Writer's Conference in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS 

SPRING CONFERENCE

MARCH 27, 2010, 9:00-5:00

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL

1815 SOUTH MERIDIAN, OKLAHOMA CITY

SPEAKERS: Amy Lennex, Editor Sleeping Bear Press; Kate Fletcher, Associate Editor Candlewick Press; Greg Ferguson, Editor Egmont USA; Stephen Fraser, agent, Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency; Art Director, Kerry Martin, Senior Designer, Clarion. 

See Web site for more information.

Learning to Be a Writer - Part 2

I've been busy this week rewriting my kids book for the Critique-a-thon on the 30th. I also signed up for the SCBWI Conference in March and a nonfiction children's book writers retreat in June. 


On Tuesday, I went to the Tulsa Night Writers meeting. The speaker was a western author, Dusty Richards, who's written almost 100 books. I joined this group, too. Eventually, I'll probably end up just participating in one or two groups, but right now I'm trying to find my fit.

Interesting survey on e-books

A survey done by BISG on consumer attitudes toward e-books.

Social Media Bible

It’s practically as big as the Bible, too! For those of you interested in knowing more about Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Meebo, Plurk, Digg, Vimeo, PodBean, BlogTalkRadio, Second Life, etc.), The Social Media Bible by Lon Safko and David K. Brake is the book to buy.

The information found in The Social Media Bible is comprehensive, timely, and practical. It provides the historical background of social media as well as how to use social media as a strategy in your marketing plan. It describes what each social media tool is, how it can be used, what other applications work with it, who uses it, and even gives suggestions on who SHOULD use it. I’ve read just about every other book on social media and none of them are as complete as this one.

As well as being an essential resource for everyone involved in marketing, PR, and business, this could well be used as a textbook for college classes in social media.

To keep the information timely, the authors have included a link and log-in information for purchasers to access up-to-date information.

SPAN

For those of you who self-publish or who are independent publishers, check out SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America). This organization provides information on small publishing as well as printing, production, shipping, and marketing benefits to its members.

You'll find resources related to traditional book production as well as to digital publishing, writing and editing, marketing and entrepreneurship, all specifically focused on small publishing.

This month, SPAN created a Blogging Network for its members. I've been looking for a network of self-publishers and now we have one!

Writing Groups

Now that I'm out of college, I have time to work on my fiction and children's writing goals. I also have time to get involved in a writing group or two.

This month, I've been checking out local writer's groups to find one that would not only help me with my writing goals, but also be one in which I would enjoy volunteering my time. So far this month, I visited SCBWI-OK (Tulsa group) and WIN. Both were wonderful. At WIN, we watched a video about The Hero's Two Journeys. It was excellent and I learned a lot. I'm looking forward to attending again next month.

Last week, I went to SCBWI - the Tulsa Schmooze. I had the privilege of talking with Anna Myers and Gwendolyn Hooks. That was a treat! They are both excellent writers and speakers.

I've also signed up to go to a SCBWI critique the end of January, their Spring conference in March and their nonfiction writer's conference in June.

Next week, I want to visit the Tulsa Night Writers group. There are so many great groups in this area. It's going to be hard to decide in which to get involved on a regular basis.

In the meantime, I'm busy rewriting and rewriting and rewriting a children's story that I want to have critiqued at the March conference. So much to look forward to. I guess I won't miss college after all!

Attempt at Fiction Writing

My New Year's Resolution is to write a fiction story for publication. I have two ideas that I'm working on. In the meantime, I'm reading some books on the subject, as well as getting involved in some writer's groups. I will probably narrow the groups down to one or two after I decide which are the best fit for me.

My first goal: read some of Anna Myers books for kids and finish Don't Murder Your Mystery by Chris Roeden.

My second goal: rewrite one of my children's story and attend the SCBWI critique.