Chattanooga
Writers Guild
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 7:00 PM
Downtown Branch: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library
Improving your Craft
This meeting is free and open to the public
Join us for
a workshop session for writers of all genres. Joyce Walters will discuss Stephen
King’s book On Writing. Ray Zimmerman will lead two activities for writers
wanting to structure their journaling experience and develop a journal as a
source of raw material useful for refinement into nonfiction, fiction, and poetic
works.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Radio -- Editing -- Crime -- Travel -- Appalachian --How To Join CWG
The Writer's Show -- Teacher and author, Sherry Poff, joins Joan Hetzler on The Writer's Show this Sunday to talk about how reading great literature can improve one's writing. Sherry also recommends books for new readers and new writers. Sherry leads the nonfiction group for CWG and is on the board of directors. Tune in this Sunday, November 4 at 1:00 pm on 91.5 FM in the Chattanooga area or listen to live streaming on the Internet at www.wawl.org.
Editing Workshop -- Four nights in January. Space is quickly filling up. If interested email Jane Lael, a professional editor who is donating her time to help members of the guild.
Crime Book Buffs -- For crime book buffs or those looking to place a story about an upcoming title, there is the online Crime Magazine, http://crimemagazine.com/index.html. Devoted to crime, Crime Magazine covers Corruption, Innocence cases, Prisons, Celebrity Crimes and dozens of other related subjects in depth. For information on the "crime of the century" (not only OJ) and there seems to be many including - The Lindbergh baby kidnapping; The Harry Thaw - Stanford White murder case; The Black Dahlia; Leopold and Loeb; the JFK assassination, the Watergate break-ins, there is a great deal of information available to be found
Live Search Books -- You have heard that they are making copies of all the books in the public domain. New you can look and read them. It is amazing and an excellent source for information if you are writing a book on the history of Chattanooga. We put in Chattanooga at the top of the page and got over 4000 books written about Chattanooga. Some in the mid 1800's. You are researching for an historical novel you can find what you need to know, and tons of amazing facts you don't care about. Live Search Books, at books.live.com, makes it easy to find trusted, authoritative answers—answers that may be facts in books like yours.
Exchange your Manuscript -- several members have a complete manuscript that they would like another member to read. If you have a manuscript you would like a second set of eyes to give you critique of your work. Your duty is to do the same for the other project. Let us know if you are interested in spearheading this project.
Travel Writing -- Budget Travel Magazineis asking for articles for their 10th anniversary issue next June 2008. It's all explained in the website below. Click here: Budget Travel - We Need Your Help!
Thanksfor all those that sent in information. We will continue to pass items on as soon as we collect a hand full. If you are not a member of the Chattanooga Writers Guild, please consider joining. More information can be found on our web site: www.chattanoogawritersguild.org
What to Join? -- If you would like to join the Chattanooga Writers Guild, dues are $25 a year and should be sent to: Chattanooga Writers Guild, P. O. Box 3087, Chattanooga, Tn 37404. The Chattanooga Writers Guild is a 501c3 non-profit serving members in greater Chattanooga and on line to members in five states. For more information visit our web site at: www.chattanoogawritersguild.org
Friday, October 26, 2007
Agents - Publishers and Publications - Scripts - Poets - Letterbox
KB Ballentine to be Published by Celtic Cat Celtic Cat Publishing will publish CWG's award-winning member KB Ballentine's collection of poems in their release of Gathering Stones. The collection will be released in Feb 2008. Blogs of Agents Some agents blog. You might not find an agent reading their blogs but you will find out a lot about what they are looking for and how to find an agent and about the industry of publishing. Here are some you can check out that have been sent to us: http://evileditor.blogspot.com/ http://dglm.blogspot.com/ http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/ http://www.nelsonagency.com/newsletter/2007/March2007.html
Warrior Poets Society -- This is a great example of an online group of poets who critique each others work. You might want to check them out. http://asouthernjournal.com/submissions.htm
November 3rd at 2PM at Rock Point Books -- Poet Andrew Kozma who has been in numerous Literary Publications will be signing his collection City of Regret. UTC's Richard Jackson will introduce this renowned poet.
From Our Mailbox Dear CWG, even though I can't attend your meetings, your organization continues to motivate and inspire me through your emails. You send out so much good material! 2007 has been a good year for me. After 10 years of submitting I've finally published three stories in Chicken Soup Books,Chicken Soup for the Beach Lovers' Soul and two in A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas. In addition I've published a monthly humor column for Senior Living Magazine (Oak Ridge) and written humor columns for CommunityLink.com, CityView Magazine and Eva Mag. I also write PR for the Oak Ridge Playhouse and help the Knoxville Writers' Guild by serving on their nominating and anthology committees. Finally, last week the Oak Ridge Observer honored me by naming me Best Local Writer in their Top of the Ridge section of the paper.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Chattanooga Writers Guild News
We are Looking For Partners -- If you have an idea how the CWG can partner with other groups or businesses to help our membership please let one of the Board of Directors know. There are certain rules a 501c3 non-profit must follow, but if you think your idea will help the CWG help grow the craft of quality writing, we want to hear about it.
