Conference Is Right Around the Corner VOLUME VII, ISSUE 2 March, April 2008 By Kirsten Akens Saturday Lunch, April 26: David Liss David Liss is the author of four best-selling novels, CONTENTS ith the Pikes Peak Writers Conference less than most recently The Ethical Assassin. He is also the author of two months away, excitement is building. Have A Conspiracy of Paper, winner of the 2000 Edgar Award for From the Editor Best First Novel; The Coffee Trader and A Spectacle of page 2 Wyou registered yet? If not, visit pikespeak- writers.com today and get yourself signed up to experience Corruption. His fifth book, The Whiskey Rebels, will be The Writer’s Life page 2 one of the best writers’ conferences in the West. This published later this year. His novels have been translated Ruh’s Muse year’s keynote speakers span the genres, from fantasy to into more than two dozen languages. of the Month romance, graphic novel to mystery. In January 2008, David spoke at the United Nations page 3 Friday Dinner, April 25: Carol Berg global anti-corruption conference in Bali, Indonesia. CNN Your Best Writing Anchorman Jim Clancy led the panel on “Artists for Year Yet Carol Berg attended her first Pikes Peak Writers Integrity,” exploring the need to fight corruption as a page 4 Conference ten years ago. Her tenth book, Breath and Bone, shared responsibility among governments, businesses and Our Peak Pick was published in January 2008. And according to her Web individuals. David shared the stage with film director Terry page 6 site, Carol and her publisher have just agreed on a new George (Hotel Rwanda), actress Famke Janssen (X-Men), and Sweet Success three-book traditional fantasy series. page 7 musicians Eric Wainaina, and Cesar Lopez. She may have been a math major in college, but she As part of a broad and novel approach to raising Business of Writing took every English course that listed novels on the page 8 awareness of global corruption, members of the literature, syllabus—just so she would have time to keep reading. What Editors and film and journalism worlds were asked to attend so they Agents Want It was her college roommate who loaned her the copy of might meet representatives of various anti-corruption page 9 Tolkien that gave her a love for epic fantasy that changed organizations, hear their stories and explore how the arts Upcoming Events her life...eventually. Somewhere in the midst of raising can engage worldwide audiences in the fight against page 10 three sons, earning another degree—this time in computer corruption. The Bone Collector science—and a software engineer career, a friend teased David lives in San Antonio with his wife and children. page 11 her into exchanging letters written “in character.” The Nora Roberts game quickly got out of control. Saturday Dinner, April 26: Vicki Lewis Lifetime Carol’s 10 mythic fantasy novels have earned national Thompson Achievement Award page 11 and international acclaim, including the Geffen Award, the New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Prism Award, and the Colorado Book Award. One Things to Know Thompson has written more than 90 novels, is an eight- About Colorado reviewer has called the Books of the Rai-kirah: time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA Springs Transformation, Revelation and Restoration, “one of the first award and a two-time nominee for Publishers Weekly’s Quill page 12 great epic fantasies of the 21st century.” Award. Carol has now put the engineering career on hold to With the catch-phrase, “the brain is the sexiest part become a full-time writer. She lives in Colorado at the foot of the body,” Vicki’s first mainstream romance, Nerd in of the Rocky Mountains. continued on page 5 Writer's block is for people who have the luxury of time. “ —Jodi” Picoult I treasure all my “old” friends in Pikes are well known to fans of crime fiction. She from the editor Peak Writers and especially those involved is submitting her first novel to agents. And Make New with the NewsMagazine. I wouldn’t have this prolific author is also working on young Friends, But very much to keep me busy around here adult novels. Where does she find the time? Keep The without people like Martha, all the Check out The Writer’s Life to find out. Old reporters, and our columnists Linda, I’ve talked about it before here, but it’s Ah, those Janice, D.B., and Ruh. They are the gold. worth repeating. Pikes Peak Writers is a former Brownies But we have some silver to celebrate in volunteer-run organization. Without our and Girl Scouts this issue. Some new friends have stepped volunteers, we couldn’t put on the Write among you will up and taken on some pretty important Brains, workshops or the Pikes Peak recognize that tasks for PPW and for the NewsMagazine. Writers Conference. You can make a big title. It may be Let’s take this opportunity to meet them. difference by doing what you might think is the first song Sharon Williams is our new Volunteer a very small thing. Arrive a few minutes many of us learned after donning the Coordinator. She has experience in this early for a Write Brain session and help set uniform. tough position and will be a great addition up the tables and chairs. I think you’ll be Make new friends to the PPW family. Of course, her job will surprised by how grateful Beth Groundwater and Barb Nickless are to have your help. Or But keep the old only get easier with each new person who volunteers to lend a hand. You can sign up stay a little late and help clean up. Again, a One is silver for a one-time task or take over an ongoing few minutes of time, but a huge help to the And the other’s gold position. Next time you attend a PPW event, organizers. talk to Sharon. I bet she has something that Do you attend most of the Write Brains? would be a perfect fit for you and your Drop me a line, and I’ll put you in touch schedule. with Ron Andrea. If you’re going to be there Another brave new volunteer is Ron anyway, why not write an article for the Andrea, our new reporter coordinator. He is NewsMagazine? It helps us out and gives responsible for making sure you get to read you a publishing credit. No extra time for you, a big difference for us. Can you say, Bimonthly NewsMagazine of the Pikes Peak about all the great Write Brains, workshops writing community and other PPW events. When he’s not “Win/win?” I believe we’re covered through wrangling reporters, Ron writes in several May (thanks, Ron and reporters), but Ron 4164 Austin Bluffs Pkwy #246 different genres and does beautiful water- can tell you where we need coverage. Or Colorado Springs, CO 80918 colors. you might want to write an article about a (719)531-5723 D.B. deClerq is currently revising her non-PPW event. Yep, we’ll consider those, E-mail: [email protected] too. Web site: www.pikespeakwriters.com first mystery novel, working on the draft of her second and researching her third. With Think about it. And enjoy the NewsMag. PPW Officers my thanks and blessings, she is turning President Faculty Director The Writer’s Life column over to a mutual Chris Mandeville Karen Fox friend, Fleur Bradley. Fleur’s short stories Vice President Member at Large of Programming Charles Rush Beth Groundwater Member at Large The truth is Vice President Chris Myers The Writer’s Life: that it takes hard of Operations Editor work to be a Ron Heimbecher Debbie Meldrum writer. You know Secretary Workshops Director February—The F Bret Wright Barb Nickless this, too. If you Treasurer Is for Focus want to write, Pat Kennelly Graphic Design you have to Conference Director Martha Lancaster By Fleur Bradley sacrifice Kirsten Akens Reporter something. Time Contest Director Coordinator Dawn Smit Miller Ron Andrea he other day, I had another one of with your those conversations that irk the heck spouse, your Pikes Peak Writers operates as a nonprofit, tax out of me. I tell someone I’m a kids, the most recent episode of Lost. A exempt organization incorporated in November 2001 as T writer friend of mine wrote his first novel the Pikes Peak Writers. PPW NewsMagazine is a writer. The person smiles, touches my arm, bimonthly publication serving members of Pikes Peak says, I always wanted to write a book too. But I just during his lunch breaks. You want it bad Writers group. The opinions expressed in PPW don’t have the time. As if I have all the time in enough, you make the time. Right? NewsMagazine don’t necessarily reflect those of the the world. But then I thought about this. What have I editorial staff/board of directors. Articles in PPW done for my writing lately? NewsMagazine may not be reproduced without the I smile back. We have a little conversation written consent of PPW. about how wonderful writing is, and I walk In January, I started with this great list of ©2008 Pikes Peak Writers. away annoyed. I want to say, So why don’t you goals. But the kids got sick—I have two little write? Go see how easy it is to write a novel. continued on page 6 2 Pikes Peak Writer Muse of the Month

