Month: January 2023

Fantasy Writers – Free

ProWritingAid, the makers of that great self-editing software, is continuing its trend of periodically offering free online classes for specific genres. For 27 February through 2 March, the focus will be on FANTASY.

Replays are available on-demand for a week after the event. Did I mention that it’s free..?

This event offers a lot including

  • Live interview with bestselling author R. F. Kuang (Babel)
  • Jessica Brody of (Save the Cat! Writes a Novel)
  • Workshops on outlining, writing, and editing your fantasy story
  • Networking events to get to know other fantasy writers

Learn more and register today.

Calling Writers & Readers!

Readers, mark this date: March 4 — And, indies: also February 18.

Nampa Public Library is hosting a Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair. March 4 is the date of the fair. February 18 is the last day for an open call — to all local indie writers, illustrators, and publishers — to submit an application.

Cue: EXCITEMENT!

Note that there’s no tabling fee for participants. NPL will provide 1 table and up to 2 chairs per vendor. There will be 1 hour to set up before the beginning of the fair.  All sales and proceeds go directly to the vendor.

Visit nampalibrary.org/bookfair to sign up and for more information. Be sure to pass this info along to anyone not on the Idaho Writers Update newsletter list!

Suspense Voice & Theme

Mystery Writers of America (Northwest Chapter) is presenting a full-day mini-conference 11 February. It’s online, and available to nonmembers as well.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite – $10/members and $20 for nonmembers.

Agenda includes
  • Increasing Pace & Suspense with Intentional Rewrites, presented by Elena Taylor
  • Writing Essentials: Voice & Theme, presented by Briana Lane

Read more about the courses and the presenters on the Eventbrite site.

Hailey, Idaho Murder Mystery

Idaho author Julie Weston has a book presentation at 5:30 p.m. MT on Thursday, 2 February, at the Hailey Public Library. The book: MOON BONES, a Nellie Burns and Moonshine Mystery, the 5th in the series.

A book signing will follow.

The death of a Chinese man leads photographer Nellie Burns and Sheriff Asteguitoiri to Vienna, a ghost town in the Stanley Basin in 1920’s Idaho. Sammy Ah Kee, who taught Nellie to drive, found the man’s body and is accused of killing him.  With the help of Nellie’s dog Moonshine, they discover a conspiracy dedicated to enslaving Chinese immigrants. 

Find the book at Bookshop.org (supporting your local bookshop), Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

Rebecca Evans

She’s been in several anthologies and has co-edited a poetry collection in tribute to the life and achievements of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, when there are nine (available widely: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org, and via the publisher’s site, Moon Tide Press.

A memoir-in-verse, Tangled by Blood, is forthcoming (March 2023). This is a full-length collection, but delivered in a narrative format of three parts with a shifting point of view. 

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I’m a fairly systematic and disciplined human, but I try not to overstructure my writing habit. I find I’m more creative in the early morning, so I usually wake around four and spend an hour or two in my self-care and reflection routine. This includes gentle yoga, stretching, reading, journaling, morning prayers, puppies, and sitting in silence. After, I eat a hearty breakfast. Eggs. Every day. No matter. And then I cook a big breakfast for my sons and walk my Newfoundlands. 

By the time I settle in for writing, it’s around seven in the morning and I sit at my desk, I pull a Tarot card, I light a fig candle and some sage. I always write longhand first and then transfer to my computer. This early writing is generative and creative. I explore forms and song and methods and moods.

Continue reading “Rebecca Evans”

Idaho Mystery (etc.) Writers…

Do you write mysteries, suspense, crime fiction, thrillers? You are heartily invited to join us, sisters (and brothers)!

An Idaho chapter of the international crime-writer’s association, Sisters In Crime, is in the process of forming. Our first meeting will be in Boise one week from today, on 12 January (5-7 p.m. MT).

Meetings will be in Boise every other month. Check out their website, IdahoSinC.com, for more information.

Screenwriters!

  • Do you, or someone you know, want to learn how to write a script for the big screen?
  • Have you thought of entering the i48 Film Festival, but don’t feel you have the skills needed?
  • Are you an author with a published book or short story that would make a great film?

The Catalyst Arts Collaborative* now has an 8-week SCREENWRITING 101 class. It will run Wednesday evenings 8 Feb. through 29 March (6:30 – 7:30 p.m. MT). SPACES ARE LIMITED. Instructor: Sherry Briscoe

*2417 W. Bank Drive, Boise

In this class

  • You’ll learn all the basics of screenwriting
  • You’ll write a screenplay from start to finish

Note: The Catalyst is actively seeking instructors in related fields, such as: camera operation, sound, and directing