November Meeting Cancelled

Due to the weather, we have cancelled our November writer's meeting. Please check back here for the next scheduled meeting.

The Next Meeting

The Maryville writer's group will next meet on January 23, 2018, on the 3rd floor of the United Methodist Church, First and Main in Maryville. (Use the northwest doors to access the elevator.)

The evening will be open for the critique of members' works in progress. Members may bring a poem, essay, article, or book excerpt for comment. The length of the submission should be 1,000 words or less. We will make an effort to get through as many as possible in the allotted time. If you wish to submit them ahead of time to give members a chance to read and think about them, please do. That will allow more time for discussion during the meeting time.

When critiquing a work, here are a few things to consider:

1. Be objective and forthright, but considerate.
2. Provide constructive suggestions for improvement.
3. Think about the construction, flow, technical aspects of the work being considered.
4. Give input on any emotions, if any, the piece elicits.
5. Is there a working title and does it fit the work?
6. Did it hold your attentions?
7. Based on the provided sample, would you read more?
8. Are there any word choices or phrases that might be improved?

Resources for Authors

Finding good research materials when writing historical fiction can be a challenge, depending on how far back your story is set. It's important to remember that the voices and experiences of those old settlers are not all together lost.
National, state, and county documents, letters, photographs, newspapers, and other items are being carefully preserved by agencies and historical societies, like our own Nodaway County Historical Society and the The State Historical Society of Missouri, as well as the US National Archives, The Library of Congress, National Park Service, and thousands of museums and libraries, and other online databases.
Google Books and Internet Archive are great places to read digitized books and publications, even those printed hundreds of years ago. I recently downloaded to my computer a few digitized books from the 1700s and 1800s. It's nice to have these keyword-searchable texts, and it's just plain fun to read them. They can help with character development, help focus an author's attention on the details of day-to-day life, and even provide authors with a more accurate perspective on the attitudes and politics and social norms of a given period.
So, if you're looking to pack some historical fact and detail into your next work of historical fiction, don't forget these resources. And, if you're writing nonfiction, you can't live without them.

#amwriting #fiction #nonfiction #books #readers #history #historical #database #Missouri #UnitedStates #Archives #journalism #newspapers

Amy Houts Featured in Daily Forum Article

A very nice article recently appeared in the Maryville Daily Forum about member author Amy Houts. Take a few moments to peruse it. What a talented and creative author.

KDP to Offer Paperback Publishing for Authors

(The opinions stated herein are my own, personally, and don't necessarily reflect those of every author within our writing group. Just thought some of our authors might be interested in knowing this little piece of information. Happy reading.)

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the e-book arm of Amazon's publishing services, has begun offering KDP authors the opportunity to print paperback copies of their e-books from within the KDP website. The program is in beta testing right now. However, under this beta system, authors will not yet able to purchase author wholesale copies, print proof copies, nor can they opt-in for expanded distribution to libraries, universities, and direct-to-retailer sales. The one significant change, beyond not having to copy files back into Createspace in order to publish in print, is that the Japanese market, unavailable to Createspace  authors in the distribution settings, will be accessible through KDP print.

KDP indicates on their information page about this new opportunity that it will eventually be adding the features presently available in Createspace  to the KDP menu of choices. The intention behind this change seems to be to streamline the overall print and e-book publishing process for authors.

Presently, Createspace  authors publish their print copies at Createspace , order their author copies, and have access to expanded distribution channels. Libraries, universities, and retailers have the option of purchasing directly from Createspace . Once the Createspace book is approved and published, authors can opt-in to have their book file transferred to KDP in order to publish it in e-book form. They then then have to go to the KDP site and finalize the transfer by reviewing the electronic proof, setting their publishing choices, and approving it for final release. It's one extra step in the publishing process, but so far it seems to work relatively flawlessly.

The new opportunity to publish print copies and e-books in one location would eliminate that one extra step in the total publishing process, potentially saving authors times, and reducing redundant selections in the distribution end of things.

