November, 2007

Meeting: Saturday, November 10th

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

Room D, 353 Highway 5 North, Mountain Home

See large sign on Highway 5 just past 201 intersection.

ANTHOLOGY READING COMMITTEE will meet Saturday, November 10th, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. in Room B before the Twin Lakes Writers regular meeting.

From Nancy Thatcher-Cerny: Thanks again to Bob and Anna Harper for hosting the October TLW meeting at The Overlook in Bull Shoals. The Harpers couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day. We are such a good-looking bunch of writers our Webmaster put us right on the opening page of our website TwinLakesWriters.org. Check it out! (Joe Wiley Russell, photographer, and David Jardine aren’t shown.)

Concerning the TLW Anthology:

A few items of business were discussed at the October meeting

(1) Members were asked to submit additional writings for the TLW anthology – up to 5,000 additional words per member (at the November 10th meeting if possible). Both electronic and hard copies are needed.

(2) Attendees were also asked to come up with a name for the anthology, other than Twin Lakes Writers Anthology.

(3) All hard copies were distributed to Reading Committee for review. Reading Committee includes: Phil Emery, Bob & Anna Harper, David Jardine, Joe Wiley Russell & Nancy Thatcher Cerny. A brief meeting of this committee will be held just prior to the regular TLW meeting on November 10th.

Don't forget to bring your manuscripts to the November 10th meeting. We need about 12 copies of your writing (3-5 pages, double-spaced) for members to read and critique on November 10th. Also, bring any announcements regarding writers’ meetings, events, conferences, contests or awards received etc.

Remember to recycle. All 26 letters of the alphabet can be recycled into more words than you will use in a lifetime. Are you doing your share of recycling?

ATTENTION LOCAL AUTHORS

Baxter County Library will showcase local authors at a holiday gift shopping and book signing

Sunday, December 2nd, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Local authors are invited to bring books to sell and autograph. The library will publicize the events, provide space in the Library meeting room and serve refreshments. There will be space for up to 14 local published authors. If you are a published author and interested in being part of this event, please respond to kathe.a@baxtercountylibrary.org or call 870-425-3598 ex. 29.

MEMBER NEWS

From Sheri deGrom: I've "Not The Man" out there circulating again – I refused to take "God’s Will Be Done" out of my text – so am looking for another publisher. If it hadn’t been for my faith, I would never have survived. Our month has been a tough one –in the same week Tom had emergency heart surgery and my father passed away. I felt like I was being torn between a rock and a hard place. I’ve finished "Oranges" plus the 5th edit – have it down to 95,000 words and am working to tighten the manuscript.

Josephine Montgomery send Greetings from Tyrol, Austria, where she is busy carving.

Susan Varno: The Peppersauce Bottom Halloween Ghost Town Trolley Tour (Saturday, October 27th) was an overwhelming success. I did the research and wrote seven scripts for actors to portray people who had once worked or shopped in what is now the Ghost Town area of Calico Rock. I also played "Lola Johnson, the cafe owner." The tour stopped in front of each actor who talked for about five minutes about the history of Peppersauce Bottom. We had scheduled five tours with room for 35 people on each tour. We sold 221 tickets. People crowded close together—it was a cold night—and filled up the back of the pick-up trucks pulling the trolley and the hayrack. We had to turn away almost 100 people for lack of space.

OF INTEREST TO WRITERS

Friends of the Baxter County Library Book Sale

Thursday, November 15, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 pm

Friday, November 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 17, 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1/2 price noon to 3:00 p.m., $1.00 a bag

From Susan Varno: INFORMATION ON SPRAINED WRIST OR TORN LIGAMENTS

I wrote to many of you saying I had been diagnosed with torn ligaments in my wrist and asking if you or anyone you knew had experience with treatment. I was overjoyed when I opened my e-mails and answered the phone to discover how quickly everyone responded to my cry for help. We Twin Lakes Writers are not only fellow writers, we are loyal and helpful friends. Thank you all so much.

I promised to share what I learned in case anything like this happens to you.

It turns out I don't have torn ligaments. An arthrogram, which is the usual test for diagnosing ligament injuries, is pretty much worthless if you are over the age of 30. Dr. Michael Moore, in Little Rock only treats hands and wrists. He said "it's not widely known" that as we age, we all get some wear and tear on our ligaments. The test, which injects (rather painfully) iodine into your wrist (which was sore to begin with) then takes a picture of where the iodine goes. If the iodine lights up and spreads out, you might have torn ligaments. Or you may just be old. The only way to tell for sure (unless you're under 30) is to be examined by an expert, such as Dr. Moore. Therefore, I will have physical therapy on my wrist. I'll let you know if any of the exercises would be worthwhile for people who type a lot.

The following is a summary of what various members of TLW and a few other friends shared with me.

a. If you have surgery on your muscles, you will develop arthritis in that area. You'll ache whenever it's damp. (Gloria Gushue-friend)

b. The initial treatment for a sprain, pulled muscle or possible torn ligament is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate. The recovery takes the same length of time it took from the onset of the problem to its height of discomfort--usually 4 weeks and 4 weeks or 6 weeks and 6 weeks. (Nancy Thatcher-Cerny)

c. Personally I am not a believer in operations if there is an alternate route. From experiences in the past I have chosen the physical therapy route, slower, but less invasive. (Josephine Montgomery)

d. Tendons and ligaments take time to heal. I heard once, that they take eight times longer to build and strengthen, than muscle tissue. Most of us damage the hell out of our wrists, shoulders, arms, and legs, in bed, while sleeping. Most sleep is far more active than we realize.

