Thursday, April 14, 2011

Workshop: Many Genres One Craft Pennwriters All-day Intensive

Workshops
PENNWRITERS ONE DAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP
Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction


Who: Writers at any level interested in furthering their writing skills and business prowess

What: Contributors to the new, comprehensive writing guide Many Genres, One Craft, based on the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program, will offer six workshops for craft and career. The three morning sessions focus on plotting with Victoria Thompson, character with Timons Esaias, and setting with Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller. In the afternoon, sessions focus on pursuing publication with Natalie Duvall and Matt Duvall, building a brand with Mary SanGiovanni, and investing in your writing with Michael A. Arnzen.

When: Thursday, May 12, 2011 – 9 AM to 4 PM

Instructors: Michael A. Arnzen is Chair of the Humanities Department at Seton Hill University, as well as a Bram Stoker Award winning author. His first novel Grave Markings also won the International Horror Critics Guild Award for Best First Novel. Other projects include a spoken word CD called Audiovile and the novel Play Dead. Selections from his 100 Jolts: Shockingly Short Stories have been made into the film Exquisite Corpse, produced by Jim Minton. Mike’s latest release is the collection Proverbs for Monsters. He haunts the Internet at http://www.gorelets.com.

Matt Duvall was a professional wrestler who appeared on national TV shows and was included in Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine’s Top 500 wrestlers for 1996. He completed his MFA at Seton Hill University, which is also where he met his wife, Natalie. His short fiction has been published in a number of venues, including Chizine, The Ultimate Unknown, and Eye Contact. When he’s not teaching high school students, Matt practices Krav Maga, runs half marathons, and tries to avoid mowing the yard.

Natalie Duvall lives in a big old house in a little town in Central Pennsylvania. She enjoys walking as much as possible. Unless it's cold out. She is married to Matt Duvall and has cats (three of them -- Albert, Chun Lee and Eliot). During the day she's an 11th grade English teacher. At night, she writes Regency-set historical romances. In what free time is left, she trains in Krav Maga and is a lackadaisical triathlete. She blogs at http://dirtythirtytridea.blogspot.com.

Timons Esaias is a satirist, poet and short fiction writer, living in Pittsburgh. His fiction has appeared in fourteen languages, and his poetry has been translated into Spanish, Swedish and Chinese. His poetry chapbook The Influence of Pigeons on Architecture is in its second edition. He has also been a finalist for the British Science Fiction Award, and won the Asimov's Readers Award. He is Adjunct Faculty at Seton Hill University. His website is www.timonsesaias.com.

Heidi Ruby Miller is adjunct faculty at Seton Hill University, where she graduated from their Writing Popular Fiction graduate program the same month she appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Her novels include Atomic Zion and Ambasadora. She is a member of The Authors Guild, Pennwriters, Science Fiction Poetry Association, and Broad Universe. Visit her at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com.

Jason Jack Miller is a writer, photographer and musician. An outdoor travel guide he co-authored with his wife in 2006 jumpstarted his freelancing career; his work has since appeared in newspapers, magazines, literary journals, online, and as part of a travel guide app for mobile phones. He received a Master’s in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill where he is adjunct creative writing faculty and he is an Authors Guild member. When he isn't writing, he's on his mountain bike or looking for his next favorite guitar. He is currently writing and recording the soundtrack to his novel, The Devil and Preston Black. Find him at http://jasonjackmiller.blogspot.

Mary SanGiovanni is the author of the Bram Stoker nominated novel The Hollower and its sequel Found You, both from Leisure Books, and Thrall from Thunderstorm Books. Over the last decade, various periodicals and anthologies have published her short fiction, some of which was collected in Under Cover of Night. She co-edited the GSHW anthology Dark Territories. Mary received a Master’s in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Find Mary at http://marysangi.wordpress.com.