According to the KDP site, authors can transfer their present Createspace  titles over to KDP now without negatively affecting their Createspace titles already available to the buying market. Authors then would have the option of making those KDP print copies available in the Japanese market. A huge benefit, to be sure.

Authors should explore this new option carefully before transferring. There is information available at the KDP site and it should be read and considered. KDP authors who still want to purchase wholesale copies of their titles for resale locally or consignment to local stores, or who want to ensure their print copies are accessible directly to libraries, universities, and retailers will still need to go the Createspace  route, too. However, for KDP e-book authors who haven't, in the past, been able to offer the option of print copies without going through Createspace , this is a terrific opportunity to tap into the die-hard print readers without having to transfer anything.

Definitely a new opportunity skipping down the publishing path and worthy of consideration. Streamlining functions is, for the most part, a good idea. Less time on the technical end means more time writing.

Thanks For The Support!

Photo by Jennifer Seipel, Maryville Hy-Vee

The Maryville Chapter of the Missouri Writer's Guild would like to thank everyone who attended the book sale & signing and purchased books and stopped to pick up brochures and chat with the authors. It was a very busy day and we're glad you have taken such an interest in the works of local authors.

We particularly want to thank Hy-Vee, Darren and Karla, for providing space for our group to hold the book sale and for the encouragement and support for local authors. And particularly Jennifer Seipel for helping with getting the video posted.

We are grateful to Nodaway News Leader reporter Kathryn Rice and Maryville Daily Forum staff writer Tony Brown for publishing the interviews and information concerning the event as well as the articles about local authors and their books. We know many people read your publications and commented to us that they saw the articles in your papers.

We want to thank the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum for their support of local authors, and for providing another venue for folks to purchase books. We trust your bake sale fundraiser was a great success Saturday (I snagged my share of goodies!). We are looking forward to your military exhibit on December 7, and your reopening in the spring of 2017.

We also want to thank Minnie Lane, Maryville's newest gift and collectibles shop at 112 E. Third Street, owner Melody Blair, for carrying books by local authors. We hope your new business is a great success!

Writers in attendance were: Don & Sue Nothstine, Amy Houts, Irene Alexander, Lee Jackson, and Susan Cronk. 

Author Melinda Cordell Speaks to Maryville Chapter

On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, author Melinda Cordell presented her insights and experiences to the Maryville Chapter. She talked with members about the preparation and process of submitting a nonfiction proposal to a publisher, and then talked about her experiences with self-publishing her next two books. Additionally, she provided information about Hemmerlin's writer's program through which she has received invaluable training as a writer, as well as support and encouragment from a variety of talented fellow authors.

We are appreciative to Melinda for sharing her experiences and insights with us and we hope readers will take some time to look at Melinda's books, Courageous Women of the Civil War, Don't Throw in the Trowel, and Angel in the Whirlwind, all available at Amazon.

Melinda Cordell -- Speaker -- November 29, 2016

The Maryville Chapter of the Missouri Writer's Guild will meet at 7 p.m. at the Alumni House on the south side of the Northwest Missouri State University campus. Our guest speaker for the meeting will be Melinda Cordell.

Melinda's first book, Courageous Women of the Civil War: Soldiers, Spies, Medics, and More, ($19.99 MG/YA nonfiction, was released by Chicago Review Press in 2016.

Since that time, Ms. Cordell has published two additional books. The first is titled

Angel in the Whirlwind, released on Amazon on September 2, 2016. It is a YA/NA short story collection about loneliness and change, and the angel in the middle of it all, waiting to guide you to a better life. 

Ms. Cordell's third book is titled Don't Throw in the Trowel! A Month-by-Month Guide to Vegetable Gardening. It was released in October of 2016. 

(From the author) This is the first book in my Easygrowing Garden Series. I used to be the gardening columnist for the St. Joseph News-Press, and the municipal horticulturist for the St. Joseph Parks and Rec department, so I might know a thing or two about gardening. The next books will be about roses, annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, houseplants, soil building, and maybe growing with native species.We are pleased to have Melinda Cordell joining us for the November meeting. We hope you will come out and hear what she has to say.

