Category: Invitation To Attend

Join us for our first program of 2023!

1/16/2023

Saturday, January 21, 2023
1:30 pm (CST)

(Join at 1:15 if you want a review of Zoom tools and processes.)

Presenter: Paul Epp

Marketing for Authors

Paul Epp

This workshop will break down the sometimes-daunting task of marketing into a series of focused steps that will enable an author to create and execute a marketing plan that is tailored to the author’s needs and abilities. Core pieces of the presentation include finding an audience, creating content about your content, and setting up your process. The presentation will include tips and tricks for marketing, including information about digital and social media marketing.

Here are some things to know about this first program being offered for members of Kansas Authors Club across the state.

You may opt to join your district members at a monthly meeting location to watch this presentation as a part of the gathering. Watch for notices from your district president for details on location.
You are also invited to tune in from home. No matter where you are in the state of Kansas (or beyond), you can join us via zoom to watch and participate in the live Q&A at the end of this program.
The program will be recorded and available for one month to members who can not attend on the January 21 date. The Zoom link and recording will always be available at this page. (You must have member access to sign into this page. Request access today if you do not already have it.)

Questions? Please feel free to join the zoom meeting early. At 1:15 we will provide some basic “how to” instructions for using Zoom meeting tools and for the breakout rooms which will be used by some districts after the presentation. Watch for instructions from your president.

The ZOOM link for this presentation was emailed to all current members on Friday, January 13.

2023 Program Schedule

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Group Enjoys Zoom Open Mic

1/13/2023

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Each month on 2nd Tuesdays, District 3 & 4 members have been gathering on ZOOM to share their written work.

You are invited!

The featured reader in February is Duane Johnson (Topeka member and former state president, 2020-21). Duane will be reading poems from his 2022 award-winning chapbook. After the featured reader, attendees are invited to share their own work (prepare for reading 3-4 minute excerpts, please).

Save the date: Tuesday, February 14, 7pm

Members Nila Jean Spencer (Maryland), Tracy Million Simmons, Kris Polansky, Duane Johnson, Vickie Guillot, James Kenyon, and Nancy Julien Kopp met in January on Zoom for an Open Mic. Districts 3 & 4 began hosting this 2nd Tuesday meeting in 2021. All members of Kansas Authors Club are invited to attend.

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January 10 Open Mic - Invitation from District 3/4 of Kansas Authors Club

1/8/2023

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You are invited, Tuesday, January 10, at 7:00pm (via Zoom)

District 3 and 4 members invite all KAC members and guests to join our monthly Open Mic (via Zoom). This month our featured reader will be Nila Jean Spencer. Nila, a member since 2020, joins us from Annapolis, Maryland. Nila was born and raised in Marshall County, Kansas. She writes memoir, nonfiction, and enjoys preserving family stories to share with her grandchildren.

How does Open Mic work?
7:00-7:10pm – we check in, sign up to read, greet each other and celebrate victories
7:10-7:30pm – our Featured Reader presents
7:30-7:55 – Readers share in order of sign-up. Plan on 3 minutes. If there is plenty of time, attendees will get a 2nd opportunity to read.

Time: Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

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Writing Goals for a New Year

1/2/2023

Have you made any writing-related resolutions for 2023?

Here's a challenge for our members. Share your writing goals with us in the comments section. (Now open for the first time!)

“Dip your pen into your arteries and write.”

― William Allen White

"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it.

Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."

― William Faulkner

"The first lesson to be learned by a writer is to be able to say, 'Thanks so much. I’d love to, but I can’t. I’m working.'"

― Edna Ferber

Countdown to Renewal Time

12/15/2022

Click Here to Renew Today

D5 Authors Read at Book Launch

11/28/2022

Featuring Dr. Reginald Jarrett and Dr. Gretchen Eick

The Peace Committee will host a book launch on Thursday, December 1, featuring two 2022 books by local authors that center on race.

Thursday at 7 p.m. at 655 S. Lorraine, at the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in the sanctuary.

Dr. Reginald Jarrett's book 31 Days [Nights]: Memoir of Living Black in America is a series of short essays about his life here in Wichita and across the U.S. A truth-telling book of interpersonal encounters among various ethnicities of Americans told by a gifted communicator, 31 Days will surprise readers and enlarge their understanding of how race functions in America. Jarrell is a professor at Southwestern University and a lawyer, pastor, and TV journalist who has lived across the U.S. but grew up in Wichita. This is his second book.

