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Showing posts with label writing classes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing classes. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A Guide to Using This Blog

Obviously I blog about jobs for writers. However, I started this blog as a resource for writers and I want to give everyone a quick overview on some of the resources that you can find here.


Center Column - Current Blog Post: In the center of the blog, you will find the most recent posts. I  do a lot of posts that are simply jobs for writers in michigan and telecommute writing jobs. Click on the job and follow the link to check out the job's information. I also blog about a range of other topics from writing contests to writing tips.


Top Left Column - Popular Posts: Here you find the post we're currently in (How to Use this Blog) as well as popular blog posts. Click on a few and you will see great independent bookstores in Michigan where you can shop for books, look into getting your own books stocked there and setting up book signings. Other posts include personal essay help, tips for writing a short story, awesome websites for writers and markets to submit to.

Left Column - Writer's Resources: These tabs (Peninsula Writers, Lundington Writers etc) are all links to writing groups and organizations in Michigan. They are awesome resources that connect writers in addition to hosting writing events, conferences, publishing chap books, organizing writing groups and a myriad of other activities that all writers should be a part of. Click on them, join some of the groups, volunteer etc. Networking, as challenging is it may be for the writer that loves solitude (like me), is extremely beneficial to the writing and, more importantly, to the publication process.

Left Column - Michigan Writing Conferences, Classes and Workshops: This is self explanatory and yet I am going to explain it. These are all classes, workshops and conferences held in Michigan throughout the year. I try to give event updates so that these also appear on posts, but clicking on them yourself is an easy and quick way to find upcoming conferences - many of which are held in spring and summer in Michigan.

Left Column - Writer's Toolbox: Ah the beloved toolbox that all writers cannot live without. Here you will find prompts to get the creative juices flowing, grammar guides, query letter help and a quirky thesaurus among other things. Try to click them all once and if they're useful for you - bookmark them.

Left Column - Michigan Markets: These are magazines, newspapers and websites in Michigan that you can send content to. Some of them accept articles, others shorts stories etc.

Left Column - Non Michigan Markets: Markets that are outside of Michigan that accept writer's submissions.

Left Column - My Blog List: Blogs that I follow - most of which pertain to writing and have great writing advice. There are blogs by literary agents and self published authors to name a few. Also, I love to add new blogs by other writers so if you have one, leave me a comment with the link.

Left Column - Blog Archive: This is an archive of all the posts on this blog. Clearly the dates leave much to be desired in terms of "what are they about?" So I recommend that you use the Search Tab in the upper right column and just type in keywords etc.

Right Column - Info: This is simply a quick guide to the information that you will find on this blog.

Right Column - Search Box: Type in what you're looking for and search this blog.

Right Column - Michigan Publishers: These are links to publishing companies that are located in Michigan.

Right Column - Follow by E-mail/Subscribe/Sociable: These are some of the ways that you can follow the blog and share it on other sites.

Right Column - Poets & Writers Blog: Read great blog posts from writers at Poets & Writer's Magazine.

Right Column - Advice from Published Authors: I don't know about all of you, but I really enjoy reading writing advice from published authors. Sometimes I just want to hear them talk about their own challenges and rejection piles. It helps me to put writing in perspective and takes book publishing out of the endless glossy aisles of Borders where someone has already written a book on every topic under the sun. Also the advice can be really beneficial, especially when it's specific - so check them out.

Right Column - Subscribe and Sociable: These are just avenues that you can use to follow my blog or share blog post that you like or want to pass along to other writers.

Right Column - About Me: This is my little bio along with several other blogs that I keep including one that is about my own writing process and progress. I also recently started a new one that focuses on my fiction series Ula - which comes out later this year.

Right Column - Michigan's Many Faces: I am a nature lover and in attempting to preserve this glorious space, I often take photos. Since this blog is for Michigan writers especially - I know that you too can appreciate our beautiful and volatile state.

