Golden Visions Magazine
of Science Fiction & Fantasy
July 2008 Conference Notes
I just got back from my first writers conference and I would love to share some of the valuable information that I learned there. I met some great people (authors, editors, and publishers) who were able to give me some much needed insight and learning tools that I hope will enable me to make this magazine even better.
The Southern Writers Conference was held in Newnan, Georgia this past weekend (July 5th) and I met some wonderful people there that were more than willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me.
Hosted by Vickie Kennedy, of eTreasures Publishing, the event offered panels, discussions and workshops for authors (both new and old) and gave me the chance to learn from folks who have been doing this for a while.
I have placed some data on this page so that you can see for yourself that such events are worth attending if you are serious in your pursuit of writing. You can learn a lot from people who have journeyed before you- and maybe they can help you avoid pitfalls and mistakes (some which can be quite costly to you.)
Please scroll down and see a little of what can take place during one of these valuable learning events...and take some time to see what's available in your own state, or even home town.
Speakers at the Southern Writers Conference;
Vickie Kennedy- eTreasures Publishing
Christina Barber- Award Winning Author
Swanee Ballman- President of Jawbone Publishing
Forrest Shultz- Coweta Writers Group
Paige Cummings- Author
Mike Swanson- Police Department
Christina Barber is an award winning author whose writing tends to focus on the paranormal. She highly recommends that all authors (who seriously want to sell their work- novels) promote themselves as often as possible.
Having your own website (personal website) is important. She strongly recommends the use of templates and including a publicity photo. Templates are easier for those people who don't breathe and live HTML codes...which is most of us and allow you to easily set up and display your website. Also, use the same photo on your site that you might want on your books...something done professionally is usually best, but something that you like and projects the image that you feel best promotes you and your work.
Another must have for authors is a Press Kit. This simply means that you have a folder that essentially holds your life as a writer within its covers. One recommendation was not only to have your name and title on the front of the folder, but to include a photo of the cover of any recent (or popular) books that you might have written.
Inside the press kit you should have:
A photo of yourself (color photos are best)
Pictures of book covers with blurbs (color- again)
A copy of any awards you might have won. (copies, not the originals...)
Articles that have been published about you and your work...or any appearances that you have made. (to include book signings or speaking events.)
business cards- include your website address on them.
....have more than one- you might need several if you are attending a convention or conference with potential publishers, editors and agents.
To learn more about Ms. Barber and how to purchase any of her writings, please visit her website:
Pointers for Writers:
Check out your local Library. It's a great resource for press and promotions. Many have writing groups that meet, and they always have something that might interest whatever field or genre you write in.
It's a great way (if you write Children's Books)- to go and read to kids. You can offer your book for sale and promote yourself, all the while doing a great publish service. Reading to children is rewarding and promotes reading and writing among our kids.
Another speaker at the conference was Swanee Ballman- an ex-teacher, author and President of Jawbone Publishing Corporation. This is a Christian based publishing company located in Newnan, Georgia. She highly recommends signing up for Dan Poynter's free newsletter. Mr. Poynter is a guru of self-publishing and you can sign up for his newsletter at Parapublishing.com
You can get more valuable information by contacting Jawbone Publishing. Any authors writing in the Christian genre can learn more at this site.
Website: www.JawbonePublishing.com
At the conference were several editors and publishers- including Joseph W. Dickerson- one of the Editors in Chief of Aberrant Dreams.
He shared some valuable information about magazine publishing- and since he has been around for over 4 years (that's an old man in magazine years) his words were magic elictar.
A well written and produced magazine- it features great stories, poetry, original artwork and even short comic strips. It would be well worth your while to check out the most current issue of the magazine. Submission guidelines are included in the magazine.
www.hd-image.com/aberrant_dreams/submission.htm for details on subs.
Check out Aberrant Dreams.....for your reading and writing needs.......
