News And Announcements

Dave Pelzer (A Child Called “It”) calls Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving, “A riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success.” Vanity Fair declares it, “A beautifully written book … with honesty [and] humor.” It’s author, Michelle Stevens, PhD, joins the SCWC for the first time to discuss the challenges of sharing her remarkable story with searing honesty, often with great hilarity. A now-veteran of the Big 5 auction block, she’ll also be conducting a workshop, “Crafting a Compelling Memoir Proposal.“

Speaking of memoirs, as large a market as there is for them, writing one can prove daunting on many levels. Whether to inspire or inform or merely entertain—or all three at once—the best personal narratives rely heavily on the tools writers of fiction have at their disposal when crafting stories. And be certain, memoir is story, story rooted in one’s life story, not one’s life story itself. (That would be autobiography.)

We’ve had many excellent memoirs come out of the SCWC, including Peggy Vincent’s Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife and Stacey O’Brien’s beloved Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl, among others. Over the past several recent conferences, however, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in such manuscripts coming through. While I won’t go into the specifics of why too many of these efforts fail at being commercially viable, I will cite that not exploiting the fiction writer’s toolbox factors greatly. To remedy this we’re introducing a series of workshops that directly address writing the modern memoir.

“Structure in Memoir: How to Reveal the Universal Story Inside the Personal Narrative,” “Tell Me a Story—Using the Techniques of Fiction to Craft a Compelling Memoir,” and “Time in Memoir—A Chronology of Its Own” will all be conducted by Judy Reeves; “Turning Your Real-life Experiences into a Book” by Maralys Wills; “Nonfiction for Newbies: Is it a Book or Not?” by Marla Miller; as mentioned above, “Crafting a Compelling Memoir Proposal“ by Michelle Stevens; and possibly one more we’re waiting to hear on. Also, don’t forget that Jean Jenkins’ “Best Foot Forward: Polishing to Impress” workshops also provide crucial hands-on attention to memoir. Check out the Workshops and Events page for details.

I suspect these sessions will prove as much value to the novelists in the house as any of the non-fictionalists.

Editor and publisher of Harper Wave, the imprint she founded in 2012, and a senior vice president at HarperCollins Publishers, Karen Rinaldi recently had this to say: “This writing and book business is a conversation, between a writer and herself, between an editor and a writer, and ultimately between the writer and her reader.” I would add that this holds truer to memoir than possibly any other genre. We’re all quite excited about the added focus. We hope you are to.

This Month’s Good “Muse”

We mentioned back in December longtime author/SCWCer Janis Thomas’ 2-book deal with Amazon Publishing imprint Lake Union. Slated for release come November, the jacket for the first title, What Remains True, has just been revealed. The novel’s available for pre-sale now … Before then, author/SCWCer Marlene Wagman-Geller’s Still I Rise: The Persistence of Phenomenal Women drops July 25, 2017 from Mango … And for all those devoted readers of SCWCer Evan Ramspott’s (who writes under the pen name Better Hero Army) zombie-themed saga, Plagued: The Battle Creek Zombie Rectification Experiment has just been released. The picture below is of him at this week’s signing at our favorite independent bookseller, Mysterious Galaxy.

On the awards front, Cherie Kephart won Best Memoir at the San Diego Book Awards for A Few Minor Adjustments; Eric Peterson’s The Dining Car nabbed Contemporary Fiction; Tammy Greenwood’s Where I Lost Her got General Fiction; and George Berger’s well-deserved Four Nails took Historical Fiction.

For the 2017 International Book Awards, Matthew J. Pallamary’s n0thing is a finalist in Science Fiction, and Gregory A. Fournier’s Terror in Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked is a finalist in the True Crime: Non-Fiction category.

Good job, all. Congratulations!

Much more to come as we finish knitting September together. Discounted pre-registration for Irvine is now open. Be there or be…ware!

