THE TREASURE BOX Update

Bryan Freeman reports that as of May 19, 401 books have been sold with a sales total of $3,388.45.

Also, if anyone would like a copy of the picture that was taken of the authors, let Bryan know at bnw1@peoplescom.net and he will send you a copy by e-mail.

Seated: Sherry Ray, Gay Ingram, Donna Kouba, Raenell Craft, Vickie Phelps, Gale Gill.
Standing: Ken Loveless, Bryan Freeman, Brandon Jones, Kelly Kojack, David Allen, Bill Carl, Stephen Woodfin, (right under clock)
Jean Pamplin, Skip Hughes, Galand Knuchols, Jim Callan, Earlene Callan, David Colley, Holly White, Jackie Brown, Georgia Henson, and Janice Glass.
Missing:Vickie Anderson, Diane Bailey, Bob Brown, Virginia Brown, L.C. Dunlop, Charlotte Hilliard, Donna Paul, Paul Paris, Steve Sabatka, Allan Smith, Bill Sneed,
Jane Swindell, Steve Whisnant, and cover artist Kay Howell.

Photo by Bryan Freeman

The Treasure Box Authors

Authors who had books for sale at the conference are requested to check your boxes to see if you might have picked up a box containing 20 copies of the anthology by mistake. If so, please contact Bryan or Jim or Earlene Callan.

For those who did not get this by e-mail from Sherry Ray:

Friends of the Daingerfield Public Library will host a book signing for the anthology A Treasure Box on Thursday, June 26, from

10 am until noon. If you can attend, please let me know so that we can get the publicity underway. I would like your name and town., i.e., Sherry Ray – Daingerfield. Also, can someone bring a box or two or three of the books to sell? Thanks. Sherry R ay, Tel. No. 903-353-2377 or Daingerfield Public Library, 206 Jefferson Street, 903-645-2823.

May 2008 NETWO Monthly Meeting

Written by Michele Chitsey, Secretary

Twenty members of the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization met on April 8, 2008 at the Western Sizzlin in Mt. Pleasant, Texas at 6:30 p.m. Three guests also attended the meeting: Deanna Hambly, John and Martha Mullins.

Old Business:

David Allen gave a report on the Short Story Contest. There were 50 entries. The entry fees brought in $397.00. The expenditures for awards were $250.00. The judge’s fee was $150.00. The club was in the red for $7.00. David expressed appreciation to those who participated in the contest. The judge ranked all fifty entries in order of quality. The judge then gave an in-depth critique of the winning stories and the honorable mentions.

The profit for the conference itself at this time is approximately $500.00. NETWO received a $2,000.00 grant from the State of Texas. There were refunds for those who registered early and then were unable to attend the conference.

The expenses for the conference were $8,500 for Camp Shiloh’s facilities, airplane tickets for the speakers, and publicity.

Early registration was a success because everyone was pre-registered before Saturday morning.

Jim Callan reported that the evaluations were high and full of good remarks.

Jim presented a gift basket to Georgia Henson for the valuable phone calls she makes to remind current and prospective members about upcoming events, especially the yearly conference.

One hundred and two NETWO anthologies, The Treasure Box were distributed during the conference. Ten were given to the speakers.

An anthology was given to Pat Fox for her contributions of paper and use of a copier for NETWO’s newsletters from years past.

It was voted to sell the anthology for $8.00 to other writers’ groups to sell at whatever price they determine.

The Pittsburg Library has volunteered a book signing sometime in June for those interested.

Jackie Brown has volunteered to get the addresses for all Texas libraries to send out brochures to sell the anthology.

New Business:

Next year’s proposed Writers’ Conference will be April 24^th and 25^th at Camp Shiloh. NETWO will be able to rent the facilities for the same price as this year.

Galand suggested contacting the Mt. Pleasant Tribune to see if it would be interested in publishing weekly short stories written by NETWO members.

Jean Pamplin suggested sharing some original children’s short stories with the Mt. Vernon Library during the summer reading program.

Janice Glass invited NETWO members to attend the Texarkana Writers’ Group for a book signing and meeting, Saturday, June 14^th, at the Texarkana Public Library.

Bob St. John donated two copies of his book, Sketches in His Own Key, to be given away at the May meeting. David Allen and new member Deanna Hambly were the winners.