Victoria Thompson writes the Edgar-nominated Gaslight Mystery Series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt and detective Frank Malloy. Her latest book in the series is Murder on Lexington Avenue. She is also the author of 20 historical romances. A popular speaker, Victoria has taught at Penn State University and currently teaches in the Seton Hill University master’s program in Writing Popular Fiction. She is online at http://victoriathompson.com.


Tuition: $125 PW members (includes a copy of Many Genres, One Craft)
$165 non-members (includes a copy of Many Genres, One Craft)

Registration: Online at Pennwriters

Endorsements:
“Finally! A book on writing category fiction, presented by those who do it every day. Choose a genre and jump right in.”
--Mike Resnick, Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author

"Many Genres, One Craft is a brilliant and insightful must-have book for any writer, from newbie to working pro. Highly recommended!"
--Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of The King of Plagues and Patient Zero

Many Genres has everything you need to write and sell the book of your dreams. It is jam-packed with practical information, clear examples and brilliant insights, all delivered with clarity and wit. Skip the writers’ conference and read this gem from the masters of genre fiction!
--Suzanne Forster, New York Times bestselling author

"Speaking from experience, I can tell you there isn't a muse and if there is, she's already dating someone else." If there isn't a muse, as you'll read in this invaluable book for writers, MANY GENRES ONE CRAFT is surely the next best thing. No matter what you want to learn--from choosing the point of view for a scene, from getting the most out of a critique group to fine-tuning your final draft, from approaching a literary agent to promoting your published book in print or electronically or both--it's all there. The contributors know their stuff, and what they're teaching applies to writing at any age. MANY GENRES ONE CRAFT covers all the bases superbly, including issues I haven't seen addressed anywhere else in today's rapidly shifting publishing landscape.
--Renni Browne, co-author of SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS

Check out our site at http://manygenres.blogspot.com!

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Seton Hill Writers Updates - July 2010

Here's the news from Seton Hill Writers for May, June, and July:

#1: Maria V. Snyder's novel Storm Glass is one of three finalists for a Prism Award in the Fantasy category. The first novel in the "Glass" series, Sea Glass, is the winner of the 2009 Annual Cover Contest in the Alternate Reality cover category. Also, her story "Mongrel" is part of the Running with the Pack anthology edited by Ekaterina Sedia and published through Prime Books. The anthology just received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly.

#2: Ellen Spain will be a Judge for the 2010 Young Voices Foundation Awards. She judged in 2009, as well. Also, Ellen is the new EPIC Secretary.

#3: W. D. Prescott joined Choate Road as a columnist (Prescott's Pulpit) and interviewer. Among his interviewees this fall are three Seton Hill WPF alums: Kate Martin, Calie Voorhis, and Laurie Alice Eakes.

#4: Timons Esaias read his award-winning poetry at the Hemingway's Summer Poetry Series this month in Oakland, Pittsburgh.

#5: Mike Arnzen and Diane Turnshek will be teaching at the ALPHA SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers at the University of Pittsburgh's Greensburg Campus July 14 - 23.

#6: Natalie Duvall is in a competition to become the next columnist at Fine Living Lancaster. You can still vote through Friday, July 16, 2010.

#7: Christopher Paul Carey's story "A Kick in the Side" is part of the upcoming anthology The Worlds of Philip Jose Farmer Protean Dimensions. The story is set in the world of Farmer's Khokarsa series, the same one from The Song of Kwasin, the novel Carey co-wrote with Farmer.

#8: Seton Hill Writers who will be guests at Confluence 2010 in Pittsburgh include Gary A. Braunbeck, Lawrence C. Connolly, Timons Esaias, James Morrow, and Diane Turnshek.

#9: Patrick Picciarelli's short story "The Prince of Arthur Avenue" from the Bronx Noir anthology edited by S. J. Rozan was just made into a movie.

#10: Tim Waggoner has the Nekropolis blog for his new series about Matt Richter a zombie P.I. The first book is Nekropolis followed by Dead Streets.

#11: Damsels in Regress interview Kaye Dacus.

