KSWRITERSINK JULY 2008
KS Writers, Inc.
Check out our web site at www.kswritersinc.com
IN THIS ISSUE
Officers Elected
This Month’s Meeting
Minutes
Kudos and Author’s Releases
In The News
Tanzey’s Spot
Upcoming Program Information
Future Meeting Dates
Officers and Committee Chairs
Editor’s Notes
KWI 2009 SLATE OF OFFICERS
President - Tish Glasson
Vice President - Morgan Rothenberger
Treasurer - Tanzey Cutter
Secretary - Lynne Dillon
Membership - Paula Myers
Newsletter - Anne Barringer
Advisor to the President - Shayne Sawyer
THIS MONTH’S MEETING
WHEN:Saturday, July 26, 2008
WHERE:Topeka Library
WHO:Detective Daniel Jaramillo
The July meeting speaker is Detective Jaramillo. He wrote a book about moral courage, and what it takes to stand up for something that is wrong. For those who don't live in the Topeka area, Dan is one of the sheriff's officers who testified against Sheriff Dave Meneley for mishandling drug evidence and covering up issues within the sheriff's department. Dan was really challenged by other officers for speaking out against one of their own, and even lost his job at one point.
Dan took this experienced and turned it into a new vocation -- he is studying moral courage and police ethics and would like to be a speaker/teacher on the subject. His book is being considered for use by law enforcement agencies for training.
I asked Dan to talk with us about the process of putting a book together, getting it published and also about moral courage in general.
A link to a Capital-Journal story on Dan and his book.
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/062108/lei_293347362.shtml
I won't be at the meeting this month, as I will be in Ohio visiting my sister. I'm talking with Dan today about what to expect (lots of nice people!) and answering his questions :yes"> MINUTES -- LAST MONTH’S MEETING KS Writers Inc.
Meeting June 28, 200Members Present: Lynne Dillon, Shayne Sawyer, Tish Glasson, Paula Myers, Barb Baldwin, Debra Stufflebean, Tanzey Cutter, Angela Johnson, Christina Rich, Ian Hall, Theresa Grenner.
Minutes: Stand as printed in newsletter.
Treasurer’s Report:yes
Correspondence:Letter from Cancer fund acknowledging the groups contribution in memory of Tom Ard. Thank you note from Tammy Ard for Tom’s memorial.
Membership: Ian Hall officially joined our group Newsletter: Items due to Sabrina Marino by the 10th of July. Program Write Up: Shayne Door Prizes: Elizabeth and Dianne New Business: Shayne moved that the group pay for Tanzey’s airline tickets to RWA as well as her meals while there. It was seconded by Lynne. We had discussed this in previous years and agreed as a group to pay for one officer to attend the conference. There was a discussion as to whether or not to buy the CD’s of the conference workshops. Lynne moved that we continue to do so for this year and bring it up again next year. Tish seconded the motion and the motion was carried. A vote on the new slate of officers for 2008/2009 beginning August 26th was held. KWI 2009 SLATE OF OFFICERS Barb Baldwin is beginning a new series built around the characters of a fictional town called, Snow. She has opened a virtual store on line that mirrors a store in snow and will be featuring unique crafts made by family and friends. The web address is http://snowflakeglass.tripod.com
President: Tiish Glass
Vice President: Morgan Rothenberger
Treasurer: Tanzey Cutter
Secretary: Lynne Dillon
Membership: Paula Myers
Advisor to the President: Shayne Sawyer
Announcements & Kudos:
Next Meeting: July 26th
Program Write Up
Estelle Gay, from MB Piland Advertising Agency spoke at our June meeting about “branding.” She began with Piland’s brand, which is “Fat Free Advertising”. Fat Free refers to their lean operation, which reduces costs for their customers. Services like writing, art and PR are contracted out to specialized freelancers whom the Agency pairs with their clients.
