Beginning August 1st, the city will begin renting out the Simmons building to its citizens. Reverting to the Millican agreement, they require all tables and chairs stacked after each meeting.

Therefore, beginning next Wednesday we will be asking volunteers to help set up and close each week.

Our options will be discussed at the next board meeting. The next board meeting is at the Simmons building on July 27th at 6:00pm. Board meetings are open to all members.

In the news, Nik Holman announced he is among 500 Quarter Finalists in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest for his book, The Boy Who Wasn’t There. Pat Hauldren is teaching an online class and needs test subjects to help her work out the bugs. Rosemary Clement Moore is participating in Operation Auction, an online event to help a family in need. Rosemary is offering a copy of her novel The Splendor Falls, an advanced reader of her newest book, Texas Gothic, and up to 20-pages of critique.

Finally, President Donna Lasko reminded everyone of the importance of keeping the new building clean. She also asked for volunteers to serve as ambassadors to greet the increased number of weekly visitors.

DFWWW’s new home at 508 Simmons Street in Euless, Texas

A large crowd attended the March 16 meeting of the Workshop to help celebrate the grand opening of our new building. In addition to 70+ regular members, we had eight visitors. Four of them were students from a creative writing class at Tarrant County College visiting for Spring Break. We also had two new members join us. The parking lot filled quickly, but we managed to find space for everyone.

President Donna Lasko opened the meeting with a thank you to the volunteers who helped to pack over 20 years of books, awards, and memories (enough boxes to fill the main room at the old building). She also thanked the volunteers who helped to supervise the move and to unpack all of the boxes.

As always, DFWWW members are a busy crew. In the news, Ginnie Bivona signed a contract

Our new Trophy Room and expanded reference library.

with agent Al Longden for ebooks. Kathryn Thomas’ submission to the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest was recognized as a Top 1000 and moves forward in the competition. Troy Young advised his novel On the Darkest Nights is available for the Nook eReader. He also has a poem in an upcoming issue of Abandoned Towers magazine.

Now that’s a snazzy-looking main meeting room.

In still more news, Matthew Usey signed with agent Louise Fury after he met her at the DFW Writers’ Conference.  A blog by Pamela Skjolsvik appeared in the online version of the Dallas Morning News as a guest blogger. Jimmie Kepler had a poem accepted by Poetry and Prose magazine.

In the surprise news of the night, President Donna Lasko announced the City of Euless has asked the Workshop to move. The City plans to turn the Ruth Milli­can Cen­ter into a museum. DFWWW will relocate in March to the Simmons Building, also in Euless. Members are needed on Saturday, March 12, to help pack over 20 years of books, awards, and other items.

In less surprising — but equally important — news, Kenneth Ingle signed a contract with Books in Motion for two, new audio books. Rosemary Clement-Moore displayed the advanced reader copy of her newest work Texas Gothic. Kendall Furlong took home a prize in the Tale Hook writing contest. Conference chairperson Jeff Posey announced that registration for the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference ends next Thursday, February 24. Stephen Manning advised room monitors are needed to keep the classes running well. Workshop members are reminded that they must volunteer for a few hours during the conference as part of receiving a discount on the registration fee.  

Finally, A. Lee Martinez received a letter from a young fan who credited Martinez’ work with encouraging his brother to read more. Now that’s one reason why all of us are in the crazy business of publishing — to touch the lives of others.

In the news, Candace Havens announced two upcoming releases from Harlequin: She Who Dares, Wins due out March 22, and Truth and Dare on May 1. Dale Cain will be a featured poet at the next Austin Poetry Festival. Kate Cornell once again encouraged everyone to follow DFWWW on Twitter and Facebook. Larry Enmon advised that all positions for agent/editor assistants have been filled, but backup wranglers are needed.

Finally, the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference is fast approaching. February 26 — 27 will be here soon, and everyone who hasn’t already done so is encouraged to register.

