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Blog

June Featured Speaker – Jason Cipriano

April 24, 2024 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: How to self-publish Effectively

Join New York Times bestselling author J.A. Cipriano as he demystifies the world of self-publishing, drawing on his own successful journey to show aspiring authors how to navigate this dynamic field. Cipriano, renowned for his expertise and captivating storytelling, will share invaluable insights into developing compelling narratives, understanding market trends, and leveraging digital platforms to reach a global audience. Whether you’re a budding writer dreaming of publishing your first book or an established author looking to broaden your horizons, this talk offers a unique opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s very best. Dive deep into the practicalities of self-publishing, from crafting your story to the final stages of marketing and distribution. J.A. Cipriano will cover essential topics, including effective editing techniques, cover design, and the importance of building an engaging online presence. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the self-publishing process, equipped with the tools and confidence to take their writing career into their own hands. Don’t miss this chance to turn your publishing aspirations into reality with guidance from a master of the craft.

J.A. Cipriano transformed from a second-grader who disliked writing due to messy handwriting into a New York Times Bestselling author, embracing storytelling after an unintended passion discovery. Winning early writing contests and influenced by encounters with Dean Koontz and Stan Lee, his journey took him from fanfiction to crafting original novels.

I have sold millions of books. I have gotten on the New York Times Bestseller list twice. The USA Today best sellers list twice. I was an Urban Fantasy Panel host at the inaugural 20booksto50k conference.

Email:  jason@ddcopublishing.com

https://www.facebook.com/JACiprianoAuthor

https://www.patreon.com/Jacipriano

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

2024 WOK Board Elections

April 16, 2024 By TBeaulieu

Important!! Writers of Kern 2024 Board Elections are fast approaching!

We are in need of members to step-up and volunteer for the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasure, and Newsletter Editor.

Writers of Kern Board Elections will take place during the June 15th 2024 meeting and the newly elected Board members will take over starting July 1st 2024.

Please email Tami at president@writersofkern.com with questions and/or to volunteer for one of the open positions.

May W.O.K. Honors Dinner 2024

April 13, 2024 By TBeaulieu

May Honors Dinner – Members and Guests Only

It’s time to ramp up for our May Honors Dinner.  Unlike our “teaching” meetings, this meeting is a dinner, a social opportunity, and a time to honor those who have met certain goals.

Peggy Connelly Scholarship Presentation
Robert C. Hargreaves Achievement Award
Writers of Kern Active Member Pinning

If you have been traditionally published (or become so before the meeting) you will be honored with the Robert Hargreaves award.  You will receive a plaque to take home and your name will also be added to the perpetual plaque with all former recipients.  Please let us know asap if you have qualified for that honor.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Tami Beaulieu at president@writersofkern.com for more information.

There will be opportunity bags/baskets and time to share your latest writing (five minutes each).  There may be games…and there will be a writing prompt if you would like to participate.

We look forward to seeing all of our members and their special guests.

Saturday May 18, 2024

Members $20 and Guests $20

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Hodel’s Country Dining

5917 Knudsen Drive

Bakersfield, CA 93308

(From Hwy. 99, exit Olive Dr. West. Turn right at Knudsen Dr.)

Reserve Your Seat Now!

Peggy Connelly Scholarship 2024

April 13, 2024 By TBeaulieu

The Peggy Connelly Scholarship honors children’s author Peggy Connelly, a founding member of Writers of Kern, who encouraged and supported new writers. Just as her books encouraged young readers, this scholarship continues her legacy by helping writers of children’s literature.

One $500 scholarship* has been established by Writers of Kern to provide financial support to Kern County writers of children’s literature which can be used for materials, education, promotion, publication, or expenses related to a children’s writing project. Children’s writing includes fiction, nonfiction, and verse ranging from board book, picture book, chapter book, middle grade novel and young adult novel. We invite all aspiring and established children’s authors living in Kern County to apply. (Membership in Writers of Kern is not a requirement).  Application requirements are as follows:

Questionnaire

In two (2) pages or less, please answer the following questions:

  1. What do you consider your strengths as a children’s writer?
  2. What obstacles do you face as a writer?
  3. What goals have you set for yourself as a writer?
  4. If you are awarded the grant, how will you use the money to further your children’s writing and achieve these goals? (Be specific: include details and prices)
  5. Have you ever received the Peg Connelly scholarship in the past?

Style Guidelines

Please address each question in a Word document, double-spaced, 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman), 1-inch margins all around. Submit two (2) copies: copy 1 with identification; copy 2, blind. Judges will read for clarity as well as creativity. Applications that do not comply will not be considered.

Writing Sample

Please submit a sample of your work in progress as described below:

Full text of a picture book (fiction or nonfiction); OR

First five (5) pages of your children’s work-in-progress project.

Writing Sample Guidelines:

Submissions must be correctly formatted in a Word document, double-spaced, 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman), 1-inch margins all around. Only works in progress that have not been previously published will be considered. Do not send illustrations. Format as a manuscript; do not format as book pages or spreads. Submit two (2) copies: copy 1 with identification; copy 2, blind. Judges will read for clarity as well as creativity. Applications that do not comply will not be considered.

Application Period

The application period is April 12, 2023. Applications will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2024

*Judges reserve the right to make no award if the number or quality of entries is insufficient.

Please email the following documents with the title of your manuscript in the subject line to: rebeccalangstongeorge@gmail.com

  1. Questionnaire (Identity Copy)
  2. Questionnaire (Blind Copy)
  3. Writing Sample (Identity Copy)
  4. Writing Sample (Blind Copy)

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.

All application materials must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2024. Submissions after this time will not be accepted or recognized.

TIPS:

  1. Be specific when answering the questions and include how you will use the money to further your writing goals. General answers such as “I plan to attend a workshop” won’t score as high as specific answers such as “I plan to use $500 of the grant money to attend the Highlights middle grade novel writing workshop in June, 2024. The remainder of the money will go towards paying for a substantive edit of my middle grade novel with freelance editor Karla Writewell.”
  2. Polish your writing sample and have a friend proofread it prior to submitting.
  3. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit.

Please direct any questions to Rebecca Langston-George at the email above. (Do not wait until the last day to ask questions)

Winners will be recognized at the WOK Honors Event in May!

April Featured Speaker – Carla Stanley

April 11, 2024 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: The Art of Writing Great Memoir

Carla Stanley has been writing for years, but it wasn’t until 2017, when she retired from teaching high school English and Theater, that she got serious. Since taking a memoir writing class in 2018, Carla has written over 150 memoirs to share with family and friends. She plans to share what she had learned in her numerous memoir-writing classes, hoping to tweak your writing in small ways that takes an okay piece of writing and makes it come alive.

Besides memoir-writing, Carla has continued the playwriting she polished working with students for 14 years at Shafter High School. In 2022, one of her short plays was performed at Bakersfield Community Theater’s One-Act Festival.

Carla joined WOK during the pandemic and participated in many Zoom Open Mic events. Her poem “Veterans” and her short story “A Bunch of Bull” were published in the 2021 Writers of Kern Anthology Pathway to the Heart.

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

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