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.

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Literary Speaking

There are a great number of notable literary journals out there where authors can submit their work for consideration. Many also have award contests that unpublished and emerging writers can enter to gain exposure. Many of the journals have somewhat longer lead times for publication than monthly magazines, usually several months, and like those they have something that is of supreme benefit for writers . . . loyal subscribers that devour every issue. 

In my online journeys in search of reputable publications here are just a few that I have gleaned from the cyber fields. Most of them have been around for quite a while. That fact alone means they must be doing something right. 

Ploughshares  A publication of Emerson College. View their submission guidelines. Share information about their Emerging Writer's Contest with an aspiring writer. 

All Aboard for the Glimmer Train! This is a creative literary journal with a longstanding readership. Polish up that short story you've been meaning to send in and submit it. You can view their guidelines for submissions here and find out more about their Family Matters contest, and how they help new writers get off to a good start. 

The Missouri Review is another publication where new and previously published story writers may get heard. Info about submitting to regular issues and contests can be found here. All those poets and writers out there should give it careful consideration. 

For a more comprehensive list of publications you may want to check, and even subscribe, to the publication titled Poets & Writers and check out their online database of publications. This database lets you search by genre and subgenre so you can more effectively focus on publication best suited to your particular writing or poetry. There are so many to choose from. 

Hope these little tidbits help. Have a terrific day. 

Susan

Died Innocent - The New Novel by Don Nothstine

Author and Maryville chapter member, Don Nothstine, has published his first novel, Died Innocent. 

It is presently available through  Amazon and through his publisher, Amazing Things Press of St. Joseph.  


Congratulations, Don, on this terrific achievement.

Amazing Things Press is hosting a book launch to introduce the works of its authors on November 12, 2016 from 1-4. More information may be found in the invitation pictured below. 

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.