Muh-muh-muh March

Thank you to all who contributed to this month's newsletter! There are several great upcoming events, and this month's update is brought to you by the letter Q. Read on to find out why. Don't worry, it won't be very hard to figure out! And keep on reading because we have a SPOTLIGHT this month! Yay! I love doing spotlights.

Coming up-get your calendars ready!

Cheri Chesley, author of The Peasant Queen, is having a joint singing with Michael Knudsen, author of The Rogue Shop! They will be at Starry Night Books on Saturday, March 12, from 2-4 p.m.

Did you know there is a Writer's Fest, March 25 at Clarke Johnson Jr. High? Well there is, and there is a signing afterward at The Purple Cow Bookstore from 4-6 p.m. Cheri Chesley and Karen Hoover may possibly be signing there as well. Come support our members!

Laura Bastian is in the query process with her manuscript, Eye On Orion! She has also started a blog and you can check it out on our link list to the right! Please sign on as a follower! Laura will be doing book reviews and welcomes all to participate!

Melanie Skelton shared a link for the WIFYR conference, coming to Sandy June 13-17. Check it out HERE. That is, the Writing and Illustrating for Yound Readers conference. She has been before and says it's amazing, and totally worth the cost. Melanie is attending Kathleen Duey's morning session. If you are interested in carpooling please get in contact with her. This sounds fun, and I know we have many writers who write for a young audience. Great info, thanks Melanie!

For March, we'll be spotlighting Terron James, one of our newer members. And if you are yourself a "newer" member, or an "older" member, and have yet to be spotlighted, then tough cookies, you didn't send me anything! Actually, I'm kidding, the cookies aren't tough at all, you can send me info at any time.

Meet Terron:


"My name is Terron James. My wife and I have 3 sons and we've lived in Tooele for 3-1/2 years. We love it here! Although I work for an engineering company in Salt Lake City doing right of way design for UDOT, I am currently attending the U of U for my BA in English. Above all else, I want to be a published author. I started writing seriously in August of 2008 and just finished Insight, the first book of my fantasy / sci-fi series, Beholders. Once I finalize my query letter package (hopefully within a week), I'll start hunting for an agent." blogger edit-Terron is currently in the query process!

"I love The Lord of the Rings books, including the Hobbit and Silmarillion. I'm one of those nerds you've probably heard about that can't find a good challenge in Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit. Yes, I even have maps of various locations in Middle-Earth hanging all over the walls in my garage. I also enjoyed the Inheritance books, but I was pretty annoyed with the 3rd book, Brisingr. Call me sometime if you really want to know why, but plan for a long conversation."

Thank you and welcome! Hope to see a large turnout at our next meeting. Remember, third Thursday of each month!

It's a Revival!

Our newsletter is in serious need of a revival! It's time this little volunteer fulfilled her duties a bit better! Our chapter of the League has had some exciting news these last few months, so let's all get filled in, shall we?

But first, da-da da-da! The thing I am always asking for......Any new member and any members who haven't already done so, I would love to feature you in our newsletter, so send me a picture and a write up about yourself you'd like to share!

BIG PROPS to:
Cheri Chesley, whose debut novel The Peasant Queen was released 12-1-2010! She's already done multiple book signings and has many more planned!

Watch for her at The Purple Cow Bookstore right here in town on January 15th, at 2:00 pm, and at Sandy Barnes and Noble on February 5th!







Laura Bastain, Nicole Grane, and Scott Bryan. What do these three people have in common? Well, writing, yes, obviously. But they are all in various stages of agent querying with their completed novels. Very exciting, keep us posted guys!

Group meetings for 2011 are still the third Thursday of every month. Hope to see more of you there each time!

As always, I LOVE to get your emails with ANY news you have to share, email me at steenerbeaner@yahoo.com. And we're still continually getting connected via FaceBook, and if you aren't a member of our group yet contact Laura DeLange Bastian on fb to be added.

Writing quote for the month:
"If writing is always fun you may be doing it wrong." Nathan Bransford

We all know that IT'S HARD WORK! But we still do it anyway! Best of luck till next month!

JULY

Upcoming Events:

July 15, 7:00 p.m.-Monthly Chapter Meeting
@ Cheri's house
We will be discussing writing a synopsis.
Photo entries are due at this meeting, don't forget!

