Thursday, September 6, 2012

Lucia Zimmitti on Writing Mistakes


At our October meeting, Lucia Zimmitti presents:

The Ten Most Common Mistakes Fiction Writers Make

Lucia Zimmitti
Often the quickest and most effective route to learning how to do something well is learning what not to do. In my years of working with novelists and short story writers, I’ve noticed a pattern of mistakes in the manuscripts that have crossed my desk. Once you become aware of them, you’re that much closer to avoiding these easy-to-slip-into traps in your own writing, and therefore well on your way to crafting engaging pieces of fiction. We’ll discuss these common trouble spots in detail, as well as how to avoid them and how to make your work stronger in their absence. We’ll also tackle some writing exercises that can you can use time and time again at your desk.

Monday, September 3, 2012

More Contest Info


  A certification statement will be affixed to each entry form and must be signed by the entrant. 

If you are not planning to submit your entries personally, but will mail them, please write the following statement on the entry form and sign it:


        I certify that each entry is my original and unpublished piece and has never been awarded prizes in either an EPWL or other literary contest.
            Signature:____________________________________

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Our September meeting

Did you win a second or third prize in last year's El Paso Writers' League contest? Then we want you to come to the September 8 meeting and read one of your entries. We know you put a lot of hard work into your writing, and you deserve the public kudos.

Of course, the 8th is also this year's contest deadline. Note that there has always been a rule against resubmitting work that's won any prize in the past. This year we'll be enforcing that rule. So if you did win 2nd or 3rd place, by all means use the judge's comments to improve it, but please don't submit it again. Submit something new.

Finally, make sure you don't confuse your stuff with anyone else's. There's so much we all download from the Internet that we can forget whose work belongs to whom. So, just as a general precaution we'll ask you to confirm that you're submitting fresh, new material.

--Happy writing!

Bob Sanchez

El Paso Writers' League September Meeting -

El Paso Writers' League September Meeting -
Saturday, September 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Dorris Van Doren Library, 551 Redd Road.

Contest deadline!!!!!

During contest package turn-in:
All of you who won second or third place with one or more entries in the 2011contest will have the opportunity to read one of those entries to the membership. If you won a number of 2nd and 3rd places, please pick out your favorite and bring it to read. Also, if you felt that the judge's comments were helpful, you may share those with everyone.

For more information: 915-760-6536

The El Paso Writers' League 2012 Writing Contest Guidelines




Saturday, August 18, 2012

Southwest Book Fiesta


Albuquerque Convention Center Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 10-12, 2013

The Southwest Book Fiesta will bring together authors, publishers and the reading public in a family-friendly community event at the Albuquerque Convention Center on May 10-12, 2013. The Book Fiesta focuses on both nationally-recognized as well as local Southwest authors. The mission is to recognize and encourage the literary accomplishments all across the Southwest, especially of authors in New Mexico and Arizona. The show is being organized by Sunbelt Shows, producer of the National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show, with support from the largest book publishers in New Mexico and the New Mexico Book Co-op. In addition to over 200 vendors, readings and special author events will feature some of the best books and authors from the region.
Proceeds of the Book Fiesta will be donated to the New Mexico Library Foundation, the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy, and a yet- to-be-named organization in Arizona and will be used to promote literacy and reading programs in the region.


    Features
  • 20,000+ attendees (projected)
  • Over 300 author/publisher vendors
  • Book talks with local and national authors
  • Book-signings
  • Family-oriented activities
  • Workshops on writing & publishing
  • Native American and Hispanic books
  • Children’s books
  • Poetry
  • Electronic books
  • Hands-on demonstrations
  • Celebrity chefs & cooking demonstrations
  • Arts & crafts
  • Food & entertainment

    Sponsors
  • Media
  • National publishers
  • Regional publishers
  • Local & regional media
  • Libraries
  • Literacy programs
  • Regional cultural organizations
  • Government organizations

    For more information call 505/873- 8680, 
    email emily@fiery-foods.com or 
    www.swbookfiesta.com
Importance of books

• over $16 billion are spent on books every year in the U.S.
• at least 35% of the U.S. population visits a bookstore at least once a month. In fact, Americans visit bookstores more often than any other type of store, except for the mass market chains such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart.
• According to a Gallup poll, during any given week, 22% of Ameri- can adults bought at least one book.
• e-book sales have been growing exponentially by as much as 177% per year.
• 53% of e-book readers say they now read more books than before.
• Based on Census data, almost 50% of New Mexicans and Arizo- nans could benefit from literacy programs.
• Usage of libraries in Arizona and New Mexico has been increasing by as much as 10% per year.
• Patrons of the Albuquerque Public Library checked out over 4.5 million books and magazines last year.
• Libraries in Tucson, Phoenix, and Albuquerque were visited over 21.6 million times last year!

Other Book Festivals
  • Baltimore Book Festival — 40,000 attendees, 100 exhibitors
  • Texas Book Festival — 40,000 attendees, 200 author events
  • Tucson Book estival — 100,000 attendees, 250 exhibitors
  • Los Angeles Book Festival — 140,000 attendees, 150 exhibitors
  • Miami Book Festival — 200,000 attendees, 200 exhibitors 




    Be a Part of History...Be a Part of the First Annual Southwest Book Fiesta

    Though Albuquerque has had book fairs before, this is the first time publishers, authors, book printers and producers, libraries, literacy groups, and other companies have banded together to support literacy, books, and reading. Regional books need to be noticed as much as national ones, and we will celebrate the many wonderful authors that have chosen to call the Southwest home.
    The First Annual Southwest Book Fiesta will be in the Albuquer- que Convention Center on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-12, 2013. Here are just a few of the highlights we have planned, in addition to the trade area of booths and tables:
    • Author and publisher vendors
    • Food vendors
    • Cooking demonstration stage
    • A performance stage, with readings of poetry and children’s

    books
    • Five individual rooms for workshops
    • A Mother’s Day Brunch
    • A publisher’s panel discussion and other industry talks

    Planned presentations inclued talks by WordHarvest, Southwest Writers, and the New Mexico Book Co-op, featuring such topics as ebooks, marketing, Centennial Authors, writing, children’s books, poetry, and a publishers’ panel. Celebrity authors from the Southwest and across the country will also speak.
    This will be a true family activity to celebrate books and reading. Show management is handled by Sunbelt Shows, the producer of the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, the largest show in New Mexico for 24 years. The Southwest Book Fiesta will bring together authors, publishers, and the reading public in a family- friendly community event at the Albuquerque Convention Center.


    Net proceeds from the event will be donated to local literacy and library groups. 



    May 10-12, 2013

    Convention Center Albuquerque, New Mexico
    Reserve Your Spot in New Mexico’s Largest Annual Literacy Event Today! 

    www.SWBookFiesta.com

    Booth and Table Fees

    Show off your books or products at the Annual Southwest Book Fiesta! Now is the perfect time to make a reservation for a booth. You can select a great spot on the show floor and save 10% if you sign up now. Tables start at $150 for authors and booths start
    at $400. Space sharing is permitted. 50% Deposit for booths or full payment for tables required with all reservations. Balance on booth spaces is due on or before March 15, 2013. Table or booth sharing is allowed; a maximum of three people allowed at tables. Only one person or organization will be included on the list of reservations.

    Table (6’) - $150

    Undraped, with two chairs
    For authors, publishers, companies, other groups (non-profit literacy and library groups are eligible for a $50 discount; contact show organizers for approval)


    Booth (10’x10’) - $400

    Draped, with two chairs (Corner booths $50 additional)
    Reservations can be made easily using the automated process on the website at 

    www.SWBookFiesta.com


    Booth and Table Sharing

    Sharing of space is permitted, under the following guidelines:
    1. Tables are for authors and organizations only. Sharing is
      limited to three at each six foot table.
    2. Company booths may be shared by no more than two
      companies.
    3. Organization booths may not contain companies, but any
    number of organizations may share a booth.

    For More Information

    Emily@fiery-foods.com

    505.873.8680

    www.SWBookFiesta.com 

Board Meeting Minutes for August 2012


Officers and committee chairs in attendance: President  Bob Sanchez, VP Sally Spener, Secretary  Dick Schwein, Treasurer, Isaiah Barrett, Janice Brooks, Sulta Bonner, and Tina Dwyer.

President Sanchez called the meeting to order at 1:00.
The treasurer’s report determined we have more than adequate funding on hand.
A discussion took place on dues for 2013. A motion was made ans seconded that dues be reduced from $40.00 to $25.00 effective 1/1/13. The motion was amended to set yearly dues at $15.00 for students and active duty military. The amended motion passed by unanimous vote.

Sulta Bonner reported on the details of today’s general membership meeting with distribution of Border tapestry and the reading first place winners entries. 

Sarah Purcell discussed the September meeting that will concentrate on receiving and processing contest materials. Entry forms and instructions will be distributed today. Second and third place winners may read their entry while the processing is underway.
A nominating committee for next years officers is being formed.

At 1:40, there being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Dick Schwein
Secretary