Tag Archives: Writing

HARPER Voyager Author Chat at #SFFChat on Twitter Today

February 23, 2017Literary#SFFChat, Answers, Authors, Book Promo, books, Character Creation, Chats, Conversations, Fantasy, HARPER Voyager, HarperCollins Imprint, Hashtag, Information, Inspiration, Marketing, Page Turners, Publishing, Questions, Science Fiction, Twitter, Writers, Writingpdpabst

Chat time! A group of science fiction and fantasy authors from HARPER Voyager have agreed to chat on twitter today (February 23, 1017) using the hashtag #SFFChat. The mingling will be between 3pm and 8pm EST.

They encourage everyone to participate, writer or not. While I’m sure they’ll talk about books they’ve written (who wouldn’t), they’ll also be discussing querying, world building, character creation, writing a page turner, book promo, and marketing! So join in the fun and get your questions ready!

And always remember, if you can’t make the timeframe, you can always peruse the hashtag later to see the Q&A that took place. You might find a nugget of information.

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

2017 Virginia Festival of the Book

February 13, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAuthor Readings, Authors, books, Charles Wright, Children's Program, David Baldacci, David McCullough, Edward Ayers, Feedback, Fiction, Inspiration, John Gisham, Jon Scieszka, Literary Culture, Manuscripts, Marketing, Non-Fiction, Rick Atkinson, Vacation, Virginia, Virginia Festival of the Book, Workshops, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The Virginia Festival of the Book brings readers and writers together for a five-day celebration of books, reading, literacy, and literary culture. The 23^rd Annual Festival will be held March 22-26, 2017. Programs range from traditional author readings and book signings to children’s programs and hands-on workshops. All programs are open to the public and, with the exception of a few ticketed events, the majority of Festival programs are free to attend.

An abbreviated list of past participants includes Rick Atkinson, Edward Ayers, David Baldacci, Maureen Corrigan, Edwidge Danticat, Kate DiCamillo, Rita Dove, Alan Furst, John Grisham, Jan Karon, Jim Lehrer, Frances Mayes, Colum McCann, David McCullough, Alice McDermott, Katherine Paterson, Jon Scieszka, Lisa Scottoline, Pete Seeger, Karin Slaughter, Alexander McCall Smith, Lee Smith, Bryan Stevenson, Elizabeth Strout, Judith Viorst, and Charles Wright. For a current listing, go here.

As always, have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest

February 12, 2017Awards, Contests, LiteraryAdult Short Topics, Agents, Authors, Chapter Books, Children's Picture Book, Conference, Critique, Editors, Fantasy, February, Feedback, Historical, Mainstream, Manuscripts, Marketing, Memoir, Middle Grade, Monetary Prize, Mystery, Nonfiction, Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Paranormal, PNWA, Poetry, Romance, Sci-Fi, Short Story, Submissions, Thriller, Unpublished, Women's Fiction, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

pnwa

The deadline for Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest is approaching. All unpublished entries must be received by February 17, 2017. This is also a chance to get feedback on your work. There are twelve categories:

mainstream
historical
romance/women’s fiction
mystery/thriller
sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal
young adult
middle grade
nonfiction/memoir
poetry
short story
children’s picture/chapter book
adult short topics (articles/essays/memoir)

There are three monetary prizes:

FIRST PLACE: $600
SECOND PLACE: $300
THIRD PLACE: $100

Eight finalist will receive two critiques on their submissions. The agents and editors participating in the PNWA‘s summer conference will pick winners out of the finalists. Go here for complete details. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Iceland Writers Retreat