cool stuff planned for you two-legged sorts. creative, and dang smart. You all better look As for me, it’s both relaxing and renewing just out or I might knock you down as I bound to lounge at Jené’s feet, so bring your tape merrily toward Kirsten and the Marriott for roller to the R&R room (and some doggie my yearly dose of writers, agents, editors, Ruh’sRuh’s treats, too, please) as you’ll likely find me (or pitches, speeches and workshops. at least some evidence of me) there. Have I mentioned that Kirsten uses her Jené’s personal time is just as full of fun powers for good, not evil? Yes indeed, she people, creativity and positive energy as her does. She focuses her acumen (good word, PPW time—she’s got a houseful of smart, even though it doesn’t begin with an “e”) funny, energetic family members, has multiple onto the page with whole bunches of brilliant fiction projects brewing in multiple genres, and words and ideas devoted to causes both is working on an incredible nonfiction venture global and local. The newspaper page, that is. (“the oat project”—ask her about it!) that fills She’s a writer for The Colorado Springs every available moment (and then some). If Independent Newspaper (“the Indy”) with a Jené’s writing portrays even a fraction of the number of cool stories to her credit. I’m exuberance, joy and brilliance contained in that particularly fond of her cover story on tiny human body of hers, she’ll soon be recog- Colorado Springs’ School in the Woods, a nized as the force of nature and creative fourth-grade-only public school that teaches genius that I know her to be. kids to be environmentally conscious As told to Chris Mandeville It may seem a bit of a contradiction that a “naturalists.” After all, there’s only so much a person so bubbly, bouncy and free is so down dog can do on his own without fingers and a to earth, but I don’t question nature’s voice, so I really appreciate the help from Ruh (pronounced “Roo”) is a service dog and miracles. Like squirrels who visit in the winter Kirsten and fellow nature lovers (of any age) PPW/C mascot. He likes stories of all kinds, and steaks left unattended on the table, I protecting planet Earth’s big backyard. especially those involving squirrels. His favorite things welcome and enjoy the gift that is Jené. So I hope you’ll attend PPWC 2008 and are writers, children, his cat Loki, and Wisconsin experience for yourself the myriad cheddar. (dictionary.com) of reasons why PPW is so MARCH proud and fortunate to have Kirsten as the I adore my muse for March, Kirsten PPWC Director this year. When you see the FEBRUARY Akens. We’re kindred spirits, she and I. We fantastic lineup of speakers, the pitch room Enthusiastic, animated, earnest, ebullient, both love cats. And cheese. And cuddling up full of acquiring editors and agents, the delec- zealous, spirited, passionate, gung ho, lively, with a good book (though she actually reads table food-stuffs, and the slew (boy that energetic, eager...I could go on, but I imagine them). But come to think of it, she doesn’t Internet comes in handy) of educational, you get the idea—I’m describing my muse for chase squirrels, bark or shed...at least that I entertaining, and inspiring workshops, you’ll February, Jené Jackson Hanna. Yup, she’s a know of. Well, I adore her anyway. In fact, think you’re a lucky dog, too. Lucky, lucky, real fireball (and yes, I did just discover when I see her I completely forget I’m a lucky. www.thesaurus.com). Jené is one of the most service dog and I run to greet her, wagging Thanks, Kirsten, for the flock of inspi- inspiring humans I’ve ever met. Her creativity, like mad. ration. I think I’m in love with you (and with enthusiasm and joie de vivre are contagious. When Kirsten smiles and scratches me thesaurus.com). As the Member Liaison for PPW, she spreads behind the ears, I feel about as lucky as a pig her contagious vivaciousness to members, in mud, an eater of a steak left unattended on prospective members and arts-related organi- a table, or members of the PPW Board of zations kind of like a friendly virus. That Directors when Kirsten is at the helm of the analogy doesn’t seem as good on paper as it Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Yes, Kirsten is did in my head, but you get the idea. the Conference Director for 2008, and as a Jené is the creator and host of our result we’re all in for a scrumptious treat. Member Night at Poor Richard’s Bookstore at Well, maybe not scrumptious. How about the end of each month. She also serves as enriching, edifying, educational and enlight- our liaison at meetings of other nonprofits, ening? (thesaurus.com again. I do love those such as KCIC—Imagination Celebration, “e” words.) Any-who, we’re going to have a PPAC—Pikes Peak Arts Council, and the pawsitively wonderful time at PPWC 2008 BAC—Business of Arts Center. This year due to the inspired guidance of Director Jené is in charge of the “Relax & Renew” Kirsten Akens and her fabulously gifted crew room at our conference. I know she’ll have of volunteers. That’s because Kirsten is a great leader, a forward thinker, logical and Pikes Peak Writer 3 January Write Brain: Your Best Writing Year Yet

