CONFERENCES, CONTESTS, & WORKSHOPS - Publish & Thrive

Good morning, everyone!

Wow! Where did the month of January go? For me, I think hibernating from the frigid cold temperatures and keeping busy inside helped the time fly by. Thus, I'm coming in just under the wire to tell you about this week's Conferences, Contests, & Workshops spotlight!

Registration is now open for PUBLISH & THRIVE, created by YA Fantasy author, Sarra Cannon. 

Note, the above link is an affiliate link if you want to help a girl out ;-)

I've been enrolled in this course for a couple of years and have yet to walk myself through all of the modules. That's my mind shift for this year. My Word of the Year is FINISH. At first, I thought I would use FORWARD, because Sarra is always reminding us to stay focused on what will move us forward, closer to our goals. 

With that in mind, I plan to walk through each module of this course as she leads us through this first round of 2024 (the course will be offered again in the fall)

Once you pay for Publish & Thrive (or any of her courses) you have Lifetime Access! That means you pay for the course once and can go through it at your own pace, if you choose, and as many times as you'd like. You also receive all of the upgrades she makes to the curriculum as she is always keeping the information current with the industry!

We start with a LIVE Kick-off call via FB & YouTube (private link will be sent to you prior once your registration is confirmed) That is always a great time.

I know the price may seem a bit much but in comparison to what others charge, you won't get better bang for your buck anywhere! She also offers six or twelve- month payment plan.  

If you can't afford the jump right now, that's fine. Start a Cash Envelope and save for the next round.

Also, remember... if you are SERIOUS about building a business as an author, this class is invaluable and tax deductible! She also offers a money back guarantee but I promise you won't need that. 

HURRY... sign up closes either tomorrow night or Noon Saturday. Our Live Kick Off Call is at 2 p.m. EST on Saturday.

If you have questions, you will find me on FB - https://www.facebook.com/angela.drake.58

All my best!

~ Angela

CONFERENCE & CONTESTS - Ozark CreativeWriters

"Your Lucky Day in The Ozarks"

51st Annual Ozark Creative Writers Conference
October 12-14, 2017

Best Western Inn of the Ozarks

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

I LOVE this conference. I've missed one in 27 years. Why?

Great Speakers

Awesome People to network with

Contests with prize money!

Publishers Row 

Pitching Opportunities

Beautiful setting in the Ozarks

Historical Eureka Springs

Most Hospitable Hotel in Eureka Springs

Okay, I might be a bit biased on that last one. Best Western Inn of the Ozarks and Conference Center has been our host hotel for 98% of our 51 years. The staff is amazing, the food mouthwatering (both at the event and in the hotel restaurant - Myrtie May's)

Check out THIS LINK and see what contest you can enter, who you want to meet with and how you will spend a glorious weekend in Eureka Springs!

CONFERENCES & CONTESTS - Storytellers of America!

THERE'S STILL TIME TO -

scheduled Special Guests include

NYT & USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Jodi Thomas

TWO-TIME SPUR AWARD WINNING AUTHOR

DustyRichards

AWARD WINNING & ACCLAIMED AUTHOR

VeldaBrotherton

PHENOM CHILDREN’S AUTHOR

Alice Cai

We need a headcount!

To Register for the Free Conference

Send an Email to:

veldaeb@gmail.com

CONTESTS!

2017 Storyteller Awards - 

for Excellence in the Art of Storytelling

Contest Rules and Guidelines

One $10 Entry Fee allows you to enter as many categories as you wish BUT only 1 entry per category.  

Contest Rules:

Winners must be present to accept award

Only one entry per category

Only those registered to attend the conference may enter

Entries must be formatted properly for the category entered, double spaced, 12 point font.

Please do not put your name on your entry.

Include a cover sheet with:

     category number and name

     your name, address, phone number and email address.

    Send one copy of entry with cover sheet, unless otherwise requested in the category to:

Venessa McDaniel Cerasale

1706 SE P Street

Bentonville AR  72712

You may send your ONE TIME $10 entry fee with your contest entries or pay through Paypal: storytellersofamerica@gmail.com

Deadline to Enter - February 22, 2017

Entries will not be returned unless otherwise noted. Entry will be destroyed if all rules are not followed.

