Announcement: Self-Publishing and Boutique Publishers Workshop Coming Aug. 10

Have you been wondering what the right publishing choice is for your book? We've assembled an expert panel on the topics of boutique publishing and independent publishing to help you understand your ever-changing publishing options.

Check out our panelists:

• Shawn E. Bell,  author, screenwriter, publisher, naturalist, and media god. Shawn walks authors through every phase of the independent publishing process. 
• Calee M. Lee, CEO of Xist Publishing, the largest children's book, digital-first publishing start-up. Calee began as a self-published author before creating her own company. 
• Sonia Marsh, award-winning author who knows how to market books online and in person. She offers "gutsy" book coaching to authors, as well as webinars and workshops on the topic of branding, platform building, getting your book into Costco, and more. 
• Gayle Carline, columnist and author of seven books. One was released with a traditional publisher, and she has released the others herself. Gayle regularly teaches a workshop titled "Self-Publishing: Is it for you?"

 
Cost: FREE, but reservations are required because seating is limited. RSVP at the Meetup site (http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/190858682)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 10
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m. 
Location: El Toro Library Community Room, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA, 92630 

We would love to have as many questions as possible in advance so our panelist can prepare. Please see our Facebook Group page, or you can email Workshop Coordinator Greta Boris at greta@gretaboris.com.

June Newsletter Is Out

The June newsletter is out now with information on the next O.C. Writers workshop, an author photo opportunity, Nyx's new www.LitCentralOC.com column focusing on technical issues, a terrific interview with Kas Sartori by Kitt O'Malley, and much more. If you didn't get it in your inbox and you want one, please sign up by subscribing in the sidebar to the right.

The Next O.C. Writers Mixer -- at Muldoon's

Gather with your writing friends at a fine Irish pub. Come prepared to name your favorite Irish poet or novelist, and raise a glass to the lyrical tongue. For details, visit and RSVP here:

http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/180007662/

May Newsletter is Out: Introducing Goal May-nia

The May newsletter is out a day early so those not on Facebook will see the update about Goal May-nia (starting tomorrow!). 

There's also info on the next group mixer (and the pics from the one last week), an anthology update, a request for tech-type questions for Nyx's forthcoming column, links to some of the helpful writing-related articles you might have missed on www.LitCentralOC.com, and more. 

If you didn't get a newsletter and want one, please sign up for the O.C. Writers Mailing List in the sign-up form in the sidebar. 

Thank you!

O.C. Writers Mixer on April 23

Hi, writers -- Wednesday night is our next mixer. If you're planning to attend, could you please RSVP at the Meetup site, or if you have RSVP'd and can no longer attend, could you please update it? Also, if you want to attend and don't have a Meetup account, just leave a note here and I'll add you as my guest. No problem. Thanks!

http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/166179852/

Looking for Volunteers to Organize a Writers' Retreat*

Hi, writers,

Some of you might have seen this in the newsletter but I'd like to repeat it here to make sure the news gets to everyone:

Frank Pray would like to organize a writers' retreat to take place in September, but he needs some help.

Specifically, he would like four volunteers who would each tackle one of these areas:

a) member interest / financial commitment / financial records;
b) location / facilities, including contract / reservations
c) "program" for the retreat, including any topics/experts;
d) updates and member communications, and pictures / video of the event (releases).

Anyone who is interested should express that interest here or directly to Frank before April 7.

This could be a fun way to recharge your writing batteries, or to make some serious progress on a work-in-progress. I hope you'll consider it.

*4/8 Update: Sorry, but this won't be going forward. Frank didn't receive enough volunteers. He says he may try again next year, or try for something a bit less ambitious. If anyone else would like to take on the effort or has other ideas for how to get it off the ground, all ideas are welcome.

April Newsletter is out

Hi, writers --

The latest newsletter was sent out on April 1. If you didn't get one and would like to, please add yourself to the mailing list (the sign-up form is on the sidebar).

Happy writing!