Newsletter March 2007 Guild Gram Newsletter: PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley March 2007 LOCATION for meetings: Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA Located just north of Fred Waring on San Pablo (2 blocks east of the Palm Desert Library where we used to meet). Meeting Location Map Next Meeting is March 11th - the second Sunday of the month! Please note the different week for our March meeting and also note that Daylight Savings Time starts - so please set clocks ahead!! 2:30 to 4:40 (please add daylight savings time!) Daylight savings time starts at @2 AM Sunday so please set clocks ahead so you'll be there for the entire meeting! PRESIDENT'S LETTER by Dawn Huntley Spitz Considering we were running interference with the Super Bowl, we had quite a respectable turnout for our February meeting. Our speaker, Raymond Strait, speaking about the business end of writing, was warmly received. His talk elicited a large number of questions from interested members. Well, it's time to sharpen your pencils and warm up your computers again. The annual Short Story Contest is about to begin. I am delighted to report that Jim Misko has agreed to chair the contest and Kristin Johnson will be the coordinator. The deadline is June 10 and winners will be announced at the November 4, 2007 meeting. Guidelines for entering can be found elsewhere in these pages. The Guild has been saddened by the untimely death of another member, Barbara Seranella. Barbara was deeply admired for her talent and her resilient spirit in overcoming the adversities in her life. She will be truly missed. As we lose these friends, we are reminded once again of how precious life is. What a privilege it is to be a writer and to have a forum in which to share ideas with others of like interests. The Guild is a blessing. Keep it strong with your attendance and participation. The Guild is YOU. The Crow's Nest By Dodie Cross Member Greg Niemann sends an email that he'd like to crow abut. His book, Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS is being shipped from his publisher to retail outlets on 2-9-07. To read reviews and more about this, go to http://www.amazon.com/Big-Brown-Untold-Story-UPS/dp/0787994022 or you can get info from his web site www.gregniemann.com. Kristin Johnson's horror flick Blood Mask was produced in Hollywood and premiered there. Kristin's Guild critique group attended the stellar event. They included Mary Barrer, Dennis Boos, and friends Brian Beard and Dr. A.M. Krasner. Kristin's parents James and Catherine Johnson were also on hand to congratulate their daughter. The director introduced Kristin and she received a big round of applause. Kristin's second film is in production and will be screened for the first time in Santa Monica in the Spring. Your Crow's Nest old crow, Dodie Cross, would like to crow about an article just published in the Monterey Bay Parent Magazine: "Stress-Free Love: The Art of Being a Grandmother." Got something to Crow about? E-mail me at dodiecross@dc.rr.com and inspire others. www.abroadinthailand.com Member Profiles by Mary Barrer BARBARA SERANELLA One of our most dedicated members and successful authors, Barbara Seranella passed away recently. Barbara served as vice president and program chair a few years ago providing the Guild meeting with stimulating and dynamic speakers. She also held the office of vice president of The Palm Springs Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. On the national level she was a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Barbara was born in Santa Monica and grew up in affluent Pacific Palisades. After a restless childhood she became a runaway at age 14. She joined a hippie commune and rode with outlaw motorcycle clubs. She overcame these problems and focused on a stable career as a woman auto mechanic. She worked in this field for 17 years and then married her boss, Ron Seranella. She retired and began a full time writing career in l993. She received high praise for her 10 mystery novels which were many times on the L.A. Times best seller list. Her final work will be released in April 2007. Barbara's life is an inspiration to all who believe in their dreams as she went from a teenage problem child to a happily married woman and acclaimed author. Barbara Seranella I remember beautiful eyes, a wide, engaging smile and a keen, intelligent mind. I remember a resilient spirit transcending a past that served as inspiration for an author who evolved as a writer, and as a woman. I remember a quirky viewpoint and turn of phrase, humor and laughter even in her darkest days. I remember a generous heart, graciously sharing her time and talent with her friends, an encouraging mentor. For five years I was in Barbara's critique group. But it became more than that. It became a chance for friends to share their experiences and what they had learned or accomplished, an excuse for a potluck supper or Christmas party. And then we would get down to business. No messing around! Barbara ran our critiquing sessions as she ran her life, directly, honestly, with candor, kindness, and always with humor. Barbara leaves a legacy of memories and inspiration. Submitted by Rachel Druten The National League of American Pen Women luncheon is the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 11:30. Contact Estelle Shanley for details. 