1 – Best Book of the Year – Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop
$100 – Must have been published between Jan 2015 and July 2016, no restrictions on genre or length. Send one copy of the published book (no ms please) Judges will be drawn from the Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop.

2 – Best Book Manuscript – Cassville Writers – $50 Winner. Send the first chapter and a five page synopsis of your book in any genre. Double spaced, properly formatted. No erotica.

3 – Flash Fiction – Linda Sartin – $50 to winner – 99 words, any genre. Double spaced. No erotica.

4. Fiction – Author’s Anonymous –- $50 First Place winner only. Short Story, any genre. 1500-3000 word count, Times New Roman 12pt, double spaced.

5 – Play Writing – Actor’s Casting Agency- Grand prize is publication with Shamrock Press. Whole manuscript of a play or screenplay, doesn’t matter how many acts. Full scripts. No limit on length.

6 – Poetry – Ozark Poets & Writers Collective, Fayetteville, AR.
1st Place $70 + a large pile of poetry books. 2nd Place $30 + a small pile of poetry books. 1 Honorable Mention + a small pile of poetry books: Open to any form of poetry, with a theme of entropy and/or ectropy, which means things that are breaking down or spiraling out of control and its complement which is increasing order of the building up of things. A good example would be how the ocean or other body of water can either rob the ground of sand/soil to build up a shore, or how it can tear away at a shore and cause collapse as that soil returns to the ground underwater. You may look at it scientifically or metaphorically in any way that you interpret those life forces. Length: maximum 42 lines. Winner will be chosen by a committee of judges.

7 – Song Writing – Crow Johnson Evans
$30 First Place; $20 Second Place – Each entry must include double-spaced typed lyric
and a digital form of the song (CD or audio cassette).
Lyrics and music must be created by the applicant and not yet published.
All copyrights will remain with the authors/composers. Each songwriter will receive written constructive criticism.
Criteria for judging will be: Match of music style and lyrics; Hook, arresting idea, memorable message and title; Strength or grab of the first verse; Sing-ability of the chorus; Does it make the listener want to hear it again?
What will not be considered: Quality of performance; Any introductory comments; Musicianship; Profanity.

8. Water Color Art – The John Lisle Award – First Place $300, Second Place $200, Third Place $100. Water Color Size 15 x 22 or 22 x 30. Entries are to be taken to the Storyteller conference Saturday a.m. and delivered to the registration table where judge(s) will pick up. Work may be picked up by artist following the awards banquet Sat. night.

CONFERENCES & CONTESTS - NorthWest Arkansas Writers Workshop

The first annual conference of this fledgling group takes place Saturday March 19, 2016 in Fayetteville AR.

However, do NOT let the fact this is their first year deter you from attending what promises to be a fabulous conference.

If you check out their WEBSITE you will find a star-studded list of authors coming together for an educational and entertaining weekend.

Dusty Richards (founder)
Velda Brotherton (co-founder)
Mark Landon Smith
Lori Ericson
John T. Biggs

Dusty Richards is the author of over 100 Western novels, inducted into the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame, and is President of Western Writers of America. He has also served in various positions on the board of the Ozark Creative Writers conference (celebrating its golden anniversary this year) for many years.

Velda Brotherton has enjoyed a long career as both a romance, historical fiction and non-fiction author. She has published over 25 books since 1994 and shows no signs of slowing down.

The list of talented people involved with this organization is a testament to the quality you will find. I hope to be there on March 19th and look forward to seeing many of you there as well.

Creative Blessings!
Angela

CONFERENCE AND CONTESTS - Ozarks Writer's League

This week I'm featuring the Ozarks Writers League workshop. This is their first one of 2016.  While I have yet to attend an OWL event, I've always heard good things about the content.

Branson is always a great place to spend a weekend. The OWL workshop takes place at The Honeysuckle Inn and Convention Center. 

On Friday night, Linda Apple will be speaking on Public Speaking. An open mic for members will also be a part of the evening.

Saturday breaks into a long day of valuable information. A catered, box lunch is included. $8 gets you choice from one of three options. These need to be ordered in advance. Please see the WEBSITE for placing your order.  Dinner is on your own on Friday night but from what I understand by the website, Breakfast is included as well as a 'what I've learned' session before closing. 

