President Spry welcomed the participants at 1:05 P.M.
Those participating were Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Aimee Gross, Carol Yoho, Ruth Maus, Duane Johnson, Roger Droz, Barbara Waterman Peters, Audrey Bosley, Reaona and Glory Hemmingway, and Duane Herrmann.
The program this month covered query letters to agents, and for those of us without that experience in that step pf publishing, the presentation was an eye-opener. With visual aids and a prepared presentation Ruth Maus provided details of why an agent is highly important in getting a fiction book published and advised that there is a different type of agent for the various genres of writing. Much of this information would also be helpful for other types of publishing as it causes the author to focus on the “hook, book and cook” of bringing a book into being, with or without an agent business partner, but helping the author turn from writing to business skills, and identifying key aspects for marketing. The standards for agents, the rules and ethics under which good agents operate and the organizations that govern their behaviors were detailed. Examples of query letters were presented and discussed. Ruth took audience questions. A video of this presentation is available through the Kansas Authors Club YouTube Channel, as are most of the recent past program presentations. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AknDIoBLMg
August’s presentation will be about copyright issues for authors. Don’t miss it.
Business meeting:
Secretary Dunavan’s Minutes were approved as posted on the district one website.
Treasurer Hemmingway’s financial report was presented and approved. The month started with a balance of $3,966.10. A donation was received, which will be deposited Monday, July 19th, one paper registration check will also be deposited on Monday. Several Submittables registrations are in for the convention and those payments go to the State Treasurer who will send those funds to District One on a monthly basis. There are three bills that need to be paid totaling $81. At this time the official balance remains at $3,966.10 until the deposits and made and bills paid. NOTE: print copies of the registrations ARE available if you prefer to use those. A copy can be found on both the state website and the district one newsletter. Anne requested that we change the treasurer’s report format so it will be more legible in the newsletter.
The Membership and Marketing Committee Report was approved as posted in the newsletter. Highlights of the committee include the new Facebook name change to District One Kansas Author’s Club, perhaps for ease of location by interested searchers. Registration and ease of registering through Submitables, and the opportunities for Kansas authors and others to get recognition for their writings and other services through the $25 ad in the convention handbook (print and online searchable convention materials). Both vertical and horizontal business card sized spaces are available. Ruth reminded members that there is an opportunity to save considerably on registration costs before August 15th when early bird registration ends. Membership and Marketing are also reacting to inquiries about going to a hybrid in person convention. We are researching the Library regulations in place currently and availability of the appropriate size rooms. It is intended that we will include an in-person option for our district meetings later in the year. The current Delta Covid infection rates may have some impact on those decisions. After a group discussion about alternate times, days and activities, Audrey Bosley agreed to join the membership and marketing committee to work on options for additional district one membership activity options. After we have time to discuss options those will come back to the membership for discussion and possible adoption. Members are welcome to send ideas to Anne so we can get their ideas and feedback. Anyone else interested in working on these opportunities should contact Anne or Ruth.
Members recognized for their recent activities are Aimee Gross for her new book: she advised that sales are perking along, Duane Herrmann has been submitting and publishing in a number of periodicals all spring and summer. Finally, youth member Alice M. Dunavan has written a short story which is being published in a children’s anthology in Washington State. We ask members to keep us informed of their writing successes and events so we may highlight those on the website and in the monthly newsletter.
Members who want to be part of the statewide convention planning need to let Anne know so she can send them the link for that Monday morning meeting.
Our next district one meeting is scheduled for August 21st at 1:00 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:57 P/M.
Those participating were Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Aimee Gross, Carol Yoho, Ruth Maus, Duane Johnson, Roger Droz, Barbara Waterman Peters, Audrey Bosley, Reaona and Glory Hemmingway, and Duane Herrmann.
The program this month covered query letters to agents, and for those of us without that experience in that step pf publishing, the presentation was an eye-opener. With visual aids and a prepared presentation Ruth Maus provided details of why an agent is highly important in getting a fiction book published and advised that there is a different type of agent for the various genres of writing. Much of this information would also be helpful for other types of publishing as it causes the author to focus on the “hook, book and cook” of bringing a book into being, with or without an agent business partner, but helping the author turn from writing to business skills, and identifying key aspects for marketing. The standards for agents, the rules and ethics under which good agents operate and the organizations that govern their behaviors were detailed. Examples of query letters were presented and discussed. Ruth took audience questions. A video of this presentation is available through the Kansas Authors Club YouTube Channel, as are most of the recent past program presentations. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AknDIoBLMg
August’s presentation will be about copyright issues for authors. Don’t miss it.
Business meeting:
Secretary Dunavan’s Minutes were approved as posted on the district one website.
Treasurer Hemmingway’s financial report was presented and approved. The month started with a balance of $3,966.10. A donation was received, which will be deposited Monday, July 19th, one paper registration check will also be deposited on Monday. Several Submittables registrations are in for the convention and those payments go to the State Treasurer who will send those funds to District One on a monthly basis. There are three bills that need to be paid totaling $81. At this time the official balance remains at $3,966.10 until the deposits and made and bills paid. NOTE: print copies of the registrations ARE available if you prefer to use those. A copy can be found on both the state website and the district one newsletter. Anne requested that we change the treasurer’s report format so it will be more legible in the newsletter.
The Membership and Marketing Committee Report was approved as posted in the newsletter. Highlights of the committee include the new Facebook name change to District One Kansas Author’s Club, perhaps for ease of location by interested searchers. Registration and ease of registering through Submitables, and the opportunities for Kansas authors and others to get recognition for their writings and other services through the $25 ad in the convention handbook (print and online searchable convention materials). Both vertical and horizontal business card sized spaces are available. Ruth reminded members that there is an opportunity to save considerably on registration costs before August 15th when early bird registration ends. Membership and Marketing are also reacting to inquiries about going to a hybrid in person convention. We are researching the Library regulations in place currently and availability of the appropriate size rooms. It is intended that we will include an in-person option for our district meetings later in the year. The current Delta Covid infection rates may have some impact on those decisions. After a group discussion about alternate times, days and activities, Audrey Bosley agreed to join the membership and marketing committee to work on options for additional district one membership activity options. After we have time to discuss options those will come back to the membership for discussion and possible adoption. Members are welcome to send ideas to Anne so we can get their ideas and feedback. Anyone else interested in working on these opportunities should contact Anne or Ruth.
Members recognized for their recent activities are Aimee Gross for her new book: she advised that sales are perking along, Duane Herrmann has been submitting and publishing in a number of periodicals all spring and summer. Finally, youth member Alice M. Dunavan has written a short story which is being published in a children’s anthology in Washington State. We ask members to keep us informed of their writing successes and events so we may highlight those on the website and in the monthly newsletter.
Members who want to be part of the statewide convention planning need to let Anne know so she can send them the link for that Monday morning meeting.
Our next district one meeting is scheduled for August 21st at 1:00 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:57 P/M.