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agents, Journal, marketing, Minutes, publishing, query letters

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201805

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Writers’ Mill Minutes May 20th 2018

Twenty members attended May’s Writers’ Mill meeting and enjoyed an amusing, intriguing and very informative talk from John Hoover, the best-selling author of How to Work for an Idiot and other fascinating titles. John described a little of his past, working for Disney, managing audiobooks for McGraw Hill, helping clients at Boeing, Delta, Hilton and many more… then went on to describe how he entered the world of writing and coaching instead of publishing. Great conversation, questions and answers ensued, as you’ll find in the notes at the end of these minutes. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201805 →

Minutes, Uncategorized

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201804

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Writers’ Mill Minutes  April 15th 2018

Those of you who missed April’s meeting missed a wonderfully informative and encouraging presentation from Oregon Book Award winner and self-published author Joyce Creswell. I wasn’t able to upload the power point presentation to our website, but you can find details here: http://portlandwritersmill.org/19/one-self-publishers-experience-from-joyce-creswells-talk-april-15th-2018/. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201804 →

agents, character, contracts, exercise, inspiration, Minutes, plot, publishing, query letters, story structure, Writing

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201803

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Writing Exercise (from Teri Brown): Teri handed around scent vials during our meeting. Maybe just stand at an open window (on this lovely spring day) and see what smell reaches your nose. Then write for 10 minutes and see what story reaches the page. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201803 →

blogging, Minutes, websites

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201802

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Snow didn’t quite cancel February’s meeting, but it did cause many people to stay away. Sadly our speaker was unable to stay for the meeting too, as weather and roads deteriorated and she faced a long drive home. So Sheila learned how to use a laptop attached to the audiovisual system, and those people who did make it to the meeting had the opportunity to see each other’s websites, blogs and internet pages. Our website includes a (rather outdated) list of links at: http://portlandwritersmill.org/links/member-links/ (just click on Links above). Meanwhile, here are the ones we visited or talked about during the meeting. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201802 →

exercise, goals, inspiration, Minutes, plot

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201801

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Writers’ Mill Minutes Jan 21st 2018

Our first meeting of 2018 was fairly sparsely attended with only 12 people present. We blamed the weather, and invite anyone who wasn’t there to weigh in on the questions below:

  1. What do you want to achieve this year? (Feel free to add your goals to the box at February’s meeting.)
  2. What do you want from the Writers’ Mill this year? (Feel free to email admin@portlandwritersmill.org with your requests.)
  3. How important are speaker engagements to you?
  4. How important is it to have regular critiques?
  5. How important is it to have regular writing exercises at our meetings?

Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201801 →

inspiration, Minutes, poetry, Writing

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201711 Where Inspiration Comes Sliding Through with Carolyn Martin

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Writers’ Mill Minutes 11/19/2017

Wow! What a meeting. Twenty-four of us were there to listen to, work with, and be inspired by Portland poet, Carolyn Martin, whose return visit was so popular we’re already asking when she can join us again, again. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201711 Where Inspiration Comes Sliding Through with Carolyn Martin →

blogging, Journal, marketing, Minutes, networking, plan to market, self-publishing

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201710 Book Marketing with Walt

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Writers Mill Minutes October 15th

On October 15th 2017 the Writers’ Mill celebrated its 10th birthday! There was cake! Two delicious gluten-free chocolate cakes, with candles – Thank you Jean! And there was a great speaker, Walt Socha sharing his expertise in creating, publishing and marketing books. Around 25 members were there to enjoy the experience. For the rest of you, Walt’s notes can be found in two downloadable files at http://www.waltsocha.com/WM./ – a private page that you won’t find just by going to his website. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201710 Book Marketing with Walt →

contracts, images, Minutes, publishing, Research

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201708

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Writers’ Mill Minutes  August 20th 2017

Despite the approaching eclipse, August’s Writers’ Mill meeting was well attended with 16 people present to learn about research, photographs, permissions and publishing specs from Zita Podany, author of VanPort in the Images of America series. Notes from Zita’s talk can be below. And our thanks to Zita and the library staff for the excellent use of technology. (One day I’ll have to learn how it’s all done!)

Walt, who will be speaking and using technology in October and December, handed around a “reading assignment” for us all. In case you weren’t there, Walt very highly recommends “To Sell is Human” by Daniel H. Pink; also “How to Publish your Book” by Jane Friedman. We should all try to read Pink’s book, or at least to look at it, before October’s meeting (which gives us lots of time).

Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201708 →

anthologies, book reading, events, genre, Minutes, novel, poetry, publishing, Writing

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201707

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Writers’ Mill Minutes, 16th July 2017

  1. Are you reading this on the website? Did you receive the email? If you did not receive the email, please check your spam, deleted, update and other random folders. Try using “search” on your emails for admin@portlandwritersmill.org, then set is as a “safe sender.” And if none of the that helps, contact admin@portlandwritersmill.org
  2. Send journal entries to journal2017@portlandwritersmill.org before the end of the month! Read on to learn more details
  3. Send 100th contest suggestions to admin@portlandwritersmill.org before the 1st of August!
  4. Send What If…? Contest entries to contest@portlandwritersmill.org before the end of August 6th. Read on to learn more details.

Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201707 →