Immobilizing the damaged tissue, and the surrounding area, especially at night, will work as well as surgery. The right amount of tension on ace bandages, and Velcro type supports, is really the key. Too tight, and circulation is cut off. Too loose, and not much good is really accomplished. You need to know just how hard to push the damaged muscles, attendant ligaments and tendons. Most people though, just hop into bed at night, and thrash the hell out of themselves. The time when most of the recovery should be happening, is when even more damage is occurring. (Don Julin)

e. My only suggestion would be to get a second and third opinion before having anything done. (Catherine Abel) Before any operation, I'd certainly get a second opinion. (Dave Jardine)

f. The problem with torn ligaments is when they heal, they make scar tissue, which can cause problems and pain. However, surgery also causes scar tissue. Avoid it if at all possible. (Judith Baker, former nurse, friend)

g. Yes, I tore all the ligaments out around my knee when I was 16. I spent three weeks in hospital and over three more months on crutches. They had me in a cast and I had therapy. Have you had an orthopedic guy look at it? There is a super one in Mountain View who I have heard operated on at least four people I know. Do be careful as you know it could cause you permanent damage if it heals wrong. (Anna Harper)

h. Is it completely detached? If so, I guess I would opt for surgery, however, if it is still partly attached I would do nothing but try to keep the swelling down and give it about six months rest. In either case, from what I've heard about it, I think that hand will be out of action for the next half year. You can learn to type with one hand, you wouldn't be able to call yourself a typist but you could still write short stories. (Emmitt Acklin)

i. Yes, I’ve had 2 torn ligaments and Tom’s had 1. They are definitely an injury you ‘must’ take care of. When I tore a ligament right after I came home from Panama this spring--I immediately went to a Sports Medicine Physician – they seem not to be so anxious with the knife. I made it to every PT appointment plus did all of the exercises at home and continue to do them as needed. I do know a couple of people in their early 60’s that have suffered torn ligaments as a result of sports injuries. They both had surgery, and they’ve said they would never have the surgery again. (Sheri deGrom)

j. She completely severed the ligament in her knee. She wasn't advised to have surgery but should have had. However, with physical therapy and weight training she can use her leg almost normally. She advised that I get as much information as possible from the Internet. Deep massage has helped her a great deal for muscle pain. (Hannah Eisenberg)

l. I would think it would be good to take MSM (MSM is supposed to be good for repairing damaged cells). You also should take vitamin C with MSM as it helps it work better. (Cindy Perrin)

m. You will be in my prayers for a complete recovery. If it were me, I would feed it a lot of protein to heal and exercise to strengthen as much as possible. (Joe Wiley Russell)

Thanks also to replies and comments from Alice Reed and Chuck Butkus.

In my own Internet research I found that every website insisted you had to have surgery for torn ligaments. Then I realized all these websites were hosted by Wrist and Hand Surgeons. When I delved further, about Google page 4, I found this on webmd.com and similar information at other sites

Sprains are usually divided into three grades:

Grade I: Pain with minor damage to the ligament

Grade II: Pain, more severe ligament damage, a feeling of looseness to the joint, and some loss of function

Grade III: Pain, a completely torn ligament, severe looseness of the joint, and loss of function

What’s the Treatment for a Wrist Sprain? Rest your wrist for at least 48 hours. Ice your wrist to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days, or until the pain is gone. (Blake McBride, physical therapist in Mountain Home said ice was the best treatment even weeks later) Compress the wrist with a bandage. Elevate your wrist above your heart, on a pillow or the back of a chair. as often as you can.

Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. (Phenocane, which I got at the Health Food Store, is a very good anti-inflammatory without the side effects of NSAIDS). Use a cast or splint to keep your wrist immobile. (They sell these at Wal-Mart or Walgreens).Practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommends them. (or sign up for Physical Therapy)

More severe Grade III wrist sprains, in which the ligament is snapped, require surgery to repair.

Recovery time depends on how serious your wrist sprain is. These injuries may take from 2-10 weeks to heal. But that’s a rough estimate. Everyone heals at a different rate. Whatever you do, don’t rush things. Do not try to return to your old level of physical activity until:

You feel no pain in your wrist when it’s at rest.

Your injured wrist, as well as the hand and arm on that side, feel as strong as the uninjured wrist, hand and arm. (Doctors and physical therapists have a gizmo you squeeze to measure how much strength you have in each hand). If you start using your wrist before it’s healed, you could cause permanent damage.

CONFERENCES

OWLS (Ozarks Writers League) ozarkswritersleague.org

Saturday, November 17th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

College of the Ozarks, Branson, MO

Speakers: Terry Burns, agent with Hartline Literary Agency (hartlineliterary.com) and writes inspirational articles and fiction

Regina Williams, editor of "The Storyteller" fiction magazine

Bonnie Tesh and Ronda del Boccio, will discuss getting published and marketing your work

WRITING MARKETS

OZARKS MAGAZINE has been sold to GateHouse Media Inc, which owns almost 900 local (mostly rural and small town) newspapers and magazines. Susan Kirkpatrick will continue as editor. GateHouse has a website but it doesn't have a great deal of information.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Please send me information about what you're writing, also any information you think our members would find useful or interesting including MARKETS, CONTESTS, CONFERENCES, WEBSITES.

