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.

Shadows After Midnight Is Free on Kindle

Pat Smith, publisher of Welkin Press, has announced that Shadows After Midnight: 12 Spooky Tales, is available for free until Tuesday, March 26. 

 

Lou Turner and Donna Volkenannt, members of Coffee and Critique, have stories in the Shadows anthology.

 

Here's a link to Shadows After Midnight on Amazon if you want to check it out.

 

Did I mention it's free?



Fifty Shades of Santa Free on Kindle until March 5

From now until March 5, Fifty Shades of Santa will be available for FREE from Amazon Kindle.

The anthology, which is published by Welkin Press, includes humorous romantic (not explicit) stories from twelve award-winning writers.

Marcia Gaye and Donna Volkenannt, from Coffee and Critique, are two of the writers with stories in the famly-friendly anthology.

Did I mention that Fifty Shades of Santa is free?

Act fast because the free copy is only available until March 5.

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.

Donna Volkenannt and Lou Turner Speakers at the Write Direction Conference in Columbia

Coffee and Critique members Donna Volkenannt and Lou Turner will be among the featured speakers at the Write Direction Conference in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, November 10.

Volkenannt will give a presentation on "Structuring Short Stories for Passion and Profit," and Turner, publisher of High Hill Press, will be part of a publishers' panel.

The conference is sponsored by the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild. The event will be held at:

The Unity Center

1600 West Broadway

Columbia, MO

Events kick off at 8:30 and end at 4 p.m.

Some other speakers are:

William Trowbridge, Missouri Poet Laureate and author

Dr. Edward Adelstein, anatomic and clinical pathologist

Bill Clark, columnist, Columbia Daily Tribune
Judy Stock, poet and writer
Linda Fisher, blogger, writer, and publisher, Mozark Press
And several others!

 

Click here for the agenda and speaker notes. 

 

 

Registration fees are modest and late registration is available at the door. Fee includes choice of breakout sessions, participation in a First Page exercise, opportunities to interact with writers with similar interests, and lunch.

 

Hope to see you there!