tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86204904126229295322024-03-13T15:04:18.868-07:00Your InklingsIdeas and news from the book worldKarli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-48674303905870167232008-03-25T11:51:00.000-07:002008-03-25T11:53:33.192-07:00Writers' Mixer ScheduleCover to Cover Books in Vancouver, Washington hosts monthly Writers' Mixers. Here's the schedule for the next couple of months: April 5, May 3, and June 7, at 5:00-6:30. Cover to Cover Books is located at 1817 Main Street in Vancouver, Washington.Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-60608490514960729882008-03-25T11:48:00.000-07:002008-03-25T11:51:31.544-07:00"How to Turn the Common Weaknesses Agents See into Strengths"Elizabeth Lyon will be giving a talk on "How to Turn the Common Weaknesses Agents See into Strengths" at Cover to Cover Books on April 23rd at 6:00 pm. She will also be signing her new book "Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignnore." Cover to Cover Books is located at 1817 Main Street in Vancouver.Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-53495566511742080772008-03-12T15:59:00.000-07:002008-03-12T16:01:27.310-07:00Behind the Book Scene: How to Submit Your Book to PublishersAre you writing a book? <br /><br />Do you want to get it published?<br /><br />If you want to get your book published, Behind the Book Scene: How to Submit Your Book to Publishers, is a workshop aimed at doing just that. This class will give you an inside look at the world of publishing, and provide tips to help you submit your book successfully. Bring a book idea and plenty of paper—you will be writing a cover letter to submit to publishers as part of the class. <br /><br />Karli Clift, freelance editor of Inklings Editing, Design, and Indexing, will be teaching this workshop. She has a Master’s in Writing and Book Publishing from Portland State University.<br /><br />Behind the Book Scene will be held in the Armstrong Room at the Columbia Learning Center/St. Helens Library in St. Helens, Oregon, on Saturday, April 5, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Workshop is $55 per person. Register by March 26th.<br /><br />For more information or a registration form, contact Inklings at:<br />503-799-7460<br />karlishea@comcast.net<br />www.yourinklings.com<br /><br />Registration forms can also be picked up at the St. Helens Book Shop.Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-56908961243977007202008-02-25T12:42:00.001-08:002008-02-25T12:44:52.748-08:00Upcoming EventsMarch 1: Writer's Mixer at Cover to Cover Books, Vancouver, WA<br />March 4: WordFest, Longview, WA<br />March 8: St. Helens Writer's Guild, St. Helens, OR<br />March 16: Multnomah County Library's Writer's Resource Fair, 12-3 pm, Central Library, Portland, ORKarli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-71244818186958157152007-12-18T14:45:00.000-08:002007-12-18T14:50:18.827-08:00Calling all Oregonians!Have a story to tell about life in Oregon? Send in your story to the "Oregon Story" Project for a chance to have your story told all around the state. Here's some more information:<br /><br /><br />An open letter to all Oregonians:<br />No one knows Oregon as well as you and your neighbors. On behalf of Governor Ted Kulongoski, we invite you to share your story about what it means to be an Oregonian. The sesquicentennial “Oregon Stories” project is a personal invitation to you and your family, friends, community, school, tribe, or company to contribute your favorite stories about life in Oregon, and then share these stories throughout the state. <br /><br />All Oregon stories are yours to tell—you can write them, sing them, sew them, photograph them, film them, or paint them.<br /><br />What does an “Oregon Story” look like? Here is just one example—read how Mr. Ralph Beebe and his family worked in Malheur County to “Live the Oregon Dream”: <br /><br />Our team stumbled along the gravel road, my father holding the right-side horse’s bit, guiding the wagon against the blinding dust storm. The robust Malheur County winds loved the soft dirt where sagebrush and cheat grass had been, and blew with gusty, dusty pleasure that winter day in 1939.<br /><br />My dad and brothers had spent months grubbing the brush, leveling, corrugating, planting, scaring away jackrabbits whose homes were being invaded, and convincing the water to abandon gopher holes for the irrigation rows.