#12: Nicole Peeler joined Seton Hill University as a full-time faculty member this year.

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Monday, November 16, 2009

2010 Pennwriters Conference

The 2010 Pennwriters Conference is scheduled for May 14-16 at the Best Western Eden Resort in Lancaster PA. Prior to the conference, on May 13, they'll be hosting four preconference classes specifically designed to give attendees an in-depth, interactive experience.

Details on these classes are now posted on the Pennwriters Web site. Follow these tiny URLs to go directly to each class, or go to www.pennwriters.com and click on Conference then Intensives to browse the categories.

Plotting and Subplotting with Loree Lough
For all writers who need hands-on experience with plotting; no class limit.
May 13, 2010, 1 pm to 4 pm
http://tiny.cc/PHoF1

Crafting a Fiction Query Package with CJ Lyons
For writers who have a finished draft; class limit 16.
May 13, 2010, 9 am to noon
http://tiny.cc/M5WEY

Fiction Writing with Tim Esaias
For writers who have a finished draft; class limit 15
May 13, 2010, 9 am to 4 pm
http://tiny.cc/w4CK4

Nonfiction Writing with Jonathan Maberry
For writers who have an idea for a nonfiction book; class limit 15.
May 13, 2010, 9 am to 4 pm
http://tiny.cc/NdEaH

If you have any questions, please email conference2010@pennwriters.com

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Monday, January 19, 2009

22nd Annual Pennwriters Conference in Pittsburgh

Online Registration is open for the Pennwriters 22nd Annual Conference A Writer's Tool Chest.

WHEN: May 15 - 17, 2009
WHERE: Pittsburgh Airport Marriott
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline
PENNWRITER SPEAKER: Asimov's Readers' Award winner and Seton Hill mentor Timons Esaias

I'll post continuing updates about the conference, guests, and events.


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Monday, August 04, 2008

2009 Pennwriters Conference Agent Update

So far, the following agents will be at the 2009 Pennwriters Conference held in Pittsburgh during the weekend of May 15-17:

Uwe Stender from TriadaUS Literary
Alyssa Eisner Henkin from Trident Media Group
Lucienne Diver from Spectrum Literary Agency
Paige Wheeler from Folio Literary Management

The keynote speakers are Lisa Scottoline and Seton Hill Writer Timons Esaias.


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Monday, July 28, 2008

Seton Hill Writers Book News

#1: Veins, the debut illustrated novel by Lawrence C. Connolly, is now available from Fantasist Enterprises. You can see and read more about it at the official Veins site.

#2: The Song of Kwasin, a novel by Philip Jose Farmer and Seton Hill alum Christopher Paul Carey, was announced at Farmercon 90. The novel is a direct sequel to Hadon of Ancient Opar and Flight to Opar.

#3: Susan Mallery's latest novel Sweet Talk is on shelves now.

#4: Kimberley A. Opatka-Metzgar, Director of Public Relations for Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary and Seton Hill alum designed The Illustrated History of the Schickel Motorcycle written by Ken Anderson.

#5: Nica Berry has a new e-book out from Torquere Press titled Hart and Soul.

#6: Simply Romance Reviews gave Katherine Ivy's novel Dishonorable Intentions an A+. You can read the entire review here.

#7: Timons Esaias has only a few copies left of his poetry chapbook The Influence of Pigeons on Architecture, now in its second printing.

#8: Dana Marton has an unedited draft of one of her novels up for free on her site. She is asking for email addresses (privately) just to see how many people are reading the book. If enough people take advantage of it, she'll post more free books.

#9: Michael A. Arnzen's limited edition novelette Bitchfight is available now from Bad Moon Books.


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Saturday, March 08, 2008

Seton Hill Writers Updates

#1: K. Ceres Wright's poem Doomed was nominated for the 2008 Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling Award. Ceres also did a voiceover for the SF animated short Star Freighter: Dangerous Cargo.

#2: Timons Esaias is the special guest this Monday in the PennWriters Presents series.

