District 1 of the Kansas Authors Club held a Zoom meeting on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Those present included Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Carol Yoho, Reaona Hemmingway, Glory Hemmingway, Jan Stotts, Ruth Maus, Roger Droz, Fred Appelhanz, Duane Herrmann, and Duane Johnson.
President Spry called the meeting to order at 1:01 pm. She asked members to identify themselves by sharing their preferred genre, writing interests and the places they have been published.
Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the October meeting were approved as submitted by Max Dunavan and published on our District 1 web page.
Treasurer’s Report: Reaona Hemmingway provided the treasurer’s report. She indicates a current balance is unchanged since the October report. There is no new income and no expenses to report.
Old Business:
2021 KAC annual conference details kept the membership focused on the possibilities for keynote speakers and workshop leaders. Carol, Anne and Fred each presented the information they had gleaned from their research as contacts, as well as identifying the presenters which have been “locked-in” to the conference agenda.
A deadline of early January was given for the completion of the speaker agenda so those other activities associated with marketing, facilities, and state KAC Coordination can move forward. There was discussion about keynote speakers, costs of speakers, and how many presenters to schedule. Some of our most desired keynoters have large price tags which will require us to be creative and use our other contacts and resources. It is obvious we are seeking a variety of people with excellent knowledge and skills to make this conference a “must attend” event.
Members had questions about financing from the State KAC, grants, previous grant money expenditures, and the use of technologies. Duane Johnson and Max Dunavan will follow up with the hotel and technology providers as soon as the program committee provides the agenda.
New Business:
President Spry asked questions regarding our choice for an agenda prior to the meeting. There were a few comments about the topic and it seems that a preview of the agenda in advance would be appreciated. The president shared that she is planning to have a speaker as part of the program at each meeting to discuss skills development, present various ideas about writing skills and possible new writing techniques. Anne Spry discussed a helpful new website, Kindle Creates, an Amazon application that helps writers coordinate indexes, page layout, reviews materials for plagiarized text, and prepares the manuscript for E-publishing and sale on the Amazon network. This should save authors considerable time and help them break into the world of publishing.
There were several questions from the floor regarding membership, distribution of minute notes and other materials to community partners and groups. Out of that discussion, President Spry suggested a marketing and membership committee. Ruth Maus and Max Dunavan were appointed to that committee. Ruth is Chair.
Members clarified that any person, regardless of location or age, is welcomed to join Kansas Author’s Club. It is possible for others to pay for a new member’s membership. Membership dues need to be renewed NOW. If you have not done so, please visit the KAC web pages to make that happen. If you have a friend or family member that is interested in writing, a KAC District 1 membership could make a great holiday gift.
The business portion of the meeting ended at 2:43 pm.
November 2020 Program:
Anne Spry presented the program by giving an overview of the client projects she has completed with her book publishing company, Personal Chapters LLC. As a publisher Spry mentors authors and helps many young or first time authors get started. She spoke about some of the ways that author expectations, needs, and markets vary. Spry and her joint venture partner have also prepared system of standard writing prompts to help writers and non-writers mine their memories to develop an autobiography. The purpose of this methodology is to promote the idea that every person has a story and needs to share it, with their families if nothing else. This information provided useful tips to writers starting out or perhaps those with a writing block.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for the SECOND Saturday on December 12th at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom conference call. The program will feature Connie Mason Michaelis, a local newspaper columnist who writes on aging gracefully. Michaelis has just published her first book. Watch for the link in the week before the meeting. Also note that this is a reoccurring meeting and the same link can be saved to your “favorites” for use for all future meetings.
Those present included Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Carol Yoho, Reaona Hemmingway, Glory Hemmingway, Jan Stotts, Ruth Maus, Roger Droz, Fred Appelhanz, Duane Herrmann, and Duane Johnson.
President Spry called the meeting to order at 1:01 pm. She asked members to identify themselves by sharing their preferred genre, writing interests and the places they have been published.
Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the October meeting were approved as submitted by Max Dunavan and published on our District 1 web page.
Treasurer’s Report: Reaona Hemmingway provided the treasurer’s report. She indicates a current balance is unchanged since the October report. There is no new income and no expenses to report.
Old Business:
2021 KAC annual conference details kept the membership focused on the possibilities for keynote speakers and workshop leaders. Carol, Anne and Fred each presented the information they had gleaned from their research as contacts, as well as identifying the presenters which have been “locked-in” to the conference agenda.
A deadline of early January was given for the completion of the speaker agenda so those other activities associated with marketing, facilities, and state KAC Coordination can move forward. There was discussion about keynote speakers, costs of speakers, and how many presenters to schedule. Some of our most desired keynoters have large price tags which will require us to be creative and use our other contacts and resources. It is obvious we are seeking a variety of people with excellent knowledge and skills to make this conference a “must attend” event.
Members had questions about financing from the State KAC, grants, previous grant money expenditures, and the use of technologies. Duane Johnson and Max Dunavan will follow up with the hotel and technology providers as soon as the program committee provides the agenda.
New Business:
President Spry asked questions regarding our choice for an agenda prior to the meeting. There were a few comments about the topic and it seems that a preview of the agenda in advance would be appreciated. The president shared that she is planning to have a speaker as part of the program at each meeting to discuss skills development, present various ideas about writing skills and possible new writing techniques. Anne Spry discussed a helpful new website, Kindle Creates, an Amazon application that helps writers coordinate indexes, page layout, reviews materials for plagiarized text, and prepares the manuscript for E-publishing and sale on the Amazon network. This should save authors considerable time and help them break into the world of publishing.
There were several questions from the floor regarding membership, distribution of minute notes and other materials to community partners and groups. Out of that discussion, President Spry suggested a marketing and membership committee. Ruth Maus and Max Dunavan were appointed to that committee. Ruth is Chair.
Members clarified that any person, regardless of location or age, is welcomed to join Kansas Author’s Club. It is possible for others to pay for a new member’s membership. Membership dues need to be renewed NOW. If you have not done so, please visit the KAC web pages to make that happen. If you have a friend or family member that is interested in writing, a KAC District 1 membership could make a great holiday gift.
The business portion of the meeting ended at 2:43 pm.
November 2020 Program:
Anne Spry presented the program by giving an overview of the client projects she has completed with her book publishing company, Personal Chapters LLC. As a publisher Spry mentors authors and helps many young or first time authors get started. She spoke about some of the ways that author expectations, needs, and markets vary. Spry and her joint venture partner have also prepared system of standard writing prompts to help writers and non-writers mine their memories to develop an autobiography. The purpose of this methodology is to promote the idea that every person has a story and needs to share it, with their families if nothing else. This information provided useful tips to writers starting out or perhaps those with a writing block.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for the SECOND Saturday on December 12th at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom conference call. The program will feature Connie Mason Michaelis, a local newspaper columnist who writes on aging gracefully. Michaelis has just published her first book. Watch for the link in the week before the meeting. Also note that this is a reoccurring meeting and the same link can be saved to your “favorites” for use for all future meetings.