February 10, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways#amediting, #amwriting, Adult Books, advise, April, Authors, books, Cafes, Critique Partners, Editing, Feedback, Fiction, Goals, Golden Circle, Holiday, Hot Springs, Iceland, Iceland Writers Retreat, Inspiration, Ireland, Learning, Literary Craft, Literary Tradition, Locations, Manuscripts, Marketing, Mentors, Middle Grade, Music, Non-Fiction, novels, Publishing, Readings, research, Reykjavik, Stories, Travel, Vacation, WIP, Work In Progress, Workshops, Writers, Writing, Writing Groups, Young Adultpdpabst

skogarfoss_002-roman-gerasymenko

The Iceland Writers Retreat states that over the course of the retreat, each participant is enrolled in a total of five two-hour small-group writing workshops (max. 15 participants) led by internationally acclaimed authors, a Q&A panel with all faculty, and numerous readings and social functions. But there are only a few seats left, so you better hurry!

Each of our Featured Authors teaches two different workshops, and you have plenty of time to interact with faculty, including those with whom you do not have any workshops. The retreat takes place April 5-9, 2017 and costs approximately ISK 289,000 (approximately $2479 US dollars). Prices exclude airfare and airport transportation.

Langjokull-Glacier-Mountaineers-of-Iceland

But between all the intimate workshops and lectures, writers will have the opportunity to tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in cozy cafes of Reykjavik, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition. And remember, if researching for a novel or just wanting the workshops to improve your craft, this retreat is tax deductible! For complete registration inclusions, go here.

As always, have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

January 30, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways#amediting, #amwriting, Arthur A. Levine Books, Authors, books, Darynda Jones, Del Rey Books, DONALD MAASS LITERARY AGENCY, Dystel & Goderich, Editing, Editors, Feedback, Fiction, Hone Your Craft, Inspiration, JABberwocky Literary Agency, Kensington Publishing, Kevin Hearne, Kimberley Cameron Literary, Learning, Literary Agents, Manuscripts, Nelson Literary Agency, Non-Fiction, NYT Bestseller, Penguin Random House, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Pitch Events, Published, Publishing, Scholastic, Stories, Tess Gerritsen, The Bent Agency, Unpublished, USA Bestseller, Writingpdpabst

Pikes Peak Writers Conference is an opportunity to get literary advise from a professional in the business or get invaluable feedback on your manuscript. The conference will be April 28-30, 2017 held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Donald Maass (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
Darynda Jones (USA & NYT Bestseller author)
Kevin Hearne (Author of The Iron Druid Chronicles )
Tess Gerritsen (Internationally bestselling author)

ACQUIRING EDITORS:

Esi Sogah (Kensington Publishing)
Cheryl Klein (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic)
Kate Brauning (Entangled Publishing)
Mike Braff (Del Rey Books, imprint of Penguin Random House)

AGENTS:

Sharon Pelletier (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management)
Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary Agency, LLC)
Sam Morgan (JABberwocky)
Natalie Lakosil (Bradford Literary Agency)
Heather Flaherty (The Bent Agency)
Lisa Abellera (Kimberley Cameron and Associates)

For more authors and specialist, go here. And be sure to register before the workshop fills up. As always, have fun!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Alabama Writing Workshop 2017

January 26, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAdult Books, Authors, Corvisiero Literary Agency, editor, Embasy Suites, Fiction, Fiery Seas Publishing, Hilton, Kensington Publishing, Literary Agents, Manuscripts, Middle Grade Books, New Adult Books, Non-Fiction, P.S. Literary, Pitch Event, publisher, The Alabama Writing Workshop, Trident Media Group, Workshop, Writing, Young Adult Bookspdpabst

Alabama Workshop

The Alabama Writing Workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event, so don’t delay.

literary agent Marisa Corvisiero (Corvisiero Literary)
literary agent Mark Gottlieb (Trident Media Group)
literary agent Latoya C. Smith (L. Perkins Agency)
literary agent Eric Smith (P.S. Literary)
literary agent Cate Hart (Corvisiero Literary)
editor Elizabeth May (Kensington Publishing)
editor Misty Williams (Fiery Seas Publishing)

The event will take place Friday, February 24, 2017 from 9:30am-5pm at Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham, 2300 Woodcrest Pl, Birmingham, AL 35209. (205)879-7400.

