Chicago Writes

Critically Acclaimed Author Toya Wolfe and Last Summer on State Street

Toya Wolfe scored with her debut novel, "Last Summer On State Street". This is good and necessary storytelling. Toya joins host WC Turck for a deep diving into this critically acclaimed, and CWA Book of the Year award winner for Traditional Fiction. From Faulkner to Sista Souljah and much more.
Find Last Summer on State Street on Amazon.
Check out more from Toya Wolfe at toyawolfe.com
Follow her on social media, at Facebook, on Twitter @toyawolves to keep up with all the latest author news and updates, and on Instagram.com/toyawolves. 
Visit The Chicago Writers Association at chicagowrites.org, 
Register now for this year's Let's Just Write: An Uncommon Writer's Conference, March 25-26th, 2023.
And don't forget to check out 79 original programs from 46 local presenters from the CWA Speakers Bureau!

Chicago Writes: A Resource for Writers, February 2023

On this episode of Chicago Writes, News about the 2023 CWA Writer's Educational Series. Also,
A reminder to register now for Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference. March 25-26, 2023 Visit ChicagoWrites.org!
Plus, Associate professor of English and Creative Writing, Shawn Shiflett on ChatGPT and the future of writing. 
Ken Korber from the Center for Functional Learning on writing books for kids.
And, Michael S. Zimmerman bears all in a stunning new memoir, Suburban Bigamy: 6 miles between truth and deceit. 
A like to Playtime WC Turck on Podbean.
 

Chicago Writes Celebrates the 2022 Book of the Year Award Winners!

It's a brand-new year, as The Chicago Writers Association Celebrates the 2022 Book of the Year Award Winners! We talk rhythm and vulnerability in writing with the sumptuous memoir This Jade World author Ira Sukrunruang, voice and mythology with Christina Marrocco from her powerful novel Addio, Love Monster, and researching truths and character with Mark Hutson with his outstanding debut historical non-fiction work So Costly a Sacrifice. Plus, a link to the stunning debut novel from our Traditional Fiction Winner from Toya Wolfe, Last Summer on State Street. Announcements on important upcoming events from CWA. And a bit of my conversation with Rock And Roll Warrior: David Libert: 9781685244361: Amazon.com: Books, and music pioneer, David Libert about writing his memoir. Simply click on the names and titles to find out more about all our great authors. For more of my conversation with all these amazing authors, visit the Playtime with WC Turck podcast. Visit the Chicago Writers Association and unlock a wealth of author and writer resources.

CWA December 2022, Suzy Takacs and the Art of the Book Cellar

The independent bookstore means far more to their communities, as well as for authors. We thought we’d explore that relationship, how and if brick and mortar retail stores are the best option for self-published authors, as well as the challenges independent bookstores face in our ever-changing world.
In the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, once known as Germantown for its German pubs, restaurants, the Dank House, an apothecary, and shops, is an oasis for book lovers. The Book Cellar is an independently owned, community-oriented bookstore located at 4736-38 North Lincoln Ave Chicago. They are open 10am to 8pm weekdays, 10am-6pm Saturdays and 10am-4pm Sundays! Find the Book Cellar online at bookcellarinc.com. Their telephone number is (773) 293-2665.
Suzy Takacs is the owner of The Book Cellar in Chicago!
Stay updated on CWA news and events: Chicago Writers Association : Sign Up to Stay in Touch (constantcontact.com)
To secure your spot for the 2023 Let's Just Write, Writer's Conference: Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference 2023 (chicagowrites.org)
To become a CWA member, or give a membership as a gift: Join Chicago Writers Association (chicagowrites.org)
To hear more of Rick and Dave's Minutia Men Celebrity Podcast: Minutia Men Celebrity Interview  - Radio Misfits Podcast Network
Chrystallia and the Source of Light by Paul Michael Glaser: Chrystallia and the Source of Light: P.M. Glaser: 9781608322329: Amazon.com: Books
And for more music from Dino Olovcic: Stream Dino Olovcic music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud

Writing and Marketing Horror with Author Dan Klefstad

Like love and sex, fear is instinctual. The fight or flight response to things which may cause us harm is centered in our amygdala, a roughly almond-shaped mass of gray matter inside each cerebral hemisphere, involved with the experiencing of emotions. The root of our nightmares. This is the domain of the horror writer. But there is more to horror stories in what they teach us. It is a training ground of sorts, defining how we may react, but also what we should react to. Our rational minds know the dark characters of horror tales will not harm us. These stories teach us to act rationally and not allow our fears to run rampant and out of control. Beyond the macabre, these are moralistic stories about life, love and eternity. When you write horror, you are writing about so much more.
Dan Klefstad is a longtime radio host and newscaster at NPR station WNIJ in Dekalb. His latest novel is Fiona’s Guardians, available at Amazon and quality independent bookstores.
Resources and Links: 
How to Write a Horror Story: 7 Tips for Writing Horror, From: reedsy blog, June 20, 2022
From nownovel.com, How to write a horror story: 6 terrific tips
A link to Fiona's Guardians by Dan Klefstad, available at Amazon!
The film teaser for Fiona's Guardians from director Stuart Wahlin is on Youtube. 
Listen to Rick and Dave's Celebrity Misfits podcast.
The link to the CWA Speakers Bureau.
Please contact CWA Speakers Bureau director Daniel Smith at 708.717.6126 or smithwriting@gmail.com with any questions.
Register for the 2023 Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference, voted one of the best writing conferences in the U.S. by The Writer Magazine, March 25-26, 2023 at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, 701 north Michigan avenue. Visit wildapricot.org.
And reserve your spot now by November 30, 2022 for Early registration discounts wildapricot.org. Visit Chicago Writes.org for complete details.
CHICAGO WRITERS ASSOCIATION is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

