Deep River is giving away $1000 to the winning manuscript submission!

Deep River Books in Sisters is looking for the next bestselling Christian book to publish from a new author. Both fiction and non-fiction manuscripts are elgible.

Offering a $1000 cash prize to the best manuscript submitted. Also offering a $500 award for the second and third place manuscripts accepted in these categories for publication. There will also be “Certificates of Merit” awarded for runner up contestants whose manuscripts are of merit but do not win the $1000 cash prize. Guidelines at http://www.deepriverbooks.com No entry fee.

Scribes Valley Publishing

One of our goals at the Guild is to let our members know about writers’ resources, including websites that contain useful links and opportunities for authors of all genres.

One such site is Scribes Valley Publishing, http://scribesvalley.com. Scribes Valley offers an annual short story contest, a hosted author page for a nominal fee, and links to many other sites of interest. SV also features a weekly U-Write-It-Online challenge, with a writing prompt to be completed in 150 words or less. A fun exercise, and recently Guild member Anita Lanning entered Challenge #348, where her entry was selected for publication. She encourages everyone to check out this informative website to see all it has to offer writers, and give the weekly challenge a try!

Book Signings at Paulina Springs Book Stores

IMAGES OF AMERICA - BEND
and
IMAGES OF AMERICA - REDMOND

Authors Leslie Pugmire Hole and Trish Pinkerton will sign the Redmond book and Les Joslin, editor of the Bend book and president of Deschutes County Historical Society, will sign the Bend book on:

(1) Friday, February 12, 6:30 p.m., Paulina Springs Books, Redmond; and
(2) Saturday, February 13, 6:30 p.m., Paulina Springs Books, Sisters.

Paulina Springs Book store addresses:

422 SW 6th Street, Redmond
252 West Hood Street, Sisters

For more information, contact Les Joslin at (541) 330-0331.

4th Grade Book Writing Contest Organizational Meeting

Central Oregon Writers Guild invites all those interested in the Annual 4th Grade Book Writing Contest to attend the planning and organizational meeting February 10 starting at 6 P.M. at the Redmond Public Library. The Guild needs volunteers for promotion, funding (to cover printing and prizes), to assist students at schools, and judging. You may also help fund the contest with your contribution to the Friends of the Redmond Library-4th Grade Book Writing Contest.

Kathy Duffy, Reference Librarian at the Redmond Public Library, originated and organized the Annual 4th Grade Book Writing Contest for all 4th graders in the Redmond area from 2005-2008. Ms Duffy retired and moved away this past year so there is no contest scheduled for the current school year.

However, the Library has asked Central Oregon Writers Guild to take the lead in conducting this popular contest for the 2010-2011 school year The Guild has been an active partner in the past with the Redmond Library, the Friends of the Redmond Library, the Redmond Rotary, and the High Desert Society of the Arts and will direct the communications and organization of the contest. The Redmond Public Library will continue to host a reception for the contest winners and catalog the winner and runner-up books.

For additional information, please contact ElsieMarie Rochna at centraloregonwritersguild@gmail.com or you may call 541-923-0896

Deep River Books Accepting Unsolicited Christian Manuscripts

Deep River Books a division of VMI Publishers in Sisters is now accepting unsolicited Christian manuscripts. Used world wide by many first time publishers, Deep River helps authors accomplish their publishing goal. Coach Bill McCartney the Founder of Promise Keepers, and many authors have found our program to be a fantastic stepping stone. I encourage authors to visit http://www.deepriverbooks.com/to learn more and see if Deep River is right for them.

Rhonda Funk's new publicity company is also looking for reviewers with blogs that would be interested in free copies of the newest releases that they could post reviews on. Rhonda Funk: rhonda@rhondafunk.com

2010 COWG Bylaws

If you have any suggestions or changes, please use the contacts e-mails in the sidebar to get them to Elsie Rochna, COWG President. Changes from last year appear in red.

CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS’ GUILD BYLAWS


Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Central Oregon Writers’ Guild, hereafter referred to as the “The Guild.”

Article II. Mission and Purpose

Section 1 The Guild shall encourage all area writers at all skill levels and in all genres by providing a forum for mutual support, and education. The Guild shall provide informative and stimulating programs and other opportunities for writers to learn, and to share experiences, and marketing opportunities.

Section 2 The Guild shall be educational and non-profit. It shall not attempt to influence legislation, nor participate in any political campaign.

Section 3 The Guild shall engage speakers, create programs, hold conferences, retreats, or workshops, and sponsor other writing-related activities that inform, educate, and promote networking with the goal of advancing growth and success for individual writers.

Article III. Authorization

Section 1 The Guild’s name, property, or funds shall not be used or committed without prior approval by the Board.

Section 2 The annual budget shall allow for all standing financial obligations of The Guild and a prescribed amount for operating funds.

Section 3 The Guild’s budgetary and fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31.

Article IV. Membership

Section 1 Membership in the Guild is open to all persons pursuing the art of writing and the purposes of the Guild. Any such person may become a participating member by paying the required annual membership fee or by being awarded an honorary membership.

Section 2 There shall be no adverse discrimination of members on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. No person is to be excluded from membership, service, or holding office, for any of those reasons.

Section 3 The Board may award honorary membership for an annual period or for life. These memberships recognize individuals for outstanding service to The Guild, and shall entitle the individual to all benefits of regular members.

Section 4 Members shall enjoy the privilege of full participation in Guild activities, some reductions, or discounts in sponsored events, access to critique groups, ability to nominate board members and voting rights.

Section 5 The Board sets dues. The membership fee is due on January 1 for the calendar year. For new members, the fee is prorated quarterly as such members enter the Guild for the first time during the calendar year. Members previously enrolled who renews before April 1 may pay a reduced membership fee.

Section 6 The membership roll shall be revised on April 1 of each year to remove the name of any person who has not paid the annual dues for that calendar year. No person delinquent in payment of dues shall be entitled to full benefits of Guild membership.

Section 7 The membership roll with home and email addresses and phone numbers shall be kept confidential by the Guild and individual members, and used strictly for Guild business purposes.

Article V. Board

Section 1 A Board, hereafter referred to as the “Board,” shall manage the affairs of the Guild, establish policy and procedures, and otherwise operate the Guild in accordance with these Bylaws. A quorum shall be a simple majority of the current membership of the Board

Section 2 The board shall consist of not more than seven (7) members. All Board members shall have equal voting rights and influence on quorum requirements.

Section 3 Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board. A board member shall serve as long as he/she is willing and able. A member of the Board may resign by written notice to the President at any time. The Board shall have the power to declare any position vacant if its holder fails to perform the duties required by the Bylaws or the Board.

Article VI. Meetings

Section 1 Monthly general meetings shall be held at a time and place specified by the Board. General meetings are open to anyone interested in the art of writing at no charge. Notifications of any changes in time, place, or date of regular meetings will be published as soon as possible. Meetings at the Redmond Library shall be without charge and open to the public.

Section 2 Any member of the Guild may submit ideas and suggestions for Board consideration to a Director at any time. The President may call a special or emergency meeting of the Board, subject to approval via telephone poll or e-mail of the majority of Board members. Otherwise, an item may be held for discussion at the next Board meeting.

Section 3 Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority for parliamentary procedures for meetings of the Board and the general membership.



Article VII. Board Members Duties

Section 1 The President shall preside at all meetings, sign all official documents, report annually on the state of the organization, coordinate critique groups, appoint special purpose committees, and promote membership and the common welfare of the Guild. Works with the Vice-President/Programs in scheduling and arranging of all general Guild meetings and arrange lodging and the meeting needs of speakers.
Chairman Redmond Library Annual 4th Grade Book Writing Contest, under the direction of the President, coordinates teachers, volunteers, judging, printing and works with the Redmond Library’s display and reception.