<br /><br />As renter farmers my parents had lived in 21 houses their first 20 years of marriage. Now they were upgrading to a cement floored 18’ x 28’ basement house on our homestead nine miles south of Adrian, which our seven family members shared the first year with the teacher of the newly built Ridgeview Grade School.<br /><br />Hard times, yes, but my parents lived there for 40 years and persuaded the soil to yield a decent living. My eldest brother, David, still lives on that now productive farm. Thanks, FDR and Congress for the New Deal, the Owyhee Dam and the irrigation ditches. Thanks, USA and Oregon, for giving us the chance to make our dreams come true.<br /><br />What is your “Oregon Story?”<br /><br />Oregon 150 will take the best stories from every region and share them statewide through radio, television, online and print “Oregon Minutes.” As a lasting legacy, all of these Oregon Stories will become part of the Oregon State Archives.<br /><br />On our website (www.oregon150.org), you will find a tool kit of ideas to help guide you in the process of setting down your Oregon Story and sharing it with Oregon 150. Use this as a guide but remember—the Governor wants you to tell us what you think is most important for others to understand about your Oregon in your own way. Feel free to use the style that best suits you while still meeting Oregon 150’s submission guidelines. <br /><br />We are all Oregonians, and we all have an “Oregon Story” to tell. We can’t wait to receive your stories so that the Governor can share them with all of our Oregonian neighbors!<br /><br />Pass it on! <br />Please share this toolkit with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />The Oregon 150 Board of DirectorsKarli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-5846500150495881422007-12-11T11:50:00.000-08:002007-12-11T11:52:07.369-08:00Molalla Writers Faire and BookerooPress Release<br /><br />Re: Molalla Writers Faire and Bookeroo<br /><br />Contact: Maureen Phillips, (503) 829-2359 ext. 250 or phillipm@molallariv.k12.or.us<br /><br /><br />ATTENTION! WRITERS! POETS! <br />The place is historic Molalla, Oregon, the dates, January 25th – 27th, 2008, the event – the Molalla Writers Faire and Bookeroo. If you are a writer, poet, or aspire to be one, this is the place for you. Whether you are already published, or just getting started, there is something for all levels.<br /><br />This is a weekend dedicated to writers. Bringing writers together with publishers and editors will enable them to form relationships and bond with other writers that totally understand what it takes to bring characters to life, to do the research necessary for a non-fiction work, and the challenge to be published and have their book read.<br /><br />The Writers Faire begins with a Welcome Reception on Friday evening at the elegant Prairie House Inn. Saturday morning is the perfect time for the Bookeroo. 9:00am – 2:00pm at the United Methodist Church, authors and publishers will have their books on display and for sale to the public. During the faire, sign up to pitch your book to Linda Meyer from Ink and Paper Group, LLC. Space is still available.<br /><br />Beginning at 1:00pm at the Molalla Public Library there will first be a Roundtable/Panel discussion on the state of writing and publishing today. Following this will be a series of workshops, including: The Pleasures and Perils of Publishing, Writing the Knock-Out Query Letter, Marketing - a Book’s Lifeblood, Multiplying Your Publishing Potential, Children’s Writing 101, Your Memories in a Book, The Poem as a Gift, Before the Final Fix: the Three Stages of Editing, and Technology – New Doors to Publishing.<br /><br />Workshop presenters include: Glen Bledsoe, Dr. Karen Bledsoe, Ana Callan, Allison Collins, Sherry Green, Vinnie Kinsella, and Marvin Mitchell. These presenters bring a vast array of extensive experience to the Faire.<br /><br />Saturday evening will be the Banquet featuring key note speaker Linda Meyer from Ink and Paper Group, LLC. Linda will be around for the entire weekend and available to talk with and ask questions. The banquet will be held at the United Methodist Church and catered by Cindy’s Café’ and Catering.<br /><br />Sunday morning the Faire will continue with a Fireside Get Together/Brunch at Rosse Posse Acres (elk farm). While enjoying the sight of a herd of majestic elk, the weekend will wrap up with the writers discussing all that has gone on over the weekend, cementing new friendships and relationships and relaxing around the cozy fire, followed by a tour of the elk farm.