In the news, Kenneth Ingle signed the contract for his fifth book titled Who Killed the Killer? Rosemary Clement Moore will teach her famous “How to Pitch to an Agent” class this Saturday, January 15 at the North Texas Romance Writers meeting. KevinMD.com named Richard Young’s blog a top site for 2010. Kate Cornell encouraged more members to join the social networking bandwagon. She says the Workshop’s Facebook page has 31 friends (need more) and the Twitter account has 2000 followers (that’s more like it). Conference chairperson Jeff Posey asked 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference attendees to send their query letters for the Gong Show. President Donna Lasko reminded all DFWWW members who have registered that they need to volunteer a few hours during the conference. Larry Enmon advised there will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on January 26 for all agent/editor assistants. If you signed up to help wrangle our special guests, it’s important you attend.

Finally, the Workshop celebrated A. Lee Martinez Appreciation Day (his birthday?) with delicious cake enjoyed by many.

Donna Lasko, President

Carolyn Williamson, 1^st Vice President

Kate Cornell, 2^nd Vice President

Paul Lamarre, Treasurer

Kyle White, Secretary

Ron Soule, Director

David Whiteman, Director

Former President Stephen Manning presented outgoing President Russell Connor with a plaque to commemorate his two years of service. Russell gave gift cards to the 2010 Board in recognition of their service; and to Harry Hall for opening the building each week, Eric Dixon for consistently volunteering to monitor a read-and-critique session, and to Chris Moore for serving on the 2009 Board.

In other news, Kate Cornell advised that she now handles the social networking for DFWWW. People can stay current about Workshop events on Twitter, or our Facebook fan page. Rosemary Clement Moore announced the release of her Young Adult novel The Splendor Falls on January 11 in paperback. Larry Enmon cautioned that only five spots remain for agent assistant volunteers. Interested members should see him to sign up now. Jeff Posey warned that the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference is fast approaching and people should register today before it’s too late. Finally, please keep member Michelle O’neal in your thoughts as she fights a life threatening medical condition.       

In the news, A. Lee Martinez received payment for the movie option of his recent novel Divine Misfortune. Rosemary Clement-Moore displayed the paperback edition of her Young Adult book, The Splendor Falls, with its stylish new cover. Her copies arrived during a special time (happy birthday, Rosemary), and the book is scheduled to be in bookstores on January 11.

In other news, Jeri Burbage reminded everyone the election for the 2011 Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, January 5. To be eligible to vote, members must have paid their 2010–2011 fiscal year dues and have attended at least three of the five business meetings prior to the election. Carolyn Williamson again advised that overdue library books need to be returned before year’s end. Larry Enmon issued a second call for volunteers to assist the agents and editors during the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

In the biggest news of the night, outgoing President Russell Connor announced his engagement to Abbie Faroukhtakin. Their wedding date will be announced later.  

In less exciting news, Carolyn Williamson reminded everyone to return any outstanding library books before the year’s end. On the conference front, chairperson Jeff Posey advised that volunteers are needed for the upcoming 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference. If members are interested in being an agent assistant, they should speak to Larry Enmon. To help with the registration desk see Stephen Manning. He says a large number of volunteers will be needed.

Finally, Secretary Kyle White reminded everyone about the recent change in the Workshop’s fiscal year, and that any member who hasn’t already done so needs to renew their 2010 — 2011 fiscal year dues before December 31. After that, members who do not renew will not be allowed to participate in the weekly read-and-critique sessions until their dues are paid.

In the official news, election coordinator Jeri Burbage presented the list of candidates for the 2011 Board of Directors. Nominations are now closed. Historian Stephen Manning displayed two new additions for the Trophy Room.

In other news, President Russell Connor announced the holiday party will be held on December 15. Members are invited to bring yummy dishes to share. Conference chairperson Jeff Posey described a few of the many volunteer positions needed for the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference. A meeting will be held on December 15 prior to the regular meeting to discuss the many opportunities available.