as it tells what I lived through, and the spiritual and life lessons I learned as a result. It also includes teaching about meditation, diet and gluten tips, and a fascinating Appendix that describes 102 of the strangest illnesses in the world. You can learn more about the book at www.MysteryDiseasesAndMe.com And you can go directly here to see/buy the book on Amazon.com....
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Grant Writing for the Arts Workshop in Lewisburg
Greenbrier Valley Theatre Hosts Grant Workshop For State Arts Grants
LEWISBURG, W.VA., November 12, 2013 Greenbrier Valley Theatre will serve as host for a grant workshop on Friday, November 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the theatre, located at 113 East Washington St. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History in collaboration with the West Virginia Commission on the Arts will conduct the free grant writing workshop.
The arts staff will offer a grant writing overview with program deadlines, tips and timelines for success, and procedures to be used for an application. They also will discuss new initiatives and programs to support local arts projects, changes in current guidelines affecting fiscal year 2015 applicants, and how to plan for grant success.
Arts administrators, arts educators, arts volunteers, artists and art patrons are invited to participate in these practical and informal sessions. Greenbrier Valley Theatre encourages all interested participants to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about potential funding opportunities for our community and to meet and talk with arts section staff.
The grant writing workshops are the result of needs identified during the "Listening Tour" sessions conducted statewide by the arts staff.
"With the help of local hosts, we can reach the most people and have more impact in each community. We appreciate these hosts for assisting with bringing this much-needed workshop to their communities," said Renee Margocee, director of arts for the Division.
To pre-register or for more information about the grant writing workshops and the programs of the arts section and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, contact Debbie Haught, community arts coordinator for the arts section, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 714 or e-mail her at debbie.r.haught@wv.gov.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Shakespeare in the `Burg Playwriting Contest
Shakespeare in the 'Burg
Presents
Our Inaugural One-Act Playwriting Competition
Shakespeare in the 'Burg is pleased to announce our inaugural one-act playwriting competition, in conjunction with our Shakespeare in the 'Burg theater festival scheduled for April 5-7, 2014, in Middleburg, VA.
There are two categories of plays that will be judged: Plays written by students ages 12-17, and plays written by adults, ages 18 and over. Please note that you can write in any style you choose; this is not a "Shakespeare" writing competition, so plays in any genre are welcome.
Competition Rules:
Open to all playwrights
Scripts must be original, unpublished and unproduced. Musicals, monologues, adaptations, film scripts and television scripts are not eligible. Scripts may be performed in a workshop environment but may not have a public performance or play reading.
The goal should be to produce a small to medium-sized cast, one-set show with running times of no less than 25 minutes and no more than one hour.
All scripts must be typewritten. If sending a hard copy, please number the pages and use paper clips or staples to ensure your pages stay together. Send a duplicate copy, not your original. Send hard copies to Genie Ford, 36523 Mountville Road, Middleburg VA 20117.
You may also email your script to: genie@printmanagementinc.com, and in fact, we prefer emails. In the subject line, please write: Shakespeare in the 'Burg One-Act Play
Scripts should include:
Name, address and telephone number of the author, along with the title of the play on a separate page. On all subsequent pages, only the title of the play should appear at the top of each numbered page. This will be a blind competition. Judges will not know the names of the authors while judging the plays.
Cast of characters with descriptions and a brief synopsis should be included as part of the play.
Scripts should be formatted in keeping with traditional playwriting manuscripts. Since these are one-act plays without scene changes, it is not as critical to include scene headings. However, feel free to include stage directions and an "at rise" description (what will happen as the lights come up or the curtain rises). Please put all stage directions in parentheses.
Use 8-1/2 x11 paper if submitting a hard copy. Please number all pages in the upper right hand corner. Please include the title of the play in a header on every page. Margins should be one-inch, right and left, top and bottom. Please use ALL CAPS to identify the character speaking. If a character's speaking lines go over a page break, identify the character speaking with a second character tag on the new page—e.g., JOHN (cont'd).
Double space after stage directions or dialogue and before a character tag. If formatting becomes confusing or difficult, then choose a format and stick to it. Consistency in formatting is the most important thing.
Scripts will be judged on concept, dramatic action, characterization and dialogue.
All production and publication rights remain the property of the playwright.
The decision of the judges is final. While we do not assume responsibility for the loss, damage or return of scripts, all reasonable care will be taken. If you want your script back, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and we will make every effort to return it to you.
The deadline for entries is a postmark or email of December 15, 2013.
A good website that can help you in writing your play is: http://www.ehow.com/how_2123970_write-one-act-play.html There are also lots of helpful sites all across the web to help you write your script, but always remain true to your own vision. Seek feedback from people you trust and remember, proofread your work!
Monday, November 04, 2013
Appalachian Penworks Prose Poem Workshop
Appalachian PenWorks Writing Group, Tuesday, November12, 2013, 6 PM
Everyone Is Invited
Have You Always Wondered What Is a Prose Poem? Come to The Princeton Public Library to hear from educator and poet Rob Merritt just what a prose poem can be.
920 Mercer Street, Princeton, West Virginia
304- 487-5045 or 304-920-1860
Monday, October 21, 2013
FALL CONFERENCE 2013 THIS WEEKEND
WV Writers 2013 Fall Conference
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Graceland Inn and Conference Center, Elkins, WV
Mark your calendars and join us on Sat., Oct. 26, for a fall writing conference sponsored by WV Writers, Inc. at Graceland Inn and Conference Center located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV.
Presenters in alphabetical order:
Poet Cheryl Denise, author of two books of poetry and a spoken word poetry CD, will present What's in Your Blood? where you will explore memories that open us up to the past and anchor us to the present. In Discipline versus Muse participants will learn the need for structure and creativity.
Sarah Dooley, winner of the 2012 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship and author of two children's books, will explore strategies for writing and revising a novel geared for children in Writing and Revising Your Middle Grade Novel. Learn how to gain and keep the attention of your audience in Connecting with Young Readers .
Christina Freeburn is the author of the Faith Hunter Scrap This Mysteries Series and the inspirational romantic suspense series New Beginnings. Christina will share tips, ideas and methods to help you trim excess words, strengthen your plot and characters, and manage the timeline to Get Your Novel Into Shape. In Avenues of Publishing, she will discuss new technologies in the world of publishing and how to find the method that best fits your goals and needs.
Award winning columnist and avid competitor, Karin Fuller, will discuss the strategies writers can take to increase their chances to win a writing competition in Contests. Participants in Flash Memoir will explore succinct ways to approach difficult topics in nonfiction.
Bram Stoker Award-winning author and editor, Michael Knost, will present Writing and Submitting Fiction for Anthologies and Magazines where he will break down the elements needed to replace rejections with acceptance letters and learn to show, not tell, in External Conflict v. Internal Conflict.
Sandy Tritt, founder and CEO of Inspiration for Writers, Inc., an editing and critiquing service for writers, will bring dialogue to life in her presentation He Said/She Said and teach us character emotion and how to control it in Pass the Tissues.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Open reading in Shenandoah Junction
Coffee Co. in Shenandoah Junction, WV. This month,we will begin at
6:00pm on Oct. 17th. Each reader will have the opportunity to read
2-3 pages of original poetry or prose. Come to listen, come to read,
come for the coffee!!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Free ebook by Barbara Whittington Saturday, Sept 14
WV Writers member Barbara Whittington will be giving away copies of her ebook Vada Faith on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The book will be free for that day only.
Download your copy via THIS LINK to Amazon.com.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Cindi Myers Market News's Blog
"I can't help but to write, I have an inner need for it. If I'm not in
the middle of some literary project, I'm utterly lost, unhappy and
distressed. As soon as I get started, I calm down." Kaari Utrio
**************************
This week, I'm continuing my summary of publisher spotlights from the
Romance Writers of America convention in Atlanta. This week: St
Martin's Press.