Susan Varno, Newsletter Editor

svarnoark@centurytel.net

PO Box 71

Dolph, AR 72528

870-297-4223

October, 2007

ANTHOLOGY DEADLINE: October 13th

Meeting: Saturday, October 13

THIS MONTH ONLY!

Pot Luck Luncheon at

BBQ Pavilion overlooking Bull Shoals Boat Dock

Highway 178 in town of Bull Shoals

RSVP with what you'll bring to theharpers@bullshoals.net

We are looking forward to Pot Luck at our October TLW meeting in Bull Shoals. Bob and Anna Harper have invited the membership, along with a spouse, partner or friend, to join them at the BBQ Pavilion, located across the highway from the Harper house and the Bull Shoals Yacht Club. The park and pavilion overlook the Bull Shoals Boat Dock. (Bob and Anna said, "Look to your right and you can’t miss it.) We plan to gather together at our regular meeting date: Saturday, October 13th before 1 pm would be good. There are plenty of benches and seats so we can conduct some business, enjoy the day, absorb the view and relish one another’s company! Don’t forget to email Anna at theharpers@bullshoals.net or phone Anna at (870) 445-4750 to let her know what delicious dish you will be bringing to share with the group. Anna and Bob will be providing the hamburgers and condiments. We are looking forward to a Good Time!

Wasn’t it wonderful to see so many writers attend the September meeting? Keep Coming Back! If we didn’t know before, we know now why writers enjoy the company of more writers. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and even J. K. Rowling got inspiration, motivation, and publication as a result of interaction with other writers.

Isn’t it a great feeling to take an active role in achieving a goal; to bring a book to life; to nurture its process to production; to be a participant in The TLW Anthology as it makes its way, step by step, toward a publishing goal - then to take pride and satisfaction in presenting it to the public.

With responses from the September 17 email, our Reading Committee can be identified at the October meeting. Electronic and hard copies of your writings are piling up nicely – hard copies for the Reading Committee’s review and electronic copies ready for the anthology book formatting – and we’re on our way to being PUBLISHED AUTHORS !

Thank you Bob and Anna Harper. Your arrangements for an outdoor TLW meeting, complete with hamburgers and pot luck is thoughtful – like a writers’ Octoberfest. I am looking forward to seeing you’all in Bull Shoals on Saturday, October 13th. Nancy Thatcher-Cerny

TWIN LAKES WRITERS ANTHOLOGY

From: Nancy Thatcher-Cerny

The TLW Anthology project is making timely progress. We have received quite a few of your Anthology submissions so far. NOW, your input is needed once again:

