Literarcy Drive for Children's Books or Bibles for Ferguson

Note for Members:

During our Coffee and Critique meeting today Marcia Gaye will be collecting new or gently used children's books and bibles for a literacy drive children in Ferguson.

If anyone has any books of that type to donate, please bring them to critique group meeting today and Marcia will make sure they get where they need to go.

A Novel Idea at Coffee and Critique

The latest change at Coffee and Critique is a result of a brilliant suggestion from long-time member Jack Zerr.

In addition to critiquing essays, articles, short stories, and chapters from novels, our group will begin reviewing entire manuscripts in bulk.

Jack developed some draft guidelines, which were distributed in advance of our Tuesday meeting. During our meeting we discussed and made suggestions to the draft guidelines. Comments received from members unable to attend the meeting were also included in the discussion.

Based on our feedback and consensus, Jack is making revisions. Notably, we will allow four weeks to read each manuscript before providing comments, and comments will focus on an overview summary rather than detailed copyediting/proofreading.

Sarah Angleton, secretary of Coffee and Critique, graciously volunteered to send out future completed manuscripts to all participants. Les Thompson was volunteered (by Jack, I believe) to serve as sergeant-at-arms in case the discussion gets out of hand. (JK! Ha! Ha!)

The first manuscript we will provide our summary review on belongs to Doyle Suit.

Participating members will deliver typed comments to Doyle at our meeting on April 12, during which time we will also discuss our impressions of and suggestions for his manuscript.

How's that for a novel idea?

Kicking Off 2016: Strange Things Brewing at Coffee and Critique

 

Nick's last visit to C&C

The new year kicked off on a strange note yesterday at Coffee and Critique. As those present took turns going around the table at the beginning of our first session for 2016 --during which we shared our writing, publishing and other news--first up was Pat, who showed us a photo of her new puppy and mentioned she got an e-mail informing her she made it through the first hurdle for Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less.

That prompted a comment from Jack, who was sitting at the far other end of the table, to say, "Did you say 'the joy of lust?'"

After we all stopped laughing out loud, we discussed how CS wouldn't publish an anthology focused on the joy of lust, although it would be an interesting read. Jack's comment was one for the books!


The readings by Doyle and Jack, "the boys," went well, as did critiques from the rest of us. With only six writers present, we wrapped up our critiques and discussions early and three of "the girls" stayed for lunch.



Bea in one of her many chapeaus

While Marcia, Jane, and I were eating, I began to discuss how much I missed Bea Siros and Nick Nixon, two of our members who had passed away a few years ago within one year (almost to the day) of each other.


Just then about a dozen glasses and cups fell off the drink counter near the cash register. No one was anywhere near the counter. One server was waiting on a table on the other side of the restaurant, and the other server was in the kitchen. The closest customer was at a table over six feet away.



Bea at her birthday party

Our awesome servers, Chrissie and Kim, quickly swept up the shattered glass, and the owners came in from their office to make sure everyone was okay.  C&K explained they didn't know how the glasses fell because no one was anywhere near the counter at the time. It was indeed a strange happening.

When Chrissie stopped by our table to top off our drinks, she said. "I swear there's a ghost in here."
Her comment gave me chills because right before the glasses shattered, we were talking about the deceased members of our group. Could their spirits be lingering at the restaurant?

It could've been a coincidence, but if you ask my opinion, it looks like our critique group will be in for a strange and an interesting year.

Coffee and Critique Book Swap

Several months ago a few members suggested that we have an organized C&C book swap as a way to give us a chance to read and enjoy each other's published works and support our members without breaking the bank.

So . . . if you have written a book or have a story in an anthology and would like to participate in the book exchange, feel free to bring your books with you tomorrow, Jul 22, or next Tuesday, Jul 29.

We will do the swap around noon, or earlier if we finish critiques quickly.

Participation is strictly voluntary.

If you'd rather not exchange your books, that's fine. I totally understand the need to make a living at writing.

If you aren't able to attend on either of those days, don't fret. We will have another swap in a few months. In fact, if there's still interest in doing the exchange, we'll try to do them quarterly.

