The September meeting of the WhipCity Wordsmiths took place today at Blue Umbrella Books at 2 Main Street in downtown Westfield, which is our official home base. Authors/writers Iris Alderson, Russell Atwood, Rhonda Boulette, Susan Buffum, Andrew Curran, Gerald McFarland, Lynnmarie May, Joseph Vass, Bill Westerlind, and Heidi Parker Colonna were in attendance for this lively and informative first get together after taking July and August off. Gerald, Iris, and Heidi are new members who were warmly welcomed. The Wordsmiths have now been officially meeting for one year with continued growth and enthusiasm.
Member news was welcomed with Gerald speaking about his new book, T.T. Mann, Ace Detective, just published by Levellers Press. Rhonda is continuing to work on her picture storybook for the children in Haiti. Heidi is working on a middle grade book. Susan just self-published her new novel, The Worth of a Woman, which is available today n Amazon. Lynnmarie continues to hone her plays and enter them in contests. Joseph is interested in getting his personal memoir published. Iris is a Christian writer with numerous articles published, and one book. Andrew has made significant progress in writing his novel with 200 pages written. He hopes to finish the writing process soon. Bill has written several book reviews recently, catching up on some reading this summer.
Gerald spoke about his publishing experiences with a SW publisher for his novels set in New Mexico and his newest book published locally in Amherst by Levellers Press. He is a retired history professor who wrote and published three non-fiction books while teaching, then branched into fiction. He was helpful and encouraging, sharing information with Joseph.
Bill spoke about Artworks of Westfield and how the nonprofit group supports the arts in Westfield including authors, artists, photographers, and musicians. He talked about the upcoming PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 13th, where Artworks has been assigned space for authors and artists along Elm Street. Anyone interested in a 10x10 space (you must provided your tent, table, and chairs) on that day, the set-up time beginning at 7AM, the event running from Noon until 6PM, can contact Cheryl Crowe at cheryl.crowe@comcast.net for information. A $20 fee is charged for each space and payable to Artworks of Westfield. Payment can be mailed to Cheryl Crowe, 40 New Broadway Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Susan and Rhonda have signed up.
Heidi offered some websites with reading/critiquing services available for authors. Author Mentor Match is for YA and MG authors. Manuscript Wishlist is for all authors. Both can be Googled for additional information and contact info.
Bill also spoke briefly about the Articulture event held in Westfield, usually in April during which authors, artists, and musicians participate to show their stuff. Additional information will be made available to the group in early 2019. Susan is a director on the board. Bill leads the group.
Two hours flew past as members met in pairs or small groups to discuss various subjects and receive advice and suggestions from the more seasoned authors/writers. It was nice to see new members jumping right in and being helpful. That is what this group is all about- supporting one another and socializing, sharing our knowledge and experience with one another and helping one another grow as writers and authors.
I had a lengthy conversation with Andrew about his work in progress. I'm looking forward to reading his novel when he's finished with it. He had shared notes on the project with me last year and the concept sounded intriguing. I was thrilled to hear that he's made so much progress non the novel. At nineteen, he's already a promising young author with a unique voice revealing his intelligence and passion for the written word.
We also discussed the importance of proofreading and editing your word, and then allowing beta readers to read the word for all important feedback, and then finding a seasoned proofreader and editor whose eyes can save you from the dreaded typos, grammar issues, verb tense conflicts, continuity issues....the things we as the authors/writers become blind to because we are too invested in the characters and their story to notice the small stuff, whether we read the work five or six times or not. Take the time and trouble to have it read and looked over by someone who is trained for that. It's well worth the investment. As it was mentioned, a submission that has a typo or other error on the first or second page will be tossed aside. That's the cold, hard, bitter truth of publishing. Rise above the rest and shine like the star you are.
We also discussed rejections- how you can wallpaper a mansion with rejection slips. It's one of the most discouraging aspects of being a writer. Publishers have their pet authors (the lucky ones), the rest of us have to scramble to be noticed.
The meeting adjourned at 5:03PM. We'd like to thank author/book store owner Russell Atwood for being a wonderful, attentive host. He had two tables and plenty of chairs set up for us upon arrival which was greatly appreciated. He also ran down to the basement for some copies of Gerald's books.
I need to look at the October calendar. PumpkinFest is the 13th so downtown will be hopping and Russell has activities planned for that day. I want to try to book a date where those of you who have been able to attend can have an opportunity to join us. I'll post the date here and also email it once I have it set.
Great meeting! I thoroughly enjoyed being with all of you and am looking forward to October!
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