“It’s (a brand) the image people get when they see or hear something,” Estelle says. We’re surrounded by brands. A couple of examples would be, “Nike – Just do it” and “Coke –The real thing.”
We were all able to identify a company, product and slogan, which put together, creates the brand.
Creating a brand takes time and money, but is well worth the effort. Some of the advantages of having a brand are:
People are loyal to brands
People trust a brand to provide consistent products
People will pay more for brand products
People talk about brands with others
People like to associate with good brands
Estelle talked about the 3 C’s of branding
CLARITY – The promise of value, eg: Richard Branson, the risk taker.
CONSISTENCY – The day in day out of what a company does, eg: Madonna, renews herself, consistently not the same.
CONSTANCY – The ability to be on everyone’s radar, eg: Oprah, a household name with her television show, magazine and online.
Estelle says Starbucks is the epitome of the 3 C’s of branding. They’re known all around the world. Folks know what they’re getting when they walk into one of the stores. But even Starbucks can get it wrong. They diluted their brand when they added products and services not original to the company. Starbucks recently closed several hundred stores and regrouped to find their original base.
To create your own brand, Estelle says you need to define your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself things like, “Where am I going? What do I want to achieve? What do I want to be famous for?”
· Network
· Online presence. A web site is the number one marketing tool to have. It should be professional and interesting. Remember that things like fonts, colors, photos, will define who you are. At first glance, your homepage will tell a lot about you. Keep it updated. Blog, attend civic events and offer to teach a class; volunteer at organizations, call the media and talk with reporters; help with stories and send press releases and write a column for a magazine or local media outlet.
To conclude Estelle offered this advice. “Be unique, consistent, and genuine. Network and make good choices.”
Respectfully submitted
Shayne Sawyer
Kudo and Author Releases
Happy Birthday to our members with July birthdays:
Jamie Borgman -- 1st
Rosemary Parsons Torrez – 4th
Carolyn Holland -- 5th
Christina Rich -- 7th
~ Find Tanzey’s column at freshfiction.com.
In The News
by Shayne Sawyer
Reprinted with permission from Cindi Myers
A Soldier Comes Home, Super Romance, June 200
www.CindiMyers.com, www.myspace.com/CindiMyers
Juno Books (http://www.juno-books.com/) which publishes "fantasy with a focus on the female" is temporarily closed to submissions. Watch their website and this newsletter for updates.
The link to Belle Books in last week's newsletter was incorrect. The correct link is http://www.BelleBooks.com
Small Beer Press (http://www.lcrw.net/) is a Maine-based publisher of various kinds of fiction, mostly speculative fiction. In addition to publishing 3-6 novels a year, the editors also oversee the production of a twice-yearly
eHarlequin.com is sponsoring the Carla Neggers Live Your Adventure contest. In 50 words or less, tell them about an adventure you'd like to experience. There's no fee to enter and you could win $1000. The entry deadline is July 31, 2008. More information is available at http://www.eharlequin.com/swinvitation.html?swid=100012or http://tinyurl.com/55qs4e
Novelists Inc, a terrific organization of authors published in popular fiction, has a new blog which features the postings of published authors, editors and other industry professionals. Check it out for savvy advice, industry insights, and free books. http://www.ninc.com/blog/
FundsforWriters and its annual sponsor IdeaWeaver, creator of writing and creativity software, announce the 7th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest.