Coffee and Critique Summer Writing Contest Results

The Summer Writing Contest was a lot of fun.

Who would've thought the theme of fishing would bring out such a variety of stories and essays?

Eight submissions were read by readers selected at random, who did not know whose submission they were reading. Then each piece was judged by the twelve writers present, who gave each story a score between 1 and 10.

We had as much fun trying to figure out who wrote the stories as we did judging them.

Here are the places, titles, and winners' names:

1st Place "Crabbing Buddies" by Sarah Angleton
2nd Place "A Freakin' Good Time" by Alice Muschany
3rd Place "The Divorced Bass Fisherman and the Sea Monster" by Jennifer Hasheider

Congratulations to all the top three scorers as well as all who entered.

Go Fish: Summer Writing Contest Day is Tomorrow!

Just a friendly reminder for Coffee and Critique writers:

In case you didn't get the memo, or the e-mail, or the post on Facebook, or the many verbal reminders for the past few Tuesdays, tomorrow is the date for the Coffee and Critique Summer Writing Contest.

The theme is anything related to fish or fishing -- including going fishing, fishing for compliments, fishing for a wife/husband, playing Go Fish, etc.

Certificates will be awarded, along with one grand prize!

You can find the guidelines on an earlier post.

Just scroll down and you'll see them.

Good luck!

Bill Mueller Did What? Again? And a Random Quote

Yep, Coffee and Critique's own W. E. (Bill) Mueller has done it again. Won another big award, that is.

His short story "Incident at Turtle Mountain" took home first place in the Chesterfield Arts 2013 Jade G. Bute Adult Writing Contest, Prose Division. 

Winners were announced on May 6.

Entries were judged by Richard Newman, editor of River Styx.

Congratulations, Bill. You always make us proud!

Here's a quote from last week's Coffee and Critique:

 

"The fiction part is true." The statement was amended to, "The science part is true."

Announcements and Welcome to our New Members

Something's always brewing at Coffee and Critique.

In the past month or so we've had some new members join us, so I'd like to formally welcome them to our group.

Bill S. -- not to be confused with Bill M, whom Bill S. refers to as Bill the Elder -- has traveled the world during his military and civilian career. His stories reflect his many adventures, mostly with women who become his girlfriends or wives.

John is a busy father of two-year-old triplets and a four-year-old son. John writes faith-based epistles and true stories infused with spiritual messages. John's readings inspire and uplift, and at times have moved me to tears. Yesterday he announced that his manuscript "Letters to Jack" has been accepted by Treehouse Publishing Group.

Janet is a talented writer and thoughtful critique giver who has already published a book. She's been busy of late helping with the 2013 MWG conference, but after the conference is over we're hopeful she'll visit more regularly.

Sarah, our newest member, visited for the first time yesterday. Sarah is a gifted writer who has already completed an historical fiction novel. She read the first chapter yesterday, and I'm already hooked and want to hear more.

Announcements

In other news, Lou reports that she saw Nick over the weekend, and he seems to be doing well. We are all praying for his recovery. Nick Nixon's memoir, Dreams Worked Magic, has been re-released by High Hill Press with five new stories.

Several members from C&C dropped in for Jack's book signing last Saturday at All on the Same Page Book Store. Sadly, because of a family event I couldn't make it, but yesterday both Charles and I purchased copies of Jack Zerr's latest book, Sundown Town Duty Station.

Becky has been busy moving and is finalizing her memoir.

Claudia has an agent who is looking for a publisher for her women's fiction novel.

Donna, Jack, Marcia, and Karen had works accepted for publication in the 2013 Edition of Well Versed, published by the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild. 

If you are a member of C&C and have some news to share, please let me know.

Posted by Donna Volkenannt.

An Overdue Post

We've had some going ons and a few new faces in our Coffee and Critique group.

First, welcome Janet and John. I met them at  Dianna Graveman's seminar on marketing and told them about our group. They are just getting the feel for our group, but they are welcome additions and bring to the table open minds and a willingness to learn and share

Also, welcome back, Doyle. Doyle recently returned from Florida, looking relaxed and ready to write--and critique. We have missed your smiling face and helpful comments. The comments he gave me on my essay last week were spot on.

