Chicago Writes

CNN’s Nora Neus on Writing Oral History

Nora Neus is an Emmy-nominated journalist and author. Neus field-produced Anderson Cooper’s CNN coverage of the 2017 white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. Before joining CNN, she worked as a local news reporter and fill-in anchor for the CNN affiliate in Charlottesville. Nora also co-authored Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria, available at Amazon.
Her latest book 24 hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy  is available at Amazon. Her website is noraneus.com
Brought to you exclusively by the Chicago Writers Association. CWA is a 501c3 not-for-profit charity. Visit us at chicagowrites.org

Funny Business: Writing Humor and more with Author Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith founded ArtSource, a leading art consulting company. In 2017 she switched gears to pursue a dream to be a full-time writer. Her debut novel Truth and Other Lies is about truth and coming clean to yourself and about truth and honesty. It is about perseverance and second chances. Maggie is the host of the podcast Hear Us Roar for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, IHeartRadio, and Amazon Music. She is a frequent blogger on the topic of writing, including a recent piece title Funny Business: Incorporating Humor Into Your Novel. Her website is maggiesmithwriter.com
Read the full piece, Funny Business: Incorporating Humor Into Your Novel, at maggiesmithwriter.com
Links to the Chicago Writers Association are at chicagowrites.org
Our theme song, Midnight Ride from the album Snoviđenja is courtesy of Dino Olovcic and is available on Spotify.

Writing Fiction for Young Adults with Kristin Oakley

Kristin Oakley’s latest young adult novel is “The Devil Particle”. Kristin teaches writing workshops, has critiqued manuscripts through the University of Wisconsin‘s -Madison Division of Continuing Studies, and has helped writers hone their agent pitches at the Division’s Writers’ Institute. She is also the author of The Award-winning Leo Townsend Series, as well as blogs from writing to home schooling.
Her website is Kristin Oakley.net
The Devil Particle Release Party!Wednesday, June 7th, 6:00 p.m.Mystery to Me Bookstore, 1863 Monroe St., Madison, WI
Tickets are free but space is limited. Can't make it in person? The event will also be livestreamed www.crowdcast.io/e/devil-particle/register
Top 5 Tips for Writing Compelling Young Adult Fiction by Jessica Clausen at writersedit.com
Two resources about writing young adult fiction:
www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/how-to-write-a-young-adult-novel
www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-ya-fiction
A great, concise article on the 12 Types of Characters can be found at blog.reedsy.com/types-of-characters/
Submissions for The Chicago Writers Association's 13th annual Book of the Year Contest is currently open!
See the guidelines on the entry form via the link in the notes below and be sure your book is submitted to the correct category.
Entries will be accepted until August 1, 2023. Entries postmarked after midnight on August 1, 2023 cannot be accepted.
For details and entry form visit chicagowrites.org/book_of_the_year
Look for details about the 8th Annual First Chapter Contest coming soon in the summer of 2023. Polish, polish, polish and be ready to submit that winning first chapter. It could land you a once in a lifetime full scholarship to attend either the All-Genre Novel-In-Progress (NIP) Bookcamp & Writing Retreat on June 18-24, 2023 or the Speculative Fiction NIP Bookcamp & Writing Retreat, on August 13-19, 2023, at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin. visit novelbookcamp.org, and chicagowrites.org and click on the Contest tab for details
The Chicago Writers Association is a 501c3 charitable organization, become a member today by visiting chicagowrites.org
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Chicago Writes Poetry and Artbooks

Christina D. Rodriguez is an award winning Latinx poet, and entrepreneur from New York, currently living in Chicago. Her poems have appeared in Tupelo Quarterly, Yes, Poetry, Rust + Moth, Satin Soulbits, and elsewhere. She is a board member of the Chicago Writers Association as the organization’s social media manager and poetry editor for CWA's The Write City Magazine. She is also a contributor to the Instagram poetry book club, Can We Discuss Poetry. Christina D. Rodriguez’s first book of poetry is a beautifully textured collection titled “Knees in the Garden” from Querencia Press, released in February 2023, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at KneesintheGarden.com, or to contact Christina, christina@crodonline.info.  
Prolific Chicago-based artist Leo Segedin turned 96 this year and still puts in an average of 6 hours of work daily. His website is leopoldsegedin.com. Paul and Ben produced three books of Leo’s Artwork. I had the honor of writing the afterword for Leo Segedin’s latest book, Leopold Segedin: The Holocaust Series. Paintings and Drawings 1967-79. Leopoldsegedin.com is the website. Leo is currently showing at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Now through Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 927 Noyes St Ste 100, Evanston, IL (847) 328-2100.  Paul Segedin joins host WC Turck to talk about all that goes into that effort. To reach Paul Segedin, segedinpaul@gmail.com
The Chicago Writers Association is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization, open to anyone in the world. For info and membership details visit chicagowrites.org
For more about the Educational Series, visit chicagowrites.org/educational series
 

Story Structure and Story Collaboration with Author David Fletcher

Chili Dog MVP: Dick Allen, The '72 White Sox and a Transforming Chicago, by David Fletcher, John Owens, and George Castle, was a runner up for this year’s Book of the Year Award for non-Fiction. David Fletcher speaks about the book, story structure techniques and collaboration on a writing project.
Chili Dog MVP is available at Amazon.
To register for CWA Presents with host Sandra Colbert and a conversation with the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, Michael Kutza, about his memoir, “Starstruck: How I magically transformed Chicago into Hollywood for more than Fifty Years.” Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m Columbia College, Ferguson Hall, 600 S. Michigan, in Chicago. Click this link.
Check out our Education Page at chicagowrites.org. Registration is now open for the CWA Education Series. Coming up, on Saturday, April 15, 2023: “Creating Unforgettable Characters” with award winning author Kristin Oakley. June 10, 2023 join award-winning writer and educator Tim Storm for “Story Structure and Editing”. What is the basic structure of your story and how can an editor help you discover it? What does an editor do and when do you need to hire one? And on Saturday September 23, 2023: “What Makes a Successful Website for Authors” with Celeste Anton of Dandelion Web Marketing.
Sessions range from complimentary to $20 per session. Registration is required for all. Paid sessions are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Learn more about each session on the Education page at chicagowrites.org.
And our website, chicagowrites.org is a resource for your writing success as well. Chicago Writes offers tools and a wealth of information to help you become the writer you were meant to be. Check out our blog with tips and insights on the art and business of writing by some of Chicago’s best known writers, like marketing tips, the importance of networking, where and how to find Beta readers, the pros and cons of Indie Publishing, The Art of Misdirection: How To Keep Your Readers On Their Toes, And so much more. 24/7, 365 days each year at www.chicagowrites.org (backslash)/blog
The Chicago Writers Association is a charitable 501c3 organization.

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.