Wednesday, May 06, 2020

@TheIWSG Voyagers: The Third Ghost Release, #IWSG Anthology Contest Theme Reveal & Opening, and My Publishing and Promoting Webinars

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

May 6 question - Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?


Available now!

Voyagers: The Third Ghost
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Journey into the past…

Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?

Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

Print ISBN 9781939844729 $13.95
eBook ISBN 9781939844736 $4.99
Juvenile Fiction: Historical/Action & Adventure/Fantasy & Magic

Winners:
The Third Ghost – Yvonne Ventresca
Winter Days - Katharina Gerlach
Feathered Fire – Roland Clarke
The Ghosts of Pompeii – Sherry Ellis
Dare Double Dare – Louise MacBeath Barbour
The Blind Ship – Bish Denham
A World of Trouble – Rebecca M. Douglass
The Orchard - Beth Anderson Schuck
Return to Cahokia – L.T. Ward
Simon Grey and the Yamamba - Charles Kowalski

Judges:
Elizabeth S. Craig, author and honorary judge
Dianne K. Salerni, author
Lynda Dietz, editor
at S.A. Larsen, author
Rachna Chhabria, author
Lindsay Davis Auld, agent - Writers House
Tonja Drecker, author
David Powers King, author

Our previous IWSG anthologies -
Masquerade: Oddly Suited
Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime
Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life
Parallels: Felix Was Here




Guidelines and rules:

Word count: 4500-6000

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme: Dark Matter

Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. Please check out Freedom Fox Press’ submission guidelines to get a feel for what they accept.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.

Our official judges:

Dan Koboldt, author and #SFFpit founder
Dan Koboldt is the author of the Gateways to Alissia trilogy (Harper Voyager), the editor of Putting the Science in Fiction (Writers Digest, 2018), and the creator of the sci-fi adventure serial The Triangle (Serial Box, 2019). As a genetics researcher, he has co-authored more than 80 publications in Nature, Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and other scientific journals. He is represented by Paul Stevens of Donald Maass Literary Agency.

Lynda R. Young, author
Lynda R. Young is an Aussie writing fantasy novels as Elle Cardy. Wielder’s Prize is her debut YA epic fantasy. She is also an editor, game developer, 3D artist, graphic designer, photographer, gamer and more.

Colleen Oefelein, agent, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency
Colleen Oefelein is an author of YA, picture books, and author promotion guides, a devourer of books, and the owner of the book review site North of Normal. Formerly an associate agent and PR manager with Inklings Literary Agency, Colleen has hosted numerous “Pitch Perfect” and “Rejection Correction” workshops on Facebook and at conferences nationwide, and she’s mentored several authors one-on-one through online pitch contests such as Pitch Wars.

Damien Larkin, author
Damien Larkin is an Irish science fiction author and co-founder of the British and Irish Writing Community. His debut novel Big Red was published by Dancing Lemur Press and went on to be longlisted for the BSFA award for Best Novel. He currently lives in Dublin, Ireland and is working on his next novel Blood Red Sand.

Ion Newcombe, eidtor and publisher
is the editor and publisher of AntipodeanSF, Australia's longest running online speculative fiction magazine, regularly issued since January 1998. His qualifications and employment range from horticulture through electronics into literature and communications.

Julie Gwinn, agent, The Seymour Agency
Julie Gwinn most recently served as Marketing Manager for the Christian Living line at Abingdon Press and before that served as Trade Book Marketing Manager and then Fiction Publisher for the Pure Enjoyment line at B&H Publishing Group, a Division of LifeWay Christian Resources. Recently, she was awarded Editor of the Year from the American Christian Fiction Writers and won B&H’s first Christy award for Ginny Yttrup’s debut novel Words.

David Powers King, author
David's works include Woven, The Undead Road, and Full Dark: An Anthology. He currently resides in the Mountain West with his wife and 4 children.

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press' imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.


We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

* * *

With most of my seminars (and book events & cons) cancelling this spring and summer, I’ve finally decided to take my two 3-hour seminars online. I’ve done these seminars for 12 years around NC and nearby states and now those who live beyond that can attend.

