An Idea for Writers' Groups to Emulate

'Tis the season for planning charitable projects in the next year, so as long as this landed in my e-mail box, I thought I'd share in case someone else wants to find a local writers project that benefits youth and work with them in some way or offer a scholarship. If you know a young person who lives in MI Upper Peninsula, you might let them know about this one, too!  I have worked with UPPAA and highly recommend them! 

UPPAA to Offer Free Student Workshop for Dandelion Cottage Writing Contest

Dear Carolyn Howard-Johnson

U.P. students in grades five through twelve who are interested in submitting to the Dandelion Cottage Student Short Story Contest sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) are invited to sign up for a free short story writing workshop. Hurry, space is limited to the first twenty students who enroll. Students from L'Anse school district have already become the first three to complete the easy sign up process which takes under 5 minutes at https://uppaa.org/student-workshop/

This will be a virtual workshop conducted by UPPAA award-winning author and educator, Deborah K. Frontiera (pictured at right). The workshop will take place over two Tuesday evenings: January 4th, and January 11th, 2022, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time / 6.pmCentral Time. The scheduling enables students to have enough time to rewrite or polish their stories before the contest deadline for submission, which is January 31st, 2022.

The first session will be about story structure, developing a character, and starting a first draft. Students will complete their first draft between the first and second sessions. The second session will involve revision with Frontiera providing many suggestions for students to examine their stories and improve them. Last year’s workshop was delivered over three sessions, but the syllabus was improved to just two sessions which are scheduled for 60 minutes each.

Students may also consult with their teachers or others on their stories, but the students themselves must make any suggested changes. Students then give their stories to their language arts teacher since each teacher in a UP public or private school may submit two stories from each class to the contest. Students who are home-schooled should check with their local district for a sponsoring teacher. There are never any entry fees for writers.

Depicted above is 2020 winner May Amelia Shapton, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 12th Grade 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER

 Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (http://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. Carolyn's latest is in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers (http://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and The Great First Impression Book Proposal (http://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. The Frugal Editor (http://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), now in its second edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques (http://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.