If you attend this workshop, I'd love it if you would leave a comment below.As with any critique, please balance your comments with plus'& minus' if necessary. 

While in Branson, take time to catch a show. There are some great ones. 

Creative Blessings!

Angela

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

"I am not responsible for content posted about any of the conferences and events. I will let you know which ones I have attended or participated in. Please contact the conference site directly for current information."

Okay... commercial out of the way. Now let's talk conferences & workshops. There are a TON out there. You only have to look. Three websites I have always found helpful are SHAW GUIDES, WRITE DEVAS and RESOURCES FOR WRITERS by Jodi Renner. Book mark those links and refer to them next time you're on the hunt for a writer's conference.

This week I'm going to direct you to Bear River Writer's Conference. This conference takes place at the University of Michigan May 28 - June 1, 2015. From my reading, this one reminds me a lot of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Academic quality workshops, notable speakers and great networking opportunities. If funds are tight, don't count yourself out. They also offer scholarships.

Anytime you attend a conference I spotlight, please email me or leave a comment to let me know what you thought. Let us learn from the experiences of others.

Happy Writing!
Angela

CONTESTS & CONFERENCES - Arkansas Writers Conference

"I am not responsible for content posted about any of the conferences and events. I will let you know which ones I have attended or participated in. Please contact the conference site directly for current information."

Okay... commercial out of the way. Now let's talk conferences & workshops. There are a TON out there. You only have to look. Three websites I have always found helpful are SHAW GUIDES, WRITE DEVAS and RESOURCES FOR WRITERS by Jodi Renner. Book mark those links and refer to them next time you're on the hunt for a writer's conference.

This week I want to take you to Little Rock, Arkansas. Though I've not attended the conference, I have participated in their annual writing contests - and won a few here and there. This conference is put together by great people who know what they are doing. I'm talking about the Arkansas Writer's Conference. One woman you will find in attendance as long as she is able is the lovely Arkansas Poet Laurette, Peggy Vining. Such a sweet lady and wonderful poet. I have known Miss Peggy for over 25 years and she is the one who first told me about the Arkansas Penwomen and this conference.

Though the deadline has passed to enter this year's competition, there is still time to register for the conference which takes place June 5 - 6.

Anytime you attend a conference I spotlight, please email me or leave a comment to let me know what you thought. Let us learn from the experiences of others.

Happy Writing!
Angela

CONTEST & CONFERENCES- The Ozark Creative Writers

I've been attending the annual Ozark Creative Writers Conference (OCW as we regulars refer to the event) about 20 years. Aside from Romance Writers of America conferences, this was the first writers conference I ever attended.

Ozark Creative Writers is a unique multi-genre conference in it's 47th year! Held in beautiful Eureka Springs Arkansas the second weekend in October, this is a conference you do not want to miss! Aside from two days of workshops, there is plenty of opportunity to network, pitch your next big seller as well as offer your own books for sale at an author's table.

The beautiful Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Hotel and Convention center is our Home for 3-4 days. I never stay anywhere else when I go to Eureka Springs. The staff are amazing. After so many years, this is like a family reunion for me - and we're always open to letting new folks in. Reservations fill up fast around town as this is when Autumn shows off a fabulous wardrobe of color. You'll find additional accommodation suggestions on the OCW or the Official Eureka Springs websites

Plus for the cost of your registration you may enter as many of the contest categories as you wish with the chance of winning prize money. But hurry... entries must be postmarked by Sept. 1

They've added a couple of new things this year.
One is a Jam Session in memory of talented songwriter, Nick Nixon. So if you play an instrument or just like to sing, plan to sit in on this fun addition to an already great conference.

Another continuation from the last couple of years but with a little extra umpf is the Fiddle Faddle Anything Goes Open Mic.  This takes place on Thursday evening as what use to be our Meet and Greet/ cocktail hour.

So polish up those entries, pack your walking shoes and be prepared for a conference you'll come back to year after year!

CONFERENCES & CONTESTS - ORACon 2014

Okay... you made the deadline and got your WETA Nichols entry in last week, right? Next step is to plan to attend the conference where you can meet with editors, an agent, other authors - you know... people who speak your language.

Have you been to ORACon?  If so, then you know what an awesome time we have.