Dr. Gretchen Eick's newest novel, Dark Crossings, takes place in 2019. An interracial family with two teens living in Evanston, IL, north of Chicago is devastated when a family member is murdered. The difficult journey through the survivors' grief nearly breaks them. The discovery through a DNA test of unknown family members connected to the Philadelphia police murder of 12 Black people on May 13, 1985, helps them reconstruct their lives. Eick is a professor of history emerita and teaches at WSU's Lifelong Learning program. This is her eighth book. The authors will read excerpts and discuss their books and what each adds to our knowledge of the role of "race" in today's U.S.

Members: Don't forget to renew!

11/15/2022

Click Here to Renew

An Invitation from our Friends at The Writers Place

11/3/2022

November 9, 7:00pm
"Writing for Children: Why and How"
by David L. Harrison

Jerilynn Henrikson Presents at D2 Monthly Meeting in Emporia

11/3/2022

You are Invited to ATtend

KAC District 2
Please join us on November 19, 2022
Third Saturday of the Month
10:30 am-12:00 pm
Flinthills Tech College
3301 W. 18th Ave
Emporia, Ks
Live or Zoom meeting

As a retired English teacher, Jerilynn has always loved teaching, telling, reading, watching, and writing stories. To date, Jerilynn has published nine children's picture books, an adult memoir, and a Young Adult historical fiction novel. She is currently working on a story loosely based on her grandmother’s childhood in the early 1900s. Her work reflects her sense of humor, love of words, and eye for detail.

Jerilynn finds her inspiration in the rolling hills of East Central Kansas. No matter the subject of a current work, she is motivated by the people, history, and changing seasons of this place.

As a student of history and language, she enjoys traveling to beautiful places. But ultimately, she finds the greatest joy in travel is coming home.

We have so many opportunities to participate and support other authors.

Other News to share:

We had a wonderful convention full of learning and growing in our craft.
We encourage you to go to the KAC website and watch the slideshow and read about the contest winners.
Also, check out the new members and all of the new writings of our members.
Remember to find new information and events in your area news and on our Facebook page!

Happy Writing!
Deb Irsik
District 2 Co-Chair

Members, Submit Your 2023 Yearbook Entries!

10/14/2022

Deadline: October 31

Due Between August 1 and October 31, electronic receipt or postmark

Every Member having paid current dues is invited to submit ONE literary contribution for the yearbook. That submission can be either prose or poetry. Prose is limited to one printed page (no more than 500 words). Poetry is limited to one printed page (no more than 40 lines including spaces between verses).

All literary contributions remain the property of the individual authors. Authors may continue to use or distribute their work without requesting permission from the Kansas Authors Club. No work printed in the KAC yearbook may be copied or distributed in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Yearbook Submissions are preferred via the online site, Submittable. There is NO CHARGE to submit a yearbook entry.

Tracy Million Simmons to Speak at D5 Meeting October 15 at 1:30

10/5/2022

We are blessed to have Tracy Million Simmons presenting at the October 15 D5 meeting. She has a wealth of information and experience in writing. Not only is she grounded in KAC history, but she has won awards for her writing. Her novel Tiger Hunting won the Coffin Book Award in 2013. She worked professionally in publishing before forming her own press—Meadowlark Press. She is the publisher for 105 Meadowlark Reader, a journal by Kansas writers about Kansas which is published twice yearly.

Tracy serves as manager of Kansas Authors Club for the KAC 2021-22 year. The club developed this paid position in hopes of finding ways to make our organization more effective. She will share how the year as KAC manager has gone, what she has learned, and how the organization’s more streamlined structure is working.

District 5 meetings are available on Zoom or in person.

In person meetings are held in the Fireside room at Asbury Church, 2801 W. 15th St., Wichita. Enter on the St. Paul Street side (southern most door). All meetings start at 1:30 pm.

