Link of Interest to Writers

This weekend's search for useful information on the web yielded these sites. Check them out carefully before diving in. 

A listing of conferences and such. 

Places to submit your books for reviews: 

Midwest Book ReviewCurled Up With A Good Book
Self-Publishing Review
American Book Review

And, don't forget to send press releases to your local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations when you are ready to release a new book. 

A Very Interesting Discussion

This is a very interesting presentation. The presenter is Steven Pinker. The video includes the follow-up discussion with host Ian McEwan, and some excellent questions from the audience. Enjoy. 

April Meeting

Don't Update Your Author Page When You're Sick

When you're stuck inside due to illness, there really isn't much you're interested in doing. The laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing of bathrooms is so far down on your list of desired tasks that it may never see daylight. Such is my plight today.

Since I get bored easily, I decided I would spend my quiet time between naps and doses of Advil and alternating cups of hot tea and cranberry juice to catch up some work on my author page on Amazon. Many don't know it, but they may have unpopulated fields waiting for content.

As diligent as we try to be in filling in all fields for consumers to browse, there are some that don't seem to work well and don't cross over from where they were added to the information pages. Don't rush out and try to do them right now, though.

I don't think it was the fever inhibiting my efforts to update that necessary content on my page, but rather it was a glitch in Amazon's author page system. I filled them in, clicked preview, clicked save changes, and . . . nothing. I closed the browser and restarted, and that helped on a couple, but then even it didn't work after a while. So, I sent them an email that said, "Hey! This isn't working for me. Fix it." I'm sure they'll get right on that, because I am their only author.

They've been very good about responding to my previous requests to fix stuff. And, I hope they do get it fixed, because it is essential in making your books turn up in those all important searches on their site, and we all want to have our books show up in those, often. So, you might go to your Amazon author page in a day or two, especially if you haven't visited it in a while, sign in, click on the "books" tab, and then go through your books to make sure you have filled in all the sections that you can. But, be forewarned, it might not have been fixed in the last ten minutes. It might take them a little time. You may just want to drink a hot cup of tea and eat some cookies while you're waiting.

A Blog Worth Knowing

In my recent blog travels I came across Sidebar Saturdays, which seems to provide writers a wealth of information, from the legal perspective, on how to protect yourself from the many issues that can arise with respect to crafting novels, nonfiction, and other types of books. I would encourage the group, and anyone traveling through on their own blog scouting adventure, to take some time to read the posts.

Congratulations to Our Local Readers!

Congratulations to all those who participated in the Summer Reading Program at the Maryville Public Library, Maryville, MO this summer. Wow, more than 10,000 books read. That's impressive. A special congratulations to the winners of the program awards.🏅We're proud of you all.

And a special thanks to the entire staff at the library that works so hard to make this program a success every year. We don't always say it, but you make the library a great place to be.

Keep turning those pages, readers, and we authors will keep writing so that you will have new stuff to read when you're ready.

#amwriting #fiction #nonfiction #authors #writers #library #readingchallenge#poetry

Maryville Daily Forum

Library names summer reading winners

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Maryville Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge drew more than 330 participants this year.

MARYVILLEDAILYFORUM.COM

An Interesting Article on Book Awards for Self-Published Authors

This is an interesting article and the comments from Tara Johnson at Writer's Digest are thought-provoking.

"“Fifteen years ago we got books that weren’t much more than copies from Kinkos,” said Tara Johnson, who manages the self-pub awards program at Writer’s Digest. “Now I would say that 95% of the books that come in look basically the same as the books you might see coming from a major publisher.”

This is an interesting article and the comments from Tara Johnson at Writer's Digest are thought-provoking.

"“Fifteen years ago we got books that weren’t much more than copies from Kinkos,” said Tara Johnson, who manages the self-pub awards program at Writer’s Digest. “Now I would say that 95% of the books that come in look basically the same as the books you might see coming from a major publisher.”

According to Johnson, the number of submissions has grown in step with the level of quality. Nearly 2,900 submissions poured into the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in 2014. Writer’s Digest also received about 700 submissions this year for its Self-Published E-Books Awards, which was founded two years ago for self-published authors who choose not to go down the printed path." From the site - [Note: this article was originally published in February 2015 and was updated on April 10, 2017.]

My only question is, why is there still a distinction made between "traditionally published" and "self-published" when it comes to the contests? A good or bad piece of work, regardless of the publishing mechanism utilized by the author of the work, should be granted the same consideration when being evaluated.

Just my opinion. What are your thoughts on this, members? Many of you are both traditionally published and self-published. Does it concern you or bother you to know that your self-published works may be considered less credible or of lower quality, without closer scrutiny, merely because they weren't "traditionally published"?

DIY: Book Awards for Self-Published Authors

With hundreds of thousands of self-published books hitting the shelves every year, indie authors need to find a way to stand out. Book awards for self-published writers are one way to do that.

PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM

Kelsey Noble is Blooming With Books!

We are pleased to announce Kelsey Noble is the final winner of the Blooming With Books basket donated by the Maryville Chapter of the Missouri Writer's Guild. Enjoy the basket of books and goodies Kelsey. We're sure you'll find hours of entertainment inside. Congratulations!

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. 

ShowMe Writers Masterclass Coming Soon!

This information regarding the ShowMe Writer's Masterclass Conference was recently received. This is a valuable opportunity for writer's to hone their skills a bit and maybe pick up some great new writing habits. Take a moment to check out the information.

Advance reservations are recommended. Sounds like a great lineup of talented instructors. http://www.showmewriters.com/

The Missouri Review's Annual Contest is Now Accepting Submissions

This flyer related to The Missouri Review's annual contest was recently transmitted. Please take a moment to consider this valuable opportunity. If you wish to read more about it, click here.

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.

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.