#1: Reading Committee. To All members: Please sign up to be a reader - to read submissions in preparation for the publication of the Twin Lakes Writers Anthology. A total of five readers will make up the committee. Members with the longest membership will be invited to join the committee. The sooner we have the committee in place, the sooner we can move to the next step toward publishing the TLW Anthology.

~~~Contact Nancy ASAP at (870) 425-8264 or nktc@SuddenLink.net ~~~

#2: Submissions for TLW Anthology: Please be sure your submissions are sent both electronically, or on computer disk to Joe Wiley Russell Moscowgoat@Yahoo.com

AND a hardcopy (manuscript format) to Nancy Thatcher Cerny in person or to P.O. Box 256, Clarkridge, AR 72623. Submissions deadline is October 13th meeting.

#3: We have 38,050 words in the master file with a promise of 20,000 more as of September 17th. That number doesn't meet our goal, SO we may call upon you to submit an additional 2,000 words.

Remember:

TLW took on this project a) to make a positive impression on our communities through the writing talents of our members, b) to stimulate income for use in later TLW promotions or projects, c) and to showcase individual talents within a collaborative product.

Anthology Submission Guidelines

The Twin Lakes Writers is planning to publish an anthology. If you would like to submit one or more manuscripts for inclusion, please read the following.

Note, only "members" of Twin Lakes Writers, those who have attended meetings and are on the mailing list, can submit manuscripts for this anthology.

1. You may submit manuscripts in any literary genre: short story, article, essay, personal experience, humor, poetry, first chapter or scene from a novel, chapter from a non-fiction book, etc.

2. Each member can submit up to 5,000 words total. This can be all in one piece or in several pieces.

3. We prefer unpublished work but will consider reprints.

4. All manuscripts MUST be submitted either by e-mail or on disk. Each must be typed in Times Roman in either "Word" or an RTF (rich text file) format. Submit your edited work to Wiley Russell at moscowgoat@yahoo.com

5. Bring a "hard copy" of your work(s) to either the September 8th or October 13th Twin Lakes Writers meeting. If that is not possible, we will supply a PO Box to send manuscripts.

6. Your work will be read but will not be edited. If some changes are recommended, we will ask you if you want to make them. These will be primarily for clarification, typos, grammar and spelling.

7. If you would like to submit your work, you must inform Nancy Thatcher-Cerny by no later than September 8th or at the meeting. Final manuscripts must be received before or at the October 13th meeting.

8 All copyrights will remain with the author. A short bio (up 75 words) about your writing background can be included for publication with your entry.

9. If you have any questions, contact Nancy Thatcher-Cerny at nktcerny@suddenlink.net or 870-425-8264

OF INTEREST TO WRITERS

From Susan Varno

My eye doctor (Dr. Kilgore) said extensive tests have shown that taking Vitamins A, C, E, lutein, zinc and bilberry together protect your eyes from damage and aging.

Friends of the Baxter County Library Book Sale

Thursday, November 15, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 pm

Friday, November 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 17, 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1/2 price

noon to 3:00 p.m., $1.00 a bag

New Baxter County Library Building

To be located at Highway 201 South and Sheid-Hopper Bypass

"When will the new library open?"

Library Leaders are preparing a grant application for private funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to be submitted in January. Upon approval, construction could begin in six to seven months and take 12 to 14 months to complete. The new facility will be three times the size of the current library at a projected cost $10 million.

From: Alice Reed

ODE TO THE SPELL CHECKER!

Eye halve a spelling chequer

It came with my pea sea

It plainly marques four my revue

Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word

And weight four it two say

Weather eye am wrong oar write

It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid

It nose bee fore two long

And eye can put the error rite

Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it

I am shore your pleased two no

Its letter perfect awl the weigh

My chequer tolled me sew

CONFERENCES

Kansas City Writing and Revision Workshop

Diastole House

Kansas City, MO

F1rst Pages Workshops ($150) - or - Critique Nook ($50)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

8:30 am - 5:00 pm The Unrejected Workshop ($75)

Sunday, October 28, 2007

8:30 am - 1:30 pm

Intensive hands-on workshops focused on writing and revision and each author will pick a single "track" for the entire day. Unpublished and published authors are welcome.

On Saturday, there will be three tracks devoted to children's literature, and one for adult novelists. On Sunday, the revision workshop will be open to anyone. Workshop faculty have assigned pre-work, advance reading and will critique a manuscript sample.

For details or to register, log on to.f1rstpages.com and click on "FP Conference."

Fall 2007 Writing Conference

Saturday November 3rd, 8am-4pm

Stephens College Campus

Columbia, MO

Presented by Stephens College English & The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild

Speakers:

Keynote Richard B. Schwartz

Kate Berneking Kogut--Playwriting & Screenwriting

Kristine Somerville--Non-Fiction

Greg Michaelson--Unbridled Books

Tina Parke Sutherland--Poetry

Cate Dodson--The Pitch

Details at columbiawrites.coin.org, click on "November Conference" or request information at mailto:chloie@socket.net

Conference. Registration fee includes breakfast snacks, information packet, lunch, plus a choice of break-out sessions in which to participate. Thanks to our sponsors, cost is only $35.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Please send me information about what you're writing, also any information you think our members would find useful or interesting including MARKETS, CONTESTS, CONFERENCES, WEBSITES.

Susan Varno, Newsletter Editor

svarnoark@centurytel.net

PO Box 71

Dolph, AR 72528

870-297-4223

September 2007

THINK ANTHOLOGY

April of this year the Twin Lakes Writers began to consider compiling writings by our membership in a book format. We have come a long way from April to September! Not only do we have a membership to author a variety of genre pieces to include in an anthology, but Chuck Butkus has offered his experience to develop the physical book for us.