<br /><br />The price for this weekend is $89.00 per person which includes the reception, Bookeroo, roundtable, three workshops, banquet and fireside. Add a two night stay at either the Prairie House Inn or Rosse Posse Acres (B&Bs) for an additional $200.00 plus room tax. Call (503) 829-2359 ext. 250 for more information or to register. Call for prices to individual activities. The Molalla Writers Faire and Bookeroo is sponsored by Molalla Community School and made possible in part by funding received from the Clackamas County Tourism and Development Council and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-70131146622991574532007-11-27T15:38:00.000-08:002007-11-27T15:42:03.052-08:00Upcoming EventsThere are some great writing/book events coming in December!<br /><br />December 1: Writers Mixer at Cover to Cover Books in Vancouver, WA<br /><br />December 2: Oregon Book Awards at the Portland Art Museum<br /><br />December 4: April Henry will be speaking at the Willamette Writers meeting at The Old Church in Portland<br /><br />December 8: The St. Helens Writers Guild meets at Fresh Start Cafe in St. Helens, OR<br /><br />December 11: Women in Portland Publishing's last social of the year at MacTarnahan'sKarli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-45509667939352228772007-11-27T14:34:00.000-08:002007-11-27T14:36:21.540-08:00The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time IndianThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian<br />Sherman Alexie<br />2007 YA National Book Award Winner<br /><br />Since I finally finished my “have-to-read” stack of books, this weekend I attacked my “want-to-read” stack. First in line: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. All I can say is that it was great and fantastic and spectacular…etc, and I’m not partial just because he promoted me to a “volunteer of the gods” when he signed my book at PNBA. The book was just awesome; one of those deep, thought-provoking books that you actually enjoy. If you’re looking for a gift for a young adult (or young adult at heart), check it out!<br /><br />Also, Debbie Reese has a short video interview of Alexie on her blog at:<br /><br />http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-50143838412660551982007-11-01T11:45:00.000-07:002007-11-01T11:47:55.141-07:00Ooligan Press Open HouseOoligan Press is having an open house November 7, noon to six, at Portland State University. Besides getting to know more about the press and the students who run it, there will be workshops on how to get published, editing, and children's books.<br /><br />Check it out!<br /><br />www.ooliganpress.pdx.eduKarli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-8924244424118491382007-09-25T14:54:00.001-07:002007-09-25T14:54:57.412-07:00Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Trade ShowSeptember 24, 2007<br /><br />I just returned from the PNBA show in Washington, and I am so excited about the new books I saw. I'll have some reviews soon!Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-27222471634324366402007-09-25T14:53:00.000-07:002007-09-25T14:54:24.739-07:00Madeleine L'EngleSeptember 10, 2007<br /><br />Madeleine L'Engle passed away last week, but fortunately leaves as with this inspiring idea: <br /><br />Why does anyone tell a story? It does indeed have something to do with faith, faith that the universe has meaning, that our little human lives are not irrelevant, that what we choose or say or do matters, matters cosmically. <br /><br />Quoted in New York Times obituary, Saturday, September 8, 2007Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-82783907979574218102007-09-25T14:52:00.000-07:002007-09-25T14:53:52.239-07:00Willamette Writers ConferenceAugust 3-5, 2007<br /><br />This was my first year at the Willamette Writers Conference, and I had a blast. Thanks to Charity at The Mighty Pen, I found out about volunteering in the Manuscript ER booth, where authors attending the conference could have a free fifteen minute consultation with a professional editor. <br /><br />At first I was a little nervous—this would be editing on the spot, editing without actually reading the manuscript—editing in fifteen minutes. <br /><br />Yikes.<br /><br />I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to come up with any useful advice in such a short amount of time. What if I just blanked out? How can I edit without my trusty Chicago Manual by my side? <br /><br />I started to panic.<br /><br />Amazingly enough, my fears were totally unjustified. While obviously not performing a detailed, traditional edit, I found that just listening to an author’s description of their work could actually provoke some useful advice out of me. <br /><br />A lot of the authors had a specific problem they wanted help with: How do I write a query letter? Is this an exciting first page? What’s missing? Why do I keep getting rejection letters?