Jenny Martin is teaching Writing Young Adult Books: The Path to Publication this spring at the University of Texas at Arlington. Along with her agent and editor, she has many more established agents and editors that will share their expertise about the industry. https://www.uta.edu/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?~~12CO1722001

Speaking of the 2012 DFW Writers Conference… did you know we already have 18 agents and 3 editors signed up? For a list of agents and editors already confirmed visit www.dfwcon.org

The conference is May 19th – May 20th featuring keynote speaker James Rollins. You can read more about James Rollins at http://dfwwritersconference.org/keynote/

Rosemary Clement-Moore is the guest speaker at the Yellow Rose RWA this Saturday January 14th from 10am to 12:00. The meeting is held at the City of Grapevine – Merlot Room, 4500 Merlot Avenue, Grapevine, TX. She will be teaching ‘Method Writing’ which uses actor’s tools to enrich your writing. It’s free. www.yellowroserwa.com

Don’t forget to sign up for DFW Con! Three New York Times Bestselling Authors are attending, including our keynote speaker, James Rollins.

We have entered into negotiations to find a new meeting space. While this process is in the works, it will take some time for us to secure a spot. We’ll try to keep you updated!

Ballots counted, new board members announced:
Donna Lasko – President
Shawn Scarber – Treasurer
A. Lee Martinez – 2nd Vice President
Susan Clark – Director

Pamela Skjolsvik story “In the Pink” is being produced by the DFW Film Lab.

Richard Young was accepted to participate in a Federal program to deliver more efficient healthcare. He was the only physician in Texas asked to participate. Jim Landy interviewed him for an article in the Dallas Morning News.

Rosemary Clement-Moore will be the guest speaker at the Yellow Rose RWA on Saturday January 14th from 10am to 12:00. The meeting is held at the City of Grapevine – Merlot Room, 4500 Merlot Avenue, Grapevine, TX. She will be teaching ‘Method Writing’ which uses actor’s tools to enrich your writing. It’s free. www.yellowroserwa.com

Carmen Goldthwaite announced Chicken Soup for the Soul is calling out for essays on Hockey, either fans or players. She also announced she has two openings in her class held on Tuesday nights from 7pm to 10pm at her house. See www.carmengoldthwaite.com for more details.

Harry Hall announced Fred Compos from Fun City Social Media is looking for blog writers. For more details see www.funcitysocialmedia.com

Jason Myers announced three New York Times bestselling authors will teach classes at the upcoming Writers Conference. Only 19 Wednesdays left… DFWCon.org. Tom Gensler is looking for wranglers to assist the agents during their stay. We have twelve agents so far.

Larry Enmon was asked to speak at the Dallas Romance Writers Conference.  He will be sharing his expertise on weapons.

A.Lee Martinez presented the French version of Gil’s All Fright Diner.  He also received the Advanced Readers copy of this upcoming book, Emperor Mollusk Vs. the Sinister Brain.  www.aleemartinez.com/

Del Cain has a book signing this Saturday, Sept 10^th in Fort Worth at the Barnes & Noble on University Dr from 1:00 to 3:00.  He will be signing copies of his two non-fiction books, Lawmen of the Old West: The Good Guys and Lawmen of the Old West: The Bad Guys. www.del-cain.blogspot.com/

Harry Hall has a book signing Sept 17^th in Irving at Crystals Pizza from 3:30 to 5:30. He will be signing copies of his book Help! People are Staring at Me.

Russell Connor confirmed the 2^nd episode of Workshop is now available at www.conmanproduction.wordpress.com .  Not only does it star Russell and Nik Holman as a couple of scumbag writers, David Whiteman and Alex Martinez also make special appearances.  Check it out!

Candace Havens is teaching two (highly recommended) online courses.  Fast Draft & Revision Hell starts Sept 25^th and her Six-week Comprehensive class begins on Sept 15th. For more details, check out www.candacehavens.com

Carolyn Williamson announced we now have the 2012 Writers Market books.  You may check them out for one week.

Del Cain has a book signing on September 10^th from 1-3pm at the Fort Worth Barnes & Noble on University Drive

Rosemary Clement-Moore has a book signing on August 6^th from 2-4pm at the Hurst Barnes & Noble

Jason Meyers announced the Keynote Speaker for the 2012 DFW Writers Conference…. James Rollins!  Check out his website at www.jamesrollins.com

The following occurred at the meeting on May 4th. There was a business meeting before the Workshop began. Please contact a member of the Board if you would like to see the minutes or Treasurer’s Report.

