The SLWG Author Series

The SLWG Author Series

Many may not know that I host a monthly interview for St. Louis Writers Guild. The SLWG Author Series airs on the third Thursday of every month and features an interview with an author or clips from the SLWG monthly meeting Workshops for Writers. All the episodes are available on Youtube, or they can be found on the SLWG Facebook page, and the Member’s Room of the website. www.stlwritersguild.org

The SLWG Author Series has a new look and a new format. The interviews are on different topics, but we try to provide some insight for writers and hopefully provide some fun for the fans of the authors.

Check out this interview with Main Street Books co-owner and proprietress, Emily Hall. I interviewed her in April after her Workshops for Writers presentation which is featured in clips after the interview. Plus, see a few shots of Main Street Books, a great independent bookstore on historic Main Street in St. Charles. We discuss the relationship between authors and bookstores.

This is last month’s SLWG Author Series with David Lucas, president of St. Louis Writers Guild and President and Executive Producer of Winding Trails Media. We discuss podcasts.  

Here are some great clips from the March Workshops for Writers presentation with Ronald R. Van Stockum Jr. He had a great talk about hand selling your book, or what he coined Human Fly Fishing.

As a bonus check out this interview with award winning author Ann Leckie. We discussed her books and the unique POV she uses.

I hope you enjoyed the videos please feel free to check out the rest, there some great authors we’ve talked to over the last few years. Plus, check out the SLWG Author Series for June which will feature clips with author Eric Asher from his Workshops for Writers presentation on building your audience. See it any time after June 16, 2016.

SLWG Author Series with Emily Hall of Main Street Books

This month the SLWG Author Series features Emily Hall, Proprietress and Co-Owner of Main Street Books!

I had the honor of interviewing Emily Hall about her workshop for St. Louis Writers Guild. Emily talks about the author/bookstore relationship.

Following the interview there are clips from her April 2, 2016 workshop – Wherever Books are Sold: A Guide to Forming a Lasting Partnership with Independent Bookstores.

Main Street Books

307 S. Main Street

St. Charles, MO

www.mainstreetbooks.net

Learn more about St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org

Advice on Pitching and Querying to Literary Agents and Publishers

March 2015 workshop, picture by Steven Langhorst

Advice on Pitching and Querying to Literary Agents and Publishers

By Brad R Cook

In March 2015 I gave the annual conference kick-off workshop to St. Louis Writers Guild titled Querying andPitching: How to Track down Literary Agents and Publishers. I wanted to share what we talked about that day, and what I’ve written about before for the Writers Lens, wrapped up in a single post.

In my workshop I referenced two previous articles on the Writers Lens where I discussed pitching. The first was The Mechanics of a Perfect Pitch and the second was Lens On: Pitching. Just click on the titles to view the articles.

I’ll let you read the articles – they repeat what I said at the workshop and then definitely check out the SLWG Author Series interview where I discussed the workshop.

SLWG Author Series interview with Brad R Cook 

My workshop is an amalgam of several other workshops and articles I’ve read or experienced over the years. It started when I first heard Chuck Sambuchino at The Writer’s Digest Conference in New York back in 2011 and mixes in advice from Jane Friedman, literary agent Kathleen Ortiz and several other sources with a few of my own experiences added in.   

If you are looking for query letter examples you can find hundreds of examples online, but I highly recommend Chuck Sambuchino’s website where he’s posted successful query letters. The best part, not only can you read the letter but you can also see comments from the agents themselves. Click Here for Query Letters. 

We also discussed ways to “Track” down literary agents and publishers using the website QueryTracker.net. I am a huge fan of the site and have used it for years. But it’s not the only one, you may prefer AgentQuery.com or see if an agent is listed in AAR, or one of the large literary groups, they often have lists of approved publishers or agents.

Let’s run over some of the basics –

These suggestions are for fiction genres. Non-fiction has a different set of rules. We touched on them in the workshop but I would recommend searching for tips and examples online.

A query letter should have three parts:

           

            First an introduction where you mention the title, word count, and genre. This is also the place to mention why you picked the agent or if you’ve met them before.

