Wednesday, November 24 might fall right before Thanksgiving, and Black Friday, and a nice long weekend, but the DFW Writers' Workshop will meet for our normal read-and-critique sessions. The meeting starts at the usual 7 p.m., and if tradition holds true, a few hardy souls will attend. As always, visitors are welcome.

Five visitors joined a standing-room only crowd at the November 10 meeting of the Workshop.

It seemed as if the news and announcements would never end. Candace Havens delivered her newest book, Turn and Dare, to Harlequin. A. Lee Martinez' newest novel, Catching the Moon, was accepted by Orbit. Delacorte accepted Rosemary Clement-Moore's newest work, Texas Gothic, and the book is already available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Del Cain reported a successful event at the Saginaw Public Library last week. Russell Connor and A. Lee Martinez appeared, along with Rosemary Clement-Moore who was the keynote speaker. This weekend, Rosemary will appear at Readers & 'ritas in Allen, with Candace Havens as the Master of Ceremonies. Also this Saturday, A. Lee Martinez has a book signing at 2 p.m. at the Borders in Burleson.

Finally, President Russell Connor thanked a wide variety of volunteers who unselfishly give of their time each week. Harry Hall who arrives early to set up the building and to make coffee;  Eric Dixon who never fails to monitor one of the read-and-critique rooms; former President Stephen Manning who assists the Board in making the hard decisions; and Jeff Posey, Jason Myers and Michelle O'Neal who work on the annual writers' conference.

Thank you everyone who contributes in some way. As a non-profit, all volunteer organization it takes all of us to keep DFWWW functioning.

Historian Stephen Manning summarized this momentous achievement by providing some interesting trivia.

• Of the 300-plus novels displayed in the Trophy Room, what is the most commonly used word in a book's title? Texas (no one was surprised).


• The second most commonly used word in a title? Blood (now that surprised everyone a
  
  
  
  bit).


• The third most commonly used word in a title? Gun (notice a trend?).  


• There have been an average of 11.6 titles published per year by DFWWW members since 1985.


• The best year was 1996 when 22 titles were published (all comprised of only two genres: Westerns and horror).


• The second best year was 2005 when 20 titles were published (notable because of the large number of first-time novelists).


• From 1985 until 2000, the Workshop produced mainly Westerns, mysteries and horror novels.


• After 2000, there was an explosion of all genres, with nonfiction works becoming more prominent.

In the news, Kenneth Ingle displayed the audio version of his novel, Saragosa Prime, released by Books in Motion. Carolyn Williamson announced the additional of two new reference books for the Workshop's library.

In official news, President Russell Connor reminded members that next Wednesday nominations open for the 2011 Board of Directors. Secretary Kyle White, who will serve as the election coordinator, advised members on the requirements to run for the Board. Basically, members must have paid their 2010-2011 dues and have attended at least three of the five monthly business meetings prior to the election.

The October 20 meeting could have been called 'old home night'. A number of former members attended, including a past president who helped obtain the Workshop's nonprofit status and several lifetime members.

President Russell Connor reminded everyone that next week is the celebration for the 300 traditionally published books written by DFWWW members. Please bring a potluck dish to share; the doors open at 6 p.m. Also, a special room will be reserved just for spooky Halloween reads.

Conference chairperson Jeff Posey shared several important pieces of information. First, there are only 43 spots remaining at the special discounted rate for Workshop members. After those are gone, no members-only discounts will be available.

Second, the event will be capped at 450 attendees. Considering the last conference sold out - and tickets for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference are selling fast  - everyone is encouraged to register now.

Finally, a Gong Show-style event is planned for the conference. Attendees may submit anonymous query letters that will be read to a panel of literary agents. The agents will 'gong' when they've heard enough, and then describe what they liked and disliked about the queries. This is just a sample of the many fun and educational events that are planned.

What a night it was at the DFW Writers' Workshop. Both amendments to the By-laws passed by an overwhelming majority. According to the Treasurer's report, the conference and the workshop continue to operate in the black. And plans are underway to invite several agents and/or editors to visit later this year to speak and hear book proposals.

