Another Successful DFW Writers' Conference
With more than 400 attendees, 50+ classes, 15 literary agents, two editors and one publisher, the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference was another successful year.
During the March 2 meeting of the Workshop, the group thanked co-chairs Jeff Posey and Jason Myers for their hard work. Also recognized were the multitude of classroom monitors, agent wranglers, and other volunteers who helped to make the event a success.
Speaking of successes, the following DFWWW members had full or partial manuscript requests from:
Also, Tom Gensler announced that he signed during the conference with agent Cherry Weiner. Russell Connor stated one of the agents referred him directly to an editor at St. Martin's Press. That editor requested Russell's full manuscript.
In business news, the Workshop voted unanimously to make Stephen Manning a lifetime member. This award is granted to members who have been with DFWWW for over five years. However, more important, the award is given only to members who consistently volunteer their time to serve on the Board, work on the conference, or step up whenever there is a need. Stephen is the epitome of a truly selfless volunteer.
In other news, Kenneth Ingle signed a contract for two new books, and advised that Books in Motion has released an iPod edition of his works. Nik Holman is a top 1000 finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Jenny Martin reports that Rosemary Clement-Moore is doing better. She became ill at the conference and had to be rushed to a hospital. Get better soon, Rosemary.
Finally, Jason Myers read a letter from agent Louise Fury praising the Workshop for a well-run conference. She stated the publishing community in New York was still abuzz about the energy surrounding the event, and how well the agents and editors were treated by the friendly folks at DFWWW.
Now, that's praise all Workshop members should be honored to accept.
During the March 2 meeting of the Workshop, the group thanked co-chairs Jeff Posey and Jason Myers for their hard work. Also recognized were the multitude of classroom monitors, agent wranglers, and other volunteers who helped to make the event a success.
Speaking of successes, the following DFWWW members had full or partial manuscript requests from:
- Agent Adam Friedstein - Larry Enmon, Troy D. Young, Jennifer Duggins, Daryle McGinnis, Richard Young, Brannon Burnley, Tony Skur, Pamela Skjolsvik, Emily Hildebrand, Robert OHaugherty
- Agent Amy Boggs - Jennifer Duggins, Kyle White, Steve Manning, Jimmie Kepler, Brannon Burnley, Tina Britt, Kate Cornell, George Goldthwaite, Paul Lamarre
- Agent Chelsea Lindman - Larry Enmon, Troy D. Young, Jennifer Duggins, David S. Alkek,MD, Kirk von der Heydt
- Agent Cherry Weiner - Steve Brooks, Sarah A. Wagner, George Goldthwaite, Jason Myers
- Agent Dawn Frederick - Kirk von der Heydt, Brenna Smith
- Agent Elana Roth - Jennifer Duggins, Kirk von der Heydt, Steve Manning
- Agent Jessica Sinsheimer - Larry Enmon, Troy D. Young, Brenna Smith, James Carroll
- Agent Jim McCarthy - Carolyn Williamson, Kirk von der Heydt, Jennie Whittington, Donna Lasko
- Agent Kate McKean - Kim Terry, Jane Sadek, Barbara Wilson, Susan Welch
- Agent Louise Fury - Casie Samuel, Jennifer Duggins, Glenda Vosburgh David S. Alkek,MD, Kirk von der Heydt, Steve Manning, Brannon Burnley, Katy Roberts, Brenna Smith, Chad Kallauner, Ron Biddle, Kate Cornell, George Goldthwaite, Jason Myers, Donna Lasko, Carmen Goldthwaite
- Agent Marisa Corvisiero - Larry Enmon, Susan Lautz, John Keith, Robert O'Haugherty, Kyle White, Brenna Smith, Jennie Whittington, John Sanders
- Agent Dr Uwe Stender - Michelle O'Neal, Steve Manning, Emily Hildebrand
- Agent Weronika Janczuk - Larry Enmon, Samantha Leach, Kirk von der Heydt, Jerry Wood, Steve Manning, David Wampach, Brenna Smith, James Carroll, Emily Hildebrand, George Goldthwaite, Jason Myers, Carmen Goldthwaite
- Editor Faith Black - Jennifer Duggins, David S. Alkek,MD, Carolyn Williamson, George Goldthwaite
- Editor Sharene Martin-Brown - Rusty Falling, Robert O'Haugherty
- Publisher Robert Brown - Larry Enmon, Steve Brooks, Daryle McGinnis, Jim Goldmann, Steve Manning, Ron Biddle
Also, Tom Gensler announced that he signed during the conference with agent Cherry Weiner. Russell Connor stated one of the agents referred him directly to an editor at St. Martin's Press. That editor requested Russell's full manuscript.