NEW BLOG ON THE BLOCK Put out by Amazon.com to talk about new authors. No selling just talk. Omnivoracious is a blog run by the books editors at Amazon.com. They aim to share a passion for the written word through news, reviews, interviews, and more. They talk books and publishing and welcome participation through comments. http://www.omnivoracious.com/
Four Week Editing Class Filling up Fast -- Get in touch with Jane Lael if you want to join this mini course on how to edit your own work. It will run for four weeks in January. Email Jane at: janelael@earthlink.net for more information. Space is filling fast.
David Magee to Talk at November Meeting -- Make plans to attend. He is a local publisher/writer/bookstore owner. If you are a writer in Chattanooga you should at least hear what he has to say.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
One Great Web Site and More
Amazing Web Site For Writers
If you are in the middle of a novel and find this site you will sudden realize you did not do enough research before you started. Put that pen down and do some reading. www.changingminds.org There are hundreds of things that you can look at as you do homework on your novel or non-fiction article
Word Upgrade Reader What do you do when you email your MS to others in your group and the writer has gotten a new computer with the new version of Word. If you have a previous version of Word you can download a free reader so you will at least be able to see what they wrote. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads and follow the prompts.
Christmas Party Don't forget. Open to all members and their guests. Please bring finger foods [this is not a sit down dinner -- but walk around and get to know other writers -- a real networking event that everyone should take advantage of ] Also there will be door prizes and exchange of gifts if anyone has some good books of interest to put on the table as gifts. You can bring a gift to be exchanged.
BAH HUMBUG! At least, that's the idea in Marnie Pehrson's new ebook, "Miss Humbug," a new twist on old Scrooge. Marnie visits to talk about her Christmas story of a young woman who hates Christmas but has to find the true Christmas spirit quickly or face dire consequences. Available at http://www.misshumbug.com/, the ebook is free but does offer a chance to buy Miss Humbug's Homemade Fudge (Marnie's husband is a chef) and a print version. Marnie talks about how she markets her work online and develops her writing career through online contacts rather than the traditional publishing route.
The show airs this Sunday, December 2, at 1 pm EST through live Internet streaming at http://www.wawl.org/ and in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area on 91.5FM.
Also, a special Christmas edition of The Writers Show with local and regional writers and storytellers will air on Christmas Day at 11 am and 7 pm. Look for a future announcement.
Friday, October 19, 2007
New Fiction Group in Hixson -- There is still time to join. First meeting is Monday the 22nd of October at Ryan's near NorthGate Mall. Email Willard Luse to get details on the meetingbluse@earthlink.net
Non-Fiction Group Meets Tuesday -- The fourth Tuesday is upon us! The non-fiction group will meet at 7:00 at New Hope Presbyterian Church on Shallowford Road. We’ve been having some interesting and productive meetings. Please let Sherry Poff know if you have something to share. You are encouraged to bring news of markets, contests, and events as well as your own writing for review. Call for information or directions. 987-6650 or email at: Poffmeister@comcast.net Editing Class in January -- Jane Lael will hold a four week class on editing in January. It is no charge to members of the CWG. If you want to attend, email her to find out more: janelael@earthlink.net
Grub Street Blog from Boston --www.thegrublog.blogspot.com/ This is a blog that is out of Boston where you can get some ideas on better writing.
They also have classes over the Internet that some might have interested. http://www.grubstreet.org/programs/memoir_personal_essay.html Some of these are expensivie, or you can join one of the Chattanooga Writers Guild's small groups and learn for a lot less expense.
Knoxville Writers Guild -- If you are in Knoxville and go to one of their meetings come back with some ideas we can use. http://www.knoxvillewritersguild.org/
Job Available -- Grace Episcopal Church has notified us that have an opening for a bookstore manager. The bookstore hours have 9-3 four days a week plus Sundays between services. Contact the church office at: 698-2433.
Pass It On -- If you know of a good web-site for writers, a good book to learn the craft or anything that you think another member of the Chattanooga Writers Guild would like to know email us and we will pass it on.
