Can you make it without an MFA? Thomas Mullen did.

Twelve years after my first book deal, I’m happy to report that no editor has ever asked me if I have an MFA. What matters to publishers is the book you write, not the path you took to get there. ... Thomas Mullen

For the first time I missed going to the Blue Ridge Writers' Conference in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I had sent my application and definitely planned to go, but going down to south Georgia last week played havoc with my physical and mental health. I just could not get myself up to spend the day at the conference. I am an INFJ on the personality chart, so I know why I don't want to see anyone or talk to anyone right now.

My friend, Carol Crawford, who was instigator of this wonderful small conference over twenty years ago, sent me an email and a message about Thomas Mullen who was a presenter there today.

I am giving you this link to a great article he wrote for Poets and Writers.
http://www.thomasmullen.net/making-it-without-an-mfa

I know many writers who, like me, did not get that MFA and always wonder if that would have made a big difference in their writing career, will find solace in Thomas' words on this subject. I did not meet him, but, after reading this piece, wish I had.

Meet C. Hope Clark, Mystery Writer

Write short pieces to sell your long pieces.  
That is a good marketing plan and one C. Hope Clark discusses in her guest  post on www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com  this week. An author who writes books can build her name by writing articles and doing interviews published in newspapers, magazines, online and ezines. Hope Clark is proof that her system works. She is author of two award-winning mystery series.

If you don't know C. Hope Clark's work, be sure you learn about her. Her website has been chosen as one of the top 101 best websites for writers by the Writer's Digest for the past 18 years. She is all about writing, helping writers and publishing her highly popular Funds for Writers.

Read the post here.

Can you sell your short stories? How much do you charge for speaking engagements?

In my newsletter today from Tara Lynne Groth, I found this link to one of her posts. 

https://writenaked.net/2015/06/18/short-story-marketing/

She writes short stories and is a freelance writer among other things. She has completed a short story collection and her work has won awards.

Many who write short stories could benefit from Short Story Marketing. Publications vary in what they pay and it can be frustrating trying to earn money from writing

At Tara Lynne's site, www.writenaked.net we find many past articles on writing. Today in her newsletter she addressed the question, How Much Should I Charge for a Speaking Engagement? She gives an answer and tells what she charges. She also tells what to charge for travel costs by car. Tara Lynne is a fount of information. I suggest that writers subscribe to her newsletter and read her blog posts. She doesn't fill your Inbox all the time, but when she sends out her news, it is filled with useful information.

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WRITERS' NIGHT OUT-- APRIL 12 -- CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S SCHEDULE

Thanks to Karen Paul Holmes, we can look forward to a night of listening to poems and prose by our best writers. 

https://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2019/03/2019-writers-night-out-blairsville.html

We have such a good time at Writers Night Out in Blairsville, GA. 

Karen always creates an excellent schedule of prose writers and poets and still has time for Open Mic.

For those of us who live in Union, Towns, Clay and Cherokee Counties, this is a perfect way to spend a Friday evening - have dinner, meet with our writing friends, hear a couple of excellent writers and read a poem or short piece of prose.

I am happy that Michelle Keller and I will be featured readers May 10, 7:00 p.m. 
Mary Mike, my friend, writes poetry that is memorable and shows her knowledge of what makes a good poem.
She is one of the busiest people I know, and one of the most knowledgeable people I know. No matter what I need she can tell me what to do or she can come over and take care of it. But she is a dear friend who is always there for me as I am for her.

Here is the complete 2019 schedule for Writers' Night Out

• April 12:           Chelsea Rathburn & James May
• May 10:            Glenda Beall & Mary Mike Keller
• June 14             James Davis & Dan Veach
• July 12:             Victoria Barken & Ryvers Stewart
• August 9:          Mary Ricketson & Loren Leith
• September 13:  Kathy Nelson & Karen Paul Holmes
• October 11:       Linda Jones & Alan Cone
• November 8:     Rosemary Royston & TBA