on these possibilities and customize them to Support fit your needs. Set your goals high, and you It will likely be easier for you to see the may be pleasantly surprised at the end of the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” if year how much closer you are to achieving you break your goals down into segments. It your writing dream. will also help motivate you to start early if Focus you have deadlines that are shorter than a year away. After creating a list of general goals for yourself, find a motivational word or phrase For instance, if you intend to finish a 400- that succinctly describes your creative page novel this year, you can set a 100-page- energies. Let this be your mantra for the rest per-quarter goal to help ensure you make it of the year. A few examples from participants the end of the book by December. If you include: “Out the door,” “Finish everything I want to both start a blog and send out query start,” and “Don’t over-commit.” When you letters, you can decide that during the first find yourself distracted or frustrated, use your quarter you will sign up on a blogging site and that during the second quarter you will photo by Jared Hagan mantra to reignite your desire to write and refocus your energies on your creative buy a book that lists agents in your genre. By the third quarter you can aspire to be writing Featuring Cynthia Morris projects. Results By Erin Shaw There is no better way to recognize your nly a few words into a conversation own success than to with Cynthia Morris and you know know when you’ve Oyou’re speaking with a writer in achieved pre-defined possession of the zeal and the skills for the results. Make yourself a craft that all authors crave. That’s what makes list of tangible accom- Cynthia not only a great writer, but also a plishments you can great writing coach. Through her Web site, check off as you reach www.originalimpulse.com, and through such them. Examples might books as Create Your Writer’s Life: A Guide to include setting a goal of Writing with Joy and Ease, she has helped a certain number of writers of all achievement find inspiration to pages written in a novel, create, to hone their skills, and to promote entering and placing in photo by Jared Hagan their finished works. a certain writing contest And for the January Write Brain, Cynthia or finishing a certain number of revisions on a daily online journal and to have sent out 20 helped a packed room full of Pikes Peak your current novel. It might even include, as letters to potential agents. Writers flesh out plans to make 2008 their one participant proposed, a certain number of Saboteurs best writing year yet. With the aid of a series rejection letters received in your mailbox— of questions outlined below, she guided just to know you’re keeping your promise to By recognizing which demons are stifling participants through a process to map out yourself to tell the world that you have your writing aspirations, you begin the exactly how to achieve that feat. something you want to share. process of defeating them. These can be drainers—the things the voice in your head is Goals Tools saying you “should” be doing instead of The first step to making this year your In order to succeed in building your writing. These can be the demands of jobs most successful writing year is knowing what writing career, you need to pack a toolbox. and sometimes family members who don’t will make it your best year. Start by delin- After you have made your list of desired feel writing is as important as their assigned eating your primary goals: finishing your results, make an accompanying list of projects. It can be a major life distraction, novel, writing and submitting short stories, required tools to get you there. If your goal is such as a legal battle or sick family, which finding an agent to represent you, and to network, consider starting a blog. If you demands precious time and energy that might publishing the works you have already feel you need to improve skills or gain more otherwise be spent on writing. List these completed are some simple suggestions. Build constructive feedback, consider attending a writing workshop or joining a critique group. 4 Pikes Peak Writer continued on page 5 Conference Is Right Around the Corner continued from page 1 captions on his Dad’s manual typewriter and 1984, she created the award-winning Power Shining Armor, became Kelly Ripa’s pick for fitting them into the appropriate spaces was Pack. Her bestselling comics for Marvel her book club in 2003 and launched Vicki’s too difficult. He started reading comics include the X-Men titles The New Mutants and popular nerd series. seriously while he was in college. Then he X-Factor for whom she co-created the fan- began reading fewer comics and went back to favorite characters Apocalypse and Cable, Instead of resting on her laurels, Vicki trying to draw them. Eventually, he started Web of Spider-man, Warlock, and Galactus the sought a new challenge and chose paranormal working in the comics field professionally as Devourer. For DC Comics, she wrote romantic comedy. Set in the fictional town of both an artist and writer. Superman: Man of Steel and co-created the Big Knob, Indiana, the Hex series features a character Steel as part of the bestselling large granite spire, a matchmaking witch and Walter has worked on a lot of comics “Death of Superman” storyline. Her Orion: wizard and a dragon who’s ADD. Over Hexed including the New York Times bestselling Alien First Encounter for Harcourt Achieve was part was published in October 2007 and Wild & graphic novel Manhunter, The Metal Men, of their award-winning Hi/Lo series of Hexy is due out in June 2008. Superman, Batman, Thor, X-Factor, Fantastic Four, RoboCop vs. the Terminator, Star Slammers, the educational graphic novels. She has published Her qualifications for writing these books Rampaging Hulk, the X-Men vs. the Teen Titans 13 comics-related novels and kids’ books include a New England ancestor accused of crossover, Orion, Wonder Woman, and Hawkgirl. featuring DC Comics characters, including witchcraft, a love of potions—especially those books featuring on Superman, the Justice League, concocted in a martini shaker—and a great His latest complete work is Elric: The and Wonder Woman. She is writing an adult fondness for black cats. Making of a Sorcerer, a graphic novel written by Michael Moorcock for DC Comics. Walter prequel to the new Batman movie. She wrote Vicki’s favorite word is “serendipity,” she recently drew Superman 666, a story written by three middle-reader novels in the Extreme loves Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream and she Kurt Busiek that sent Superman to Hell. Monsters series for