Hope everyone is preparing for a hectic, happy, productive Christmas and New Year. Make a list of the goals you've set for 2009 and stick it up right in front of you above the computer. Work toward each of those goals. I go so far as to set a schedule for each day of the week. Not specific, just general. Try this for a while. It will stop all that fluttery multi - tasking that prevents us from completing any one project.

The best news of my past year was the finalist WILLA award for Fly With The Mourning Dove. As a result of going to the Women Writing the West Conference in San Antonio, a long long drive, to accept that award, I signed a contract with Old American Publishing to finally get my book about the lost communities of the Boston Mountains published. I also made a contact that I'm hoping will lead to a contract in the near future. I've been told it's a done deal. We're working on it, so I won't say more until it's finalized.

Besides making such wonderful contacts in San Antonio, I also was able to visit with many writer friends in that organization. Also served on two panels and made some new friends as a result. So, you see how important networking is. Make that one of your goals for next year. Chose at least two conferences to attend and make sure you pick one where you can pitch to editors. You'd be surprised how much you can learn about the business by spending five to ten minutes talking with an editor about your work.

Don't forget to circle March 14, 2009 on your calendar. That's when our group, Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop, will have its annual FREE all day conference. Location has changed. Watch for a newsletter from me after the holidays with complete information on this conference. All writers are asked to bring books to sell, we'll have plenty of FREE tables just for that. And we have some terrific workshops planned.

Here are some links you might find useful:
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com Free Version
http://www.writersweekly.com For markets & Jobs
http://www.gottawritenetwork.com For reviews on books
http://www.absolutewrite.com Info for all writers

To order my WILLA Award winning book go to:
http://www.tinyurl.com/5j66c2 What a terrific Christmas gift
Check out my other books on Barnes & Noble while there.

Follow my Writer's Blog: http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com
Don't forget to check out my websites
http://authorsden.com/veldabrotherton
http://veldabrotherton.com

I'm adding new stuff all the time.

Two newspapers in New Mexico wrote delightful stories on the protagonist of Fly With The Mourning Dove. They are online at:
http://www.tinyurl.com/5jyfhe
http://www.tinyurl.com/6jkask

Keep writing and studying your craft and keep in touch with me throughout the year. I love to hear what you're doing.