Dues are Due -- While we have had a tremendous response from people paying their dues, if you have not paid, now is the time. Send $25 to: Chattanooga Writers Guild, P.O. Box 3087, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Chattanooga Writers Guild is a 501c3 non-profit.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Ray Zimmerman Reads Winning Entry at Southern Festival of Books
On Oct. 13th winners of Tennessee Alliance for Writers annual contest read before attendants of the 2007 Nashville Festival of books. Chattanooga Writer's Guild member, Ray Zimmerman was among those reading. From left to right: Jane Sasser - 1st poetry, Oak Ridge, Tn; Ellen Birkett Morris - 3rd fiction, Louisville, Ky; Frank Jamison - 3rd poetry, Kingston, Tn; Janet E. Irvin - Honorable Mention Fiction, Springboro, Oh; Ray Zimmerman - 2nd poetry, Chattanooga, Tn; Deb Gerlach Klaus - 1st Fiction, Winston-Salem, NC; Becky Tuch - 2nd fiction; Somerville, Ma; BevOlert - Honorable Mention Fiction, Paris, Ky.
Thanks to Everyone
The overwhelming response to our new method of sending out emails has been exceptional. Keep the ideas coming. You can help if you will send news members can use. Suggestions with: Writing Helps, Contests, Area Workshops and Retreats, Visiting Authors, Monthly Calendar, Success by Members and Job Openings for Writers.
First Meeting of Hixson Fiction Group Oct 22nd
Join the new Fiction Group that will be held near Northgate. First meeting will be a Ryans Steakhouse near Northgate Mall. Bill Luse will be the facilitator. The first meeting will start at 6:30 but if you are late you will be just as welcome.
Contact Bill at bluse@earthlink.net to let him know you will be there. It promises to be a small group that will give you a lot of helpful hints on how to improve your writing voice. The group is open to all dues members of the Chattanooga Writers Guild but guests are welcome.
Record Number of Members Renew Their Memberships Our dues are still only $25 a year. If you have not sent in your dues which were due Oct 1st, please send them to: Chattanooga Writers Guild, P. O. Box 3087, Chattanooga, Tn 37404.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Oct 11th 2007
Ray Zimmerman, vice president
Ray had bypass surgery on Oct 4th. He was recently released from the hospital but will be recovering for several weeks. He has promised to take his recovery time to write poetry and make well crafted observations of nature.
Something New Under the Sun --- Today we start something a little different. It is a Blog that you will receive from time to time. If you want to opt out of these emails you can easily. If there is something posted on these pages that you want to pull up later, simply go to our web page and find it under archived "News".
This method of communication will become our standard method of mass communication. We will also continue to use ConstantContact for other more specific targeted emails. These blogs will also be a chance for you to check out some of the other things on our Web Site as you will be able to easily click at the top of this page.
Articles for the Blog ---- In the past we have been sent some great articles to pass on to our members and we want everyone to continue to do that. We need someone to help collect such articles, tips, web sites etc and pass them on to us. If you have the time to spend about thirty minutes a week helping please contact Lantzlp@aol.com
Update Your Bio on our Members Page --- Update your bio on our Members Page. If you are a member you also can have a bio on our members page. Here is one of member Judy DiGregorio, a free lance writer in Oak Ridge . Send all updates to CWG@Chattanoogawritersguild.org with MEMBER UPDATE INFO in the topic
Judy has been very busy in 2007. Besides doing PR for the Oak Ridge Playhouse and teaching a humor writing course for the University of TN, she wrote her monthly column for Senior Living. She also published two articles in CityView Magazine, four columns in Eva Mag, stories in Muscadine Lines: a Southern Journal and Long Story Short, an interview in the National Federal Credit Union Magazine, and several short pieces for CommunityLink.com. Chicken Soup for the Beach. Lovers' Soul published one of Judy's stories in May. In addition, two of Judy's stories appear in the 2007 Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas. In addition, the November issue of ByLine Magazine features an essay that won her 2nd place in the ByLine Short Article contest. Judy's humor is also included in the Knoxville Writers' Guild 2007 Christmas anthology. The Oak Ridge Observer recently named Judy as Best Local Writer in their Top of the Ridge section.
General Meeting Oct 9th -- Darah Burkett with IN CITY MAGAZINE and George Mullinix with CityScope and HealthScope magazines gave 40 members insights into the working of their magazines and how our members might enter the world of magazine writing. If you were not there you missed an excellent General Meeting. Next month on the 2nd Tuesday will be David Magee with Jefferson Press. Make plans to make it.
Oct 17th --- Fiction Group --- contact Lantz Powell LantzLP@aol.com
Oct 18th --- Poetry Group --- contact Helga Kidder 423-875-0378
Oct 22 --- Fiction Group -- HIXSON -- first meeting 6pm at Ryans by Northgate Mall contact Bill Luse 842-3128 or bluse@earthlink.net for more information
This
Web site is a free service provided by the Chattanooga Writers Guild to encourage
and motivate the craft of writing in all genres. Chattanooga Writers Guild is
a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