At the TLW August meeting, our membership was able to design a framework to gather, review and organize written submissions in preparation for printing the anthology. Susan sent "Invitation for Anthology Entries" by e-mail to all TLW members. Briefly, they include:

TLW members may submit manuscripts in any genre.

Each member can submit up to 5,000 words total.

Manuscripts must be submitted be e-mail or disk, using Times Roman (must be either Word of RTF) to Wiley Russell at moscowgoat@yahoo.com.

A hard copy must be submitted at September 8th or October 13th TLW meeting. Hard copy can be mailed to Twin Lakes Writers, P. O. Box 256, Clarkridge, AR 72623 - postmarked no later than October 13.

Manuscripts will be read, but NOT edited, for purpose of presentation in anthology.

Let Nancy Thatcher-Cerny know by September 8, 2007 TLW meeting, if you plan to submit your work.

All copyrights will remain with the author.

Include a short bio (up to 75 words) on your writing background.

The cost per copy of the completed Twin Lakes Anthology will be $10.00.

NOTE: Your attendance at the September 8th meeting is important. Meeting will convene 12:30 pm (half hour earlier than regularly scheduled) in order to firm details regarding publication of the Anthology. The participation of every member is vital to the success of this ambitious and exciting, undertaking.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday! THINK ANTHOLOGY! Nancy

MISSOURI WRITERS GUILD FALL SUMMIT

Are the Twin Lakes Writers going to send a rep to the Fall Summit for the Missouri Writers Guild in Columbia, MO on Sept. 22 from 10-6? We are paying mileage up to $50, drinks, and lunch for the day. Any chapter representative can come. They do not have to be a member

of the MWG.

Margo Balinski, MWG President

From Susan Varno: Twin Lakes Writers is a chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild. I believe the Fall Summit is not a writer’s conference but a meeting of chapter representatives to discuss ideas to promote and better each organization and the Missouri Writers Guild.

MEMBER NEWS

From: Steve LaFevers: "I have two books currently available and two more coming out next year. The two currently available are both Eppie Award Finalists and the first chapters of both are available for reading free on my website at the following address: www.stephenlafevers.wcpauthor.com

"The first is a Thriller. A novel set in the Ozarks and traveling all the way to Alaska and back. It is called DREAMS OF APRIL TEN and was written as a puzzle mystery, but according to the publisher, it turned into a medical thriller because it involves hypnosis, genetic engineering, and computers.

"The second book, just out this summer, is HYPNOSIS IN HEALTHCARE written as a manual on hypnotherapy because as a registered hypnotherapist, I was teaching classes in hypnotherapy and had no good book available to use in the classes, so this book contains pretty much all one needs to know to be a hypnotherapist.

"Please check out these books if you have any interest in thriller fiction/science fiction, or hypnosis. They are available for purchase as e-books and as print books and can be purchased from links on my website or autographed copies can be arranged by emailing me at stevelafevers@yahoo.com or by clicking on my photo on the website.

Stephen LaFevers, Author: Eppie Award Finalist Thriller

DREAMS OF APRIL TEN Available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com

HYPNOSIS IN HEALTHCARE--Eppie Finalist from Whiskey Creek Press.

THE LAST GUARDIAN and DARK MOON--Novels coming in '08 from Mundania.

Read My Blog: www.writingmadehard.blogspot.com

From Sandy Zabel: "I'm doing a little crowing today. I received three copies of a story I wrote that is coming out in the PRIMARY TREASURE, a Seventh Day Adventist magazine. It will be in the November 24, 2007 copy and is the feature article. I can't believe it.

"They had an artist paint a picture to go along with the story of a little boy with a phone; and if you changed the mouth, it would be a picture of my son, Nathan who the story is about. Isn't that a coincidence? If I can get more copies, I'll send some around.

"Interested in purchasing "The Kinsfolk" books? They will make great Christmas presents.

Also from Sandy Zabel "I am teaching a beginning writing class starting Sept 18 for four weeks continuing on September 25th, October 2nd and 8th. It will be from 6:00 to 7:30 pm and cost $65.00. The class is at the college (Arkansas State at Mountain Home). Anyone interested can call Jane at 508-6106 (Continuing Education Department) to register. The class will cover 1. Getting started writing. 2. What keeps us from writing. 3. Ways to aid memory and creativity. 4. Problems in writing and 5. Getting published.

"Everyone in Twin Lakes Writers is probably beyond this class, but they might know someone wanting to start writing who would enjoy this.

OF INTEREST TO WRITERS

From: Joe Russell "Cindy Loosey posted these websites on the Writer's Fix it Shop. They look like some fantastic resources. Check 'em out and be sure to keep track of the Writer's Fix it Shop for more advice.

owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar

grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

www.dailygrammar.com

andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing

From Hannah Eisenberg

Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs

How Writers Can Get Children’s Books Printed

By Kelly Spors

Question: How do you go about trying to get a children’s book printed?

-- Kelly Thompson, Shaker Heights, Ohio

Answer: Finding a publisher requires some perseverance, research and, yes, superb writing. A good start is checking out the library to read the most popular children’s books and seeing what publishers are behind books most similar to yours. You can then put together a list of those most likely to publish your book.

Many people have written children’s books, but few meet a publisher’s standards: manuscripts offering intriguing characters with a unique vision. But coming up with that next "Where the Wild Things Are" requires you to understand the publishing world and what sells.

There are numerous classes for aspiring children’s authors, but you might also find a writing mentor or two by joining groups like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a Los Angeles-based organization that hosts seminars and networking events for people trying to become children’s book writers.

