Seven courses, a conference and a contest – lucky us!
Seven Courses:
1. Check out Outreach International Romance Writer’s workshops!
MORE THAN WORD: Getting the most from Scrivener for Mac
Presented By: Gwen Hernandez
Dates: May 1st – 31st, 2011
Fee: $20 – OIRW Members, $25 – Non Members
Deadline: April 30
FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus/currentcourselist.htm#May
Course Description
Scrivener’s greatest strength is its flexibility, but are you using this popular writing program to its full potential? This class will teach you how to customize your projects for the way you write. You’ll also learn simple but powerful tools for organizing, visualizing, revising, and sharing your work.
This 4-week workshop is for anyone with a beginning to intermediate level of experience with Scrivener.
Topics include:
Customization: Labels, full screen, binder, templates
Working with files: splitting and merging, grouping, snapshots, split screen, advanced searches, collections, keywords
Helpful tidbits: tracking progress, evaluating word frequency, compiling, printing synopses
And more!
REQUIREMENTS: A MAC, Scrivener for MAC software and a basic working knowledge of Scrivener 1.x or better. Scrivener 2.x upgrade recommended but not required for most topics.
Instructor Bio:
Gwen Hernandez is a former programmer, manufacturing engineer, and business school computer instructor. In 2009, she started writing about Scrivener to share its lesser known features with her writing friends, and the Scrivener page on her website is now a popular resource for writers everywhere.
She uses Scrivener to write romantic suspense, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Washington Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and the Kiss of Death online chapter where she is currently serving as Secretary. For 2011, she is also the Chair of the RWA PRO Education committee.
You can visit her at www.gwenhernandez.com
All workshops are open to everyone. You do not have to be a RWA member. You can register for the following on-line class through April 30. OIRW Members $20.00. Non Members $25.00. FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus.htm
Or, email Campus Coordinator, Veronica Alderson, valderson80 using the Subject line: OIRW ONLINE WORKSHOP.
2. The Black Diamond Chapter presents: The Woman Behind the Goggles: the Two Faces of Steampunk
May 2nd – 29th , 2011
Cost: $20 BDRWA members/ $25 non-members
Instructor: Camryn Rhys
Class Info: Steampunk is the fusion of Modernist sense with Post-Modern sensibility. This class will deconstruct the ideals of both sides of Steampunk through looking at the historical roots, the contemporary influences, and the a-historical melding of the two through a virtual tour of the genre of SteamPunk. Together, we will look at the two faces of the Steampunk genre: the Steam era and the Punk persuasion.
4 weeks (4 lectures, 5 tour assignments, 5 critical assignments, 5 writing assignments–so, writing and research-heavy class)
For more info: www.bdrwa.com click on online classes
Or contact mrsgodiva
INSTRUCTOR BIO
I took an MFA in Creative Writing and an undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Literature, and have taught both writing and literature courses on the collegiate level. I also took an undergraduate minor in history, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries in British history. I have published short fiction as well as some short non-fiction, and academic articles. I currently do one-on-one coaching with writers and teach writing workshops.
3. What Would Jane Austen Do? Check it out with Southern Tier Author’s of Romance On-line Workshop.
May 2 – 27, 2011: Character Building with Jane Austen, taught by Megan Applegate.
This is the first time the class is being taught on-line, and will only be taught twice in 2011!
Deadline to Register: May 1, 2011
Course Content: What would Jane Austen do? Elizabeth Bennett, Elinor Dashwood, Anne Elliot… nobody could capture the agony or the ecstasy of a young woman’s romance quite like Miss Jane Austen. Her characters were nuanced, they had depth, they waged silent, intelligent wars against rivals, society, and the occasional misbehaving rogue when need be. In class, Megan Applegate will delve deep into Austen’s methods of characterization and how to apply them to your own writing – the many tiers of a heroine, the depths and drive behind heroes. It will explore crisis and conflict as a character and the methods behind successfully pitting your characters against the ‘setting’ for maximum conflict and goal realization.