Critique Session:

Scott Fitzwater continued reading from his fiction novel Saving Moose, about an old man who is given a second chance at salvation if he can safely chaperone four boys for sixteen days.
Jackie Brown read from her science fiction mystery about a famous scientist who is kidnapped by aliens.
Bill Carl read from his newly published action/adventure novel The Shadow of God. Young scientists discover a way to produce massive amounts of crude oil which also creates mortal enemies from OPEC and the Chinese.
Galand Nuchols read a short story entitled Miayah’s Shock. Miayah and her father usually enjoy a breakfast alone after the rest of the family has gone to school or work. On this day, Miayah realizes something is terribly wrong with her father and calls for help, saving his life.
Guest Deanna Hambly read an inspirational, Sarah, which is about a dysfunctional female seeking redemption.
Matt Edwards read from one of his graphic novels, OPECSCAR. A young truck driver and his masculine redneck mother travel to the Middle East to save the truck driving school in Venezuela from a prospective military dictator. ?

EVENTS

NETWO members have been extended the following invitation:

Texarkana Writers’ Workshop will host a book signing and showcase on Saturday, June 14, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Texarkana Public Library. Our regular workshop meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. All writers are invited to bring their books to sign and attend our fun workshop after lunch. New writers without books are encouraged to attend and display their work. Tables and chairs will be provided with two writers per table.

On that day, we will have a Story Time starting at 10:00 a.m. for the children in the main library. The Story Time coordinator for the library will print posters and advertise the event for us. Those with children’s books and stories may read to the children.

This event will be announced at the June NETWO meeting. Please let us know at that time if you’d like to be with us. You may contact us at jg103@msn.com, or phone Janice Glass at 903-792-4454. Texarkana Public Library is located at 600 West 3^rd Street. Hope to see you there.

Additional information received from

Janice Glass:

“Those of you who plan to attend Texarkana Writers’ Book Signing and Showcase on June 14^th, please email me pictures of your book covers so we can make advertising posters. This includes those who plan to read their children’s books during Story Time.

“You may also send them to:

Janice Glass

P. O. Box 7035

Texarkana, TX 75505-7035

“I have a picture of The Treasure Box, so don’t send another. We’d like the anthology and NETWO to be represented. Is anyone planning to attend who will sell it for NETWO?

“Please send your cover photos soon. We’ll talk about the book signing some more at the June NETWO meeting on the 12^th.

“Please pass this on to other authors you know.

Janice”

BITS AND PIECES

Dear NETWO writers,

Thank you so very much for the wonderful trip to Dallas. We spent May 22 and 23^rd at

La Quinta Inn near Ginnie Bivona’s home. We had dinner at her home on the 22^nd with Lee Elsessor and Ginnie doing the cooking. Del Cain and his wife, Isabella, also came to dinner. Another couple, Pam and Jack, rounded out the group for a delightful evening.

Friday, we spent the day shopping and doing our own thing, then went out to dinner with Ginnie and to a chocolate shop for an absolutely sinful dessert. Then back to our little nest at the La Quinta.

It was unnecessary for all of you to do that for us, but since you did we enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks again to all of you.

Earlene and Jim Callan

* * * * *

Thank you all for the wonderful gift presented to me at the May NETWO meeting. The coffee, books, and candy were greatly enjoyed. My efforts in taking and making calls and helping with the conference are things I am pleased to contribute, but I do appreciate your thoughtfulness. It is a real joy to see NETWO grow.

Georgia Henson

* * * * *

Georgia received the following letter from the recipient of the Georgia Henson Scholarship Award:

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your helping me to attend the NETWO Conference and also how much I enjoyed it. The speakers and food were wonderful. It was certainly worth the drive.

I had an opportunity to interview with Ms. Aletha Spiridon late in the afternoon. It was the best part of the whole day. She had read the story I had been working on. She liked it and gave me her email address and said even if it takes a year to finish, she wants to see it. Naturally, I am working on the story harder than ever.

Thank you for making this opportunity available to me. Once again, I want to say I appreciate you very much and I am looking forward to the next conference.

With sincere thanks,

Jennifer Hawkins

* * * * *

Congratulations to Galand and Tom Nuchols on the birth of their granddaughter. We will have to get all the statistics at the June meeting .

* * * * *

William Carl held a book signing of his newly published Until Tomorrow on May 18 at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church in Texarkana. The surprise was the sale of more hardbacks than expected. Walden Books at Central Mall, Texarkana, is holding a signing for him on June 7. Also, the Baptist Book Store is stocking his book as well as the Christian Herald Book Store.

