2-25-10 writer group meeting

2-25-10 Writer Group meeting

A great meeting today with a lot of energy! 7 attendees, 3 of which were new people!

Attendees: J. Tidwell, C. Palmer, Moon Pie, **Ms. Iris Dave,** Mr. Eddie Dave, **Rhonda Nicks, Joan Harbin.

Opening: “Industry Notes” by Moon Pie. Some discussion on Dr. Amy Bishop (Huntsville- UAH) and her writing group she belonged to in Boston. Also her relationship with the writer John Irving (World According to Garp, and Cider House Rules books.)
Book Expo America will be May 25-27 in New York City. You may be able to catch it on C-Span TV channel, it was shown there in 2009. If you are interested in the book business and where it is headed, you may want to keep up with this convention and follow stories about it in the press.

Stories read today:
“The Roman Baths” by Moon Pie.
“Time” by Jerry Tidwell.

Member notes: Moon Pie will be attending EPICON 2010 next week in New Orleans. Jerry has an upcoming book signing in Tuscumbia in March. He just sent off a mail order copy of his book to a lady in Mississippi. He also recently donated a copy of his book to the public library in Killen (AL) and printed off the front page of the East Lauderdale News paper for us. He was pictured with the Killen librarian and the mayor.

New business: Jerry had a suggestion for something different for the group to consider. It would be writing the first act about Jesse James Play. The town of Killen has a founders day coming up this summer and would like to present a play with local actors. Jerry researched Jesse James and his time in and around Killen. Jerry and Moon Pie were open to this writing project. He will bring more information to the next meeting. MoonPie will contact other members about input on the play projec and attending the next meeting on March 11.

Cathy Palmer is working on a questionnaire for the group.

** denote new attendees

2-11-10 Writer Group meeting. Attendees: Moon Pie, Sarah Walls, Jerry Tidwell, Cathy Palmer.
Old Business- we discussed the old business we had in the group.

New Business- Moon Pie started a new item called “Industry News” which she will cull from 3 different email loops she is on. She gave a handout on the NYC best seller list (specifically the book The Shack) and a Myspace story on “I judge you by the grammar you use.” She said Ann Chambless is featured on this week’s Pennys Purse web page, discussing the “Blue House”.

She said she mailed her brother a copy of J. Tidwell’s book and he has been enjoying reading it. Jerry reported on his sales from the Heritage Center and the public library.

Moon Pie showed the gift basket she will be donating at the May Heart of Dixie Romance Reader’s luncheon. It will include: a sack of Starbucks coffee, a Starbucks coffee cup, a copy of Jerry’s book and probably some other small articles.

Stories read today were:
“Who died and made you queen?” – Moon Pie
“Shinobi, the Big Fat Fish”—Cathy Palmer.
“I want 2 daddies”, and “Emergency 911 call”—Sarah Walls.

Jerry told us he was working in his second book. He had a story to read, but it was too long for our meeting. The next meeting Jerry may bring in some Xeroxed articles from old Saturday Evening Post magazines to share.
The next meeting will be February 25th.