It was a change of the guard at the January 5 meeting of the Workshop (well, almost, two members of the former Board ran for re-election) as a new Board of Directors was seated. They are:

Donna Lasko, President

Carolyn Williamson, 1^st Vice President

Kate Cornell, 2^nd Vice President

Paul Lamarre, Treasurer

Kyle White, Secretary

Ron Soule, Director

David Whiteman, Director

 

Former President Stephen Manning presented outgoing President Russell Connor with a plaque to commemorate his two years of service. Russell gave gift cards to the 2010 Board in recognition of their service; and to Harry Hall for opening the building each week, Eric Dixon for consistently volunteering to monitor a read-and-critique session, and to Chris Moore for serving on the 2009 Board.

In other news, Kate Cornell advised that she now handles the social networking for DFWWW. People can stay current about Workshop events on Twitter, or our Facebook fan page. Rosemary Clement Moore announced the release of her Young Adult novel The Splendor Falls on January 11 in paperback. Larry Enmon cautioned that only five spots remain for agent assistant volunteers. Interested members should see him to sign up now. Jeff Posey warned that the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference is fast approaching and people should register today before it's too late. Finally, please keep member Michelle O'neal in your thoughts as she fights a life threatening medical condition.       

A very large crowd that included four visitors enjoyed a banquet of tasty treats during the holiday party on December 15.

In the biggest news of the night, outgoing President Russell Connor announced his engagement to Abbie Faroukhtakin. Their wedding date will be announced later.  

In less exciting news, Carolyn Williamson reminded everyone to return any outstanding library books before the year's end. On the conference front, chairperson Jeff Posey advised that volunteers are needed for the upcoming 2011 DFW Writers' Conference. If members are interested in being an agent assistant, they should speak to Larry Enmon. To help with the registration desk see Stephen Manning. He says a large number of volunteers will be needed.

Finally, Secretary Kyle White reminded everyone about the recent change in the Workshop's fiscal year, and that any member who hasn't already done so needs to renew their 2010 - 2011 fiscal year dues before December 31. After that, members who do not renew will not be allowed to participate in the weekly read-and-critique sessions until their dues are paid.

Chilly weather didn't deter a good-sized crowd, including two visitors and one new member, from attending the December 1 business meeting of the Workshop.

In the official news, election coordinator Jeri Burbage presented the list of candidates for the 2011 Board of Directors. Nominations are now closed. Historian Stephen Manning displayed two new additions for the Trophy Room.

In other news, President Russell Connor announced the holiday party will be held on December 15. Members are invited to bring yummy dishes to share. Conference chairperson Jeff Posey described a few of the many volunteer positions needed for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference. A meeting will be held on December 15 prior to the regular meeting to discuss the many opportunities available.

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.

The November 3 meeting was busy with four new members joining the Workshop.

In official business, historian Stephen Manning announced book 304 donated to the Trophy Room. (If the numbers keep growing at this pace, could another celebration be just around the corner?) President Russell Connor opened the nominations for the 2011 Board of Directors, with each current Board member describing his or her duties.

In other news, David Alkek had a poem titled "The Doorway" accepted by Abandoned Towers magazine. He also had a successful book signing for his nonfiction work, The Self-Creative Universe, recently in Plano. Del Cain reminded everyone that several DFWWW writers will attend an authors' reception at the Saginaw Public Library, Thursday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to meet the authors and to purchase signed copies of their books.

Finally, conference chairperson Jeff Posey described a few of the now 50-plus classes scheduled for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference. The breadth of speakers and topics alone make the price of admission a bargain. Throw in 20 agents and editors, Thriller Master Sandra Brown as the keynote speaker, and you have one of the best values among writers' conferences in the country.

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.

A large crowd, which included two visitors and two new members, attended the October 6 business meeting of the DFW Writers' Workshop.

In official news, following the success of the visit by Tor Books editor Paul Stevens, the membership voted to invite more editors to speak in the future. Treasurer Jeri Burbage explained recent banking changes to establish an emergency account and to fund various other accounts. Historian Stephen Manning displayed traditionally published book number 303, I, Superhero, written by Workshop member Mike McMullen.

In other news, Anne Perry had an article published in a Duncanville newspaper. Perry Bales announced that Books in Motion is considering producing audio versions of his three previously published novels. President Russell Conner reminded everyone that nominations for the 2011 Board of Directors opens in November. He also suggested that interested candidates consider attending a future Board meeting to better understand how the Workshop operates. Secretary Kyle White advised that the 2010-2011 membership renewal drive is well underway, with a high percentage of members renewing online.

Finally, conference chairperson Jeff Posey confirmed that 20 agents and editors have committed to attend the 2011 DFW Writers Conference. That's double the number from 2010. Also, a grid detailing each agent and editor's genre preferences has been posted at the conference website.

Excitement filled the air during the September 29 meeting. Several DFWWW members reported full and partial manuscript requests from Tor Books editor Paul Stevens during his recent visit. Attendees also enjoyed a day full of classes on such subjects as writing query letters and developing characters.  

In official news, members were reminded that the 2010-2011 fiscal year starts October 1, and membership dues need to be paid. Also, President Russell Connor advised that a celebration to commemorate the 300 traditionally published books written by Workshop members will be held October 27. That night, there will be a potluck dinner, and a room reserved for Halloween-themed reads.

Finally, in conference news, Michelle O'Neal described one of the 43 classes planned for the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference. Stephen Manning announced that 20 agents and editors have agreed to attend. A grid indicating their genre preferences will be posted online soon.

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.

The escalating summer temperatures haven't dented the attendance at the DFW Writers' Workshop, as demonstrated by the healthy crowd at the June 16^th meeting.

In official news, Russell Connor reminded members of the proposed amendments to the By-laws, with the vote to be held during the July business meeting. The proposals are posted on the bulletin board for all to review.  

In other news, literary agent Sara Megibow requested a partial of Carolyn William's manuscript, Love on the Run. Rosemary Clement-Moore sold the Portuguese rights to her Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series of Young Adult novels. Additionally, Rosemary will speak this Saturday, June 19, during a meeting of the North Texas chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators in Arlington.

Finally, Stephen Manning announced that the 2011 DFW Writers' Conference has gone international with the registration of an attendee from the country of England. Everyone is excited by how the conference's reputation has grown in only three years of existence.