Texas High Plains Writers

NOTE: We will take 10-15 minutes from our schedule for our 2025 Anthology authors to sign the new copies for our members. Please bring your copies or purchase an anthology that day.

Lauren Cassel Brownell is an award-winning author and playwright based in Lubbock, Texas. She is best known as the author of the self-help book Zen and the Art of Housekeeping and the cozy mystery Dying to Donate, the first book in her “Murder U Mystery” series. In addition to her books, Lauren has also written two produced plays, Leave It to Me and Swimming the Witch, as well as articles and essays for publications around the world. 

Her latest passion project is a course and accompanying workbook titled Happier, Healthier Aging Through Writing. It focuses on the mental and physical health benefits of writing for mature adults and provides a path for developing your own writing journey.  Lauren is a dynamic, engaging speaker who brings topics to life through storytelling, humor, and creativity. When not writing, Lauren serves as the marketing director of the College of Education at Texas Tech University. She lives in Lubbock with her family. 

Lauren will present a variation of her “Happier, Healthier Aging Through Writing” program.

Have you ever taken a moment to consider how you and your writing can evolve as you age? In this unique, research-informed presentation for experienced writers, we’ll explore how writing can be a powerful companion in the aging process: increasing resilience, reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and connecting you to community and purpose. 

 🧠 Learn the science behind the importance of creativity and aging—and how writing strengthens the brain
🔥 Rekindle creative fire by reframing your current practice
🔍 Consider your life, legacy, and purpose
📚 Reconnect with the why behind your writing  

Jody Holland will speak to us regarding speaking opportunities as a writer today.

Jody is a graduate of Angelo State University with a B.A. in Communications and M.S. in Applied
Psychology. He has received specialized certifications in Team building, Leadership,
Management, Fundraising, Personality Assessment, Physiognomy (Face Reading) and Conflict
Management. He has worked with companies from Fortune 50 to small organizations. He
measures the success of his programs by increasing performance for his clients’ companies and
decreasing turnover.
Jody has worked in 14 countries to develop leadership, interpersonal skills, sales success,
service excellence, and the right attitudes. Jody is the author of 23 books, eight on Audible, and more
than 30 training programs. He is a master trainer in Team-Building, Leadership Development,
Entrepreneurship and Behavioral Sciences. He has delivered the keynote speech for more than 300
conferences, conducted hundreds of break-out sessions, and trained more than 200,000 leaders from all industries.
Jody has a unique style of bringing both education and entertainment to his lessons while
inspiring others to see their own potential.

Our meeting will be on the 9th floor in the Edward Davis Room at the First Bank Southwest Building. Parking is available in the lot at 6th and Harrison. Registration will start at 9:30 am, the brief business meeting will begin at 10:00 am, and the program will follow.

What is Flash Fiction? What purposes does it serve? How do I write Flash Fiction? Why do I want to?

Flash Fiction can be a fantastic way to get your creative juices flowing and to practice writing tight stories with high impact and low word counts.

We will all engage in a short Flash Fiction exercise, so come prepared to write and share. The skills developed in writing Flash Fiction are priceless and can help every writer, from beginner to pro.

Bring a friend, and we’ll start the year off write right!

We’ll be in the Edward Davis Room of the First Bank Southwest Building, 600 S. Tyler, at 10:00 am (9:30 am registration). Kim Black will facilitate the program.

This month, Texas High Plains Writers will enjoy a social gathering where we can connect with our fellow writers, hear a summary of the year to date, and learn what 2025 will bring to Texas High Plains Writers. We will also install our 2025 Board of Directors.

We’ll meet at the X- Steakhouse, in the Party Room, at 9181 Town Square Boulevard, Ste. 1311. Our meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

Lunch is included in the social at no extra cost. The menu for our group includes a 6 oz. Top Sirloin, Grilled Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, or Chicken Strips. Each meal comes with a side of your choice. Sides include Baked Potato, Potato Casserole, Mixed Vegetables, Cream Corn, Cream Spinach, Mac & Cheese, Rice, or Fries.

We will also have board games available, a fun group game, and we will select the theme for our next anthology. Plus, LOTS more exciting news for the year to come.

Please join us for our social and take the opportunity to pay your 2025 dues. We hope to see you there.

How to Build Your Author Press Kit with Kim Black

What is a Press Kit? How do I make one? Why would I need one?