#3: Glenn Garrabrant is modeling clothes for Five Tone Rock 'n Roll Boutique.

#4: Landry Gaines has a new website.

#5: Registration is now open for the 7th Annual In Your Write Mind Writing Popular Fiction Retreat. The conference is open to the public. Guests of honor this June are Ginjer Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief at Penguin Group, and best-selling author J. A. Konrath. Hope to see some of you there this summer!


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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Seton Hill Writers Newest Releases

#1: Mary SanGiovanni's debut novel The Hollower, which was also her Master's thesis for Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction Program, comes out this week.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketThe Hollower

You can read an interview with Mary on Maria V. Snyder's blog.

#2: The Naked Truth, a Harlequin Blaze by alum Shannon Hollis is released this Saturday.

#3: Alum Maria V. Snyder's second novel of the popular Study series Magic Study was just released in trade paperback with a new cover.

#4: Seton Hill mentor Timons Esaias' short story "Norbert and the System" is part of the new textbook Philosophy Through Science Fiction.


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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Green Hills of Earth Poetry Reading

On June 2, The Three Rivers Arts Festival and PARSEC hosted Green Hills of Earth, readings that carry on the tradition of science fiction, fantasy, and macabre poetry. Reading from their own works and those of the masters were Chris Ferrier, Eric Leif Davin, Ziggy Edwards, and Seton Hill writers Michael A. Arnzen, Timons Esaias, Heidi Ruby Miller.

Musical selections which played before the event and during the intermission were from Mike Arnzen's newest CD Audiovile and the motion picture Forbidden Planet by Louis and Bebe Barron.

The event was produced by Dave Brody and Timons Esaias.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketDave Brody

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketMichael A. Arnzen

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketHeidi Ruby Miller

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketEric Leif Davin

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketZiggy Edwards

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketChris Ferrier

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketTimons Esaias


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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Three Rivers Arts Festival - Poetry Readings

WHEN: Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Three Rivers Arts Festival 121 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA

WHAT: Green Hills of Earth, a speculative fiction poetry reading

WHO: Bram Stoker Award winner Michael A. Arnzen and Asimov's Reader's Choice Award winner Timons Esaias, as well as Heidi Ruby Miller, Ziggy Edwards, Eric Davin, and Cheryl Ferrier

I'll be reading Five parsecs away from SCIFAIKUEST 15
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketCover Art by Bruce Boston

and Robot knows which will be in the February 2008 issue of SCIFAIKUEST, along with some new work.

Hope to see you there!

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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

HEIDI'S PICK SIX - Timons Esaias

HEIDI'S PICK SIX with Timons Esaias is up at ambasadora.

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

HEIDI'S PICK SIX - WEEK 9

This week at HEIDI'S PICK SIX:

Monday - Sean Williams / Science Fiction and Fantasy

Wednesday - Timons Esaias / Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Poetry

Friday - Leslie Davis Guccione / Women's Fiction and Romance


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Saturday, February 10, 2007

More Random Writing Bits

#1: Asimov's Reader's Choice Award Winner Timons Esaias has three poems in Bathtub Gin #19. Look for "Domain", "A Break for Freedom in the 61C Cafe", and "To Demur".

#2: In case you hadn't heard last month the Offworld Report is back at SFcrowsnest. The UK SF Book News Network, Locus Online, SF Site, SFX, SF Signal, Sci-Fi Storm, and William Gibson all supply news headlines to the report.

#3: Perseus Books Group is planning to merge with Avalon. Here's part of the press release they sent us:

"Perseus and Avalon share a similar history, both being built through a series of acquisitions and having strengths in general fiction and non-fiction, and the wellness category. Avalon is also the largest independent travel publisher based in the U.S., with the Moon and Rick Steves series of travel guides."

Because Jason and I have a contract with Avalon which calls for us to revise our guidebook Moon Pennsylvania Camping for redistribution every three years, we're watching this to see what happens.


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