Madison County Writers Guild Meet the Authors Book Sale & Signing
on February 20, 2010

Madison County Writers Guild in partnership with the Madison County Arts Council sponsored the Meet the Authors Book Sale & Signing on Saturday February 20, 2010. 17 Texas authors participated. See all the pictures on Flickr.

 

Author Mark Troy Joins the Madison County Writers Guild at their End of the Year Social

Mark Troy spoke to the Madison County Writers Guild and their guests on May 19, 2009 at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Writers Guild. The topic of Mr. Troy’s talk was “Dialog.”

This was the end of the year social for the Guild, so the talk was followed by refreshments and a book signing by Mark Troy. The Writers Guild will resume its regular monthly meetings in September, 2009.

Mark Troy is the author of the Val Lyon private eye series. Val's beat is Honolulu where she deals with the wreckage of human lives in a section of paradise tourists rarely see. "Pilikia Is My Business," the first novel in the series, was published in 2001. It was nominated for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America for Best 1st P.I. Novel. Seven short stories in the series feature Val mixing mayhem and sport. "Teed Off," in "Fedora: Private Eyes and Tough Guys," was named one of the 50 Best American Mysteries of 2001 by Otto Penzler and James Ellroy, editors of "Best American Mystery Stories" The most recent Val Lyon story, "Horns," can be read on The Thrilling Detective: http://www.thrillingdetective.com

Lena Nelson Dooley "Setting the Scene" - April 18, 2009

The Madison County Writers Guild welcomed award winning Christian fiction writer Lena Nelson Dooley to Madisonville on Saturday April 18. The weather let us down as Mrs. Dooley’s workshop for aspiring authors about “Setting the Scene” was overshadowed by a tornado warning. Attendance at the event was limited to our dedicated Madison County Writers Guild members, but that made it a more intimate and ultimately more productive gathering. Mrs. Dooley is known in the Christian Fiction Writers community as a great mentor, and she certainly proved that to our local group. Not only did Mrs. Dooley give a talk, attendees were also asked to participate in two written exercises that did more to get her points across than anything. All the guild members took away valuable ideas to improve their work.

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Madison County Writers Guild on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, Guild members and guests were treated to a talk by Brazos Valley writer, Rhonda Brinkman. The subject of the talk was “Manuscript Preparation”. Pictured are (Left to Right): Betty Strawther, Kim Davis, Marianne Gage, Margi Stewart, Rhonda Brinkman, Jim Daspit, Tony Hardy, Rita Spencer, Darlene Parker, Frieda Michael, Burke Landry, Pat Cole, and Louis Popowskyj.

The Madison County Writers Guild was established in 2004, sponsored by the Madison County Arts Council. The purpose of the Guild is to foster, stimulate, encourage, and assist the flow of the creative "juices" of those in the area who are professional or potential writers of prose, poetry, and music.

The Guild sponsors book reviews and other events of special interest to those who appreciate the writing arts. Individual readings of personal writings take place during the regular meetings. Occasional guest speakers make presentations during the meetings as well.

May 10, 2008 East Texas Author and Publisher Bob Bowman gave a very interesting talk about 'The Forgotten Towns of East Texas', and he and his wife Doris proved very popular with the writers guild members and their guests. Don't be surprised if he comes back to give a workshop in the not too distant future!

 

In 2004 and 2005 the Guild sponsored book reviews, and in 2004 a contest was held offering a prize for the best brief portrayal of earlier days in Madison County. During "For Love of the Arts" Week in 2006, the Madison County Writers Guild sponsored a Book Review - Edith Ann.....My Life So Far as told to Jane Wagner and reviewed by Pat Jennings. The event took place January 29 at the First United Methodist Church.

 

Writers Guild Members gathered in December 2007 for a Christmas Social