Kim Black will answer these questions and more at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 19th via Zoom.

Join us by clicking the link below:

October Craft Talk – Author Press Kit with  Kim Black Texas High Plains Writers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Texas High Plains Writers’ Zoom Craft Talk – Author Press Kit with Kim Black Time: Oct 19, 2024 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85880777139?pwd=AP9JmhU8xeoavhpL5iA58dhbMDM37G.1 Meeting ID: 858 8077 7139 Passcode: 804642 — One tap mobile +13462487799,,85880777139#,,,,*804642# US (Houston) +12532158782,,85880777139#,,,,*804642# US (Tacoma) — Dial by your location • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 360 209 5623 US • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US Meeting ID: 858 8077 7139 Passcode: 804642 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcaR6Xmr3u

Stacy Clopton will speak about authors’ opportunities within the Amarillo Public Library system, including putting their books on library shelves, doing book signings, and more.

Stacy Clopton joined the Amarillo Public Library staff as the Coordinator of PR and Programming in February 2008. Before that, she worked for High Plains Public Radio for seven years and for NewsChannel 10, KGNC, and the Amarillo Globe News.

            Stacy received her undergraduate degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and her master’s from West Texas A&M. She is currently enrolled in the Certificate of Ministry program at Austin Theological Seminary.

            Stacy is an active member of St. Luke Presbyterian Church, where she serves on several committees.  She is the Coordinator for Open and Affirming Congregations of the Texas Panhandle and serves on the Religious Affairs Committee of the local NAACP chapter. 

                In her spare time, Stacy enjoys reading, painting, hiking, and camping.

To provide even more benefits for our membership, we are offering a Zoom Workshop program on the third Saturday of our “off” or non-meeting months.

Our inaugural program will be held Saturday, June 15th at 11:00 AM. This program is open to all, and will last about one hour.

We ask that when you join the Zoom meeting, please use the video option, but keep your mic on mute until the meeting begins. There will be brief instructions from the host, and then we will have an hour of Q&A about what works best in our writing processes, what are our concerns and challenges, and other ideas. This is just our first meeting of the kind, so please join us and let us know if you have ideas for future programs.

Texas High Plains Writers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Texas High Plains Writers’s Craft Chat Zoom Meeting

Time: Jun 15, 2024, 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84130031098?pwd=0leIa5ZgRJUJYZALHZRt7U8MpPXNK0.1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0Lr18jrRJktU00Wr1–oGFZDCHO-X3Mr-XdHOFWKSQZk7PNAtrM6I9ksQ_aem_AecIoq2IeXSKlBPOsf4PsCGLJLm8kqB5b699Z-DpLoSaKtP2vYmML7dcqQf6CT9HkcO4noZZUmZcqku0UAJdrlA_

Meeting ID: 841 3003 1098

Passcode: 547891

—

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84130031098#,,,,*547891# US (Houston)

+16694449171,,84130031098#,,,,*547891# US

—

Dial by your location

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 669 444 9171 US

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 719 359 4580 US

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 646 931 3860 US

• +1 689 278 1000 US

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 305 224 1968 US

• +1 309 205 3325 US

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 360 209 5623 US

• +1 386 347 5053 US

• +1 507 473 4847 US

• +1 564 217 2000 US

Meeting ID: 841 3003 1098

Passcode: 547891

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kmP6Is5T9

US02WEB.ZOOM.US

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

September 21, 2024

You know writers’ conferences and workshops can help, but which ones, and what should you do there? Invest one full day in your future as an author with Texas High Plains Writers and workshop leaders Jodi Thompson, publisher and guide, and TwylaBeth Lambert, editor, and become a ConConqueror.

In this interactive workshop, you will:
• Learn strategies to make the most of opportunities for networking, learning, and career development
• Develop your own doable plan of action for choosing, attending, and winning with your writers’ conference goals
• Receive a professional author headshot for your social media and promotional opportunities
• Walk away with a printed workbook and two e-books to map your personal path to literary conquest

We’ll enjoy a light breakfast and a catered buffet lunch so you can begin networking right away.
Texas High Plains Writers is hosting this one-day workshop in place of the regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

When: September 21, 2024, from 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Where: Amarillo Area Foundation at 919 S. Polk, Amarillo, TX 79101

Headshot by a professional photographer includes a single sitting with no setting/wardrobe changes