Vickie Kennedy- the gracious host and sponsor of the Southern Writers Conference- is also an accomplished author. Once of her many books is The Hidden Truth of Cytechs Randall Forty. (avail for purchase now)
As head of eTreasures Publishing- Vickie not only has a great place to get published, she also promotes her writers on her site. You can view what is available and buy from the site, as well as see if they are what you are looking for in regards to your own publishing needs.
Friendly and knowledgeable, Vickie can help you with your quests to get published. You must be willing to work hard and take suggestions from an editor who knows their business, and understand that just because you think you are finished with your writing work once you have submitted your story, it may only be the beginning of your struggle to get published.
Good writing gets you noticed, but willingness to learn and improve gets you published and sells your work.
You can reach Vickie Kennedy at;
Another good suggestion from Ms. Barber- check out your local big chain book stores for events they have. Many have writers groups that meet monthly, as well as Local Author Night (about twice a year)) It's a great chance to network with other writers...and let people know about your own work!
Paige Cummings
Paige Mercer Cummings is twice retired, from the Navy Nurse Corps and the American Red Cross. A native of coastal Georgia, the setting for her first novel Under the Liberty Oak, Paige is now a resident of Athens, Georgia. She shares her home with her husband, Mike, and their three home-schooled cats.
Paige has been nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award- Best First Novel 2007 by the Georgia Writers Association.
Stating conferences are great fro contacts, she recommends attending as many as you can. Your criteria for selecting which ones to attend should be determined by locations of the events, costs for events (which includes travel and hotel costs, not just the conference fees) and what the conference offers. ( will you be meeting with agents, publishers, editors- or is it just with other authors?)
Check websites for valuable information- about writing communities, writers groups and conferences and conventions, as well as writing workshops that are available.
Recommended are:
Southern Scribe
Georgia Writers Association
Sisters In Crime
Moonlight Magnolias ( GA. romance writers)
Mystery Writers of America
Muse online Conference
Just to name a few....these are Georgia groups- so check your library, websites and critique groups for something in your area. If there is nothing close by- put a notice up in your local library or book store and start your own group. The best way to improve is to get feedback form as many people as you can. You never stop learning in life, and the same holds true for writing!
Get online and see what's available near you.
Also- equally important to writers- is avoiding the predators out there that only want your money! If someone wants you to fork out cash to get your work published-RUN- don't walk. If your work is good enough- be persistent and keep trying.
And the most important thing--write-write-write!
To learn more about Paige Cummings- try this site.
Aberrant Dreams
a magazine of Speculative Fiction
Aberrant Dreams An e-zine publishing science fiction, fantasy, and horror and an annual anthology that contains all works published in the previous calendar year.
Aberrant Dreams is an electronic and print magazine of original speculative fiction. It was founded in February 2004 by Joseph W. Dickerson and J. Lonny Harper of Atlanta, Georgia. The first issue was released in October 2004.
Website: http://www.hd-image.com/aberrant_dreams/index.htm
Subscriptions:http://www.hd-image.com/aberrant_dreams/subscriptions.htm
check it out now!
Author & Publisher Vickie Kennedy www.etreasurespublishing.com
Background Information
Vickie Kennedy started her writing career at the age of twenty-six. She has written time travel suspense, true crime, romantic suspense, and a children's book. Her motivation for writing was Harlequin Romance. She got tired of the formula books, and felt sure she could write better than formula, and set out to do just that. In 2002, she decided to start her own online publishing. She wanted to prove there were honest publishers in the world of e-books and print on demand books. After a heart attack, she had to close the company until she could operate it again, which happened in May, 2006. In one year, after re-starting her business, she has contracted more than 25 new authors across the U.S. and Canada.
Accomplishments
Teacher of fictional writing, winner of two awards, majored in English/Literature, founder of "The Writer's Block" which is a local writer's group that teaches professioal writing, and founder of The eTreasures Southern Writer's Conference. Two of her novels have been nominated as movie worthy, and are currently being written as movie scripts
eTreasures Publishing
PO Box 71813
Newnan GA 30271 USA
If you are interested in purchasing any of the above mentioned literature, you may contact eTreasures Publishing.