Jennifer Enderlin presented this Spotlight with her usual enthusiasm.
She stressed that St. Martin's is very interested in finding new
authors.
She began with an overview of St. Martin's press. They publish all
types of fiction in all formats – women's fiction, romance, mystery,
paranormal, historical, young adult, new adult, thrillers, etc, etc.
They publish 3-4 mass market romances a month. They almost always
offer a multi-book contract, even to new authors. They are interested
in developing and growing careers. "We buy what we love."
She talked about St. Martin's as a company. They are owned by a German
billionaire, and though it's a huge, multi-national company, the focus
is still on producing good books. "It's a company run by human beings,
not bean counters." She talked about what she's looking for. She edits
historical and contemporary romance, suspense and women's fiction.
She's not looking for anything in particular but "I want to feel
something, and I want to be surprised." She wants a book where the
story takes over. She usually works with literary agents, but she is
open to email queries from unagented authors – expect a reply only if
she's interested. In your query, say who you are, what the book is and
why you think it's right for her. For example, you could talk about
other authors she has edited that are similar to yours. If she
requests material from you, you will get a personal response from her.
Monique Patterson spoke next. She edits 30 to 35 authors in different
areas, including women's fiction, romance, historical, paranormal,
romantic suspense and erotica. She's not interested in sweet romance
and inspirational, but she's open to pretty much anything else. When
she picks up a submission, she wants to be transported. Sometimes
she's captured by the author's voice. If she sees something in your
work, but the project isn't right, she will ask for something else.
She is open to submissions from unagented authors, but she prefers a
full proposal (synopsis and first three chapters) over a query letter.
Rose Hilyard edits all sub-genres in romance, erotica, new adult and
young adult. She recently bought a new adult author who was unagented
and previously unpublished, who she met at a conference. In young
adult and new adult she likes "really romancy" stories. She prefers
agented material, but will consider unagented material though she
admits she's prejudiced against unagented work.
Holly Ingraham edits romance and young adult. She likes the variety,
and is open to everything in romance. She's also looking to expand her
mystery list and wants some really good cozy mysteries with strong
female protagonists. She is also interested in emotional women's
fiction. She accepts unagented email queries.
Heather Waters is the site manager for HeroesandHeartbreakers.com, a
romance community site utilized by several publishers, including St.
Martin's. She is looking for short stories in any romance sub-genre,
10,000 to 15,000 words, plus serials to publish online. They do pay
for these. Find out more here
St. Martin's is open to self-published authors, to previously
published authors, to previously unpublished authors, to both agented
and unagented authors.
**********************
Harlequin Intrigue is actively soliciting gothic suspense stories for
it's new Shivers line — a digital only line of stories in the spiriti
of Phyllis Whitney, Barbara Michaels and others. Sr. Editor Denise
Zaza outlined what she's looking for in this blog post. She's looking
for sensuous stories with dark and dangerous heroes and scary thrills
for the reader. Stories would ideally be between 30,000 and 50,000
words, but since they're digital, editors can be flexible about the
word count. Find the guidelines for Shivers here (and know that they
are still actively taking submissions, even though the fast track
period mentioned at the top of the guidelines has passed.)
*******************************
Scandalous, Entangled Publishing's historical romance line, is looking
for novella submissions for an anthology to be released in 2014.
They've designed a book cover, featuring a woman's photo (which you
can see here). The title of a collection will be "Who's That Girl?"
Write a story about who you think the woman in the story is. Your
story should be 20,000 to 25,000 words and be set in the early 20th
century. Submissions are due by February 15, 2014. Find all the
details at the above link.
***************************
As always, feel free to share the information in this blog with
others. Reprint, repost, retweet, etc. All I ask is that you give me
credit as the source of the information. Thank you. Cindi
Friday, August 30, 2013
WVLA Authors Cafe seeking authors
The West Virginia Library Association is inviting authors
to present and sell their books at the Authors Cafe Oct. 11 at this
year's conference in Shepherdstown at the Clarion Inn.
This is an opportunity for the state's librarians to
become acquainted with you and your work. WVLA plans to seat each
author at a table of conference attendees to provide librarians and
authors a chance to converse. While everyone enjoys a buffet breakfast
on the last day of the conference, authors will have an opportunity to
make a brief presentation to the group. The buffet starts at 8 a.m.,
with author presentations beginning at 8:30 a.m.
After the presentations, the conference attendees may
visit authors at individual author tables, where you are welcome to
sell your publications. The Authors Cafe is officially open until
10:30 a.m., when conference division meetings begin. but you may still
have some visitors.
There is no charge for participation. WVLA will provide
tables and chairs. WVLA does not have funding available for honoraria
or travel reimbursement, but it's a great opportunity to have
librarians become better acquainted with authors. It's also a great
way for authors to let librarians know of their availability for
programs and book signings. You can choose to read a brief except or
discuss your work.
The time allotments for speaking will depend upon the
number of participating authors. That's why it's important for authors
to sign up by the registration deadline of Sept. 16, so that you can
have advance notice for planning your presentation.
Author Belinda Anderson is coordinating the author
registration, so please let her know ASAP if you'd like to sign up for
the Authors Cafe. Write to her at writingwv@aol.com.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Glen Alton Poetry to support Blue Ridge Workshop
Glen Alton Poetry is a new annual event created to support Blue Ridge Workshop (@ Virginia Tech) and local Appalachian Poets and is sponsored by the United Writers of the Virginias.
http://blueridgeworkshop.weebly.com
http://uwv.weebly.com
The event will be held 8/31/2013 3-5 p.m. Nettle Hollow Road, Glen Alton Farm, Giles, Virginia
2013 Poets @ Glen Alton Poetry Include Members of Appalachian Writers Association and West Virginia Writershttp://www.wvwriters.org/.
Philip Church- McCoy, VA – author, poet and songwriter who has written a book about the legend of Devil John of Big Stone Gap, VA
Spectral Arts- Christiansburg, VA-Performs spontaneous lyric poetry layered with guitar and percussion.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Writers Seminar with Award Winning Author, Belinda Anderson
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Cindi Myers Market News
Spotlight on Avon Romance and more
Posted: 21 Aug 2013 04:47 AM PDT
"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need
to start somewhere." ~Anne Lamott
********************
I'm continuing this week with my look at the publisher spotlights from
the Romance Writers of America's national convention in Atlanta in
July. The Spotlight on Avon Books was presented by Jesse Edwards,
Assoc. Publicist; Tessa Woodward, Editor; Amanda Bergeran, Editor;
Shawn Nichols Sr. Director of Marketing and Eric Tsang, Editorial
Director.
Avon publishes historical, contemporary and paranormal romance and has
a long tradition of publishing best-selling romances. "We're always
looking for different ideas in all genres [of romance.] We're looking
for the right story. We're looking for good stories and we hope you'll
keep us in mind."\
Avon began publishing new adult stories this year. Tessa Woodward
talked about Avon's new adult books. "drama filled fun stories that
keep you reading." Heroes and heroines between 18 and 26 or 28.
Amanda talked about Avon Impulse, Avon's digital-first imprint that
launched two years ago. They publish about one book a week,
occasionally more. They publish authors who are new to Avon as well as
established Avon authors. In 2013 they have published 13 debut authors
so far. They can publish as quickly as in 12 weeks, though they can
take more time also. Impulse publishes everything from paranormal,
romantic comedy, erotica, historical — pretty much everything. The
same art, marketing, and editorial team works on Avon and Avon
Impulse.
Sean Nichols in Avon's marketing department talked about Avon's
marketing and publicity team. Campaigns are tailored to each book and
start three to six weeks before the book is released. Examples of the
kinds of things they do are free e-samplers with excerpts from
upcoming titles; QR codes "everywhere"; Facebook; Twitter, as well as
working with retailers to get books primary placement.