Penny Candy Press and the lives in Tucson, Arizona. He’s currently working on a 96-page Tween novel Children of Olympus for Sunday Lunch, April 27: graphic novel provisionally entitled The Judas Actionopolis (Spring 2008). Her first adult Walter and Louise Simonson Coin for DC. nonfiction book CoverGirls (Rizzoli Walter Simonson was born in Knoxville, Louise Simonson began her publishing Publishing) was released in Spring 2007. Tennessee. He tried drawing his first comic career editing horror anthology comics for Walter and Louise live in New York City. when he was about seven, using manila paper Warren Publishing then moved to Marvel and colored pencils. He tackled the weighty Comics where she edited the best-selling Visit our Web site for ongoing updates subject “The Origin of Life.” He got through Uncanny X-Men, The New Mutants, Conan, Star and scheduling information. Conference a page and a half before deciding that typing Wars, and Star Trek among other titles. In 2008 is sure to be the best one yet. January Write Brain: Your Best Writing Year Yet continued from page 4 Celebrate turn into the inspiration for your next novel! Now that you’ve made your lists and you saboteurs and recognize them when they By December, you should see yourself know exactly where your writing career will come around. moving closer to your year-long goals. Worry less about the unfinished ones and relish the be by December, it’s time to get to work. Put Strategies ones you have reached. Treat your “Muse” down the newsletter, hang your lists on the In order to ensure that you can keep with gifts, travel to inspirational places or walls of your writing space, and start writing despite distractions and detractors, consider throwing a party for everyone checking off each goal you’ve accomplished you will need to delineate strategies to involved in your success. Buy yourself the toward making this the best writing year yet. overcome them. Establish ground rules: Through her company Original Impulse, Commit to your job the time it requires but Cynthia Morris helps writers, business set aside adequate time for yourself and your “The first step to making owners, and visionaries make their big dreams writing. Make sure your family knows that if a powerful reality. A speaker, certified coach, the office doors are closed, entry is allowed this year your most and published author, Cynthia leads writing only in the case of emergency. successful writing year is and creativity workshops in the U.S. and If you are having trouble motivating knowing what will make it France. Cynthia is the author of Create Your yourself to write, set an alarm and when it Writer’s Life: A Guide to Writing with Joy and sounds, stop what you’re doing and write for your best year.” Ease and has penned hundreds of articles on your allotted time. If you find yourself unable writing and the creative process. She has to keep personal deadlines, make yourself published several e-guides on writing and accountable to someone else. Consider joining fancy pen and journal you’ve been admiring creative travel and has completed a historical a writing group or finding a writing buddy with or sign up for a subscription to a new writing novel set in Paris. Join her creative tribe at her whom you share your works. magazine. Splurge on that writing retreat to Web site www.originalimpulse.com. Hawaii. Who knows—your celebration may Pikes Peak Writer 5 ikes Peak Writers is thrilled to present Our Peak Pick - the updated Pface of the recommended craft book program. In each issue of the newsmagazine, a PPW staff member will recommend a highly beneficial book on the business or craft of writing. PPW will then sell it to members at a discounted price. Our Peak Pick for March and April is bird by bird by Anne Lamott. It lists for $13.95, but the PPW member price is only $9.50 plus tax. The member discount applies during the months of March and April. Read the recom- mendation, and come to the Write Brain sessions on March 18th and April 15th to pick up your discounted copies. Enjoy! bird by bird As the pages flew beneath my eager eyes, I heard her tell me that publication, that By Anne Lamott Anne Lamott’s experiences led me through gleaming carrot before the eyes of every the mechanics of writing, coached me on the aspiring writer, is not the end all and be all of Recommended by Bonnie M. Hagan writing frame of mind and helped me writing. I heard her talk about the frame of discover the worlds of help that exist for mind necessary in order to put one word in every writer. front of another in any kind of meaningful n unimpressive cover sporting an odd way. I heard her—in no way preaching—talk title wraps itself around one of the I had the uncanny notion that this woman about morals and beliefs and how these most motivating books about the had crept unawares into my office, observed A my uneven writing habits, and was now, with should shape every word a writer puts on craft of writing I’ve ever had the privilege to paper. read. Anne good humor, gently shoving me into the Lamott, writing practices I knew I should cultivate. And I heard her tell me about Broccoli. a California Without lecturing even once, Anne Lamott You’re going to have to find out about that native, a encouraged me to open myself up to one yourself. novelist, a attitudes and behaviors that could transform a The most amazing thing about bird by bird book review stutter-stepper like me into a real writer. is that I heard her. Having never met her in columnist, a I heard her talk about school lunches and my life, I have heard Anne Lamott as if we restaurant how the simple things from our past could sat side by side in a coffee shop while she critic, a mother, tap into universal themes I never knew told me her insights into writing and life. I and a existed. Her difficult childhood, one filled listened to her the way I would listen to a Guggenheim with joy and loss was entirely her own story, traveler returning from the trip I myself had recipient, but somehow she found my childhood, too. bought a ticket for—the frightening, brings her I heard her tell about the frustration of maddening, and immensely rewarding safari power and her writing, rewriting, and rewriting yet again only of being a writer. passion to bear to be told that her work must be rewritten I recommend having a conversation with in bird by bird. She fills the text with vignettes once more. With steel in her voice she talked Anne Lamott. Listen for a spell as she offers that inspire, and prose that makes my fingers about terrible first drafts and how crucial it insight into the writing life chapter-by- itch for the keyboard. was to just get it all written down. chapter, step-by-step, and bird by bird.

