Author-produced Webisodes for novel launch

With her gripping new thriller, The Ticker Game, in bookstores January 8th, author (and just added SD22 Sunday morning speaker) Susan Arnout Smith devised a series of “webisodes” introducing its characters five years before the start of the novel. Pretty clever author-marketing, I’d say. There’s 11 so far. Watch them all at http://www.thetimergame.com/webisodes.php and see what you think.

–msg

Haiku…

‘Tis the Season

‘Tis the season, indeed.

At this time of year, it is worth reminding that, as we do every day, we wish you all only the best in your endeavors. Everyone carries with them some degree of art, and may that shining star within bring you and your community all of your brightest hopes. Peace, joy, solace in trying times; let your creativity nourish and heal those around you.

During this season’s celebration of goodwill, we should also remember the many gifts we hope to give through artistic labor. The stories we tell are as much a part of us as our hopes and happiness, our compassion and love, our very names. They are, truly, among the very least we can give unto our neighbors.

Be safe. Be well.

And … uh … remember, there’s only a week left to register for the 22nd annual San Diego conference and qualify for the early-bard discount. The deadline for the $50 discount toward full-conference registration is December 31, 2007.

Tales From the Fire

Does it sound scary? Well, it need not be. The Southern California Writers’ Conference slated for Presidents’ Day weekend in San Diego includes a special writing contest this year: Tales From the Fire. Contestants will write their best nonfiction accounts of the recent wildfires in southern California:

Entries will be judged by a five-member panel. A first place winner and two honorable mentions will be awarded by the judges. The first place winner will receive a complete SCWC package (lodging not included) to either our 6th Annual Los Angeles or 23rd Annual San Diego event. The winners will be announced Sunday evening at the conference.

Content Rules:

1. Composition must relate to the events surrounding what are known as the San Diego wildfires of 2007.
2. One entry per registered conferee.
3. Entry must not exceed twenty pages, double-space 12 pt.
4. Entry must be received by the SCWC no later than February 1, 2008.
5. Mail five hardcopies of entry in one envelope to: SCWC, 1010 University Ave., #54, San Diego, CA 92103.

By submitting an entry into the contest, you agree to allow the SCWC the non-exclusive option to publish your entry on its website, or in a possible conference anthology at a later date.

Please note that the contest deadline is entirely its own. Regular advance submissions for professional readers at the conference must be received by SCWC no later than January 12, 2008.

–bd

Come together … in San Diego

Writers, come together … in beautiful San Diego. February brings the 22nd Southern California Writers’ Conference at San Diego, and the Presidents’ Day weekend conference is shaping up quite nicely.

The latest updates, of course, can be found at WritersConference.com (and, hopefully, here as well). Check the online brochure (.pdf) for details, including conference workshop and session leaders, agents and editors who intend to be available, featured speakers, and, of course, registration and advance submission details.

And while we don’t want to play favorites among our workshop and session leaders—it really is an impressive list—it would be equally unfair to leave out the latest developments:

• From powerhouse independent sci-fi, fantasy and horror publisher Night Shade Books, editor-in-chief Jeremy Lassen is aboard for San Diego 22. While not listed in the hardcopy brochure, Jeremy will be on one of the agents & editors panels and accepting advance submissions for follow up one-on-one consultation. Given the genres he specializes in, and with NSB set to launch a general imprint next year, he will likely prove popular.
• Also not listed in the brochure, following his packed workshops at our L.A. and Palm Springs events, back by popular demand is Shooting Shrink series author and semi-retired psychologist Michael Thompkins. This time around Michael will be conducting two new interactive sessions, “Creating Congruent Characters Part I & Part II,” as well as accepting advance submissions in fiction.

More news to come, but for now keep in mind two very important dates. December 31, 2007 is the last day to register and qualify for the early-bard discount. January 12, 2008 is the deadline for advance submissions. See the brochure for details.

–bd

Did you know …

… SCWC Executive Director Michael Steven Gregory can be found on the Internet Movie Database? Sure, his résumé isn’t as long as, say, Michael Bay’s, but the upshot is that our hero will never have to explain to his mother or yours his role in such disasters as Transformers, The Island, or The Lionel Richie Collection, for starters. Our Michael is much cooler than the other one.

–bd