How to Publish Your Book Now
Register here for PART 1 - MAY 19 and here for PART 2 - MAY 21.



How to Promote Your Book Now
Register here for PART 1 - JUNE 9 and here for PART 2 - JUNE 11.



Finally, I’d like to give a special shout-out to a fellow author and super nice guy, Trevor L. Wooten.

I met Trevor at a con a couple years ago and he’s a talented illustrator and writer.

You can see a full list of his titles on Amazon






Will you be entering the contest or attending one of my webinars?

64 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Love that cover!

As far as the IWSG question, I think my whole morning is a ritual, ha.

Nick Wilford said...

You'll do great on the webinars and like you say, now you can reach an even wider audience.

The cover looks great! Congrats to all the authors.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Diane, I'm sure you will do brilliantly well with the online seminars. Hope you are staying safe?

Ellen Jacobson said...

Yay for the release of Voyagers! Love the theme for the upcoming anthology contest - scifi is one of my fave genres. Really smart idea to do your workshops online. Wishing you all the best with them.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Excited to read the anthology. Diane, is there a way that I could listen to the first marketing session on my own and join the second one. I'd like to sign up for that one but I have date night with my boyfriend on Tuesday nights. I only see him three nights a week so I don't want to miss it. Email me to let me know if that would work, and I'll sign up. Even though I don't have a book now, it might help get rid of some of my insecurities that prevent me from moving forward.

DRC said...

Great cover. Congratulations to the Anthology winners :)

Lynn J Simpson said...

If I wrote SciFi I'd enter the contest! And look forward to reading the anthology! I don't have a book right now , but like Natalie can see how the seminars could help get rid of insecurities of moving forward with the projects I got going on! There's a conflict with a date but will see what I can figure out!

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats to everyone on the anthology! Looking forward to it.
I'll have to start thinking about Dark Matter - great theme!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm hoping for a good turnout.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Got my N96 mask and am good to go!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

At the moment, I haven't set it up to record, but I might. The first session will focus mainly on traditional publishing and the second completely on self-publishing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Hope you can join me!

Bish Denham said...

Here's the release of the anthology! I'm excited to a part and excited to finally read all the entries. Dark Matter, an intriguing subject with many possible layers of meaning...

Chrys Fey said...

A big congratulations to all of the Voyagers authors!

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations to all involved in the new anthology. The online seminars sounds like a great way to reach more people, best of luck.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

For my BD, a dear friend sent me the entire collection of MasterClass videos on fiction writing. I know! What an incredible gift. I haven't watched any yet, but I'm already excited just thinking about them. Congratulations to all the winners of the anthology. Very impressive. PS Glad you're safe, Diane.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congrats to all of the anthology authors! I'm signed up for one of your courses, but didn't know you are doing two. I'll check that out.

Yolanda Renée said...

What an awesome idea! Good luck! And wow, another anthology! Sci-fi, and dark matter. Thinking cap on!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's cool about your webinars!

Chemist Ken said...

I think I'd be interested in the book promoting seminars. I don't know about the anthology yet. It probably depends if a good short story idea comes to me while I'm daydreaming.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Congrats to the winners!

cleemckenzie said...

I'm reading Voyagers now and it's a great collection of stories.

emaginette said...

I'm hoping to enter the contest this round. Wish me luck and some extra nerve. hehehe

Anna from elements of emaginette

J E Oneil said...

Good thing we all have the internet. How horrible would all this be without it?

Olga Godim said...

Congrats to all the writers whose stories are included in the Voyager anthology.
I think I want to write a story for the new anthology. Dark Matter is such a complex theme, it interests me.

Liz A. said...

Looks like you've got lots going on. The webinars sound great.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I hope so!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Ken, sign up soon - it's a limited number.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Do it, Anna.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to all the anthology winners! I'm definitely in the the upcoming anthology - I love science fiction and I love dark! Good luck on the webinars!

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on the new anthology! Good to know about your upcoming webinars, too. Stay safe.

Fundy Blue said...

I'm on for the webinars, and I'm definitely coming up with something for the scfi contest ~ No idea what! Enjoy IWSG Day, Diane!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Webinars are definitely the way to go

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congrats on the new anthology!

