Fiction Writers - opportunities

 If you like to write short fiction, and if you like to take classes by excellent writers, you will find this most interesting, I believe.

https://www.scuppernongbooks.com/5-ways-looking-short-fiction

Scuppernong Books is offering five classes in writing short fiction. 

Each online class is only twenty-five dollars, and you receive a book by the author who is your instructor.

They are on Thursday evenings, 7:00 PM. I have signed up for two of them and hope they will help me improve my short stories and make them good enough to publish.

March 11: “In Praise of Unlikeable Characters” with Clifford Garstang

March 18: “It’s All in the Details” with Shuly Xóchitl Cawood

March 25: “Dos and Don’ts of Submitting to Literary Journals” with publisher Kevin Morgan Watson

April 1: “ReVISION” with Clint McCown

Brenda Kay Ledford Appeared on Clay County Chamber of Commerce Show

 Brenda Kay Ledford appeared on the Clay County, NC Chamber of Commerce Show on WKRK Christian Radio 105 FM, February 24, 2021 in Murphy, NC.  Pam Roman, director of Clay County Chamber of Commerce, interviewed Ledford about her new children's poetry book, Reagan's Romps.

Kelsay Books printed this book in January, 2021.  It was endorsed by NC Poet Laureate, Jake Shelton Green, Michael Beadle, and Peggy French.  Reagan's Romps is available at Chinquapins in Hayesville, NC, amazon.com, and www.kelsaybook.com.

You may view the video of Ledford's interview on WKRK Facebook at:

facebook.com/CountryGold/videos/466725167710851

Old Mountain Press Anthologies online now

 Tom Davis, owner and publisher of Old Mountain Press, has put his anthologies, filled with so many poets and writers from the mountains, on Kindle now. 

So for a couple of dollars or less, you can read work by former NC Poet Laureate Shelby Stephenson, novelist Celia Miles, writer and editor, Nancy Dillingham, Glenda Beall, Brenda Kay Ledford, Mary Ricketson, and many more.

Find the books here. You can see a sample of each book on Amazon.com.

The next anthology he publishes will be The Unforgettables, A Poetry and Prose Anthology.

The Unforgettables A Poetry and Prose Anthology Estimated: 50 to 90 pages perfect bound 1--31March 2021. Old Mountain Press   will publish a collection of poetry/short stories by a number of writers.  Our goal is to gather enough quality poems and short shorts for an estimated 50 to 90 page book with the theme:  The theme is anything about (primarily) an unforgettable or unusual person you have known OR an unforgettable character you have created in your writing. Would like to have as many poets involved as possible.  Requirements are below. Authors receive publishing credit and retain all rights to their work but agree to the inclusion of their poems in this collection of poetry. The author must have rights to the poem (previously published OK).  A poem may not exceed 36 lines -  short short may not exceed 325 words (this includes title, spaces, and author's name).  Poetry lines that exceed 45 letters and spaces will wrap and count as two lines. Must be a former contributor or recommended by a former contributor to submit. Only one poem/short short per writer, so give it your best shot:-)

Tom Davis is also an author and has several books published. His wife, Polly, has written a memoir about living with Tom while he was in the military. It is filled with humor but gives a good look at what the wife of a military man endures while he is gone away and when he is at home again.   http://www.oldmp.com/davismemoirs/Polly/

Available to Order: Tom Davis' Memoir, The Most Fun I Ever Had With My Clothes On: A March from Private to Colonel.   http://www.oldmp.com/davismemoirs

You won't meet more hospitable and friendly people than Tom and Polly. Tom was helpful and patient with Estelle Rice and me as he helped us with publishing Paws, Claws, Hooves, Feathers and Fins. 

Many writers are using Old Mountain Press for the books they want to self-publish. Tom holds your hand as you make the decisions about what your book should look like, the paper it should be printed on, your cover, etc.  When I thought I was ready to give up on setting up the format for the photographs in our book, Tom calmed me down and helped me work things out. 

I sent in a poem tonight for the next anthology. Since I am cutting back on buying books because I am running out of room for them in my house, I will order the Kindle version of some of my favorite anthologies.

Introducing Matt, the new Jackson County rep

 Netwest members, we'd like to introduce you to a new NCWN-West representative:  Matt Nelson is the new second representative for Jackson County.  Matt has written a piece about humor, which I’m posting here to give you some sense of your new rep.  Matt writes:

“Even as a child, I loved jokes because a good laugh made the pain of normal life go away for a little while. Seeing others smile when it was difficult for me do the same is amazing, especially if those who received joy were serious people with little time for humor. Another reason I like to make people laugh is that I suffer from anxiety, so it’s difficult for me to join a crowd. A quick joke is often enough for me to put on a brave face that doesn’t go away very easily.

 “Two jokes I like came from preachers; if a member of the cloth can make a crowd laugh, then it has to be good. Sermons can be a little dry once the handshaking is finished, but a few tears of joy have their  own charms.  The first one:  a man goes to the doctor and says he can’t taste anything because of his allergies. The doctor tells the nurse to bring Jar 23 from the back and she does. The doctor gives his patient a spoonful of the strange liquid; he immediately gags, but he is cured. A few weeks later, though, the patient comes back and tells his doctor that he can’t remember anything. The doctor asks how the patient knew where to go and the patient said a friend brought him and told him who to see for treatment. With a smile, the doctor tells the nurse to bring Jar 23; the patient runs for his life.

