Tampa Book Buzz

news and notes:tampa writers alliance, washington, barons, smith

• The Tampa Writers Alliance has changed locations for its monthly meetings. TWA meetings will be held at the Jimmie Keel Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618 and not at the John Germany Library downtown.
• Local author Valerie Washington (Soul Passion) will attend the African-American Book Expo in L.A. May 30 through June 1.
• New York author C.M. Barons wrote to tell me about his new book In the Midst Of. “In the Midst Of rekindles the 70s - an era of global hang-time. The 60s pendulum had swung as far as the silent majority would allow. Poised to back swing, the repercussions were unclear. As the world hovered in anticipation, the lives of Brian, Hollis and Nadine play out…guided by elements more personal and troubling than the clockworks of society and politics. Brian and his friends are students, free-wheeling youth ensconced on a college campus. Co-ed dorms, liberal drinking, casual drugs and casual sex.” Visit www.inthemidstof.info for more info.
• Local author Joy V. Smith recently had a few stories accepted by Anthology Builder. “I noticed that some writers and writing groups were putting together their stories in collections and anthologies, so I thought I’d experiment with a cover and a collection and ended up putting my collection Aliens, Animals, and Adventure in their library.”

tampa bay association of black journalists hosting panel discussion on multimedia reporting on march 8

Received via Facebook:

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists is presenting its second annual session focused on multimedia reporting on March 8, featuring members who have done extensive work translating their newspaper or TV work into online platforms.

As we all work to try and understand these new media platforms, sometimes the most fun comes from getting together and swapping ideas on what it all means. And fellow bloggers, feel free to post this on your blog somewheres…

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists’ website is www.tbabj.com. Please remember, however, that you’re welcome even if you’re not a journalist. Or from the Tampa Bay area. Or black.

Hope to see you there.

(cross-posted at www.sticksoffire.com and www.tampafilmfan.com)

wordsmitten’s writing workshop march 22

WHAT: WordSmitten’s Writing Workshop, “a fun writing workshop featuring award-winning authors and editors”

WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

WHERE: Reeves Theatre, University of Tampa campus, 401 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606-1490

WHO WILL BE THERE:

• Jane Friedman, editorial director of Writer’s Digest Books. She’ll be teaching her famous (and witty) session titled Publishers Are Evil. This course is filled with tips for both new and experienced writers. We thank Ms. Friedman for donating 50 copies of the 2008 edition of Writer’s Market (retail value $49.95). Register online to be eligible to win a copy of the 2008 edition of Writer’s Market. Only 50 copies are available to be given away. Snail-mail registration is not eligible for this offer. We notify, by e-mail, all winners who have won a copy. Winners must be present at the event to receive a book. Books will not be mailed out. Join the fun, discover great writing tips, and register online at www.wordsmitten.com or call (727) 409-0500 for details.
• Connie May Fowler, award-winning author of five novels, one memoir, and a screenplay produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions. Her startling novel Before Women Had Wings, an Oprah Book Club selection, became an international bestseller and a television sensation. Write your memoir, then write it as a fictional story, comparing the two for a great writing exercise.
• Attorney Alison Steele of Rahdert and Steele, a law firm that represents the notable Poynter Institute and the St. Petersburg Times. She’ll discuss copyright issues that are important to authors who have concerns about the choppy legal waters surrounding publishing rights and copyright laws.
• Kate Sullivan, radio host of About the Books and editor of www.WordSmitten.com, who will present a hands-on session to extract from your manuscript the key elements needed to write your essential query letter.
• Bob Tarte, author of Enslaved by Ducks, will discuss how writers who produce podcasts reach and engage new audiences. Learn to produce your own podcast show. Bob will give you the guidelines and if you Google “Bob Tarte” on YouTube, he’ll give you a chuckle with his “bird” saga. Reminds us of the film Brewster McCloud except shot on a farm.

Visit www.wordsmitten.com for more info.

local author tiva wallon and the florida published author tour group

Hudson author Tiva Wallon (Footsteps Through Time, Jack of All Trades) wrote me a while back to say hello and to tell me about the Florida Published Author Tour Group. As the founder of this group, Wallon arranges book signings and invites other authors “on the email loop” to join her. She sent me a list of her December events, which of course are all over with by now, since it’s taken me forever to post this (sorry about that, Tiva!). She told me that her group “tries to have a signing once or twice a month and we travel from Orlando to St. Pete and so on.”

In addition to the ten books she’s published, Wallon also has anthology titled Once Upon A Midnight Clear published though Dark Castle Lords and “we are featured in the Romantic Times Magazine, this issue. We were reviewed and given 3 out of 4 stars. My story Hollow Moon Castle was given rave reviews.”

Visit www.tivawallon.com for more info on Wallon, her books and the author tour group. Authors interested in joining Wallon’s book-signing email loop will want to head straight for this page.

upcoming events:day of author critiques and chick lit panel at festival of reading

Local author Kimberly Llewellyn (The Quest for the Holy Veil) sent me info on some upcoming local events:

Writers in Residence — Day of Author Critiques

Saturday, October 27
University of South Florida
St. Petersburg Campus
At Bayboro Harbor
140 Seventh Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL
festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Llewellyn’s website is www.kimberlyllewellyn.com.

upcoming author appearances on wordsmitten

WordSmitten’s “About the Books” radio program is heard on NPR’s WFSU-FM 88.9, WOCA in Ocala, WRBH-FM 88.3 in New Orleans, and WTIS-AM 1110 Talk Radio in the Tampa Bay area. Here’s the list of upcoming author appearances:

• October 20 - award-winning author David Leavitt will discuss his new book The Indian Clerk
• October 27 - Connie May Fowler, Oprah-pick author (Before Women Had Wings) discusses her new novel, to be launched soon.
• November 3 - Emory University professor Joseph Skibell reveals his newest novel is more than 1000 pages and is a great departure from his previous novel The English Disease

Manhattan book publicist Scott Manning will appear at WordSmitten’s Writing Workshop series on Saturday, November 3, to conduct a master class with tips for gaining visibility for newly launched books. Manning’s clients include bestselling author Mark Bowden (Black Hawk Down) and P. J. O’Rourke (CEO of the Sofa).