Alex Poppe on Writing with Purpose, Plus Rick and Dave talk with Scott Turow!

On the October episode of Chicago Writes host WC Turck talks with author Alex Poppy on Writing with purpose, and a bit from Radio misfits hosts Rick and Dave and their conversation with bestselling author Scott Turow. Catch their full interview at radiomisfits.com. Plus, October announcements and a bit of news for writers.
Alex’s books are available on Amazon and at her website. For more on Alex Poppe, visit: ALEX POPPE.com.
Give the writer in your life the gift of a Chicago Writers Association membership for just $25/year and unlock a wealth of Writer’s resources.
Our theme song “Midnight Ride” is courtesy Dino Olovcic. Find his music on Spotify.

Dan Davies of Renegade Press LLC

Dan Davies is best known as the writer, actor, and producer of the cult-film “Ed Gein- the musical.” He co-starred with Sadie Kaye in Miss Adventure meets Motörhead, which was a highly rated video on Will Ferrell/HBO's Funny or Die. He won for Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) along with Majid Michel and John Dumelo in the 2017 Golden Movie Awards for his work in A Trip to Jamaica. In 2017 he appeared in the revenge thriller Wronged and the internationally acclaimed and award-winning spiritual and Lakota western "West of Thunder". Add to that list publisher. Earlier this year Dan Davies started a boutique publishing house…Renegade Press, LLC in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Renegade Press on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084936795330
To contact Renegade Press, LLC: danny.daviz@gmail.com
And to A Forest Dark on Amazon!
And links to our news Items:
Food Writers Wanted!
Mark Twain's advice to a young writer.
Light Lark on TikTok
Booksellers and Inflation
Book Buying Statistics
6 Types of Character Conflict
Types of Characters in Storytelling
And as always, your link to the Chicago Writers Association.
 

The Book Doctor is in with Donald G. Evans

On this episode of Chicago Writes, a conversation with Book Doctor Donald G. Evans. Writers News in our new Around the Web segment and pushing the envelope on audio books and telling the truth in memoirs from R&B star Danny Boy Steward.
A link to Donald G. Evans.com, book doctor, author, and Founding Executive Editor of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
For more on Stories Around the Web:
From entrepreneur.com, 3 tips for writing when you don’t feel like it: A guide to help content writers and creative writers break out of a writing slump and get back to creating great work.
By Scott Baradell July 11, 2022
A piece in psychology today from Kristin Meekhof author of  A Widow's Guide to Healing caught our attention
7 Things Everyone Should Know About Writing a Book
Then there is this in our constantly changing world of writing, from John Domini writing at lit hub, July 25th 2022, Renaissance of the Weird: Experimental Fiction as the New American Normal
Stranded on Death Row: The Autobiography of Danny Boy Steward
The Chicago Writer’s Association, ChicagoWrites.org
Subscribe to this podcast

Chicago Writes Talks with Two of the First Chapter Contest Winners

Host WC Turck speaks with First Chapter contest winners, Cheryl L. Reed and Mary Dean Cason about landing the right agent, characterization, story structure and more. The opening chapter to Map of My Escape by Cheryl L. Reed captured first place in this year’s very competitive first chapter contest. Cheryl was awarded a full scholarship to attend either the All-Genre Novel-In-Progress (NIP) Bookcamp & Writing Retreat held on June 12-18, 2022 near West Bend, Wisconsin
Second place went to the first chapter of Mary Dean Cason's Banished Daughters of Eve. 
Plus details on CWA’s 7th Annual First Chapter Contest, Book of the Year Submissions, and Submissions to Write City Magazine.
For more about Cheryl L. Reed visit www.cherylreed.com
And Mary Dean Cason on Amazon.
Visit www.chicagowrites.org
Our theme song, Midnight Ride is courtesy of Dino Olovcic
 

Storytelling for the Writer with Chicago Story Press

Anne Beall and Judi Goshen are the publishers of Chicago Story Press. Their latest book is a collection of stories expanding upon concepts of love titled Storytellers' True Stories about Love.
Chicago story press.com is the website.
For Submissions to Chicago Story Press, click HERE
Find Anne Beall's books and blog HERE
Anne is also CEO of Beall Research a Boutique full-service market research partner and consultancy. 
Subscribe to our Podcast by visiting Chicago Writes.org