Feb 8 Meetup on Traditional and Self-Publishing (Lunch provided)

William Sudah from Expert Subjects is hosting a February 8 Meetup in the Fort Lauderdale area (exact location TBD) on the various steps and aspects of traditional- and self-publishing. Lunch is provided, and the Meetup is limited to 20 people. However, if more than 20 people are interested, William will certainly consider hosting another Meetup at a later date.

Please feel free to pass the word on to any interested parties.

Interested parties can sign up via this link: http://www.meetup.com/Learn-about-Self-Publishing-Traditional-Publishing/

Write your novel in November!

 

NaNoWriMo kicks off on November 1st.

What is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It takes place in November each year. Thousands of people around the world take part in the challenge to write a novel in November. The goal is to put in 50,000 words toward your spanking new novel.  

Really? A novel in a month? Are NaNo novels any good?

Usually, not immediately. But several rewrites and a good editor later can usually net you great results. My debut novel, Perfection Unleashed, was a 2010 NaNo novel, and has won six literary awards/recognitions in Science Fiction. Earth-Sim, my 2011 NaNo novel, recently won 1st place in the 2013 Royal Palm Literary Awards (Young Adult Published), and When the Silence Ends, my 2012 NaNo novel, won 2nd place in the 2013 Royal Palm Literary Awards (Young Adult Published.)  

Hmm, sounds promising...

Absolutely. If nothing else, NaNoWriMo gets you writing. Fact is, you have nothing until you have have your first draft. Once you have your first draft, anything is possible, including becoming a New York Times Bestseller. The end goal becomes a great deal clearer with the first draft in your hand. That's not to say the rest of the path is easy, but with the first draft, you're ON the path as opposed to beside it.  

How do I sign up?

At the NaNoWriMo website. Meet like-minded people taking part in the challenge, hang out at the forums, or even attend a local write-in with other NaNo folks in your city. Be sure to check out the sponsor offers to see the goodies available to NaNo participants and winners. See you at the 50,000 word finish line!

Matlacha Authors Days

Where?  Matlacha Park

When?  November 30th & December 1st

Who?  Sponsored by the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

What’s it all about?

Want an unmatched opportunity to promote your book, your writing, and yourself?  Matlacha Authors Days provides you the opportunity!  This two day event, held in beautiful Southwest Florida, will feature 100 Florida authors. This is not just another “book signing.” Each author will have a chance to speak about their books and writing in our presentation tent to increase and create their fan base. The event will be heavily advertised with 70 TV ads appearing on local NBC & ABC affiliates that have access to a million viewers from Sarasota to Naples. Every author participating will appear in the TV ad at least 10 times the week before the event.

Cost per author – $ 75.00

Requirements – books must be edited, the author is responsible for their table & chairs.

Tents – recommended and up to 3 authors are welcome to share a 10 x 10.

Space sharing – Writers organizations may wish to arrange for larger tents for their group (Inquire about details)

The Matlacha community is renowned for its artists, authors, and crafts. People visiting this “Bohemian” village that’s on the water have an opportunity to see Florida in the “fifties.” It has its own “following.” After a visit you’ll know why.  PS – Bring a fishing pole.

For more information and/or to receive a Participation Sign-up Form, contact:

         Chairman  DL Havlin at dlhavlin@aol.com  (239.283.3975)

         Pine Island Chamber of Commerce  at  www.pineislandchamber.org

A new FWA Regional Director for Miami-Dade and Broward

The Miami-Dade and Broward counties have a new FWA Regional Director. After seven years, Anne Linne has turned over the mantle of leadership for the Miami-Dade and Broward Regional Director role. She will continue in her role as webmaster and member of the FWA Board of Directors.

I'm taking over for Anne. First, a bit about me: I'm Amelia Waters, and I write and publish under the pseudonym Jade Kerrion.

I graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Biology and Philosophy, and then went on to get my MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia.

My varied background led me through many careers across many industries, including container shipping, education, and management consulting. In my spare time, I wrote stories – young adult, fantasy, and science fiction – and developed a loyal reader base with my fan fiction series based on the MMORPG Guild Wars. I was accused of keeping my readers up at night, distracting them from work, housework, homework, and (far worse), from actually playing Guild Wars.

And then I wondered why just screw up the time management skills of gamers? Why not aspire to screw everyone else up too? So here I am, writing books that aspire to keep my readers from doing anything else useful with their time.

I live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with my wonderfully supportive husband and my two young sons, Saint and Angel, (no, those aren’t their real names, but they are like saints and angels, except when they’re not.)

I have self-published six books, won nine literary awards and recognitions in the process, and have a toe in the world of traditional publishing as well. McSill Literary Agency represents Portuguese rights for my books in Brazil.

I am a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association, and an active member of the Attic Girls critique group. I also lead a tween/teen writers group in Plantation.

I'm thrilled to take on a larger leadership role in FWA and look forward to growing the community of writers here in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. I can be contacted via e-mail.