texas high plains writers – Texas High Plains Writers

July 21, 2018 Program

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Publication

Ryan McSwain ~ Rory C. Keel ~Vicki Schoen ~ Natalie Bright

Where to Begin to Publish Your Book?

The topic always comes up at our meetings. Reach for the stars and snag a literary agent who will negotiate a deal with a Big House publishing company? Or go it alone and join the throng of independent authors who self-publish? What should you do? I know, it’s a lot of information to absorb. Here are a few main points to consider as you move closer to publishing your work.

Option 1:

If you have a high concept book theme or genre, the urgency of publication is not an issue, and you are willing to relinquish the rights to said work, then Traditional Publishing is your best option. This will require you to sign with a literary agent who will “shop” your manuscript to the five major publishing houses which are closed to un-agented submissions. This process takes years. Dollars are well spent in attending conferences to network with agents and editors. Develop a phenomenal one-line synopsis. Practice your pitch.

Option 2:

If you have a polished manuscript ready to go, a clear idea of your genre and target market, and a Type A personality that likes the control, then becoming an Indie Author and self-publishing your work is the perfect fit. You can do as much or as little of the process that you want. Dollars are well spent in hiring the professionals to do the work that you don’t want to learn. Become proficient on social media.

It is a great time to be a creator of new and original content.

Save the Date: July 21 in Amarillo

No RSVP required; nonmembers are welcome. Our meetings are open to the public and guests may attend for a small $10 fee. It all starts at 10:00 AM and you’re invited! Hope to see you in July in Amarillo.

Robyn Conley on September 15

Morning Session: Driving Your Character – How to Develop a Well-rounded Protagonist.

Afternoon Session: Self-Editing Without Self-Destructing

http://robynconley.com/

November 17 ~ Bill Briscoe

This Phillips, Texas native told his wife that he wanted to write a novel only five years into his retirement. Based on an idea he’d had in his head for ten years, the result is Pepperman’s Promise, the prequel to The Pepperman Mystery Series.

Uncategorized

March 17, 2018 Program

The Dynamic Duo

We have a wonderful meeting lined up for March 17. I’m excited to bring Kim Harris and K.J. Waters to our fair city. Both have years of expertise between them and will share their knowledge.

Kim Harris will present Adding Humor to Your Writing the first hour.

Humor is a multi-tasking powerhouse in your writing. A joke can instantly show characterization, reveal relationships, shift the tension of your plot, deliver a painful truth in an easy-to-swallow way, and even endear you to readers. And what writer doesn’t want to be endeared by their readers?!

Unfortunately, many writers believe that writing humor is either out of their depth—they’ve been told that humor is much more difficult to write than drama—or that it has no place in their books.

This presentation will highlight the many ways humor can bump up your writing, even if you’re not writing a ‘funny’ book, and she’ll go over some classic tales that have expertly used humor to memorable effect.

Kim says, “E.B. White once said that humor, like frogs, could be dissected, but the thing dies in the process. We’re going to dissect some humor, and you will come away with fresh ideas of how to put humor to work in your writing, no matter what you write. No frogs will be harmed.”

For the second half, K.J. Waters will present What I’ve learned as an Indie Author.

In this one-hour presentation, KJ Waters will share what she has learned as an Indie author including her secret recipe to becoming an Amazon best-selling author, how she grew her author platform to 50,000 followers, and how to use an integrated social media strategy and author brand to market her work. You don’t want to miss this!

Both of these ladies will provide immeasurable help in getting your career ramped up and racing down the track. Please come out and grab this information while you can. I know you’ll enjoy what Kim and K.J. bring to the table, so make your plans.

* * *

Kim Hunt Harris is Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Trailer Park Princess cozy mystery comedy series. She knew she wanted to be a writer before she even knew how to write. When her parents read bedtime stories to her, she wanted to be a part of the story world. Kim started out writing children’s stories, and they grew as she did. She discovered a gift for humor and a love for making people laugh with her tales, and the Trailer Park Princess series was born. She lives with her husband of more than thirty years and two teenage kids in West Texas.

KJ Waters is the #1 Best Selling author on Amazon with two books in the Stealing Time series with two more the way and a short story called Blow. She is the CEO of Blondie’s Custom Book Covers, and an indie author hosting the popular podcast Blondie and the Brit – Writing, Publishing, and Beyond with International best-selling author Suzanne Kelman. She provides author consulting focusing on author platforms and branding, indie publishing, and book marketing. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and 18 years of experience in marketing.

Tag: texas high plains writers