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

A clenched breath bereft of staggering ambition, in the short story a writer can explore ideas that don’t necessarily warrant a book. And at their best, extraordinary short stories can deliver as lasting visceral resonance as even the most exceptionally crafted novel. While the form is a great way to hone one’s writing chops, the mindful author also understands that short stories can be key to spanning the gulf between herself and new readership—readers who may then be encouraged to buy books. And now there’s an entirely new platform devoted to reaching those readers.

Committed to discovering and publishing great short fiction in the era of the mobile reader, Great Jones Street publishes (and pays well for) stories by A-list and emerging contemporary writers daily, having already curated thousands through its unique selection process. The company’s CEO and co-founder, Kelley Abbott, who’s helped launch and grow social media, dating, and publishing products purchased by Match.com, Adobe, and Oprah, will join us as a Special Guest Speaker to discuss the company’s innovative approach.

Advance Submission Readers

Though there’s more staff to announce, we’ve decided to open Advance Submission Readers selection early as so many have been confirmed. Along with many of the workshop staff, several agents have been confirmed, including Jennifer Kim of Sandra Dijkstra Literary, Patricia Nelson of Marsal Lyon Literary, Kari Sutherland of Bradford Literary, and Justin Wells of Corvisiero Literary. If you truly believe your work is ready for prime time and elect to submit to an agent, think of the cover letter accompanying your submission being akin to a regular query letter. This handy info graphic by David R. Slayton should help nail it into shape. Check out All About Advance Submissions for even more info.

That’s about it for now. September’s conference is taking shape, and we’re quite excited about the shape it’s taking. We’re introducing several new workshops, as usual, and will start rolling them out in June. Given the amount of memoir coming through, we’ll be addressing the subject not necessarily in a track, but more substantively than we have these past few conferences. Memoir is far trickier to write for market than—at least in our experience—many realize.

As discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is open, register today to save more for tomorrow’s investment in you.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Author and longtime SCWCer Greta Boris will be joining us for the first time as a Special Guest Speaker come September. The first two titles in her forthcoming domestic suspense Seven Deadly Sins series, A Margin of Lust and The Scent of Wrath, are out this year from Fawkes Press. Been a long time in the making and we’re thrilled to have her. Greta will also team up with Megan Haskell (The Sanyare Chronicles) to conduct “Choose Your Adventure: A Publishing Guide for Aspiring Authors,” which debuted at this past February’s San Diego conference, to substantively address the modalities and serious considerations emerging writers must now factor when choosing a path to publication. It was a hit at SD31. It’ll be must-attend again in Irvine.

Good “Muse” Abides

In anticipation of the release of his second novel, CopWorld Press has acquired the rights to SCWC director Wes Albers’ Black & White. First published to wide acclaim from both civilians and law enforcement in 2012, the novel chronicles veteran San Diego Police Department patrolman John Hatch’s efforts to solve a gruesome murder between 911 calls and breaking in a rookie partner … Following a long hiatus, author-editor Robert Yehling returns to the conference with several new titles under his belt. Voices, his latest, is a “father-daughter-daughter relationship journey set against a half-century of rock and roll.” Pub. date from Open Books Press is May 9th.

More SCWCer titles that have dropped over the past few weeks include Indy Quillen’s Pursuit, the follow-up to her debut murder mystery. This time around tracker Fox Walker is tasked by the FBI to hunt down a fugitive survivalist and former Navy SEAL, then forced to question the reasons why … Ever-prolific author Linda Thomas-Sundstrom’s Angel Unleashed brings us a vengeful angel hell-bent on recovering her wings from those who stole them centuries before … Matthew Quirk’s latest thriller, Dead Man Switch, is out in hardcover from Mulholland Books. New York Times bestselling author Joseph Finder (Paranoia and Guilty Minds) declares it “A tour de force.” And if you joined us for our 2016 Irvine event, you might understand why. (Be sure to check out an excerpt from Matt’s keynote below.)