            Second a paragraph about the book, include the hook, the main character, and the main theme and plot of the book.

            Third is a short paragraph about the author.  

A log line is a short sentence or two about the book. It can also be referred to as an Elevator Pitch.

A synopsis is a 1-2 page single-spaced document that outlines the entire book – including the ending.

Don’t forget fictional manuscript formatting is 12 point standard font, in black, with a one inch border, and the first line of every paragraph indented.

There are now some online ways to pitch - but only at certain times - check out Pitch Madness on Twitter using the hash tag #PitMad. 

Allow me to leave you with this advice. It comes from literary agent Kathleen Ortiz. I asked her, what was the best advice she could offer someone who was pitching – “Keep it short, to the point, and deliver a good hook.”

Good luck with your query or pitch!

SLWG Author Series with Angie Fox

SLWG Author Series with Angie Fox

By Brad R. Cook

Angie Fox, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Accidental Demon Slayer Series and The Monster M.A.S.H Series sat down with me the other night for St. Louis Writers Guild Author Series.

Angie discusses her novels, being one of the first hybrid authors, and her writing process in the interview!

The SLWG Author Series with Angie Fox – recorded March 20, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiVHFfnSor0

Angie Fox

Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night.

She claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. Angie enjoys making up fun quizzes and thinks you should take one right now.

Find more about all her novels and novellas at www.angiefox.com

You can purchase any of her books here – Angie Fox on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Fox/e/B002ATV0G2

My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding 

Immortally Ever After 

Interview conducted by Brad R. Cook, President of St. Louis Writers Guild

SLWG would like to thank STLBooks for hosting the event!

SLWG Author Series

Third Thursday of every month

7-8pm

Recorded at STLBooks

100 W Jefferson Ave.

Kirkwood, MO 63122

Find all the SLWG Author Series interviews on www.stlwritersguild.org or on Youtube!

Brad R. Cook, author, publisher at Blank Slate Press, and President of St. Louis Writers Guild. Please visit www.bradrcook.com or www.blankslatepress.com for more information. Hear more on the Write Pack Radio www.blogtalkradio.com/writepackradio. Follow me on Twitter @bradrcook https://twitter.com/bradrcook, @blankslatepress https://twitter.com/blankslatepress, @stlwritersguild https://twitter.com/stlwritersguild, or my tumblr page Thoughts from Midnight http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

SLWG Author Series with Illustrator Jennifer Stolzer

SLWG Author Series with Illustrator Jennifer Stolzer

Jennifer Stolzer

Writer and Illustrator

The SLWG Author Series in February was proud to present illustrator Jennifer Stolzer. She discussed what an author can expect when working with an illustrator, the process she goes through in translating the author’s vision, and the differences between illustrating the whole book versus just the book’s cover.

View the SLWG Author Series with Jennifer Stolzer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7WxQEWbSac

The SLWG Author Series is held on the third Thursday of the month at STLBooks in Kirkwood. This was the first interview of the series held at STLBooks and we are thrilled to have them as our host.

Find the interview with Jennifer Stolzer on The Writers’ Lens tumblr page www.writerlens.tumblr.com  or on the SLWG website www.stlwritersguild.org  

Find all the SLWG Author Series interviews on Youtube or on the SLWG Website.

Learn more about Jennifer Stolzer and find samples of her artwork at www.jenniferstolzer.com

STLBooks

100 W Jefferson Ave

Kirkwood, MO 63122 

Help Save A Bookstore

photo by Steven Langhorst

Help Save A Bookstore

By Brad R. Cook

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Robin Tidwell, author, publisher, and owner of All on the Same Page Bookstore for the SLWG Author Series.

Robin discussed why she opened the bookstore and the new membership program they hope will allow the store to stay open.

But it wasn’t a wake; we also talked about what’s new for Rocking Horse Publishing, that they will be opening to submissions this spring and a few tips for those who are considering submitting to RHP! We even hear from a RHP author on why she loves her publisher.

