The Noble Pen for May 3, 2012

Next Noble Pen Meeting

May 3rd, 2012 7 pm

Scott’s Family Restaurant

1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

News

Does anyone have an educational topic they want to present to fill the open slot this week?

The NY Times posts some readers reactions to the ebook price fixing suit.

This is a little late, but some may be interested in what one reviewer calls the top stories in literature of 2011.

Victories

Dylan has in hand a published copy of the humorous anthology of which he wrote about half.  He has organized his web site so it is easier to find his stories.  And he gave the last meeting an excellent presentation on creating eBooks.

Lynda got a job as head publisher for a new magazine.  It’s been a long time since she couldn’t do her work from home, and pajamas probably won’t do for this job.

Aimee got a printer to help with her writing (and marking up everybody else’s, too).

Shannon is on seven panels and a doing a reading (that’s right 7 – see the list) at the science fiction CONvergence in Minneapolis in July (schedule here).   Its theme is women in SF.  Trivia question for Shannon: Who was the first female science fiction protagonist? He may have to do some homework for some of the panels, like re-watching every Star Trek episode to see how women are involved.

Education

Shannon suggests we consider this article on grammar rules that aren’t real.  It is mainly about Internet postings, however, so you might want to maintain some restraint if you are submitting to an agent or publisher.  Everybody says the slush pile readers use any excuse to reject a manuscript.

While we are shaking up assumptions, you might want to see if these five gender stereotypes that have changed affect the way your historical characters think.  I haven’t checked their research, but a lot of sites are linking to the article.

Upcoming Schedule

May 3rd

Tyree
Nick
Open slot

May 10th

Dylan
Open slots

May 17th

Shannon
Lynda
Open slot

May 24th

Open slots

Keep Writing,

Bill