August 19th-
Meeting at The Purple Cow bookstore, our speaker will be author J. Scott Savage! Everyone please plan to attend and support our Utah authors!

Announcements:

Critique groups are ongoing every other Tuesday. You can participate in person or by email. Contact Laura Bastian if you are interested in joining.

Laura is also over our Facebook Group page, befriend Laura DeLange Bastian to be invited to join!

PHOTO CONTEST:
Remember to bring your hard copy, original photo to our July 15 meeting to enter to win a gift card to The Purple Cow! A photo that has to do with writing/literature etc. It will be featured as our Facebook Group's profile picture!

Our spotlight for July is....drumroll please.......Emily Moir!


"I've lived in Utah for nearly twenty years and in the Tooele area for about fifteen of those years. I started out just shouting my stories at any family members that stood still long enough to fall victim. Eventually, I reached Kindergarten age and learned how to write. After that I started shoving my scribbled manuscripts at everyone instead. I primarily write fantasy and short psychological-horror. I'm currently writing a fantasy series with the working title of The Chronicles of the Gossamer Dreams. The first book (The Changeling Boy) tells the story of an eleven-year-old boy who discovers that he is actually a changeling warrior prophesied to save the fae existence. I have a few other stories that I'm looking forward to writing, but the chronicles characters are currently demanding all of my attention. I can't say I blame them though. I'd be rather demanding if I were living in a world about to collapse."

JUNE

Welcome to June!

Just a reminder:
Mark your calendars for September 17-18, so you can attend the LUW annual conference!

In May, we met with Ecko House Publishing. The owner, Nanice, was kind enough to come speak to us at The Purple Cow bookstore. Ecko House Publishing is a self-publishing company located in Sandy. Check out their website here to learn more about their many services.

Critique groups are on-going, contact Laura Bastian for more information if you would like to participate.

Writing quotes for the month:

"A writer is working when he's staring out of the window."
Burton Rascoe

"There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
Somerset Maugham

MAY

LUW Tooele Chapter's April meeting recap:
Welcome to our newest members! We gained several!

One of our new memebers is D. Darlene Sonntag- a published author who shared her insight into creating a writer's website.
Check it out at http://ddarlenesonntag.com.
She also has a facebook page here!

We are pleased to have all of our new members! As always, email me a picture and a short "about the author" and then a longer "get to know you" piece to be featured in our newsletter! My email is steenerbeaner@yahoo.com.

UPCOMING EVENT:
SPRING WORKSHOP MAY 15th

FEATURING CLASSES BY AUTHORS:

CLINT JOHNSON - GREEN DRAGON CODEX

(TRIPLE THREAT WRITING EXERCISE)

DAN WELLS – I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER

(SEVEN POINTS OF WRITING PRESENTATION)

BEN BEHUNIN – DISCOVERING ISAAC: THE BELOVED POTTER OF NIEDERBIPP

(SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING AND GRAPHIC ARTS)

ELANA JOHNSON – THE ART OF THE QUERY

ANGELA ESCHLER AND MELISSA DALTON –

(THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY AND MARKETING STRATEGY)

Date: MAY 15, 2010 8:30 am -3:30pm FREE for members/ $10.00 non-members

Lunch provided- $7.00

Location: Hampton Inn and Suites of Orem 851 W. 1250 S.

Seating Limited Register by email: roxyhaynie@mac. com

Our spotlight this month is dedicated to LAURA!!!!

Laura Bastian is now twice as old (or older) than the characters she's
trying to write about. But she loves reading books for Young Adults
and is now attempting to write some of those books. Fantasy and
Science fiction are her favorites, but she also loves all kinds of
books. Reading has been a favorite pastime all her life. Even at the
breakfast table ( if a book isn't close by, she'll read the cereal
boxes top to bottom, front to back.) Her husband has even been amazed
that she will read a book while watching a movie. (Hey, when the
movie gets boring, she can dive into a book and be swept away).
She is a mother to 4 and wife to 1. She is a homebody, preferring to
travel to distant places in the comfort of her own home with the magic
of a good book.
She has always loved reading, but only recently decided that she loves
to write. An elementary teacher by profession, she let her license
expire to focus on raising her young family. In an attempt to earn
credits to renew her license, she enrolled in a writing class. The
first assignment involved looking at a picture and writing a 1000 word
story from it. That story just begged to be extended and an 81,000
word Science Fiction YA story emerged.
There are many steps ahead in this journey, but Laura is so excited to
be on it. It isn't as easy as she once daydreamed it was, but
someday, with lots of hard work and the help of some great support,
she'll finish this journey.

We'll see you all at our next meeting!




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APRIL

It's a new month! Welcome to April everyone.

First of all:

-CONGRATULATIONS to Karen Hoover, her novel The Sapphire Flute was released last month and she has had several launch parties and book signings. We are so proud of you!!!!



-Members of our league have been busy planning critique groups and met in March. Word on the street was that it was fun and very helpful.

Each member of the critique group sends up to ten pages of your work in progress to the other members, then during the meeting everyone discusses and gives back suggestions. The next meeting is April 6th, at 7:00 p.m. Contact Laura Bastian for further information.

-Any Facebookers out there?
There is a Tooele Writers group that has all the updates about the critique group. You must add Laura Bastian as your Facebook friend to be invited to the group, it is very private so members can freely share work.

-April's writers meeting will be held on Thursday, April 15th at Cheri's house. Contact Cheri for driving directions to her new home. We've got some exciting things in the works so everyone please attend! We are looking forward to scheduling a local publishing company to come speak to our group. More info TBA and please bring a friend!

-Laura is excited to share she has started several new projects, one of which is outside of her usual writing style! Way to go Laura, stretch those creative wings!

-I will still be doing spotlights on members every other month or so. If I have not received your picture, short "about the author" and personal bio you'd like to share, I am reminding you once again to please send it over! We have more members in our group then I have pictures!

Happy Writing!

MARCH

Welcome to the Tooele Chapter of the LUW's official spot for news and updates!

Our congratulations to our chapter president Cheri, she is having two short stories published in a book of collected works titled 'Angels Round About', hitting shelves soon!

Our chapter meetings are held the third Thursday of every month, at 7:00 p.m.
We'll see you all there on March 18th!

Thanks to those who sent their picture and bio as I requested. For those of you who have not, please do so! I realize I wasn't very specific when I asked for a short bio. I myself wasn't quite sure of my entire plan. A short "about the author" would be great for under your picture. Emlee and Scott, if you want me to change what is your picture caption, just let me know. I originally wanted only a few sentences to put under your picture on the side. Scott was the first to send me his (thank you!) and I enjoyed reading his bio so much, I thought it would be a great idea to do a monthly spotlight on all our chapter members! For the ones who already sent me their bio, if you want a different or longer bio for your spotlight feel free to send it over.

March is dedicated to Scott!


"I have always had an interest in science fiction, and any tale that would stretch the imagination. For several years, I wrote short stories on the Internet. I'd like to think my writing has improved as time passed.

In 2004 I watched a vampire movie and became inspired. I decided to write a story about my own little child of the night. She walked out of my mind and onto the page. I could see her clearly. Her long red curls and impish grin filled my head. I discovered her love for her quirky family and deep passion for the welfare of children.

Annabelle became my muse. She took over all my interest in writing. She demanded attention and I knew that I had to write her story. I finished the first book after two years of on again, off again writing. My family life is always busy and I have a full time job so sometimes it was hard, but I did it.

I sent it to many beta readers including two critique groups. The novel was read to two 6th grade classes. That was an honor.

Was it perfect? Heck no. I cut, added, trimmed, and changed the manuscript. I even took a year off to edit it with the help of those critique groups. Is it perfect yet? No. It will never be. Is it ready for agents and publishers? I'd like to think so. It'll go through more changes in the future and that's OK.

It met with some positive response. Some literary agents wanted to see partials and there were fulls, too. They met with the standard rejections and so I took that year off to edit. Now it's with a professional editor in hopes we can groom it for proper publication.

I'm still without an agent or publisher but I've got plenty of hope and faith mixed with hard earned realism.

The sequel is also finished but it's a rough draft. I have a timeline for the series as well as concepts for other types of stories.

So that's me. Pretty normal. I have a dream, I'm trying to achieve it, and we'll see how it goes."
Scott B.

Way to go Scott! Feel free to leave any comments!

I will most likely take this blog private very soon, so watch for your email invitation to read this blog.

Happy writing!