760-771-5849 or estelleshanley@aol.com. SPEAKERS REVIEW by Joanne Hardy Raymond Strait, who has authored 28 celebrity biographies, says there is more to writing than writing. Once you have completed your book or product, he explains, you must sell it. You cannot think, I am a writer, not a salesman. First, he says, you sell yourself on the idea of writing something, then you sell an agent, the agent has to sell the acquisition editor, who has to sell the editorial board of the publishing house and they sell it to the marketing commission, then it goes to the public relations department, then it goes to the sales people who then sell it to the distributors, who sell it to the book stores and they sell it to the public. It is all business. Regarding taxes, he says any writer who is writing with the intentions of being published has something to write off. Check with a tax expert.. In negotiating a deal, whoever owns the materials you wrote, owns the right to make the deal. If you make a certain kind of deal you give away some of those rights to your property. The 1986 copyright law states that the minute you put it down on paper, it is yours. He always recommends you have an attorney look at your contract, to protect your rights. He says he never gives up any rights except the rights to the publisher to publish. Don't give up foreign rights. Deals with agents or editors are based on what each party can get: for the product you own and what they can get from you and what they can get for it in the market. Sometimes agents say when they are drawing up a contract that they want the option of the second book. He suggests you should agree in the contract to give the agent the "first right of refusal." If they make you the best offer on the second book that is fine, but if someone makes you a better offer, you are not bound by your original agreement. You might have a blockbuster success with your first book and then you are bound by a contract with a small agency. Don't jump in if a publishing house offers you something. It is business. Take time to check it out with your agent or your lawyer. The main point, he says, is first time writers want the book so bad they jump in and make a deal that is not advantageous to them. Writers have to consider whether they want to get published more than they want money. Don't be turned off by a low advance. It may to be to your advantage later on. Agents know what is going on in the publishing industry, they don't know about the public and it's the public that buys books. If you choose to take a smaller advance in order to get a book tour or to get more publicity, be sure it is stated in the contract that the money you are giving up as an advance will be used for promoting and designate what that will be. If you are given a book tour, suggest that they put you in less expensive hotels and that they use the money for promoting. There is money in ghost writing but ghost writers generally are work for hire.. When you sell hard cover, up to 7,500 copies will give you 7½ percent of the sales, 10,000 you get 10 percent, above that 15 percent. Your percentage is based on retail price. Then you go to paperback. If you are marketable, your price goes up. A bargaining tool is "what can you do that will make it sell." If you have a book going out of print and you want to see another agent or publisher, you have to get the rights from the current publisher before you can go with another publisher. Some people write under a pseudonym. Your contract must be in your legal name, but you can write under any name you choose. Raymond Strait offers a three hour workshop to groups with a minimum of five people at $20 each to discuss the "business of writing." He can be reached at cooze1@verizon.net, (951) 929-0176 or P. O. Box 5313, Hemet, Ca. 92544-0313. PROGRAM SCHEDULE for 2007 by Phyllis Costello Mar 11 Julie Gorges and John Hacker, father/daughter team; she writes for young people and he writes humor about aging. March 24 Workshop with Cyndi Muscatel, author and writing teacher, on writing memoirs to be held 1-4 PM at the Joslyn Center, 73750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, 760-340-3220 April 1 Judy Weigle, author, publishing and entertainment marketer brings to us Sell Your Book With a Winning Marketing Platform. May 6 Steve Peterson, author, poet, singer, performer; relates a new author's adventures into publishing a first novel. Election of officers. June 3 Ice cream social; new officers installed; writers' open readings. Need to find good subcontractors for writing help? Come to the meetings. There