FEATURED AUTHORS
|
This is a special honour for members who have given beyond the norm to their fellow writers or/and
to their community. It is the opinion and selection made solely by the Founder of this
organization. _____________________________________________ Please click on the names for more about the author: _____________________________________________ March - June DAHRIS CLAIR & SUSAN HALEY Dahris and her volunteers in southern Florida are busily preparing for the September conference at the Quorum Hotel in Tampa - sending emails, handing out brochures, making phone calls, etc. Susan Haley is actively working the northern areas of Florida on behalf of our conference. I believe that the major part of the success of this conference will be due to our Florida connection. They are the ones who are doing the footwork and spreading the word in the South. Dahris also researched and made the recommendations for workshop leaders from that area. She and Susan have also produced mini-conferences under the umbrella of the Florida Writers Association. Dahris is the leader of the Pasco branch of that organization. Click on their names to go to their websites and you will be able to read more about these charming young ladies and very talented writers. We're happy to have them as members of our organization and I'm looking forward to meeting Susan and seeing Dahris again in September. My grateful thanks go out to both of you! _____________________________________________ January - February INA YVONNE GOODLING This young lady is showing the enthusiasm and interest it takes to make an organization grow and become the best it can be. She just took it upon herself to spearhead a WOW Anthology - to collect short works (fiction/non-fiction) from members, edit them, and publish the book. How many authors would take that responsibility on, would take the time away from their own writing and publishing and marketing? Not many. Thank you so much, Ina. We'll have a grand book to present at our conference in September as well as in Internet bookstores. Fantastic! A bit more about Ina, that you won't read on her author's page on our site . . . Here is a young woman, under 30, who has written several books and comic books, doing all the artwork, is a talented painter, and who has managed to do this through some very dire circumstances and never complains. One only has to read some of her poetry to see what she has felt and experienced in very lean times and meager existence. She is a fighter, a trouper, a determined human being and when you meet her and she sets aside her shyness, you can get a glimpse of that effervescent soul that resides in her body. Ina attended our Vegas event in 2005, served as WOW secretary in 2006 and attended our Kansas City conference, and is going to our 2007 Tampa conference in September. Please join me in thanking Ina for her dedication and participation against all odds. _____________________________________________ November - December DAVID S. ROSENBERG Another prolific writer who lives and breathes his craft. His political thrillers will stir up all the questions and doubts you could possibly have about what goes on behind the political curtain throughout the world. Very brain-jogging concepts fill his fictional works. And not only does he write fiction, but he has authored a manual on creative writing. When you join WOW, you receive Rosenberg's manual in PDF form, a perk to our group of devoted member writers. David has generously given his talents and time to this organization. He's constantly thinking of new ways to help fledgling writers and even the not-so-fledgling. If you'll take a look at his hosted forums on the messageboard, you'll realize the time he expends to bring valuable information to us. This past October, he traveled from New York to our conference in Kansas City and was one of the most eager and rambunctious people I've met. His obvious excitement, while presenting, infiltrated the conference room and filled our ears and mind. And he'll be presenting again at our Charlotte NC conference in October 2007 (along with many other workshop leaders that Claudette Milner, our president, is busy procuring). I must say, David is the ultimate volunteer. If he's asked and it's in his realm and power, he'll do it. He is the ideal example of the type of member a non-profit org dreams of - a working treasure. Thanks, David, for joining Wizards of Words and becoming such a vital part of us and a helpmate to me. September - October LARRY EVANS I believe you will agree that Larry Evans deserves special recognition from his peers, here at Wizards of Words. Mr. Evans is a straight-shooter, but gentle man - always there to help when needed, always there to smooth over when necessary. When we had the few skirmishes the past couple of months on the messageboard, Larry lent a helping hand and interjected words of wisdom. I thank you for that, Larry. Writing-wise, Larry has a unique style, and in every piece of work he produces, the improvements are abundant. He’s learning quickly, just as we all are. With every word, every story, every book, we need to improve to be the successful and bestselling writers of tomorrow. Larry is one who shows great promise in accomplishing that goal. He has the stories to tell. He tells them from his heart and most times with humor. But he continually says it’s just a hobby with him. Well, I beg to differ with you, Larry, good buddy. You’ve become as obsessed as the rest of us. You’re a writer, and definitely not in the hobby sense. (smiles) By the way, one of Larry’s short stories placed in the top three of this year’s short story competition. Two were given honorable mention and one of his poems was given honorable mention. So, what does that say, huh? Yep, you’re a real writer, Larry. Fishing is now number one hobby. I also want to mention here that Larry was especially helpful to me at the conference in Kansas City. And I appreciated it very much. So, Larry, you are the Featured Author for this term, and soon we’ll have your winning short story up for all to read. Check out his book on his author's page. July - August CARYN BRUER It is my pleasure to offer up Ms. Bruer as the featured author these two months. She has been a godsend to me, as well as to our members, as president of this organization and head of the committee working on the 2006 WOW Writers' Conference in Kansas City. She probably attends more conferences and writers' groups than anyone in WOW. Her political writings are on par with many of the major commentary writers of our nation. She's a no-holds-barred person and a writer who can make you laugh or cry in an instant. She is a wonderful source of information on writers' groups and is an excellent referral for answers to writers' questions. While struggling with family health issues, she still maintains a high visibility to this organization above and beyond the call. I thank you, Caryn. May - June D'MARIA SCAGLIONE For her wonderfully written books and subject matter, and for her dedication to give back to her community through her Author-thon in Florida where she requests the authors attending to designate a percentage of their sales to the charity of their choice. Those charities are published in the media PR and each author provides brochures of them in their own PR packages at the mass booksigning (hosted by Waldenbooks) in a major Florida mall. March - April CLAUDETTE MILNER For her strong beliefs and longing to right the wrongs when dealing with the youth of our nation, Ms. Milner's books are certainly helping to make the changes needed by being presented within our school systems and school libraries. She promotes writing contests for the young and wherever she goes, whether it is a booksigning or a reading or a speaking engagement, Claudette is most revered. January - February DENNIS GRIFFIN For his help and guidance in forming this organization and for having won the "Wizard" award for most books sold at our 2005 conference in Vegas. Mr. Griffin is a prolific writer and is fast becoming a knowledgeable source of publishing and marketing information to fellow members. Rebecca Buckley |