Indy Writers Group

2010-03-18T13:38:00.001-07:00

The Indy Writers' Group is hosting Script Frenzy Write In's every Friday in the month of April.

Bring your laptop or notebook, we'll be gathering in the Border's Cafe to write.

IWG did the same thing last year for the National Novel Writing Month. We had a great time cheering each other on and getting page counts that we never would have if we stayed at home. Many of the attendees finished their NaNo during the write in to great cheers!

Borders - River Crossing
Cafe
8675 River Crossing Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46240
7pm-10pm
Every Friday in April

No charge, no RSVP required.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=403578068693

Bring in the New Year with these IWG Authors!!

2009-01-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

IWG is so proud to have many talented and award-winning authors in our membership. Each year we have more newly published authors to celebrate and more rising talents sharing amazing material with the group. But we are bias, we love our members. Check out for yourself the catalog of IWG Authors and you two might want to start your own IWG Writers' collection.

Debra Kemp - The House of Pengradon Book 1: The Firebrand

Despite the collar marking her as a slave of Dunn na Carraice, young Lin is fiercely determined to retain her pride and keep her family intact. That dignity bears a price, for Lin has drawn the wrath of Modred, the youngest prince of Orkney. His single-minded quest to break strong-willed Lin-by any means necessary-nearly succeeds. Although Lin is accustomed to the death, disease, rape and famine that runs rampant in the slave hovel she calls home, it is when her beloved

brother Dafydd is placed on the auction block that her warrior spirit becomes apparent to all who challenge her, and the shocking secret of her lineage is finally revealed.

ISBN-10: 1592798837 Amazon Listing

Debra Kemp - The House of Pendragon Book 2: The Recruit

Sequel to the EPPIE-nominated The House Of Pendragon, Book I: The Firebrand......In the long-anticipated second novel of her original House of Pendragon series, Debra A. Kemp continues the extraordinary story of King Arthur's estranged daughter, Lin.

Adjusting from her life as an orphaned and abused slave to that of Arthur, the Pendragon's daughter does not prove an easy task for young Lin. She struggles to adapt and find her place within the sumptuous palace walls of Camelot. Her mother, Queen Gwenhwyfar, expects Lin to conform to the life of royalty and the duties of a princess, including an arranged marriage. But having survived the cruelty of life as Modred's slave, Lin wants more than a tedious life of weaving and gossip within the world of women. Rejected by her cold, unloving mother, Lin seeks the role of training to become a soldier. Her fighting spirit meets resistance at every turn. Can Lin prevail as a recruit in the Pendragon's army? Or will her past return to haunt her?

ISBN-10: 1592796990 Amazon Listing

Jamie Carie – Snow Angel

When Noah Wesley heard the faint sound outside the door of his remote Alaskan mountain cabin during a violent nighttime blizzard, it was no less than the voice of God that urged him to take a closer look, soon to discover his snow angel.

ISBN-10: 0805445331 Amazon Listing

Jamie Carie – Duchess and the Dragon

Rising romance novelist Jamie Carie’s second book, The

Duchess and the Dragon, tells the epic story of two unlikely soulmates who live worlds apart but soon meet and turn each other’s world upside down.

ISBN-10: 0805445358 Amazon Listing

Jamie Carie – Wind Dancer

Raised in a British-held frontier town during the American Revolution, Isabelle Renoir is not like other women around her. A free spirit, she dances in the moonlight as a praise offering to God and is more at home fearlessly taking her long rifle and knife into the woods for adventure and inspiration.

ISBN-10: 080544534X Amazon Listing

Kate Chaplin – The Belief Test: Questions to ask yourself on the journey of life

The Belief Test is filled with 285 thought-provoking, fun and enlightening questions that reaffirm and lead to personal discoveries about what believe about yourself and the world around you.

ISBN-10: 1411692276 Amazon Listing

Fred Towers –

“Betrothed Fairy’s Tail” in Fairy Tales Can Come True: The Very Best Erotic Fairy Tales, edited by Natasha Brooks, published by Emerging Edge Publishing, http://www.emerging edgepublishing. com/

“Pretty in the Hood” in Flesh to Flesh: An Erotic Anthology, edited by Lee Hayes, published by Strebor Books International http://store. zanestore. com/fleshtoflesh .html

“Dragon’s Lair” in Ultimate Gay Erotica 2008, edited by Jesse Grant, published by Alyson Books http://www.alysonbo oks.com/97815935 00399.html

“Rodeo Circuit” in Muscle Worshipers, edited by Eric Summers, published by Starbooks

Press http://starbookspre ss.com/search. php?ID=2762&SEARCH=SINGLE

“Moving Day” in Bearotica: Hot, Hairy, Heavy Fiction, edited by Ron Suresha, published by Alyson Books

http://www.amazon. com/Bearotica- Hot-Hairy- Heavy-Fiction/ dp/1555835775/ ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228727113&sr=1-1

