Author shares journey to publication

Join the next monthly meeting of the Rim Country District of Arizona Professional Writers to hear local independent (indie) author Connie Cockrell speak to the challenges and triumphs of getting a book into print. Cockrell says: “From the first challenge to write to getting a book published is a long and perilous journey.”

Cockrell’s books run the gamut from science fiction to contemporary stories. To date, she has published two stand-alone novels and a four-book series. Additionally, her stories have been included in four different anthologies. Cockrell is currently working on on a number of writing projects, including a contemporary young adult series and three collections of short stories. A few of her books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation. Cockrell’s publications are also available through Amazon and other ebook vendors.

The meeting and presentation will convene at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, February 18, in the Community Room of the Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

The deadline for entries in the Communications Contest is Monday, February 9. Get your entries in! See the contest page for categories and how to enter online.

There’s still time to get a story in, a release out or a blog posted in order to to compete the 2015 APW Communications Contest. First-place winners of the statewide contest are eligible to compete in the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest.

All entries must have been published, issued, broadcast or e-published between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2014.

The contest provides an opportunity to compete in a wide range of categories, and encourages and rewards excellence in communication. Entries are judged by leaders in their fields of expertise.

Arizona winners will be honored at the annual membership meeting in the spring, and national contest winners will be featured at the NFPW 2015 Annual Communications Contest Awards Banquet during the national conference, Sept. 10-12, in Anchorage, Alaska.

All work must be submitted electronically with exceptions for a few categories where electronic entry may not be possible: publications edited by entrant (for example, entire newspapers or magazines) and books. The entry deadline is Monday, Feb. 9. For work that must be submitted in hard-copy format, the entry deadline is Monday, Feb. 2.

For more information, visit the APW Communications Contest page.

Read the December, 2014 TypeRider, the last issue of the year! It’s another information-filled issue. Each district is hosting a holiday party – we hope you can come to at least one. And read more about the upcoming contests and writing events taking place in the state. Thank you Lynda for the superb job you do each month!

Happy holidays to all.

Read the October, 2014 TypeRider here! Read all about the NFPW Convention in Greenville, SC and our APW award winners. And mark your calendar for the Payson Book Festival, which will be held July 25, 2015.

The November, 2014 TypeRider is now available. Catch up on members and events. Read about Betty Webb’s search for her sister and Rim Country District’s field trip to the Sedona Book Festival.

From Pam Stevenson in the July 2014 TypeRider:

“The votes are in. On July 1, Arizona Press Women’s name changes to Arizona Professional Writers. The new name allows us to keep APW as our abbreviated name.(See our new header above.)

“Another important change APW members voted for is a dual membership option. Members can now be a member of the Arizona group only at a reduced membership fee. The two classes of membership are as follows:

1. Full Membership includes membership in APW and NFPW with all benefits provided by both organizations.
2. State Membership includes membership in the Arizona affiliate, without joining NFPW, with all benefits provided by APW.

“At the State Membership meeting, details of the change were discussed, and it was agreed the APW only member dues will be $30 a year. It’s ironic that 2014 is the 60th Anniversary of Arizona Press Women, so this is also the year we are making important changes in the operation of APW.”

The June TypeRider is out! Read about the Spring Conference. Vote for our new name -it’s  time sensitive so act right away. And congratulations to Brenda Warneka who was honored as Arizona Press Women’s 2014 Communicator of Achievement at the May 17 APW Annual Conference. Lots to read. Many thanks to our editor, Lynda Exley.

In the May, 2014 TypeRider, find out about the upcoming APW State Convention in this issue as well as the Arizona winners in the At-Large Communications Contest. See APW events and other local upcoming events. And, be sure to print out the ballot and vote for officers for the coming year if you haven’t already done so.

Again, thanks, Lynda, for another information-packed issue!