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

Creative Explorations Workshop

This evening, Nikki Everts-Hammond facilitated a two-hour creative writing workshop at the main branch of the Guelph Public Library. She provided a number of exercises designed to release creativity.

A few examples...

Scenario--If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be?

If I were a vegetable I would probably be a potato. I've certainly been mashed, boiled, baked and fried more than a few times in my life. There's nothing very special about me but I'm positively unavoidable. I don't do raw very well. I prefer to be dressed, buttered up and well seasoned. I work well with others. Put me in a group or soup...whatever you may call it.

I don't mind coming from dirt, being rather plain in appearance, functional, dependable. I have a thick skin, don't bruise too easily--sometimes. It all depends on what you expect from me.

I have eyes in the back of my head--or so I 'm told. I have a large family and we're a loyal bunch, lots of little tater tots in the family now...

Scenario: You are in a closet with a door closed behind you. A time machine takes you to the past or future.

Of course it's a time machine. It's where all the luggage is kept--in a large dusty closet under the basement stairs. The two large Samsonites with the airline tags still attached to the handles and their bright Christmas bows so that we'll recognize them amid all the other luggage rotating happily on their airport carousels. The carry-on bags are also in there, along with the snorkeling equipment still covered in gritty, white Jamaican sand. If I crawl into the closet and close the door behind me, I can still smell the musty smell of damp clothes, bathing suits that never dry in the moist Mexican humidity.

If I close my eyes and wish hard enough can I get there--that beach in paradise--without all the hassles of planes, trains and automobiles, lineups and snotty customs officials, passports and paperwork. Why can I not in this day and age of high tech gadgets just close my eyes and say: Beam me up Scotty, there's a poolside bar stool waiting for me somewhere.

Written by Patricia Anderson

Information Update

The Chicken Soup for the Soul Book series is looking for inspirational, humorous or heart-warming stories that take place in Canada or are written by Canadians. The deadline is Monday, February 28, 2011. Visit the website or more information.

A two-day writers workshop will be held at the University of Guelph on Thursday, February 24 Friday, February 25. The workshops are free to U of G students and staff. Members of the general public can pay $30 per workshop. Visit the website for more information.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio

New Energy

Yesterday evening, eight of us braved the pre-storm conditions to meet at Symposium Restaurant.

There was new energy in the room. We were joined by Cindy Carroll and two other members of the Guelph Write Now Group--Kasia and Kevin. Matthew Wren, one of Dennis' students from the last creative course also joined us. Our own prodigals--Bonnie and Sarah--returned and gave us updates on their writing and non-writing lives. Congratulations to Bonnie who is a regular contributor to a Puslinch paper. We hope to see some of her articles on this blog.

Cindy has invited us to her group's events. Visit the website for more information.

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, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. No registration is required.
• The deadline for the Postcard Contest is Monday, February 14th.
  
• The deadline for the Annual Ultra-Short Contest is Tuesday, February 15th.
  
• There will be a Creative Explorations workshop at the main branch of the Guelph Public Library on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. No registration is required.
• The deadline for the Toronto Star Short Story Contest is Sunday, February 27th.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio