Mid-September President's Letter

Jayne couldn't pinpoint exactly when she'd begun to dread date night.

This is the opening sentence of "The Swing of Things," co-written by this year's Friday clinician Keir Graff with Linda Joffe Hull under the pen name Linda Keir. The Friday Workshop is full but Keir will be with us the entire weekend. He is a warm and gracious man who has seen the writing biz from both the author and editor perspective. I'm looking forward to hearing his words of insight and wisdom.

Find the Conference Agenda at www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference-agenda.

Daily Schedule (all events at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell):

Friday, Oct. 4 - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm with lunch break. This session is Full.

Saturday, Oct. 5 - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with lunch break. Evening reception 5:30 - 7:30 at the Bookshelf in Kalispell. Contact Stephanie at 406-756-2665 if you want her to have your book for sale.

Sunday, October 6 - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Check the Resources page on our website for the great tips on Getting the Most out of a Writers Conference. 

The Book Display will be in the foyer this year. We are still working out security issues during conference presentations. Let Craig know if you want to display your books - craigtnaylor@gmail.com.

Authors with Agent/Editor visits - I emailed instructions to you on August 9. Check your Spam Folder if you didn't receive it.

Need practice with your blurb and pitch? Attend the Sunday, 8:00 am Polishing The Blurb session for help from your colleagues.

Upcoming Events 

Thursday, Sept. 12: Zoom session: Conference Questions and Prep. 6:00 pm, links on the Schedule page.

Friday, Sept. 13, Whitefish Review "Music" Issue debut featuring AotF authors Glenn Schiffman, Craig Naylor, and many others: The Tent Pavilion of the Lodge at Whitefish Lake (this is a correction from my previous Pres Letter), 6:30-9:00 pm. $20 entry donation requested.

Thursday, Sept. 19: Open Readings at A-1 Vacuum. Come and read your synopsis or pitch (or other writing). Bring 10 extra copies for comments. 6:00 pm.

The next Flathead Story Concert includes AotF members Heidi Wolf, Alan Solum, Mary Frances Erler, Glenn Schiffman, Keith Liggett and Craig T. Naylor, Tuesday 9/17. Join curators Barb & Glenn Schiffman at Sacred Waters Brewing (3250 US2 East, Kalispell). Free admission but arrive early to get a seat up front. Folks seated in the back of the room sometimes have trouble hearing over the kitchen noise. Stories start at 6:00pm; doors open for seating at 5:30. For event details &/or guidelines to submit your stories for future FSCs, email Barb & Glenn at story23fvcc@gmail.com or visit https://FlatheadStoryConcerts.wootick.com

Authors often present their work (including pitching agents). If you want some help improving your public speaking, here are some local resources:

Barbara and Glenn Schiffman are offering Spoken Word Storycrafting Workshops in Whitefish beginning Monday 9/23. this is a series of free "drop-in" 2-hour workshops meeting from 3:30-5:30pm; also 2nd + 4th Mondays in October and November (10/14 + 28; 11/11 + 25). Co-hosted by the Whitefish Community Center (121 E. 2nd Street, 1 mile west of Downtown Whitefish, easy parking). They will cover structuring a story for verbal presentation, which I have learned from being a recent presenter, can be very different from creating for the written page. I value their insights and highly recommend their class. Info: email Barbara at story23fvcc@gmail.com or visit https://FlatheadStoryConcerts.wootick.com 

There are 3 Toastmasters clubs in Flathead County. All clubs welcome visitors, and there is no cost or obligation for guests. The toastmasters.org website has lots of information on the goals & activities of Toastmasters International, as well as how to find local clubs almost anywhere you work or travel.

The Evening Toastmasters Club meets at Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont Street. 6:30 pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The Kalispell Toastmasters meet every Wednesday at noon at Faith Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty Street in Kalispell. It is one of the largest and most active clubs in our 3-state District. There is also an afternoon chapter in Columbia Falls that meets first and third Tuesdays from noon to 1:15pm at Freedom Bank in CFalls, in the downstairs conference room. There will be an Open House session on 10/15.

Onward to the Conference! Write On!

Craig

406-250-8867