The June 2008 issue of Texas Highways has an article stating that with the release of his new novel Holy Moly NETWO Conference speaker Ben Rehder is concluding his six-book mystery series. The article is part of FOR THE ROAD (Top Picks and Places).

MY DOCTOR THE VET

Bryan Freeman’s dog, Waldo, got sick one weekend and his vet was out hunting when they called him. They talked about writing and poetry, and the Vet said that poetry was fuzzy writing, so in the spirit of poems, Bryan wrote a poem to him from Waldo.

U wuz out having fun shooting ducks

I wuz home sick, ‘n going nuts

A call wuz made to your location.

U dropped yer gun ‘n came to me without hesitation.

U gave me a shot ‘n sum pill to fix

What was wrong.

Now I’m home where I belong.

I have no money in any banks,

‘N all I can say is

THANKS.

WALDO

& & &

Thanks to Ken Loveless for permission to use some of his “Grouchies”.

It’s Okay to be Grouchy When:

ü You can’t convince your minister that the Fourth Commandment (no work on the Sabbath) fails to include spouses.

ü Your little girl comes home from Sunday School and tells you God created Eve because Adam was helpless.

ü People know families on television better than families next door.

ü People guard their ages by staying away from their class reunions.

ü You can’t convince your English teacher that your split infinitives are strong enough to stay split.

ü It takes longer to get a mortage than to get divorced.

ü Your spouse, the “shade tree” mechanic, takes things apart to find out why they aren’t broken.

ü You can’t find dust on dirty books.

ü Public relations flacks hail “new traditions.” Shouldn’t something be “old” to be a tradition?

ü The only thing kids’ toys teach is how to change batteries.

ü It’s unsalted, it’s fat-free, and it’s bland, bland, bland! t

Thanks to Jim Callan for the following:

You can let your mind run wild on the names of your characters. And, you probably won’t be as bizarre as some real-world names. Here are a few from the New York telephone directory – actual names:

Rich Guy Brock Lee

Raisin Hail Pennie Less

Helena Handbasket Shirley U. Jest

Pearl Harbour Kay Ken Coffee

Barry D. Hatchett Chester Drawers

Herbie Hind

NOTICE:

If any members use e-mail and are not presently receiving the newsletter that way, please send your address to me at floysmith@windstream.net

You will get the newsletter much faster and lower NETWO expenses. I especially don’t have addresses for new members.

MARKETS

NE Texas online publisher, Whyte Dove Press is giving away $400 in cash prizes in a writing contest with NO ENTRY FEE. Entry deadline is 6pm July 4, 2008 and winners will be notified August 1, 2008.

Besides money, first and second prize winners are guaranteed publication on the website. Outstanding non-winning entries may also be featured on the website, giving lesser known writers additional exposure and “published clips” to link to e-queries, which more magazines are accepting now. ALL entries in the categories for youth and children will get to see their work published on the web just for trying!

Whyte Dove press desires to discover and encourage new talent capable of wholesome writing that is above average in quality. We hope you, your family, and your friends give it a try.

Categories are:

Non-Fiction (essay of 750-1500 words) - $100 first prize and $35 second prize

Fiction (story of 750-1500 words) - $100 first prize and $35 second prize

Poetry (modern hymn 3-4 stanzas) - $40 first prize and $15 second prize

Youth ages 13-19 compete for $50 by writing an essay of 500-1000 words.

Children age 12 and under compete for $25 by writing an essay of 250-500 words.

Everyone on the planet who can type in English is welcome to enter (except the staff of Whyte Dove Press). Enter as many times as you want. With no entry fee, you’ve little to lose and much to gain! Full details and rules can be found at www.whytedovepress.com.

K. A. Young

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Whyte Dove Press

P. O. Box 385

Quitman, TX 75783

? ? ? ?

Bressler|Scoggins Literary Management, a new agency, recently said they are shifting from a large array of subjects to a narrower focus: romance. Here is the news from Becky Scoggins herself.

“After receiving hundreds upon hundreds of submissions, we have decided to specialize in romance categories, including romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary romance and young adult romance. We also are looking for women’s fiction and a very select amount of women’s nonfiction (parenting, motivational, business written for women).”

You might want to check out their website: www.bresslerscroggins.com. <