Ozark Creative Writers Pricing Information

Ozark Creative Writers Conference
October 11-13, 2012
Best Western Inn of the Ozarks and Convention Center
Eureka Springs AR

I know I covered this conference in last week’s post but something was brought to my attention this morning and I wanted to share it with you. The only way to access Pricing Information is to begin the registration process HERE. Once you’ve filled in your information and clicked the SUBMIT button, you’ll be taken to the ‘payment’ page listing the prices. I think that’s a bit round-a-bout so wanted to post it here and make it easier for you to join me!

Registration only - $99.00
Registration + Friday Banquet - $121.00
Registration + Saturday Banquet - $123.00
Registration + Friday & Saturday Banquet - $145.00


These prices will be good through August 31, 2012.

On September 1, 2012 the Registration fee will increase to $125.00.

You can use Paypal or Credit / Debit Card. You may also register on-line but mail your payment to:
                    Lou Turner
                    2731 Cumberland Landing
                    St. Charles, MO 63303

I do recommend registering early, particularly if you’re going to purchase Banquet tickets for either night , as they go quickly.

If you want to sell books at the conference, the cost for ½ of an 8’ table is $20, $40 for a full table. Table spaces SELL OUT QUICKLY so make sure to register and reserve early.

Rooms at the conference site book fast. Many people stay at the Joy Motel across the street. I prefer staying on-site so that’s just a personal preference.

REMEMBER...

The Ozarks Romance Authors conference is coming up on June 23rd. There's still time to register, book your hotel room and schedule a pitch appointment.

Conference Info -Ozark Creative Writers

Many of you know this is my mandatory 'go-to' conference every year. I've been attending the Ozark Creative Writers conference since 1998. There would have to be a major catastrophe in my life for me not to go. For those of you who don't like to do math, this will be my fourteenth year. Aside from being an intimate conference (around 250 people) held in one of the most beautiful locations you'll find anywhere (just my opinion but it's my favorite city to relax in). I'm talking about Eureka Springs, Arkansas. A quaint little village packed with artsy vibe and ghostly history.

The conference is always held at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks. Randy and his entire staff are always friendly and helpful, ensuring our stay is something we'll want to repeat. And trust me... I do. I travel to Eureka Springs for pleasure and Best Western Inn of the Ozarks is the only place I'll stay. Though I would like to stay at the Crescent Hotel just once :-)

Over the course of those years, I've met some amazing people. I've talked radio with western author Richard Wheeler. He was the first speaker I ever heard at OCW and I was so mesmerized by his talk, I couldn't take notes. Other authors such as David Marion Wilkins,  Sarah Bird, Max McCoy, Dusty Richards  and Velda Brotherton have shared their wisdom and experiences with attendees. Do you know that cowboy has written over 100 western novels? And that he's been inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame? Actor/writer/producer Todd Allen even provided an entire day's worth of instruction one year.

Editors and Agents like Rhonda Penders of TheWildRosePress, Gary Goldstein, Senior Editor at Kensington and Cherry Weiner (she's coming back this year!)  have given precious time to help us on this path. Pitch sessions for the agents/ editors in attendance is always high on the list of things to do.

Aside from the affordable cost of the three-day event and beautiful surroundings, there are opportunities for you to enter a myriad of writing competitions - for the price of your conference fee. All the contests carry a cash prize and some offer critiques. This year they've added something new. Short-dated contests prior to the event that give everyone the opportunity to win a) their conference fee paid, b) Friday or Saturday night dinner ticket or c) 2-hr private lunch with editor or agent. The criteria for each of the prizes is different so you want to check out that link.

Right now, I'd love it if everyone reading this took out their datebook, circled October 11, 12, 13 in their datebook and planned to join me in Eureka Springs AR for the Ozark Creative Writers conference. You'll be glad you came!

I have known Jen Nipps for almost fifteen years. I’ve watched her grow as a person and a talented author. So when I heard she had released a book for Kindle on the ins and outs of Twitter, I knew it was a must-purchase. Jen is thorough with her research and will never steer me wrong.











The book is called GET TWITTER-PATED!

Proudly wearing the crown of `Twitter Queen', Jen helps you focus on why you may want to tweet. Using hands-on techniques, she introduces you to the basics of opening a twitter account, proper netiquette for social media and much more. Along the way, she shares some of her tips for making the most of your new playground without spending all your time there. You'll learn how to properly use hashtags (#) and why they are important to your business, as well as how to network effectively. Getting twitter-pated is easy. Just ask the twitter queen! I encourage you to pick up your Kindle copy HERE.

The deadline is fast approaching for the Weta Nichols Writing Contest, hosted by Ozarks Romance Authors!!! Be sure to enter the first 3000 words of your novel, along with a summary paragraph (flap copy) to orient and hook the judges!

Categories are:

Contemporary

Historical

Paranormal

YA

The best part is the final judges-- Lucienne Diver with the Knight Agency and Cori Deyoe with Three Seas Literary Agency! Both are looking for great new authors to expand their client list!

Details are available at www.ozarks-romance-authors.com

So go polish up your novel and submit before April 1st, 2012!!!

Conferences and Contests!

One of my GOALS for this blog was to keep you updated on conferences and contests you might want to be aware of. Most of what I share with you will come from personal experience or at least knowing the people involved.