The Writer’s Life: February—The F Is for Focus continued from page 2 I’m knee-high in life, reporter, and the wife that I am—and I love to and I can barely be all those things. But my writing goals are girls who pick up every bug at school. Twice. I remember what my important to me, to the fiction writer I am. started a new reporter job, which meant real goals were. So February will be the month I focus on deadlines with a paycheck involved. The After that irksome my goals again. Before you know it, it’ll be house still needed the occasional cleaning conversation with that spring, and I really won’t remember what my (although I happily sacrifice housekeeping for person, I said to goals were. As soon as I finish writing this writing time). And then there was a blizzard myself, So why don’t you article, I will start those revisions that I’ve or two, which meant snow days for the kids. write, Fleur? been itching to get on the page. I talked to a good writer friend the other There will always Because the goals I made at the beginning day about what we were writing, and realized be reasons not to of the year were like a promise to the fiction I hadn’t written a word of fiction since write. Laundry to do, writer in me. And she deserves for me to December. Suddenly those 31 days of January work to do, kids that keep them. don’t seem very long at all. February is here, need my time. Jobs 6 Pikes Peak Writer for the mom, the Other Disasters of Stephanie Plum, Trenton Bounty Hunter by Janet Evanovich, one of her Sweet Success favorite authors! Coming out in August: The fantasy anthology Enchangment Place includes Pam’s Compiled by Janice Black out. Go to Amazon and review as many short story “Make-a-Mortal,” Deb Stover’s shorts as you want. short story “Witch Stitchery,” and Laura hat an encouraging quarter! To view all the semi-finalist entries Hayden’s is “Steel Crazy.” Recently, an e-mail came to me (grouped by category) go to Amazon.com Also, Pam’s short story, “Chemistry 101” Wfrom Supriya Bhatnagar, the and scroll down to ‘Features and Services’ on will be published in the upcoming Witch High, Editor and Director of Publications at The the left. Under ‘Amazon Exclusives’ select a fantasy anthology. If werebears, pre- Writer’s Chronicle. Her exact words were, “Just ‘Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award’.” adolescent ogres, unicorns and dragons and a quick note to let you know that we are Back to Beth Groundwater:On chemistry lab partners at Sadie Hawkins putting your letter in Letters to the Editor in December 29th, she signed a contract with dances are your cuppa tea, you’ll have a blast, the Feb. 08 issue. I have not cut anything Tekno Books for the sequel to A Real Basket er, good time with any of Pam’s stories. from it.” The journal, which comes out of Case titled To Hell in a Handbasket. In this And Pam has been asked to write an George Mason University, is available at latest, which takes place in Breckenridge, article on writing synopses for the Guide to bookstores and posted at www.awpwriter.org. Colorado, a gift basket designer and her Literary Agents. Several members of PPW and one of our family’s ski vacation goes to hell in a Carol Hightshoe: It Seems a Time To has PPWC 2008 Faculty members have been handbasket when the sister of her daughter’s been recommended for A Triptee Jury award. named semi-finalists in the Amazon boyfriend is killed on the ski slope. This anthology was named as a Finalist for Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) *Note: Rockrimmon Fiction Book Club is an EPPIE. contest. They include: discussing A Real Basket Case at the Deb Stover: The Independent published a Kirk Farber for Postcards From a Dead Girl Rockrimmon Branch of the Pikes Peak lovely interview done in 2007. The link to the in General Literature. Go to Library. And, it has been nominated in the online version is www.csindy.com/gyrobase/ www.amazon.com/dp/B00122GTR8 to look mystery novel category of the Preditors and Content?oid=oid%3A22182. at an excerpt. Editors poll. If you’ve read the book you will Mike Befeler’s second novel in the Paul Beth Groundwater for Virtual Death, want to vote for it on www.critters.org/ Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, Living With which is different from her cozy mysteries, predpoll/novelmys.shtmlf. Your Kids is Murder, is under contract with being a futuristic romantic suspense with Beth’s message about networking with Tekno Books/Five Star for publication in some fairly racy bits. Go to other writers is featured the week of March April, 2009. A sequel to Retirement Homes Are www.amazon.com/dp/B0011ZCAME. 9-15 on The Bylines 2008 Writer’s Desk Murder, this new novel takes place in Colorado Kenny Golde for Pursuit of Happiness in Calendar, a weekly inspirational planner. where octogenarian Paul Jacobson comes to Historical. To read his, go to Also, interviews with Beth Groundwater live with his son, daughter-in-law and grand- www.amazon.com/dp/B00126594I. and with her editor, Denise Dietz, appear in daughter. Paul, who suffers short-term Ian Healy for his novel, Deep Six,in the January/February issue of Mysterical-E memory loss, witnesses a string of crimes and Science Fiction and Fantasy category. ezine (www.mystericale.com). must figure out a retirement home property You can take a peak at And, Beth’s light and humorous short scam and escape a vicious killer. Mike’s Web www.amazon.com/dp/B00122GTTG. story, “The Extra Gift,” is included in the address is www.mikebefeler.com. Bill Mason for Primordium in Science January/February 2008 “Celebrating Crime” Fiction and Fantasy. The first 5,000 words issue of Crime & Suspense Magazine. Karen Laugel is a PPW member in and a review are posted at This girl never stops. To keep up with her, New England who has made it to the top www.amazon.com/dp/B0011ZCADI. visit her Web site at ten in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Chris Myers for Offshoring in www.bethgroundwater.com. contest. Her novel is Ring of Lies and an Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. For a sneak Another busy writer among us, Pamela excerpt can be downloaded and read for preview, go to Cosel, won honorable mention for a free by going to www.amazon.com/abna www.amazon.com/dp/B0012658F8. personal essay, called “Family Secret,” in the and clicking on her entry. If you like her Bret Wright for Nasty, also Women on Writing (WOW) Fall 2007 story, consider taking a moment to write a Mystery/Suspense/Thriller and at quarterly writing contest. Congratulations, review of it on Amazon. The grand prize