The Best Advice I Ever Had." As is the FundsforWriters trademark, applicants enter with or without an entry fee, their choice. Prize monies range from $10 to $200.Limit 750 words. Deadline October 31, 2008.
www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm Direct any questions to Hope Clark at
"MsHave you always wanted to attend a writer's conference, but can't stomach the high cost of travel and accommodations? Or maybe you simply hate the hassle of leaving home. Then mark September 4-7, 2008 on your calendar and plan to attend the Writers TeleSummit 2008. Acclaimed author and creativity coach, Eric Maisel, PhD., has arranged what may be the best writers conference ever , to be held as a teleconference and web streaming event from September 4 -September 7, 2008. I am a featured presenter in the Writers TeleSummit 2008 and will be giving a talk on "Writing and Selling the Contemporary Novel" along with 23 other amazing speakers all presenting their best thoughts to help with your writing career. The best part -- you don't have to travel at all. You can find all
the details at (http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=781318
The Writers TeleSummit features 24 world-class professionals in the field. Accomplished authors, agents, publishers, all at your disposal for four days. The cost is $295 -- a fraction of the cost of any other kind of conference ofthis caliber. All calls are professionally recorded and available for play backand download. Your registration includes audio downloads of all 24 keynote addresses for the entire four day conference. That's 24 hours of inspiring audio available as in MP3 format included in the low cost of registering.
There is also an option for having CD's of all events sent to your door. There are several great free gifts that are yours to keep when you register.
You'll get four lessons from Eric Maisel's popular Coaching Writers Training, lessons that you can't get anywhere else. If you wanted them, you would have to pay more than the cost of The Writers Telesummit to join the training. You get them for free when you sign up. You'll also get three professional tips from each presenter, that's 72 tips to jump start our writing/creative careers before the conference even begins. And if you are in the first 50 people to register, you get a free copy of Eric Maisel's E Book "The Power of Sleep
Thinking." I hope you will check it out at _http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=780710_
(http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=780710
Get 2 FREE books and a FREE mystery gift from eHarlequin.com***
https://members.cj.com/member/publisher/other/getlinkdetail.do?adId=6265805
Reprinted with permission from Cynthia Sterling
cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Belle Books (http://new.pineapplepress.com/manuscript.htm) specializes in
"Southern Fried Fiction at its Best." From their guidelines: "upbeat, sentimental, traditional fiction about life in the South. Think "Mayberry" and "Chicken Soup" more than "Mitford." We are not looking for genre fiction at this time. (No romance, science fiction, fantasy, or mystery.) Nor are we seeking iterary fiction or non-fiction at this time. No essays, Civil War novels, Civil Rights novels, poetry, or how-to books, please. Though we will consider historical fiction, we are primarily interested in gentle, wholesome stories about contemporary Southern life from the 1930s onward. " Find all the details at http://www.bellebooks.com/writers.htm
Down East Books (https://secure.downeast.com/store/home.php?cat=700) is devoted to all things Maine. While their primary focus is non-fiction, they do welcome fiction submissions, as long as the book has strong ties to Maine. See their guidelines at http://www.downeast.com/Editorial/Down-East-Books/
Down the Shore Books (http://www.down-the-shore.com/) publishes calendars, books and gift items related to the mid-Atlantic states and the Jersey Shore. They publish a limited amount of fiction. Find their guidelines at http://www.down-the-shore.com/writegd.html
John F. Blair, Publisher has been producing books about the Southeaster United States for more than 50 years. Their list includes a number of fiction titles. They publish 2-3 novels a year. No "children’s books, poetry, or category fiction such as romances, science fiction, or spy thrillers," though they will consider other types of fiction. Check their guidelines at http://www.blairpub.com/submissions.htm
Pelican Publishing Company (http://www.pelicanpub.com/) is a family-owned, New Orleans-based publisher of Southern fiction and nonfiction, particularly books relating to Louisiana and bayou culture. Pelican publishes a wide variety of fiction, including children's books. Guidelines are available at http://www.pelicanpub.com/auguidelin.htm
Pineapple Press (http://new.pineapplepress.com/) has been "publishing great Florida books since 1982." Their fiction list includes mysteries, westerns, historical fiction, women's fiction and children's and YA novels. Their guidelines may be found at http://new.pineapplepress.com/manuscript.htm
Have you always wanted to attend a writer's conference, but can't stomach the high cost of travel and accommodations? Or maybe you simply hate the hassle of eaving home. Then mark September 4-7, 2008 on your calendar and plan to attend
the Writers TeleSummit 2008. Acclaimed author and creativity coach, Eric Maisel, PhD., has arranged what may be the best writers conference ever , to be held as a teleconference and web streaming event from September 4 -September 7, 2008. I am a featured presenter in the Writers TeleSummit 2008 and will be giving a talk on "Writing and Selling the Contemporary Novel" along with 23 other amazing speakers all presenting their best thoughts to help with your writing career. The best part -- you don't have to travel at all. You can find all the details at (http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=781318)
_http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=780710_
(http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=780710)
https://members.cj.com/member/publisher/other/getlinkdetail.do?adId=6265
Tanzey’s Spot
UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY (Queen Betsy series, book 7) - MaryJanice Davidson – Berkley Sensation – 9780425221624 – 304 pgs – OSD 6/24/08 – paranormal fiction - reviewed by Paula Myers for Fresh Fiction.com Being Queen of the Vampires just never gets any easier for Betsy.