Zoom link: D5 meeting Oct 15 1:30

Invitation to Attend: D2 Monthly Meeting - "Ask an Editor" with Vicki Julian

9/12/2022

KAC District 2
Please join us on September 17th, 2022
Third Saturday of the Month
10:30am-12:00pm
Lawrence Public Library
Suite A, lower level
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, Kansas
Live and Zoom meeting
Presenter: “ASK AN EDITOR” with Vicki Julian

Vicki Julian is a writer/editor who loves to do both equally. She is an award winning writer, avid reader, and editor of a best seller on Amazon. Her clientele has included a Distinguished Professor of English, retired university administrator, publisher, author of fun thriller/mystery books, financial counselor, art gallery owner/author, and many others. Vicki is the author of 10 books and her work has appeared in 12 anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul, and various newspapers and magazines. She began offering editing services with Anamcara Press after forming an alliance and becoming friends with Maureen (Micki Carroll) when they first began offering memoir writing workshops.

Presentation topic: Vicki will discuss editing fiction and non-fiction, and working with authors to present their best work. What are the most common errors editors try to address and how can writers avoid them? Come find out! Q & A session to follow presentation.

Visit Vicki's Website

Buy Vicki's Latest Book

IMPORTANT: Team Members Needed

9/11/2022

MAKE YOUR MARK ON OUR GROWING ORGANIZATION!

Do you have talent to spare? Time to invest in your community of writers? We are looking to fill the following positions in 2023.

Contest Managers: We are actively seeking individuals to manage our 2023 adult poetry and youth writing contests. This person should be comfortable using Submittable (and/or willing to learn how to manage things on the back side). An enthusiasm for promoting and growing our contests is always a plus. Contest managers are charged with selecting judges for the contest, assuring that entries meet the requirements, answering contest questions, and preparing the awards presentation at the annual convention each October. Contest managers work closely with each other and with the Manager. We do ask that managers not enter the contest that they are managing while they are serving in the position. (So if you are a prose writer, managing the poetry contest might be the ideal job for you!)

Publications and Website: Do you have experience with layout and design? Are you proficient (or willing to learn) programs such as Microsoft Publisher and/or Adobe InDesign? Would you like to gain experience with website work or email newsletter services? Perhaps you would be interested in joining our publications team. We currently produce a print yearbook and an electronic newsletter, and publication opportunities within Kansas Authors Club may just be growing! Extra eyes for editing and proofreading are also always appreciated.

Social Media Contributors: If you follow us on Facebook, you already understand the power of teamwork to give an organization a presence. If your district (or area of writing interest) is underrepresented, perhaps you would like to join our teal of social media contributors. We also could use assistance with Twitter and Instagram.

State Secretary: Job Duties (quick version) attends 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. Our Secretary keeps the minutes, prepares a summary for publication, and will work closely with the manager and President as a member of the executive board.

State Financial Officer: Job Duties (quick version) attends 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. Our Financial Officer reviews financial reports generated by the Manager quarterly, sets our budget in coordination with the Manager each year, and works closely with President as a member of the executive board.

District Representatives: Each district needs a representative to the board. The commitment includes attending 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. This is a great way to get to know Kansas Authors Club in more depth and to perform a service for your local community of writers. If you are interested in helping out at the district level, talk to your District President about the many ways you can be involved. Note that District Representatives are elected or appointed at the district level. Pay attention to memos from your officers as districts will begin filling local positions toward the end of this year.

Contact Kris or Tracy Today!

This Just In! Convention Registration Deadline

9/8/2022

POST UPDATED 9/18/2022: It turns out the September 20 date was for guaranteed room reservations at the discount rate. You still have time to register for the convention!

If you have not already registered to attend, please do so today.

We would love to see you in person, but we have virtual tickets available for those who are more comfortable attending from the comfort of their own home. One room of workshops will be live-streamed (and recorded) during the convention weekend. Recordings of all workshops will be made available to attendees after the convention (available to watch online for 3 months). If you have questions, follow our convention news feed.

Invitation to Attend: D3/D4 Open Mic (via Zoom) with Featured Reader Catherine Hedge

9/8/2022

Poet, novelist, technical writer, editor, lyricist, and educator Catherine Hedge will be our featured reader on our 7:00 p.m. Zoom meeting, Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Learn more about Catherine at Pen in Hand and, in anticipation of the upcoming KAC Convention, take a look at this article where Catherine shares her experiences with writing conventions.

