RECAP OF FEBRUARY'S MEETING

The publishing industry has changed over the years. Due to 9-11, most publishers and agents will not accept posted manuscripts. These days most of editors and agents attend conferences looking for prospective authors. Prepare ahead of time: finish your book, research who publishes and buys your type of book and make sure that your pitch fits on the back of a business card (one sentence). If they request the first three chapters or the full manuscript, it must be ready to send immediately. Any delay in sending it because you aren't finished, may allow the editor or agent time to lose interest or forget they even talked to you. Also, if possible include a blurb about your book from another author or someone who's read it.

Networking with other authors and readers is a good way to get your name out there and also to learn what other authors are up too. These days a good many authors have blogs (web logs) on their websites. Some talk about the publishing industry and who they've met and where. In many instances, blogs are taking the place of the acknowledgements in the back of their book for listing agents and editors who have helped the author.

Links to various books and sites discussed in the meeting.

SMU Continuing Education
The Creative Process:  Full Day Workshop
April 24  9:30am-4:00pm $195
Award-winning literary writer and Iowa Summer Writing Festival leader BK Loren directs an interactive workshop on the Creative Process in two sections: Section B includes both; the morning lecture which is open to the public, and the afternoon intensive workshop featuring intensive writing exercises. Please note that attendance at the Lecture is a prerequisite for participation in the workshop. Limited enrollment.
Registration Link https://contsturegister.smu.edu/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?~~M073WRIT188B

Vicki Petterson-a friend of Suzanne's who has two Dark Urban Fantasies coming out in MArch and April.  http://www.vickipettersson.com/

We had discussed Pariah Publishing, which was running a quarterly contest with the winner being posted for editors and publishers to view, but when I looked for the url, it doesn't work any longer. The company appears to have gone out of business.

Books:

The Writer's Journey:  Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler - a guidebook for writers to the ancient path of the storytellers through the mysterious country of myth. It was inspired by the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell and by my life-long fascination with myths and their subtle but deep influence on modern storytelling, especially for the screen.

MYTH AND THE MOVIES: Discovering the Mythic Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films by Stuart Voytilla - Designed as a companion to The Writer's Journey, Myth & the Movies analyzes 50 U.S. and foreign films in every cinematic genre. Foreward was written by Christopher Vogler so the book is listed on his website.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee

Enneagram Institute Separates people into nine categories each with three types of behaviour. A way to find out about yourself and to develop your characters in your stories. There is a test on-line.

Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World by Carol S Pearson - A twelve–archetype model for the journey of individuation for individuals and organizations.