Recently returned from her honeymoon, Betsy’s life is slowly returning to what could be considered normal. The house is still full of her much-loved roommates, but things start to go downhill when a new tenant shows up: her much-hated, thankfully departed step-monster, The Ant, has decided to haunt her. Not only that, but the Ant refuses to tell Betsy what she wants from her. The situation quickly escalates from bad to worse when the household is attacked by the Fiends, a group of rogue vampires who have slowly regained their senses and now blame Betsy for their downfall. The hunt is on for the unholy group before they can do further damage to Betsy or mankind.
When Jessica’s boyfriend, Nick, asks Betsy and Sinclair for their assistance in solving some unusual murders and assaults around town, they fear the recent attacks might be related to their Fiends. As their investigation continues, clues point to the mastermind behind the attacks as someone closer than any of them realize.
MaryJanice Davidson’s UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY is a fun visit with familiar friends. Chockfull of Ms. Davidson’s irreverent humor and twisting plot lines, Betsy and Sinclair’s adventures are laugh-out-loud entertainment. Readers learn a little bit more about this cast of much-loved characters and are introduced to new and intriguing ones with each story. There’s a hint of a new direction in UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY, and it will be fun to see where Ms. Davidson’s goes with this. Queen Betsy is back and kicking some serious, and not so serious, butt in this latest installment of the ever-popular Undead series. Fans are going to love this one!
What’s Up!
Ian Hall here, Scotsman and new member of four months or so. I'm asking the amongst you if there's any interest in a New Critique Group? I'm thinking of three/four of us who have full, near full, or ongoing manuscripts which require critique on quite a heavy level. I write in the Historical Fiction category, and I'm thinking that maybe people writing in similar genres may be better, but I'm not sure it's necessary. I have a 200,000 word completed novel, ready for help/critique, and have critique experience to offer others.
Anyway, hopefully we can get something going.
Yours
Ian
Upcoming Program Info
August is our annual birthday party and programs on conferences attended
Upcoming Meeting Dates
7/26/2008 12:30 PM Menninger Room 206 @ Library
8/23/2008 12:30 PM Menninger Room 206 @ Library
9/27/2008 12:30 PM Menninger Room 206 @ Library
10/25/2008 12:30 PM Menninger Room 206 @ Library
11/22/2008 12 noon First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins
December - no meeting
Officers:
President: Tish Glasson
Vice-President/Program: Morgan Rothenberger
Secretary: Lynne Dillon
Treasurer: Tanzey Cutter
Newsletter Editor: Sabrina Mariño
Membership: Dianne Lawson
Special Advisor to the President: Shayne Sawyer
Committee Chairs:
Web site: Sabrina Mariño
Tape Librarian: Angela Johnson
Editor’s Notes
“Write without pay until somebody offers to pay” -Mark Twain
Renewal form is below copy and paste into your word document to print or retrieve it from our website – kswritersinc.com