District 3 and 4 members invite all KAC members and guests to join this Zoom read-around meeting. Since Catherine is a District 4 member, I am hopeful that a District 3 member will be willing to read a piece after Catherine reads. Bring short pieces of your own to share.

How does Open Mic work?
7:00-7:10pm – we check in, sign up to read, greet each other and celebrate victories
7:10-7:30pm – our Featured Reader presents
7:30-7:55 – Readers share in order of sign-up. Plan on 3 minutes. If there is plenty of time, attendees will get a 2nd opportunity to read.

Early Bird Deadline Reminder -- Get your convention registration in by the end of day on September 1 to save $$!

8/30/2022

Board of Directors, August Meeting, & List of Open Positions

8/19/2022

The Board of Directors for the Kansas Authors Club met for a summer business meeting on Saturday, August 13, 2022, from 10:00 to 12:00, by Zoom. Those in attendance were Tracy Million Simmons (president, transitional manager); Kristine Polansky (vice-president); Monica Graves (financial officer); Cathy Callen (secretary); Anne Spry (D1); Adelaide Bauman (D3); Gretchen Eick (D5); and, Jim Potter (D6). Minutes from the March 26, 2022, board meeting were reviewed, corrected, and approved. The financial report submitted by Monica Graves was reviewed; Tracy sends quarterly reports to Monica, and finances are reported to be in good shape. District representatives took a few moments to report on activities within their districts. Contest managers submitted updates regarding the number of submissions to the various literary contests, with total submissions reported to be within normal limits when compared to previous contests.

A significant portion of the August 13th meeting was spent discussing the restructuring of the organization and the need to finalize changes to the bylaws for approval by members in October. The Board voted unanimously to approve changes and to submit the final version to members for their review. (see link below) Also discussed were plans for the Kansas Book Festival in September at Washburn (Kansas Authors Club will sponsor an informational table), and the upcoming Kansas Authors Club annual convention, to be held in Lawrence in October. We were reminded that there was an “early bird special” conference fee for those registering by September 1.

The nominating committee is preparing a slate of potential officers for 2023. There are still openings, and interested applicants can contact Kristine Polansky. See the list of open positions below.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for October 8, by Zoom.

Submitted for website publication by
Cathy Callen, State Secretary

Click here to view the proposed 2023 Bylaws

Note: The proposed 2023 bylaws are being emailed to every member by end of day on 8/19/2022. If you do not receive this email, please contact Tracy to confirm that your details in our master list are correct.

Make Your Mark on Our Growing Organization!

Do you have talent to spare? Time to invest in your community of writers? We are looking to fill the following positions in 2023.

State Secretary: Job Duties (quick version) attends 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. Our Secretary keeps the minutes, prepares a summary for publication, and will work closely with the manager and President as a member of the executive board.

State Financial Officer: Job Duties (quick version) attends 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. Our Financial Officer reviews financial reports generated by the Manager quarterly, sets our budget in coordination with the Manager each year, and works closely with President as a member of the executive board.

District Representatives: Each district needs a representative to the board. The commitment includes attending 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. This is a great way to get to know Kansas Authors Club in more depth and to perform a service for your local community of writers. If you are interested in helping out at the district level, talk to your District President about the many ways you can be involved. Note that District Representatives are elected or appointed at the district level. Pay attention to memos from your officers as districts will begin filling local positions toward the end of this year.

Appointed Positions

Contest Managers: We are actively seeking individuals to manage our 2023 adult poetry and youth writing contests. This person should be comfortable using Submittable (and/or willing to learn how to manage things on the back side). An enthusiasm for promoting and growing our contests is always a plus. Contest managers are charged with selecting judges for the contest, assuring that entries meet the requirements, answering contest questions, and preparing the awards presentation at the annual convention each October. Contest managers work closely with each other and with the Manager. We do ask that managers not enter the contest that they are managing while they are serving in the position. (So if you are a prose writer, managing the poetry contest might be the ideal job for you!)

Publications and Website: Do you have experience with layout and design? Are you proficient (or willing to learn) programs such as Microsoft Publisher and/or Adobe InDesign? Would you like to gain experience with website work or email newsletter services? Perhaps you would be interested in joining our publications team. We currently produce a print yearbook and an electronic newsletter, and publication opportunities within Kansas Authors Club may just be growing! Extra eyes for editing and proofreading are also always appreciated.