Jesse spoke about publicity. Every book has a dedicated publicist and
a dedicated campaign. They also make heavy use of social media,
especially Twitter. They've partnered with Little Black Dress Wines to
sponsor events. They use Street Teams — the Avon Addicts — 25
super-readers who receive a package of swag and books each month.
The final segment of the workshop discussed submitting to Avon. On
Avonromance.com you can post excerpts from your book and get feedback
from other romance fans, writers and some editors, who pop in
occasionally. AvonImpulse.com is the portal to submit your manuscript
to the editorial team. Use the online form to upload your book. They
accept anything from novellas to long novels. They accept agented and
unagented submissions, and will accept simultaneous submissions.
The editors spoke briefly about some of their personal preferences:
Amanda –Contemporary romance with high concept and great new adult.
Romantic suspense, serialized erotica
Tessa — more erotica, whether full-length of serials. "super dark and
dirty heroines and heroes." Historicals — would love a new historical
series with "an amazing concept." She's also looking for contemporary
and new adult.
Erica — "anything but zombies." She does a lot of historicals, also
likes paranormal. She also likes more emotional, gothic historicals
and "dark, angsty stories."
Tip: Follow the editors on Twitter. They sometimes issue calls for
submissions via Twitter
********************************
Entranced Publishing is a Minneapolis-based e-publisher that publishes
young adult, new adult, romance and erotica. They're also interested
in fantasy, science fiction and urban fantasy with strong romantic
elements. Entranced currently released three to four titles each
month. YA and NA titles should be 50,000 to 90,000 words. Other
manuscripts may be from 10,000 to 120,000 words. They pay royalties of
40 percent of net. Find their submission guidelines here.
Entranced is accepting novellas of 25,000 to 35,000 words for an
upcoming anthology of contemporary takes on classic fairy tales. The
editors are interested in stories with strong heroines who rescue
themselves — or maybe even rescue the hero. "Simmering sexual tension"
is a must. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2013. Find
more details here.
*********************************
Authornomy, a project of HarperCollins, is sponsoring a First Line
contest. The winner will receive a package of self-publishing bennies,
including a professional editorial review, a professional book cover,
a book trailer and an e-press kit. Simply enter up to the first three
sentences of your book (no more than 100 words) by September 8. You
must be an Authornomy member to enter, but membership is free. All
genres of fiction are welcome. Get the scoop here.
************************************
As always, feel free to share the information in this blog with
others. All I ask is that you give me credit as the source and include
a link back to this blog. Thanks! Cindi
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Fun Activities for Children at the Lewisburg Literary Festival
First, the Greenbrier County Public Library presents a Children’s Book Breakfast on Saturday, August 3rd from 8:30am to 10:00am. This is an ideal event for children ages 5 to 12, although audiences of all ages are welcome to attend. Special guests for the event are West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman and local author Belinda Anderson. The event includes a complimentary breakfast provided by The Bakery. Seats for the breakfast event may be reserved by contacting the Greenbrier County Public Library at 304-647-7568 and are limited to 40 people. Cost per person is $3.
Harshman, who was appointed Poet Laureate in 2012, is known for both his poetry and his eleven published picture books for children including Rocks in My Pockets, Only One, Red Are The Apples, All the Way to Morning and The Storm. The Storm is a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children and a 1995 Parent’s Choice Award recipient.
Belinda Anderson, recently named a Master Artist by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, is mostly known for her collections of short stories, including The Well Ain’t Dry Yet, The Bingo Cheaters and Buckle Up, Buttercup. She will be reading from her new book for young people, called Jackson Vs. Witchy Wanda: Making Kid Soup.
Following the breakfast, families are invited to the library’s annual book sale, whose proceeds benefit the Friends of the Greenbrier County Public Library.
Second, Honnahlee Toy Shop invites children to “Story Time with Beatrix Potter” from 12 noon to 2:00pm. Beatrix Potter will read to the children from her favorite books, with the help of her puppets and offer coloring projects and other activities. This event is free and no reservations are needed. For more information contact Honnahlee at 304-645-6123.
For more information about the Lewisburg Literary Festival, including the special guests, please visit the LLF home page at lewisburgliteraryfestival.com, or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
Monday, July 01, 2013
Diner Stories open for submissions
He writes:
Well, the time is here! Submissions for the book are finally open! So send in those stories, please! Submit to diner.stories@yahoo.com
I've said before that diners in the stories should be as much a character as the people in them. So be inventive. Just as no two people are the same, so are no two diners. Of course, they share a lot of common characteristics.
For example: a long counter with a row of swivel stools, a tile floor, a jukebox, booths by the window, surly waitresses and cooks, and usually some stainless steel, neon, or porcelain (depending on the type of diner).
A diner does not necessarily have to have all these elements. Nor does it need to have them in exactly the form I describe. Heck, it could have some stuff I haven't even thought to mention. But however your diner looks, it has to work in your story.
Your diner could look like paradise. Or it could look like a dive. I'm not so strict on how the diners look as long as they work for me.
That said . . .
Good writing . . . and good dinering!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
"Screaming With the Cannibals" audio book released soon
Camera shot of Cannibals CD rolling off the production line. Our 15th
audio book project is rushing to completion. Pic taken by Jason
Phillips publicity manager. Our adaptation of Lee Maynard's cult
classic will officially be released July 4th. Make sure the kiddies
are in bed before you crank up the escapades of Crum's very own Jessie
Stone. (*Contains some Adult language and graphic scenes.) <-- Our
official 'We told ya so.'
Check it out at http://www.mountainwhispers.com/ on July 4.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Glen Taylor and David Corbin Author Event in Lewisburg
150 Years of Stereotypes: Exploring West Virginians in History and Literature with Authors David A. Corbin & Glenn Taylor
Presented jointly by Greenbrier Historical Society & Greenbrier Valley Theatre
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
7:30 p.m. | Greenbrier Valley Theatre |FREE
Join West Virginia natives Glenn Taylor, author of The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart (finalist for the 2009 National Book Critics Circle Award) and The Marrowbone Marble Company, and Dr. David Corbin, former speechwriter for the late Senator Robert C. Byrd and author of The Last Great Senator: Robert C. Byrd's Encounters with Eleven U.S. Presidents, as they join forces to define, discuss, and dissect some of the major (mis)conceptions about being a West Virginian. Q&A and book-signing to follow. Only 180 seats available. Reservations recommended. Call 304-645-3838 Opt. 7 to reserve your seats, or visit Greenbrier Valley Theatre or North House Museum M-F.
Saturday, June 08, 2013
WV Writers Annual Writing Contest Winners List 2013
The list of winners announced at our Annual Awards Banquet can be downloaded in PDF format from the following link WINNERS LIST 2013.
Friday, June 07, 2013
The 2013 WV Writers Summer Conference!
Find out more at our CONFERENCE PAGE.
Also, the winners of the 2013 WVW Annual Writing Competition will be announced on this very blog following the Awards Banquet on Saturday night.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Ice Mountain Writers Meeting
Ice Mountain Writers will meet on Tuesday at 7 at the Bank of Romney Community Center in Romney. This group includes Hampshire County and surrounding area.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
West Virginia Writers Memorial Scholarship
West Virginia Writers Memorial Scholarship
In memory of the many long-time members and supporters of West Virginia Writers, Inc. who have passed on, a needs based scholarship will be given for the 2013 WV Writers, Inc. Conference. This scholarship will include 3 day registration, room for Friday and Saturday, meals for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday including the banquet and also a membership/renewal to West Virginia Writers for membership year 2013-2014 (if already paid for 2013-2014, recipient's membership will be extended to 2015). The recipient(s) will be responsible for their own transportation costs to and from conference.