CONFERENCE:

There is a great 1-day FREE conference coming up March 10th in Fayetteville AR. Here are the details:

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS WRITERS WORKSHOP FREE CONFERENCE

MARCH 10, 2012

OZARKS ELECTRIC ON WEDINGTON ROAD - 1 MILE WEST OF I 540 EXIT ON THE LEFT

9 a.m. Greetings from Dusty Richards

9:15 a.m. *Marilyn Collins*

*Get More for Your Money at Writers’ Conference *

Maximize your time and money when selecting regional or national writers’ conferences. Learn ways to save money, get more visibility for yourself and your books (or to-be books), and make more face time with speakers.

Learn to be “pitch perfect” during 10-minute sessions with publishers, editors, and agents. Consider 12 conference “Do’s,” smart ways to handle the spouse or friends who come with you, and much more. Great workshop for new conference attendees and experienced folks may learn new tricks as well.

Marilyn H. Collins is an award-winning author of nonfiction books and over 100 magazine/newspaper features.

Website: Marilyn Collins

10:30 a.m. *Doug Kelley *

*Adventures in Writing *

A career as a corporate pilot allowed Doug to visit many museums in researching his book, The Captain's Wife. He will speak about the adventures of his researches, and the adventures of writing in general.

As Jack London said, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

Website (goodreads) : Doug Kelley

11:30 a.m.

*The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens: A Panel discussion *

*Linda Apple* Writing from the Soul, Speaking from the Heart. Author of Inspire: Writing from the Soul, Connect

Website: Linda Apple

*Ruth Weeks* writes it all from ghosts, cowgirls, rooks and ravens. Author of Soldiers From the Mist; The Rook and the Raven

Website: Ruth Weeks

*Claire Croxton* will rip your heart out and tickle your funny bone. Author of The Redneck Ex

Website: Claire Croxton

*Pamela Foster* catapults the reader into the heart of her quirky, funny characters.

Author of Redneck Goddess

Website: Pamela Foster

Don't tell anyone, but Jan Morrill learns the secrets of her characters, then shares them with her readers. Author of Broken Dolls

Website: Jan Morrill

12:15 - 1:30 Lunch $7.00

1:30 - 2:30 *Velda Brotherton*

Building Your Platform-Before and After Publication

Velda is an award winning author of numerous historical fiction and

nonfiction books, articles and short stories. Her latest releases are Wolf

Song and Stone Heart's Woman.

Website: Velda Brotherton

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 - 3:45 *Dusty Richards* Writing 101

Dusty is an award winning author of more than 110 western fiction novels and numerous short stories and anthologies. His latest releases are:

Between Hell and Texas; Outlaw Queen

Website: Dusty Richards

For further information email Dusty at dustyrichards@cox.net or Velda at

vebrotherton@gmail.com

CONTEST:

Although I've not had the opportunity to attend the conference, one of the contests I enter every year is associated with the Arkansas Writers' Conference in Little Rock AR. The conference takes place the first weekend in June each year with some great literary speakers and a wide variety of contest categories to challenge you.

The contest categories are broken down into three divisions:

1) May enter categories 1-4 if you plan on attending at least one day of the conference

2) Open to all writers

3) Open to Arkansas residents only

#2 consists of 16 categories ranging from rhymed/ metered poetry to short stories and everything in between. Each carries it's own theme and requirements that must be met.

Here's the BEST part. You may enter AS MANY of the categories you are eligible to enter for ONE $10 bill! And all the categories offer a CA$H PRIZE for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

If you attend the conference, you'll receive your award during presentations. If not, they'll mail any certificates/ checks you have won usually within about two weeks after the conference.

Some people ask me why I bother with these types of contests if they aren't going to garner the attention of an editor or an agent. I have two reasons.

1) These give me the opportunity to flex my writing muscles with things I might not normally play with. To try out new ideas to see if they'll fly before I work on a full-blow project

2) Cash. Padding the writer resume with contest wins doesn't hurt, but padding the bank account has it's own rewards.

I'm working on getting better about posting here. I've just been busy .... writing :-)

Creative Blessings!

Angela

Looking good!

I spent yesterday getting caught up on the net stuff I'm responsible for. Boy was that a long day. Today I've updated my blogs (5 counting this one) and am set to start working on the WIP. Updating my Country Angel blog helped get me in the spirit. The nominations for the 10th Annual Texas Music Awards are posted so I had to research some of the nominees. Great talent in Texas. Feel privileged to be a part of that community.

Now I get to spend the rest of the evening writing about cowboys, Texas music, dance halls and good ole' boys. Man being a writer is AWESOME!

How's your day going? Writing? What's your current project?

New Year - New Goals... sort of

You know that saying... 'the best laid plans...' well, mine got waylaid right off the bat. With everything in place to start my week off on the right foot, I started new years eve off with a head cold. I've spent the last 2 days medicated and sleeping in hopes of knocking it out fast. Today is better. I might actually stay up all day. I need to step right into those GOALS I want to talk about.

With the new day planner all set, I know what needs to be done on specific days... items aside from the DAILY writing on my current WIP.

My Writing GOALS:

1. Write every day on the current WIP

2. Push the Freelance writing - focusing on Texas music and paper arts

3. Work actively on at least 1 non-fiction book.

4. Keep the blogs updated and Twitter more.

My Personal GOALS:

1. Make time for my art. It's not frivolous if it's important to me.

2. Spend more time outside enjoying my 25 acres

3. Spend time on the Wii Fit every day (as soon as I'm over this cold)

4. Make and Keep Artist Dates

5. Read all the books on my read/pass on bookcase so I can get my keepers out of storage!

Those should keep me out of trouble for the year.

What are your GOALS?