Welcome back to 2023! We have a special day planned for Saturday 21st. One of the best things about joining a writing organization is getting to know other writers and sharing with people who love what we do. So, this month we’re putting together an opportunity to get to know everyone. This is a great opportunity to make a new friend, find a new critique partner, and learn how other writers think. We look forward to seeing everyone at Sharpened Iron Studio Saturday January 21st at 10:00!
Centennial Party November 5, 2022
So excited to be celebrating our 100th anniversary (technically 102). Join us for our celebration Saturday November 5th from 12pm to 4pm.
Can’t wait to see everyone at the Barfield Hotel then!
September 17, 2022 Program: Blue Handle Publishing Panel
Blue Handle Publishing was launched in June 2020 when author/founder Charles D’Amico signed local Amazon bestselling author Andrew J Brandt. D’Amico then hired a team of publishing professionals, and together they have signed fiction and nonfiction book deals with an award-winning playwright, an NFL coach, an international rock star, and several talented writers with incredible stories to share.
July 16, 2022 Program: Story Structure
After three decades of various careers, Troy Lambert fulfilled his dream of writing full-time and making a living at it. He currently has written over two-dozen books, is a freelance writer, content strategist, ghostwriter, publisher, and occasional editor. He will be joining us live from Boise, Idaho to share with us some helpful tips on story structure and plotting.
May 21st, 2022 Program: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em — Just Make the Readers Care
New York Times Bestseller Linda Broday will be joining us for an amazing session Saturday May 21st at 10:00 at the Sharpened Iron Studio.
“I can’t wait to see everyone on May 21st! We’ll have us some good times. I’ll be back home. The title of the first half of my presentation will be Love ‘Em or Hate ‘EM–But Make the Reader Care. I’ll give some tips of ways to do this. What triggers emotion in me are animals, babies, and little children trying to be grown up. It works every time. I cannot watch ASPCA commercials on TV. I just can’t. They really get to me. I’ll find out what your triggers are. I hope to see everyone there at Sharpened Iron.” ~ Linda Broday
March 19th 2022 Program Critique Group Panel
Lone Star Women of Letters Critique Groups Panel Donna Rosson, Kristine Brorman, and Kim Black bring their experience of forming, maintaining, and meeting as a critique group. They will talk about the who, what, when, how, and why they meet. They’ll discuss what makes a great group and what to avoid.
We’ll have a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to connect with other writers to form other critique groups within our organization.
10:00am Saturday March 19th at Sharpening Iron Studio
January 15, 2022, Program: Tex Thompson
At last! After all those hundreds of hours spent slaving away at the keyboard, your first draft is finally done. Now you can sit back and bask in the glory of your beautiful, shining… unpublishable mess.
Never fear! This fast-and-furious revisionary rumble will fire you up to pummel your plot, pulverize your prose, and kill your darlings with bloodthirsty red-penthusiasm. No fear – no shame – no surrender!
Mark Your Calendar for Giving Tuesday
#ThePanhandleGives #GivingTuesday
November 22-30, 2021
You don’t have to live in the Texas Panhandle to support the over 100 years old Texas High Plains Writers (THPW).
#ThePanhandleGives is nine days of enhanced charitable giving to support diverse nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle.
From November 22 through November 30, go to ThePanhandleGives.org, find Texas High Plains Writers, and donate. Help THPW raise over $250 by making a donation so it will qualify to receive Amplification dollars from the Amarillo Area Foundation. Amplification dollars are a percentage of the funds raised during The Panhandle Gives campaign.
What that means is the more funds THPW raises through The Panhandle Gives, the more funds THPW will receive from the Amarillo Area Foundation beyond the amount donated to THPW.
Mark your calendar today to donate from November 22 through November 30.
November 20 Program, Kenja Purkey
Featured in PR Week and Accent West magazines, Kenja Purkey is a media, marketing, and advertising professional with more than 30 years of experience. She is a former news anchor, congressional media representative, and has 20 years of general marketing and advertising experience in both the government and private sector. In addition to being the Marketing Director for The People’s Federal Credit Union, she is a professional speaker specializing in general marketing, social media, and generational media consumption habits.
Our meeting and program will be held at 1314 S. Polk in Amarillo, in the Sharpened Iron Studios.
RegistrationMeet & Greet9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Business Meeting10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Program10:15 – 12:15 Open to the Public. Guests are always welcome!
Click “How to Join” for details about dues and member benefits.
September 18 Program, Taylor Moore
Acclaimed author Taylor Moore to speak at Texas High Plains Writers program
AMARILLO, Texas — Local author Taylor Moore — fresh off the release of his critically acclaimed debut thriller, “Down Range” — will be the featured guest at the September meeting of the Texas High Plains Writers.
The program will begin at about 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 at Sharpened Iron Studios at 1314 S. Polk St., just south of downtown Amarillo. The program is free for members, and guests can pay $10 at the door. Copies of “Down Range” will be available at the meeting for purchase and to be signed by Moore, courtesy of Burrowing Owl Books.
Moore, an Amarillo resident and sixth-generation Texan, is a former analyst and operations officer with the CIA and consultant for the Department of Defense. Moore then went on to help secure mineral rights as a landman in the Texas Panhandle before becoming a full-time author and speaker.
“We are beyond thrilled to have an author of Taylor’s caliber speaking for our members and guests,” THPW President Rick Treon said. “It’s been a while since we had someone come in who’s just had such a major debut released by a Big Five publisher. And the fact that it’s set right here on the High Plains makes it that much more exciting for us.”
Moore signed a two-book deal with William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, in May 2020. “Down Range” is the first book in Moore’s series about an undercover DEA Special Agent Garrett Kohl who must help protect an Afghan orphan and his family from the ravages of the drug trade near Canadian, Texas. Book 2 in the series is in production but no release date has been set.
His debut has been called “intense,” “riveting,” and “stunning” by New York Times bestselling thriller authors such as Mark Greaney, Brad Taylor, and Don Bentley.
Moore’s presentation will include his publishing journey, and how many years it truly takes to become an “overnight success” in traditional publishing.
For more information about Taylor Moore, visit his website at taylormoorebooks.com.