Interested writers aged 18 and older may apply for the scholarship by submitting an essay on how attending the conference will benefit their writing. Essay submissions may be sent by email or postal mail to TerryWMcNemar@frontier.com and must be received (email) by May 15, 2013. Please include your name, address, phone number and email (if applicable) on the first page of your essay.
The recipient will be notified by May 18, 2013
If you've already applied, do not reapply.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Writers Toolkit in Wheeling
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Culture and History in collaboration with the West Virginia Center for the Book, will present a free intensive creative writing workshop on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., at West Virginia Independence Hall (WVIH), 1528 Market St., in downtown Wheeling. The workshop will focus on history, and is funded in part by the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission.
The Writers' Toolkit workshop will be comprised of a two-hour morning session and a two-hour afternoon session. Each session will feature four concurrent classes. Participants should bring pens, pencils and writing tablets. They also are welcome to bring a bag lunch to eat from noon - 1 p.m. After lunch, there will be a panel discussion with all the presenters from 1-1:45 p.m.
The morning workshops will run from 10 a.m. to noon and include:
"Writing History: From Tongue to Page" with Sean Duffy
Duffy's session will help participants to explore oral history research techniques, including developing interview questions based on research goals, conducting and recording interviews, converting raw interviews into narratives, and reviewing ethical issues involved in oral history research.
"Fiction: Session One" with Marie Manilla
Manilla will guide students in ways to identify those "light-bulb" moments in their lives that provide excellent fodder for fiction. She will discuss the importance of emotional honesty and urgency in fiction and how language can propel a story forward or bog it down in minutia. Manilla will include short readings and exercises to help students apply these skills.
"Engage and Encourage" with Colleen Anderson
Anderson's session will focus on how to inspire children to write and how to improve their writing without stifling their creativity. Participants will hear some tried-and-true writing prompts and learn how to create their own prompts for children of all ages. She also will discuss ways to give gentle guidance to beginning writers so that they are motivated to hone their skills.
"What in the World is Geocaching" with John Morrison
Morrison will discuss the rapidly growing phenomenon of geocaching. Geocaching is a free outdoor recreational treasure hunt and a family-friendly activity in which players try to locate hidden containers using a mobile device or Global Positional System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers. Geocaches have been placed all over the world, ranging from extremely easy-to-find containers to containers that require more skill and stealth. The workshop will consist of a PowerPoint presentation that teaches the intricacies of geocaching and a hands-on demonstration of different types and sizes of containers used in geocaching. Participants also will gain experience using handheld GPS units.
The afternoon workshops will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and include:
"Picturing History: Incorporating Photographs into Written Histories" with Duffy
Duffy will lead participants in methods for using photographs in research, interviews and writing, including how to handle photographs properly, the basics of scanning, labeling and identifying photographic images and writing captions. Participants are encouraged to bring photographs to the session.
"Fiction: Session Two" with Manilla
Manilla will have students read short selections from authors like Breece Pancake, a native West Virginian, to discover the importance of giving just the right amount of information and characterization while leaving room for the reader to fill in the gaps. She will discuss ways to select appropriate details that can add to characterization, and look at how to weave real historical events into fiction without the story reading like a history lesson. Manilla also will lead students in writing exercises.
"Writing for Your Inner Child" with Anderson
Anderson will discuss some favorite children's stories, including picture books and chapter books that combine real life with real art. She will talk about how she approached the writing of her own children's chapter book, Missing: Mrs. Cornblossom, and offer a writing prompt to get participants started on their own story for young readers.
"What in the World is Geocaching" with Morrison
Morrison will discuss the rapidly growing phenomenon of geocaching. Geocaching is a free outdoor recreational treasure hunt and a family-friendly activity in which players try to locate hidden containers using a mobile device or Global Positional System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers. Geocaches have been placed all over the world, ranging from extremely easy-to-find containers to containers that require more skill and stealth. The workshop will consist of a PowerPoint presentation that teaches the intricacies of geocaching and a hands-on demonstration of different types and sizes of containers used in geocaching. Participants also will gain experience using handheld GPS units.
For more information about the Writers' Toolkit workshop, contact Caryn Gresham, deputy commissioner for the Division, at (304) 558-0220.
Duffy, who grew up in Warwood, W.Va., is the author of three books on local history: The Wheeling Family: A Celebration of Immigrants & Their Neighborhoods (Creative Impressions, 2006); Wheeling: Then & Now with Paul Rinkes (Arcadia, 2010); and The Wheeling Family, Volume 2: More Immigrants, Migrants & Neighborhoods (Jim Thornton, 2012). A fourth book, Legendary Locals of Wheeling, that he edited and wrote with historian Brent Carney is due from Arcadia in 2013. Duffy represents the Ohio County Public Library (OCPL) on the Wheeling Heritage Roundtable, the Wheeling Civil War 150 Committee, the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation Board, and the City of Wheeling's Arts and Cultural Commission and Hall of Fame board. He lives in Wheeling and works at the OCPL in programming, publicity, archives and special collections and reference.
Huntington native Manilla is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her fiction has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Mississippi Review, Prairie Schooner, Calyx Journal, The Portland Review, Kestrel, South Writ Large, and other journals. Her novel Shrapnel, set in Huntington, won the Fred Bonnie Award for Best First Novel. Manilla's collection of stories, Still Life with Plums, was a finalist for the Weatherford Award and ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year. Her next book, The Patron Saint of Ugly, is scheduled for publication by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2014.
Anderson is a freelance writer, performer, graphic designer and owner of Mother Wit Writing and Design, a creative studio in Charleston. She writes poems, radio essays, fiction, magazine articles and songs. She has taught weeklong workshops on short essays at Ghost Ranch, an arts center in New Mexico, and has written editorial copy for West Virginia's official visitor guide, which earned the designation of "best state visitor guide in the U.S." in 2005. Her book, Missing: Mrs. Cornblossom, won a Moonbeam Children's Book Award.
Morrison holds a bachelor's degree in history from West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va. He is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa honors society for leadership, the West Virginia Civil War Geo-Trail Board, and the Sesquicentennial Geocaching committee. He works for the Division of Culture and History and is the assistant for Explore West Virginia Geo Challenge. He has taught geocaching to Outdoor Classroom and 4-H groups in the Kanawha Valley and has been geocaching since 2012, finding more than 200 geocaches and placing many of his own.
The West Virginia Center for the Book, a project of the West Virginia Library Commission and an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, brings the national Center's message of the importance of books and reading to audiences statewide. It actively works within West Virginia to highlight the unique literary heritage that abounds from the earliest storytellers to modern novelists and poets.
West Virginia Independence Hall, originally built as a federal custom house in 1859, served as the home of the pro-Union state conventions of Virginia during the spring and summer of 1861 and as the capitol of loyal Virginia from June 1861 to June 1863. It also was the site of the first constitutional convention for West Virginia. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1988, the museum is maintained and operated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, with the cooperation and assistance of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with the exception of major holidays. The museum is located on the corner of 16th and Market Streets in Wheeling.
For more information about programs at West Virginia Independence Hall, contact Travis Henline, site manager, at (304) 238-1300.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division's programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Local Authors appear in Parkersburg
Friday, April 05, 2013
WV Writers 2013 Summer Conference Presenters
UPDATED 4/5/13
COLLEEN ANDERSON
Colleen Anderson is a freelance writer, songwriter, and graphic designer in Charleston, WV. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Redbook, The Available Press/PEN Short Story Collection, Arts & Letters, Kestrel, Antietam Review, and many others. Two of her short stories have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and her essays for West Virginia Public Radio have won awards in two national competitions. She has received two Individual Artist Fellowships from the WV Commission on the Arts and a residency fellowship from the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of Taos, New Mexico.
