The DFWWW Book Train
Here’s the upcoming schedule for everyone who has finished their summer reads and are ready for the next batch of book babies to take home with them…

Kenneth was recently interviewed by My Bookish Ways on the heels of Haxan’s release, and it’s a great Q&A for writers and readers alike.

Member Harry Hall’s book, The Pedestriennes, America's Forgotten Superstars, which placed in the 2012 Mayborn Literary Contest, is available for preorder. The book uncovers America’s original pastime before baseball – professional endurance walking – a sport that garnered crowds, media attention, and its fair share of controversy.
In anticipation of the book’s arrival, Dallas Morning News featured an interview with Harry on their runner’s blog.
And finally, though we have some time to wait, member Melissa Lenhardt just sold her mystery, Stillwater, to Skyhorse Publishing. We look forward to its arrival.
So, there you are. All aboard and buckle up. We invite you to join us and read us, because we're certain there's no better book train to be on than ours.
The Book Launch Countdown

Now it’s your turn to get your hands on Book One of The Children of the Drought Series, and you can do it in style by coming to the official launch. Grab your very own signed copy by stopping off at Barnes & Noble at the Shops at Northeast Mall on Saturday, August 2 at 3:00 PM. There will be snacks, prize giveaways (including a $100 B&N gift card), and an author Q&A.
As icing, prior to main event, Barnes & Noble will host Marvel Day. Bring your costumed kiddos for story time and a parade at 1:00, followed by activities and trivia from 1:30 until Tex takes the stage.
DFWWW will be out in force, and we’re looking forward to seeing ya’ll there.
A Poet Among Us

He also got news from Dos Gatos Press that one of his poems, Tableland, will be included in their 2015 Texas Poetry Calendar. This is one of the most impressive and sought after publications for poetry in the state. We aren't surprised he's one of their chosen.
To top this off, he was recently featured on Blog Talk Radio's IndieReview Behind the Scenes segment. Catch his podcast HERE.
Finally, we’re told one of his guitars has birthed twin mandolins. We have a suspicion he’s writing a song or two to go along with them, and we couldn't be happier. Del has a tendency to make some beautiful music.
2014 DFW Teen Writers' Workshop
**UPDATE -- This workshop is FULL. We are no longer accepting applicants. Please email us at dfwwritersworkshop(at)hotmail to reserve your space for the next event.**
DFW Writers’ Workshop is very proud to announce the schedule for the 2014 Teen Writer’s Summer Workshop! The best part of this announcement is….the workshop is completely FREE.
The scheduled events will take place at The Egg & I on Hwy. 26, from 12:30 to 2:30. Below are the dates and the list of speakers, who are all DFWWW members and traditionally published authors. The sessions will include instruction and critique time.
With registration, teens will get a binder full of helpful advice. At the end of the workshop, an anthology will be created with their work. It will include a short story, excerpt, or poem that is polished during the six-week session. Each student will get a printed copy and may purchase as many additional copies as they’d like. AND there’s a t-shirt, designed by our very own Sally Hamilton.
In short: THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING.
To register you must meet these requirements:
- Be entering 9th-12th grade.
- Be able to commit to at least 3 of the 6 Saturday sessions.
- Email your name, age, the dates you expect to attend, and the type of writing you enjoy to the following address: dfwwritersworkshop(at)hotmail. Please make the subject: TEEN WORKSHOP
The schedule is as follows:
July 12 -- The Written World taught by Del Cain (a general overview of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, songwriting and screen/playwriting)
July 19 -- The Critique Process taught by Tex Thompson (beginning with her 11th grade first draft through production of her book, One Night in Sixes)
July 26 -- Story Structure taught by Kat Cook (using the hero's journey)
August 2 -- Voice taught by Jenny Martin.
August 9 -- Character Development taught by Rosemary Clement
August 16 -- Publishing taught by A. Lee Martinez (how the publishing world works, different avenues to publication)
Writer's Digest Features...Us
We’ve been busy, both growing and writing.
So, what’s our future look like? Bright. Very bright. Don’t stare directly at it. But, you can safely check us out in a recent Writer’s Digest’s feature. Consider it a solar filter or a pinhole projector. It’s a peek at what makes DFWWW so amazing. And if you haven’t got the time to read the whole article, passing by any mirror will also do the trick.
Without further ado, here is - THE - DFW Writers’ Workshop feature in Writer’s Digest: What Makes Writing Groups Work.
A huge thanks to all of our extraordinary members, past and present, for making us a thing.
The Workshop on Top

We’d like to congratulate workshop members George Goldthwaite and Melissa Lenhardt for representing us so well at the Frisco Library. They both brought home the prize for Henery Press’s First Chapter Contest. The kicker: Only one person should have won, but the judges couldn’t narrow it down. Apparently when deciding between a DFWWW member and a DFWWW member, the choice is clear.
The good news for these two doesn’t stop there.
The Durant Public Library has asked George to be their feature author speaker for the Spring Brown Bag Luncheon. If you live up north, catch him on Thursday, April 24 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. You can hear him speak at The DFW Writers’ Conference as the Gong Show's incredible baritone emcee.

And as for Melissa, she recently published a short story with The Western Online entitled Bal Masqué. It’s fantastic piece, but we especially love Melissa’s initial impetus for writing it. Her late father loved John Wayne westerns and Lonesome Dove, and this one is for him. We’re awfully grateful that we get to enjoy it too.
End story: Our cup runneth over. Come (metaphorically) drink with us any Wednesday night at 7:00 pm at The Simmons Center in Euless. Because we think there may be something in the water…
A Rise from the Ranks

All we can say to that is: Yes indeed, Ms. Owen is one of ours. You can’t have her. But if you must, you can have her book. All you have to do is click here to make it so. And if you want to know a little bit more about Kate, check out the author interview she did for Babblings.
All good stuff.
They've Gone to WorldCon
A horde of DFWWW science fiction and fantasy authors attended the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) held in San Antonio from Thursday, August 29, through Monday, September 2.
Just a few of the exciting happenings:
Member Gabe Guerrero debuted his orc cosplay character, Tarbuz, which was the hit of the con. His picture may appear in Locus Magazine, the leading trade publication for SF&F. He was also photographed by local television stations, and won a Hall Costume award.
During the Hugo's, the biggest SF&F award, member Alley Hauldren sat in the press section representing her many blogs and other endeavors.
And that's not all. Member Tex Thompson shined as a panelist as she rubbed elbows with her editor and fellow writers from Solaris.
Many of the top tier SF&F publishers were present, as well as several major editors, literary agents, and best-selling authors. There were participants from around the world (Japan, Finland, and United Kingdom seemed to be the most numerous). The variety of panels and topics were infinitesimal. The parties went until the wee hours of the morning (the candy and snacks at the Japanese party were life altering).
Needless to say, a good time was had by all.
Space Reign

For readers who enjoy their fiction on the speculative side, member Kyle White's short story "Harmony, Chaos, and the Reign Thereof" is available in the August issue of Perihelion Science Fiction magazine.
Perihelion’s editor says, “This is very different. The entire interplay among the various non-human entities aboard ship is fascinating."
Fascinating, indeed. Dead bodies, archnids, ants, and space. Need we say more? And as an extra bonus, it's free to read and love.
An Epic Release

But everyone that knows A. Lee knows this book promises more than that. It has adventure, mystery, romance, and a life lesson to offer. And somehow, in his genius way, Martinez does it all with an odd cast of characters who owe their existence to his wicked imagination.
Happy summer reading, folks.