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Announcing our next Challenge
What's your ending?
About Write 500 words about "What's your ending?" (or the topic of your choice). Write the first half the way you've planned it, then switch it around to an alternative ending. And get written feedback from a professional editor!
PLEASE SEE THE RULES AND JUDGING CRITERIA BELOW.
We look forward to reading your entries!
Entry Submission Rules
Be sure to comply with all requirements. As with most professional writing submissions, there is no leeway on the rules. Questions? Please contact: kathy.weyer@att.net.
1. Must be a member of Palm Springs Writers Guild with current, active status. 2. Entries accepted between the opening date and submission deadline posted above. 3. Please enter contest by registering online with a $15 entry fee for each entry; you can enter up to 3 times. Submit multiple entries separately. 4. Each entry is 500 word maximum 5. Must be submitted as a MS Word document 6. One inch margins, double-spaced 7. 12-point Times Roman or Times New Roman 8. Indented paragraphs 9. Title must be included in the document header. You may not use the contest theme as your title 10. Pagination must be included in the document footer. 11. Do not include your name anywhere on the submitted document, only in the body of your e-mail. 12. Please submit your entry as an email attachment and send it to kathy.weyer@att.net, no hard copies accepted. 13. The subject line of your email will read the title of your work (not the contest theme name) 14. Blind submission entries are critiqued by a professional editor. 15. Entries will be returned with edits and feedback on your story and presentation. 16. There are no refunds for this event. Judging Criteria
Announcing Our Upcoming
May Writers Forum
In-person monthly gathering. Come experience our new panel discussions and member-to-member knowledge sharing! This month the topic is self publishing with Drew Tkac and Maryann Ridini Spencer.
Meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at noon. Refunds are not available for this event.
We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.
Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.
Event Contact: Eduardo Santiago santiagogo@aol.com
Announcing our next In-Person Workshop
Tall Tales: The Art of the Short Story Noel Alumit
About Noel Alumit
Noel Alumit is a multidisciplinary artist who wrote the novels Talking to the Moon and Letters to Montgomery Clift. He won the Stonewall Book Award from the American Library Association and the James Duggins Mid-Career Prize. He was named one of Out Magazine’s “Out 100” and was a California State Commissioner on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. His new book, Music Heard in WiFi & Other Stories was released this year by Rebel Satori Press and will be available for sale at the event.
Description of talk:
Whether you write novels, memoirs, or short stories, you don’t want to miss this one! Short stories do everything longer stories do, but backward and in high heels! They have to establish character quickly, often in just a few words or sentences. Plot is also condensed in short stories and, because of its small scope, it is often easier to see and understand how plot is working in a short story than in a longer work. Short stories often contain some kind of revelation or significant turning point in a character’s thought and/or action. This moment of realization is a major, defining attribute of the short story genre. Tradition and innovation meet in this unique workshop.
Five things you'll learn:
REGISTER
To receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation processing fee, attendees must cancel their registration 5 days before the event. No refunds will be given after that time. To cancel your registration, go to palmspringswritersguild.org and click on the blue icon at the top right of any page. Enter user name and password and click "LOG IN". On the next screen click "My event registrations". Select event and cancel registration.
Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.
Announcing our next Special Event
So You Want to Write? Kathy Weyer
Free workshop open to non Guild members who want to get started writing. We will do writing exercises, have open discussions, and answer questions. Bring paper and pen or a laptop and be prepared to get energized.
Five things you will learn:
About Kathy Weyer
Kathy is the Membership Chair and Treasurer for PSWG. She has published three books of Women’s Fiction and several short stories and articles.
To cancel your registration so someone else may register, go to palmspringswritersguild.org and click on the blue icon at the top right of any page. Enter user name and password and click "LOG IN". On the next screen click "My event registrations". Select event and cancel registration.
Meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Event Contact: Kathy Weyer kathy.weyer@att.net
Camaraderie, Creativity & Cocktails
Free Write and Mingle
Join fellow members to write and socialize! We will have writing prompts to spark our imagination, then transition to happy hour! Registration is not required for this free event, and please feel free to bring a guest!
Location:P.F. Chang’s 71800 CA-111 Ste C-104 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Registration is not required for this free event.
Members only. Feel free to bring a guest.
Free Write begins at 3:30 p.m. Mingle begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. Attend either or both.
Event Contact: Matt Lancellotti pswg@geographilia.com
Announcing our next Online Lab
Is Scrivener Write For You? Matthew Lancellotti
He is currently Professor of Marketing (Consumer Psychology) in the Department of Marketing at Mihaylo College of Business, Cal State Fullerton. Matt has published numerous research articles for academic journals and business-trade and -advice publications. At the same time he has always enjoyed writing fiction, and has done so in fits and starts since childhood. He has finally just finished writing his first novel, and is in the final editing process. Matt has found tremendous value and camaraderie as a member of the PSWG to help him through that journey. He lives in Palm Springs, a truly inspirational place for writing, with his loving husband and adorable pooch Ollie.
Description:
Writing a book can be an organizational nightmare. You find yourself scribbling ideas, scenes, research notes, you name it, on napkins, in notebooks, on sticky pads, or saving stuff in myriad files you can’t find later on your computer. Scrivener is designed for writers, and lets you write, manage, and store every component of your novel all in one neatly organized file. This writing lab will cover its benefits, features, and basics on how to use the software so you can decide.
Location: Zoom Online Meeting
Unable to attend, no problem, all paid registrants will receive a video replay of this presentation.
You will receive an invitation to the Zoom online meeting after you have registered and payment is complete.
Announcing or upcoming
June Writers Forum
In-person monthly gathering. Come experience our new panel discussions and member-to-member knowledge sharing!
All About YOU: Turning Your Life Into A Novel Byron Lane
About Byron Lane
Byron Lane is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. His latest novel, Big Gay Wedding, is a Golden Poppy Award finalist and named a Best of the Year by Audible. His debut novel, A Star is Bored, is inspired by his time as former assistant to actress Carrie Fisher and hailed by The New York Times Book Review as "wildly funny." Lane is a two-time regional Emmy Award winner from his time as a television news journalist, he wrote the acclaimed play Tilda Swinton Answers An Ad on Craigslist, and he lives in Palm Springs, California, with his husband, author Steven Rowley, and their rescue dogs, Raindrop and Shirley.
Prepare to be inspired as award winning journalist, playwright, and author Byron Lane shares practical tips and tricks for turning your real life story into the novel you've always wanted to write.
Takeaways:
Social Media for Writers Ariella Moon, Author YA
About Ariella Moon
Award-winning author Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. She won the Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Award for Best Romantic Short Story for “Covert Hearts,” which appears in Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection. Discover her medieval Two Realms fantasy series and her contemporary Teen Wytche Saga novels at online book retailers and at www.ariellamoon.com.
In addition to teaching writing labs, Ariella Moon leads seminars on healing, women’s spirituality, and Defense Against the Dark Arts at local and international women's conferences. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.
“Social Media For Writers,” presented by Ariella Moon, is back by popular demand. A dynamic presence on social media can elevate your name recognition, foster reader engagement, and help you build a following that can translate into book sales. The class will answer questions including:
In “Social Media for Writers,” Ariella Moon will answer these burning questions, plus give writers tips on blogging, using Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and explain how to use social media to connect with readers.
Unable to attend, no problem, all paid registrants will receive a video replay.
Event Contact: Ariella Moon authorariellamoon@gmail.com
