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Workshops & Classes

August 18, 2018 | Self-Publishing Made Simple

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Self-Publishing Workshop in Bakersfield

Marcus & Donnée Harris of First Draft PublishingReady to self-publish your book but don’t know where to start?

Join Writers of Kern and First Draft Publishing executive duo, Marcus and Donnée Harris, to find out how to create and market a self-published book that readers will love to buy.

Marcus and Donnée will cover tools for publishing and selling a manuscript, how to use easy social media resources you probably already have to find new readers, and how to make the most of self-publishing platform, Amazon.

Donnée, journalist turned self-published novelist and busy mom of three, wrote six novels that sold thousands of copies—all while staying home with her girls. Marcus created and marketed seven books while working full-time as an engineer. Both prove that writers can successfully self-publish and sell their books even when they don’t have a lot of time.

Workshop Details

  • When: 18 August 2018, 8:45-11:30am
  • Where: Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive in Bakersfield
  • Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for guests, include a buffet breakfast and can be paid at the door or online.

July 21st, 2018 | Crafting the Perfect Pitch with Clarissa Kae

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Clarrisa Kae

Monthly Meeting July 21, 2018

The publication journey is filled with obstacles. Among them is “the pitch.” At the July 21st Writers of Kern meeting, Clarissa Kae will present a workshop that will demystify the art of a pitch. Writers will discover what a pitch is and what it isn’t–and why we authors need one.

We’ll learn the basics (what, where and how) of a pitch and then work together to reconstruct a more polished pitch. At the end of the workshop, we’ll have a Good Pitch, Bad Pitch contest, where each participant can win a prize for their Perfect Pitch.

“A Perfect Pitch is the very soul of the novel—and the crowning moment in the author’s craft,” says Kae, longtime board member and this year’s WOK president. She has worked with publishing editors and the online presence for Writers Digest and others and garnered clients for traditional and self-publishing clients before breaking out on her own.

Join us on Saturday, July 21, for this exciting topic. Register to attend here.

(You can also pay at the door.)

Allison Crotzer Kimmel – Craft the Perfect 10

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Writers of Kern
Monthly Meeting

April 23, 2016
Allison Crotzer Kimmel

 

Allison Crotzer Kimmel, author and writing workshop presenter, will teach writers how to “Craft the Perfect 10”.
Allison Crotzer Kimmel’s program is designed to remove the mystery of how to hook an agent or editor. She will help participants understand what the first ten pages of their manuscripts should contain and why these are the most important pages of their manuscript.

Using examples and discussion of successful novels that have wonderful “First 10s” and hands-on activities designed to set up participants’ “First 10s” for perfection, Ms. Kimmel expects attendees will become ready to craft their own “Perfect 10.”

A former teacher and the author of four published books for youth in middle grades, she said, “I’ve learned a lot about what worked in my manuscripts and what didn’t.  From the first drafts of my manuscripts to their published pages, my first tens changed [greatly]… “

Allison Crotzer Kimmel, a Bakersfield resident, serves as the Published and Listed Liaison for the CenCal region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. To learn more about Ms. Kimmel, see her website at www.allisoncrotzerkimmel.com

Writers of Kern monthly meetings, held at the Clarion Hotel from 9:30-12:00, are open to the public. Admission: Members, $5, Guests $10. For more information see www.writersofkern.com or email info@writersofkern.com.

Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

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Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

Mark BagbyMark Bagby is an expert on Samuel Clemens, best known under his pen name, Mark Twain.  Mark Twain wrote an astonishing array of work, practically inventing travel writing and redefining children’s literature. He was a journalist and sought-after speaker. The most popular and widely read author of his day, Clemens wrote what many consider the most notable American novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was America’s first celebrity author and a brand name.

Mark Bagby’s newest Twain lecture, “Finding Out is Better: Mark Twain on Writing”, is designed especially for the Writers of Kern February 20th monthly meeting at the Clarion Hotel.

Mr. Bagby compiled stories, anecdotes, and writing tips from his extensive research on the gamut of Mark Twain’s works to create this lecture. “I’ve gathered up material of interest to writers, along with a laugh or two,” he said. “I hope to engage listeners with some not-so-well known Mark Twain quotes about writing, editing, style, publishing, criticism and life.”

An accomplished Mark Twain performer, in his day-to-day life, Mark Bagby is a communications director for an agricultural marketing company. For this special presentation, he will provide a behind-the-scenes peek at the life of Mark Twain and discuss the work necessary to perform in character.

To hear a brief interview with Mark Bagby LISTEN HERE

Monthly General Meetings

Writers of Kern Monthly General Meetings are a time when local writers get together to socialize, network, and improve their writing skill.  Each month the group presents an expert to help local writers hone their craft.

The meetings are open to the public.  Coffee and light refreshments are served at 9:30 with the general meeting beginning promptly at 10 am.  All Active Members of Writers of Kern are encouraged to wear their Writers of Kern Active Pin.

Writers of Kern meetings are held at the Clarion Hotel from 9:30-noon. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests, payable at the door or online https://writersofkern.com/meeting-fee/

Kid Lit Writers Get Together

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Kid Lit Writers Get Together

Kid LitCalling all Children’s Writers:

Kid Lit writers take note!  Writers of Kern and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) are teaming up for a Kid-Lit Mingle Saturday, January 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Russo’s Books, 1601 New Stine Rd., #182.

The SCBWI is one of the largest organizations for writers and illustrators.  The organization is dedicated to those writers and illustrators working in the children’s literature (Kid Lit) and young adult fields in all facets including magazines, film, and multi-media.  According to their mission statement the organization, “… to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books around the world. We accomplish this by fostering a vibrant community of individuals who bring books for young readers to the public including writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, bloggers, enthusiasts and others. We provide education and support for these individuals  and the community through our awards, grants, programs and events. We strive to increase the quality and quantity of children’s books in the marketplace, and act as a consolidated voice for writers and illustrators of children’s books worldwide.”

Whether you write picture books, middle grade or young adult, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow Kid Lit writers, share ideas and discuss writing goals.  Participants may bring the first page of a work-in-progress to share.

The event is not only social, Kid Lit writers will leave with 100 tips to help you on your path to publication.  If you are a writer or illustrator specializing in children’s literature, you need to come to this event.  To RSVP contact Rebecca Langston-George at cencal-ara@scbwi.org

Kid Lit WritersThe author of six non-fiction books for children, Rebecca Langston-George is the Assistant Regional Advisor of the Central Coastal Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). When she’s not writing Rebecca can be found in her fifth grade classroom or procrastinating at her keyboard beside her tribe of sock monkeys.  www.rebeccalangston-george.com