January 2017 Newsletter

WRITE ON!

Happy New Year! Lots of fun things (events, news, etc.) in the January 2017 Newsletter to start the year off motivated and informed. #WriteOn

LA writers/creatives/entrepreneurs, stop by our January Write On/Guided Goals Hangout on Wednesday, January 4, from 1 – 3pm at Peet’s, 1854 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP on Facebook. Also, we’re going to start doing Hangouts on Facebook Live, including one on goal setting for the new year. Keep an eye on the Write On Online Facebook Page for notifications.

Post your January Goals on Write On Online or Facebook and be entered in a drawing to win a book from Michael Wiese Productions. Congratulations to this month’s goal-posting winner Lael Braday, who won a copy of  The Woman in the Story: Writing Memorable Female Characters by Helen Jacey. Also share your 2016 Accomplishments and 2017 Goals.

Write On Online has regular, ongoing content, including Q&As; Write On! Wednesdays; Roundups (take a look at Favorite Books on Writing and Gifts for Writers), Meeting Recaps, and more.

Do you have a new book or an upcoming book release? Want to be featured in a Write On Online Author Q&A? For consideration email deckerling@gmail.com or submit your info here.

NEWS

Is this the year you are going to start or re-launch your blog? Check out my latest book: Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog.

New Monthly Contest: Ready to step outside your comfort zone? Take part in Win With Write On: Jump Into January. Choose something you have been meaning to do, do it, then report back on Write On Online or the Facebook page. Details here.

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Jennifer Purdie signed a contract with Ulysses Press to write a non-fiction book on athletes and having a growth mindset. Title is TBD. The expected publication date is Fall 2017.

The Atlantic published an article Karen Jordan wrote that is based on the subject of her book, which is about the life of her great-grandfather, the first African-American doctor in Coweta County, Georgia. Read it here.

The debut e-book collection of fiction from author Joey Held, Short Stories for Short Attention Spans, takes a whimsical look at some of the things people experience in their everyday lives. Dive into the complex world of office emails; leap down the window of a vending machine; enjoy a fresh cup of joe in a coffee shop that considers a spotless table a minor miracle. Pre-order here.

DS Kane’s CypherGhost was released in early December and became an Amazon Bestseller as the year ended. The book dramatizes the nasty relationship between America’s hackers and its government, and plays that off against a battle between a white-hat hacker and a black hat. Read it here.

Want to talk with someone about how to get media attention for your book or business? PR Coach Cheryl Tan is offering free consultations to kick off 2017. Sign up here.

Listen to GetPublished! Radio. “Your host Gerald Everett Jones has the answers – because he’s already made all the mistakes himself,” radio announcer Bill Navarro quips. The podcast, which has been available on iTunes and other channels since last April, moved to a half-hour weekly broadcast, Sundays at Noon Pacific, on KNNN 87.7 FM in Redding, California. Out of the area, you can Listen Live at  or stream/download from podcast channels.

Announcing, “Talking With Authors,” a new weekly podcast that features interviews with independent and small press authors. Please tell them about your books here.

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Mineral School, a newer artists residency in a former elementary school in Mineral, WA, a fishing lake town near Mt. Rainier, has begun taking applications for 2017 writing residencies. Summer residencies are two weeks long, nominally priced ($425) and include room, board (allergies accommodated), visiting author presentations, and opportunities for writing residents to read publicly. During the fall, we’re also offering 8 free one-week residencies to parent authors via support from The Sustainable Arts Foundation. These free residencies have a reduced ($10) application fee and feature visiting author Claire Dederer (Poser) and Neal Thompson (A Curious Man). Final deadline is 2/15/17. Application and more info via Submittable.

The Todos Santos Writers Workshop is coming up February 5 – 11 in Baja. Classes in Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, with craft seminars and special guest speakers. Join us in our Pueblo Magico by the sea for the story of your life.

The Tahoma Literary Review is accepting narrative nonfiction submissions on any subject. Full guidelines are here. Also accepting fiction and poetry submissions. They currently pay between $30 and $100.

Female Authors wanted for interviews on the #SheWroteABook podcast with Lena Anani. If interested, please inquire here and please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

Writers, pen won’t budge? Read The Morning Nudge! Get your free subscription.

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Do your kids love to write? Want to encourage them to hone and expand their writing skills? Check out Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages. Although it’s geared towards kids, there are plenty of prompts adults can use to exercise those writing muscles! Write on! To learn more listen to my interview on the She Wrote a Book Podcast with Lena Anani.

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January 4: January LA Hangout from 1 – 3pm at Peet’s, 1854 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles. RSVP on Facebook.

January 13: Start the year off right with a goal-setting Lunch N Learn with Debra Eckerling at LAX Coworking. Come up with a mission statement, set short and long-term goals, prioritize, make a plan, and get ready to take on 2017! Details on Facebook and the website.