In business news, the Workshop voted unanimously to make Stephen Manning a lifetime member. This award is granted to members who have been with DFWWW for over five years. However, more important, the award is given only to members who consistently volunteer their time to serve on the Board, work on the conference, or step up whenever there is a need. Stephen is the epitome of a truly selfless volunteer.
In other news, Kenneth Ingle signed a contract for two new books, and advised that Books in Motion has released an iPod edition of his works. Nik Holman is a top 1000 finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Jenny Martin reports that Rosemary Clement-Moore is doing better. She became ill at the conference and had to be rushed to a hospital. Get better soon, Rosemary.
Finally, Jason Myers read a letter from agent Louise Fury praising the Workshop for a well-run conference. She stated the publishing community in New York was still abuzz about the energy surrounding the event, and how well the agents and editors were treated by the friendly folks at DFWWW.
Now, that's praise all Workshop members should be honored to accept.
Social Media Update for DFW Writers' Workshop
Hey, chaps!
It's Kate here. You're 2nd Vice President and Social Media Manager. They gave me a password to this blog thing (hehe), so I'm using it.
Was anyone as excited about the great social media stuff that surrounded our conference as I was? There was so much buzz! The biggest bump we received was during the first Gong Show. New topics exploded that helped draw attention from the writing community to our little conference. Two big winners were #portalshappen and #TeamFury. "Portals happen" referred to stories that depend too heavily on a character being sucked through a portal as a plot point. Team Fury referred to the "Simon Cowell" of the Gong Show, Louise Fury. You were all thinking it. She's the one who said it.
Almost everyone used the #dfwcon modifier when talking about presenters and classes. Some preferred to actually mention the conference (@DFWCon) directly in the post to promote an open dialogue.
User participation in social media is what makes it so unique. You're only going to tweet whether you're having a great time or a terrible time. Our great times outnumbered the terrible because our conference was amazing (not that I'm drawing from my own experience or anything).
From a social media standpoint, that is a great success. Our attendees are connected, our workshoppers are connected, and I think I read through Twitter that Weronika Janczuk is having lunch with Amy Boggs some time next week (stalking accomplished).
Let's try to use some of that momentum for the workshop and future conferences.
Gushing finished. Now, to business.
If you or anyone you know took pictures at the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference, please send them to me
Kate Cornell
with the subject line "Conference Pictures" or some such nonsense that doesn't make me delete it immediately.
It's Kate here. You're 2nd Vice President and Social Media Manager. They gave me a password to this blog thing (hehe), so I'm using it.
Was anyone as excited about the great social media stuff that surrounded our conference as I was? There was so much buzz! The biggest bump we received was during the first Gong Show. New topics exploded that helped draw attention from the writing community to our little conference. Two big winners were #portalshappen and #TeamFury. "Portals happen" referred to stories that depend too heavily on a character being sucked through a portal as a plot point. Team Fury referred to the "Simon Cowell" of the Gong Show, Louise Fury. You were all thinking it. She's the one who said it.
Almost everyone used the #dfwcon modifier when talking about presenters and classes. Some preferred to actually mention the conference (@DFWCon) directly in the post to promote an open dialogue.
User participation in social media is what makes it so unique. You're only going to tweet whether you're having a great time or a terrible time. Our great times outnumbered the terrible because our conference was amazing (not that I'm drawing from my own experience or anything).
From a social media standpoint, that is a great success. Our attendees are connected, our workshoppers are connected, and I think I read through Twitter that Weronika Janczuk is having lunch with Amy Boggs some time next week (stalking accomplished).
Let's try to use some of that momentum for the workshop and future conferences.
Gushing finished. Now, to business.
If you or anyone you know took pictures at the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference, please send them to me
Kate Cornell
with the subject line "Conference Pictures" or some such nonsense that doesn't make me delete it immediately.
Boxes Needed to Pack over 20 Years of Books, Awards & Memories
Talk about a full house at the February 23 meeting of the Workshop, and we didn't even serve free food! Two visitors and four new members joined the standing-room only crowd.
