The Newstream, November 2006
The Newstream: A Newsletter for the Woodstream Writing Community, where we share our news with you--and your good news with one another!In this issue: JOIN US: Our Winter Schedule, a Workshop Wonderland!| PUBLISHED, LAUDED, AND APPLAUDED: Novelists--and Others--Make Headway| HOW NOW, BROWN COW?: Contests and Good Connections
Join Us!
Upcoming Woodstream Writing Events
Our Winter 2006/07 Schedule features workshops in Lake Helen, Cocoa, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, and DeLand.
For December:
1) Lake Helen: On Saturday, December 2nd, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., we'll meet in lovely Lake Helen (near DeLand), for a day-long Writing Marathon--open to women writers, all levels, all genres.
Recent Woodstream Marathon attendee Marge Clauser, "Write On!" columnist for The DeLand/Deltona Beacon, says, "The marathon writing day was one of the best experiences I've had. At the marathon I experienced a shift in my mind, spirit, and writing. When the marathon was over, I wanted to stay in touch with the new possibilities the day had brought both to my writing and my life."
Come discover your own "new possibilities"! This is a fine gift to give to a friend, or to the writer that lives inside you. The cost for the day, $65 + menu item, includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages. We are taking waiting list applicants for this workshop.
Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644-5163.
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2) Cocoa: On Tuesday, December 5th, we're offering a free two-hour program from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Central Brevard Library, in downtown Cocoa. All are welcome, when we present the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) workshop method.
Participants will write, then respond, AWA-style, to newly created works. Discussion will cover timed writing exercises and the value of positive feedback for writers at all levels.
Register for this FREE event by calling the Central Brevard Library, 321.633.1792.
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3) Winter Park: "Creative Writing for Everyone" at the Knowledge Shop, a three-week mini-workshop, is a wonderful opportunity to explore your unique writing voice.
About this workshop, writer Robert Ross said, "Although I've had 20-plus years of experience as a professional writer and editor, I took Jamie's [mini-]workshop to kick-start my creative writing. I was impressed with how well she works with and draws out the best in writers of all levels."
Designed for writers at all levels of experience, working (or experimenting!) in all genres, this dynamic and playful will increase both the skills that you bring to creative writing and the pleasure that you take from it!
In December, choose a day or evening session, either three Monday evenings, December 4th, 11th, and 18th, from 6:30-9:00 p.m.; or three Tuesday mornings, December 5th, 12th, and 19th, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Register through The Knowledge Shop, 407.671.9505, or on-line, http://www.theknowledgeshop.us/. Early Bird Special $99/ Regular Price $125.
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4) Altamonte Springs: We're offering our One-Day Writer's Retreat just in the "Nick" of time! Here's your chance to take a brief retreat from the malls to gift yourself with a single day of writing time.
Project-in-progress? We've got a cozy nook for you to snuggle in and write. Ready for something new? Curl up near the fire; our prompts will help you create brand-new writing to carry into a brand-new year.
Either way, we'll feed you well, cheer you mightily, and keep the coffee hot and strong all day. Join us in our intimate, Altamonte setting while we create a little holiday magic all our own.
Date: Sunday, December 17th. Time: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Place: Private home, Altamonte Springs (directions upon registration) Cost: $80 for the fully catered day. Accepting 12 writers for this event, we have just ONE seat left!
Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644-5163.
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Join us in January: Weekly Workshops in Maitland, Cocoa, DeLand, Winter Park
Maitland: Ten-Week AWA Workshops: Twelve participants, all levels of experience, all genres, write together each week, discuss fresh work, and review peer manuscripts.
Choose a morning or evening session: 1) Monday Evening Workshop meets on ten consecutive Monday evenings, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., January 8th-Monday, March 12th. 2)Tuesday Morning Workshop meets on ten consecutive Tuesday mornings, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 9th-Tuesday, March 13th.
Cost: $320 for new members; $305 for returning workshop members. One seat left in each section! Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644-5163.
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Cocoa: This AWA workshop will meet on six alternate Thursday evenings (January 25, February 8 and 22, March 8 and 22, and April 5) from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Cocoa Village.
Appropriate for writers at all levels, in all genres, at each meeting, we will write together and respond positively to each other's new and in-progress work. We'll develop our writing and critique skills, discover our hidden (and not-so-hidden) stylistic strengths, create an atmosphere of trust, and build a brand-new writing community of support--while overlooking the wonderful, wide Indian River below.
Accepting ten writers, we have an Early Bird Special of $295. After 12/15, $315. Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644-5163.
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BRAND NEW WORKSHOP in Maitland: In our "Manuscript Critique Weeks," a group of six intermediate-to-advanced writers, plus leader, will meet weekly for four weeks.
Bringing our focus to one another's works-in-process, during each meeting, we will devote one hour to each of two writers' work. At our fourth meeting, each writer will have 30 minutes to share revised work.
We are offering two sections of this workshop: Choose from Tuesdays, January 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th, OR Tuesdays, February 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. Both sections meet from 7:00-9:30 p.m. weeks 1-3, and 7:00-10:30 p.m. on week 4. The cost per four-week section is $195 ($175 for writers participating concurrently in any other weekly Woodstream Workshop).
Feedback and review are terrific tools to take your work to the next step. In this short session, you'll have the benefit of an excellent group of readers. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644-5163.
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. . . in DeLand: "Creative Writing for Everyone," (see description above) at The Muse Book Shop, runs for FOUR consecutive Friday evenings, January 12, 19, 26, and February 2, from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Register with Jamie@WoodstreamWriters.com or 407.644.5163. Early bird price, by November 15th, $155/Regular price, $165.