Section 2 The Vice-President/Programs shall seek speakers, assume duties of the President in his/her absence, assist the President in scheduling and arranging of all general Guild meetings and arrange lodging and the meeting needs of speakers. Submits brief write-up for inclusion in the blog following each meeting.
Program Committee Members will assist in seeking speakers, and arranging needs of speakers.

Section 3 The Treasurer/Membership Director shall maintain checking account for the Guild, be responsible for the accounts and records of the Guild, provide written financial statements to the Board, and contact members delinquent in dues. In addition, he/she shall maintain lists of active members and contacts. Promotes Guild membership. Makes required reports to the IRS and any other oversight agencies

Section 4 The Events Director shall coordinate participation in the Annual Fall Literary Harvest Writing Contest and Event as well as the Chapbook publication and sales. Coordinates the Oregon Book Award Tour. Recommend and organize special events such as workshops, book fairs, retreats, writing contest, readings, lectures, and encourage Guild participation.
Events Committee Members will recommend and assist in the coordination of all special events.


Section 5 The Blog Director shall maintain the blog by making additions recommended by the Board and keeping postings up to date.
Blog Committee Members will seek and submit call for submissions, web sites of interest, and act as backup to the Blog Director.

Section 6 The Publicity Director arranges for media exposure for all Guild events, is in charge of promotional and other activities as requested by the Board, and submits blog posting to notify members of up coming meetings. Maintain current and up-to-date media lists.
Publicity Committee Members will assist in design and production of flyers, posters, and handouts, distribution of posters and flyers, produce articles for the Blog and the promotion of Guild Events.

Section 7 The Board Advisor conducts and compiles an annual survey in order to advise which programs meet members’ interests and needs, and to determine which areas members are willing to volunteer. Promotes membership and the common interest of The Guild members.



Article VIII. Organization

Section 1 As needed, with the advice and consent of the Board, the President shall promote, supervise, and coordinate each basic function of the Guild and attend to other needs and objectives as they arise. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: Community Involvement, Hospitality, Programs, Student Outreach by way of the Annual Redmond’s 4th Grade Book contest, Educational programs through seminars, workshops, and conferences, Networking with other writers and writers organizations throughout the US and Canada, Community service through volunteer work and programs, Scholarship program to writing related educational and business opportunities, Monthly Drawing of a donated Writing Craft book, Rejection Notices contest, Share places to submit work, Share web sites of interest to writers, Efforts to bring together writers and publishers

Story Trailers

Elsie asked me to upload this to the blog at the Thursday night meeting. This is the first in a series of story trailers a friend of mine is editing for me. Originally, I was just going to do one video for all five stories, but my video genius wants to do a seperate trailer for each story. I'm not going to argue if she wants to do me a bigger favor than I was begging.

I wrote the copy and provided her with art and music. This particular trailer uses stock art, stock music, video taken by me, photos taken by me and some work with a flashlight by my friend. My video genius did the rest. I must say, she makes me look really good. It would have been less brilliant without her talents.

If you're interested in how to make your own trailers that are better and less costly than an agency will do for you, feel free to e-mail me: mpaxauthor@gmail.com

I don't see any reason to wait on promoting myself. There's no reason for you to wait either. If you get enough interest, the deal will follow. Readers/fans drive sales. Publication drives readers/fans.

The trailers will be going on the title page of each story on my website [still under construction]. A YouTube channel is another marketing outlet for us to utilize. It's free and easy to embed in your own webiste [to drive viewing there] if you have one. http://www.youtube.com/user/Mpaxauthor Plus, my friend has her own website for her videos, so we cross promote each other.

I got the idea to do trailers/commercials from October's COWG meeting presented by K.C. Snider. The publisher for which she illustrates used trailers on its website. I knew when I saw that, I had to figure out how to do my own.