An overdue welcome is due to Rebeca, who spent a few months in England. Her always sweet smile and considerate comments are very helpful.

Get well wishes to Nick and Judy. Hope to see you back soon.We also are thrilled that Karen's surgery went well and she is back on her feet--and back to teaching, but will join us again during summer break.

Charles has been on a winter hiatus, but he should be back next month.

Lou has been busy making books--not in a gambling sense, although some might argue being in the publishing business is a big gamble.

Take care, and don't forget to write!

Coffee and Critique News: Change in Meeting Time

Due to popular demand (and a bit of whining), beginning on Tuesday, November 13, the meeting start time for Coffee and Critique writers' group is reverting to the original start time of 10 a.m.

We will still meet at the Rendezvous Cafe on Main Street in O'Fallon, but our critiques will start at 10 a.m. and end around noon.

Announcing New Hours for Coffee and Critique Starting in September

Due to growth in our membership and the number of writers who want to read each week, beginning with the first meeting next month, September 4, we will start our meetings at 9:30 a.m. and wrap things up around noon. Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch afterwards.

Our meetings will continue at the Rendezvous Cafe on Main Street in O'Fallon.

Coffee and Critique Writers' Group Update

A lot has happened since I last posted here about the Coffee and Critique Writers' Group. I checked with Tricia and got the okay to once again use the blog to post basic information and updates about the critique group.

 Background

 

More than five years ago, Donna Volkenannt and Lou Turner started a new critique group named Coffee and Critique. Originally the group met on Tuesdays (alternating each week with mornings and evenings) at the Barnes and Noble in St. Peters, MO. The evening group was sparsely attended, so we went to mornings only and changed our location to the Rendezvous Cafe on Main Street in O'Fallon, MO. Most, but not all, members of Coffee and Critique also belong to the Saturday Writers chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild.

The motto of Coffee and Critique Writers' Group is to "be candid but kind." Our goal is to give honest feedback respectfully, with the intent of helping one another become the best writers they can be. We are a serious group, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. We are a friendly group, but over the years we've found it necessary to have some guidelines.

Member and award-winning writer W. E. Bill Mueller helped Donna and Lou come up with these:

Tuesday Morning Coffee & Critique

15 Guidelines & How We Run Things

1. The Tuesday Morning Coffee &Critique group meets every Tuesday morning, 10am-Noon. The current meeting site is The Rendezvous Café in O’Fallon, MO.

2. The group critiques all styles of writing: fiction, memoirs, essays, articles—but no poetry.

3. Members at all levels of writing skill are welcome to bring their work at whatever stage they feel comfortable reading and having critiqued. But—please polish beforehand and read your work out loud before bringing it in.

4. Reading is limited to 5 (five) pages maximum.

5. Make approximately 12 copies of your work available for distribution, keeping one for yourself to read from. Pages can be stapled or paper-clipped together.

6. Your manuscript should be prepared using 12pt. Times New Roman or a comparable font, double-spaced, one-inch margins.

7. Manuscripts with graphic, pointless sex, violence and crude language are generally not welcome.

8. If a manuscript contains graphic scenes and language that is integral to the material, the scenes/language should be skipped in reading. It is all right to have the scenes/language in the manuscript, but reading it aloud is not permitted.

9. Critiquing begins with the person to the left of the reader and continues around the table, clockwise.

10. Each person is allowed two (2) minutes to critique a read manuscript. Others are asked not to interrupt while someone else is critiquing.

11. The person whose manuscript is being critiqued is generally not allowed to rebut, although answering direct questions is permitted.. The manuscript is “yours”—critiques can be accepted or rejected, but not argued.

12. Not everyone will get to read each week. If you sign up but don’t get to read your name will go to the top of the list the following week.

13. While we do not charge to belong, we strongly encourage everyone to purchase a beverage or food from the café because they provide meeting space to us for free. And due to health concerns, the restaurant has asked us not to bring in any outside food or drink.

14. Members are welcome to bring in their books to sell before or after critiques begin, but no other items are to be sold during meetings.