Upcoming Writer's Meeting

The Maryville Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild will meet at 7:00 p.m. September 27, 2016, at the Alumni House. Hostess Irene Alexander has invited Diane Goold, author of the books "Diane's Daily Devotions" and "Treasured Words of God," to speak at our meeting. Come to hear not only how Diane wrote the books, keeps up with a daily blog, and writes the "Newspaper in Education" column for the St. Joseph News Press, but also about her marketing plan. Diane has a history of high sales of her books. Irene will also discuss how you can write for "Young at Heart," a section of the St. Joseph News Press, where she has been published many times. Hope to see you there! See Diane's bio, following.

Irene Alexander Releases Sixth Book

Author and Maryville Chapter member Irene Alexander has released her sixth book, The New Student. It is her first bilingual book. Congratulations Irene. Keep penning those books!

An author page will be added to the blog shortly, but until then, you can learn more about Irene and her literary works at her author page on Amazon.

Here's the link to the most recent press about Irene and her books.

Upcoming Author Book Signing/Museum Fundraiser

Special Exhibit, Local Authors, and Yummy Treats!

There will be a Christmas bake sale, coffee shop, and author event at the Nodaway County Historical Society museum on Saturday, December 5th from 9am-3pm. Come enjoy visiting with your friends while you enjoy coffee and cinnamon rolls. Visitors can purchase homemade baked goods like cookies, candy, pies, and other goodies and take a stroll around the museum to see exhibits on many topics, such as women in Nodaway County, a Presidential campaign button collection, and cameras, mule and horse-raising families in the region, and new displays in the music room.

Several local authors will be there to sell their books. A portion of proceeds go to the historical society. These local authors will visit with readers during the following hours, and other authors may be added at a later time. Larry Anderson will be there for the whole event, Amy Houts from 9 to 10, Susan Cronk, Sue Nothstine, and Irene Alexander from 10 to 12, Jason Offutt from 1 to 3, and Bob Bohlken from 1 to 2.

You also can enjoy a new special exhibit titled "Dark Happenings in Nodaway County," created by Catherine Gast, a senior Public History student at Northwest Missouri State University. Under the direction of Dr. Elyssa Ford, the Public History program director, Gast has put together an exhibit showcasing some of Nodaway County's famous crimes. More than just highlighting these events and their gruesome nature, this exhibit explains what led to the killings, how the community reacted to them, and the way in which these crimes have impacted the area. Gast will be at the museum from 10 to 1 to talk about her exhibit and answer any visitor questions.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the museum, and donations are always welcome, as the museum receives no tax support and relies on volunteers and donations. The museum will close for the winter to save on utility costs following this event. If you are unable to attend this event, please visit when the museum reopens March 1, 2016. Regular hours are 1 to 4, Tuesdays through Fridays and other times by appointment. The museum is located at the corner of Walnut and West First Streets in Maryville, MO. Call 660-582-8176 or 660-582-8687 with any questions.

Visiting Author Anna Loan-Wilsey

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 author Anna Loan-Wilsey gave an excellent presentation on the subject of researching and writing the historical mystery. She is the author of the Hattie Davish historical mystery series published through Kensington Publishing Corporation.

A more detailed perspective of the event may be found in the Maryville Daily Forum article by reporter Jennifer Ditlevson-Haglund.

A Deceptive Homecoming is the author's latest release. It is set in the town of St. Joseph, Missouri. Readers familiar with the cityscape will likely recognize the locations referenced. The author is currently working on the fifth book in the series, which will take place in Washington, D.C.

The Maryville Chapter of the Missouri Writer's Guild is grateful to Anna for taking time to give this presentation and we wish her the very best success in her continuing series of mysteries.

Maryville Authors Sign Copies at Hy-Vee Store

Maryville area authors were graciously hosted at the Maryville Hy-Vee store on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Everyone had a great time. Here are just a few pictures from the store's Facebook page.

Author Nancy Lantz signing a book. 

Author Carol Coffelt

Author/Publisher Lee Jackson

Author Bob Bohlken and wife, Mary.