Today’s question:
April 3 question: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?
Since I never get time to write anymore, the answer is any at this point. Considering I am at the halfway point with two – and a third has the beginning and ending only – I’d have to say the middle chapter is the most pressing.
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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest will open early this year.
Submissions will open on May 1 and close on September 4, 2019.
This year’s genre – middle grade historical – adventure/fantasy. (It can be either adventure or fantasy.)
The theme and full rules will be posted on May 1. Stay tuned!
* * *
Dancing Lemur Press had a booth March 22-24 at FantaSci.
It was a very successful event – they were book-buying people.
Many of you saw the photos on Instagram, but here they are if you missed them:
And here I am posing with the author guest of honor, Timothy Zahn, He was the nicest, most humble author I have ever met. Despite being a big name (he writes Star Wars books in addition to his own) he wanted to be in the room with the vendors rather than out front with the other featured authors, and he was willing to sign anything and talk to anyone.
What section or part do you need help with?
What well-known authors have you met?
Ready to write a middle grade story?
Congrats on the con success. Good to know about Zahn!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation on the success.
DeleteYou know, I find that most people that are creative and have made it big are humble people. Especially among writers. There are many that I have met that want to pass it on, and I find that absolutely the hammer. It makes me smile and want to do the same even though I haven't sold my first book yet.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Love the pictures! FantaSci looks like fun. And great photo with Timothy Zahn!
ReplyDeleteMG is my jam;-) The con looks like a lot of fun! I just need to create more time to write.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great event. And awesome that you are going to those events and spreading the word about the books you're publishing. I'd don't have much time for my writing either. Wish that would change.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, we both need to make time.
DeleteLooks like you had such a blast at the event, Diane. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteI'm also struggling with finding time to write...
Happy IWSG Day!
I haven't heard of Zahn, but he sounds like a really nice guy.
ReplyDeleteI've met quite a few bigger name authors, by virtue of the conferences I attend and panels I've been on. Tess Gerritsen is incredibly sweet, funny, and humble. Chuck Wendig is very kind and authentic as well--he really cares about the writers he meets. George R.R. Martin is an every man. Funny and gruff.
Diana Gabaldon is easy to talk to and brilliant, and she's always wearing something fabulous. Most of the time, she's highly approachable and kind.
There's one author, who shall remain nameless, who eviscerated my work during a blue pencil session and was cold and unfriendly when I was a conference attendee. When I was a fellow panelist and presenter, she was as sweet as pie. That told me all I needed to know about her character.
I have met a big name author who sounds similar. It was obvious she'd had a lot of courtesy training but it wasn't genuine.
DeleteSuch a shame, but if you even need courtesy training, that says a lot, doesn't it?
DeleteLove your pics from the con! :) I agree the middle is the toughest.
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteAt times, those saggy middles can drive me nuts!
Great Pics!!
ReplyDeleteThe middle, Ack!!! So true. A writer has to keep up the suspense so the reader doesn't lose interest. A few tidbits of info, answers to questions, might help the reader turn or swipe through those pages to the climax.
What great costumes in those pictures. That must have been fun. I've gone to some talks by big name authors (Margaret Atwood, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) and even have a few signatures in books.
ReplyDeleteWe had Tomothy Zahn sign three books for us.
DeleteThat's so cool Zahn is a nice guy.
ReplyDeleteThere's my book!
I'm looking forward to the next anthology! I keep thinking/hoping I'll finally have a submission to make. Love the way adults get to play dress-up.
ReplyDeleteIt's like Halloween for adults.
DeleteLovely pics. I'm looking forward to middle grade anthology. Who knows maybe I'll submit. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I hope you do.
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ReplyDeleteMr. Zahn is truly humble and accessible. It's wonderful when big-name authors retain those qualities.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I personally met him, but well-known Albany, NY author William Kennedy came to speak at my elementary school in the early Nineties, and I was in the audience. There's a picture of the event somewhere, with both of us in the frame. Middle grade fantasy and horror author Bruce Coville also came to speak at my elementary school around that same time.
What a treat!
DeleteAnother successful con! And I see we share the middle as our challenge.
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like the con was a great success and fun to boot.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, congratulations on your success. Good luck with all your goals, both writing and publishing.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a huge success. Great to see the pics, too! X
ReplyDeleteI imagine you don't have much time to write. But if it helps, you run one of the best, most helpful publishing houses I've ever worked with! You deserve a pat on the back for that.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, thank you so much. I really needed that right now.
DeleteThat looks like fun. First chapter is always the one I struggle the most with. I have no idea why the Blogger "B" is showing up instead of my image. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI feel you on not having much time to write. I hope you manage to get through the middle and work toward the end!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there is so much great stuff for middle grade readers. It didn't used to be so.
ReplyDeleteI've met some 'famous' writers. One of the nicest is Jonathan Maberry.
I'm not sure I could write a middle grade story. I can't even think of the last time I've read one :P. Better leave it for more skilled writers.
ReplyDeleteNice picture, makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteI've met and befriended Cheryl Strayed. Always nice to meet a big name who is as humble as the rest of us, or even moreso.
