Sundays for Writers

Yesterday, members of the Guelph Write Now and Writers Ink groups filled an entire table at Lucie's Restaurant in south Guelph.

We gathered for Danielle Gavan's workshop on self-publishing. The presentation was a dynamic one and we were all impressed by Danielle's enthusiasm and willingness to share her extensive knowledge with us.

I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the information, but I took good notes and hope to implement some of her excellent suggestions.

• Start promoting yourself the minute you write the first sentence of your book.
• Create Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
• Start a blog and talk about your writing process. Post some of your chapters and invite readers to comment.
• Pay a professional to edit your book. A reasonable fee is $1 to $1.50 for every 300 words or $350 for an entire book.
  
• Post a chapter or more of your work on Wattpad or Smashwords and invite readers to comment.
• Visit the Savvy Authors website. Here, you will find other authors, editors, cover artists, agents and publishers. Every genre is represented. You can also sign up for online workshops. A few times a year, the site will sponsor pitch sessions where you can pitch your latest work. Premium membership is $35 per year, an excellent investment according to Danielle Gavan and Cindy Carroll.
  
• Get honest feedback from beta writers. A beta writer is a person who reads a work of fiction with a critical eye. She helps improve the grammar, spelling, characterization and general style of writing prior to the release of the book.
• Consider (POD) or Print-on-Demand publishing. The initial fee is $35 and you only pay for the books ordered.
  

Written by Joanne Guidoccio

Information Update

Bio for Marcy Italiano;


Marcy Italiano lives in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband Giasone and twin boys. Books available: KATRINA AND THE FRENCHMAN: A JOURNAL FROM THE STREET - June 2009. This is a true story about Marcy and Giasone’s experience in New Orleans when Katrina hit, proceeds going back to Common Ground Relief. SPIRITS AND DEATH IN NIAGARA – May 2008. A non-fiction collection of ghost stories, stunts and death in and around Niagara Falls. PAIN MACHINE - 2003. The Pain Machine can read pain from one person and give it to another so doctors in the ER can diagnose right away. But what happens when people have different levels of tolerance? What if someone has Fibromyalgia? Marcy has also written many dark fiction stories, the most recent publication is “Dance at My Funeral” in the Magazine of Bizarro Fiction, Issue 4. She has published poetry in both magazines and online. She also works on songwriting with Giasone. Marcy is still a Web Designer (www.theweblizard.com). To find out more please visit www.marcyitaliano.com.

here's a bio for Doug Smith;

"Doug Smith is, quite simply, the finest short-story writer Canada has ever produced in the science fiction and fantasy genres, and he's also the most prolific. His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think."
—Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids

Doug is an award-winning Toronto-based author of speculative fiction, with over 150 short story sales in thirty countries and two dozen languages, including appearances in Amazing Stories, Weird Tales, InterZone, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Baen's Universe, Postscripts, On Spec, The Third Alternative, Cicada, and anthologies from Penguin, DAW, and others.

His newest collection, Chimerascope (ChiZine Publications, 2010), is currently a finalist for the 2011 Aurora Award. His first collection, Impossibilia (PS Publishing), was a finalist for the 2009 Aurora Award.
Doug was a finalist for the international John W. Campbell Award for best new writer, and has twice won the Canadian Aurora Award. A short film based on his story "By Her Hand, She Draws You Down" toured festivals in North America and internationally in 2010 and 2011, winning several awards.

His website is www.smithwriter.com and he tweets at twitter.com/dougsmithwriter.

The readings start at 8 and should be finished by 9 leaving plenty of time to socialize and network.
There is no admission fee, but donations will be welcome to help defray costs for importing writers from further away, and as always I encourage attendees to buy the speakers a drink and take to opportunity to speak with them about the craft.

Hope that covers the bases! Don't hesitate to drop me a line with any comments or questions.

Email me at nunnetal@gmail.com

Written by Kevin Nunn

Happy June!

Tuesday night, ten of us gathered at Symposium Restaurant. The conversation was a lively one as we shared our writing experiences and talked about our everyday lives. The group is a diverse one, with members from both Writers Ink and Guelph Write Now.

Upcoming Events and Contests

Graham Freeman, Cindy Carroll's friend, will be directing his play at Guelph Little Theatre. The One Act Festival takes place on Thursday, June 9, Friday, June 10, and Saturday June 11. Showtime is 8:00. Cindy will be there all three nights. If you are interested, email her.

Cindy Carroll and the Guelph Write Now group will be meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12th at Lucie's Restaurant. One of the members will be presenting a workshop on e-publishing and self-publishing. Visit the website for more information.