 In other news, A. Lee Martinez is a guest speaker at MythCon 41 this weekend in Dallas. Candace Havens turned in her latest manuscript, She Who Dares Wins, to Harlequin, and submitted a book proposal titled, Triple Dare Ranch, to the same publisher. Jamie Harrington announced her participation in WriteOnCon.com, a free online writers' conference now accepting registrations.

But in the biggest news of the night, historian Stephen Manning announced the donation of the 300th traditionally published book by a DFWWW author. A party is being planned to commemorate this momentous milestone, 33-years in the making.

A summer downpour did little to thin the ranks at the June 30 meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop, as six visitors and two new members joined the already sizeable crowd.

In a busy news night, A. Lee Martinez was interviewed by The Dead Robot Society Podcast about his series of fantasy novels. Richard Young's book-length manuscript, American Health Scare, is a top 20 finalist in a contest sponsored by The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference. Harry Hall's short non-fiction narrative, "Michael Hylands Marathon Victory over Cystic Fibrosis" is also a finalist in the same contest, but in a different category. Books in Motion purchased George Goldwaithe's newest novel, Bugles and Bagpipes. Also, George attended the Western Writers' of America Convention where three different agents requested manuscript submissions. Rosemary Clement-Moore stated that the hardcover edition of her newest book, The Splendor Falls, has gone into its second printing. Additionally, Rosemary will speak on Thursday, July 8 at 2 p.m. at the Haslet Public Library.

Finally, Russell Conner reminded members that next week, Wednesday, July 7, is the final vote on the proposed amendments to the Workshop Bylaws.  

Despite ominous skies and the threat of a thunderstorm, the June 2 business meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop saw a standing-room only crowd.

In official business, Jeri Burbage reported that both the Workshop and the Conference bank accounts are in the black. Russell Connor and Kyle White introduced two proposed amendments to the By-laws. One would change the start of the fiscal year from January to October, and the other would protect member's personal information. These proposals will be posted for 30-days, and then voted on at the July business meeting.

In other news, Julian Harber donated a copy of his novel A Nail in the Body of Christ. Joyce Holland of the D4EO Literary Agency requested Jason Myers' full manuscript. Pat Hauldren was a guest blogger at SavvyAuthors.com.

With President Russell Connor on vacation, the May 26^th meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop was a little disorganized, but the Board pulled together to conduct business. This included welcoming five new members to the growing list of weekly attendees.

In the news, A. Lee Martinez displayed the German-language edition of his book Too Many Curses. Kenneth Ingle presented the audio version of his novel First Contact. John Keith announced that Jessie Cammack with the JABberwocky Literary Agency requested the full manuscript of his work 74 Degrees. Stephen Manning advised the tally of traditionally published novels by Workshop members now rests at 299.   

Finally, Jeri Burbage was seated as Treasurer to fill the spot vacated by Fred Campos. Don't worry, Fred's not leaving the Workshop, he just has other obligations that make stepping down from the Board the right decision for him.

Five visitors joined an already sizable crowd at the May 19^th meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop.

In the news, Mike McMullen displayed the cover for his upcoming nonfiction work, I, Superhero. Carolyn Williamson has an article in the May issue of Heart to Heart, the North Texas Romance writers newsletter. Crystalwizard's  poem "Porker" was published in a magazine titled Pig in a Poke. Rosemary Clement-Moore has a book signing this Saturday, May 22 at the Hurst Barnes & Noble at 2 p.m. for the paperback release of her Young Adult novel Highway to Hell.

Speaking of books, Carolyn reminds all Workshop members they may check out the reference books for three weeks. After that, there is a twenty-five cents fine for each week the books are overdue. There are several books outstanding and members will be contacted soon if they don't return them.

The Ruth Millican Center was packed as 62 members and five visitors attended the January 27 meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop.

On Saturday, January 30, the Hallmark Channel will replay Bound by a Secret, a movie based on the novel Ida Mae Tut­wei­ler and the Tra­ve­ling Tea Party by Workshop member Ginnie Siena Bivona. Beginning February 15, Candace Havens will teach her "Fast Draft and Revision Hell" class online for the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Also in February, Stephen Manning will teach a class titled "Blogging with Wordpress Deep Dive" through Texas Christian University's Extended Education program.

Finally, everyone was reminded that 2010 membership dues should have been paid by January 1. In order to participate in the read-and-critique sessions, all outstanding dues must be paid.