As to the question, if I could get my final chapter written of my WIP, that would give me the motivation I need to get through it.
Be well, Spunk.
Great pics! You obviously have a lot of fun at the cons.
ReplyDeleteWe have fun, sell books, and spread awareness of our company and titles - all a big plus.
DeleteOh wow, Timothy Zahn. My favorite SW writer. Greatest villain ever is Thrawn, and yes above and beyond Darth Vader. I also really liked his Mara Jade, The Hand to the Emperor. Talon Karrde and Booster Terrick smugglers. Oh my I loved these characters. They still stand out in my head today as characters I knew, like friends. I gobble up his novels back in the day. I want more story with them. I need to check his new stuff out.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the sells. Great pictures. Looks like you had fun. I really want to go the SW Con in Orlando. I have lived in the area 5 years now and never went. Of course I now have walking issues but I am still dreaming about doing it despite that one day.
Happy IWSG!
Great photos, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI met Tanya Huff once, and wasn't impressed. I like her books, especially her blood series, but... Sometimes, it is better not to meet your favorite authors, lest you be disappointed.
I met a famous author years ago that if her fans only knew...
DeleteGreat pics. I guess the most famous author I've met was Janet Evanovich. She was delightful.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't speak 'middle school' so I'm out of luck there.
Ah, the muddle in the middle, good choice. Looks like it was a good con.
ReplyDeleteMiddles are rough. Unfortunately I don't pay nearly as much attention to them. *sigh* Thanks for all the great info! Love the pics <3
ReplyDeleteI do love those pics :)
ReplyDeleteDIY MFA sounds amazing. What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking out Timothy Zahn. Why wouldn't a writer want to be nice to his readers?? I will dote on you all!!
Great pics, thanks for posting them.
Love the con pics! Glad it was successful and you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteIts cool being a fan of science fiction. Fans love nerding out, meeting up and geeking out. Its always fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Looks like FantaSci was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI think I've read a Timothy Zahn Star Wars book! Great photo. Congrats on selling some books! That's not easy these days. I hope you get more time to write soon.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was the moderator for Christopher Paolini's sessions at RMFW's conference in the fall. I also got to have dinner and drinks with Jonathan Maberry and a group of writers at the PPW conference last year. Both highlights of my con experiences.
ReplyDeleteKim, that's a treat!
DeleteSorry you don't have time to write Diane, but the praise you get from authors must be worth having.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post, Diane, and especially the photos. I've met a number of well-known authors; many were awesome. I'm glad that you had a successful book-selling convention!
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! Looks like it was a great success. I hope you get time to work on your middle parts, Diane. (Why does that sound slightly wrong?!)
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteGreat pics Diane. So explains why you have no time to write anymore!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the MG genre. I work with middle schoolers! Congrats on the successful book festival and meeting the authors! I hope you get more time to write.
ReplyDeleteI'm always excited when you go to these just because I know there will be more pictures. Always a treat! And wow! I wasn't expecting MG for the next anthology. Another great surprise.
ReplyDeleteThat should be easy for you.
DeleteGreat photos. Sounds like a fun time! Your world has expanded since becoming a publisher, hasn't it? Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
Beyond all imagination.
DeleteI love those photos! I was totally blown away when I saw you standing next to Timothy Zahn on Instagram! I think the most famous author I've met is either Mercedes Lackey (fantasy author) or Rick Steves (the travel guy).
ReplyDeleteTyrean, that's neat.
DeleteLove the pictures! I hope you'll get some more time to write your own stories. That's a great idea to give people a bit more time to write their IWSG anthology story too.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are so fun! It must be so nice to people dress as their favorite characters. I hope you get more time to write--or at least have a creative outlet.
ReplyDeleteFantaSci looks like it was a great convention. We don't have many good ones up here in Michigan. Hope you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteSo you've got three books on the back burner....Excellent!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Glad it was a success. Hope you find more time to write your novels.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures. Looks like you had a great time. What fun. This Saturday, I'm going to a mini-con. Hope I sell lots of books. :)
ReplyDeleteThe convention looks fun. I've met a lot of people who have written books, but offhand I can't recall any that I would say were famous. Seems like I might have, but no names come to mind at the moment. I've met a lot of people in my years so far.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
It must be really hard to be a publisher and not have time (or energy) to write your own books.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the con photos. You got some good ones! The anthology genre this year sounds like something right up my alley. Maybe I'll write something for it.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you meant Timothy Zahn and that he was a nice guy:)
ReplyDeleteThe con photos are great!
ReplyDeleteHow are those kitties?
ReplyDeleteThey enjoyed a visit from my in-laws last week. Well, Rocket eventually enjoyed it. She warmed up to them though.
DeleteWhat great pictures and to how fun to meet Timothy Zahn! Time to write can be tough when you have so many other great things going on. A time will come again for you, I'm quite sure!
ReplyDeleteGreat Photos. I loved it audition
ReplyDeleteNice photos. Sounds like a fun time.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously are so beautiful! I love the pictures! <3
ReplyDelete