LAURA TREACY BENTLEY
Laura Treacy Bentley is a poet, fiction writer, teacher, and book editor for WV Living Magazine (“Conversations”). She divides her time between Huntington, WV, and Garrett County, Maryland. She served as writer in residence for the Marshall University Writing Project. Laura’s work has appeared in the United States and Ireland, and her first book of poetry, Lake Effect, was published in 2006. She received a Fellowship Award for Literature from the West Virginia Commission on the arts, and her poetry has been featured on the websites of A Prairie Home Companion and Poetry Daily. In 2003 she read her poetry with Ray Bradbury in Venice, California. One of her poems, “Keepsake,” was chosen by Maria Shriver and the editors of O Magazine in 2011 to be featured on Oprah’s website. Her first novel, a dark thriller called The Silver Tattoo, will be released soon. Visit Laura’s website: http://www.lauratreacybentley.com.
TODD BURGE
Todd Burge's songs are mostly stories that inhabit his invented characters. The scat singing and lyrical humor lighten the mood of some heavy subjects, letting his insights sneak up on you. Producer Don Dixon said, "With wit and pathos in equal measure, Todd Burge takes on subjects in his songs that never occur to most folks. Subjects too quirky, too controversial, too obtuse for most writers to get a handle on.” Over the last three decades, Burge, has played everything from Alternative/Punk Rock to Bluegrass, performing over 100 shows per year in venues as diverse as CBGB’s with his band 63 Eyes, to the The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Center. He is a repeat guest on NPR's Mountain Stage and has been called the “dean of WV songwriters”, by the show’s host, Larry Groce. Burge has performed and toured with Tim O’Brien, Kathy Mattea, Lucinda Williams, Bela Fleck, Mike Seeger, Larry Groce, Ricky Skaggs and many others. In 2013 he is getting together with Bill "Hot Rod Lincoln" Kirchen for a few duo concerts. In 2012, Burge released two CDs, One for grownups entitled “Building Characters” produced by Don Dixon (R.E.M. Mary Chapin Carpenter) and featuring Tim O’Brien (Hot Rize, Mark Knopfler, Steve Martin) and one for children entitled “Character Building”. The Children’s CD will serve as an ongoing fundraiser for The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. His high energy shows are packed with songs and stories of bizarre characters and critters, from dogs to sharks to humans and beyond. Burge has the ability to twist his catchy tunes into something we can all relate to. Todd Burge also hosts his own radio show and podcast, Songwriter Night with Todd Burge. He resides with his wife Lisa and two young children, Sophia (7) and William (9) in Parkersburg WV.
C. HOPE CLARK
C. Hope Clark is editor of FundsforWriters.com, chosen by Writer's Digest for its 101 Best Websites for Writers for the past 12 years. Her newsletters reach 35,000 readers each week. She is also author of The Carolina Slade Mystery Series, to include Lowcountry Bribe (February 2012) and Tidewater Murder (April 2013), published by Bell Bridge Books. Her nonfiction books designed to aid the introverted writer include The Shy Writer and The Shy Writer Reborn. You can find her works or sign up for her newsletters at www.fundsforwriters.com and www.chopeclark.com. Hope lives on the banks of Lake Murray, in central South Carolina.
CHRISTINA FREEBURN
Christina Freeburn is currently working on two series. Her mystery series, Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Series, is published by Henery Press. The first book, Cropped to Death, was released November 2012. The second book, Designed to Death, will be released Sept 4, 2013 and the third Embellished to Death in April 2014. She also writes the New Beginnings series published by Desert Breeze, featuring a skip-tracing business that specializes in relocating abused and stalked women. The first three books in the inspirational romantic suspense series are out, Lost Then Found, Led Astray, and Safe and Sound. Two more are scheduled for release in 2013 (Long Gone - May 2013 and Far and Away - Nov 2013). Christina has been a judge for the Edgar award for Best Novel category and the ACFW Carol Awards, and previously chaired MWA:Reads, the youth literacy committee of MWA. Her first novel, Parental Source, was a nominee for the 2003 Library of Virginia Literary Award.
STEVE GOFF
Steve Goff is a comedian, actor and writer who has taught creativity and improv workshops for over twenty years. He has recently developed his Improve With Improv workshops which explore the relationship between creativity, improvisation and self expression. Since May of 2011, over 400 people have taken at least one of these innovative, energizing, creative, and fun improv sessions.
Goff is also the coach of the Vintage Theatre Co.'s improv team, Fearless Fools. In July of 2012, in recognition of this inventive approach to improv and creativity, Steve received a 2012 Individual Artist Professional Development grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, with funding coming the National Endowment for the Arts and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
In August of 2012, Steve finished his second year of study at The Second City Training Center(SCTC) in Chicago, IL. An accomplished character actor, Steve has been featured in a number of theater productions in WV, PA, NC, MD, and VA. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, and a Masters of Public Administration, both from West Virginia University. He was the first director of Morgantown's very successful Main Street Morgantown and also served as the first Executive Director of the Metropolitan Theater renovation project, also in Morgantown. His Main Street work later took him to North Carolina, and then to Washington, DC where he worked for both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Main Street Center. While with the Main Street Center, Steve conducted creativity workshops for non-profit organizations, training staff and board members in 15 different states. Besides the workshops, the acting and being a comic, Steve is also a freelance writer and consultant for various regional non-profit organizations. Steve lives with his wife Beth in Harrison County, WV.
CHRIS GREEN
Chris Green, Director of Berea’s Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, is a poet and literary scholar whose books include Rushlight: Poems, Coal: A Poetry Anthology (which he had edited), and The Social Life of Poetry: Appalachia, Race, and Radical Modernism (which won the 2009 Weatherford Award for best non-fiction book about Southern Appalachia). From 2004 to 2012 Chris lived in West Virginia where he worked with poets, students (K-graduate), activists, writers, and citizens of all makes and models to know and celebrate themselves, their heritage, and the mountains, while also encouraging and enabling them to struggle for justice in the face of escalating MTR.
MARC HARSHMAN
Marc's three poetry chapbooks include ROSE OF SHARON, Mad River, MA. Periodical publications include Shenandoah, The Georgia Review, The Progressive, and Tuesday: An Arts Journal. Poems have been anthologized by Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, and the University of Arizona. Short prose works have recently been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His eleven children’s books include THE STORM, a Smithsonian Notable Book. A new children’s book is forthcoming from Eerdmans and a new chapbook of poems from the Quarrier Press in Charleston, WV. In May of 2012 Governor Earl Ray Tomblin appointed Marc as the next Poet Laureate of West Virginia to succeed the late Irene McKinney.
JOLIE LEWIS
Jolie Lewis is a writer and teacher, and vice president of the Board of Directors at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in Pocahontas County, WV. She was raised in nearby Ohio, lived in West Virginia from 2000 to 2012, and now resides in southwestern Virginia. Her fiction has appeared in Tin House, Shenandoah and The Hopkins Review. She holds an MFA in creative writing from The Ohio State University and has received a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award for emerging women writers and a professional development grant from the WV Commission on the Arts. She divides her time among writing, raising two young children, teaching the occasional workshop and doing volunteer work for nonprofits.
GEORGE M. LIES
George M. Lies is a short story writer who has served WVW, Inc. since 1983, twice as President. He moderates Critique Workshops for Morgantown Writers Group, founded in 1994. He had directed GoldenRod Writers Conference (1983-2001). His story, Trailer Dogs Barking, was in Mountain Voices (2006) and chosen by Meredith Sue Willis for the 2008 online WV anthology in Hamilton Stone Review. His story, Keys to Heaven, set in Monongalia County, was published by Steneau in Romania (2005) and a federal university in Brazil (2009). He has worked with both emerging and published writers and coalesced editorial teams to produce two anthologies, Pokeberry Days (1998) and Janus ’95. He has led writing and grant workshops statewide.