<br /><br />So I helped re-work query letters. I read some great first pages. I read some not-so-great first pages and offered suggestions. The ideas and comments poured out, seemingly from nowhere, confirming the usefulness of having spent so much of my life reading. I was having fun and feeling helpful—feeling like an editor, someone who knows what she’s talking about. <br /><br />One question stuck in my mind, and it bothered me because I heard it from so many different authors. They’d ask: Is my book worth publishing? Should I even bother?<br /><br />My answer was yes—yes, it is worth the time, the trouble, heck, it’s even worth the heartbreaking rejection letter. Ideas and dreams are always worth fighting for.<br /><br />So while everyone has great book ideas, ideas are unfortunately subject, to, well, subjectivity. Whether or not someone else likes your idea doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with the idea itself. If you are interested in your topic, chances are pretty good that there are other people out there who would love to read your book. <br /><br />Writers need to remember that. <br /><br />We also need to remember that grammar can be fixed by an editor, but an editor can’t create your beautiful idea. So just because your manuscript isn’t perfect (yet!) doesn’t mean your book isn’t worth publishing. We can work on the writing, so don’t give up! <br /><br />I left the conference inspired by all the authors I met and the workshops I attended. The 2008 conference starts August 1st, and you can bet you’ll see me there in Manuscript ER, having a wonderful time.<br /><br />Be sure to join me!Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620490412622929532.post-24068164154596822212007-09-25T14:47:00.000-07:002007-09-25T14:52:32.286-07:00St. Helens Book Shop Celebrates Release of 7th Potter BookJuly 21, 2007<br /><br />Last weekend I stepped into the flames of the Floo network and found myself in the midst of Diagon Ally. The real Diagon Ally, thanks to the efforts of the St. Helens Bookshop (SHBS) and volunteers. <br /><br />Diagon Ally was packed with Harrys and Hermiones; Rons and witches; Hagrids and Dumbledores; even a few muggles showed up, all waiting for the seventh and final Harry Potter book to be released. According to Luanne Kreutzer, owner of SHBS, over 200 people showed up. St. Helen-ites weren’t the only people celebrating that night; eight-point-something-or-other million people bought Deathly Hallows within the first 24 hours of its release. <br /><br />Do you detect some sorcery going on here? I do—nothing but magic could sell so many books!<br /><br />But before we tip off the Ministry’s Improper Use of Magic Department, remember that there were many adult witches and wizards there as well. In fact, I think some of us “adults” were more excited about the release of Deathly Hallows than the kids, which is the beauty of J.K. Rowling’s epic: it appeals to all ages, allowing underage wizards to challenge their reading skills, while letting the fully grown to dabble in their imagination.<br /><br />Inside Flourish and Blotts (a.k.a. SHBS), Potter fans were treated to fantastic visions from the book: Hedwig, Harry’s delivery owl, the Weasley’s clock, and even a glimpse of Hogwarts itself. Professor Trelawny was there telling fortunes to the curious. <br /><br />At TinkerTime Preschool, wizards could make their own wands with Ollivander, and first-year students visited the Sorting Hat to find their house at Hogwarts. <br /><br />Quidditch fans were not to be disappointed: brooms in hand, they competed in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, battling bludgers, throwing quaffles, and finally, catching the golden snitch. <br /><br />The Leaky Cauldron (a.k.a. Fresh Start Café), dispensed drinks all night, and at the Daily Prophet’s office next door, front-page photos were taken, courtesy of Creekside Studios. <br /><br />Remember to donate socks to S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare). Bring them to the Bookshop, and Dobby will take care to distribute them to elves in need. <br /><br />With so many parties to choose from that night, I’m glad to have celebrated with our very own St. Helens Bookshop. The bookstore and community members did a fantastic job, and truly made it a night to remember. Karli Clifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618750916975960899noreply@blogger.com0