www.amazon.com/dp/B0011G9XPU Pamela! (I entered that one too.) “Family winner of this contest will be selected by A few words about ABNA from our Secret” is posted at wow— popular vote, so jump in there and cast esteemed President Chris Mandeville: “The womenonwriting.com. Visit her Web site: your vote by posting a review. semi-final round features excerpts from www.carouselcommunications.com and take a contestants’ entries as free Amazon Shorts. look at her blog: —Thanks to all who proclaimed their success Amazon customers are asked to read these www.offthebookshelf.blogspot.com. stories and thanks to those who brought others to the and post reviews. From the 800 plus semi- Pam McCutcheon was asked to write an light. If I missed something, please resend it so I can finalist entries, only 100 will go on to the essay, “Stephanie Plum’s Trenton: A Great put it in a later issue. Keep writing! And keep next round. Don’t let your favorites get left Place for the Family?” in Perfectly Plum: An submitting! Unauthorized Celebration of the Life, Loves and Pikes Peak Writer 7 The Business of Writing A Few Key Contract Negotiating Tips by Linda Rohrbough Options Clause than a deal The publisher often wants to buy your where you get hen I do workshops I often hear next book(s) for the same financial a higher from new writers a fear that agreement. This reportedly happened to royalty right borders on paranoia about Agatha Christie when she signed her first out of the W box. contracts. But contracts aren’t as hard as you contract. When her first book took off, she might think and, with a little information, tried to get a better deal for the next two. But I remember getting a contract and seeing a even new writers can look savvy in this the contract had her locked in. So she did 12-percent royalty. I got all excited until I read business. Let me say up front, I’m not a what any self-respecting author does; write more carefully and found out that was for lawyer. These are tips I use myself, and you the next two, then renegotiate book four. hardback, and I knew there were no plans for use them at your own risk. Though, of all the problems in the author a hardback version. Careful reading is the My first tip is to read the contract. You’d universe, this is one of the better ones. bonus here. Many writers ask, “Won’t my agent take be surprised how many authors don’t. They Buying Rights just sign it, then complain loudly to anyone care of all this?” Not always. Some agents are who’ll listen when something they didn’t The publisher is buying the right to only a step or two ahead of you in the game. expect happens, like the publisher changes the publish your book in certain formats. They’ll Others have too many authors and they title after acceptance of the manuscript. want all the rights, meaning paperback, simply can’t keep up. And these days a lot of hardback, electronic rights, audio book rights, The next tip is, once you’ve read the authors are unagented. If you are agented and movie or film rights, foreign language rights, contract, Google terms you don’t understand. decide to turn a blind eye to the contract, and so on. You’ll want to keep as many of Then ask about these terms in a non-adver- you’re taking a chance. Why do that if you these rights as you can. This is always a sarial way with your agent or editor. don’t have to? balancing act. You may not get to keep many Sometimes the editor will make a concession rights at first, but with each new contract, you to you on that part of the contract, just can expect to keep more. because you asked. Six Tips for Contract My guiding principles in contract negoti- Negotiation ation are 1) to maximize potential profits and “... contracts aren’t as 2) to attempt to avoid language that limits my 1. Read the contract. future. Here are some terms to look for. hard as you might think 2. Google terms you don’t understand. Joint Accounting and, with a little 3. Look for the term “Joint Accounting” You don’t want this and most publishers information, even new and ask for it be removed. will remove it without hesitation. This term 4. Try to keep as many rights to the means if you do two books (or more) for the writers can look savvy book as you can without alienating the same publisher, the profits are grouped in this business.” editor. together, or counted jointly. The consequence 5. Watch out for options, like first right to you is the profits on one can be used to of refusal, and try to get that removed or make up for losses on another. You want your Royalties limited. books accounted for separately, so if one 6. Suggest a sliding (upward) scale for This is the biggie. You may not be able to “earns out” or makes back the advance, then royalties. get the royalty rate you dream of, however, anything above that comes to you in royalty publishers are often willing to create a royalty checks. scale that slides upward as your book sells Linda Rohrbough has been writing professionally First Rights of Refusal more copies. The idea here is the publisher since 1989, has more than 5,000 articles, seven will have recouped their costs in putting the This means the publisher decides first books and awards for her fiction and nonfiction. Her book out, so their profits go up and therefore whether or not to publish your next book. latest publisher was bought by a bigger house, so her yours should, too. As an example, on a first You may or may not get this removed, but new book is being retitled and bumped to a March fiction book, they might offer you three you can certainly ask. You can also ask to 2008 publication date. The new title is Weight percent. You might be able to counter with shorten the period the publisher gives Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric sliding up to four percent at 10 thousand themselves to consider your next book idea. Band: Everything You Need to Know Before copies and go to five or six percent at 25 On my last contract, my agent got a 90-day and After Surgery to Lose Weight thousand. Thirty thousand copies is refusal period shortened to 30. Successfully from Da Capo Lifelong. Visit her considered a best-seller, so sometimes the Web site for more details: www.LindaRohrbough.com. publisher will want to set the upper break point there. This is much easier to negotiate 8 Pikes Peak Writer What Editors and Agents Want Editors: Interested in: Material wanted at pitch session: Cecile Goyette Middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books (of the One to two page synopsis and book Alfred A. Knopf hardcover trade ilk), young graphic novels. proposal. Books for Young Readers