In Alan Russell’s latest mystery, The Homecoming, out June 13th from Thomas & Mercer, a young girl mysteriously returns to her family after seven years, claiming to have been abducted by extraterrestrial nomads … And though we don’t yet have a release date, we do have a cover reveal for Cherie Kephart’s eagerly awaited memoir A Few Minor Adjustments. A poem of Cherie’s, however, “Dreams,” is included in the Magee Park Poets Anthology, 2017, available now from Aionios Books.

One more bit of good “muse” is that Eric Peterson’s The Dining Car (Huckleberry House) landed an Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Popular Fiction. A rollick of a novel edited by our own Jennifer Silva Redmond–who will of course be with us in Irvine–PBS’ “Barbecue America” host and author Rick Browne proclaims it, “A glimpse into a life we all dream about, it’s also an entertaining, engaging read with a deft touch of humor.” Deserved recognition.

It never ceases to inspire, how so many in our expansive SCWC community endeavor to produce such fine work by settling only for exceptional. Congratulations and success to all!

Discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open. Register and save today. And don’t forget to join the conversation on our SCWC Facebook group, where there’s always valuable information being shared.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

You know that moment? The moment you’re reading along and recognize, quite unexpectedly, that this book, or this short story, or this article is just daring you to write something even close to being as exceptional, and you actually get excited at the prospect of rising to the challenge of trying? It’s the moment every writer cherishes; the one we at the SCWC all aspire to achieve: craft something so good that others are equally inspired. At this past San Diego conference, we saw a lot of such material come through. We expect to do so again in Irvine. But before details of our upcoming Fall event, let’s revisit a past.

Topic Award Re-imagined

Awards are presented at every SCWC for exceptional work recognized through consensus in read & critique workshops and advance submission evaluations. We also hold a weekend writing contest in which all are invited to participate. The rules are simple: craft a piece in any form you wish of no more than 250 words based on the topic announced Friday evening. The winner is announced on Sunday afternoon.

Nearly three years ago, at LA12, the topic selected was “Move.” The winner was Patricia Rinker, now one of only three conferees–I believe–to have garnered more than one Topic Award win across the 49 SCWCs held to date. Patricia wrote her submission as lyrics spoofing the song “Rawhide,” composed by Dimitri Tiomkin.

Thankfully (hopefully), there’s no evidence of SCWC Director Wes Albers and myself attempting to sing the winning entry a capella at the original awards ceremony. However, one industrious author/workshop leader–Gayle Carline–thought so highly of Patricia’s lyrics, she endeavored to ensure they were properly immortalized in song.

Produced and performed by Marcus Carline, today we bring you the exclusive SCWC world premiere of those efforts. To writers everywhere, jack up your speakers and rejoice…

Suck Less!

by
Patricia Rinker

Keep ‘em movin’, movin’, movin’
Though they’re disapprovin’
Keep those fingers movin’
Suck less!

Don’t try to understand it
Just write, rewrite and edit
A thesaurus, ready by my side.

My heart’s palpitating
My agent still waiting
Waiting for the end of my book

CHORUS

Move on, reread
Reread, move on
Move on, reread
Suck less!

Type it up, rip it up
Rip it up, type it up
Type it up, rip it up

Suck less!

Onward to Irvine

We’re off! In the immediate aftermath of what one conferee called, “The most positively disruptive weekend of my life!” we now turn our full attention to September.

Discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open for LA15 (Irvine). Do so by May 15, 2017 and save a whopping $100 on Full Conference participation. While well over six months away, plenty of trusted friends are already aboard, united in getting you where you want to be with your writing, whether it be novels, nonfiction, short stories, or other some other form geared for commercial consumption.

SCWC*LA15 (IRVINE) LOCATION: The conference will again be held at the Wyndham Irvine Hotel, located at 17941 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614. Dates are September 22-24, 2017. Lodging discounts are available to SCWC conferees. Phone (949) 863-1999 to book your reservation, or click here to do so online. Deadline for discounted hotel registration is Sept. 1, 2017.