15. Have fun. While the Tuesday Morning C&C group is serious about its purpose, we are intent on having fun while doing it. All criticism is given well-meaning and should not be taken personally. We are critiquing your work—not you!

There you have it.

We welcome new members. If you are interested in joining us, e-mail dvolkenannt (at) charter.net for more information.

New Coffee and Critique Schedule - Days Only

"Clock" by Darren Hester

The Coffee and Critique Writers Group has gone to daytime meetings only. Unfortunately the evening group gave up the ghost. So no more trying to remember whether it's a day meeting or evening meeting this week. All meetings will be during the day from 10:00 a.m. to noon, every Tuesday at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in St. Peters, MO.

I will actually be there Tuesday for the first time in a long while, so I'm looking forward to getting back into critique. Hope to see you there.

If you're interested in trying out the group, check out this blog entry on our basic format.

Coffee and Critique Schedule for September 2008

Here is Donna's email with the September schedule for Coffee and Critique.  Most of you have seen it, but I'm posting it so you can look it up if you forget, like I do. From Donna:

First, here's the Coffee and Critique schedule for this month:

1st and 3rd Tuesdays - Sep 2 and 16 - morning group 10 a.m. to noon.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays - Sep 9 and 23 - evening group 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
5th Tuesday - Sep 30 - Time to write. (No meeting)


Dear Members of Coffee and Critique,

With today being Labor Day and now that the summer is officially over, guess we all will be getting back to work.

A quick thank you to everyone who continues to come to C&C, and a welcome to all our new members in both sessions. Because we have several new or returning members, and in the spirit of back-to-work/writing/school/critique (take your pick), I thought now would be a good time to bring up a few housekeeping matters.

Now for some reminders:

* Double space your work and bring at least five copies if you plan to read. We can share if there's a big crowd, but five is the minimum number of copies that works comfortably.
* Please write your comments on the copies and critique when it's your turn.
* Keep the critiques to the writing.
* Avoid having side conversations while someone is reading or critiquing.
* If you are being critiqued, you don't have to respond to each comment or suggestion unless someone asks a specific question or you are unsure about the comment or suggestion.
* If you arrive late, need to use the restroom or have to leave early, that's fine, please do so quietly.
* After critique group some of us go to a local restaurant, where we discuss writing and other good stuff. If you want to join us, feel free.

Recently I've received e-mails from some who took the summer off from critique group but plan to get back in the swing of things this month. Yea and welcome back!

A few new members also e-mailed Lou and me with kind words about the feedback and encouragement they've received from our group and how it has already affected their writing. Yea again and keep on writing!

Some have also e-mailed with questions about the business of writing, so at the beginning of our Sep 2 and Sep 9 meetings Lou and I will have some things to share with everyone.

If you have any specific questions you want answered during these meetings, please e-mail me or Lou at the above addresses.

Hope to see you tomorrow morning or later this month.

Donna

New Links on Coffee and Critique

I've updated the blog to inlcude some of the sites I visit for writing info - or just for fun.

They fall into three categories:

Link for Writers
Freelance Writing Jobs
A great source for freelancers who want to find jobs or about how to make money blogging. Just beware the exclamation points and don't work too cheaply.

Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market Blog
Excellent market listings, of course, but also great advice for contests and what's going on in the publishing world.

Funds for Writers
Lots of contests, grant opportunities, and great articles on how to make money writing.


Agents Who Blog
Nathan Bransford
I have found a new agent blog to love. Nathan Bradsford has lots of great info, sometimes hosts contests for novel pitches or first lines, and is just freaking funny. Beware if you query - he hates the ones that begin with rhetorical questions.

Fun Blogs
A Teaching Life
A middle school teacher in the trenches discusses her life, classroom, and evil Christmas-light- hating administrators. Rock on.

Alone in the Condom Aisle
Just freaking funny. She works in film and a hive collective of offices. In my favorite recent post, she assigned theme songs to her coworkers.

Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books
Raunchy, romantic reviewing fun. This is a rated R (or X) website for some of you I know. My favorite blogs are when they review the covers of romance novels - current and past. If it says not work safe, don't click. They are not pulling your long raven romance goddess hair. They are serious.