Rakesh Satyal Fiction and nonfiction, with a tendency toward genre-bending, Author’s discretion. HarperCollins cultural or international fiction and pop cultural/trendy nonfiction.

Liz Scheier Science fiction and fantasy, particularly urban and contemporary First five pages of manuscript for pitch Random House fantasy, paranormal romance, GLBT fiction, some other sessions. commercial fiction and nonfiction.

Peter Senftleben Mysteries, thrillers (especially serial killer—no terrorism plots), Hard copy of the synopsis for the pitch Kensington Books urban fantasy, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, paranormal sessions. fiction and romance, horror, gay and lesbian, pop culture, humor, and entertainment.

Abby Zidle Commercial fiction including romance, women’s fiction, suspense/ Pitch material isn’t necessary. Pocket Books thrillers, historical fiction, and popular or “service” fiction. Toni Plummer Mystery, thriller, women’s fiction, chick-lit, and mulitcultural. Author’s discretion. St. Martins Press Thomas Dunne Books

Agents: Interested in: Material wanted at pitch session:

Pamela Harty Women’s fiction and all romance genres. No hard copies necessary for the pitch The Knight Agency session.

Rachelle Gardner Fiction or nonfiction with a clear Christian worldview. Includes all Author’s discretion. WordServe Literary categories of nonfiction such as marriage, partnering, finances, Group health, etc.

Kate McKean Fiction: literary and commercial, including women’s fiction, Author’s discretion. Howard Morhaim contemporary romance, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, Literary Agency mystery, and thriller. Young adult and middle grade fiction. Nonfiction: craft, how-to, sports, narrative, lifestyle, health/wellness, humor, and pop culture.

Victoria Skurnick Fiction: literary, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and politics. Author can bring whatever material they The Levine prefer. Greenberg Literary Agency Cherry Weiner Open to all genres, handles most. Pitch material isn’t necessary. Cherry Weiner Literary Agency

Laurie McLean Adult genre fiction and middle grade/young adult children’s fiction Pitch material isn’t necessary. Larsen Pomada and nonfiction books. Literary Agents

