Tuesday, August 8, 2017

AUGUST 2017 Monthly Meetings of FMWA



DATE: August 19, 2017 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

GUEST SPEAKERS:  Michael L Joy, Deborah Sharp, and Diane A.S. Stuckart

PROGRAM:  The Art of the Critique: Editing for Yourself and Others



Wondering if a critique group is for you? Been told that your 500 page opus needs to be cut by at least 100 pages, but you have no clue where to start? Tempted to enter a writing contest, but you’re not sure what that entails, or what you’ll get out of it? Then join our panel that includes a former US Today reporter turned popular cozy mystery author; a NYT bestselling author of cat mysteries; and a creative writing professor as they dissect and explain the art of the critique. The publishing landscape has changed, and being a great storyteller is no longer enough. The burden is now on the new author to submit a manuscript as close to print-ready as possible. Distinguish yourself from the amateur scribe -- learn the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of editing that give a manuscript that professional shine.



Speakers:  A former USA Today reporter, Deborah Sharp traded sad news for funny fiction with her Southern-fried Mace Bauer Mysteries. Think Janet Evanovich, if Stephanie Plum had a couple cousins named Bubba. Deborah learned to self-edit as a defense against the chainsaw tendencies of her newsroom bosses. As an author, she rode horseback across Florida for research, and chatted with Al Roker on the Today show. The horse was less scary. Deborah lives with her husband, Kerry Sanders, in south Florida, where she spends her time chasing iguanas from the hibiscus. Mama Gets Trashed is the fifth book in her series. Visit online at www.DeborahSharp.com .



Diane A.S. Stuckart is the NYT bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (written as Ali Brandon), as well as the upcoming Tarot Cat Mystery series from Midnight Ink. With a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, Diane began her writing career by reaching the finals of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award contest. Her finalist manuscript sold to a major New York publisher soon after—that is, after she cut 100 pages from it. Over the years, Diane has judged numerous writing contests, including twice chairing the Freddie Award for Writing Excellence competition sponsored by the MWA Florida Chapter. She’s currently FMWA Chapter Vice-President. Visit her website www.dianestuckart.com .



With an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine, Michael L. Joy is an adjunct professor at Florida SouthWestern State College in Ft. Myers. There, he whips would-be writers into shape, and only rarely makes his students cry. Michael has been in and around critique groups for years and has seen the good, bad, and ugly of them. Currently a member of the MWA Florida Chapter Board, he’s also Co-chair of SleuthFest 2018.



DATE:  SATURDAY, August 19, 2017



TIME: 11:30: Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation



PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487; Get Directions Here



COST:  $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. To guarantee a spot, prepayment by August 16 is strongly urged.



RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT:   To reserve and pay online: go to website link www.mwaflorida.org and click on the “Monthly Meeting” tab under “Events”. Once you reach the page, click on the “Register for Monthly Meeting Here” link. Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.



To reserve and pay via mail: Step 1–Email Harriet at harriet@ottenheimer.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot.  In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number. Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.” Step 3–Mail your payment to Harriet Ottenheimer, at 2301 S. Ocean Dr., #2005, Hollywood, FL 33019.

Please make your reservation by August 16 so that we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only if space allows.

Next Meeting Date: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

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