Once you have a manuscript in polished form, send a typed copy, a short cover letter and a self-addressed stamped envelope to publishers. You can find one of the most comprehensive lists of publishers and their submission guidelines in the Children's Writers and Illustrators Market 2007, a guidebook for children’s book publishing. Some publishers allow you to send manuscripts you’ve sent elsewhere while others want exclusive dibs, so know the policies of each one before sending them your manuscript. Others suggest you send a query letter first.

If, after two months, you still have no response, contact the publisher to inquire. If you still don’t hear back, you might write a letter withdrawing your submission and send it to the next one. You don’t need to send illustrations with your manuscript -- unless you happen to be a professional illustrator. Most children’s book publishers have a pool of illustrators they work with and prefer lining up their own.

Having a literary agent also will greatly boost your odds of selling your manuscript, because they are attuned to working with the major publishing houses and know what it takes to get a book published. Most literary agents take a 10 % to 15 % cut of your profits. You can find lists of agents in the Literary Market Place; available at literarymarketplace.com You also could check the "Acknowledgements section of books similar to yours.

From Buddy Rasmussen

Subject: Real Virus Alert

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are stored.

This virus acts in the following manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the title: "You've received a Post Card from a Family member". (Or "You’ve received a Greeting Card from a Friend" or something similar.)

As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer freezes so that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+ del keys or the reset button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus permanently destroying the hard disk. As soon as you get the mail, delete it !! Even if you know the sender !!!

(Susan-I’ve received several of these and didn’t open them.)

CONTESTS

From: Nancy

Springfield Writers' Guild Contest

14TH ANNUAL LITERARY AWARDS

Deadline October 1

JIM STONE GRAND PRIZE MEMORIAL AWARDS

#1. POETRY any subject, any form Limit 1 Page, Single space

#2. FICTION any subject Limit 1,500 words, Double space

#3. NONFICTION any subject Limit 1,500 words, Double space

$2 ENTRY FEE FOR CATEGORIES #1 THROUGH #3

1st PLACE -- $100 TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS

#4. Article, #5. Short Story-Any Genre, #6. Nostalgia/Reminiscence, #7. Humor-Any subject, #8. Essay or Opinion Piece, #9. Rhyming—any subject or any form, #10. Comic Verse—any form, #11. Free Verse—any subject, #12. Haiku—Traditional (5-7-5, Nature Theme)

$1 ENTRY FEE FOR CATEGORIES #4 THROUGH #12

AWARDS FOR CATEGORIES #4 THROUGH #12

$20-FIRST PLACE, $10-SECOND PLACE, $5-THIRD PLACE

1 HONORABLE MENTION

For "Rules and How to Enter" see swgsite.org (as of September 1st, there was nothing posted on this website, but keep checking, I will have printed information at the TLW September 8th meeting) or write to

M J Becco, SWG Contest

3025 N East Ave

Springfield, MO 65803

E-Mail: MJBecco@hotmail.com

CONFERENCES

7th Annual Festival of the Arts

Ozarka College

Melbourne, Arkansas

Saturday, September 15, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Open to artists, authors and musicians, $15 for table, book signing

For further information contact Barbara Massie, 870-257-3837 massies@centurytel.net

Ozark Creative Writers 39th Annual Conference ozarkcreativewriters.org

Eureka Springs, AR

Thursday, October 11 through Saturday, October 13

Early conference registration fee is $80 (postmark by August 24). After that date fee is $100. One-day registration is not available. The fee covers all sessions, continental breakfasts, and entry fee to 21 contests. Download Registration Form from website or by writing to:

Ozark Creative Writers

Chrissy Willis

400 E. Chilhowie Ave.

Johnson City, TN 37601

Kansas City Writing and Revision Workshop

Diastole House

Kansas City, MO

F1rst Pages Workshops ($150) - or - Critique Nook ($50)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

8:30 am - 5:00 pm The Unrejected Workshop ($75)

Sunday, October 28, 2007

8:30 am - 1:30 pm

Intensive hands-on workshops focused on writing and revision and each author will pick a single "track" for the entire day. Unpublished and published authors are welcome.

On Saturday, there will be three tracks devoted to children's literature, and one for adult novelists. On Sunday, the revision workshop will be open to anyone. Workshop faculty have assigned pre-work, advance reading and will critique a manuscript sample.

For details or to register, log on to.f1rstpages.com and click on "FP Conference."

Fall 2007 Writing Conference

Saturday November 3rd, 8am-4pm

Stephens College Campus

Columbia, MO

Presented by Stephens College English & The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild

Speakers:

Keynote Richard B. Schwartz

Kate Berneking Kogut--Playwriting & Screenwriting

Kristine Somerville--Non-Fiction

Greg Michaelson--Unbridled Books

Tina Parke Sutherland--Poetry

Cate Dodson--The Pitch

Details at columbiawrites.coin.org, click on "November Conference" or request information at mailto:chloie@socket.net

Conference. Registration fee includes breakfast snacks, information packet, lunch, plus a choice of break-out sessions in which to participate. Thanks to our sponsors, cost is only $35.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Please send me information about what you're writing, also any information you think our members would find useful or interesting including MARKETS, CONTESTS, CONFERENCES, WEBSITES.

Susan Varno, Newsletter Editor

svarnoark@centurytel.net

PO Box 71

Dolph, AR 72528

870-297-4223

August, 2007

Meeting: Saturday, August 11, 2007 12:30 p.m. (this month only) to 3:30 p.m.

MEET EARLY TO DISCUSS TLW ANTHOLOGY

President Nancy Thatcher-Cerny asked that we meet at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, to make plans for a Twin Lakes Writers Anthology. Chuck Butkus has generously agreed to do the set-up and printing. Members entries should be 500 to 1000 words. If you are interested in participating, please attend and share your ideas.

LOCAL AUTHOR LEANNA CALLIS is tentatively scheduled to speak at our September 15th meeting.

OZARKS WRITERS LIVE!

"We are organizing Ozark Writers Live!, which will take place on Saturday, September 8th. Under a NEH Humanities grant, it is designed to showcase our regional authors and to celebrate our shared Ozark culture. It is part of the weekend long Fayetteville Arts Festival.

