Saturday workshop at Laramie County Library outlines steps to getting your novel published

Local writers are staging a one-day conference "designed to help you navigate the next steps toward the publication of your novel." It will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, 10:15 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Laramie County Public Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave., Cheyenne.

Presenters include Mary Gillgannon, who writes historical novels as well as Celtic and Regency romances; Liz Roadifer, mystery and sci-fi fantasy novelist; Amanda Cabot, author of Christian romances; teen novelist and library board member Tina Ann Forkner; "Saucy Lucy" series mystery novelist Cindy Keen Reynders; and memoirist and sci-fi writer Marjie Smith.

The workshop is free. The day includes a lunch-hour book signing, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Laramie County Library Foundation. You can brown-bag it, or get a delicious lunch at the library cafe. 

FMI: 307-634-3561.

Cheyenne author Amanda Cabot hosts book fair Nov. 3 and joins other local writers for a publishing conference Nov. 10

Cheyenne author Amanda Cabot will host a book fair at Barnes and Noble for her new novel Christmas Roses, on Saturday, Nov. 3. Proceeds will benefit the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Paul Smith Children’s Village. Come on out for a delightful afternoon with Amanda and finish (or begin) your Christmas shopping at the same time. 

The following Saturday, Nov. 10, Amanda will join some of her fellow Laramie County authors for a publishing conference at the Laramie County Public Library. This conference is "designed to help you navigate the next steps toward publication of your novel." It will be held from 10:15 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Laramie County Public Library. Feel free to brown-bag your lunch or purchase it at the library cafe. The event is free. Authors will be selling and signing copies of their books. FMI: 307-634-3561. 

Wyoming's creative economy on display in latest issue of Wyoming's 307 Magazine

For a glimpse into Wyoming's creative economy, read the latest issue of Wyoming's 307 Magazine. We picked up a comp copy at Ernie November in Cheyenne. But you can subscribe to this Casper-based glossy quarterly by going to http://307magonline.com.

The new issue features a Q&A with Powell artist John Giarrizzo, who left Cleveland for Powell more than 30 years ago and has been a mentor to hundreds of young artists. One of our former WAC interns, Katie Smith of Cheyenne, is now studying with Giarrizzo and his talented colleagues in the Northwest College visual arts program. John has received two visual arts fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council, as well as the Kim Baer Award in Painting. He received a 2003 Governor's Arts Award. Thanks, John, for mentioning the WAC.

"Music Rocks" features another Q&A, this one with John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters, a "newgrass" band whose new album, "Porch Horses," has a funny story behind it (you have to read the mag). The article also features sketches of band members by Casper's Zak Pullen.

Nicole Marron explores Lander and finds it filled with many choices, both outdoors (Sink's Canyon, Sweetwater Rocks) and indoors (Lander Art Center, Main Street Books, Lander Brewing Company).

307 Magazine (motto: "Straight from the horse's mouth") also explores the culinary arts in the form of the boom in community gardens and the debut of a new Casper eatery (J's Pub & Grill) with Chef Robert Hesse, a two-time contestant on TV's "Hell's Kitchen, supervising the kitchen. Barbecue and microbrews (this pub lists a "beer czar" on the masthead) also get articles, as does automobile art in the form of a 1958 Chevy Delray wagon tricked out by Jackson Sisneros.

Take a look...

Call for entries: Ruminate Magazine's 2012 Kalos Foundation Visual Art Prize

CALL FOR ENTRY: Ruminate Magazine's 2012 Kalos Foundation Visual Art Prize

DEADLINE: August 15, 2012

Ruminate Magazine: "Chewing on Life, Art and Faith" announces the 2012 Kalos Foundation Visual Art Prize. This year's competition will be juried by award-winning artist Bruce Herman. First place winner will receive a $2500 cash prize along with publication in Issue #26 of Ruminate Magazine (set to release in mid-December 2013). Runner-up recipient will also be published in Issue #26. The prize is open to all mediums and artists of all levels; no geographical restrictions. Entry Fee: $20 Entry fee also includes a complimentary copy of Issue #26.

TO SUBMIT: please visit our website to upload 3 images that represent a larger body of work, as well as an artist statement. Artists must have professional quality digital images of that larger group of works available upon request.

Epiphany Magazine publishes new story by Lori Van Pelt

Lori Van Pelt sends this good news:

My short story, "Slivers," is now online at http://www.epiphmag.com/ in Issue 14 of Epiphany Magazine. You can find the story by scrolling down to "Contributors" and clicking on my name, Lori Van Pelt. This story is included in my short fiction collection, ACCELERATION, which I've just completed and am in the process of submitting to book publishers.