. . . in Winter Park: "Creative Writing for Everyone" at The Knowledge Shop: Choose from day or evening THREE-WEEK sessions, either three Wednesday evenings, January 17th, 24th, and 31st, 6:30-9:00 p.m., OR three Friday mornings, January 19th, 26th, and February 2nd, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30.
Register with The Knowledge Shop, 407.671.9505 http://www.theknowledgeshop.us/ $99.00 Early Bird Special/$125.00 Regular Price.
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Published, Lauded, and Applauded!
Woodstream Writers' Latest Triumphs
Novel News from Woodstream: Congratulations, Julie and Troy!
Julie Compton announces the release of her debut novel, Best Intentions, published by Port Town Publishing! Please join us as Woodstream writers--and other Julie Compton fans--celebrate at her book launch party, Saturday night, December 2, from 7 - 9:30 p.m.!
Party and book signing will be held at Beth's Friends, a wonderful new gallery in historic downtown Sanford, devoted exclusively to Florida artists. Sanford will be all decked out for the holidays, and there will be music, hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and of course, copies of Best Intentions for sale and signing. Afterwards, we'll continue the celebration at one of Sanford's local watering holes.
Location: Beth's Friends, 301 East 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771 (For directions, contact Beth Lawson at 407-222-0854 during business hours, or e-mail beth@bethsfriends.com.)
Can't wait 'til December? Visit Julie's GORGEOUS new website, http://www.julie-compton.com/, and take a look. (Hint: There's a link there for ordering!)
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Woodstreamer Troy Stoops's first novel, Dividing Earth, is available now, too! In the complex narrative at the heart of Troy's book, character "Robert Lieber is dying. But a magic as old as the earth, and a mystery born before time, keeps him alive. This is the story of Lieber's quest for self-discovery, for love, and for the ancient meaning of humanity in an age of apathy and separation."
Look for Dividing Earth, by Troy Stoops, at http://trafford.com/4dcgi/dosearch. where you'll find it listed as a 225-page quality trade paperback, catalogue #06-0262, for $17.99.
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Once Upon a Publication
Adele Azar-Rucquoi's non-fiction book, Money As Sacrament, which links money with spirituality, has been out for over three years--and is finally paying royalties! Good for you, Adele! Newstream readers, visit http://www.moneyassacrament.com/, to learn a little more about Adele and her work.
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File Under "You Go, Girl!"
Marge Clauser, DeLand-area newspaper gal, recently got a wonderful chance to share her creative writing when Nancy Aronie, author of Writing from the Heart, invited Marge to read on Aronie's satellite radio show.
The show, which airs every Thursday at 2:00 on the Lime channel (114), also streams live on Lime's website http://www.lime.com/, and is based on Aronie's writing workshops. Marge, looking for a change of pace, wrote 200 words, submitted them, and received from Aronie the response "This is perfection."
We're proud of you, Marge.
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Poetic Publications
We're chuffed! Laura Ross, Lake County poet (and, we're happy to say, Woodstreamer supreme), just got word that she is going to be published in the Arkansas Review. She submitted her poem "The River" six months ago--and just heard back from them with her acceptance!
Yay, Laura! Thanks for letting us know!
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Notes in the News: or, What Would The Sentinel Do without Us?
Talented in many genres (and media!), on October 8th, Julie Dunsworth had her lovely essay "Preserving a Memory" published in the "Life in Short" column in The Orlando Sentinel. Submitted in early summer, we got to enjoy it as an autumn read.
Not Julie's first publication, and far from her last . . . Keep an eye on this girl!
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How Now, Brown Cow?
Publishing Information, Tips, and Opportunities
Contests Near and Far
Near . . . The Mount Dora Annual Writers' Contest invites literary work from entrants18 years of age or older. With four categories, poetry, non-fiction, short story/fiction, and story for juveniles (and three prizes for each category: 1st - $150.00, 2nd - $100.00, 3rd - $75.00), we're SURE you'll contribute a work of your own for consideration!
Please read the complete contest rules at http://www.mountdoralibrary.com/, and, remember, entries must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2007.
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Far . . . Thanks to Jeff Davis (novel-still-in-progress!) and Julie Compton for letting us know that the 7th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition is accepting entries! They're looking for fiction that's "bold, brilliant ... but brief." Send them your best in 1,500 words or less. But don't be too long about it--the deadline is December 1st.
Grand-Prize winner will receive $3,000, and the 1st- through 25th-place manuscripts will be printed in the 7th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition Collection, published by TraffordPublishing!
For guidelines, http://fwpubs.sparklist.com/t/2122721/4416276/478/0/.
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Two Golden Opportunities Knock on Woodstream Writers' Doors
1) Woodstream buddy Beth Lawson has opened a WONDERFUL art/craft gallery called "Beth's Friends," to showcase the work of Florida artists in downtown Sanford. Now Beth has offered to represent Florida authors in her shop, as well! Contact Beth at 407.222.0854 during business hours, or e-mail her at beth@bethsfriends.com to discuss this opportunity.
2) In addition to attending Writing Marathons and ruling the airwaves, journalist Marge Clauser reviews books and literary events for her "Write On!" column. Publishing every other week on the arts and entertainment page of the DeLand-Deltona Beacon, Marge is actively seeking local writers' books to review.
If you have something for Marge's consideration, please contact her at marge@clauser.net or 386.228.0375, home office, or 386.717.5706, cell.
Special thanks to Beth, Marge, and the good folks at the Mount Dora Public Library for creating opportunities for local writers to shine!
Well, that's all for this issue!
Remember to let us know what's news, and . . . . . . keep up the good work!
Jamie Morris,
Woodstream Writing Workshops
http://www.woodstreamwriters.com/