Featured speakers for this event include Roy Peter Clark, vice president of journalism’s notable Poynter Institute, who will discuss 50 tips in 50 minutes from his bestselling book Writing Tools. Elaine Fantle Shimberg, author of Write Where You Live:Successful Freelancing at Home, will conduct a master class on tips writers need to stay focused on the business of writing.

Tickets are available now for the November 3 event (Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at St. Petersburg College (SPC), 244 Second Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. WordSmitten conducts three workshops in the fall, winter, and spring and the spring workshop was a sold-out event, so register early.

Registration forms are available at St. Petersburg College, Haslam’s on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and Small Adventures Bookshop in Gulfport. Registration is $145.00 for these master classes and includes lunch and free parking at SPC’s downtown campus. To register, visit www.wordsmitten.com/writingworkshop.htm or call (727) 409-0500 for more information.

Visit www.wordsmitten.com to learn more.

usf literary journal saw palm is seeking submissions

Received via email:

Saw Palm, a Florida-themed literary journal at the University of South Florida (USF), is seeking art and writing submissions. We’re looking for Florida work—which may include work from anywhere that concerns itself with Florida (images, people, themes), or work from Florida not obviously about someplace else.

All mail submissions must include a SASE. No previously published work. Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as we are notified of acceptance elsewhere. Deadline is October 15.

You can read about the 2006-07 issue here.

author connie may fowler is offering full immersion writing workshops

Received via email:

Connie May Fowler, internationally acclaimed author of The Problem with Murmur Lee, Remembering Blue, Before Women Had Wings, River of Hidden Dreams, Sugar Cage, and When Katie Wakes unveils her latest venture, Below Sea Level: Full Immersion Workshops for Serious Writers.

Participants must submit manuscripts to be admitted to both the workshops and conferences. The Remembering Blue writing workshops are limited to seven writers and The St. Augustine Project conferences are limited to twenty. The application deadline for the October workshop is August 29.

Visit www.writingbelowsealevel.com for more info.

writers in paradise 2008 now accepting applications

Received via email:

Now Accepting Applications for Writers in Paradise 2008 — Apply Now!

Join best-selling authors Ann Hood (The Knitting Circle), Dennis Lehane (Mystic River), Laura Lippman (What the Dead Know), and Richard Price (The Wanderers, Clockers and Freedomland) for the Fourth Annual Writers in Paradise Writers’ Conference, which will take place on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, January 19-27, 2008.

This intensive eight-day experience of intimate workshop classes, panel discussions, readings, book signings, cocktail receptions and dinners is designed for those who are passionate about writing.  Our award-winning faculty and guest speakers will also include Beth Ann Fennelly, Tom Franklin, Peter Meinke, Roland Merullo, Thisbe Nissen, Les Standiford and Sterling Watson.

“The Best Of” this year’s conference selected from student manuscripts will be recognized on the last night of our Evening Reading Series.  These works will be published in Sabal — A Literary Review Featuring the Best Writing of the Writers in Paradise Conference at Eckerd College.  Participants will also have the opportunity to have individual manuscript consultations with noted author and teacher Les Standiford.

To learn more about Writers in Paradise and to help us continue the success of a conference committed to teaching the craft of fine writing, please visit the website and download your application materials today.

Visit www.writersinparadise.com for more info.

wizards of words (wow) writers’ conference in tampa september 14-15

From the Tampa Writers Association’s last newsletter:

The 2007 WOW (Wizards of Words) Writers’ Conference will take place September 14-15 in Tampa.  Featured presenters are Florida authors Tim Dorsey, international best-selling mystery author; Linnea Sinclair, RITA Award-winning author of sci-fi romance; and John Strelecky, international best-selling author of The Why Cafe.  Florida authors presenting workshops are:  Rita Milios, Susan C. Haley, A. J. Rodriguez, D’Maria Scaglione and Betty Fasig.  Bob Sanders, co-founder of Mundania Press Publishing, will speak on “How to Get a Publisher to Say Yes.”  The Young Writers’ Workshop will be conducted by Claudette Milner and Associates.

For advance online registration and complete schedule of workshops and presenters, visit www.wizardsofwords.org.  Saturday lunch is complimentary.  Advance hotel reservations may be made at the Quorum Hotel, 700 North Westshore Blvd., convenient to I-275, at www.quorumtampa.com or by calling 813-289-8200.  Conference rates are available.

I’d never heard of WOW before.  According to the website, WOW “provides a conference and online methods to exchange information about writing and the business of writing, to give and receive critique, to network with fellow writers, to find out about other annual conferences and book festivals, to instantly chat with other writers, and much more.”  They have different levels of memberships for published and unpublished authors.

Detailed conference presenter information, price and the full schedule are available at www.wizardsofwords.org.