P.N. "Pat" Elrod is the author of 20 novels and 20 short stories -- not bad, considering she published her first novel in 1990.  She lives somewhere on another planet, but maintains a convenient citizenship in the state of Texas for tax purposes, and exists quite comfortably with her roommate Satan ... er, Troy Rhodes ... and her dogs, Sasha and Megan, and a full-size Dr. Who TARDIS she once built when she had too much time on her hands. (We'll gloss over the K-9 in her living room.)  Her hair remains red nearly all the time, except when it's on fire because of a deadline.  Everything else is subject to rewrite.

http://www.vampwriter.com/indexpage/

Susan and Mike Farris of the Farris Literary Agency spoke at the January meeting on the Top 10 Reasons A Submission Is Rejected.  A query letter is the first impression you make on an agent or editor, so it needs to be complete and written well.  Below is a reproduction of their handout.  Copyrights were also addressed.  Even though your manuscript is copyrighted the moment you set pen to paper of finger to computer key, they suggest that you register it for the extra protection it provides.  Forms can be found at http://www.copyright.gov or link below in On-Line Writers Resources section - PA form for Screenplays and TX form for other written works.  They must be filed out completely and a $30 must accompany the form.  The copyright office phone number is 202-707-3000 and the forms hotline is 202-707-9100.

TOP 10 REASONS A SUBMISSION IS REJECTED

1. Incomplete Query
   1. Do your homework-target proper agents/editors.
   2. Should be no longer than one page, typed on nice stationery in 12 pt standard font (Courier or New Times Roman) and addressed to a specific person.
   3. Include the title of the work and if fiction, the genre and word count, if non-fiction, tell the type (biography, self help, how-to, etc.).
   4. Include a brief summary of the work.
   5. Tell a little about yourself and if non-fiction, why you are qualified to write it.
   6. Include a SASE if snail-mailed.
2. Improper Formatting
   1. Must be double-spaced.
   2. Name of author, or name of manuscript and name of author, and page number on every page except page one.
   3. Short paragraphs.
   4. Normal margins.
   5. First-time novelists should stay under 100,000.
   6. No Misspellings.
3. Grammatical Errors
   1. Proper use of commas.
   2. Subject/verb agreement.
   3. Proper use of "I" and "me."
   4. Proper use of "myself."
4. Problems With the Telling of the Story
   1. Generally, write in the active voice, not passive.
   2. Show, don't tell.
   3. Don't give everything away to the reader.  Even at the end leave them guessing or having to discover something on their own.  Rule of 99%.
   4. Problems with scenes.  Coming in too early, staying too late, point of view changes.
5. Problems with Dialogue
   1. Nothing wrong with using the word "said," instead of "exclaimed," "grunted," "snapped," etc.
   2. Each character must his or her own voice.
   3. Avoid braking up converstion by internalizing.
   4. Avoid saying exactly what the person means.  No one ever says exactly what they mean.
6. Problems with Characters
   1. Central character cannot be passive-must be compelling.
   2. Actions must make sense.
   3. There must be a central character.
   4. Characters don't have to be likable but they must be understandable.
   5. Central character cannot be stopped by something small.
7. Not Enough Conflict
8. Problems with Non-fiction
   1. Write for a larger audience
   2. Don't make too technical
   3. Don't assume the reader knows as much as you do about the subject.
   4. Don't just report.  Make it converstional.
9. Incomplete Mauscript
   1. Title page:  the title, your name, and contact information
   2. One- to three- page overview of the project:  Explain the thesis of the book and how you will prove the thesis.
   3. Biographical section:  Explain who you are and what your credientials are for writing the book.  Include past writing, past publishing experiences, honors, and awards.
   4. Marketing section:  What is the target audience and why will people buy this book?
   5. "Competition" section:  List other works that are comparable to yours, at least in tone or subject matter.  Take the next step and show how your book is different, better, or bigger than the competition.
   6. Include a chapter-by-chapter outline of the book.
   7. Attach sample chapters.
10. Not Enough of ....Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite

Farris Literary Agency, Inc.
Michael D. Farris ~ Susan Morgan Farris
P.O. Box 570069
Dallas, TX 75357
972-203-8804
www.farrisliterary.com ~ farris1@airmail.net

Dreamin' in Dallas 

The Dallas Area Romance Authors and the North Texas Romance Writers of America will host the annual Dreamin’ in Dallas conference for writers of romantic fiction, a one day event held at the Holiday Inn Select in Richardson on March 29. Registration for the conference begins in January. The fee is $85; $95 after Feb. 15; $105 on site.

Keynote is New York Times Bestselling Author Mary Jo Putney. Workshops will be given by several authors including Susan Grant, Kara Lennox, Julie Kenner, Catherine Spangler, Evelyn Vaughn, Kristi Gold, and Kathleen Givens. Agent Pattie Steele-Perkins, Agent Elaine English, Editor Jennifer Green of Harlequin, and Editor Lauren McKenna of Pocketbooks will be taking appointments.

The conference kicks off with the 5^th annual gala book signing and fundraiser on Friday, March 28, 2003 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, IH 75 and Campbell Rd, in Richardson, TX. The public is welcome to attend the book signing and admission is free.

For more information on the conference, visit www.dara.romance-central.com or contact Lorraine Heath at lorraine-heath@attbi.com.

Texas Conferences and Events
 

From the Texas Author’s Coalition, Inc website. URL in listing below.

On-Line Writers resources

Author's Network-for writers about writing based in Europe, but interesting-http://www.author-network.com/
Copyright Forms- http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/
Dallas Sceen Writers- http://www.dallasscreenwriters.com/
New Writer's Market http://hge.members.atlantic.net/
Preditors and Editors-a resources to check out agents and publishers http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators http://www.scbwi.org/
Texas Coalition of Authors, Inc. http://www.texasauthors.org/
The Novelist's Workshop-essays and advice on how to publish your book-http://www.monash.com/writers.html
Writer's Exchange http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/
Writer's Market http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp
Writers Net-source for information for writers, editors, agents, and publishers-http://www.writers.net
The Zuzu's Petals Literary Resource Homepage-for both writers and poets-http://www.zuzu.com/

There are multitudes of writing resources available on the Internet. Go to any search engine and ask for writer's resources, writer's markets, writer's contests, writer's conferences, etc

DWL OFFICERS:

President - Joni Latham (joni@verizon.net) - 940/243-5200
1st VP - June Powell - 940/565-1013
2nd VP - Oleta North - 940/458-3960
Treasurer – Joseph Marino
Secretary - Rae Nell Causseaux - 940/321-2739
Newsletter - George Avera (gavera@chatter.com) - 940/382-4130