Markus Zusak, bestselling author of The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger, almost slipped past our radar.  He's sneaking into town for the Highland Park Literary Festival – and that’s no small feat considering the steroidal pond he has to hop over on his way from Sydney, Australia.

The festival itself is put on predominately for Highland Park high schoolers.  If you're one of those, you're a lucky duck.  The workshops and supporting presenter list is fantastic.

For the rest of us who bid farewell to our teenage years a while ago, we can still catch Markus’s keynote speech during the Thursday night event.  It’s open to the public, and it’s free.  Who doesn’t like to hear that?

The details are as follows:

Thursday, February 21, 2013

6:30 p.m.: Sales of books authored by Markus Zusak and workshop presenters

7:00 p.m.: Keynote Speaker - Markus Zusak

Highland Park High School large auditorium.  (MAP)

Here's an opportunity to build that writing resume.  A chance to pad those few lines which you're allowed inside the query letter.  A possible occasion to gloat.

The Columbus Creative Cooperative is offering a novel competition.  Dust off those finished manuscripts.  Even the one you're currently querying is fair game.  Have it reviewed by Harvey Klinger's team of judges and see how you stack up against other unpublished novelogists.

It's $40 to enter with a grand prize of a publishing contract with Columbus Press  or a $1,000 cash.  The runner-up will receive a free publishing consultation to help improve the manuscript.

They're only accept 200 submission to the contest, and we say those odds aren't too shabby.

Make sure to click the picture to enter before January 31st.

DFW Writers’ Workshop 2013 Conference

May 4-5 in Hurst, Texas

Editors, agents, and best-selling authors draw hundreds of attendees.

The Dallas Fort-Worth Writers’ Workshop will host its sixth annual DFW Writers’ Conference on May 4-5 at the Hurst Convention Center. Over 18 agents and editors will be in attendance and a free pitch session is included in the price of admission. (Extra pitches are available for a low fee.)

This year, the conference will feature three prominent authors as its keynote speakers:

• Deborah Crombie – New York Times bestselling author of the Duncan Kinkaid/Gemma James mystery series, including her recently released, NO MARK UPON HER.

• Mike Capuzzo – Pulitzer Prize nominee and New York Times bestselling nonfiction author of THE MURDER ROOM and CLOSE TO SHORE.

• David Corbett – Author of contemporary fiction and the non-fiction writing book, THE ART OF CHARACTER.

In addition to more than 50 informative classes and workshops on the craft and business of writing, the conference will once again host panels such as the “Query Letter Gong Show,” which features agents who decide to request queries or give them a loud gong.

“Our conference theme this year is ‘No Word Wasted,’” says Katy Roberts, Director of the 2013 DFWWW conference. “Our group gives feedback for your best possible writing … to make every word count. We hope writers will take advantage of the resources and networking opportunities at our conference!”

Early bird discount registration for the conference ends February 4^th.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK THE WEBSITE CONFERENCE TAB OR CONFERENCE PHOTO.

There’s lots of writing advice floating around. I’ve learned hundreds of tips and tricks from craft books, from conferences, from industry professionals and colleagues. But if I had to single out the one tidbit, the very best piece of writing wisdom anyone has ever shared with me, it would be this:

Write another book.

Seriously, I promise it’s the all-purpose, regenerative, industrial strength cure for what ails. Facing rejection, again and again? Still revising the same novel since 2002? Write another book. Each new project helps you grow and gain perspective. You can’t develop your voice or hone new skill sets if you’re forever rearranging the same tired words. A new book is a second chance. Be courageous and take it.

Or maybe you’ve already had some success, but new worries are a constant plague. Are you angst-ing while on submission? Did your agent leave the business? Did your first contract fall through? Did your first (or fiftieth!) novel fail to earn out? Are critics (or critique partners) calling for your blood?

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK.

When your inbox spells doom and your last project is in doubt, dare to move forward, turning your back on everything you’ve tried before. Your last manuscript was not a failure—those words taught you what they could. They prepared you for the next page one. But don’t let them become the end, the barnacle-encrusted stopper in a half-empty bottle. Open yourself up to possibility of future success and begin again.  Refill, refuel, and overflow. Write something new once more. This next project may be the one that sees you through, and you will never know if you linger in old blind-spots, dabbling with yesterday’s words.

So take the best advice I’ve ever gotten. Write another book.

-- Jenny Martin, DFWWW Member since 2009

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/puzzler4879/4230867631/

Sanitarium has published yet another DFWWW member, and we couldn't be prouder.

John Bartell hit the virtual newsstands in December for the 4th issue of this literary horror magazine.  His piece is entitled Nothing, but don't let the name fool you.  It's definitely something, and you can purchase it by clicking the cover.  Be sure to check out his biography under "Contributors".  It's classic Bartell.

And it's never too late to patronize the magazine's back issues.  You'll still find Russell Connor's and Kyle White's stories in Issue #2 and #3, respectively.