One day FULL of GREAT : 

SPEAKERS

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

MOTIVATION

SUPPORT

FOOD

PITCH SESSIONS

PROFESSIONAL PHOTO HEAD SHOTS

RAFFLES

GOODY BAGS (these are FULL)

FUN!

Seriously, who wants to miss out on all of this and MORE! 

One KEY thing to know:

Although ORACon is sponsored by Ozarks Romance Authors - this conference is NOT JUST Romance! We cover writing mechanics, marketing/ promotion, plotting.. anything having to do with WRITING.

ORACon 2014 takes place on Saturday September 21st at the beautiful University Plaza Hotel in downtown Springfield MO. 

For all the details about how to register, sign up for a pitch session, schedule your photo session

GO HERE

And I'll see you at ORACon 2014

CONFERENCE AND CONTEST - Weta Nichols

Yes... I'm blowing this up extra big so you can't say you didn't see. LOL
We only have 6 days left to enter the Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest.  SIX DAYS!

This is a great contest. I've entered (and placed a couple of times) over the years since being a member of Ozarks Romance Authors in Springfield MO.  Our group puts a lot of work both into the conference and coordinating this contest.

The Weta Nichols Fiction Writing Contest was started in honor of one of our founding members and has become the crown of our annual conference.

DETAILS:

FINAL ROUND JUDGES:

Contemporary–Liz Pelletier, Publisher and Co-founder of Entangled Publishing and Savvy Media                                                       Services, which owns Savvy Authors.

Historical–Nicole Resciniti, Literary Agent with The Seymour Agency.

Paranormal/Sci-Fi–Holly Atkinson, Acquiring Editor with Samhain Publishing.

Young Adult/Middle Grade–Nicole Resciniti, Literary Agent with The Seymour Agency

.

Submit the first chapter (up to 2,500 words) of your unpublished novel to win prizes and a chance to be read by one of the agents or editors serving as our final judges.

Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, but the piece submitted must be unpublished (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub) and not under contract to be published.

Categories in which entries may be judged are: Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal/Sci-Fi and Young Adult/Middle Grade. Entries are open genre and not required to contain romantic tones.

Membership in Ozarks Romance Authors is not required in order to enter. There will be three prizes awarded in each category: 1st place $75 and a 1-Year ORA Membership, 2nd place $50 and 3rd place $25.

Please read all guidelines carefully. If you have questions about the rules, please email us (with WETA QUESTION in the subject line) at OzarksRomanceAuthors@gmail.com.

So what are you waiting for. Polish up that chapter and join us for ORACon 2014!

CONFERENCES & CONTESTS - ORA 2014 Writing Competition Now OPEN!

ORA's annual Weta Nichol Contest is now open for submissions!

Weta Nichols Writing Contest
Ozark Romance Authors

Entries accepted April 8-July 15.

FINAL ROUND JUDGES: To be announced

GUIDELINES:
Submit the first chapter (up to 2,500 words) of your unpublished novel to win prizes and a chance to be read by one of the agents or editors serving as our final judges.

Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, but the piece submitted must be:
- unpublished (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub)
- not under contract to be published.

Categories in which entries may be judged are:
- Historical
- Contemporary
- Paranormal/Sci-Fi
- Young Adult/Middle Grade
Entries are open genre and not required to contain romantic tones. Membership
in Ozarks Romance Authors is not required in order to enter.

There will be three prizes awarded in each category:
1st place: $75 and a 1-Year ORA Membership
2nd place: $50
3rd place: $25

Please read all guidelines carefully at
http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/annual-contest/2014-weta-nichols-writing-contest/

If you have questions about the rules,
please email us (with WETA QUESTION in the subject line) at
OzarksRomanceAuthors (at) gmail (dot) com

CONTESTS & CONFERENCES - Just checking in

As we approach the holidays, the contests and conferences have dropped off. I am positive the flood gates will open again about February. I'll be on the look out for new opportunities to share with you in 2014.

The only CONTEST is NanoWriMo. And while nano really isn't a contest, it is a challenge for us to push our boundaries. Like contests, Nano is an opportunity for us to try something new. Maybe you've had a story idea that is not in your usual genre parameters. NanoWriMo is the perfect opportunity to PLAY!

And who knows, you might just come away with something contest or submission worthy in the new year!

Enjoy your holidays!