I had a marvelous time at the San Gabriel Writers League meeting, and they were so wonderfully welcoming.

I was terribly nervous when I got there, because I wasn’t sure what I had to offer. But when the first thing that happened was that I received a surprise Speaker’s Fee, I felt much…more intimidated…lol.

But I had friends in the audience, and as I started telling my publishing stories, it got easier and easier. After all, the main point of my being there was to show that you COULD finish a NaNoWriMo book and get it published. (Sidhe Moved Through the Faire) Or finish one and submit it for publication. (The Conn-Mann Chronicles I: The Marvelous Mechanical Man) Or even not finish one one year and finish the next. (Skellyman)

I also talked about websites that I had found useful for networking, like Writer’s Cafe and Writer’s Village University. After all, one of my poetry books was filled with poems from the first one, and my first novel was contracted after a comment on the second.

I also mentioned Zumaya and what I did there.

When my time was up, I sold several books, which made a perfect ending to a lovely evening.

Of course, this morning, my bank refused to take a check I’d been written because it had “1/3/12” as the date — don’t forget it is 2013 people!

Here is the complete list of websites I handed out for those who might be interested:

Websites for practice and networking:

• http://www.writerscafe.org/

• http://www.writersvillage.com/wvu2/ — Check towards the bottom of the page for a free class that is VERY helpful

• http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/sign_up

Paid Classes:

• http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/ — for Children’s & Young Adult classes

• http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com/ — for Adult classes

(both of these sites have free articles worth perusing if nothing else.)
 

Market Listings:

• http://www.thewriterssite.com/direct_pages/places_to_get_published.html

• http://ralan.com/ — list of markets in the Speculative Fiction arena

• http://www.writersmarket.com/ — small fee, but good resource

Informational/Inspirational Writing Articles:

• http://janefriedman.com/2012/12/29/how-long-to-get-published/

• http://www.marthawells.com/writingguide.htm

• http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/

• http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-write-2000-words-a-day.html

• http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/12/31/25-writer-resolutions-for-2013/

(this one contains strong language, so bear that in mind before reading.)