Chuck Kimmerle's photos featured in Lenswork magazine and at Minneapolis exhibit

Chuck Kimmerle

Casper photographer Chuck Kimmerle is to be featured in the March-April, 2012 issue of Lenswork magazine, a bi-monthly, international journal of fine-art photography. The 13 images selected by the editors for publication are from among those Kimmerle created during his recent artist residency in Zion National Park. In addition to the hard-copy of the magazine, Kimmerle is included in the online and DVD electronic versions, which include an additional 14 images as well as a half-hour audio interview. Go to http://www.lenswork.com/index2.html

Kimmerle has also been accepted into a juried exhibit at the Mpls Photo Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The exhibit, titled “Black & White: The absence of Color,” features 70 photographs culled from more than 2000 submissions from photographers around the world. The show runs from March 9 through April 22, 2012. Go to http://www.mplsphotocenter.com

Wilson's Suzanne Morlock featured in March issue of Sculpture Magazine

The March 2012 issue of Sculpture Magazine includes a multi-page feature of Suzanne Morlock of Jackson. It's entitled "The Green Magic of Recycling: Suzanne Morlock," written by Katarzyna Zimna. To view the e-version, go to http://online.qmags.com/SM0312/default.aspx?pg=54&mode=2

Western Writers of America select Nancy Curtis of High Plains Press for 2012 Lariat Award

Candy Moulton shared this info today on Facebook:

The Western Writers of America (WWA) Board of Directors met last weekend in Albuquerque. A number of actions were taken including this one: The 2012 recipient of the Lariat Award, given to a publishing industry professional for outstanding support of WWA and Literature of the West, is High Plains Press publisher Nancy Curtis of Glendo, Wyoming. Congratulations Nancy! WWA will recognize High Plains and Nancy during the Convention June 12-16 at the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque.

Legacy of Chris LeDoux explored in latest issue of Ranch & Reata magazine

Some good reading about the late Chris LeDoux, musician and rodeo cowboy of Kaycee. Read the articles here.

Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference good time for all

About 80 writers attended the annual Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference that took place in Casper at the Ramada Inn.

Manuscript pitches were made to Katie Dublinski of Gray Wolf Press and New York agent Peter Steinberg, and many writers were asked to send something along. That's always great to hear.

Poetry editor Chris Fishbach was there from Coffee House Press.

Keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet was Lucia St. Clair Robson, historical fiction author, who was witty and entertaining.

There were some great readings at both open mike sessions.

The booksigning room was stocked with authors busily signing their books. Casper's "Run With the Herd" marathon, check-in was based at the Ramada, was also taking place, and a few runners visited the booksigning event.

Tom Empey closed the session on Sunday with a talk about written words and how they spark and give life to the performing arts. He had gathered several moving quotes for his theme, "Someone wrote those words."

Plans are in the works for next year's conference which will again take place in Casper.

A couple of rather new and interesting Wyoming magazines to mention.
The Wyoming Woman Magazine, based in Casper, was conceptualized by four young women -- Nettie H. Francis, Beth Worthen, Alicia Blevins and Amanda Helm. Their mission: "to connect the women of Wyoming through ideas, information, and inspiration." They accept submissions and ideas for articles and pay for the different features in the magazine. One of the nice features is the "Women at Work Directory," a list of women who are advertising their businesses -- anything from catering to travel tours. It's very reasonable to advertise there. Website: http://thewyomingwoman.com/

Wyoming's 307 Magazine, published by Celtic Media, LLC and also based in Casper, features articles and photos of Wyoming's great activities and spaces. Articles in the Winter 2011 issue: The Winter Angler, Detours (about the Continental Divide snowbile trail system), The Wiinter Time Hunting Blues, Saratoga, Cool Gear, Flint What? (about arrowheads), Mush (about the Wyoming International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race), an article on Corvettes, Born in New Jersy, Raised in Wyoming, Snowshoeing.
Website: http://www.307magonline.com/

New Jackson Hole Review launch party set for April 29

Matthew Irwin sent this:

I'm emailing to inform you about the re-launch of Jackson Hole Review, a biannual literary publication featuring literature and art from all over the country concerned with the American West. We're holding a launch party on April 29. We're in the midst of updating the website and the hard copies will be here a day or two before the party. Here are some of the details:

The party is 6-9 p.m., Friday, April 29, at Factory Studios, 1255 Gregory Lane, Jackson.

The JH Review's inaugural issue, themed "connect/disconnect," features contributions from writers, poets, photographers and visual artists from all over the country. Our featured contributor for this issue is Idaho essayist/poet/fiction writer Kim Barnes, who has generously given us an essay and submitted to an interview.

Sponsored by Teton Artlab and JH Weekly. $10 includes a copy of the Review, refreshments, entertainment and special prizes for attendees. Find out more about connect/disconnect at www.jhreview.com and at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31218906942

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Sponsored by Teton Artlab and JH Weekly. Special thanks to the Teton Library Foundation, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Grand Teton Music Festival, Falls Printing, Valley Bookstore, Jackson Hole Writers' Conference and the Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative for making JH Review possible.

