OZARKS CREATIVE WRITERS IS OCTOBER 6-8 in Eureka Springs check their website http://www.ozarkscreativewriters.org/

NOVEMBER 5 IS MISSOURI CONFLUENCE CONFERENCE SCBWI check http://moscbwi.org/

Watch for my upcoming book blog I am creating to promote and share what books I am self-publishing and submitting to traditional publishers.
OZARKS SUNRISES is my first in a line of gift books for all occasions - Thank you gifts, stocking stuffers, a thinking of you gifts in the mail, office gifts, get well and birthdays gifts, just to name a few. It will arrive in about three weeks. It was published by Enterprise Printing Company. Inc., Bull Shoals, Arkansas. On this blog I will share where you can purchase it, the cost and where you will find me doing signings. Stay tuned for updates.

I am sadly disappointed to hear the Twin Lakes Writers will no longer be meeting at our new Donald W. Reynolds Library. To learn more continue to read.

Monday September 19, 2011 -10:30 am, I attended my monthly board meeting of The Friends of the Library, where I heard the latest news about the Twin Lakes Writers.

The FOL is the only membership I continued to be involved with after May 10th when I fractured my left arm above the elbow and on the 13th; I had surgery where the doctor placed a plate with pins to hold the bone together. It was inserted through my shoulder; it continues to heal. So, I was unable to continue at that time as president of the group that I had founded March 1998. My vice-president was kind enough to be the president.

The library supported our writers group in so many ways. We had a large beautiful room with a podium and a speaker, plus a large screen for a “Power Point” presentation. December 4th the library will continue to sponsor “Local Authors Day.” To learn more click on http://www.baxlib.org
Go to their calendar on Sunday Dec 4th sign up to reserve a space and be mentioned in their press releases.

Watch for my new blog or website to announce information on books I am self-publishing, submitting to traditional publishers and books I am rewriting. I will be announcing my new book that will be released in 3-4 weeks. So continue to tune in to see what is happen as I try to go forward in a world of the unexpected.

Arkansas SCBWI Fall
Retreat 2011:
November 4-6, 2011
St. Scholastica Retreat Center, Fort Smith http://www.arkansasscbwi.org
This year's retreat is open to all writers working seriously toward publication. Space is limited.
The 15th annual Arkansas SCBWI Fall Retreat for Writers of Children's Literature will feature hands-on workshops led by Stacy Cantor Abrams, editor at Walker Books for Young Readers, and guidance on craft issues by Anna Myers. At the retreat, writers will learn techniques to strengthen their works-in-progress, submissions and writing skills.
Registered attendees will submit pages from a manuscript in advance (by Oct. 1) and receive feedback from the editor at the retreat. Instructions will be emailed to those who are registered.
Cost is $280, which includes private rooms with shared bath, meals, snacks and all sessions.Semi-private rooms with shared bath are available if you would like to room with a friend.Accommodations are retreat like with no phone or television in rooms. Television and phone service are available in the lounge area.
Reservations are on a first come, first served basis.
Registration is currently open for previous attendees and SCBWI members who requested information. Please email the Retreat Director for registration instructions.

SCBWI & OWAIC SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
The information below is provided by Naomi Shaw, President OWAIC. (Naomi has worked hard to provide this group for writers who love to write & illustrate for children. I love this group. Thanks to you Naomi & your members for providing us monthly meetings and the best annual summer workshops.Mary Nida Smith)

It has been a great privilege to get to know all of you and be a part of your writing and illustrating career. I look forward to staying in contact with you in the future and continuing to be a part of OWAIC. However, I've come to a point where I have to make the decision to step out of the leadership role. OWAIC will continue to meet at the Library Station on the first Saturday of the month. But, I will no longer be able to make arrangements for programs, reminders, or the workshops. In the last five years our group has grown in numbers and in the craft. OWAIC meets a need in the region that currently has not been met by any other organization. Still, with the appointment of our very own Joyce Ragland as the Regional Assistant for Missouri SCBWI, we have a unique opportunity. We could "merge" our local group. Many are members of SCBWI now. Membership in SCBWI would not be a criterion for attendance. Joyce is willing to become involved with our OWAIC group in a leadership role as a facilitator until if/when someone else wants to lead the local group.

OWAIC would retain its identity for now as long as the GROUP wants to continue.

WHERE--The Library Station is reserved through the end of this year and we have our name in for next year.

JANIE--Will be stepping down from her role as planner and organizer for now, but will post announcements and updates on the website. Author J.B. Cheaney

DIRECTION--The group will retain its unique identity. Your creativity will continue to be encouraged and developed into marketable work. We have asked Joyce Ragland and Janet Weber (the Assistant RA) to bring their vision and resources, which are significant, to the group. Individual members of the group would need to take responsibility for some logistics.

OWAIC has assets. You are the biggest asset. Your desire to produce great literature, your willingness to share your time and experience, and your respect for each other cannot be quantified. Plus, we have established a great relationship with the Library Station and the Library Center.

SCBWI is the largest international organization promoting children's authors and illustrators on the planet. I feel our group will be in good company to share when we can at a local level.

Saturday,October 1, I hope all of you that can attend will attend and make the most of this new arrangement. I look forward to seeing all of you again as often as I can.

I will not be giving your contact information to Joyce automatically. If you would like to stay involved at the local level, please share your contact information with Joyce at JCRagland@gmail.com. Mention OWAIC in your subject line please. She looks forward to hearing from you. Or, if you prefer to attend the October meeting to see/hear more about the revised OWAIC, that is fine.

Thank you and God Bless,
Naomi Shaw

Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, AR Children's Library has acquired two of Carole Tormey Jones, Artist/Illustrator's art work of the "Cotter Otter" now hanging on their wall for all to enjoy. Carole's prints and other paintings can be found at Toll House Antiques and Gifts in Cotter Arkansas.

Carole's paintings can be found in the homes of numerous collectors all over the world. She grew up in the horse country of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.

I am pleased to say, Carole is a dear friend of mine. She is very active creating greeting cards, books, wood burning art and other artistic works.

Is life what we make it? When we get rejection letters as a writer do we say the heck with it and quit, or do we head out to our creative area and say, "I am not a quitter." Remember do not measure yourself with the accomplishments of others or you will fail. Be true to who you are, do not pretend to be someone you are not. Life is more fun and less stressful being who you are - a fun loving person filled with many things to share.