"We want to give Ozark authors a chance to promote their work and to discuss their craft. Author sessions are scheduled to last 50 minutes, providing our authors the chance to speak about how the region has influenced their work and to read selections to the audience. Additionally, we are organizing writing workshops during the event, so that our Ozark authors can instruct and encourage new talent in the area." Go to faylib.org for registration application.

Heather Robideaux, Reference Librarian Event Contact:

Fayetteville Public Library Nancy Hartney

401 W. Mountain St. 479-571-2222 ext. 4405

Fayetteville, AR 72701 nhartney@faylib.org

479-571-2222 ext. 4407

hrobideaux@faylib.org

MEMBER NEWS

Emmit Acklin is publishing a new LIBERTY book, the fourth in a series, which includes local history and letters written by a soldier during the Civil War. This one is 249 pages and is available now.

Wiley Russell: Won First Honorable Mention for Play/Film/TV script in the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. Contest

Other members

What are you doing? Not only what you're publishing but what you're writing, what you're submitting, any interesting things you've done that relate to writing (conferences, books read, etc.) Let me know and I'll put the information here.

CONFERENCES

Ozarks Writers League ozarkswritersleague.org

Saturday, August 18

College of the Ozarks

Branson, MO

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Speakers: Western Novelist Dusty Richards and Linda Apple: "How to Pitch to An Agent"

Georgie McIrvin, who has published 150 articles: "How to Conduct an Interview"

Jay Grelen, columnist for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette: "Turn Fact into Fiction"

November 17th Meeting

Terry Burns with Hartline Literary Agency is looking for submissions in Inspirational, Faith-Based and Christian manuscripts. Pre-register for an appointment with Jeanie Horn at jeanie@ozarkisp.net

Juvenile Writers of Kansas City EDITORS DAY

For Authors of Children's Literature

Saturday, August 18, 2007

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Central Library

14 W. 10th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105 jwkc@earthlink.net

Register at http://home.earthlink.net/~jwkc/id65.html

Featuring Stacy Barney of Penguin Putnam, Krista Marino of Delacorte Press and Martha Mihalick of Greenwillow. Limited to 65 people.

Tuition: $95 (includes lunch) NOTE: Advance registration is required. We cannot accept walk-ins for this event.

This is a great opportunity to submit a sample of a finished manuscript to an editor from one of these three closed houses. Also, please be aware that we allow ONE manuscript per editor, up to two editors. Workshops will be offered with these editors as speakers.

White County Creative Writers Conference

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas

Saturday, September 1st

Registration $25 in advance or at the door

Contact: Patsy Pipkin

5 Windy Ridge Road

Searcy, AR 72143 visit their website for details whitecountycreativewriters.org

7th Annual Festival of the Arts

Ozarka College

Melbourne, Arkansas

Saturday, September 15

10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Open to artists, authors and musicians, $15 for table, book signing

For further information contact Barbara Massie, 870-257-3837 massies@centurytel.net

Ozark Creative Writers 39th Annual Conference ozarkcreativewriters.org

Eureka Springs, AR

Thursday, October 11 through Saturday, October 13

Early conference registration fee is $80 (postmark by August 24). After that date fee is $100. One-day registration is not available. The fee covers all sessions, continental breakfasts, and entry fee to 21 contests. Download Registration Form from website or by writing to:

Ozark Creative Writers

Chrissy Willis

400 E. Chilhowie Ave.

Johnson City, TN 37601

OF INTEREST TO WRITERS

Alice Reed recommends the following free newsletter

Dan Poynter & Para Publishing

TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER F-R-E-E, sign up at

parapublishing.com

Please send your news items and promotion ideas to DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com

(From Susan Varno-You count 250 words to a page if you have 25 lines on each page (not counting first and last pages of chapters). To get 25 lines per page, you will have to turn off "Widows and Orphans" (go to Format, Paragraph, Line and Page Breaks, Widows and Orphans). You have to turn this off for every new document. If I ever meet Bill Gates who set up this ridiculous system, I intend to punch him right in his "Orphan." Also, use Times Roman. Since books and magazines use "proportional spacing," you should do the same in your manuscripts.

From Alice Reed:

I ran across this today. It was written by Erma Bombeck, a writer who died too soon but will always be remembered for opening the doors for women writers. I had enjoyed reading her column in the Chicago Sun forty years ago.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' Erma Bombeck

From NEWSWEEK, July 23, 2007

"The Sad Fate of the Comma," by Robert J. Samuelson (greatly condensed)

"I have always liked commas, but I seem to be a shrinking minority. The comma is in retreat, though it is not yet extinct...If all this involved only grammar, I might let it lie. But the comma's sad fate is, I think, a metaphor for something larger: how we deal with the frantic, can't-wait-a-minute nature of modern life. The comma is, after all, a small sign that flashes PAUSE. It tells the reader to slow down, think a bit, and then move on. We don't have time for that. No pauses allowed...

"Over the years, copy editors have stripped thousands of defenseless commas from my stories. I have saved every last one of them and piled them all on a secluded corner of my desk. So here are some of my discarded commas, taking a long-overdue bow: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"I'm not quitting quietly. By my count, this (entire) column contains 104 commas. Note to copy desk: leave them be."

Newsletter Information

Please send me information about what you're writing, also any information you think our members would find useful or interesting including MARKETS, CONTESTS, CONFERENCES, WEBSITES.

Susan Varno, Newsletter Editor

svarnoark@centurytel.net

PO Box 71

Dolph, AR 72528

870-297-4223

July, 2007

Meeting: Saturday, July 14th 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

Room D 353 Highway 5 North

Mountain Home

870-425-6071

See large sign on Highway 5 just past 201 intersection.

TLW BOOTH AT BOOTLEGGER DAZE IN CALICO ROCK

Twin Lakes Writers had a booth at Bootlegger Daze in Calico Rock on Saturday, June 16. In the booth were Wiley Russell, Bob Harper, Chuck Butkus and Lindsey Zabel. Stopping by were Steve LeBlanc, Emmit Acklin and Susan Varno (and others?). Some sales and good contacts made with other writers. From Chuck Butkus:

2007 ARKANSAS BOOK & PAPER SHOW, Friday (set-up) through Sunday, August 10th, 11th & 12th at the Jacksonville Community Center (Municipal Drive off Hwy 67/167 and Main Street). The SHOW is carpeted & air conditioned with free parking.

AUTHORS WANTED: Sign up for a table. AUTHORS are FREE. This year is the 22nd Anniversary of the SHOW, which is sponsored by the ARKANSAS ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION. Authors will be provided table space for FREE to offer their autographed books for sale. These tables may be manned by authors at any time they choose during the SHOW. Please contact Ed & Jeri Myrick, 277 Pickwicket, Conway, AR 72034,

1-501-336-9313 or e-mail bookshow2006@Yahoo.com

From Heather Robideaux

“We are organizing Ozark Writers Live!, which will take place on Saturday, September 8th. Under a NEH humanities grant, it is designed to showcase our regional authors and to celebrate our shared Ozark culture. It is part of the Fayetteville Arts Festival, which is also happening the weekend of September 8th.

“We want to give Ozark authors a chance to promote their work and to discuss their craft. Author sessions are scheduled to last 50 minutes, providing our authors the chance to speak about how the region has influenced their work and to read selections to the audience. Additionally, we are organizing writing workshops during the event, so that our Ozark authors can instruct and encourage new talent in the area.” Go to faylib.org for registration application.

Heather Robideaux, Reference Librarian Event Contact:

Fayetteville Public Library Nancy Hartney

401 W. Mountain St. 479-571-2222 ext. 4405

Fayetteville, AR 72701 nhartney@faylib.org

479-571-2222 ext. 4407

hrobideaux@faylib.org

MEMBER NEWS

From: Emmit D. Acklin: My visit with the author, Tony Hillerman.

“As you may already know I spent the month of April this year in New Mexico. I went there in part to meet Tony Hillerman, the writer...We ran into a late winter snowstorm east of Albuquerque. We decided to find an R.V. park (we had my travel trailer) and set the weather out. We pulled into a park a few miles on the west side of Albuquerque. I made an appointment to meet with Mr. Hillerman while we were waiting for the weather to clear up. We met and visited for about an hour on Saturday morning and he autographed several books for me. I left him three of the history books I wrote.

“That afternoon back in the park I started having chest pains. I've been on "nitro" tablets for twenty years, but that evening they didn't work. I had taken two doses without effect when I thought to try my spare "unopened" bottle. They worked. The ones I had in my pocket were just too old. We were rather un-nerved by that time and not in the mood to go on with our planned trip. The next morning we started east toward home. I still had a tightness in my chest and was thinking it was a lot closer back to my brother’s home in Carlsbad than it was to Arkansas. We decided to go there and wait a few days...Emmit”

From Chuck Butkus (June 9, 2007)

“Luck smiled on me this last week. At the Arkansas Writers Conference in Little Rock I received a 1st for 'Three Dollars worth of Pain', And a 2nd place for 'Following a Twisted Trail', and an Honorable Mention for, 'Showdown on Ole Man River.' On Monday I have to be at the ‘Starvin’ Artist’ (in Little Rock) to record one of my stories 'The Unscheduled Dance.' It will also be published in an anthology for ‘Tales from the South 2007.’ They also will have me do another of my stories, ‘Different Perspectives’ at a later date. (This was the story about hunting turtles in trees.)”

From Cindy Perrin

Brief bio: Twenty-five years ago, Cindy was diagnosed as bipolar and told she would be on medications the rest of her life. After twenty years of hospitalizations and medications that were destroying her mentally and physically, Cindy decided to take her life back. She made this life altering change through good nutrition. Today she weighs 100 pounds less and has turned her life around. She has been free of all prescription medications for four years. She has gone back to college and will graduate in spring of 2008 with her bachelor’s degree. She then plans on pursuing her doctorate in environmental sciences.

This is not a diet--it is a way of life! If you would like to improve your life, sign up for her workshop today! You too can be free from being "SICK & TIRED!"

Where? Janet's Sacred Space

810 Hwy. 201 North

Mountain Home, AR 72653

When? July 20, 2007

7:00-9:00 pm

How much? $20 per person

Contact? Janet at sacredspace2@ hotmail .com or 870-424-4453

From Susan Varno

“The July issue of OZARKS MAGAZINE has a four page feature article I wrote entitled ‘Calico Rock, Like It’s Always Been.’ The editor sent me ten free copies, and I bought 25 more. I am selling them at $4 each to raise funds for the Peppersauce Bottom Ghost Town project in Calico Rock

CONTESTS

Poets of the Lake Poetry Contest

Contestants may enter up to three poems: any subject, any form, 20-line limit. Submit each poem on one typed page and one copy. Place name, address and phone number on the upper right corner of one copy. The second page will be numbered for the judges. All poems must be the original work of the poet and not under consideration for publication. No entry will be returned. The contest is open to any person. Prizes to be awarded are $25.00 first prize, $15.00 second prize, $8.00 third prize. Three honorable mentions will be awarded.

Mail all entries in one envelope by August 15, 2007 to

Lou Wilson

265 Dave Creek Parkway

Fairfield Bay, AR 72088.

For more information contact Lou at 501-884-6662.

Finalists, selected by the judges, will be expected to bring one copy of the selected entry to be read at the September 14th meeting of the Poets of the Lake held in Fairfield Bay, AR in the Library of Indian Rock Village on Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay.

Sleuth's Ink Mystery Writers Organization

of Springfield, MO invites you to enter our monthly contest. Short and sinister are our basic guidelines.

August 2007 “Write about a person or people who steal items from other people that they then market on E-bay.” Deadline is Saturday, August 11th, 2007. Entry fee is $3.00, 1000 word limit.

September 2007. “A woman buys a gun for home defense, but two days later she can't find it.”

Mailed entries must be postmarked between August 12, 2007 and September 9, 2007. Entry fee is $3.00, 1000 word limit.

FOR EACH MONTHLY CONTEST:

Complete guidelines at www.sleuthsink.com

Entry in the conte