Hi Everyone, here are two important writers’ events for this spring.

March 13, The Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop will present its annual Free Writer’s Conference at Ozarks Electric on Wedington Road in Fayetteville, AR. The conference will begin at 8:30 with registration and coffee and rolls.

At 9 a.m. Dusty Richards will welcome everyone.

Our first speakers will kick off the day with short presentations filled with information for beginning writers. Delois McGrew, who is President of Ozarks Writer’s League (OWL) and former editor of the OWL Newsletter, will talk about the Bare Basics for Writers, followed by Ruth Weeks’ presentation, Ruthie’s Rookie Writing Tips. Ruth is an award winning member of our group. Her short stories have won several awards since she joined us and she will share some of the things she’s learned.

After a fifteen minute break, Radine Trees Nehring and Velda Brotherton will present Professional Secrets and Life‑Changing Ideas: Two authors get together over tea to discuss their lives and their work.

These award winning authors have come a long way side by side since they began their writing careers back in the Nineties and they will share some of their secrets.

Nehring’s TO DIE FOR Mystery series, set in and around important tourist attractions in Arkansas, received a McCavity award nomination. The novels continue to entertain her many faithful readers. A RIVER TO DIE FOR is her fifth mystery novel. The sixth book in the series, A JOURNEY TO DIE FOR, will be released May 15. "Carrie and Henry are celebrating their 8‑month anniversary by riding the Arkansas and Missouri Excursion Train to Van Buren, but the journey takes them into old tragedy, young greed, and new murder." $16.00. ISBN 978‑1‑60364‑020‑6

Brotherton was published in 1994 in both the nonfiction and the fiction field. WANDERING IN THE SHADOWS OF TIME, her first publication, continues to be popular. Her book, FLY WITH THE MOURNING DOVE, was a finalist in the 2008 WILLA Literary awards in the creative nonfiction category. SPRINGFIELD: THE COURAGE OF SHILOH, published in 2002, remains available. Her latest books, THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS: LOST IN THE OZARKS and ARKANSAS MEALS AND MEMORIES, will be released this spring.

At 11:15 Charles Sasser will speak on Making Men’s Adventures Tense & Tough. Sasser has been a full‑time freelance writer/journalist/photographer since 1979. He is a veteran of both the U.S. Navy (journalist) and U.S. Army Special Forces, the Green Berets. He also served fourteen years as a police officer (in Miami, Florida, and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a homicide detective). His books include: GOD IN THE FOXHOLE (Pocket, 2008, winner of Best Spiritual Book of The Year by Military Writers Society of America); NONE LEFT BEHIND (St. Martin’s, 2009) It would take a book to list all of Chuck’s accomplishments, but if it’s been done, he’s done it.

During lunch, which will be brought in at a cost to you of $7.00, writers will read from their work and will be available to sign copies of their books.

Then back to work at 2 p.m. when Linda Apple will inspire everyone with her presentation: Writing from the Soul. Apple is a popular inspirational writer and speaker. She has been published in 11 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her short stories appear in several regional anthologies. Her books are INSPIRE! WRITING FROM THE SOUL and CONNECT! A SIMPLE GUIDE TO PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR WRITERS, both from AWOC publishing.

Another break, then at 3 p.m. Dusty Richards will present his popular Writing 101. Dusty is on the way to having his 100th book published. Two of his Westerns won Spur Awards in 2009: Horse Creek Incident, a novel and Comanche Moon, a short story. He became the first western author to win two Spurs in the same year. Dusty is one of the most generous of authors and is always willing to help new writers, from reading some of their work to sitting down with them to teach.

At 3:45 speakers will wind up the conference by taking questions from the audience on any topic.

If you want a list of nearby Motels, ask when you email to register. vebrotherton@gmail.com or dustyrichards@cox.net


VELDA’S ALL DAY WORKSHOP is scheduled for Saturday, April 10 at Ozark Folkways from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $25.

The title of the workshop is How to Write Stories That Captivate. The workshop is for novice as well as experienced writers.

Velda provides one-on-one assistance and everyone will be involved in brainstorming and capturing ideas.

When you leave you will have completed a draft for your story and you will have learned:
The Five Ws: Who, What, Where, When and Why as well as the How of Writing.

Who Are Your Characters
What is POV
Where Ideas Come From
When to Plot
Why Search for a Voice
How to Add Scenes and Sequels (Peaks and Valleys)

You may bring a laptop or pen and paper. Lunch is on your own. Brown bag it or join the group at Grandma’s for a delicious Ozark Meal. Grandma doesn’t take credit cards, so bring cash.

The group is limited to 20, so if you want to attend, get your reservation in early. Call Ozark Folkways at 479-634-3791 or email Velda at vebrotherton@gmail.com. Those who register will receive a complete schedule and directions to Ozark Folkways.

For overnight stays, Sky Vue Lodge, across the highway, has a few vacancies but you’d better make reservations there early. Call 479-634-2003 or 800-782-2003. Chester House Inn, a Bed and Breakfast in Chester, a few miles to the south, is also a good place to spend the night if you want to come early. Call 479-369-4441.

Velda has been writing for 25 years. She has six novels and four non fiction books, twelve short stories and numerous articles and historical columns published. Two more books, THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS: LOST IN THE OZARKS and ARKANSAS MEALS AND MEMORIES, will be released in March of this year. She has been conducting workshops and speaking at conferences, libraries, museums, etc., for the past 20 years. She is also co-chair of a large critique group in Fayetteville which has been around for 23 years. For more information on her, see http://www.veldabrotherton.com http:vbrotherton.blogspot.com
http:veldabrotherton.blogspot.com

Here are some dates to keep in mind:

March 27 — Cowskin Prairie United Daughters of the Confederacy Book Festival at the Grove Community Center at 104 W. 3rd St., in Grove, OK. Check http://www.okdivudc.com for more information.

April 18 --- Lake Ft. Smith State Park Visitor’s Center will host the launch of The Boston Mountain book from 1 - 3 p.m. Velda will talk about gathering historical information, visit with everyone and sign copies of her books.

April 24 --- Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale will host a Power Point Program featuring photos from her book on Saturday, at 1 p.m. Velda will talk about visiting the old community sites and sign copies of her books.

May 8 --- Fayetteville Public Library will host Velda and Linda Apple in the Walker Community Room from 1 - 3 p.m. Velda will speak on writing and researching historical works. Linda will speak on Inspirational Writing. Everyone is welcome to visit with the authors following the presentation.

To find other places where you can find Velda and her books this spring and summer, check my blogs and website.

See you all somewhere.

Best Wishes to everyone.




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