About the Instructor:
Megan E. Applegate taught lower-level college English and writing courses while attending graduate school and was lucky enough to spend three semesters teaching a course that included a brief stay in the Jane Austen period. This section of the course was immensely popular and spawned a series of lectures that eventually became the rough outline for the romance writing course. Megan is the past president of her local Jane Austen Society of North America and a lover of all things Austen. She writes as Harper Bennett. You can visit site at: www.harperbennett.com.
COST: $20 for RWA members; $25 for non-members.
HOW TO REGISTER: STAR’s Workshops last four (4) weeks, consist of a mix of lectures, exercises and discussions, and are conducted via a private Yahoo Groups listserv.
Check/Money Order: To register, please include a check or Money Order in US Dollars, made out to STAR On-Line Workshop, and mail to: STAR Workshop Coordinator, PO Box 6, Willseyville, NY 13864. Please include the following information: Name, Address, Email Address (and Email Address you wish to use for the class), Phone Number, and RWA # (if applicable).
PayPal: If you have a PayPal account and would like to pay via PayPal, go to http://www.PayPal.com. Select the “send money” button, then enter the amount due, and STAR’s email address for payment: starpay. Then, send your registration information (Name, Address, Email Address (and Email Address you wish to use for the class), Phone Number, and RWA # (if applicable) to: carolhenry).
All writers are welcome. If you know how to send e-mail, then you’ve mastered all of the technical skills you need to participate in STAR’s workshops. You will be automatically enrolled in the workshop’s listserv prior to the start of the class. All of the messages posted by the instructor and other participants will be delivered directly to your inbox, although you may also view them from the Yahoo website.
For more information on these and other STAR On-line Workshops visit STAR’s website at: starrwa.org.
4. Elements of RWA Online Workshops
MS WORD FOR WRITERS by Catherine Chant
May 2 – 13, 2011
REGISTRATION ENDS April 27th
Non-membesr $15; Elements Members $9
http://www.elementsofrwa.com/workshops.html
Description: We all know Microsoft Word can type words, help us get that book of our hearts onto the page, but we also know that for its large price tag this program must be able to do other things to help make our writing lives easier–if only we understood how to use it without having to read a five-pound manual or pages and pages of online Help screens.
“Microsoft Word for Writers” focuses on teaching you the aspects of the Word program that are most useful for writers. Lessons include: proper manuscript formatting, creating headers/footers, working with page numbers, creating a manuscript template, customizing the toolbars, understanding/ customizing the Auto-Correct feature, and using the Work menu or Recent Documents menu as a shortcut to work with multiple documents at the same time.
Other subjects that will be covered include: formatting the query letter, creating a query letter template, creating envelopes and SASE labels, using Track Changes to work with critique partners, and backing up your computer files.
This workshop is geared toward both Windows and Macintosh users with any version of Microsoft Word between 1997 and 2011.
Pre-requisites: A copy of MSWord and basic knowledge of how to open the program, create a file, save a file, print a file and type words on the screen (very BASIC Word commands); the lessons in the workshop will teach you how to use the MSWord commands related to novel writing in a step-by-step fashion.
Bio: Catherine Chant is an award-winning writer from New England. She is a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). A graduate of Boston College, she worked for fifteen years at her alma mater as a computing & communications consultant and now provides freelance web editing and design services to other writers and clients such as BC’s Lynch School of Education. Her short fiction and non-fiction work has appeared in RWA newsletters, CharacterS, SchoolArts, MetroKids, Twilight Times and Apollos Lyre. Her young adult time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE was a finalist in the 2008 Golden Heart® awards. She is currently working on a new young adult novel.
5. The Long Island Romance Writers is proud to present its first online workshop:
BECOMING A BRAND:
Using Social Media to Become a Household Name
DATES: May 9-13, 2011
Instructor: Kristen Lamb
Fee: $15 FOR ALL
Want to become a brand like Stephenie Meyer, Nora Roberts or Stephen King? This session will show you how. Writers now are being required to have a social media platform. It doesn’t have to be scary. This class is designed to change your habits, not your personality. My method will help you build a platform that is solid and expands in pace with your career, no matter what social media platform is in style. I will show you ways to grow your network in ways that will translate into book sales. And the coolest part? My approach leaves time to write more books. You don’t have all day to market. You need time to write future best-selling books. Let me show you how.