will be sign up lists for resources and those who need them. BOOK TABLE at meetings: Book table will be set up - bring your books to sell! One volunteer each meeting is needed to be at the table to collect money for the authors. Only paid members can sell their books at the meeting. GUEST POLICY We always welcome guests! To help defray the costs for our larger facility, we will be charging $5 per guest per meeting. This can be applied toward the annual $40 dues for the Guild membership if guest decides to join the Guild. Guest articles from members are welcome. The subject must be on some aspect of writing and no more than 500 words. Dear Board and Guild Members, I am deeply honored to receive the 2006 Buddy Kaye Award for Service. It is exciting to be a part of the Palm Springs Writers Guild as it continues to grow and assist Coachella Valley writers. I am a true product of the Guild; of its educational speakers, workshops, critique groups, and kindly mentors. The award hangs in my office with pride. The beautiful pen set sits on my desk and is used to write notes such as this. Thank you. Most sincerely, Carol Mann, Member-at-Large 2005-2007. Membership dues are DUE! No dues? Pay $5 per meeting. No dues? No Guild Gram newsletter next month. This is YOUR Guild and we need YOUR support to provide YOU service! Please mail them in or bring them to the next meeting. Thanks!!! Limerick An old writer was almost in shock When he found he could not beat the clock So he called on his son Who got the job done Like a chip off the old writer's block. By Dawn huntley Spitz There once was a tale by a writer, Who was told to make his words tighter. He went back to his garret, And worked on its merit. And now his story's much lighter. by Bob Hurlbert LIMERICK By Dodie Cross A clever old gal in her prime, To her loft each morn she would climb; Where she wrote of her life, Telling tales of past strife, But lo' could not write without rhyme. A peddler one day did arrive, With mags she might want to subscribe; She ordered the bunch, After having a hunch Their contents might help her contrive. The pages she quickly inhaled, Making notes of all they entailed; Now she writes with no rhyming, Without too much priming, And submits day and night via mail. DOUBLE HEADER FOR MARCH PROGRAM: ON March 11 we will present Julie Gorges and John Hacker Father and daughter appear together talking about the young and the old of life. Julie has a novel for young adults called Just Call Me Goody Two Shoes. She also co-authored a nonfiction book on construction with her father. She has won three journalism awards and many magazine credits: children, young adult, child care and parenting, and professional magazines. John, her father, has written a book Laughing at Growing Old, now in its second printing. In 1998 Hacker was honored with the Oprah Angel Award for pro bono work with Habitat for Humanity. John says, "You know as people get old, you are going to have your share of problems. You have got to laugh. What else are you going to do?" WRITING MEMOIRS SEMINAR On March 24th will be a Guild Sponsored workshop with Cyndy Muscatel on Writing Memoirs. Cyndy is a long time member of our Guild. She has taught Creative Writing for several years at Mizell Center. Many Guild members are part of this class and know how inspiring she is. She also is an instructor at the University of California at the Palm Desert Campus, where she taught a class in Writing Memoirs. Her personal writing includes writing both articles and fiction for local papers as well as national literary publications. The workshop will be held at the Joslyn Center , 73750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert (760-340-3220) from 1:00 to 4:00. Cost will be $5.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members. Please call 760-321-6173 to pre-register. Space is limited. Palm Springs Writers Guild Annual SHORT STORY CONTEST Open to All Writers!!! DEADLINE: June 10, 2007 WINNERS ANNOUNCED: November 4, 2007 1st Prize $200.00 2nd Prize $100 3rd Prize: $50 Fellow Authors! You'll notice that we are now officially going to be having a book selling table at all our meetings! That is the good news! Please bring your books ready to autograph and sell! There was a misunderstanding at one of our recent Writers Guild meetings where Vicki Mills had her books on display for sale. Someone must have mistakenly thought that the books were there for free because one was missing but no money left for the purchase. Oops! Sorry! She is happy to help you enjoy your computer (hence the name Any Body Can Enjoy Computers, the Clear and Simple Basics) if you'll please pay for the book as well! Please contact her at 760-250-1897 or email Vamills@aol.com to make arrangements to pay for the book. Thank you, fellow writers! Renew Membership or become a Member - click here Writers Guild Board and Committee Members - click here Palm Springs Writers Guild P.O. 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