SCWC*LA15 (IRVINE) SCHEDULE: Rest assured that plenty of craft- and business-centric sessions, read & critique workshops, one-on-one consultations and more will round out the weekend. Though we’ll not start plugging things in until later, you can get an idea of the overall shape of the conference on the schedule page.

SCWC*LA15 (IRVINE) STAFF: In addition to the many familiar workshop leaders, agents, editors and other publishing professionals returning in 2017, we’ll be rolling several new folks into the fold.

If you haven’t, do subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates to receive all the latest. Join the well-moderated conversation on our SCWC Facebook group for all sorts of publishing news and support, SCWC exclusives, announcements, and more.

That’s all for now. Much more to come. In the meantime, go forth, write well, aim for excellence and settle only for exceptional. And if you’ve got a book signing coming up, let’s hope it goes a bit better than NY Times bestselling author Matt Coyle’s first one did, which he tells the story of below.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

What a fine weekend with fine writers. The overwhelming consensus from workshop leaders, editors, and even all the agents, was that the level of quality represented in manuscripts presented by attending writers was off the charts in level of quality. Not a rare thing at the SCWC, but always inspiring. Good job. And to our extraordinary LA14 staff who so generously expend their time, talent and guidance, great job. Thank you. Especially to the full-day-late-into-the-night “Novel Intensive” workshop leaders, novelists Ara Grigorian and Janis Thomas (pictured). A long slog well worth the effort.

This year’s Special Guest Speakers warrant a shout out, as well. Group hugs to Lisa Brackmann (Go-Between), Tom Huth (Forty Years Stoned: A Journalist’s Romance), Matthew Quirk (Cold Barrel Zero) and the inimitable Gwendolyn Womack (The Memory Painter). Great writers. Great people. And it looks like a couple are in store to join us again as great workshop leaders. The stories they shared with us over the weekend and invaluable insight provided will remain cherished by all.

Now let’s get to the awards…

SCWC*LA/IRVINE Award Recipients

OUTSTANDING FICTION (Adult)
Fallen Angel
by Kat Clark of Naperville, IL

OUTSTANDING FICTION (Women’s)
Cash to Dash
by P.J. Colando of Irvine, CA

OUTSTANDING FICTION (Romantic Suspense)
Hit Me
by Madeline Tighe Margarita of San Juan Capistrano, CA

And each conference the SCWC holds a contest in which all writers are invited to participate. The rules are simple: Write a piece in any form you wish of no more than 250 words based on the topic announced Friday night. The topic for LA14 was “Axle/Axel/Axl.” Here’s this year’s winning entry…

OUTSTANDING TOPIC STORY
What Happened After SCWC
by
Patricia Rinker
of Diamond Bar, CA

Midnight – 10/1/2016

“Axel! It’s finished. The opening page of my novel.”

I rubbed the beagle’s soft, furry ears as his cold, wet nose nudged my leg. Between us, on the floor, I proudly laid my first draft, suffused with narrative, dialogue and plot, a guaranteed best-sellas.

“What do you think?” I asked, having tremendous respect for Axel’s opinion.

Axel peed on the page.

“All right. All right. It was a first draft.”

Two days later – 1 a.m. – 3^rd revision

Axel scooted his bottom over the sheet.

Damn.

Five days later – 3 a.m. – 7^th revision

Axel wiped his paws.

Ahhh—Ara, what am I doing wrong?

10 days later – 3 a.m. – 12^th revision

Axel sniffed the paper’s edge, then gently stepped aboard, circled, curled up and fell asleep.

Ahh. Write more, suck less. It’s true!

I gazed out at the star littered sky. “Thank you, SCWC.”

And looked down at my pal. “Thank you, Axel.”

###

Congratulations to all the award winners!

We’ll return to Orange County next year with our 15^th annual event. Dates for LA(ish) 15 will be Sept. 22-24. Discounted pre-registration opens March 1, 2017. In the meantime, don’t forget to join us for our 31^st annual San Diego conference, taking place Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-20, 2017. Limited to 175 writers, get all the details here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC