Avoiding the Slush Pile: Editing Tips to Make Your Manuscript More Marketable

Central Oregon Writers Guild

Saturday Workshop

Avoiding the Slush Pile: Editing Tips to

Make Your Manuscript More Marketable.

A Hands-on Techniques workshop

With Red Pen Girl Editor, Jami Carpenter

When: Saturday, April 21, 9:30-12:30

Location: COCC Redmond Campus, 2030 SE College Loop,

                 Building 3, Room 306

Cost: $10 for Guild members, $15 for nonmembers.

          Tickets at the door.

Even the most accomplished authors struggle with some aspect of their writing, whether it's following the rules of grammar, punctuation, and formatting or creating the most captivating opening to catch the attention of publishers. "Redpengirl" Jami Carpenter will reveal the most common, ghastly, and humorous errors she's encountered as a professional editor and ghostwriter, as well as provide suggestions and solutions to help writers keep their manuscripts from ending up in the "round file."

The three-hour workshop will include hands-on activities designed to incorporate the tips and techniques introduced. Participants are encouraged to bring five copies of their own "first two pages” for review and recommendations, and of course, their own red pens!

For Questions: Contact Lindy Jacobs at lindyj@bendcable.com

Critique RX -- A Workshop Clinic, June 18th

CRITIQUE RX

A workshop clinic to help you brush up on essential critique skills

With novelists Paty Jager and Lindy Jacobs

Saturday, June 18th 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Central Oregon Community College Redmond Campus,
2030 SE College Loop, Building 3, Room 306

Join us for this hands-on review and workshop as we look at ways to sharpen our self-editing and group critique skills. Class will include a critique demonstration followed by small group critique. Bring six copies of the first 2-3 pages of your current work-in-progress, a pencil and an open mind!

There will be no cost to Guild members. $10 for nonmembers at the door. Coffee and Tea served. RSVP to Lindy at lindyj@bendcable.com  For information about the Guild, please contact Elsie Rochna at elsiemariewrites@gmail.com

Local Happenings

Sunday, October 10, 2:00 p.m., Second Sunday, Brooks Room, Bend Public Library. The featured author this Sunday is Denise Fainberg: Oregon, An Explorer's Guide and Washington, An Explorer's Guide. Open mic follows her reading.

Monday, October 11, 7:00 p.m., BendPAC, Bend Performing Arts Center, The Speakeasy. Open mic storytelling. This month's theme: scary story slam. Panel of judges - Bob Shaw, Robert Killen and Don Senecal - will choose the scariest of all for the special grand prize. $5 - free parking. 1155 SW Division Street, between 3rd & Reed Market in Scandia Square behind the House of Music.

Tuesday, October 12, 6:30 p.m., Saralee Lawrence is reading from her novel, River House. For more information: Camalli Book Company

Thursday, October 14, 6:30 p.m., Diane Hammond is reading in the Brooks Room of the Bend Public Library from her new novel.

Friday, October 15, 6:30 p.m., 7th Annual Literary Harvest, Hitchcock Auditorium, COCC - Bend Campus. For more details hit the 'Literary Harvest' tab above.

Saturday, October 16, 9 a.m - 4:30 p.m., Revision Workshop with Elizabeth Lyon. For more detail click on Elizabeth's picture on the sidebar.

Friday, October 29th, 6:30 p.m., Ursula K. Le Guin will be reading at Camalli's from her new novel. Camalli Book Company

How to Get the Most from Your Revision Workshops

Get ready for the"Power of Revision Workshops" with nationally-acclaimed book editor and best-selling author Elizabeth Lyon, October 16 & 17 at Central Oregon Community College, Bend Campus.

To maximize the benefits before the workshop check out Elizabeth's list, a bibliography of books from which she'll be using an excerpt for instruction:

1. Manuscript Makeover-Revision Techniques No Fiction Writers Can Afford to Ignore, by Elizabeth Lyon. Perigee [Penguin]. "The Writer" magazine selected Manuscript Makeover as one of the "8 Great Writing Books of 2008."

2. The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit, by Elizabeth Lyon. Perigee [Penguin]. 2002.

3. A Writer's Guide to Fiction, by Elizabeth Lyon. Perigee [Penguin]. 2004.

4. Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write, by Elizabeth Lyon. Perigee [Penguin]. 2002.

5. Hemlock Lake, by Carolyn Rose. Five Star Publishing [Gale Cenage]. Carolyn is a mystery writer and one of the 2010 Literary Harvest judges who will be present at Literary Harvest on October 15.

6. The Stylist, by Cai Emmons. Harper Perennial. 2007. Cai is a creative writing teacher at University of Oregon at Eugene and a novelist. She is also one of our 2010 Literary Harvest judges who will be present at Literary Harvest on October 15.

7. The Blood of Lorraine, by Barbara Pope. Pegasus. 2008. Elizabeth will be using excerpts in her workshop.

8. Cezanne's Quarry, by Barbara Pope. Pegasus. 2009.

9. Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Yearling [Random House]. 1999. Elizabeth will be using a major excerpt from this children's book and it is very popular with participants.

10. A Round-Heeled Woman, by Jame Juska. Villard [Random House].

All books available at CAMALLI BOOK COMPANY, 1288 SW Simpson, Suite C, in Bend.

*To Register: Click on Elizabeth's photo in the sidebar to access Registration Forms and full description of the classes. All workshop materials will be provided. Saturday's workshop price also includes lunch. For Q & A: elyon@comcast.net or phone 541-357-4181. Or contact Lindy Jacobs, Central Oregon Writers Guild Events Director at 541-408-6306.