Bio: Kristen Lamb is the author of the best-selling book We Are Not Alone-The Writer’s Guide to Social Media. Kristen worked in international sales before transitioning into a career as an author, freelance editor and speaker. She takes her years of experience in sales & promotion and merges it with almost a decade as a writer to create a program designed to help authors construct a platform in the new paradigm of publishing. Kristen has guided writers of all levels, from unpublished green peas to NY Times best-selling big fish, how to use social media to create a solid platform and brand. Most importantly, Kristen helps authors of all levels connect to their READERS and then maintain a relationship that grows into a long-term fan base.
Check out Kristen’s blog at: http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/
TO REGISTER: http://www.lirw.org/class.html follow instructions for PayPal or to send a check.
6. Florida Romance Writers presents Super Saturday with Laurie Schnebly Campbell. Sign up today for what promises to be a great event!
Saturday, May 14
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Address:
Patios of Boca (Clubhouse)
9165 SW 14th St.
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Join FRW for Super Saturday. This day-long event features intensive workshops that will jumpstart – or perhaps reenergize – your writing journey. This year our speaker is the spectacular Laurie Schnebly Campbell who has presented workshops online and all across the country.
Workshops will include:
FROM PLOT TO FINISH
This workshop will help you make the move from a few basic plot answers to a manuscript which is actually ready to type. Laurie will show us a series of steps that people have called the easiest way of getting from Basic Idea to Finished Book.
REVISION HEAVEN
Every writer knows about Revision Hell. But the chance for re(en)vision of any concept that’s attracted attention can be a wonderful opportunity. This class covers the psychological and practical aspects of revision: when to do it, why (and why not) to do it, how to make the process easier, and–most important of all–how to know when you’re finished.
Time permitting Laurie will also present additional workshops on Plotting Via Motivation and/or Alpha Males.
About the Speaker:
Laurie Schnebly Campbell combines her background in advertising and counseling with writing novels like the one that won Romantic Times’ “Best Special Edition Of The Year” Award. Her latest nonfiction book is a how-to for writers on creating characters, and she’s taught online classes (as well as live workshops like this one) for writers from Los Angeles to London.
Cost:
$30 = FRW / MWA / RWA Florida Chapter Members
$35 = Non-members
Price includes all workshop materials, continental breakfast and lunch
For complete information & to sign up, please visit http://frwriters.org/supersat.html. Please RSVP as space is limited. Send RSVP to Rose Lawson by emailing rose @roselawson.com
You may pay via PayPal through our website or by mailing a check to:
Florida Romance Writers
c/o PO Box 8713
Coral Springs, FL 33075- 8713
7. The NOLA STARS chapter of RWA is happy to announce a one day “Summer Writer’s Workshop” for beginner and intermediate writers (and if you are advanced, well, you can come, too!)
Featuring Debra Dixon’s popular GMC workshop… Along with special guests: Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary, USA Today Best-selling author Kerrelyn Sparks, historical author Janet Mullany, and NYT best-selling and Rita-nominated NOLA authors Lenora Worth and Beth Cornelison. Also presenting will be debut YA author John Corey Whaley, romance favorites Winnie Griggs, Lyn Morgan, Debi King, and popular epublished authors Keri Ford and Cora Zane. The day will conclude with a booksigning. This one day event is a writer’s dream.
This workshop will be held at Bossier Parish Community College on June 11th, 2011. The cost is $25.00 and includes lunch. Yep. You read that right. Only $25.00!
For more information and/or to register, visit www.nolastars.com
We hope to see you there for some summer fun! And please spread the word 
A Contest
ALASKA CHAPTER of ROMANCE WRITERS of AMERICA presents:
The 4th annual Alaska Break-Up Contest for Unpublished Manuscripts
Every year, here in Alaska, we undergo a phenomena we lovingly call Break-up. It’s when the ice and snow finally melts away, and the darkness of long winter nights gives way to even longer summer days. Do you have a break-up scene or dark moment in your romance manuscript? If so, we would love to see it.
1: Submitted manuscripts must be unpublished, and must be received by midnight May 1st. 2011
2. Enter your best break-up or darkest moment scene. Entry must not exceed 10 pages. All categories and heat levels welcome.
Please include a set-up scene (1-3 pages) to assist judges in understanding entry selection. Set-up scene will not be judged.
3. You may submit more than one entry. Each entry must be separate and complete with appropriate fees and signed agreement.
4. All submissions will be judged by AKRWA trained judges, RWA PRO members, and published authors. Final winners will be judged by Ellora’s Cave Publisher Raelene Gorlinsky. Winning entry will be submitted for a personal critque by New York Times Best Selling author Cherry Adair.
5. All submissions will be returned to author with judges’ comments.
6. Submissions must be accompanied by signed agreement and payment by PayPal.
7. Winners will be announced on the AKRWA Web site by July 1, 2011.
8. Entries received after May 1, 2011 will be disqualified and returned unopened.
9. See Submission Guidelines for details on how and where to submit entries.
PRIZES:
Winning manuscript will be submitted to: New York Times Best Selling author Cherry Adair.
• All entrants will receive a beautiful certificate of participation.
• All judges are trained, PRO members and/or published authors.
• All authors will receive at least three score sheets with valuable judges’ comments.
• To see examples of the score sheets, visit the contest page on our Web site at: http://www.akrwa.org
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Manuscript Requirements:
• Entries must be prepared in accordance with common publisher’s standards (double
spaced, one inch border, 12 point type e.g., Courier/Times New Roman/Arial).
• Header on each document shall include title, category and page number.
• Please do not include author’s name anywhere on the actual entry.
• Your entry must represent a break-up or darkest moment scene.
• All entries must meet the RWA standards of romance writing.
• Entries that do not comply with the listed requirements will not be scored.
Submit:
1)Electronic submissions only, to: contest
2)Manuscript and setup scene in RTF. In addition, your completed entry form and entrant’s agreement in a separate file.
3)Payment by PayPal. Each entry, $30.00. Submit PayPal orders to: treasurer.
A Conference
May Mini-Conference Event!
Colorado Romance Writers proudly presents an all-day Mini-Conference on Saturday, May 21, 2011, with bestselling author Kara Lennox, and TOR/Forge editor Kristin Sevick! Also on hand will be professional photographer Lynn Clark!
Kara Lennox will be speaking on craft, specifically plotting and revisions, agents, synopsis, and queries. For more information on Kara, see her website at: http://karalennox.wordpress.com/
Kristin Sevick with Tor/Forge will be talking about publishing and taking pitch appointments. For more information on Kristin, see: http://us.macmillan.com/torforge/categories/General/Romance
Photographer Lynn Clark will be taking appointments for head shot photography. Package includes 5 edited, high resolution images delivered electronically. Cost is $50.00; makeup artist is an additional $15.00.
A Silent Auction will be held, with items donated from authors, publishers, and writing organizations. All proceeds will benefit CRW programs and events.
This Mini-Con will be held at the Indian Tree Golf Course, located at 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada CO. See their website at http://indiantree.apexprd.org for more details, or contact them at 303-403-2542.
The cost for this event is $25.00 for early registration, and $30.00 after May 1st.
Registration and a Continental breakfast begins at 8:30am, with the events beginning at 9:00am and running until 4:30pm. A catered Awards Luncheon will be held at midday.
Deadline for reservations is May 17, 2011. Visit our website at www.coloradoromancewriters.com and click on the Events page to view the May Mini-Con event and RSVP.
You may use the PayPal link on the May Mini-Conference page, or send a check, made out to Colorado Romance Writers to:
Summer Vierra
Treasurer, Colorado Romance Writers
P.O. Box 448 Eastlake, CO 80614
For more information, contact any CRW Board member.
Thank you so much for posting these classes. I’ve been hearing so much about Kristen Lamb and now I can take one of her classes. Yippee!