On Wednesday, June 22nd , Kevin Nunn is spearheading a gathering of writers at The Bookshelf. Three writers--Andrea Shalay, Marcy Italiano, Douglas Smith--will be reading in the EBar. Admission is free. Readings start at 8:00 p.m.

The deadline for the Writers of the Future Contest is June 30th.

The deadline for the Eden Mills Writers Festival Contest is June 30th.

The deadline for the John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award is August 1st.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio

Happy May!

Last night, we filled up an entire table at Symposium Restaurant. A first for Writers Ink!

A special welcome to Nikki Everts-Hammond, a writing instructor, who inspired us with her observations and suggestions. We hope to see more of her in the future.

I enjoyed catching up with everyone and learning more about their writing journeys.

Reminder

Cindy Carroll and the Guelph Write Now group will be meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15th at Lucie's Restaurant. Bring a pen and be prepared to write. Visit the website for more information.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio

Sundays for Writers

Yesterday, Patricia Anderson, Judy Emery and I joined the Guelph Write Now group at Lucie's Restaurant in south Guelph. Published author, Sarah Totton was the guest speaker.

Sarah talked about the "rules" for being a professional author. She borrowed the following suggestions from Robert A. Heinlein and Robert J. Sawyer:

• Write.
• Finish what you write.
• Send out what you write.
• Keep sending it out until it sells.
• Keep writing new work.
• Don't quit.

And she added her own rules...

• Treat it like a job, not a hobby.
• Schedule time and/or set deadlines and work to meet them.
• Learn to work independently (not to external deadlines or peer pressure).
• Always READ the market's submission guidelines.
• Always FOLLOW the submission guidelines.

Sarah also shared the following tips...

• Create a goals list. Ensure that all goals are specific and measurable. For example, "Write 100 words per day for the next month" instead of "Write more."
• Keep a progress log.
  
• Reward yourself each time you achieve one of your goals.
• Use the following free online markets: ralan and duotrope.
  

A few upcoming events and contests...

• On Wednesday, April 20, Kevin Nunn is spearheading the "Sound of Writing " at the Bookshelf Cafe. A number of writers will be reading in the EBar. Email Kevin at nunnetal@gmail.com for more details.
• The deadline for the Canadian Writers' Journal Short Fiction Contest is April 30th.
• The deadline for the Writers of the Future Contest is June 30th.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio

Meeting With Aspiring Writers

Yesterday evening, Patricia Anderson and I attended Sarah Totton's workshop, Bursting the Myths of Publishing, at the main branch of the Guelph Public Library.

We gleaned many interesting facts from the interactive presentation.

• A survey of 108 science fiction and fantasy writers were polled about advances from their publishers. The advances ranged from 0 to $40,000 with an average of $5000.
  
• J.K. Rowling received a $3000 advance for her first Harry Potter book.
• In a survey of 185 professional writers, more than half managed to find agents/publishers without connections.
  
• Agents will negotiate contracts with publishers, work on revisions, and help you plan your career. Some agents can also sell film/TV/foreign rights for your book.
• It takes anywhere from six months to a year (sometimes longer) to get a book out there after it has been bought by a publisher.
• Vast majority of self-published books sell less than 100 copies.
• Independent bookstores such as The Bookshelf may stock self-published books if there is a local connection.
  

Some advice for aspiring writers...

• Short story writers do not need an agent. They can sell directly to magazines such as The Atlantic and The New Yorker.
• Get an agent if you have decided to go with a major publisher.
• Research agents before sending out query letters.
• Get a critique of your query from Evil Editor.
• Query at least 100 agents for your book.
• Send out five query letters at a time. If you don't get a positive response, consider revising your letter.
  
• While querying, start working on your next book.
• Legitimate agents will not charge for reading your book.
• Check out the background of editors on the Predators and Editors website.
• Ask your friends and relatives to read your reviews and only send you the positive ones.
• For more information e-publishing and self-publishing, visit J. R. Konrath's website and blog.

Written By Joanne Guidoccio

Happy March!

Last evening, nine of us met at Symposium Restaurant.

Welcome back to Dennis Fitter who has completed 75% of his novel. His Mexican working holiday was a roaring success.

Welcome to Paul and Sandra. We enjoyed hearing about your writing adventures and hope you will return next month.

A few upcoming events and contests...

• Sarah Totton will be presenting an Aspiring Writers workshop at the main branch of the Guelph Public Library on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. No registration is required.
• Cindy Carroll will be facilitating a critique workshop on Sunday, March 20th. Contact Cindy if you are interested.
• The deadline for the Ten Stories High Contest is Thursday, March 31st.
• The deadline for the CAA Travel Writing Contest is Tuesday, May 31st. Write your favorite travel story in 200 words or less and you could win an exotic tour.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio