***PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED & ENCOURAGED***
Northwest Houston RWA announces The 19th Annual Lone Star Writing Competition.
The contest is now open for entries.
The Lone Star Writing Competition is one of the few contests with two published authors and one unpublished author judging the first round. Finalists will be sent to BOTH an agent and an editor for judging. NEW THIS YEAR!!! Finalists will also be sent to an e-publishing editor.
EARLY BIRD ENTRY FEE: $5 discount on all entries submitted by midnight May 25, 2011; $15 for NWH members/$20 non-NHW members.
Entry fee: After May 25, 2011 - $20 NWH members; $25 non-NWH members.
All electronic this year. Entries must arrive via email by midnight June 8, 2011. Any entries received after the deadline will be deleted unopened.
Eligibility: Unpublished may enter any category. Published may enter any category in which they're not published, or in which they've not been contracted for five years. Open to RWA and non-RWA members.
Final Round Judges:
Inspirational Category:
Editor: Rachael Burkot - Harlequin
Agent : Kimberly Shumate – Living Word Literary Agency
E-publisher: Nicola Martinez – White Rose Publishing
Young Adult Category:
Editor: Kat O'Shea – Leap Books
Agent: Susan Hawk – The Bent Agency
E-publisher: Meghan M. Conrad – Ellora's Cave
Romantic Suspense Category:
Editor: Katherine Pelz – The Penguin Group
Agent: Tina Tsallas – Great Titles, Inc.
E-publisher: Kelli Collins – Ellora's Cave
Contemporary Series Category:
Editor: Wanda Ottewell – Harlequin
Agent: Pam Strickler – Pam Strickler Author Management
E-publisher: Lori Graham – The Wild Rose Press
Single Title Category:
Editor: Deb Werksman – Sourcebooks
Agent: Michelle Grajkowski – 3 Seas Literary Agency
E-publisher: Leanne Morgena – The Wild Rose Press
Historical Category:
Editor: Junessa Viloria – Random House
Agent: Sara Megibow – Nelson Literary Agency
E-publisher: Susan Yates – The Wild Rose Press
Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Category:
Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle – Harlequin
Agent: Jill Marsal – Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
E-publisher: Raelene Garlinsky – Ellora's Cave
Enter and more information at http://www.nwhrwa.com/.
Showing posts with label Northwst Houston RWA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northwst Houston RWA. Show all posts
April 17, 2011
April 10, 2011
Cajun Country Field Trip - Day Three
Another beautiful day. We really could not have asked for more perfect weather for our trip. That is something I never even thought about, that it could have been pouring down rain! Though it got warm, it was never overly hot or humid.
6:00 a.m. - Woke up to the sound of my neighbors talking. It might not have been so bad, if they'd been having sex....at least that would have been interesting. Instead, they were packing and checking out. Not their fault, as they weren't making a lot of noise. This was just the noisiest, thinnest walls hotel I've been in for a long while. But, other than that, the hotel was very nice and they serve a great breakfast. I didn't really know what time we were supposed to meet, so I finally got up at 7:00 and got ready, planning to go to breakfast at 8. Ran into Cheri and Jane in the hallway, so we went down to break the fast together. As we finished up, Stacey popped in and said the others were going to "Clinton's", I think that's the name....it's a restaurant mentioned in books by a local author. As the three of us had eaten, we opted to stay at the hotel. I checked my email, then took a short nap (I did get woken up at 6, remember).
6:00 a.m. - Woke up to the sound of my neighbors talking. It might not have been so bad, if they'd been having sex....at least that would have been interesting. Instead, they were packing and checking out. Not their fault, as they weren't making a lot of noise. This was just the noisiest, thinnest walls hotel I've been in for a long while. But, other than that, the hotel was very nice and they serve a great breakfast. I didn't really know what time we were supposed to meet, so I finally got up at 7:00 and got ready, planning to go to breakfast at 8. Ran into Cheri and Jane in the hallway, so we went down to break the fast together. As we finished up, Stacey popped in and said the others were going to "Clinton's", I think that's the name....it's a restaurant mentioned in books by a local author. As the three of us had eaten, we opted to stay at the hotel. I checked my email, then took a short nap (I did get woken up at 6, remember).
Jefferson's House
11:00 a.m. - Met up with everyone in the lobby, checked out of the hotel and we all drove to Jefferson Island and Rip Van Winkle Gardens. We took a tour of the home, built in the 1860's by famous actor Joseph Jefferson, who wrote the play Rip Van Winkle (but not the story). We also walked in the gardens, planted by John Lyle Bayless, Jr, the son of the second owner of the island, John Lyle Bayless, Sr. They are beautiful and very peaceful...with wild peacocks roaming around (see picture).
Anna Kathryn
1:30 - Lunch at the Jefferson Cafe, outside, under the 100+ year old Oaks, with Loretta, Cheri, Elizabeth, Jane, Patti, Stacey and Stacey's father, JC, Aunt Pookie and family friend, Betty. I had the seafood bisque...OMG....to DIE for, and a quarter Italian Muffuletta (you'd understand the 1/4th sandwich if you ever had a Muffuletta). Spent over an hour talking, enjoying the view and the food.
3:00 p.m. - Visited the gift shop...did I mention I've bought about 6 cookbooks on this trip? Then, headed for home.
This was a wonderful trip. I want to thank Stacey for thinking up this idea and for inviting us to join her. I lived in Ascension Parish, Louisiana (about 2 hours away from New Iberia) for 8 years, and never made it to Iberia Parish for a visit. I was missing out! I recommend a trip to everyone, but really, don't plan to go in July or August. The heat and humidity will be unbearable. March or April would be a great time to visit.
April 3, 2011
RWA RITA and Golden Heart Finalists
Romance Writers of America® (RWA) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2011 RITA® and Golden Heart® Awards. The 2011 RITA honors romance fiction published in 2010. More than 1,100 novels and novellas were judged in 12 categories. The 2011 Golden Heart Award honors unpublished romance manuscripts in 2010.
Winners of the awards will be announced July 1, 2011 at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 31st Annual National Conference in New York, New York.
Check out the list of Finalists here.
And to help the finalists along, Barnes and Noble has posted a display of the Best First Books finalists.
Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists.
Winners of the awards will be announced July 1, 2011 at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 31st Annual National Conference in New York, New York.
Check out the list of Finalists here.
And to help the finalists along, Barnes and Noble has posted a display of the Best First Books finalists.
Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists.
September 18, 2010
Lone Star Conference - Houston, TX
Hurry and register for Northwest Houston's Conference Oct. 16.!!
Why? Why? Why? Why?
1- We will spend half the day learning advanced techniques for creating great characters, writing the perfect scene, improving weak story architecture and other critical aspects of writing.
2- You will learn about a great method to plan out your book using the Snowflake Method created by Randy Ingermanson.
3- You'll learn techniques of internet marketing and why it's absolutely necessary for a writer. Make Google go GaGa over you!
4- Randy will show us how to build a massive email database and how to create a successful book launch.
5- You will have the chance to pitch your story to Amy Boggs(Maass Literary Agency), Naomi Hackenberg(Elaine English Literary Agency), and Christine Witthohn(Book Cents Literary Agency).
6- The first 35 registered are invited to a cocktail party at my house on Friday night to visit with agents and our speaker.
7- Christine Witthohn will share her secrets of getting and staying published in this volatile industry during lunch.
8- Randy Ingermanson will give an electronic coupon code for 70% off items for sale at his online store and email all attendees a power point with all of his slides in a PDF file. What a great resource!
9- Last, but not least, Katy Budget Books will be there to sell fabulous books from our authors in the 3 RWA chapters in Houston as well as several craft books. There will be a book signing.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nwhrwa.com/.
The Lone Star Conference
October 16th, 2010
We are pleased to announce the NW Houston RWA's Lone Star Conference held at the Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint. Rooms: $69.00/night
Conference Cost (includes breakfast and lunch): $120.00
Featured Speaker: Randy Ingermanson
He is the creator of the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine and to date has over 22,000 readers. Randy is also an award winning author of six novels and one non-fiction book. If that isn't enough, he has developed The Snowflake Method of designing/plotting a novel. Randy Ingermanson presents to conferences nationwide and brings a wealth of information for writers.
Agents Taking Pitches:
Christine Witthohn- Book Cents Literary Agency
Naomi Hackenberg- Elaine English Literary Agency
Amy Boggs- Donald Maass Literary Agency
Luncheon Speaker: Christine Witthohn (How To Get and Stay Published In This Volatile Market)
For more information, please visit: http://www.nwhrwa.com/.
Why? Why? Why? Why?
1- We will spend half the day learning advanced techniques for creating great characters, writing the perfect scene, improving weak story architecture and other critical aspects of writing.
2- You will learn about a great method to plan out your book using the Snowflake Method created by Randy Ingermanson.
3- You'll learn techniques of internet marketing and why it's absolutely necessary for a writer. Make Google go GaGa over you!
4- Randy will show us how to build a massive email database and how to create a successful book launch.
5- You will have the chance to pitch your story to Amy Boggs(Maass Literary Agency), Naomi Hackenberg(Elaine English Literary Agency), and Christine Witthohn(Book Cents Literary Agency).
6- The first 35 registered are invited to a cocktail party at my house on Friday night to visit with agents and our speaker.
7- Christine Witthohn will share her secrets of getting and staying published in this volatile industry during lunch.
8- Randy Ingermanson will give an electronic coupon code for 70% off items for sale at his online store and email all attendees a power point with all of his slides in a PDF file. What a great resource!
9- Last, but not least, Katy Budget Books will be there to sell fabulous books from our authors in the 3 RWA chapters in Houston as well as several craft books. There will be a book signing.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nwhrwa.com/.
The Lone Star Conference
October 16th, 2010
We are pleased to announce the NW Houston RWA's Lone Star Conference held at the Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint. Rooms: $69.00/night
Conference Cost (includes breakfast and lunch): $120.00
Featured Speaker: Randy Ingermanson
He is the creator of the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine and to date has over 22,000 readers. Randy is also an award winning author of six novels and one non-fiction book. If that isn't enough, he has developed The Snowflake Method of designing/plotting a novel. Randy Ingermanson presents to conferences nationwide and brings a wealth of information for writers.
Agents Taking Pitches:
Christine Witthohn- Book Cents Literary Agency
Naomi Hackenberg- Elaine English Literary Agency
Amy Boggs- Donald Maass Literary Agency
Luncheon Speaker: Christine Witthohn (How To Get and Stay Published In This Volatile Market)
For more information, please visit: http://www.nwhrwa.com/.
August 14, 2010
Lone Star Writer’s Conference
Mark your calendars and sign up online for our annual Lone Star Writer’s
Conference at http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm
-------------------------
DATE:
October 16, 2010
LOCATION:
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
255 N Sam Houston Parkway East
Houston, Texas 77060
Telephone: 281-875-4000
$69.00/night - Direct Link for reservations:
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/NWHoustonRomanceWriters
Richard Dix
Event Manager
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
REGISTRATION FEE: $120.00
***First 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet and Greet
Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.
SPEAKERS AND AGENT LINEUP to date:
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Randy Ingermanson
Randy Ingermanson was both the class clown and the class nerd in high
school. He earned a Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley and then went on
to publish six novels and win about a dozen awards for his writing. His
most recent book is "Writing Fiction For Dummies." Randy is known around
the world as "the Snowflake Guy" in honor of his widely used Snowflake
method for writing a novel. He is the publisher of the free monthly
Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, which has over 21,000 subscribers. He
has a wife and three daughters, and works full-time serving the needs of
three tyrannical cats. Visit his web site at
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/.
LUNCHEON SPEAKER: Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency - “How to maximize your chances of getting
published or staying published in this volatile market.”
***
Agents:
Naomi Hackenberg
Elaine P. English, PLLC
http://www.elaineenglish.com/
Naomi Hackenberg joined The Elaine English Literary Agency in 2008,
where she began by assisting with the agency’s commercial fiction
projects and selling foreign translation rights. She is currently
building her own list and is actively seeking commercial manuscripts
with strong writing, stand-out narrative voices and compelling
characters. In addition to reading (of course!), Naomi likes cooking and
going to baseball games. Naomi’s academic background is in American
Studies and Creative Writing, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree from The
George Washington University and a Master’s degree from The University
of Chicago. She’s an associate member of the Association of Authors’
Representatives and a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers
and Illustrators.
Naomi will be looking for manuscripts for herself and Elaine English at
the Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writer’s Conference. She’s looking
for young adult fiction of all ilk (including contemporary, romance,
dystopian, multicultural, paranormal with a brand-new hook, normal
protagonists in paranormal worlds, etc.); romance (historical,
contemporary, sweet, erotica, dark and gothic, multicultural,
paranormal, etc., but not time-travel or inspirational); women’s
fiction; mysteries of all types; psychological, legal and medical
thrillers with believable characters and well-constructed plots. Naomi
is not seeking non-fiction or picture books. Above all, she’s looking
for a strong narrative voice and unique, well-paced plot that keeps her
up past her bedtime just to find out what happens next.
Amy Boggs
Donald Maass Literary Agency
http://www.maassagency.com/
Amy is an associate agent at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Born and
raised in Utah, Amy came to New York to attend Vassar College and pursue
a career in publishing. During college, she worked at a children's
bookstore, a library, and a quarterly magazine, as well as interning at
a literary agency. After a short stint at a psychology magazine, Amy
joined DMLA as an intern. She is now actively building her list looking
for fantasy and science fiction, especially urban fantasy, paranormal
romance, steampunk, YA/children's, and alternate history. Historical
fiction, multi-cultural fiction, westerns, and works that challenge
their genre are also welcome.
Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency
http://www.bookcentsliteraryagency.com/
Christine Witthohn is a literary agent and the founder of Book Cents
Literary Agency. She is one of the main sponsors of the International
Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy, and has strong
ties to the international market. She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA and is
actively building her client list. She is on the hunt for well-written
commercial and women’s fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and would love to
find some great new YA projects. Christine is looking for: middle
grade, young adult, mystery/suspense, thrillers, romance: contemporary,
rom coms, paranormal, fantasy.
Christine is NOT looking for: inspirational, westerns, sci fi, horror,
erotica, or poetry.
------------------
Don't forget the first 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet
and Greet Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.
Sign up online for the Lone Star Writer’s Conference at
http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm
------------------------------------------------
Conference at http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm
-------------------------
DATE:
October 16, 2010
LOCATION:
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
255 N Sam Houston Parkway East
Telephone: 281-875-4000
$69.00/night - Direct Link for reservations:
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/NWHoustonRomanceWriters
Richard Dix
Event Manager
Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
REGISTRATION FEE: $120.00
***First 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet and Greet
Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.
SPEAKERS AND AGENT LINEUP to date:
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Randy Ingermanson
Randy Ingermanson was both the class clown and the class nerd in high
school. He earned a Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley and then went on
to publish six novels and win about a dozen awards for his writing. His
most recent book is "Writing Fiction For Dummies." Randy is known around
the world as "the Snowflake Guy" in honor of his widely used Snowflake
method for writing a novel. He is the publisher of the free monthly
Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, which has over 21,000 subscribers. He
has a wife and three daughters, and works full-time serving the needs of
three tyrannical cats. Visit his web site at
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/.
LUNCHEON SPEAKER: Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency - “How to maximize your chances of getting
published or staying published in this volatile market.”
***
Agents:
Naomi Hackenberg
Elaine P. English, PLLC
http://www.elaineenglish.com/
Naomi Hackenberg joined The Elaine English Literary Agency in 2008,
where she began by assisting with the agency’s commercial fiction
projects and selling foreign translation rights. She is currently
building her own list and is actively seeking commercial manuscripts
with strong writing, stand-out narrative voices and compelling
characters. In addition to reading (of course!), Naomi likes cooking and
going to baseball games. Naomi’s academic background is in American
Studies and Creative Writing, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree from The
George Washington University and a Master’s degree from The University
of Chicago. She’s an associate member of the Association of Authors’
Representatives and a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers
and Illustrators.
Naomi will be looking for manuscripts for herself and Elaine English at
the Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writer’s Conference. She’s looking
for young adult fiction of all ilk (including contemporary, romance,
dystopian, multicultural, paranormal with a brand-new hook, normal
protagonists in paranormal worlds, etc.); romance (historical,
contemporary, sweet, erotica, dark and gothic, multicultural,
paranormal, etc., but not time-travel or inspirational); women’s
fiction; mysteries of all types; psychological, legal and medical
thrillers with believable characters and well-constructed plots. Naomi
is not seeking non-fiction or picture books. Above all, she’s looking
for a strong narrative voice and unique, well-paced plot that keeps her
up past her bedtime just to find out what happens next.
Amy Boggs
Donald Maass Literary Agency
http://www.maassagency.com/
Amy is an associate agent at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Born and
raised in Utah, Amy came to New York to attend Vassar College and pursue
a career in publishing. During college, she worked at a children's
bookstore, a library, and a quarterly magazine, as well as interning at
a literary agency. After a short stint at a psychology magazine, Amy
joined DMLA as an intern. She is now actively building her list looking
for fantasy and science fiction, especially urban fantasy, paranormal
romance, steampunk, YA/children's, and alternate history. Historical
fiction, multi-cultural fiction, westerns, and works that challenge
their genre are also welcome.
Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary Agency
http://www.bookcentsliteraryagency.com/
Christine Witthohn is a literary agent and the founder of Book Cents
Literary Agency. She is one of the main sponsors of the International
Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy, and has strong
ties to the international market. She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA and is
actively building her client list. She is on the hunt for well-written
commercial and women’s fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and would love to
find some great new YA projects. Christine is looking for: middle
grade, young adult, mystery/suspense, thrillers, romance: contemporary,
rom coms, paranormal, fantasy.
Christine is NOT looking for: inspirational, westerns, sci fi, horror,
erotica, or poetry.
------------------
Don't forget the first 35 to register will be invited to a special Meet
and Greet Reception on Friday, October 15, 2010.
Sign up online for the Lone Star Writer’s Conference at
http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm
------------------------------------------------
April 4, 2009
Northwest Houston RWA Workshop
Today, I attended the Northwest Houston RWA Spring Workshop with 
Harley Jane Kozak (pictured left). It was great fun, not only the talk Harley gave, but the chance to visit and talk with friends and fellow writers. Not only that, I won a raffle basket!
Harley Jane Kozak (pictured left). It was great fun, not only the talk Harley gave, but the chance to visit and talk with friends and fellow writers. Not only that, I won a raffle basket!
T.J. Bennett and Christie Craig
Me and Harley(left) and the Hamburger Method of Buliding a Novel.
Attendees
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