AZ Historical Novel Society News, 7-28-2013

New members welcome. Email Judith through this website to join.
Wrap up of July 27th Meeting
Our July 27th meeting was full of great information and socializing. Each time I get to know a few more members over dinner, but I wish I had had time to chat with more people–that’s my only complaint about this chapter, too many fascinating people to be able to visit with everyone. Lots to look forward to for future meetings. It is such a pleasure to have a vital historical fiction community coalescing here in Arizona.
Our main speaker, Jessica McCann, talked about entering writing contests, the how to and the whys. She talked about the vital role contests had in her road to publication. We also coaxed her into telling us about her book, All Different Kinds of Free, about a free woman of color in the 1830s who was kidnapped with her children into slavery. This crime triggered a controversial Supreme Court case. Here’s Jessica’s website. She gave us two websites for finding contests: Funds for Writers and Poets & Writers.
Three of us who attended the HNS conference in Florida gave our “highlights”: finding community, using foreign languages in HF, agent panels, and cold read sessions.
We also ate a delicious dinner and visited with each other.

Note: I recorded the speakers and am hoping to put up a video of the meeting, but need to consult on the mechanics of doing that. The video I got of the meeting was quite clear so there’s always hope! I should be able to have it up in about a week, so check back if you missed Jessica and the rest of us.

UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE:

September 21, 4-8, Judith’s house: Jenn McKinlay will be our speaker. She’s a NYT Bestselling author and a librarian at Burton Barr. She’ll speak about historical research resources and the commercial side of publishing. Jenn has incredible energy and breadth of knowledge, a “library” of info inside her head. Here’s her website.
We still need volunteers for September’s potluck: 2 main course, 1 salad, 1 dessert, 2 wine/lemonade. Please email me if you can bring food/beverage.

November 2, 1-5, Judith’s house Patricia Bracewell, author of Shadow on the Crown, set in 1002 when Emma becomes queen of England. Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Here’s Patricia’s website.

Late January or early February, Shona Patel, author of the upcoming novel Teatime for the Firefly Here’s a thoughtful review by AZ HNS member Cynthia Robertson and an interview with Shona. Shona’s website.