JOE LIMER
Joe Limer is a spoken word poet living in California and a 2012 member of the San Diego poetry slam team that reached the semifinals of the National Poetry Slam Championships Summer 2012 in Charlotte, NC. He has performed in several venues throughout the U.S. including Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Morgantown, Oceanside, CA, Charlotte, NC, Hollywood, San Diego, Pomona, CA, Long Beach, Encinitas, CA, and Honolulu. He has won or placed in poetry slam competitions such as the Long Beach Slam, Pittsburgh's Steel City Slam, the La Paloma Slam in Encinitas, CA, and the San Diego Poetry Slam. He also teaches writer's workshops at various high schools, colleges, and community centers throughout the San Diego area. When he’s not doing poetry, he teaches political science at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA. Despite all these activities, West Virginia is his home. He went to high school in Clarksburg, WV and got his degrees at Fairmont State and West Virginia University. Most of his family and friends live in WV so he travels home as much as he can.
JOEY MADIA
Joey Madia is the Artistic Director/Resident Playwright of Seven Stories Theatre Company, Inc. and Resident Playwright at Youth Stages, LLC. His 19 plays for youth and adults have been produced across the United States and two of his plays are currently offered by Dramatic Publishing. He has written and performed pieces about Civil War captains Louis Emilio and Thomas Maulsby. A professional actor and director, he has appeared in or directed over 90 plays.
As a teaching-artist he has worked with, taught, and mentored thousands of students in theatre, playwriting, and creative writing and has spoken at many schools and national conferences. In 2011 he founded the Seven Stories Emerging Playrights Series, which has produced staged readings of new works by nearly a dozen playwrights from across the United States.
His poetry, essays, and short stories have been widely published and have earned him several awards. He has also written four books on using theatre in the classroom. His first novel, Jester-Knight, was published in 2009 and his second, Minor Confessions of an Angel Falling Upward, was published in September 2012. He is a book and music reviewer and the founding editor of www.newmystics.com, an art and literary site.
MARIE MANILLA
Huntington native Marie Manilla is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her Urban Appalachian fiction explores the people and landscapes of her home state, often exploding the stereotypes, at times confirming them. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Mississippi Review, Prairie Schooner, Calyx Journal, The Portland Review, Kestrel, South Writ Large, and other journals. Her collection of stories Still Life with Plums (WVU Press, 2010) was a finalist for the Weatherford Award and ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year. Her novel Shrapnel (River City Publishing, 2012), set in Huntington, won the Fred Bonnie Award for Best First Novel. The Patron Saint of Ugly, her forthcoming novel also set in West Virginia, will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in spring 2014. Marie continues to live in Huntington where she teaches off and on at Marshall University. Learn more at MarieManilla.com.
LEE MAYNARD
Maynard's novel, Crum, was the first original fiction published by Washington Square Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. In its first month of publication, the novel rose to No. 8 on the Doubleday Best Seller List. The novel has been taught in English literature classes in a score of prestigious universities. Sometimes called "the book that wouldn't die", Crum was republished by Vandalia Press (a commercial imprint of West Virginia University Press) in the summer of 2001. It was the first book published by Vandalia and within a year became the best-selling book in the history of the university.
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded a Literary Fellowship in Fiction to Maynard for Crum's sequel, Screaming With The Cannibals (volume II of a trilogy), published by Vandalia Press in 2002. The third and last volume of the trilogy, The Scummers, was published by Vandalia in spring, 2012.
The Pale Light of Sunset, a work of creative nonfiction, was published by Vandalia in October 2009.
Maynard's short fiction has appeared in such publications such as Columbia Review of Literature, Appalachian Heritage and the literary magazine, Kestrel.
As a journalist, Maynard was an assignment writer for Reader's Digest for more than two decades. His journalism and non-fiction work has appeared more than 100 times in publications as diverse as The Saturday Review, Rider Magazine, Washington Post, Country America, Dual Sport News and Christian Science Monitor.
Much of Maynard's work is highly controversial. His novel, Crum, was banned in his home state and, even today, stirs deep, conflicting emotions among the people of Appalachia. Nevertheless, Maynard's work has been critically acclaimed. His prose has been held in comparison to Hemingway, Twain, Harris, Faulkner and Salinger.
Specializing in the novel, Maynard has taught at many national and regional workshops, including the Appalachian Writers Workshop, Southwest Writers Workshop, and West Virginia Writers Conference. He has served as Writing Master at Allegheny Echoes.
Maynard has been a management and editorial consultant to newspapers, magazines and small publishing companies, and was once a college president. An avid outdoorsman, he is a mountaineer, sea kayaker, skier and former professional river runner. He once rode a motorcycle from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the Arctic Circle. He lives near Santa Fe.
PHYLLIS WILSON MOORE
Phyllis Wilson Moore recently completed a twenty-five year research project identifying the literature of West Virginia and related sites. For the project, Jim served as graphic artist, poster maker, power point program creator, and photographer. Phyllis’s role included reading the literature and writing about it for websites and journals. She is an essayist, a poet, and the author of the text for the first official literary map of West Virginia. Her author interviews, author survey information, and personal research serve as the nucleus of the map’s content. In 2011 the couple donated their extensive West Virginia literary materials to the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV.
EDWINA PENDARVIS
Edwina Dawn Pendarvis lives in Huntington. She has written on various topics—from gifted children to exotic dancers. Her publications include authored and co-authored books of educational research, poetry, fiction, memoir, and biography. Her essays, stories, and poems are collected in periodicals, such as Appalachian Journal, and in anthologies, such as Appalachian Love Stories and The Southern Poetry Anthology. Her poetry collection, Like the Mountains of China, reflects a visit to China, and her four young-adult biographies of Nobel Prize Laureates in Literature are published in dual language editions by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. She is book review editor for Now & Then: The Appalachian Magazine. (Thanks to Dave Lambert, photographer, for the picture of Eddy at the Sydenstricker House in Hillsboro)
CAT PLESKA
Cat Pleska writes, edits, and blogs from Scott Depot, WV, just a stone’s throw down the road from Hurricane, WV, where she grew up. As a sixth generation West Virginian, her memories and the memories of her family and ancestors have become layered, like a good taco salad or the Almost Heaven 7 layer chocolate bar. Where does the coconut layer begin? Where does it end? Cat is an essayist for West Virginia Public Radio and a regular contributor to Wonderful West Virginia magazine. She’s been published in state, regional, and national journals and is still working on her beloved memoir, The Last Storyteller. She’ll finish it! She promises! She also believes, with all her heart, in the Oxford comma (note examples above—but she also apologizes for the excessive use of exclamation points—sometimes she just wants to fit in :).
SHEILA REDLING
A graduate of Georgetown University, Sheila Redling hosted the morning radio program on WKEE-FM in Huntington, WV, for fifteen years. In 2011 she stepped away from the microphone to pursue writing full-time. Writing as S.G. Redling, her first thriller, FLOWERTOWN (Thomas & Mercer, 2012) sold over fifty thousand copies in its first six weeks. Her next book, the sci-fi novel DAMOCLES (47North, 2013) hits the shelves at the end of May; with her third book, the thriller THE WIDOW FILE (Thomas & Mercer, 2013) set for release in late fall. She is currently working on the sequel to THE WIDOW FILE and if she doesn’t have it mostly finished before the WV Writers Conference, expect her to be very nervous and cranky. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter at SG Redling.
MARILYN SUE SHANK
Marilyn Sue Shank earned her PhD in special education from the University of Kansas, where she majored in learning disabilities and behavior disorders and minored in counseling psychology and families with disabilities. She has taught general and special education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels.
Marilyn’s work has been published in journals, and she coauthored the first four editions of Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today’s Schools. Child of the Mountains is her first work of fiction. She lives in West Virginia with her three rescued dogs.