To learn more about All on the Same Page Bookstore’s new membership program visit www.allonthesamepagebookstore.com

Or stop by the store at 11052 Olive Blvd., Creve Couer, MO 63141 and shop one of the largest local author sections in this city!

To learn more about Rocking Horse Publishing, its authors, or submission guidelines visit www.rockinghorsepublishing.com

To view the SLWG Author Series interview, Goodbye to All on the Same Page Bookstore?  with Robin Tidwell, follow this link to The Writers’ Lens tumblr page.

www.writerslens.tumblr.com

or

View all the SLWG Author Series interviews on Youtube.

Here is the direct link to the interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsS8s7jxgc

If you can help please do, bookstores are important part of the literary community of any city!

Brad R. Cook is a historical fantasy author and President of St. Louis Writers Guild. Please visit www.bradrcook.com , follow me on Twitter @bradrcook  https://twitter.com/bradrcook , or my tumblr page Thoughts from Midnight http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

St. Louis Reflections http://www.stlbooks.com/B009271-1211-51/Review.aspx

SLWG Author Series: New Book Spotlight

SLWG Author Series: New Book Spotlight

In October, the SLWG Author Series event featured the New Book Spotlight. A couple of times a year St. Louis Writers Guild showcase some member’s new books. This time, we featured two area authors Fedora Amis and Denise Elam Dauw.

The SLWG Author Series is held on the third Thursday of the month at All on the Same Page Bookstore, 11052 Olive Blvd. The interviews are streamed live online and recorded to be posted on www.stlwritersguild.net. St. Louis Writers Guild members are sent a link and can watch and interact with the event live online.

The SLWG Author Series: New Book Spotlight showcased:

Jack the Ripper in St. Louis by Fedora Amis

And

If Music be the Food of Love by Denise Elam Dauw

Fedora Amis

Fedora Amis won the Mayhaven Fiction Prize for her Victorian whodunit, Jack the Ripper in St. Louis. She dons corset and hoop skirts to perform as real historical people and imagined characters from the 1800s. Fedora loves live theater, travel, plants and cooking. She has one son, Skimmer, who partners Fedora in writing science fiction and fantasy. “Why do I write? I love words—always have--reading them, writing them. I even like looking them up in the dictionary. So call me eccentric. Call me crazy—but call me a writer.”

www.fedoraamis.com

Denise Elam Dauw

Denise Elam Dauw is a music educator in west St. Louis, Missouri. She holds a M.M. in Music Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a B.M. in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Specializing in instrumental music as a band director, Ms. Elam Dauw also has experience teaching choir, orchestra, piano, music history and appreciation, guitar, jazz band, marching band, and color guard. She is currently a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and volunteers for the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.denise-elam-dauw.com

I’ve posted the interview on The Writers’ Lens Tumblr page – http://writerslens.tumblr.com/

The video can be viewed on www.stlwritersguild.net or on Youtube by searching for the SLWG Author Series!

You can find all the SLWG Author Series interviews at www.stlwritersguild.net/members.html or on Youtube.com

SLWG Author Series

The third Thursday of the Month

All on the Same Page Bookstore

11052 Olive Blvd. 63141

7-8pm

Next Event: November 21, 2013

Brad R. Cook is a historical fantasy author and President of St. Louis Writers Guild. Please visit www.bradrcook.com , follow me on Twitter @bradrcook  https://twitter.com/bradrcook , or my tumblr page Thoughts from Midnight http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

St. Louis Reflections http://www.stlbooks.com/B009271-1211-51/Review.aspx

SLWG Author Series with Robin Tidwell

SLWG Author Series with Robin Tidwell

By Brad R. Cook

On The third Thursday of every month St. Louis Writers Guild holds its author series. There are three ways to participate – one: come to All on the Same Page Bookstore at 11052 Olive Blvd and be part of the audience. Two: SLWG Members can watch and ask questions live online. Three: view the recording after the event.

SLWG Author Series with Robin Tidwell author of RECYCLED, owner of All on the Same Page Bookstore and Rocking Horse Publishing.