Social Media Contributors: If you follow us on Facebook, you already understand the power of teamwork to give an organization a presence. If your district (or area of writing interest) is underrepresented, perhaps you would like to join our teal of social media contributors. We also could use assistance with Twitter and Instagram.

District 2 invites you to attend, August 20, 10:30 am at the Lawrence Public Library, Presenter David Hann

8/9/2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022
10:30am - 12:00pm
Lawrence Public Library
Suite A, Lower Level
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, KS

Author David Hann (D2 member) will talk about The Jayhawker Cleveland Phantom Horseman of the Prairie. Culled from 1860s newspaper articles and published reports of a tumultuous and violent era in American history, Hann will talk about his research of this liberator of slaves and horses who found brief but deadly fame during the Kansas Missouri Border War.

Visit David Hann's Website

David Hann

Notice: Kansas Authors Club Executive Board Meeting

8/8/2022

The next meeting of the Kansas Authors Club state board will take place Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 10:00 am via Zoom. If you have items of news or concern to submit, or would like to receive a link to attend, please use the contact forms on the Board of Directors page or reach out to your District Representative.

Tentative Agenda:

Reports of Officers, standing committees, special committees

Financial Report – Manager
Contest Managers – Numbers

Ongoing Business:

Restructuring

Transitional manager position
proposed bylaws for presenting to the general membership at the convention
(the restructuring of districts remains a discussion item)

KS Book Festival Plans

Future of Youth Program Awards Book

New Business:

Executive Board Positions in 2023
Appointed Board Positions in 2023

Grantham Will Present to D5

8/6/2022

Don’t miss Tamara Grantham’s presentation to D5 August 13 at 1:30 when she reveals how she became a successful published author. She will disclose hints for marketing our writing and ourselves. She is the author of more than a dozen books and novellas, including the multi-award winning Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series, and the #1 bestselling Twisted Ever After trilogy. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first place for fantasy in INDIEFAB’S Book of the Year Awards, and a first place RONE award for best New Adult Romance. The Witch's Tower, the first book of her fairytale retelling series, launched as a #1 bestseller at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Tamara lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. When asked "How do you write while raising five kids?" her answer is, "I don't know how I would raise five kids without writing."

The D5 meeting August 13 at 1:30 can be attended in person or on Zoom.
In person: Fireside Room at Asbury Church, 2800 W 15th St, Wichita
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88246448615?pwd=OHhUZkdhN3FJRmRkdGZmL1VGWS8vdz09#success

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Join us for our first program of 2023!

I missed the link. Please send it to me again.

Group Enjoys Zoom Open Mic

Submit Your Email Here to Get a Zoom Invitation to the Next 2nd Tuesday Open Mic

January 10 Open Mic - Invitation from District 3/4 of Kansas Authors Club

Request Zoom Link

Writing Goals for a New Year

Countdown to Renewal Time

D5 Authors Read at Book Launch

Members: Don't forget to renew!

An Invitation from our Friends at The Writers Place

Jerilynn Henrikson Presents at D2 Monthly Meeting in Emporia

You are Invited to ATtend

If you are a member or guest who would like to receive the link to attend via zoom, please enter your information here:

Members, Submit Your 2023 Yearbook Entries!

Deadline: October 31

Tracy Million Simmons to Speak at D5 Meeting October 15 at 1:30

Invitation to Attend: D2 Monthly Meeting - "Ask an Editor" with Vicki Julian

IMPORTANT: Team Members Needed

This Just In! Convention Registration Deadline

Invitation to Attend: D3/D4 Open Mic (via Zoom) with Featured Reader Catherine Hedge

Request Zoom Link

Early Bird Deadline Reminder -- Get your convention registration in by the end of day on September 1 to save $$!

Board of Directors, August Meeting, & List of Open Positions

Make Your Mark on Our Growing Organization!

Appointed Positions

District 2 invites you to attend, August 20, 10:30 am at the Lawrence Public Library, Presenter David Hann

Notice: Kansas Authors Club Executive Board Meeting

Grantham Will Present to D5

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