Not every monster started as human.

In this anthology of eleven original tales - ten by DFW Writers' Workshop members - the undead are never quite expected. From sinister feline mummies to ravenous zombified cars and any and all things in-between, the living dead have returned from their graves, junkyards, and even the war torn skies to haunt the lands of the living. With stories horrific, funny, and weird, Strange Afterlives has a little something for everyone who has ever wondered what terrible secrets could be lurking in that rotting tree or broken toy.

Edited by former DFWWW board member and "a pretty cool guy (according to his mother)", A. Lee Martinez, STRANGE AFTERLIVES is available on Amazon for $0.99.

Buy it now see firsthand why you should join the workshop, if you haven't already.

Stories included in this anthology:

Mouse Trouble by A. Lee Martinez

After the Invasion by Russell C. Connor

Seated Woman with Child by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Roots by Brooke Fossey

The Late Mrs. Buttons by Sally Hamilton

An Undercover Haunting by Kristi Hutson

GImme Shelter by David C. Whiteman

01001110 by Nik Holman

The Runner by John Bartell

Night Witch by Shawn Scarber

The Scavenger Hunt by John Sanders Jr.

STRANGE AFTERLIVES will terrify and amuse. You may never look at a rusted automobile the same way again.

And be sure to join us any Wednesday night at 7:00 pm at The Simmons Center in Euless to see how DFWWW authors keep producing wonderful stories like the ones in this anthology.

Good news continues to roll in for DFWWW!

Congratulations to workshop member, Harry Hall!

Harry's book, The Pedestriennes: America’s Forgotten Superstars earned the Bronze Medal for History (US) from IndependentPublisher.com.

According to the announcement from Independent Publisher, "Gold, silver and bronze "IPPY" medals will be awarded in 78 national, 24 regional, and ten e-book categories, chosen from nearly 6,000 entries from authors and publishers in all 50 U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces, and 34 countries overseas. The winners make up a reading list that is extensive and diverse, featuring new voices and viewpoints passionately expressed through soulful memoirs, insightful self-help books, and penetrating critiques of our social and political systems."

More about the book:

"The Pedestriennes: America's Forgotten Superstars" tells the little-known story of a handful of late 19th century female athletes who dazzled America with their remarkable performances in endurance walking. Frequently performing in front of large raucous crowds, pedestriennes walked on makeshift tracks set-up in reconfigured theatres and opera houses. Top pedestrennes often earned more money in one week than the average American took home in a year. Newspapers reported on their achievements and interviewed the champions. Their walking outfits became fashion plates, their pictures were sold in stores and they made personal appearances as national celebrities. The pedestriennes' exploits reshaped the country's attitudes about what women could accomplish and established the foundation for modern sports, the revival of the Olympic Games and the suffragist movement.

More about Harry:

In his 20 year writing career, Harry Hall's work has appeared in several publications, including Runner-Triathlete News, Mayborn magazine and The Dallas Morning News. Along the way, Harry interviewed celebrities such as Robin Roberts, Earl Campbell, Jim Courier, and Chuck Norris. He's covered a variety of amateur and professional sporting events, including the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament, US Olympic Track and Field Trials, and the Boston Marathon. A long-time public speaking instructor, he wrote a book on overcoming the fear of public speaking, "Help! Everyone is Staring at Me." A one-time syndicated columnist and radio talk show host, Harry was named the Texas Dietetic Association's Media Personality of the Year, and is a member of the Mayborn Author's Guild.

Congratulations again to Harry.

Join us any Wednesday night at 7:00 pm at The Simmons Center in Euless to see how DFWWW authors keep bringing home the wins.

DFW Writers’ Workshop is very proud to announce that the Euless Public Library will be hosting the 2015 DFW Teen Writers' Workshop on Saturdays from 2 until 4 (ish). The program starts on June 13 and enrollment is limited, so don't delay.

This program is 100% free and at least twice your daily recommended amount of fun. We've got a great line-up of speakers - this year we will even cover comics and graphic novels - and we are working on some fun extras to make this a summer to remember.

All participants must:
* Be between 13 and 18 and not yet graduated high school
* Commit to regular attendance (audit/drop-in spaces are available-- see registration page)
* Pre-register (Click here to register)

For more information, be sure to check out our Facebook page as well.

Schedule and Speakers:
June 13  The Art of Critique taught by Melissa Lenhardt
June 20  Narrative Non-Fiction taught by Pamela Skjolsvik
June 27  Comics & Graphic Novels taught by David Doub
July 4     No Class
July 11   Self-Publishing taught by Russell Connor
July 18   World Building taught by Tex Thompson

July 25   TBD

Aug 1     Dialogue taught by Kat Cook
Aug 8     Hands-on Anthology Work

See you then!

This week marks the eagerly awaited release of long-time DFWWW Member, Jenny Martin's debut novel, TRACKED!

Jenny's release celebration will be held this Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Irving Public Library.

There will be food, book signing, swag, and lots of happy tears.

More about TRACKED:

The Fast and the Furious gets a futuristic twist in this action-packed debut!

On corporately controlled Castra, rally racing is a high stakes game that seventeen-year-old Phoebe Van Zant knows all too well. Phee’s legendary racer father disappeared mysteriously, but that hasn’t stopped her from speeding headlong into trouble. When she and her best friend, Bear, attract the attention of Charles Benroyal, they are blackmailed into racing for Benroyal Corp, a company that represents everything Phee detests. Worse, Phee risks losing Bear as she falls for Cash, her charming new teammate. But when she discovers that Benroyal is controlling more than a corporation, Phee realizes she has a much bigger role in Castra’s future than she could ever have imagined. It’s up to Phee to take Benroyal down. But even with the help of her team, can a street-rat destroy an empire?

According to Publisher's Weekly:

TRACKED is "a wholehearted adrenaline rush when it comes to the thrill of the run, making it easy to get drawn into a fast-paced, high-stakes story."

Congratulations, Jenny!

Remember, that's:

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2015

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: South Irving Library Program Room

601 Schulze Dr.
Irving, TX 75060

Each year, area authors submit their first ten pages of their novel to the Henery Press First Chapter Contest, sponsored by the Frisco Public Library. Henery Press, an award-winning local publishing company, reviews the entries and selects the winner.

And for the second year in a row, a DFW Writers' Workshop Member has claimed first prize.

The 2015 First Chapter Contest winner is...(drum roll please)...our president and fearless leader... 

Brooke Fossey!

For those who don't know her, Brooke is a hard-bitten literary gunner who holds a Bachelors in Engineering from Texas A&M and a Masters of Technical Management from Embry Riddle, both of which she’s holstered in favor of raising her four kids with her hubby, Matt. She is also a blogger for Carve Magazine. Find Brooke on Twitter as @BAFossey.

Brooke's first chapter from her book, The Parting Hour, will be featured at friscolibrary.com and professionally reviewed by Henery Press. She joins last year's winners and DFWWW members, George Goldthwaite and Melissa Lenhardt.

Join us any Wednesday night at 7:00 pm at The Simmons Center in Euless to see how DFWWW authors keep bringing home the wins.