Recorded July 18, 2013

Robin discusses her process when writing the trilogy, her familiarity with the setting, and her love of writing dystopian so she can kill off lots of characters. Find out what she looks for in submissions to Rocking Horse Publishing, and why All on the Same Page carries so many local authors!

RECYCLED is out! Find it at www.rockinghorsepublishing.com

SLWG Author Series interview with Robin Tidwell – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6-YG7xeLZc

On Youtube, about 31 minutes

Check it out she has some great advice!

This Thursday, July 25, 2013, a special SLWG event!

A Night with the Authors of L&L Dreamspell!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

7-8pm

All on the Same Page Bookstore

11052 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Free and open to the public!

St. Louis Writers Guild honors L&L Dreamspell’s contribution and influence on St. Louis writers. Local L&L Dreamspell authors will discuss how this press created a community of writers plus the tools and experiences they used to help one another. Join us to honor Linda Houle and Will Bereswill. We hope you can join us for this special night!

The online portion of this event which is usually for SLWG members only is open to all this month. Join us online if you can’t make it to the event, you can still ask questions via text chat and twitter.

Here is the link for this event - http://new.livestream.com/accounts/3258591/events/2257207

Interviews conducted by Brad R. Cook

Find the rest of the SLWG Author Series on Youtube!

Brad R. Cook is a historical fantasy author and President of St. Louis Writers Guild. Please visit www.bradrcook.com , follow me on Twitter @bradrcook  https://twitter.com/bradrcook , or my tumblr page Thoughts from Midnight http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

St. Louis Reflections http://www.stlbooks.com/B009271-1211-51/Review.aspx

SLWG Author Series on The Writers' Lens Tumblr Page!

SLWG Author Series on the WL Tumblr Page!

On the third Thursday of every month, St. Louis Writers Guild holds its long-standing lecture series. In May, I interviewed L.S. Murphy author of Reaper and we discussed writing for young adults and her process for creating stories. You can see the interviews on the St. Louis Writers Guild website, and if you’re a member, you can participate online during the interview, but now you can see them on The Writers’ Lens Tumblr page!  

SLWG Author Series Interview with L.S. Murphy author of Reaper!

http://writerslens.tumblr.com/

L. S. Murphy  

L.S. Murphy lives in the Greater St. Louis area where she watches Cardinals baseball, reads every book she can find, and weaves tales for teens and adults. When not doing all of the above, she tends to The Bean (aka her daughter), her husband and a menagerie of pets. “A Reason to Stay”, a contemporary romance novella, is available as of November 2, 2012. Reaper is her debut young adult novel and is available as of January 7th, 2013.

She is a co-rep for the Southern Illinois region of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild.

Repped by Julia A. Weber of  J. A. Weber Literaturagentur.

To purchase Reaper by L. S. Murphy

http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/19

L.S. Murphy

REAPER (J. Taylor Publishing)

A REASON TO STAY (Calliope - an imprint of Musa Publishing)

http://lsmurphy.com 

SLWG Author Series

Third Thursday of every month

7-8pm

NEW LOCATION:

All on the Same Page Bookstore

11052 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Free and open to the public!

St. Louis Writers Guild has a new format for its long-standing Lecture Series. Like the webinars, the SLWG Author Series is now available online.

There are three ways to view the interview. 
1: Be part of the audience, the discussion continues even when the camera stops. 
2: Watch live online and ask questions via text chat or Twitter. 
3: Watch the recorded lecture after the event.

As a benefit of membership with St. Louis Writers Guild, an email will be sent with a link to the live online broadcast of the interview.

The next SLWG Author Series Event is Thursday, June 20, 2013!

For more information visit www.stlwritersguild.net 

Brad R. Cook is a historical fantasy author and President of St. Louis Writers Guild. Please visit www.bradrcook.com , follow me on Twitter @bradrcook  https://twitter.com/bradrcook , or my tumblr page Thoughts from Midnight http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

St. Louis Reflections http://www.stlbooks.com/B009271-1211-51/Review.aspx