Author: Kim Black

Sell Your Books, Save Your Soul

Selling can feel dirty on a good day. Throw in a global pandemic, meth gators, and confirmation of otherworldly visitors, and it feels a bit like you are weighing out your soul to sell to the highest bidder. Keep your dignity intact while we examine evergreen marketing tactics with a special emphasis on removing the ick factor. 

Jodi Thompson has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her earliest work, Skippy the Horse, was critically acclaimed by numerous family members and at least one teacher. She eventually discovered that her real talent lies in selling other people’s writing. That passion for sharing great books with the world led her to found Fawkes Press in 2016, where she strives to be eclectic, exceptional, and eleemosynary. Jodi lives in Fort Worth with her husband and too many pets, none of which can replace her young adult children who insist on being independent and capable, despite her pleas.

Topic: THPW September Program
Time: Sep 19, 2020 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83354197526?pwd=OGNQMjVqRy8yc0ljendrdnBQUWN2Zz09

Meeting ID: 833 5419 7526
Passcode: 462850
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83354197526#,,,,,,0#,,462850# US (Houston)
+12532158782,,83354197526#,,,,,,0#,,462850# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 833 5419 7526
Passcode: 462850
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kiozrudu3

Due to our unusual circumstances caused by the global pandemic, we are extending the deadline for our 2021 anthology submissions. Our theme, Challenges, has been an appropriate subject for this year, it seems, and our group response has been low.

Our new deadline has been extended to September 30, 2020. If you have not submitted a short story, please do so quickly. The THPW Board of Directors has decided that unless we reach a minimum of 125 pages for the volume, we will need to combine it with next year’s submissions and delay publication.

Our annual anthology, With Words We Weave, is a great vehicle for community within our organization. It is a wonderful opportunity to have your work published and seen by others.

Anthology Guidelines as follows:

·       500-2,500 word short narrative works, fiction or non-fiction. Any genre. (see exceptions* below)

·       THPW Member Fee – $10.00

·       Non-member Fee – $50.00 ($10 submission fee, $40 membership dues)

·       Industry standard manuscript formatting: Times New Roman 12pt font, 1″ margins, double spaced; author name and page # in upper right-hand corner. 

·       Author bio included in submission – the organizers and editors will not hunt down bios nor hold production for authors who fail to include bios with their story submissions.

·       Multiple submissions accepted, only one per author will be selected. $10 additional fee for each additional submission

·       Email manuscript to info@texashighplainswriters.com, subject “2021 Anthology Submission” no later than September 30, 2020

*No erotica, incest, or extreme violence. Stories with these elements will be disqualified from consideration. Submission fees will NOT be refunded for disqualified submissions.

ACX Audiobook Creation Workshop

Betty Reeves and Kim Black will share their experiences and take you step by step through the process of turning your book into an audiobook using ACX.

Join us Saturday, August 15, at 10 am via Zoom!

Click link below 8/15/20!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9896541216

This month we are privileged to have Candace Havens present Ten Things Your Novel Needs to Be a Bestseller!

Discover the key elements of a successful novel from bestselling author and publishing executive Candace Havens. She’ll share her secrets for creating best selling books your fans will love.

Our program will be presented via Zoom at 2:00 on Saturday, July 18th.

Topic: THPW July Program with Candace Havens
Time: Jul 18, 2020 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89983867650?pwd=MWxyYlY5MHl6Q0lyVGVWS1k4dUhwZz09

Meeting ID: 899 8386 7650
Password: THPW
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,89983867650#,,,,0#,,466252# US (Houston)
+12532158782,,89983867650#,,,,0#,,466252# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 899 8386 7650
Password: 466252
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcrMaT1XCZ

  Don’t forget that the theme for the 2021 anthology is “Challenges” and the deadline for submissions is July 31, 2020.

·       500-2,500 word short narrative works, fiction or non-fiction. Any genre. (see exceptions* below)

·       THPW Member Fee – $10.00

·       Non-member Fee – $50.00 ($10 submission fee, $40 membership dues)

·       Industry standard manuscript formatting: Times New Roman 12pt font, 1″ margins, double spaced; author name and page # in upper right-hand corner. 

·       Author bio included in submission – the organizers and editors will not hunt down bios nor hold production for authors who fail to include bios with their story submissions.

·       Multiple submissions accepted, only one per author will be selected. $10 additional fee for each additional submission

·       Email manuscript to info@texashighplainswriters.com, subject “2021 Anthology Submission” no later than July 31, 2020

*No erotica, incest, or extreme violence. Stories with these elements will be disqualified from consideration. Submission fees will NOT be refunded for disqualified submissions.

Our first virtual meeting is a video program, “Getting All Your Ducks in a Row” by Kim Black.

Tired of being locked up in your house?  Want to get out for a while?  Maybe take a drive?  Check out a different neighborhood?  Read a good book while enjoying the warmer weather?  Buy Texas High Plains Writers’ centennial anthology With Words We Weave, A Celebration of the Past without paying Amazon shipping prices.  It’s a great, entertaining, and easy way to support your local writers’ group.

Since we don’t know when THPW will have the next in-person bi-monthly meeting and program, below is information on how you can get your copy(ies) now.

Go to https://texashighplainswriters.com/index.php/donations-and-dues/, click on the yellow “Donate” button.  The cost is only $10 per copy.  Make sure you note that it is for the anthology.

Once you’ve paid, call or text me, Janet Taylor, THPW Treasurer, at 806.282.1227 to make arrangements to pick up your copy(ies) from my front porch.  (I live near downtown Amarillo.)  In these days of trying to avoid the coronavirus and to keep you safe, I will wash and sanitize my hands before I place your book(s) in a paper sack.  I hope to hear from you soon!

IMPORTANT:  Don’t forget that the theme for the 2021 anthology is “Challenges” and the deadline for submissions is July 31, 2020.

·       500-2,500 word short narrative works, fiction or non-fiction. Any genre. (see exceptions* below)

·       THPW Member Fee – $10.00

·       Non-member Fee – $50.00 ($10 submission fee, $40 membership dues)

·       Industry standard manuscript formatting: Times New Roman 12pt font, 1″ margins, double spaced; author name and page # in upper right-hand corner. 

·       Author bio included in submission – the organizers and editors will not hunt down bios nor hold production for authors who fail to include bios with their story submissions.

·       Multiple submissions accepted, only one per author will be selected. $10 additional fee for each additional submission

·       Email manuscript to info@texashighplainswriters.com, subject “2021 Anthology Submission” no later than July 31, 2020

·       Regular Mail must be postmarked on or before July 31, 2019  – Mail submission and fees to

THPW Anthology Contest
PO Box 19303
Amarillo, Texas 79114
 

*No erotica, incest, or extreme violence. Stories with these elements will be disqualified from consideration. Submission fees will NOT be refunded for disqualified submissions.

Kim Black will present “Getting All Your Ducks in a Row,” a quick session about all the non-writing elements that go into self-publishing and marketing.

This program will be conducted online, with more details coming soon.

Kim is an award-winning indie author of six novels, two children’s books, several short stories, a blog, and other workbooks and journals. Visit her website http://kimblackink.com/ for more.

THPW March 21 Meeting is Cancelled. 

Jodi Thompson has graciously offered to reschedule, with more details to follow.

Be careful. Be safe. Be smart. Be kind.