Special Event Workshop

Central Oregon Writers Guild welcomes

Nationally Acclaimed Book Editor, Writing Instructor and Bestselling Author of 6 Writing Books, Elizabeth Lyon for two writing workshops, October 16 & 17 at Pioneer Hall, COCC Bend campus.

Registrations are being taken for the Power of Revision Workshops, deadline October 6,

Revise for Movement, Revise for Sound Structure,
Revise for Characterization--Revise for Voice and Style

Saturday, October 16, 9-4:30 PM–Fiction & Creative Nonfiction: From Rough Draft to Ready
$75, includes all materials plus lunch and refreshments ($70 if paid by cash or check)

Sunday, October 17, 1-4:00 PM –Nonfiction: Honing Concepts, Organizing Books, and Polishing Proposals.
$35, includes all materials, refreshments served ($30 if paid by cash or check)

*Click on Elizabeth Lyon’s photograph in sidebar at left to download Registration Forms. Q&A: elyon123@ comcast.net, or phone 541-357-4181. Or contact Lindy Jacobs, Central Oregon Writers Guild Events Director at 541-408-6306.

Intensive Critique Workshop

Central Oregon Writers Guild Presents

Intensive Critique Workshop

Looking for better feedback? How can you tell if a story is headed in the right direction?

With Author and Writing Instructor, Mike Lankford
Saturday, July 10, 9:00-12:30 pm
COCC Redmond Campus, 2248 SE College Loop, Building 1, Room 128
Cost for readers $15/$10 for Guild members--$7 for observers/ discussion group members

Join us for this small group session limited to ten writers led by MIKE LANKFORD. Four writers may submit a ten-page manuscript (early novel chapter or short story) for critique in the workshop (first come, first serve) and agree to preview the other writer’s work before the class. The remaining six students may observe or actively participate in discussion. All participants will get the most benefit from the workshop by reading the four manuscripts using a set of Intensive Critique guidelines which will be sent to registered students.

“The proper approach to any work is to treat it as your own,” says Mike Lankford, who teaches at COCC and conducts a private workshop in Bend.

Mike Lankford is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop and the author of Life in Double Time, a memoir. He has also ghost written twelve books and is working on #13—in addition to his own work which is currently a novel and a second memoir. He can be contacted at bent@bendcable.com

Sign up at our monthly Guild meeting, Thursday, June 24 or reserve space by contacting Guild Events Director, Lindy Jacobs at 541 408-6306 or by email: lindyj@bendcable.com.

PATY JAGER’S 4/10 BOOK PROPOSAL WORKSHOP A BIG SUCCESS

There was a great turnout for Paty’s How to Write a Book Proposal workshop. Based on her expertise and experience, Paty, author of five novels, provided attendees with guidance on writing queries, synopses and book proposals that lead to publication. Here are but a few of the excellent pointers we gleaned from Paty’s presentation:

· Never send a proposal unless your book is finished. Agents, editors and publishers anticipate a completed manuscript when they consider a proposal.

· Study the markets to know which one is most appropriate for your story. Markets can be researched at online sites such as http://www.marketlist.com/, or reference publications like Writers Market 2010 edition, available in local libraries. Decide on your target market and make a list of the top five picks.

· Make sure the first three chapters of your manuscript are polished before submitting with your query letter, synopsis and proposal. This means edit and re-edit!

· The synopsis is the selling tool for your book and must show turning points of the full story including the ending.

Study and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the publisher, which can be found online or by requesting copies be sent to you.

Google to find an editor or agent who is seeking submissions in your genre. Few publishing houses accept unsolicited manuscripts.

Everyone who participated in Paty’s workshop walked away well-armed with the ins and outs of preparing book proposals, synopses, outlines, query letters and pitches, all designed to assist us as we pursue our journey to publication and writing success. We thank Paty for her informative and down-to-earth presentation and look forward to future sessions conducted by this highly successful award-winning author. Go to Paty’s website to learn more about her own writer’s journey and her published and soon-to-be published books. http://www.patyjager.net/.

Intensive Critique Workshop

Central Oregon Writers Guild Presents

Intensive Critique Workshop

With Author and Writing Instructor, Mike Lankford

Saturday, May 8, 9:00-12:30 PM
COCC Redmond Campus, 2030 SE College Loop, Building 1, Room 128
Cost for 4 readers: $15/$10 for Guild members--$7 for non-readers

Looking for better feedback?

Want to help others see what is or isn’t working in their manuscripts?

How can you tell if a story is headed in the right direction?

Join us for this small group session limited to ten writers led by Mike Lankford. Four writers may submit a ten-page manuscript (early chapter of novel or short story) for critique in the workshop (first come, first serve) and agree to preview the other writers’ work before the class. The remaining six students may observe or actively participate in discussion. Everyone who signs up for the workshop will get the most benefit by reading the manuscripts being critiqued before coming to the workshop. A set of review questions will be given to registered students. *Deadline to submit work for workshop, May 1.

“The proper approach to any work is to treat it as your own,” says Mike Lankford, who teaches at COCC and conducts a private workshop in Bend.

Mike Lankford is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop and the author of Life in Double Time, a memoir. He has ghost written twelve books and is working on #13—in addition to his own work which is currently a novel and a second memoir. He can be contacted at bent@bendcable.com

Sign up at our monthly Guild meeting, Thursday, April 22, or reserve space by contacting Guild Events Director, Lindy Jacobs at 541 408-6306 or by email: lindyj@bendcable.com.