Phillip Tomasso III signs contract with Whitaker House

Just a quick note to let you all know that Phil has signed a contract with Whitaker House publishers for his novel, Surrender. The novel is scheduled to be released next summer, and the publisher has optioned the first rights for Phil's next two novels.

Phil will be writing for Whitaker House under the pen name Thomas Phillips. For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/authorthomasphillips.

Congrats, Phil!!

November meeting reminder

Don't forget that our next meeting is Tuesday, November 20 at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford. We'll be doing some more writing aerobics, which was a lot of fun last month.

See you then!

Joanne

Vote for Suzan Tessier's story

New Ink Spots & Coffee Grounds Writing Group member Suzan Tessier has a story in the webzine AOIFE'S KISS. Read "The Last To Know!", and then vote for it as this month's favorite.

September meeting recap

If you missed the September meeting last night, you missed a reading of Mick's play, The Passing, and an indepth discussion of luxury apartments and Christmas elves as we reviewed Robin's short story. It was a casual, great meeting. Lots of discussion.

Next month's meeting will be dedicated entirely to writing aerobics! Bring something to write with and something to write on. The meeting will be October 16 (the 3rd Tuesday of the month) at 7 pm.

Joanne

Kelly Klepfer, from the website NovelJourney, recently "interviewed" me. The Q&A is up today at the NovelJourney website.

In the interview, I mention a column I wrote called Mind Reading Mommy, that you might want to check out if you're a mom whose kids are driving you nuts. You are not alone.

Erma Bomeck Writers' Workshop

[NOTE: This conference sold out in 7 days, a new record!]

This just in - registration for the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop begins September 10! This is a great conference. And with Garrison Keillor as a keynote speaker? You can't go wrong!

This conference fills up reeeeally fast, so if you want to go don't dilly dally.

Here's the info from the press release:

The 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will be held April 3-5, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio. Online registration will open Sept. 10, 2007 at noon EST. The 2006 workshop sold out in 12 days, so please reserve your spot early.

The 2008 workshop registration fee is $350, which includes all sessions and meals (three dinners, two lunches, two breakfasts). Keynote speakers include Garrison Keillor, Martha Bolton, Mike Peters, Connie Schultz, Aaron Yonda and Matt Sloan.

Take a look at the complete speaker list and schedule.
SPEAKERS: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html
SCHEDULE: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008Schedule.html

We've asked some of our favorite instructors to give all-new sessions, so returning attendees shouldn't get much repetition from the 2006 workshop.

2008 workshop sessions include:

HUMOR WRITING
* How to develop and use humorous anecdotes
* Raising your humor writing IQ
* How to take your humor writing from amusing to amazing
* Humor writing: What works and what doesn't
* Are you SURE you want to be a humor columnist?
* How to write humorous greeting cards

HUMAN INTEREST WRITING
* Shaping your life experience for the page
* How to touch readers' hearts with your words

MOTIVATION
* How to survive and thrive throughout the creative process
* Networking for writers

FREELANCE WRITING
* Freelance writing for the greeting card industry
* The renegade writer's guide to breaking into magazines

MARKETING
* Podcasting for writers
* Using online video to market your books and yourself
* How to create an Amazon.com bestseller

BOOK PUBLISHING
* Book proposals and literary agents
* How to choose the right self-publishing company

Set your watches for Sept. 10 at noon. I Hope to see you in April!

You can read our August newsletter at:
http://www.humorwriters.org/EBWW080107.html

It includes:
* CAN YOU LEARN TO BE FUNNY?
* WHITEHOUSE HOPEFULS TURN UP THE HUMOR
* GIVING SITCOMS A FIGHTING CHANCE
* WELCOME BACK, POTTER

as well as markets, contests, who's publishing what and this month's featured writer. You can read it all at: http://www.humorwriters.org/EBWW080107.html

Kathryn Shay talks to writers

A special thanks to author Kathryn Shay for taking time to talk to the group last night about getting into the game - and staying there. In addition to sharing the story of her publishing journey, she offered a few bits of practical advice:

1) "Read in the genre youwant to write. Read and read and read."

2) Be persistent. She showed us a stack of her rejection letters, which might have deterred a less persistent writer. Kathryn now as 4 million books in print.

3) Be business savvy. Understand that success doesn't necessarily bring more success.

4) Be prepared for feedback, both good and bad. "Anyone can say anything about your book and you can't do anything about it," and that's even more true in the digital age.

5) Be cognizent of the market. Understand that the business had highs and lows, and that what's selling this year isn't necessarily what will be selling next year. Write about what you like, "write the book of your heart" but understand not everyone's going to want to buy the book of your heart.

6) The world of publishing is extremely competitive.

For more information about Kathryn Shay, visit http://kathrynshay.com/.