Videos: The line of videos below the current posts are Youtube videos that offer writing advice. I try to change them frequently, but check some of them out because they are a lot like FREE writing courses, yes free.

In closing I just want to say that I truly hope this blog helps you find a job, get published or connect with other writers. I would love to hear from some of you and even more I would love for you to hear from each other. So if anyone is looking for a writer's group - send me a message. If you have a writing event coming up or know someone who is doing a signing or having a book release party - let me know. I am happy to put it all here. Good luck and keep writing.

Novelists... fashioning nets to sustain and support the reader as he falls helplessly through the chaos of his own existence.  ~Fay Weldon


Lake Michigan 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Events in Michigan for Writing and For Fun

I went skiing last weekend and I was reminded why it is so important for writers to experience the world. It is through all of our senses that we write the words that create the story. To write of winter, I must feel the cold breath of falling snow, see it glitter in yawning waves, taste its vanishing wetness and hear the silence that accompanies it after it has smothered all of the rustling on the forest floor. I live in the snow and I can speak of the joys and sorrows that accompany such a beautiful but often barren, landscape.

I suggest to all of you writers to get out into the world. Don't let the blistering winds and knee-deep snow drifts deter you from experiencing this glorious planet. Look below for a whole slew of activities from writing events to art classes that get you out of the house and into the realm of sensation.


Writing Classes and Workshops

Learn to Writer Love Letters: Virgil Carr Cultural Center in Detroit: Feb. 10th at 6PM

NMC Extended Ed Writing Courses: Classes range from Broadcast Journalism to Writing as a Means to Heal: Traverse City (Times Vary)

LCC Continuing Education Classes include Memoir Writing, How To Write for Magazines and Others: Spring of 2011 in Lansing (Dates and Times Vary)

Springfed Arts Winter Writing Workshops (Times and Locations Vary Beginning in Feb.)

826 Michigan Writing Workshops for Kids and Teens: (Times and Locations Vary)

Author Readings and Signings

Book Signing and Author Talk with True Crime Writer John Timmerman: @ Schuler Books in Grand Rapids: Feb. 8th at 7PM

Support Debut Author Courtney Allison Moulton at her launch party for Angelfire: @ Schuler Books in Lansing: Feb. 19th at 2PM

Horizon Books Author Signings with Linda Rau from 12pm to 2pm and Marie Cook from 2pm to 4pm: Saturday December 5th in Traverse City

Aunt Agatha's Books: Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. meet authors Barbara D'Amato, Sharon Fiffer and Vicki Delany, when they talk about and sign their new books: Ann Arbor 


Launch Party for Gaylord Author Mary Backlund: @ Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord: Thursday Feb. 24th 


Several Events at Kazoo Books in Kalamazoo including Discussions that explore Black History, The World of Children's Books: Writing, Editing and Publishing, and Author Signings (Dates and Times Vary)

Fun Stuff to Do

Art Class- Winter Landscapes in Oils: Feb. 5th and 12th in Brighton

Box Factory for the Arts: Lots of awesome art-centric activities from writers' groups to valentine making: St. Joseph, MI  (Dates and Times Vary)

Traverse City Comedy Festival: Feb. 10-13 in Traverse City

Cherry Capital Winter Wow Fest: Feb. 18th - 21st in Traverse City

An Evening with the Writers of Mad Men: Feb. 3rd (Today!) @ 7PM: Traverse City Opera House

7th Annual Midwest Hip Hop Summit: Feb. 4th and 5th: Ann Arbor

Body N' Soul Wellness Expo: Feb. 11th in Mount Clemens

Crystal Mountain - Mardi Gras on the Mountain: March 5th at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville

Detroit's Winter Blast: Feb. 11th thru 14th in Detroit

Mark Your Calendars for Future Writing Events

National Dzanc Workshop Day : Date- 04/09/11 : Two separate workshops - one in Royal Oak and one in Ann Arbor

Grant Writing Class: May 5th and 6th 2011 - Detroit