ROBERT TINNELL
Robert Tinnell is a writer/director/producer with experience in a variety of media. Tinnell’s initial claim to fame was as producer on the notorious cult class SURF NAZIS MUST DIE and as a producer of music videos, including the class MTV Award-winner, STRAIGHT UP by Paula Abdul. As time passed, he became better known for his work as a director and screenwriter on feature films including KIDS OF THE ROUND TABLE, FRANKENSTEIN AND ME and BELIEVE, as well as the upcoming productions of SACRIFICE, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, and THE MOTHMAN CHRONICLES. Tinnell has been equally successful creating commercial and image campaigns for a variety of clients (among them Kawasaki, Clearsil, Pierpont, Fairmont Federal Credit Union, Total Gym), garnering both awards and critical acclaim, including work that was featured on the cover of Adweek. Outside of the film industry, Tinnell is a well-respected graphic novelist, known for such works as THE BLACK FOREST, THE WICKED WEST, SIGHT UNSEEN, FLESH AND BLOOD, and the Eisner Award-nominated FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES.
R.G. YOHO
Author R.G. Yoho was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. While he was still a child, his parents moved the family to a cattle farm in southeastern Ohio.MARLENE STRINGER (LITERARY AGENT)
A graduate of Hyles-Anderson College, R.G. has been employed in manufacturing for almost thirty years. At the same time, he worked as a freelance writer for years in many fields, such as politics and sports. In addition, R.G. also hosted a weekly radio talk show for over four years.
The author has published three Westerns, a passion that began with the reading of Flint, a novel by famed Western author, Louis L'Amour. In addition, Yoho has also published three works of non-fiction.
His first book, Heroes in Our Midst, received the 2009 James P. Vaughan Award for Historic Preservation from the Wood County Historical Society.
A loving husband, father, and grandfather, R.G. is also a devoted fan of West Virginia University football and basketball.
Marlene Stringer founded Stringer Literary Agency in December 2008. Prior to this time she spent almost seven years with the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. Among her clients are authors Alex Bledsoe (the Eddie LaCrosse series, Memphis series, Tufas -The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing); Alyxandra Harvey (The Drake Chronicles, Haunting Violet, and Stolen Away); Bethany Wiggins (Shifting, Stung); Erica Hayes (Shadowfae series and Blood Cursed, The Revelation Series); Michelle Diener (The Emperor’s Conspiracy, Keeper of the King’s Secrets), Andrea Thalasinos (An Echo Through the Snow, Traveling Light), Stephanie Thornton (The Secret History), Gabi Stevens (Fairy Godmother Trilogy); Beth Orsoff (Vlad All Over), Suzanne Johnson (Royal Street series); Susannah Sandlin (The Penton Vampires Series), YA author Shari Maurer (Change of Heart); Liane Merciel (The Ithalas Series); Geoffrey Wilson(The Land of Hope and Glory series);MG authors Jen K Blom (Possum Summer), and Randi Barrow(Finding Zasha, Saving Zasha); and some select nonfiction.
As a full service literary agency based in Naples, Florida, Marlene represents a wide range of commercial fiction in the areas of romance, mystery, thriller, fantasy, women’s fiction, YA and MG, historical and earth-based science fiction. She also reps select non-fiction. The Stringer Literary Agency website is www.stringerlit.com, on Twitter ~ @marlenestringer, and on FB ~ facebook.com/stringerlit.
CHRISTINE WITTHOHN (LITERARY AGENT, U.S. Sales & Licensing Agent)
Christine Witthohn is a literary agent and the founder of Book Cents Literary Agency, as well as the U.S. Sales and Licensing Agent for leading French Publisher, Bragelonne, and German publisher, Egmont-Lyx. She is one of the main sponsors of the International Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy and she teaches brainstorming, branding, and social media classes in the U.S., U.K., France, and Italy. She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA.
Christine is on the hunt for well-written commercial and women’s fiction, romance (rom suspense, contemporary, rom coms), new adult, mysteries (cozy or soft boiled), and thrillers. She is not looking for: middle grade, picture books, inspirational, westerns, sci fi, horror, erotica, poetry, or screenplays/stageplays.
Here are a few of her top 2012-13 titles: Murder For The Halibut (Liz Lipperman), Fury Of Seduction (Coreene Callahan), Flowertown (S.G. Redling), Corpse In The Crystal Ball (Kari Lee Townsend), Temptation Rising (A.C. Arthur), Knight Avenged (Coreene Callahan), The Birthday Scandal (Leigh Michaels), Child of the Mountains (Marliyn Sue Shank), Damocles (S.G. Redling), Memoirs of a Vagabond (Beatrix Kramolvsky). For a complete list of her 2013 published titles, her sales and what she represents, visit Publisher's Marketplace at: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/BookCents/.
WVW Summer Conference Workshops
Chapter Books for Early Readers (COLLEEN ANDERSON) From picture book to chapter book—what an exciting leap for a child to make! In this workshop, Colleen Anderson will discuss why and how she wrote her award-winning children’s chapter book, Missing: Mrs. Cornblossom, and offer an introduction to the characteristics of this form that bridges the gap between picture books and books for middle-grade readers. The workshop will include a writing prompt to get you started on your own story for early readers.
The Hocus-Pocus of Poetry Part I (LAURA TREACY BENTLEY) In this session we'll look at some magical/healing and cryptic/confusing poems by some of my favorite and least favorite poets. We'll discuss the arresting poetry of Laura Gilpin, Ted Kooser, Irene McKinney, Stephen Dunn, Sylvia Plath, George Bilgere, Jan Harrington, Wendell Berry, and Billy Collins, among others. I'll also read a few poems by nameless poets that I do not like and tell you why. I hope to simplify, demystify, and help you fall in love all over again with the power of poetry. Ideas and tips to help craft and create new work will be presented. We will shape a poem from a novel excerpt and draft a new poem. The importance of the opening line and the use of distance will be modeled. I believe like Ted Kooser that "Poetry is communication. Poetry's purpose is to reach other people and to touch their hearts."
How to Write One Song Everyday (TODD BURGE) (poetry) Burge will talk about how writers can get themselves to that “free space” where the pen flows without thinking. He will take one or two of his most requested tunes and discuss his creative process.
All You Need is a Little Faith: Writing for the Inspirational/Christian Fiction Market (CHRIS FREEBURN) Writing for the inspirational and/or Christian market is more than just having your characters go to church and praying. Nowadays, there is also a distinction made between Inspirational and Christian novels which depend on how the faith element is included in your story (part of the plot and character development, or as part of characterization). In this workshop, we'll learn about the subtle (but important) difference between the two areas of this genre. We'll also explore how the faith element can be strengthened in your story and woven in a natural way that works for your voice and the story you want to tell.
Writing for Magazines (C. HOPE CLARK) - If you want to write for magazines but don’t know how to start, or if you need motivation, Hope Clark helps you find your spark with a dose of confidence. Learn how to come up with a good idea, find markets interested in your idea, pitch to the right editors, define 'evergreen' topics, write a great query letter. Learn how writing for magazines can make for some of the steadiest income in writing. . . and be loads of fun.
FundsforWriters Streams for Writers (C. HOPE CLARK) - All too often writers write with tunnel-vision, only focusing on one project, one book, one method of writing. Learn how to earn income from several directions, and how to better organize your writing journey so that it begins to earn an income.
Managing the Business Side of Writing (CHRIS FREEBURN) Writing a book doesn't stop at writing the book ... especially if a writer is going the independent route. There is editing, marketing, more editing, designing the cover, book blurbs, managing your writing, personal, and promoting schedule ... and most important handling your finances. In this workshop, we'll explore different ways of handling these other areas of your business ... from hiring out, computer programs, apps ... to a mix that works best for you. It's easy to caught up in writing and ignore the rest -- or as some writers have discovered -- getting caught up in the rest and not having time to write.