Nancy Curtis featured in spring issue of The Wyoming Woman Magazine

The spring issue of The Wyoming Woman Magazine is out and it features a profile of publisher Nancy Curtis, recipient of a 2010 Governor's Arts Award. It was written by Saratoga writer Lori Van Pelt, winner of a 2010 creative writing fellowship in poetry from the Wyoming Arts Council. One astonishing fact from the article: Nancy was a founding member of Wyoming Writers, Inc., and WyoPoets, both of Wyoming's statewide writing groups (WyoPoets holds its annual meeting this weekend in Casper). She's also published three of Lori's books, and books by many other state and regional writers. Get more info at www.highplainspress.com

2011 Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal debuts at Green River Rendezvous July 7-10 in Pinedale

The fifth annual (2011) Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal will debut at the Green River Rendezvous July 7-10, 2011, at the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale. For more information, see the 2011 Journal. The 2010 Journal can be purchased online in the Trading Post. Application deadline for papers for the sixth annual Journal is September 1, 2011.

Online article: "How to Publish Your Own Kindle Book: Part I"

This looks like an easy tutorial for those writers in Wyoming interested in publishing a Kindle book. Go to How to Publish Your Own Kindle Book: Part I

Call for entries: Copper Nickel journal

From Jake Adam York, director of creative writing at University of Colorado at Denver and editor of Copper Nickel:


Copper Nickel, the journal of art and literature my colleagues and students and I edit here in Denver, will open its second contest this coming week, and I'm hoping you'll help spread the word in your writing communities.

Daniel Alarcon will judge our fiction contest, and Kevin Prufer will judge our poetry contest. We'll accept entries through March 31, 2011. Entrants will get not only a shot at the $1000 prize (one prize in each genre) but as well a one-year subscription (2 issues) to Copper Nickel for only $15 (which is the cost of a normal subscription).

All the details are also online at http://www.copper-nickel.org/contest/

B.J. Buckley poems in HoboEye journal

Cheyenne native and Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowship recipient B.J,. Buckley has three poems featured on the online journal HoboEye. B.J. now lives in Lolo, Mont.


Read "Bitter," "Shakespeare's Monkeys" and "Cold Prairie" here.


Excerpt from "Bitter:"


Call it snow
but this dust from the moon’s basement
coats the windows of the
sky
until nobody can see out.

Pronghorn Press asks: Heard any good books lately?

Heard any good books lately?

We have!

Wyoming's Pronghorn Press has announced that some of its best-selling titles are available now as downloadable unabridged audiobook files. Also, if you check out the site, you can get a free download of one of Annette Chaudet's stories. Go to http://pronghornpressaudio.com/

Annette is Pronghorn's publisher and editor. She says that the press's newest title is Tom Ringley¹s Wranglin' Notes, A Chronicle of Eatons' Ranch 1879-2010. Tom Rea's book about the Hole in the Wall Ranch will be out next month.

She adds that the press will be converting a number of titles into multi-format ebooks after the first of the year. So stay tuned, Kindle users.

Author Diana Kouris earns laurels for her High Plains Press book

This comes from Nancy Curtis at High Plains Press in Glendo: Diana Kouris (left), author of Riding the Edge of an Era, has been doing High Plains Press proud. She was a finalist for both the Zonta Best Woman Writer Award at the Billings Book Festival and the Willa Award which was presented in Wickenburg, Arizona. Diana and I went to both events and had a great time. My friend and former co-editor Linda Hasselstrom (right) traveled with us and came home with the top award at both events. Here we are.

"The Imprint of Alan Swallow" by Laramie's W. Dale Nelson just published by Syracuse University Press

WyoWriter, the newsletter published by Wyoming Writers, Inc., is always filled with info on its members. WWInc member and WAC creative writing fellowship winner W. Dale Nelson has written a new book about the late Wyoming publisher Alan Swallow:

W. Dale Nelson's latest book The Imprint of Alan Swallow: Quality Publishing in the West is now out on the shelves, and proves to be a story in a story.

Published by Syracuse University Press, this project was taken over by Nelson after the tragic death of Colorado writer Thomas M. Auer, who had spent years researching Swallow's life.

The book tells of Swallow's experiences growing up on a homestead outside Powell, and how he became a fan of Little Blue Books, literary classics in prose and verse published in small volumes. Seeds were planted in Swallow's life, and he formed two convictions: he would be a poet and a publisher.

The Imprint of Alan Swallow: Quality Publishing in the West tells the story of how he succeeded at both, struggled with marital, health, and financial problems among others - troubles that brought him to death at the age of fifty-one.

Wyoming Writers, Inc., announces full slate of presenters for its 2011 conference in Casper

Laramie's Julianne Couch, board secretary for Wyoming Writers, Inc., sends this finalized list of presenters for the 2011 WWInc conference in Casper June 3-5. Start planning now:

Lucia St. Clair Robson, historical novelist

Chris Fischbach, poet (and poetry editor at Coffee House Press)

Peter McCarthy, VP of marketing for Random House Press

Editor, Katie Dublinsky, Graywolf Press

Agent, Peter Steinberg, Steinberg agency

Sunday morning inspiration -- Tom Empey, recently retired head of the Casper College Theatre Program.


FMI: See the updated website at www.wyowriters.org.