Meet Author Phil Giunta

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Firebringer Press, Speculative Fiction, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Short Stories

 

 

Author Phil Giunta is a regular fixture at GLVWG, and will share his advice on Writing the Compelling Short Story at The Write Stuff Conference™, Saturday, March 25, 2017.  GLVWG’s Dawn Sooy does the honors by asking a few questions about Phil’s life as an author.

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DS – I recently saw a short story of yours (Tower Sixteen), won second place in the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest. What was the inspiration to write this story?

Phil – I’ve always been fascinated with the WWII fire control towers (commonly known as observation towers) that were constructed along the Delaware coast. Currently, only one is open to the public near Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park and every time I go there, I climb the spiral steps 75 feet to stand at the top and look out upon the park, the ocean, and the Delaware Bay. It’s a gorgeous view.

Long before Cat and Mouse Press started their annual writing contest four years ago, I knew I wanted to write a short story about those towers, but the idea just hadn’t come to me. I was usually buried in several other writing and editing projects. Then in March 2016, a friend reminded me about the writing contest and I learned that the theme for that year was Beach Nights. That’s when it hit me immediately—a ghost story! Most of my paranormal tales have a lot of heart and emotion. I wanted this story to be no different, plus it had to honor our military and those who served at Fort Miles. I know “Tower Sixteen” accomplished all of the above. How do I know this? I was told the ending brought one of the contest judges to tears. Who can ask for anything more?

Meet Author/Editor Patti Giordani

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Editing, Libra Editorial Services, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Magazine Articles

GLVWG author, Mitzi Flye, took the time to interview Patti Giordani, one of our presenters at the The Write Stuff Writers Conference™ on Saturday, March 25, 2017.  Patti has been a long member of GLVWG, as well as a Copy Editor for the annual GLVWG Write Stuff Anthology.

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MF:  For some reason, the GLVWG Conference Committee thought I should interview Pattie Giordani. Maybe it’s because I’ve known her all of her life (and dumped her out of her baby carriage). Thank you for allowing me to interview you (she’s touching me!). I will be nicer to you than I was when you were 8 and I was 12.

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  MF: You have quite a varied background in editing, including being an editor of a nonprofit organization’s magazine and assistant features editor at The Express-Times daily newspaper. But you’re also a writer. Which do you find most rewarding?

PG:Thank you for doing this interview with me! (No one made me say that. LOL) As for editing vs. writing—I find both rewarding. As you know, I’m a Libra so I tend to look at both sides of a question. As an editor, I enjoy helping other writers shape and improve their work. And the most rewarding part is when an author says I made the work better. But I do think my scale is tipped toward writing, because I’m nosy! I’m interested in people, what they do, what they love, their backgrounds, their aspirations—you get the idea. I’m also interested in businesses, places, things, history, and many other topics. Researching and writing articles helps me delve into subjects I might never otherwise have the chance to learn about.

Meet Jaime Saloff -Helping Authors Write More, Sell More, and Be More.

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Author Entrepreneur, Book Marketing, Self-Publishing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses

Last December, we announced that Jaime Saloff will be attending The GLVWG WriteStuff Writer’s Conference™, March 24-25, 2017, with “What’s the Right Type of Publishing for my Book”, and “Self Publishing on a Budget”.

GLVWG member, Mitzi Flye, had an opportunity to interview Mitzi about her views on the writer as an entrepreneur and her business that helps boost your self-published book, Bookectomy™

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MF: Thank you so much for being a presenter for The Write Stuff conference. Your bio and your website seem to show that your business caters to women. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I wondered how that happened. Was that a conscious decision or did it “just happen”?

 

There’s two answers. The first is that it was a marketing decision. The more focused one can be in marketing, the easier it is to find and connect with a target audience. (This is also important when marketing books.) However, my younger son, who helps me with my graphics, recently said I was being sexist, so we changed the logo to include a male. (He is, of course, not pregnant like the women, but he is holding a bouncing baby book.) In addition, I guessed. I thought I worked with about 1/10th the amount of men as women over the years. But after my son’s prodding, I went and counted. Turns out I worked with about 50/50 men and women. I seem to get along very well with critical ex-military, chiropractors, psychology specialists, and cranky lawyers, where on the women side I tend to work with a lot of doctors, healers, and the metaphysically inclined. After nearly twenty-years in the business, I find I can work with almost anyone, men or women.

Jordy Albert – The Booker Albert Literary Agency

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Literary Agent, MG, Romance, The Booker Albert Literary Agency, Writing, YA

Jordy Albert, Literary Agent and cofounder of The Booker Albert Literary Agency, will be attending the GLVWG Write Stuff Writers Conference™ , March 25, 2017. Jordy will be taking pitches for fun, witty Middle Grade, and contemporary or action/adventure (think awesome 80s movies). She’s also interested in YA contemporary romance, sci-fi, fantasy (MUST have romance), smart, sexy contemporary romance with fantastic chemistry between the characters that sparks off the pages. She is also looking for Historical Romance (she definitely has a soft spot for a fantastic Regency).

GLVWG member, Suzanne Mattaboni, had a chance to interview Jordy for what’s hot in the market these days.

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Q: As an agent, you provide hands-on, editorial guidance that your clients value. What is it about a manuscript—especially an imperfect one—that motivates you to invest your editorial vision, long-term? And what is it about a borderline manuscript that tips the scales against you taking it on?

A: I look for a balance between plot/narrative and character. For instance, if I love the characters but the story needs a little attention, I’d be more motivated to work on edits. If I just can’t get past a character’s attitude and/or there is unrealistic dialogue (or dialogue that just doesn’t fit)—that would really tip the scales against me deciding to work on a project.