Writers Workshop Guidelines

Workshops

Workshop/hands-on programming is going great guns! We have a number of panels filled, some still in planning stage, and several open slots to be filled in as more folks sign on to present a program that you will really enjoy.

Here are some things we have planned:

BODACIOUS BABES: This is a clothing exchange for those of us who are “fan-friendly” size. Bring the things that don’t fit, you don’t wear any more, got as a gift and didn’t like, and as a special challenge, one item you just can’t let go of even though you haven’t worn it in years. Anything left over will be donated to a women’s shelter, so by all means, bring mundane clothes.

FAMILY WORKSHOPS: We are planning a series of activities, projects and competitions for the 10am to 6pm slot for children and their parents, and others that think convention time should be play time! Magic wands, treasure maps, scarf-making, stories, music, dance, maybe some play-dough or clay, some paper mache. . . we’ll try not to get too messy! Lou Anna Johnson will be helping program this track.

FRIDAY NIGHT SPOOKY MOVIES: Remember when you were a kid, and you and your buds got together on Friday night, made popcorn and watched some truly horrible horror or monster movie hosted by the likes of “Moona Lisa”:, “Elvira”, and “The Count”? Let’s do it again! Friday night (duh!) from 8 to 10pm. I’m still looking for a host. Care to vamp a bad movie? Let me know.

MAGIC WANDS: Scott Perin will show you how to build your own! Assemble the wand, stain and finish for a richly colored, satiny wand that any witch or wizard would be proud to own! Are you a budding Olivander?

MAKE-UP AS ART: From the basics of make-up to movie make-up and appliances, we will explore the art of “fool-the-eye”. This workshop will have books, demonstrations, some hands-on work, and resource guides.

MARVELOUS MASKS: Fabulous fabrics, glittering gems, fluttering feathers, baubles, bangles and beads! Vicki Glover will show you how to build a mask to accent a costume, or perhaps you’ll have to make a costume to match your mask!

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS: Cereal and cartoons in pajamas and slippers. Not exactly original programming, but those classic cartoons never go out of style, do they?

WRITER’S WORKSHOP: The Fairwood Writers are running this popular workshop again this year. Unfortunately, the submission deadline was January 31, but if you are a fledgling writer this is a must-do!

WRITING IN LIGHTS: Building a light display is easy! All you need is some strings of lights, foam core board and a good idea.

We are also working on workshops on leather-working, fabrics and textiles, jewelry, feathers and beads and more. We’ll take a look at chain-mail (just what IS 4-in-one as opposed to kings-mail?) and armor There are a lot of things to cover, and we are only limited by the amount of time available (and perhaps our good taste).

What else? If you have any bright ideas you would like to float by, email me at adonno at aol dot com. See you at the con!

Writers Workshop
GUIDELINES FOR THE NORWESCON WRITERS' WORKSHOP

The Fairwood Writers are pleased to sponsor the writing workshop for Norwescon 29 in 2006. We will accept electronic submissions of science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories and novel excerpts according to the following manuscript guidelines:

Short fiction must be complete and no longer than 10,000 words.

Novels must be submitted only in part; we will accept the first three chapters, totaling no more than 15,000 words. You must also include a complete outline and/or a short synopsis (1,000 words max.) for the novel.

We will accept manuscripts aimed at young-adult and juvenile markets, but are not able to offer critiques on picture books.

You may submit up to two manuscripts, but we reserve the right to limit that if we receive more submissions than the number of workshop sessions available during the convention.

We will accept manuscripts in .doc, .rtf and .txt formats.

All fiction must be in proper manuscript form:

1-inch margins on all sides
Type must be double-spaced
Font no smaller than 12-point size (Courier preferred)
Use underlining instead of italics
Do not use boldface

First page must include:

Author's name and address in upper left corner
Approximate word count in upper right corner
Story title and byline (start halfway down page)
Story starts at least one double-space under byline

Upper right corner of second page (and all following pages) must include:

Story title (shortened, if necessary)
Author's last name
Page number

More information on manuscript format and other writing topics can be found at www.sfwa.org/writing.

Please include a brief cover letter with your e-mail address and a phone number in case we need to contact you, the genre of your submission(s), and a brief biography covering your writing and workshop experience as well as your writing goals.

All manuscripts will be scheduled for our individual critique sessions (one author per session, meeting with four pros, including a Fairwood Writers moderator, for critique). However, for short-story authors who request it, we offer a "round-robin" critique option. (This is not available for novel excerpts.) Each session will include two or three stories, and all participants must agree to do a written critique of the other manuscripts submitted for the round-robin and present an oral critique during the session at the Con (manuscripts will be mailed to all participants ahead of time). Four pros, including the Fairwood Writers moderator, will also read the round-robin stories and participate in the critiquing.

Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2006.

Please indicate which session you are submitting for and send your manuscripts to:

submissions at norwescon.org

This address is for submissions only. If you have any questions or comments, please address them to Norwescon care of the Fairwood Writers, or you can send e-mail via writersworkshop at norwescon.org. More information about the workshop, and the Fairwood Writers, may be found at http://www.fairwoodwriters.org/.

The Fairwood Writers, and all writers from the Con who participate in the workshop, look forward to reading your stories and meeting you at Norwescon.