Free workshop Nov. 7 includes NaNoWriMo write-in

As part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) activities, librarian and author Eric Lundgren will kickoff a write-in at the St. Louis Writers Guild's free workshop, held 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 7, at Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, Kirkwood.

Workshop participants should bring any outlines, notes or materials needed to write for an hour.

On Nov. 1, NaNoWriMo participants begin working toward the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on Nov. 30. Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought fleetingly about writing a novel. According to the NaNoWriMo website, in 2013, 650 libraries opened their doors to novelists through the Come Write In program. http://nanowrimo.org/

Eric has worked since 2007 at the St. Louis Public Library, where he is an Adult Services Provider. He manages the collection of the Entertainment, Literature, and Biography department and coordinates the STL Scribblers group at Central Library. Also a fiction writer, his novel The Facades was published by Overlook Press in 2013 and was named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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

Join us at Archon 39 in Collinsville, IL!

This weekend, join Candace Carrabus, Brad R Cook and T.W. Fendley at ARCHON 39, the “Midwest’s premier science fiction and fantasy event,” in Collinsville, Ill. Candace writes about a world filled with magical horses, Brad’s book features a mesmerizing bronze dragon, and a mystical dog takes center stage (actually, center labyrinth) in T.W.'s young adult book.

Find out more about:

Candace Carrabus

Brad R Cook

T.W. Fendley

Workshop Oct. 3 explores options for nonfiction authors

Authors Gerry Mandel, Patricia Bubash, and Peter Green, along with Mike Stith of One Legacy, will discuss "Writing fact, creative nonfiction and fiction—differences and difficulties," at the St. Louis Writers Guild's Oct. 3 workshop, held 10 a.m. to noon at Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, Kirkwood, Mo. Free to Guild members; $5 for nonmembers. They will explore the spectrum of options available to nonfiction authors, including the advantages and drawbacks.

“If you ‘ve got a great story based on your own life, a fascinating character, or several individuals you’ve come to know well, what are your options for telling it?” asked Peter Green, who will also moderate the panel. “Which form would be better—a first-person memoir, a straight non-fiction biographical account, a creative dramatization of real-life events, or a historical novel with totally fictionalized characters? There are compelling reasons for choosing each type of book.”

Peter Green has written biography and creative nonfiction accounts of his father’s World War II odyssey, culminating in his most recent biographical memoir, Ben’s War with the U. S. Marines. http://www.peterhgreen.com/

Patricia Bubash, a licensed professional counselor, has written a practical guide to living based on real-life case studies, Successful Second Marriages. http://successfulsecondmarriages.com/

Mike Stith is founder of One Legacy™, a social enterprise business with the primary purpose of gathering, sharing, and publishing stories about personal legacy. One Legacy has launched a new community service called “Legacy Sharing™,” where stories are collected by offering a group activity for Senior Communities, Hospice Centers, and many other groups, including youth organizations. Stories from around the world can shared and read by visiting  http://onelegacy.com/

Gerry Mandel, a Charlie Chaplin aficionado, is author of Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin, a historical novel based on the true-life story of this multi-talented Hollywood innovator, entrepreneur and pioneer. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/spidermandel

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

Workshop today on Twisting a story: Nonlinear plotting strategies

Author/illustrator Jennifer Stolzer will give an overview of Twine--an open-source tool for creating interactive, nonlinear stories--at the St. Louis Writers Guild’s Sept. 12 workshop.  “Twisting a story: Nonlinear plotting strategies” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, in Kirkwood. Free for Guild members; $5 for nonmembers.

“Nonlinear plotting is thinking outside the box, considering every option, even the unexpected,” Jennifer said. “Like a conspiracy theorist connecting every incidental bit of evidence into their proof, nonlinear plotting lets your story spread out so you can look at it from a lot of different angles.”

Twine publishes directly to HTML, so you can post your work nearly anywhere. Anything you create with it is completely free to use any way you like, including for commercial purposes. http://twinery.org/

Jennifer Stolzer is an author and freelance illustrator who serves as secretary for the St. Louis Writer's Guild. She delights in well-woven stories, complex emotional characters, and conclusions that tie everything up in a bow. Her author-illustrated picture book, Dog Park, is available on Amazon. You can check out her illustration portfolio at www.jenniferstolzer.com and follow Jennifer Stolzer Illustration on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter. 

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

See Christy Smith 9/12 at 6 North-Wentzville

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Meet 4 local authors at The Power and the Paranormal signing at Main Street Books

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Meet four local authors who write about young men and women with the power to change the world for the good from 1-3 p.m., Sept. 5, at Main Street Books, 307 S. Main St., St. Charles, Mo.

Featured authors at The Power and the Paranormal signing are Camille Faye, (paranormal), Candace Carrabus (fantasy, adventure, romance), George Sirois (science fiction and young adult), and T.W. Fendley (fantasy and science fiction). Enter drawings for one of four free Main Street Books gift cards. We'll also have mini-scones and gift cards from Picasso's Coffee House, a favorite local hangout.

Camille Faye grew up in a haunted house that sparked her fascination with the paranormal. In VOODOO BUTTERFLY, Sophie is a Mind Changer who must experience transformative love to fight evil. www.camillefaye.com

Candace Carrabus writes stories and rides horses--frequently simultaneously. In THE ROAR OF SMOKE, Tressida must master her lethal smoke-spinning ability to prevent a war, and save the horses and everyone she loves. In RAVER, Lauren is taken from our world to another where she must call their lost horses before an entire country dies. www.candacecarrabus.com

George Sirois has been creating his own characters since 1985. In EXCELSIOR, Matthew thinks Denab IV and its savior are solely from his imagination until he learns Excelsior’s lifeforce lives within him, and he is the key to Earth’s survival and Denab IV’s salvation. www.georgesirois.com

T.W. Fendley loves ancient American cultures and trekking the Yucatan, Peru, and American Southwest. In ZERO TIME, Keihla must unlock the secrets of Machu Picchu to save two worlds from the powers of darkness. In THE LABYRINTH OF TIME, Jade must restore the Firestone’s power before the First Men return to judge humanity. www.twfendley.com

Children's authors 8/15 at 6 North-Ballwin

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