FWA St. Augustine Ancient City Chapter Writers Group

Turning a 400-page novel into a 100-page script involves much more than just judicious editing. This presentation will touch on the need to convert first-person narrative to third-person; learning to show, not tell by getting the story out of your characters' heads and onto the screen; telling your tale in three-act story structure by the use of cinematic turning points; and mastering the unique demands of screenplay formatting.

Our speaker John Boles is an award-winning writer, producer, director, editor, and actor with more than twenty-five years’ experience in the entertainment industry. His credits include more than two thousand commercials and a number of TV programs and film productions. He has also consulted for many television stations and broadcast corporations around the country. John’s television and film work has been honored with an EMMY, two Broadcast Promotion & Marketing Executives’ International Gold Medallion Awards, seven ADDY Awards, and a Florida Governor’s Screenwriting Award. He’s worked with such companies as: Columbia Pictures, Spelling/Goldberg, Rona II, ABC, and NBC.



Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10:15 a.m.

Location: Main Library (St. John’s County)
Address: 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32084

Panel Discussion - The Business of Being a Writer

The business end of writing is an ever changing and complicated world. In October through a panel discussion we will examine some of the areas that make up that universe and help you prepare and work through the challenges facing today’s writer. This event is for yet-to-be and published authors.

PANEL SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

Panel Topic: THE PRIMER – FOR PROFESSIONAL WRITING
The Conference is one of the main avenues by which up and coming writers and those already published cross paths with the people within the various facets of the publishing business. Nancy will discuss how to prepare yourself, what to do and look out for once you’re there, and how to follow up on those who will enhance your writing life.

Speaker: Nancy Quatrano --She is published in non-fiction books, a variety of newsletters and professional magazines and two NJ short story collections entitled CRIME SCENE: New Jersey, Vol 1 and 2. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Florida Writers Association and Mystery Writers of America.

Panel Topic: BOOK STORE SIGNINGS
If you’re a first time author, or even a much published author, setting up and doing booksignings can be a daunting task. New to the business, Chris will tell you what he’s gone through to set up, who to contact, what to do when you get there, and how to follow through.

Speaker: Chris Berman – Describing himself as a sci-fi fanatic, Chris has his roots beginning with astronomy to books written by Ben Bova, Arthur C. Clarke. So it's natural that his first book should be science fiction. Titled The Hive, it was published this past January. Chris is at work on his next book.

Panel Topic: PROMOTION BEYOND THE BOOKSTORE
What else can you do to get your book noticed? Coordinate your promotional efforts, including branding, web sites, press kits, and blogging/ guest blogging. Nancy will also address the dos and don’ts of working with your agent and editor.

Speaker: Nancy Haddock --Nancy Haddock’s debut book, La Vida Vampire, launched a new series from Berkley Publishing Group in April 2008, garnering rave reviews, including a 4 1/2 star Top Pick from Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Her second book, Last Vampire Standing was released in May 2009.

Panel Topic: THE LIBRARY AS PART OF YOUR MARKETING PLAN
The library has always been a part of our life. But now as a published author it plays a different role. Learn how libraries select and purchase books - which professional tools are used to decide what books are wanted; where they buy from (Baker & Taylor - online; Amazon; local bookstores; book warehouses, etc.). Also pointers on how library managers like to be approached. Also have the book added to the collection; host book talks/ discussions; partnerships developed (FHBF, FWA, FOL, etc).

Speaker: Valerie Peischel Mull, Main Library Branch Manager, SJC – Valerie has been a professional Librarian for 16 years; serving in government, technical and public libraries; as a Cataloger, Children's Librarian and Branch Manager. She oversees the collection development for the Main Library; including Adult Fiction & Non-fiction, Reference and non-print materials.

Panel Moderator: Karen Harvey
Karen is St. Augustine’s Historian. Her books chronicle and bring to life St. Augustine’s glorious history. Among her works are: Daring Daughters: St. Augustine’s Feisty Females; Oldest Ghosts, a fun read about spiritual activity, and Florida’s First Presbyterians: A Celebration of 175 years in St. Augustine, America’s First City: St. Augustine’s Historic Neighborhoods, Legends and Tales: Vol 1 and 2, Her play Conquest and Colonization ran for five spring seasons from 1996 through 2000.



Critique Groups

If you are interested in our online Yahoo critique group and/or face-to-face critique meetings, please contact Jeff Swesky at jswesky@yahoo.com.
The winning entry will be published in the upcoming book, "Writing is Easy." The winner will also receive three copies of "Writing is Easy" and a t-shirt containing a print of the book cover.

For rules and guidelines go to: http://www.clearviewpressinc.com/Contests.htm


September 11th – September 12th

Florida Heritage Writers Conference, Friday, September 11. Day-long writer's conference with eight workshops covering the craft of writing, getting published and marketing. Literary agent Lucienne Diver is joined by seven other authors and journalists. Among the workshops and presenters:

"When History is Gone," Shawn Bean on researching your book; "How to Storyboard Your Novel," T. J. MacGregor; "Marketing with Wit & Enthusiasm," Pamela Bauer Mueller; "Putting the Mystery in Your Mystery," Thomas Cavanagh; and "Getting an Agent's Attention – The Right Way," Lucienne Diver. More information and registration online at http://www.fhbookfest.com/.


September 19th

A special event to celebrate the release of “Loves Lost and Found” will be held on Saturday, September 19th between 4-8pm. “Loves Lost and Found” combines poetry from Ancient City member Mike King with Illustrations by local artist Tracy McDurmon.

Both author and artist will be present to sign copies of their collaboration, which will be available for purchase. Tracy McDurmon will also be selling and autographing prints of her illustrations.

Location of event: The Source
4601 E. Hwy 100 Unit F-3 (in Marvin Gardens Plaza)
Bunnell, FL

For more information or purchase contact: http://www.clearviewpressinc.com/


October 17th

Fiction Writers Boot Camp for Published and Unpublished Authors

If going to a conference this year makes your already overtaxed wallet ache, the Ancient City Romance Authors of St Augustine, FL have a cure. Come to our Fiction Writer's Boot Camp for Published and Unpublished Authors. This "no-business- suits-allowed" day of intense training includes morning and afternoon workshops led by our Drill Instructor, bestselling author of over forty novels . . . Stephanie Bond. Along with the workshops, the trainees will get lunch, book-signings, free books, a chance to win some fabulous prizes and day filled with networking and laughter. Whether you're a new writer or a veteran, this program is structured for your maximum benefit.

Date: October 17, 2009
Place: Wilson's Toy Barn, 15610 Tison RD., Jacksonville, FL 32218
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00
Price: $40 (ACRA MEMBERS) $45 (NON MEMBERS)
Special raffle prize: Acer Aspire Netbook

Workshops: Writing a Selling Synopsis, Create a File Collage for Your Book, What If? Exercises to Jumpstart Your Story, Write Fast Write Well, and Q&A--What's on Your Mind?

STEPHANIE BOND was seven years into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing. Intrigued, and with no formal training in writing, she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write fiction full-time. To date, she has written and published over 40 romance and mystery novels with Harlequin Books, Bantam, St. Martin's Press, Harper Collins, and Mira Books. She currently writes a sexy mystery series set in Atlanta called BODY MOVERS. Stephanie lives in midtown Atlanta.

FMI EMAIL: http://us.mc562.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ESinclair1%40aol.com or http://us.mc562.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=VLWKing%40aol.com

Go to http://web.mac.com/vickihinze/ACRA/WRITERS_BOOT_CAMP.html

Print out registration form and send to Dolores J. Wilson, 15610 Tison Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32218. Please make checks payable to ACRA (Ancient City Romance Authors.)


October 22nd

Fundraiser Annoucement:

When: October 22nd, 2009

Where: Orlando Marriott Lake Mary

Who: Margie Lawson, developer of innovative psychologically anchored
editing systems and techniques.

Why: Florida Writers Foundation has the unprecedented opportunity to bring Margie Lawson [www.MargieLawson.com] and her Masters Class in Empowering Characters Emotions to writers across Florida. In addition to learning all that’s described on the following pages, we’re raising money for a good cause with the profits! 100% of the profits from this all day workshop will be used for fighting illiteracy by Florida Writers Foundation.

For more information: http://www.floridawriters.net/uploads/Microsoft_Word_-_102208_Margie_Lawson_regtn.pdf


October 23rd - October 25th

The 8th Annual Florida Writers Conference will be held October 23 – 25, 2009 at the Orlando Marriott of Lake Mary.

More information will be available soon at: http://www.floridawriters.net/FWA_Annual_Conferences.html



Good luck with you writing projects and see you at the next meeting,

Jeff Swesky

Labels: Ancient City, FWA, meeting, writer, writing

Labels: Ancient City, FWA, meeting, writer, writing