There is a change in our agreement with the City of Euless.

Beginning August 1st, the city will begin renting out the Simmons building to its citizens. Reverting to the Millican agreement, they require all tables and chairs stacked after each meeting.

Therefore, beginning next Wednesday we will be asking volunteers to help set up and close each week.

Our options will be discussed at the next board meeting. The next board meeting is at the Simmons building on July 27th at 6:00pm. Board meetings are open to all members.

Four visitors and one new member joined a good-sized crowd at the March 23 meeting of the Workshop.

In the news, Nik Holman announced he is among 500 Quarter Finalists in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest for his book, The Boy Who Wasn't There. Pat Hauldren is teaching an online class and needs test subjects to help her work out the bugs. Rosemary Clement Moore is participating in Operation Auction, an online event to help a family in need. Rosemary is offering a copy of her novel The Splendor Falls, an advanced reader of her newest book, Texas Gothic, and up to 20-pages of critique.

Finally, President Donna Lasko reminded everyone of the importance of keeping the new building clean. She also asked for volunteers to serve as ambassadors to greet the increased number of weekly visitors.

A large crowd attended the March 16 meeting of the Workshop to help celebrate the grand opening of our new building. In addition to 70+ regular members, we had eight visitors. Four of them were students from a creative writing class at Tarrant County College visiting for Spring Break. We also had two new members join us. The parking lot filled quickly, but we managed to find space for everyone.

President Donna Lasko opened the meeting with a thank you to the volunteers who helped to pack over 20 years of books, awards, and memories (enough boxes to fill the main room at the old building). She also thanked the volunteers who helped to supervise the move and to unpack all of the boxes.

As always, DFWWW members are a busy crew. In the news, Ginnie Bivona signed a contract



with agent Al Longden for ebooks. Kathryn Thomas' submission to the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest was recognized as a Top 1000 and moves forward in the competition. Troy Young advised his novel On the Darkest Nights is available for the Nook eReader. He also has a poem in an upcoming issue of Abandoned Towers magazine.



In still more news, Matthew Usey signed with agent Louise Fury after he met her at the DFW Writers' Conference.  A blog by Pamela Skjolsvik appeared in the online version of the Dallas Morning News as a guest blogger. Jimmie Kepler had a poem accepted by Poetry and Prose magazine.

Some of the coldest weather of the year couldn't keep a full house of dedicated DFWWW writers away from the January 12 meeting.

In the news, Kenneth Ingle signed the contract for his fifth book titled Who Killed the Killer? Rosemary Clement Moore will teach her famous "How to Pitch to an Agent" class this Saturday, January 15 at the North Texas Romance Writers meeting. KevinMD.com named Richard Young's blog a top site for 2010. Kate Cornell encouraged more members to join the social networking bandwagon. She says the Workshop's Facebook page has 31 friends (need more) and the Twitter account has 2000 followers (that's more like it). Conference chairperson Jeff Posey asked 2011 DFW Writers' Conference attendees to send their query letters for the Gong Show. President Donna Lasko reminded all DFWWW members who have registered that they need to volunteer a few hours during the conference. Larry Enmon advised there will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on January 26 for all agent/editor assistants. If you signed up to help wrangle our special guests, it's important you attend.

Finally, the Workshop celebrated A. Lee Martinez Appreciation Day (his birthday?) with delicious cake enjoyed by many.

Despite it being the day before Thanksgiving, the November 24 meeting of the Workshop was well attended and included two visitors. Proving once again that DFWWW authors are a dedicated bunch.

In the news, Cladach Publishing requested a partial of Jimmie Kepler's book Honor and Jealously in Texas. Secretary Kyle White advised that the nomination period for the 2011 Board of Directors has closed. The full slate of candidates will be presented on December 1. Additionally, next week's business meeting is the last chance for members to qualify to vote in the January election. Per the By-laws, qualified voters must have paid their annual dues, and have attended at least three of the five business meetings prior to the election.

Chilly winds that howled like banshees failed to scare away dedicated DFWWW members from the November 17 meeting.

In the news, A. Lee Martinez displayed the spring/summer 2011 catalog from Orbit Books which has a full-page ad for his upcoming novel Chasing the Moon. Jimmie Kepler announced that Poetry & Prose ezine invited him to submit more of his poems. Kenneth Ingle had a successful book signing this last weekend at a local arts and crafts fair. Speaking of book signings, Mike McMullen has two of them this weekend for his recent nonfiction release I, Superhero. The first is on Saturday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Dallas at Interstate 75 and Northwest Highway; and the second is on Sunday, November 21, at noon at Barnes & Noble in Las Colinas.

In the official news, Secretary Kyle White advised that Wednesday, December 1, is the last business meeting of the year and the last chance to qualify to vote in the January election. President Russell Connor reminded everyone interested in running for the 2011 Board of Directors that they need to sign-up by next Wednesday when the nominations close.  

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.

Summer vacations finally caught up with the DFW Writers' Workshop as a light crowd attended the July 28th meeting.

In the news, Nik Holman received a partial request for his novel The Boy Who Wasn't There from agent Brandi Bowles. Del Cain had two poems accepted by Cross Tim­bers magazine. A. Lee Martinez announced Gil's All-Fight Diner and In the Company of Ogres will be released as a combined book by his German publisher. In addition, Martinez has a book signing for his newest release, Divine Misfortune, this Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m. at the Borders bookstore in Arlington.

In official news, treasurer Jeri Burbage displayed a new form that members need to complete to receive reimbursements when purchasing items for the Workshop. Secretary Kyle White advised this blog and regular meetings are now the source for all member news, including inclement weather closings (but we all know DFWWW never closes - not matter the weather). Finally, President Russell Connor stated a party will be held on October 27th to celebrate the recent milestone of 300 traditionally published books written by Workshop members. It's sure to be a big event.

Summertime typically means lower attendance at the Workshop, but not this year as good-sized crowds have continued to pack the building. The July 14 meeting was no exception with four visitors joining the already large group.

In the news, Jason Myers received a partial request for his novel Mayhem Inc. from agent John A. Ware. Paula Laroque announced that the Marion Street Press has bought her series, "The Ben Gallagher Mysteries", for a new line of imprints. The first title, Chalk Line, should be released in September 2011.

Finally, Larry Enmon gave a stirring talk on the importance of delivering detailed and informative critiques. Members, both established and new, enjoyed a reminder that we're all here to help one another.