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
Her kind treats her as less-than-human, but she’s always been so much more.
Mermaid life has never been easy for Verona. Her scars give evidence of her abuse. When her day of reckoning arrives, she is determined to endure exile. According to her father’s experience, exile is better than becoming a land-walker and risking her life among the humans.
However, when she saves the life of a drowning human boy, she inadvertently sets off a chain of events which force her to choose a path: stay with the humans she has become attached to or return home to a life of scorn. A savage hunter draws closer, threatening even the humans. Her only hope is to keep everyone safe until the next full moon, but those around her devise their own plans.