Pikes Peak Writer 9 Upcoming PPW Events March, April

March Write Brain with experienced writers. Science Fiction, The Parasitorium: Terrors Within, All Write Brains are FREE for PPW Executive Warfare, and Amber’s Glow. “Fish or Fowl? Where does my Members! Nonmembers may attend one book fit in?” Write Brain session for free, subsequent featuring Charles Kaine, Proprietor of sessions are $10. For more information Pikes Peak Writers Conference Last Knight Publishing and the Reader’s and a map, go to pikespeakwriters.com. April 25-27, 2008 Cove Bookstore in Fort Collins, CO and The meetings are held at Cottonwood Colorado Springs Marriott Beth Anne Steckiel, Owner of the Beth Artists’ School, 25 Cimino Drive, Colorado featuring keynote speakers: Anne’s Book Corner bookstore in Springs, Colorado. Friday evening: Colorado Springs, CO If you would like to participate in any Carol Berg Write Brain session, PLEASE RSVP AND Saturday lunch: Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 6:30-8:30 p.m. INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT INFOR- MATION. This does not commit you to David Liss Location: Cottonwood Artists School, Saturday banquet: This program will help attending, but enables us to prepare enough materials for expected attendees, and impor- Vicki Lewis writers understand the Thompson commercial fiction genre tantly, it gives us a way to contact you if we classifications and how to have an emergency change to the Write Brain session, such as a postponement due to label their own weather. We will make every attempt to post manuscripts when changes to the PPW Yahoo loop and the Web pitching them. Two site, but to be ensured of notification you bookstore owners, one must RSVP to [email protected]. who also has publishing experience, will offer in-depth knowledge on the fiction genre classifications, note “industry standards” PPW Members Night used by vendors, discuss how they deal with Monday, March 24 and April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday lunch: cross-genre books, and provide examples (The fourth Monday of each month.) Walter and of books in each genre and successful Poor Richards Bookstore Louise cross-genre books. 320 N. Tejon, Colorado Springs, Colorado Simonson After their presentation, we’ll play a “name Come and hang out with other writers and that genre” game. The panelists will listen to a bring friends interested in PPW. We eat, we You still have time to register! few one-paragraph (250 words max) drink, and we talk about the writing life. manuscript pitches from audience members, ask questions if they need to, and advise them PPW Fundraiser Booksigning on how to classify the genre of their Open Critique May 31, 2008 manuscript to an agent or editor. Wednesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. Our third PPW fundraiser booksigning, Location: Cottonwood Artists’ School will be held on Saturday, May 31st. We’ll be returning to the Barnes & Noble Booksellers April Write Brain Session (Open critique is held the fourth Wednesday of each month.) location across from Chapel Hills Mall. The April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. featuring Richard Bamberg as guest signing component will be held 2-4 p.m., Pitch Practice and Conference Tips critiquer for March though PPW coupons will be good for purchases made all day. The participating featuring Pam McCutcheon Richard grew up in a small town in the PPW authors and titles are: This Write Brain session will answer heart of Alabama and has been writing, off Lise Fuller questions about the 2008 PPWC with tips on and on, since the fourth grade. Over the years , On Danger’s Edge and Cutting making the most out of the conference. between careers in the USAF and with Loose. Award-winning author Pam McCutcheon will Boeing’s part of the missile defense program, Ian Healy, The Milkman. explain how to pitch your manuscripts and he’s had four novels and a few short stories Lynda Hilburn, The Vampire Shrink. take you through log line exercises to distill published. His writing leans toward thrillers Barbara Nickless, short stories in two DAW your manuscript concepts to one perfect with a touch of science fiction and horror. anthologies: Fate Fantastic and Something Magic sentence. Attendees will have the opportunity His novels include Emerald Eyes, The Nazi This Way Comes. to practice pitching in front of a small group Legacy, Strega, and The Phoenix Egg. His short Sharon Silva, Spirit Dancer. stories include pieces in Bending the Landscape: 10 Pikes Peak Writer The Bone Collector Read The Book, See The Movie in the business of writing a total of eight books to date in this series. suspense. As an author, Deaver does all his own research, about Deaver separated himself eight months worth before writing his books. completely from the He writes between eight and ten hours a day. making of the movie. It’s Chris Mandeville’s opinion that Deaver This is evident from writes without agenda or social commentary the differences between on the life of a maimed character. All the the book and the movie. electronic gadgets in the world cannot enable Those of us from PPW, Rhyme to walk on water, rather he must use readers as well as writers, people to perform his legwork. had high expectations of seeing a movie that They say the art of deductive reasoning more closely followed the book than this one brings no new facts to light. Deductive did. reasoning merely rearranges the known data Deaver’s premise of a brilliant quadriplegic to present a foregone conclusion in a cop and a patrol officer cum crime scene different light. Rhyme is a character who can investigator features a slowly building only manipulate arrangements of fact in relationship between Lincoln Rhyme and order to spotlight a killer. And readers love Amelia, excellently played by Denzel Rhyme for what he is. Washington and Angelina Jolie. The inter- Author Jeffery Deaver was the keynote action between healthy, yet vulnerable female speaker at a special, afternoon Pikes Peak and mentally superior but crippled male is Writers Workshop and an evening banquet interrupted by an occasional heart-stopping Saturday, March 1, at the Colorado Springs fright when the killer strikes and you think, Marriott Hotel. “Oh, no. Not that!” The Business of Arts Center, located at The director, Phillip Noyce, played a few Venue 515 on Manitou Springs Avenue, is a By Laura Pellerin tricks on many in the audience who had read nonprofit, educational center for artists. the book by changing the physiology of the Workshops are given about the business side ikes Peak Writers sponsored a “read main character and also by changing the of art, similar to PPW’s Write Brain the book, see the movie” night hosted murderous motivation of a completely workshops for writers to learn about the by The Business of Arts Center in different serial killer. business of writing. Visitors are invited and P Jeffery Deaver believes his readers want encouraged to tour the studios. Their gallery Manitou Springs. The movie was The Bone Collector, a 1999 movie based on the book of suspense, not gore. The Bone Collector was has new exhibits every four to six weeks. the same title by the New York Times best- written as a stand-alone novel, like many of A free movie night is held at the Business selling author Jeffrey Deaver. his books. The story is about a quadriplegic of Arts Center every month. Craig leads the The audience consisted of both those who cop, armed only with computers and friends audience in social discussion at the end of the had and had not read the book. They stayed on the force, who forever changes the career thought-provoking film. after the movie for a short question and direction of a young, female patrol officer. For more information on the Business of answer session led by PPW’s president This gives him reason to stay alive. But Arts Center, please telephone: (719)685-1861 Christine Mandeville. readers loved the symbiotic characters, and or visit their Web site: www.thebac.org. demanded more. Being in the business of According to Chris, Deaver says that he is writing what readers want, Deaver has written

Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award Honors Vicki Lewis Thompson

Vicki Lewis Thompson, a keynote for novels. She was first published in 1984 with Read more about this 2008 RWA Nora PPWC, was honored with a 2008 RWA Nora Harlequin Temptation, and her first Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award winner Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. mainstream romance, Nerd in Shining Armor, at her Web site www.vickilewisthompson.com Thompson is an eight-time finalist for the became Kelly Ripa’s pick for her book club in and at www.rwanational.org under “contests RITA Award and author of more than 80 2003. and awards.” Pikes Peak Writer 11 PIKES PEAK WRITERS 4164 Austin Bluffs Parkway #246 Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Things to Know about Colorado Springs How will the altitude of Pikes Peak and stated that the mountain would never be climbed. impact me? • America The Beautiful was written by This varies from person to Katherine Lee Bates atop Pikes Peak. person, but there are some things • Every year in August hundreds of people you can do to help avoid take part in two races on Pikes problems. Peak. One is for people who run to • Drink lots of water. When you the top of the mountain. The photo by Martha Lancaster think you’ve had enough, drink leaders’ times for the half-marathon more. This is your best defense. distance is about that of a regular What should I pack? • Limit the amount of caffeine, salt, and marathon. The second race is for • Bring clothes you can layer. The alcohol you ingest. those who run up and down. unofficial state motto is “If you don’t like the • You may want to avoid strenuous • Nicknames for Colorado weather, wait five minutes.” Weather in late physical activity the first few days. Springs include Newport of the April could mean mid-70s or below Rockies (because of the number of freezing—sometimes both within one Fun Facts: Easterners who used it as a resort town) and weekend. • Colorado has the highest mean altitude Little London (for the number of British • Pack sunscreen. No matter the temper- of all the states. visitors). ature, the sun at over 6,000 feet is intense. • Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 Reapply often whenever you’re outdoors. by General William Jackson Palmer. • Bring UV-blocking sunglasses. See above. • Colorado Springs is 6,035 feet about sea • Wear a hat, preferably wide brimmed, level. when you’re outside. Again, see above. • The summit of Pikes Peak is 14,110 feet above sea level. • Zebulon Pike never made it to the top photo by Martha Lancaster 12 Pikes Peak Writer