Get Published! Write for Magazines

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I'm offering another session of the "Get Published" workshop in July. I love teaching this class - high energy, lots of fun, stuffed with information. If you know anyone who has an interest in writing for magazines, either as a career or a side business/hobby, please pass on the workshop information. Hope to see you there!

Click to download high-resolution pdf version of flyer, suitable for printing.

 

Media Week

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I've put a lot of face time in on local media this week. Monday I was the guest on "It's About Your Business," a live weekly Internet show for entrepreneurs and business owners to talk about their business. If you go to the site and click on "Past Shows" you'll see my picture and a link to the 30-minute interview. 

On Tuesday I hosted my radio show, "How'd You End Up Here?" and had Joe Dass as my guest. Joe moved to NC from Brooklyn 3 years ago and is a riot of fun. Total New Yorker, down to the attitude and accent. He told a great story about how his first month here some car in front of him was driving too slow so he honked and made a few gestures before passing the car... which turned out

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Funnier Speeches

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Click image to go to the siteIf you're ever in need of humor for a speech or presentation, you simply MUST contact FunnierSpeeches.com. I met co-founder Ron Culberson years ago at an Erma Bombeck humor writers contest. We e-mailed a bit then lost touch. About three years ago I was an instructor at a National Speakers Association weekend retreat and ran into Ron, a member (with their highest designation of CSP) attending the retreat. We knew we knew each other but couldn't place how. It took us almost 30 minutes to come up with it. But since then, we've stayed in close touch, editing one another's work.

Thank God I got in on the ground floor. Ron is heading for the big time with his speech writing but has been kind enough to grandfather me in. Never turn away a funny writer willing to read and comment on your work! Some of the funnier lines in my articles (I'll never tell which ones--NEVER!) were written by Ron. I like to think I've helped him a time or two as well, but as I'm having him critique my latest book manuscript, he's definitely putting in more hours than me.

Just FYI, there is a fascinating sub-culture of writers helping writers, all done behind-the-scenes. I know I've got my "set" group of 6-8 people I can turn to for help, and they in turn can rely on me. For all it's competitiveness, I've found the writing sphere filled more often than not with talented, generous individuals willing to share their gifts.

Ron is at the top of the list. Funny and nice. What are the chances there would be two of us in the  world?

Busy Friday

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It's almost 8 AM and I need to be out the door in under 15 minutes. Heading into Greensboro today for a L-O-N-G, but fun, day. 

I'm teaching a class on Networking to job searchers this morning at the Women's Resource Center. That's followed by a flurry of errands that MUST include an allergy shot, then lunch with friends. After that I hope to plant myself somewhere for at least 3 hours worth of work. Then off to a friend's book signing and then dinner with writer friends to critique a member's manuscript. Home before 10 (I hope) and up early tomorrow for a 15-mile run. 

Not complaining. Actually loving it. Today is a good mix of people, activity, down town and, my favorite, food. 

It's a miracle I make it out the door for these 12-hour days. I've got a stack of "must remember to bring" stuff piled on the front chair that includes a Richmond marathon CD for a friend, recipes for another friend, manuscript in a box with my notes for critique, checkbook, library books to be returned, book to be mailed, class manual, work folders, ... I look like a bag-lady and I swear I'm but a short step away from ditching my briefcase and just dumping everything in a Hefty tall kitchen trash bag, tossing it over my shoulder and moving out.

Speaking of which, time for me to hussle out of here. Have a great Friday!