Announcing our next Writing Contest December Contest: The Holidays From the Perspective of a Family Pet Contest Registration Opens: December 1, 2024 Submission Deadline: December 21, 2024 About Write 500 words (maximum) on the prompt and submit for chance to win $50 or free registration to a Writing Lab or In-Person Workshop (winner's choice). Winning essay will be read at next Writers Forum, and may be posted to website if winner wishes. 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: thesilentword@aol.com. 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 for each entry. You may 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  thesilentword@aol.com, 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 judged by the PSWG Board. 15. Winner will be announced at the next Writers Forum. Judging Criteria Adherence to all rules above. Adherence to the theme or prompt. Compelling and original plot: a. Traditionally consists of a beginning (exposition), middle (development), and end (climax and resolution). b. However, if your piece is fiction, very short pieces often consist of a “slice of life.” The narrative should still exhibit a plot-like arc so that the story feels self-contained and complete. Compelling and original characters a. At a minimum, the viewpoint character has dimension, with a substantial stake in the story’s resolution, making the reader care. b. Dialogue is believable and suited to each character. Consistency of narrative voice: a. Point of view; first, second, or third person. b. Level of omniscience: omniscient or all-knowing narrator, limited-omniscient narrator, or non-omniscient “objective” narrator. Fundamental writing skills: a. Spelling. Punctuation. Grammar. Usage.        The writer’s “secret sauce” that, when blended with the above criteria, makes the story stand out. For example: a. Artistry and clarity of language. b. Creation of mood through setting, description, and detail. c. Distinctness of voice. Interested in becoming a PSWG Member? Click this button JOIN

Announcing our next In-Person Workshop

Writing by the Number: Sixteen Proven Precepts to Follow when Writing a Novel
David Putnam

About David Putnam

During his 31 year career in law enforcement, best-selling author David Putnam has worked in narcotics, violent crimes, criminal intelligence, hostage rescue, SWAT, and internal affairs, to name just a few.

He is the recipient of many awards and commendations for heroism. The Diabolical is the eleventh novel in the acclaimed and best-selling Bruno Johnson Crime Series.

Putnam lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife, Mary.

Description of talk:

"Writing By the Numbers," is a novel writing method which shows the author how to write to the structure of the story. Story is not story, character is story. Most authors write to the story first and structure second. "By the numbers," explains how you don't need an outline or even a plot before starting the novel. Instead you just follow the numbers.

Takeaways:

• A method of writing that's easy to understand and apply

• The four C's of the story arc

• The five things a scene needs to work

• The four ways to open a scene

• The three parts of voice

 
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. 

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. 

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Jayce Carter
hfheyns@gmail.com

Announcing our next Online Lab

The Economics of Freelancing
Margaret Lucke

About Margaret Lucke

Margaret Lucke flings words around as a writer and editor in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes tales of love, ghosts, and murder, sometimes all three in one book. She is the author of four novels—House of Desire, House of Whispers, Snow Angel, and A Relative Stranger (an Anthony Award finalist)—and is the editor of Fault Lines, a short story anthology from the Northern California chapter of Sisters in Crime. She is a former president of Mystery Writers of America NorCal.

Margaret has also published two how-to books on the craft of writing and more than 60 short stories, feature articles, and scripts for mystery weekends. For many years she has taught fiction writing classes for UC Berkeley Extension and other venues. Visit her at www.margaretlucke.com.

Description: 

Writing can be a passion, a joy, and (let’s admit it) sometimes a frustration. Can it also be a way to earn a living or at least a lucrative side gig? Samuel Johnson famously said, “No one but a blockhead ever wrote except for money,” but sometimes the payday from writing can be elusive. What are the various ways a writer can earn an income? How do you decide if it’s time to quit your day job? This workshop explores ways in which you might make your writing a more lucrative endeavor in 2025.

Takeaways: 

• What forms of writing bring in the most money, and which ones you do for love
• The four types of book publishers, and how to determine which publishing model is best for you
• Best practices for submitting your work so that it gets a warm reception
• The 3 R’s—rights, royalties, and records—and why it’s important to understand them
• How to approach your writing endeavors like an entrepreneur

Location:
Zoom Online Meeting

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.

REGISTER

Unable to attend, no problem, all paid registrants will receive a video replay.

You will receive an invitation to the Zoom online meeting after you have registered and payment is complete.

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: Ariella Moon
authorariellamoon@gmail.com

Books, Bites & Banter

Book Club: Pen On Fire
igniting the writer within

Join author Barbara DeMarco-Barrett for a lively discussion of her best selling book, Pen on Fire.

"Pen on Fire soars with inspiration and crackles with joy. It’s a blessing for anyone going crazy trying to find time to write.”
—Carolyn See, author of Making a Literary Life.

Location: TBA

Registration is not required for this free event.

Members only. Feel free to bring a guest.

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