Kyle White’s article Tips to Blog Your Way to a Non-fiction Book Deal will be in an upcoming issue of Writer’s Journal

Kenneth Ingle’s fifth book Who Killed the Killer is available now.

A.Lee Martinez’s eighth book Chasing the Moon comes out this month. Stay tuned for more.

Alley Hauldren writes for the Dallas Examiner. She announced they are looking for people to write about pets, family, music, and night life. If interested, see Examiner.com

1st Vice President Carolyn Williamson announced she is inviting three editors in September and is looking for volunteers to help.

Contact Kate if you are interested.

See you next Wednesday!

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 news, A. Lee Martinez displayed the spring/summer 2011 catalog from Orbit Books which has a full-page ad for his upcoming novel Chasing the Moon. Jimmie Kepler announced that Poetry & Prose ezine invited him to submit more of his poems. Kenneth Ingle had a successful book signing this last weekend at a local arts and crafts fair. Speaking of book signings, Mike McMullen has two of them this weekend for his recent nonfiction release I, Superhero. The first is on Saturday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Dallas at Interstate 75 and Northwest Highway; and the second is on Sunday, November 21, at noon at Barnes & Noble in Las Colinas.

In the official news, Secretary Kyle White advised that Wednesday, December 1, is the last business meeting of the year and the last chance to qualify to vote in the January election. President Russell Connor reminded everyone interested in running for the 2011 Board of Directors that they need to sign-up by next Wednesday when the nominations close.  

It seemed as if the news and announcements would never end. Candace Havens delivered her newest book, Turn and Dare, to Harlequin. A. Lee Martinez’ newest novel, Catching the Moon, was accepted by Orbit. Delacorte accepted Rosemary Clement-Moore’s newest work, Texas Gothic, and the book is already available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Del Cain reported a successful event at the Saginaw Public Library last week. Russell Connor and A. Lee Martinez appeared, along with Rosemary Clement-Moore who was the keynote speaker. This weekend, Rosemary will appear at Readers & ‘ritas in Allen, with Candace Havens as the Master of Ceremonies. Also this Saturday, A. Lee Martinez has a book signing at 2 p.m. at the Borders in Burleson.

Finally, President Russell Connor thanked a wide variety of volunteers who unselfishly give of their time each week. Harry Hall who arrives early to set up the building and to make coffee;  Eric Dixon who never fails to monitor one of the read-and-critique rooms; former President Stephen Manning who assists the Board in making the hard decisions; and Jeff Posey, Jason Myers and Michelle O’Neal who work on the annual writers’ conference.

Thank you everyone who contributes in some way. As a non-profit, all volunteer organization it takes all of us to keep DFWWW functioning.

Historian Stephen Manning summarized this momentous achievement by providing some interesting trivia.

• Of the 300-plus novels displayed in the Trophy Room, what is the most commonly used word in a book’s title? Texas (no one was surprised).
• The second most commonly used word in a title? Blood (now that surprised everyone a
  

  Just a few of the over 70 authors who have contributed to the 300 traditionally published books written by DFWWW authors. Seated (L-R): Carmen Goldthwaite and Ginnie Bivona. Standing (L-R): A. Lee Martinez, Del Cain, Stephen Manning, Russell Connor, George Goldthwaite, and Kenneth Ingle. Note the sign commemorating this achievement, which will be proudly displayed at the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference, as well as at other events.

  bit).

• The third most commonly used word in a title? Gun (notice a trend?).  
• There have been an average of 11.6 titles published per year by DFWWW members since 1985.
• The best year was 1996 when 22 titles were published (all comprised of only two genres: Westerns and horror).
• The second best year was 2005 when 20 titles were published (notable because of the large number of first-time novelists).
• From 1985 until 2000, the Workshop produced mainly Westerns, mysteries and horror novels.
• After 2000, there was an explosion of all genres, with nonfiction works becoming more prominent.

In the news, Kenneth Ingle displayed the audio version of his novel, Saragosa Prime, released by Books in Motion. Carolyn Williamson announced the additional of two new reference books for the Workshop’s library.

In official news, President Russell Connor reminded members that next Wednesday nominations open for the 2011 Board of Directors. Secretary Kyle White, who will serve as the election coordinator, advised members on the requirements to run for the Board. Basically, members must have paid their 2010–2011 dues and have attended at least three of the five monthly business meetings prior to the election.