2009 Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest Winners!

Every year, the WLT hosts a manuscript contest for unpublished fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s, and young adult book writers.

The winners of each category meet individually with an agent during the annual WLT Agents Conference (each June in Austin).

Annnnd the winners are:

Children’s Literature – Nikki Loftin (Austin, TX) for Raymond Mahaney, Soccer Failure

Historical Fiction - Elizabeth Haltom (Austin, TX) for Gwendolyn’s Sword

Mystery - Janice Hamrick (Austin, TX) for Death on Tour

Mainstream Fiction - Holly Wonder (Austin, TX) for Janet Carmody: Stuck in Foreplay

Narrative Nonfiction - Sunny Haralson (Austin, TX) for Beauty Tips for the Bereaved

Romance - Donna J. Cummings (East Hampton, NY) for Lord Midnight

Science Fiction/Fantasy - Mary Ann Loesch (Leander, TX) for Nephilim

Thriller Action – Adventure - Cecilia Jones (Austin, TX) for Traveler

Young Adult - Danielle Jimenez (Laredo, TX) for Virgin in Running Shoes

The guidelines for the 2010 contest will be posted in the Fall on the WLT website (www.writersleague.org) and winners will be announced at next year’s Writers’ League Agents Conference in June.

Kristy’s Magical Discovery

There have been a lot of discoveries at the League since I last posted.
#1 Amanda discovered that she’s 30. Happy birthday, Amanda!
#2 We all discovered how amazing our interns are. Thanks a ton to Amanda S., Rebecca, Sara, and Beth for rocking the conference!
#3 I’ve discovered what I can tolerate. My home was burglarized two days before the conference and I survived. Yay for resilience!
#4 I’ve joined a (lay) science book club and am reading The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow. I’m taking a sabbatical from fiction.

An Evening with Roy Blount Jr.

The Austinist ran a great recap of our May 27 spring benefit with Roy Blount Jr.

“About 100 Austin literary aficionados gathered Wednesday night at St. Edward’s University to sample wine, duck and Brie quesadillas and the ambiance of Roy Blount stories. It was the Writers’ League of Texas spring fund raiser. As Blount set his wine glass on the podium, it started to slide. He deftly caught it and remarked, “I hate slanted podiums. They must think that a man can’t drink and lecture at the same time.” He, of course, can, though the evening felt more like a living room chat than a formal talk.” Read more here.

An Evening With Roy Blount Jr.: An Elegantly Hilarious Success

WLT’s Spring Benefit, featuring Roy Blount Jr., one of America’s best loved humorists and authors, was an entertaining and successful evening.

Roy Blount Jr., president of the Author’s Guild, spoke at length about Google’s controversial Book Search. His words were straightforward and enlightening, and helped clear up a lot of questions regarding the program’s effects on publishing.

Mary Gordon Spence, much loved here at the Writers’ League, was our fabulous and funny emcee—thanks Mary! Thank you, St. Edwards University and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, for your contributions to the benefit.

Proceeds benefited the Writers’ League of Texas—a hearty thank you to those who attended!

Jacqueline Kelly’s Book Launch Party on Tuesday!

Well, our Writers’ League members are certainly cranking out the books! Our friend Jacqueline Kelly’s first novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, will be officially launched on Tuesday, May 12, at BookPeople in Austin. The party starts at 7:30 p.m., so come on out and support Jackie and pick up yet another great read!

As some of you may recall, Jackie met her agent at a past Writers’ League Agents Conference. Her book was just released from Henry Holt this month, and it received a starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Callie’s transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read. Kelly’s rich images and setting, believable relationships and a touch of magic take this story far.”

Way to go, Jackie!

John Pipkin at BookPeople Tonight!

John Pipkin officially launches his debut novel, Woodsburner, tonight at 7 at BookPeople in Austin. Come on out, Leaguers, and support John!

And in case you missed it, John received a glowing review in the New York Times on Sunday.  My favorite line? “Woodsburner” is, in effect, a wily fictional prequel to “Walden.”

The kudos just keep coming!

John Pipkin Is on Fire!

Well, that made you look, didn’t it? John Pipkin isn’t just our dear departed Writers’ League Executive Director Emeritus. No, he’s lit a fire under book reviewers with his debut novel, Woodsburner, coming next week from Nan A. Talese/Doubleday.

The Washington Post just weighed in with a spectacular review. Kirkus ended its starred review with this little gem: “A superb historical fiction as well as a complex and provocative novel of ideas—Pulitzer Prize material.” And Woodsburner is going to be Amazon’s Best of the Month pick for May. More reviews are here.

John’s official book launch party will be at Book People in Austin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. We invite his Austin-area WLT friends to come out and support him and grab a copy of this hot little property. He’ll also be traveling around the country this summer, so check out his upcoming events.

Kristy’s Magical Discovery

A volunteer offered this piece of advice:  If you speak in a second language, try writing in it. You’ll find another voice.

League friend and pervious Executive Director John Pipkin’s upcoming release is getting some crazy good reviews. Check out what the  Washington Post has to say. How about Kirkus? Go John!

Kristy’s Magical Discovery

We need folding chairs!

If you’ve been to a monthly program you know that we’re in need of metal folding chairs.  We’re hunting them on Craigslist, but if you have some to donate we’ll make it worth your while!

*This isn’t particularly magical but I DO love sitting after a long day

Kristy’s Magical Discovery

This week I’m reading Pride and Prejudice because I never have.

Big thanks to our new intern Rebecca Grace! The months leading up to the Conference are our busiest and any help (in OR out of the office) is greatly appreciated.