January 21: “Method Writing: An Organic Approach to Writing“ with Jack Grapes and son Joshua Grapes. This 3-1/2 hour workshop starts at 10:30 am, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City. IWOSC members $15; others $35; RSVPs required. All info is at IWOSC.org.

January 17: SoCal JAWS’ 3rd Annual Goal-Setting Workshop at Nextspace in Culver City, CA. LA writers, join JAWS to reflect on what you achieved in 2016 and look ahead to the coming year. You do not need to be a member of JAWS to participate. Email me for details and RSVP info.

January 20: Media Law for Journalists Workshop and Roundtable, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, at Southwestern Law School, 3050 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Admission is $20 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Parking is $10 per car. Get details and register.

January 27 – 29: Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be presenting at the GenreLA Creative Writing Conference. This educational and inspirational conference will focus on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and steampunk, as well as mainstream fiction and screenplay. Many New York Times Bestselling authors will be appearing. Carolyn will be speaking on how to make no-cost reviews the center of a marketing program for any genre! The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, Los Angeles Westside, Culver City, and has new sponsors including Writers’ Digest. Get more information.

January 28: TECHMunch LA Food Blogger Conference at Cross Campus in Santa Monica. Details and tickets here.

January 30: Monday evening panel discussing Writers and Websites in 2017 starts at 7:30pm. Panelists include bestselling author Jennifer Brody, and Deborah Shadovitz, Steven Sanchez, and Moderator Greg Miller. Writers, you’ve got questions about your websites. These web-savvy panelists have the answers! Free to IWOSC members; $15 nonmembers. Also at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City; info at IWOSC.org.

February 1: February LA Hangout at Peet’s in Westwood. RSVP on Facebook.

February 2: Book’d “The Ultimate Bibliophiles’ Night Out” lit event kicks off season five at The Group Rep/Lonny Chapman Theatre in NoHo featuring readings by and a discussion with mystery, romance & YA authors, bookish giveaways, and a catered mingling reception. Get event details.

Plus, lots of upcoming Writing Workshops from Los Angeles Writers Group.

Ongoing: On the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, writers are welcome to come to the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club to write from 6:30 to 10pm. The club, at 1210 4th St, asks for a $3 donation. RSVP to MAnnapav@aol.com.

Write On! Members: Let me know if you have a book being released or some awesome news, so we can include it in the next newsletter. Also, check out the Write On Online Facebook Page for regular opportunities to share your books and blogs.

FRIENDS OF WRITE ON!

Write On Online’s Facebook page has again been included in The Write Life’s Top Facebook Groups for Writers. Thanks, The Write Life! Check out the entire list.

For even more writing support, check out BookPod, an online social platform for authors and aspiring authors centered around the world of books and publishing. Interested in joining BookPod? Email Jennifer Brody.

Subscribe to Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s How to Do it Frugally Newsletter for great tips, how-to articles, bonuses and more! Also check out the resources for writers on her website.

Trying to get media attention for your upcoming project? Learn how to connect with reporters and get great press. Learn more about Cheryl Tan’s online PR Pro community. Also, get Cheryl’s free press release template.

Need a transcriber? CLK Transcription can help! CLK employs more than 30 highly trained transcriptionists … and has great rates. Email carollee@clktranscription.com for more information.

Does your website or blog need a new look?  Does it work the way it’s supposed to on desktops, smartphones, and tablets? Our friend Dennis Wilen can help. Email dwilen@yahoo.com and tell him Deb sent you!

iScript.com has added a new audiobook component to their offerings. Now, you can get high-quality audiobooks made of your writing!

Orange County Writers, check out Lit Central OC, an online magazine for news, reviews, craft articles and more for writers in the Orange County area.

Like Michael Wiese Productions on Facebook to learn about contests, workshops, special events, and new releases from the number one publisher of film books in the world. Download the 2016 MWP catalog.

Need book covers, illustrations, or other book design elements? Contact michele@micheledesigns.com, graphic designer and illustrator.

For quality printing at affordable prices, check out PRINT-Xpress. From banners and posters to brochures and business cards and everything in between, they’ve got you covered. Contact Sam or Carolyn for more information.

She Takes on the World is a top blog for women entrepreneurs, career women, and young women professionals.

Are you a startup, nonprofit or personality in need of digital strategy like social, email, content? Email Tara of Poodle Mafia – Elegantly Aggressive Digital Marketing & Branding.

Guided Goals: Define, Plan & Achieve Your Goals. Guided Goals offers coaching and project management services, as well as tools and advice to put you on the path to success. Sign up for the newsletter, and receive “5 Ways to Improve Your Productivity. Like Guided Goals on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Email Deckerling@gmail.com or call 310.908.8980 for more information!

Write On Online’s Guided Goals Podcast is a series of expert interviews, designed to help people pursue their passion projects. Each episode wraps with action items, so listeners can take what they heard, and move forward right away. We are taking a break, but you can listen to previous podcasts on GuidedGoals.com. Also, watch on YouTube, listen, and subscribe on iTunes, listen on Stitcher, or listen on Google Play.