Pat Hatt said...

Lots of great happenings indeed

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I hope I find time to attend your webinars. They both sound super interesting and informative.
Congrats on the new and upcoming anthology.

C. D. Gallant-King said...

Congrats on the latest anthology, and good luck to everyone who submits for the next one!

dolorah said...

The new anthology looks like a lot of fun. Wow L D, you have been busy lately. Wishing you success with the webinars.

nashvillecats2 said...

Congrats to all the winning authors Diane what an achievement.
A good post to read abeit late.

Yvonne.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

The anthology came out wonderfully! Can't wait for the next one. Great webinars offered.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Love the idea of the webinairs, Diane. Great idea for those who regularly teach at workshops to take their expertise to the world. :D

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Congrats to everyone involved in the newest ISWG anthology. Y'all rock! With all of us living in the twilight zone these days, I think the sci-fi theme for the next anthology is pretty doggone timely.

Good luck with the webinars, Diane. Not that you need it. You're the kinda gal who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to doing. So instead of wishing you good luck, let me tell you to have fun with it. (You got this, girl!)

Nicki Elson said...

Congrats on the release of Voyagers!

What a great idea to put your expertise online.

Sandra Cox said...

Nice to meet Trevor. How nice of you to give a shoutout.

Natalie Aguirre said...

If it is recorded, let me know. I'd really like to see the first session if I sing up.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - congratulations on the anthologies and your expert assistance with them. What a great idea to put your courses on line - I'm sure you'll have lots of interested parties attending. Great about being introduced to Trevor. Stay safe and all the best - Hilary

Anonymous said...

I know some great authors that I follow that will LOVE this anthology. I'm not a very sci-fi person. Congratulations on the release of Voyagers and best of luck with your webinars!

Elsie

Jennifer Hawes said...

Hope you get a good turn out for the online courses! I'm swamped even though I'm not working right now. How is that even possible?? Writing a new book, cleaning my house, hiking. I guess I neve get bored with life. Glad you are doing okay!

Toi Thomas said...

I'm so excited about Voyagers, I just hope I'm able to read it soon. I sometimes put off reading books I'm really excited about. I don't know why.
Thanks for introducing Trevor L. Wooten.
Congratulations on your webinar. I hope it's a huge success. I hope the change from a live event to an online event is a good experience.

Diane Burton said...

Congrats on converting your in-person workshops into online webinars. Adapting with the times! My usual venue for selling my books has been craft/vendor shows. One after another has been cancelled. For my own safety, I'm glad. Disappointed, though, because I enjoy talking to readers.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations to the great team.

Have a fun and safe weekend, Diane.

Denise Covey said...

The anthology has some great authors. Online is the way to go. I'm enjoying teaching online.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi L. Diane,

Great way to teach so many people and a very reasonable cost! I've read your books and I know you have tons of information for the writers of today.

The anthology looks great! Congrats to ALL the authors!

I am SLOWLY inching my way back into writing. I need to do it now! Once my landscaping is complete. There was a frost here last night. Thankfully I covered all my plantings, which took a considerable amount of time, and still there was some frost on the leaves. I just finished watering off the frost now that the temps are pushing 40 degrees. Two more nights of fallen temps. Ugh. I honesty don't want to do this again, but it may be necessary. I invested a TON of money in this landscaping (all perennials), and I don't want have to replant them again...not to mention the cost!

Stay safe and good luck with the webinars. I may drop in for a refresher course...

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I hope you can, too!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I had to do something with all of mine cancelling this year.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm just as busy - don't know how anyone can be bored.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We have a frost warning for tonight. NC in MAY!! Unbelievable.

Sandra Cox said...

Many congrats to the winners of the anthology. Sounds like great reads.

SpacerGuy said...

Webinars are ideal right now to get everyone hooked and just go for it!

DMS said...

Congrats to all who are included in the anthology. I can't wait to start reading my copy! Looking forward to some great reads. :)
~Jess

Sandra Cox said...

I'd love to feature you in the Minion mask on Got Masks. Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Gladly! I'm hoping they come in today.

Sandra Cox said...

Excellent! It will come as no surprise that mine has cats on it. Heh.