Maybe it was the Pitch Your Book class, taught by Rosemary Clement-Moore, that brought in the people. Rosemary did an excellent job of helping everyone prepare for this weekend's DFW Writers' Conference.
Speaking of the conference, Stephen Manning thanked all the members who have volunteered to help. Co-chairs Jeff Posey and Jason Myers thanked the conference executive committee. And Michelle O'neal paid a surprise visit (she's doing well).
President Donna Lasko reminded everyone about the upcoming move to a new building. The date to pack has changed, because of a scheduling conflict with the City. Now, we are packing on Sunday, March 13 starting at 9 a.m. until the job is done. Pizza will be served for lunch.
Finally, we need all DFWWW members to visit area stores to ask for free boxes. Bring those next week so we can prepare early for our big move. We also need newspapers for packing materials. There are over 20 years of books, awards and memories that have to be moved.
Maybe it was the Pitch Your Book class, taught by Rosemary Clement-Moore, that brought in the people. Rosemary did an excellent job of helping everyone prepare for this weekend's DFW Writers' Conference.
Speaking of the conference, Stephen Manning thanked all the members who have volunteered to help. Co-chairs Jeff Posey and Jason Myers thanked the conference executive committee. And Michelle O'neal paid a surprise visit (she's doing well).
President Donna Lasko reminded everyone about the upcoming move to a new building. The date to pack has changed, because of a scheduling conflict with the City. Now, we are packing on Sunday, March 13 starting at 9 a.m. until the job is done. Pizza will be served for lunch.
Finally, we need all DFWWW members to visit area stores to ask for free boxes. Bring those next week so we can prepare early for our big move. We also need newspapers for packing materials. There are over 20 years of books, awards and memories that have to be moved.
DFWWW is Moving to a New Location
The February 16 business meeting (rescheduled due to the earlier bad weather) saw a large crowd, which included four visitors and four new members.
In the surprise news of the night, President Donna Lasko announced the City of Euless has asked the Workshop to move. The City plans to turn the Ruth Millican Center into a museum. DFWWW will relocate in March to the Simmons Building, also in Euless. Members are needed on Saturday, March 12, to help pack over 20 years of books, awards, and other items.
In less surprising - but equally important - news, Kenneth Ingle signed a contract with Books in Motion for two, new audio books. Rosemary Clement-Moore displayed the advanced reader copy of her newest work Texas Gothic. Kendall Furlong took home a prize in the Tale Hook writing contest. Conference chairperson Jeff Posey announced that registration for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference ends next Thursday, February 24. Stephen Manning advised room monitors are needed to keep the classes running well. Workshop members are reminded that they must volunteer for a few hours during the conference as part of receiving a discount on the registration fee.
Finally, A. Lee Martinez received a letter from a young fan who credited Martinez' work with encouraging his brother to read more. Now that's one reason why all of us are in the crazy business of publishing - to touch the lives of others.
In the surprise news of the night, President Donna Lasko announced the City of Euless has asked the Workshop to move. The City plans to turn the Ruth Millican Center into a museum. DFWWW will relocate in March to the Simmons Building, also in Euless. Members are needed on Saturday, March 12, to help pack over 20 years of books, awards, and other items.
In less surprising - but equally important - news, Kenneth Ingle signed a contract with Books in Motion for two, new audio books. Rosemary Clement-Moore displayed the advanced reader copy of her newest work Texas Gothic. Kendall Furlong took home a prize in the Tale Hook writing contest. Conference chairperson Jeff Posey announced that registration for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference ends next Thursday, February 24. Stephen Manning advised room monitors are needed to keep the classes running well. Workshop members are reminded that they must volunteer for a few hours during the conference as part of receiving a discount on the registration fee.
Finally, A. Lee Martinez received a letter from a young fan who credited Martinez' work with encouraging his brother to read more. Now that's one reason why all of us are in the crazy business of publishing - to touch the lives of others.
Yes, DFWWW is Open Wednesday, Feb. 9
Despite another round of ice and snow that struck North Texas, the DFW Writers' Workshop will be open for the business of writing on Wednesday, February 9. As always, attendance is voluntary and members should use their own judgment whether they feel the commute will be safe or not. The meeting will start at the normal time of 7 p.m.