Learn lots and have fun!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Costa Rica Retreat for Writers and Families

January 16, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAuthor, Costa Rica, Creative Writing, Fiction, Hammocks, Hikes, Inspiration, Manuscripts, Non-Fiction, Public Readings, Rain Forest, Relaxation, research, Stories, Tourist, Vacation, WIPs, Workshops, Writing, Writing Retreatpdpabst

You’ll stay on a working farm in the heart of the rainforest, with easy access to both hammocks and hikes. Each morning, you’ll participate in creative writing workshops, and each afternoon, you’ll have time to write or explore.

The week begins and ends with public readings — which your family is welcome to attend!

Cost: $1,345-$1,819 per person (does not include lunch or dinner); $290 per child (if sharing a room with two adults). The retreat will be February 4-11, 2017. Remember, if you’re an author, retreats are tax deductible. Get complete details here.

Have fun!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Who Can You Trust…A Charles Cumming Contest

January 15, 2017LiteraryA Divided Spy, Authors, Book, Charles Cumming, Creativity, Distrust, Monetary Prize, New York TImes Bestseller List, Official Rules, Published, Short Story, Spy, St. Martin's Press, Thomas Kell, Trust, Who Can You Trust, Writing, Writing Contestpdpabst

St. Martin’s Press is giving 5 lucky winners the opportunity to be published in A DIVIDED SPY by New York Times Bestselling author Charles Cumming. Each winner will also receive $250.

A Divided Spy

The theme of trust looms large in A Divided Spy. Throughout the book, new and old confidants surround ex-spy Thomas Kell, providing him with sensitive information, and he (and the reader) don’t know whom he can trust until the very end of the book.

How has trusting a family member, friend, or stranger affected your life? To enter Who Can You Trust, write up to 1,000 words on how trust (or distrust) has changed your outlook.
Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, style, and integrity.
The deadline is January 17, 2017 at 11:59 ET.

Be sure to check the official rules in the small box at the bottom of the contest page! As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Writing With The Stars

January 14, 2017Contests, Literary, Mentor ProgramArtists, Authors, BeckyTara Books, Childrens Books, Critiques, Feedback, Fiction, Illustrators, Industry Knowledge, Manascripts, Published Authors, Stories, Writers, Writing, Writing With The Starspdpabst

BeckyTara Books is hosting Writing With The Stars, a mentorship opportunity for picture book writers and illustrators. The industry stars who have generously agreed to donate their time and knowledge to this program can be found here. Applicants who are selected will be paired with one of these amazing author/illustrators for a three-month mentorship. Wowza!

Be sure to check their complete submission rules and application. Deadline to enter is January 16, 2017. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction

The Masters Review Short Story Award for New Writers

January 10, 2017Contests, Literary7000 Words, Amy Williams, Authors, Digital Publishing, Fiction, Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Jean V. Nagger Literary, Laura Biagi, Manuscript, Monetary Prize, Publication, Short Story, Short Story Award For New Writers, Stories, Style, The Masters Review, The Williams Agency, Victoria Marini, Writingpdpabst

The winning story will be awarded $2000 and publication online. Second and third place stories will be awarded publication and $200 and $100 respectively. All winners and honorable mentions will receive agency review by: Amy Williams of The Williams Agency, Victoria Marini from Irene Goodman, and Laura Biagi from Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc. We want you to succeed, and we want your writing to be read. It’s been our mission to support emerging writers since day one.

They say they don’t have any preferences topically or in terms of style. They’re simply looking for the best. Also, they don’t define, nor are we interested in, stories identified by their genre. However, they consider themselves a publication that focuses on literary fiction and are looking for stories that dazzle, take chances, are bold — and do so by focusing on more than plot.

You can check out the complete guidelines for submissions and previous winners here. Please note the deadline to enter is January 15, 2017.

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