Details are coming together for the 2010 DFW Writers' Conference! For the next conference we've added the Hook `em Contest, in which writers can submit the first five pages of a manuscript to compete for an agent pitch session. We've already got nine agents signed up to attend, and we're lining up some great presenters. We'll have nearly 40 breakout sessions. And New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas will be the keynote speaker. Our third annual installment of the conference is shaping up to a memorable event!

The conference takes place April 10 & 11, 2o10, at the City of Grapevine Convention Center.

For more details, you can visit www.dfwwritersconference.org. To register, you can click on the yellow 'Register Now' button on the right side of this page.

Agents and editors agree, to compete with today's flashier entertainment, authors must 'hook' a reader in a book's first five pages. Writers need to decide:  'How can I establish an opening that promises excitement … or romance … or adventure … and still offer a fresh, original product?' It must all happen in the first five pages, or few readers will buy the book.

New at the 2010 DFW Writers' Conference is the HOOK 'EM Writing Contest. The contest focuses on those all-important first five pages. The best entrant in each category, as determined by a panel of judges independent of the DFW Writers' Conference and the DFW Writers' Workshop, will win a 10-minute appointment with an agent. The categories are:

• Literary


• Mystery / Suspense / Thriller


• Non-Fiction


• Romance


• Science Fiction / Fantasy / Horror


• Young Adult / Middle Grade

Contestants may enter in several categories, or have several entries in one or more categories. The contest is open to everyone, age 16 and older, regardless of registration to attend the 2010 DFW Writers' Conference. There is a $35 fee per entry per category.  A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the children's charity, First Book.  

The deadline to enter is midnight on January 16, 2010. Visit  Hook 'EM Writing Contest for the contest rules, formating guidelines, and to enter.

This appeared on KODE-TV Channel 12 in Joplin, Mo. Great job, Laurie!

Woman Strangled - News at Ten review

Exciting news from the Romance Writers of America conference held this past weekend.  DFWWW's own Rosemary Clement-Moore and Candace Havens were recognized.Rosemary Clement-Moore won a RITA (think Oscar for non-romance enthusiasts) for her Young Adult novel, Hell Week, book two in the Maggie Quinn series. Hopefully, she'll bring the golden statuette to a future Workshop meeting so we can all 'ooh' and 'aah' over it. 

 

Candace Havens won Pro Mentor of the Year. Candy said, "I was in such shock that I was only half listening when they gave it to me."  The award is no surprise for anyone who has read her books, or taken one of her free classes offered through Write Workshop.  

Congratulations, ladies. We're proud to have you both as members of the DFW Writers' Workshop. 

Exciting things are happens to members of the DFW Writers' Workshop as evidenced by these announcements during the July 8^th meeting:

George Goldthwaite was offered a contract by Books In Motion, an audio book publisher, for his western novel, From Youth to Vengeance.  It is tentatively scheduled for a December release.   New member, Jenny Martin, received a request for the full manuscript of her novel, Holy, Texas, by literary agent Nadia Cornier with Firebrand.  Del Cain had a poem published in the Texas Poetry Calendar 2010.  A. Lee Martinez received a great review in Locus: The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy for his recently released novel, Monster.  Candace Havens newest work, Dragons Prefer Blondes, was released this week.  She will sign copies at the Barnes & Noble in Hurst this Saturday, July 11 from 2 p.m - 4 p.m.  She is also hosting a blog tour, with more information at CandaceHavens.com.

All proof that DFW Writers' Workshop members continue to publish a wide variety of works, despite the economic downturn.