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Your Poem on Our Blog

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For the past few years, Writers of Kern has celebrated National Poetry Month (April) in a unique way. Each day in April, an original poem is published on our WOK website. Established poets, emerging poets, and would-be poets all have the possibility of being published during the month.

But, hey, we need YOU to submit your poetry for consideration! Beginning February 20th and throughout March, please send your poems to [email protected]

Guidelines:

  1. Poem line limit: 30 lines or fewer
  2. Submit poems as a Word Document ; 12-point font, Times New Roman or  Arial
  3. Include a short bio (50 words or fewer)
  4. Include a head shot
  5. Send to [email protected] ; In the subject line: NPM-“Title of your Poem”

You have questions? Please send them to: [email protected]

Spring Conference 2020 Scholarship Announcement

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Friends of WOK want to make the Writers of Kern 2020 Spring Conference a possibility for everybody. We also realize that not everyone can afford our attendance fee. That’s why, in conjunction with the WOK Board, we’ve launched the Spring Conference Scholarship Fund which will give (up to) four aspiring writers the chance to attend the Spring Conference to help get their author careers off to the best possible starts.

Details:
Up to four scholarships will be awarded to writers wanting to attend the Writers of Kern 2020 Spring Conference. Two for WOK/CWC members and two for non-members are available.*

We are looking for applicants who show a strong desire to take their writing to the next level and beyond.

Application must be received by March 1, 2020. Recipients will be announced on, or by March 10, 2020.

Scholarship is for 2020 Conference registration only. Transportation to and/or from the venue and/or lodging are recipients’ responsibility.

If you would like to apply, please fill out the form below.

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

2020 Writers of Kern Annual Dan McGuire Blog Challenge!

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What: Our annual Blog Challenge for our writing community honoring our dear friend, and prolific blogger, Dan McGuire.

Who: Anyone can participate (membership in Writers of Kern not required)

When: Start posting Monday, Feb. 10. Final posts by Sunday, May 10.

Why: To develop a habit of regular writing and sharing it with a like-minded community of writers.

Where: Your personal blog online

The Fine Print: (Requirements to finish and be recognized at WOK Honors, our annual awards and recognition dinner. To be held this year on May 16th):

  • To participate, please email: [email protected] with your name and blog web address by Feb 9, 2020.
  • Write 26 posts in 13 weeks
    • Subject/theme is up to you
    • We suggest two posts per week, but there is no minimum or maximum, just so all 26 posts are completed by the end date.
  • Leave 2 comments/week on other participants’ blogs
    • Each participant will be given a list of the other participants’ blogs for easy access
  • Though not required, we prefer you share a link to your blog posts on the Writers of Kern Facebook Group page (link below). It makes it easier to everyone to read and leave comments.
  • After publishing all 26 posts, please email [email protected] to confirm you’ve completed the challenge.
    • Note: Pace yourself. While it seems simple, many will start, while not everyone will finish and that’s okay. We celebrate everyone who starts!

If you do not have a blog, now is the time to start one! This video will help: https://youtu.be/5n-ZpBo7cHI

  • If. after watching the video, you are still struggling, please contact [email protected] We have two very patient volunteers who are willing to answer your blog set-up related questions.

Questions? Email [email protected]

2020 Writers of Kern Annual Dan McGuire Blog Challenge!

15 February 2020 | Featured Speaker Jamie Hoang | 30-Day Publishing Planner

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30 DAY PUBLISHING PLANNER

If you are looking for a better way to tackle getting your book published, then this event is for you!

Award winning author Jamie Hoang will be the special guest presenter at the February 2020 Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting.  Jamie’s book titled, Blue Sun, Yellow Sky has earned 7 awards including a silver medal from the Independent Publisher’s Awards and was listed as one of the best books of 2015 by Kirkus Reviews.  Jamie has given talks at Writers Blok in Los Angeles and at UCLA and has over 60,000 Twitter followers.

During her presentation titled, 30 Day Publishing Planner, Jamie will focus on the first 30 days after completion of a manuscript.  Her program is flexible, enabling writers to adapt it to their own unique circumstances and time limitations.  Topics to be addressed include:

  • Query letters
  • Synopsis
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Book bloggers
  • Friends and family
  • Reviews
  • Perfecting your pitch

Ms. Hoang will also discuss the differences between traditional and self-publishing.  If you want to take some of the stress out of getting your book published, join us for breakfast at Hodel’s on Saturday February 15th.  Jamie promises to, “… help get your book on its merry-published-way!”

Jamie Hoang

Hope to see you there! You can purchase your ticket(s) here.

18 January 2020 | Featured Speaker Brent Gill | “How to Market Your Book Without Using Social Media”

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How to Market Your Book Without Using Social Media

Whew!  You’ve finally published your book!  But now you face the daunting task of marketing your work.

These days, it seems that advertising is all about using social media.  However, author Brett Gill has other ideas about book promotion.  Lots of them!  Brett will the guest speaker at the Writers of Kern monthly meeting on January 18, 2020.

Brett knows what he’s talking about.  He has published and successfully marketed two middle school novels, Fire on Black Mountain, and Snow on Black Mountain.  (He also writes a weekly column for the Porterville Recorder). In his presentation, Brett will reveal some effective strategies he uses to both publicize and sell his books.

 Writers attending this event will learn how to:

  • Schedule book signings at various locations, other than bookstores or libraries
  • Schedule book signings around high traffic events or celebrations
  • Get invitations to speak to Service Clubs, and other community organizations and groups
  • Write an introduction letter that creates excitement and makes them want you

You will come away from this presentation with fresh ideas about sales, marketing, and promotion.   You will also be better equipped to recognize unique opportunities for sharing your own work both within and outside your community.

Hope to see you there! You can purchase your ticket(s) here.