“An elderly man decides to move himself and his wife down to Florida. The husband takes care of everything while his wife packs up the old home. Sadly, the husband passes away before the big move. The poor widow is beside herself and does barely anything until after the funeral. Upon a check of the computer, the wife finds an email from her late husband and it’s dated the day of the funeral. The wife opens the email and it says “I’ve got everything waiting that a woman like you has deserved for your entire life. There are plenty of people to meet and there are also a few that we know from back home. I do admit that it sure is hot down here.”

“Other jokes come to me on the road or when I see something on TV that sets off my humor power. I often send these jokes out to friends, but sometimes I don’t get much of a response; while people have their own lives, I find it sad that not many can take a moment to say if they liked what I created. Since I don’t use most other forms of social media, I need some proof of life every now and then to make sure that everything is good elsewhere.

 “Jokes are my way to let people know how I feel; the more people laugh, the better I feel about doing anything. I’m sure that I’ll find plenty of new jokes in the future and would be glad to share them with anyone willing to lend an ear.”

Welcome to NCWN-West, Matt!

Jackon County NCWN-West Virtual Open Mic Night, Friday, March 5, 7:30

 We waited for the pandemic to ease up; it hasn't eased up.  We hoped for vaccinations; most of us aren't vaccinated yet.  So we really think it's time for the Jackson County branch of NCWN-West and City Lights Bookstore of Sylva to give in and try for a virtual Open Mic.  The date is Friday, March 5th; the time is 7:30 (half an hour later than our in-person Open Mics).  If you're interested in joining us, please e-mail either more@citylightsnc.com; Catherine Carter at ccarter@email.wcu.edu; or Matt Nelson at mattnelson.poet01@gmail.com for the Zoom link.  Come on out--or in--and join us! 

Local NCWN-West Author Releases Third Book

 

Pisgah Forest, NC resident Bob Brooks has released his third novel The Gifted Spawn on 17 February 2021.  Published by Escarpment Press, Indian Land, SC, The Gifted Spawn is a follow-up fantasy novel to Justi the Gifted, published as a trade paperback by Leo Publishing in 2015 and released by the author as an ebook in June 2020.  

The new novel tells the tale of what happens to the children of the hero character who saved his people from occupying barbarians.  High adventure surrounds the discovery of whether the offspring of Justi receive any powers of their mother and father as the entire kingdom is threatened by an evil illegitimate half-brother who clearly did inherit killing power.

“I had a start on the second novel,” said Brooks, “but my impetus to finish the tale came from my granddaughter Lola, who read Justi, liked it, and wanted more.  It has still taken six years to realize the full vision.  That includes drafting and rewriting in response to two critique groups manned by published writers, plus a beta read by my wife, and word-by-word edit in the publication process.”

Brooks said The Gifted Spawn is aimed at fantasy fans of all ages from twelve to ninety-two and anyone who wants a story with a triumphal ending.  “This is fun fantasy spotlighting young characters surviving adventures, combatting monsters, avoiding treachery, and seeking romance.  It’s fast-paced and action-filled with a spirit guardian in a new form, a lynx, which is pictured on the book cover.  I hope it gets the same positive reader reviews as Justi the Gifted received.”

Brooks has been writing since college and seriously in retirement.  His short stories in the science fiction, fantasy, and mystery categories have appeared in printed and ezine formats, including Bewildering Stories, Aurora Wolf, Quantum Muse, and The Great Smokies Review.  In 2017 with his co-author son Andrew, he published a mystery The Clown Forest Murders (Black Opal Books).  He is a member of The Appalachian Roundtable and The Blueridge Writers groups and North Carolina Writers' Network  He is a judge for the Eric M. Hoffer Awards for small and independent published books.  His website is www.brooks-authors.com.

The Gifted Spawn and Justi the Gifted are available in paperback or electronic versions from booksellers and can be obtained at Highland Books, Brevard, NC.

Some words from the author, Bob Brooks:

 

To facilitate your spending, I give you the buying links:

The Gifted Spawn

Ebook  Kindle book  Amazon.com: The Gifted Spawn eBook: Brooks, R.R.: Kindle Store

Paperback  The Gifted Spawn: Brooks, R.R.: 9781734675078: Amazon.com: Books

Note that the digital form is available from all sorts of vendors, including KOBO, Barnes & Nobel, and Apple.

Justi the Gifted

Ebook  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08F73M4BZ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

 

Here are some reasons for buying The Gifted Spawn

·        You read Justi the Gifted and long for the rest of the story

·        You need a feel-good story to relieve your anxiety

·        You just want a good tale

·        You feel a great obligation because you know the author

·        You want to support the writing art

·        You want to praise (or skewer) or just comment on the book

Note that all reasons are valid.

Get cozy and read,

Bob