Describing Sanctuary (CHRIS GREEN) (poetry) - This workshop will have participants dancing slant-ways through colors, lines, and rhymes into describing what, for them, is a sanctuary in Appalachia.
Breaking Icons Open (CHRIS GREEN) (poetry) - This workshop will show writers techniques for animating the dead (words that is) and how to break the bones (of sentences) so one can smell (and paint with) their marrow.
Writing Contests 101 (HEATHER ISAACS) Entering writing contests are a great way to get our names out into the writing world. These writing contests are for anthologies or magazines or for a certain website and everything in between. Some contests have very specific criteria and others may just have a word limit. A few questions to ask are…. Where do I find these writing contests? Do I pay to enter these contests? Which contests are legit? In this workshop we will discuss all these questions and any other concerns about writing contests we all may have.
Social Media for Writers (HEATHER ISAACS) Social Media is now seen everywhere. It is used by friends, family, businesses, schools, and libraries just to name a few. Trying to keep up with it all can be tiresome and trying to figure out which social media outlet is best for you can be overwhelming. In this workshop we will discuss the social media world and which social media outlets are good starting points for you as a writer/author to promote yourself and your sweat, blood, and tears (your work).
What’s Your Writing Personality? (JOLIE LEWIS) Flannery O’Connor rarely wrote more than two hours a day, facing the front of a wooden dresser. Truman Capote was famous for writing while lying down, typically drinking coffee or smoking. Maya Angelou keeps a hotel room, empty except for a Bible, a dictionary, a thesaurus and a bottle of sherry, and goes there every morning at 5:30. Graham Green is rumored to have watched cars until he saw the right combination on a license plate before going inside to write exactly 500 words. Pearl Buck, early in her career, wrote in fifteen-minute bursts anytime she got a break from mothering and running a house, and later devoted hours every morning to her work, producing a prolific 2,500 words a day. It is interesting to read about the habits of famous authors, but how on earth are we each supposed to find the routine that works for us? Should we follow a set schedule or wait for inspiration? Is there a certain time of day that is best for writing? Do we fly through early drafts or make sure to get every word right the first time around? Should we promote ourselves tirelessly or wait to be found? If you are someone who wonders about the answers to these questions, or wishes your habits were different, or has trouble getting into a routine at all, this may be a good session for you. Every personality type brings certain strengths and weaknesses to the writing process. In this workshop, presented by the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation, we will look to famous writers and each other for guidance as we explore how writing habits relate to personality. If we can learn to understand ourselves better, maybe we can also learn how to make the most of our time, our energy, our passion and our talent.
How Picture Books Work and How You Might Write One (GEORGE ELLA LYON) (writing for children). We’ll look at the following: assumptions that get in the way of writing a picture book, the basic elements that define this unique genre, and exercises to get you started.
Exploring Your Material for a YA Novel (GEORGE ELLA LYON) (writing for children). We'll look briefly at a couple of current and very successful YA novels, then do an exercise aimed at helping you begin to find your material and your voice.
Questions from a Writing Life – Q&A for Beginning and Intermediate Writers (LEE MAYNARD) - Lee will answer and discuss the most frequently asked questions by beginning to intermediate writers. He will also answer questions from those in attendance.
Questions from a Writing Life – Q&A for Advanced Writers (LEE MAYNARD) - Lee will answer and discuss questions most frequently asked by advanced writers. He will also answer questions from those in attendance.
Presentation of “The Un-Civil War: The Stories of the Civil War as Portrayed in the Literature of WV." (20 minute presentation) (PHYLLIS WILSON MOORE) This presentation includes the work of selected West Virginian authors with family members on either or both sides of the conflict.
Presentation of “West Virginia's African-American Literary Heritage: From Booker T. to HLG." (20 minute presentation) (PHYLLIS WILSON MOORE) West Virginia’s rich African-American Literary.
Potboilers, Romance, and Old Buddhas: Lessons from Pearl Buck on How to Write Historical Novels (EDWINA “Eddy” PENDARVIS) - China Flight, Peony, and Imperial Woman, three of Pearl Buck’s lesser known novels, use three different approaches to historical fiction. Her war story, love story, and fictionalized biography offer valuable lessons for writing historical fiction that engages readers’ imagination in a world of the past. Along with the do’s (and the occasional don’t), this session includes prompts for practice in applying these lessons and to stimulate new ideas for writing historical fiction that maintains readers’ “willing suspension of disbelief.”
Sketches and Maps: Writing Travel Articles (EDWINA “Eddy” PENDARVIS) - “To be a really interesting travel writer, you have to have some small obsession.” Good travel writing can make the most ordinary place exotic by offering a new perspective on it and by revealing intriguing corners and by-ways. Discussing two styles of travel writing, the “sketch” and the “map,” this session offers suggestions for using your “small obsessions” to discover the exotic in seemingly ordinary travel destinations. The publishing focus is on developing ideas for travel articles you might like to write and editors might like to publish—either “sketches,” which highlight intriguing features of a place, or “maps,” which offer more detailed guides for tourists.
The Five Minute Memoir! – (CAT PLESKA) Really? Yes. Today, flash nonfiction is the buzzword, so you might as well try it, too. Take some particular memories (which Cat will help you locate) and compress them to write rich, engaging mini-memoirs, so appropriate for sending to literary magazines that are looking for short shorts (I used to wear those when I was a little girl! The short shorts, I mean). Come join me to learn concise writing about significant moments in your life.
Mountain State Press Reception (CAT PLESKA) In celebration of its 35th anniversary, Mountain State Press will have a reception with light refreshments on Saturday afternoon. Cat Pleska will be there to answer your questions. The new brochure/catalog will be available as well as their latest publication by Belinda Anderson.
“My Evil Plan is Working!” and Other Things Bad Guys Don’t Say: Creating Believable Villains that Readers Secretly Love and Love to Hate (SHEILA REDLING) (craft) - All good heroes need a great villain – especially in the genres of thriller, horror, mystery, and sci-fi/fantasy. So how do you get the most bang from your bad guy? We’ll discuss motivation, pacing, and paralleling, as well as the importance of believable side characters. Participants are encouraged to discuss their current works in progress and maybe even brainstorm a plotline or two.
Finding Your Voice: What I Learned from Child of the Mountains (MARILYN SUE SHANK) - Voice is letting go of rules, preconceptions and expectations to discover meaning, not only for your characters, but for yourself. Also, voice is being as surprised by the words that flow from your fingers as your readers will one day be. How do you find your voice as a writer? In this workshop, Shank explains how she finds hers.
Caught in the Middle: Who Are the Readers of Middle Grade Novels? (MARILYN SUE SHANK) - Children from ages 9 to 12 are beginning to individualize from their families and explore their identities. On the cusp of puberty, they experience emotions at a higher level than they probably will throughout life. This workshop explores this fascinating age and how to write novels to target their needs and interests. Participants will be given an opportunity for a quick write of a memory from this time of life.
Why Doesn’t Anyone Want My Story? (Marlene Stringer, Agent) You’ve completed a manuscript and sent it out on submission, but had no interest. Why not? Why can’t you get anyone’s attention? This workshop will give writers insight into the reasons why their manuscripts are turned down by agents and editors, and how the decision-making process in traditional publishing works. Writers will learn to judge their work with more perception of what goes into the acquisition process, and hopefully up their game so that their manuscript makes it into the acquisition meeting!
Marketing To Your Target Audience (CHRISTINE WITTHON- LITERARY AGENT) Your publication date is set, so now what? When do you need to start marketing your book and to whom? Who is your target market? Who is your competition? Do you have a catchy brand or a hook you can use to market yourself? How can you make yourself stand out from your competition? Learn tips on how to sell your projects and yourself to your target audience. Learn tips on how to generate book buzz without breaking the bank. We will use real examples from the class, so be prepared to have some fun and learn something in the process.