Ellen Tevault –

”Secret Desires” in Yes Ma’am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, published by Cleis Press http://www.cleispre ss.com/book_ page.php? book_id=233

”Femme Princess” in Lipstick on Her Collar, edited by Sacchi Green & Rakelle Valencia, published by Pretty Things Press http://www.amazon. com/Lipstick- Collar-Other- Tales-Lesbian/ dp/1576122980/ ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228728697&sr=1-1

”Medusa’s Mistress” in Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2008, edited by Nicole Foster, published by Alyson Books http://www.alysonbo oks.com/97815935 00429.html

”Houston Heatwave” in Tales of Travelrotica for Lesbians: Erotic Travel Adventures, volume 2, edited by Simone Thorne, published by Alyson Bookshttp://www.alysonbo oks.com/97815935 00146.html

”Splish Splash Anniversary” in Best Date Ever: True Stories That Celebrate Lesbian Relationships, edited by Linda Alvarez, published by Alyson Bookshttp://www.alysonbo oks.com/97815935 00092.html

“Bronco Butches” in After Midnight: True Lesbian Erotic Confessions, edited by Chelsea James, published by Cleis Press http://www.cleispre ss.com/book_ page.php? book_id=172

”Make Love to Me” in Perfect Valentine, edited by Barbara Johnson & Therese Szymanski, published by Bella Books http://www.bellaboo ks.com/mm5/ merchant. mvc?Screen= PROD&Product_Code= b-bad-perval&Store_Code=bella&search=Perfect+ Valentine&offset=0&filter_cat=&PowerSearch_ Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=

”Summer’s Frisky Kitten” in Early Embraces III, edited by Lindsey Elder, published by Alyson Books http://www.alysonbo oks.com/97815558 37372.html

This is just a small list of the book published by IWG members. Keep an eye on our website for more updates, book releases and author appearances!

What's Right & Wrong with American Health Care?

2008-12-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

IWG-er Cheryl Shore is going to be moderating a group discussion about health care.

The emphasis will be sharing stories about personal experiences illustrating what is right - and wrong- with American health care.

If you can attend - we'll be meeting at the Starbuck's at 71st and Binford on Thursday 12/18 from 3:30 to 5. If you can't attend - but still have something you'd like to say, feel free to send Cheryl an e-mail via Indywriters group@gmail.com about your experience and She'll include your input in the report. No one will be identified by name. Cheryl will be looking for trends and common themes in the experiences people describe. The report will be going to a committee appointed by Tom Daschle.

Also - feel free to spread the word to anyone who may be interested.

Belief Test now on Amazon for only $8.99

2008-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Click above to watch the book trailer for The Belief Test: questions to ask yourself on the journey of life. By Kate Chaplin

Published in 2005, The Belief Test is filled with 285 thought-provoking, fun and enlightening questions that reaffirm and lead to personal discoveries about what believe about yourself and the world around you.

Great for self-searchers, mothers, daughters, sisters, college students and best friends.

Currently for sale on www.lulu.com print $11.99 download $5.30 and Amazon.com for only $8.99.

Note: Amazon.com listing are sold through Marketplace currently the Karmic Courage Press seller is Kate Chaplin. Kate can personally sign your copy and ship it to you or your gift recipient.

2008-12-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Join us for a IWG Yuletide Potluck Party, hosted by Debra Kemp.

Saturday, Dec 20th 7pm-?

Debra Kemp's House

Noblesville, IN

email for address and to RSVP @ fercharthur@aol.com

A great time of year to get together and share in our victories and defeats. Great friends, good times, writing games, food and drinks. All religions welcome. Lurkers welcome. Friends and family welcome. Kids welcome.

IWG Playwrite's Play Preformed at Ball State

2008-11-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

IWG playwrite, Andrew Kramer's, "Explosion: Day 6" is going to be
performed in December at Ball State University's Cave Theatre. The news from Andrew is that, "I have
the cast in place and am going to be starting rehearsals in a few weeks."

Break a leg, Andrew!

Celtic Myth Podshow Features an IWG Member

2008-11-12T12:26:00.001-08:00

The Celtic Myth Podshow will tell you ancient tales and legends of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man bringing you the bravery of heroes and heroines, the magnificent pantheon of gods and goddesses and the magic and wonder of druids, faeries and folklore. It weaves together the rich, beautiful tapestry of mythological history, battles and sagas of the Celts.

Each podcast lasts approximately 25 mins so sit down, get comfortable and join us every other week and listen to news, chat and a story from Celtic Mythology.

Come and join Gary & Ruth and their friends as they tell you the great stories from Celtic legend. The series is starting with the Book of Invasions from the Irish Mythological Cycle.

For the Samhain, 2008, part two episode, a section of The House of Pendragon by IWG author Debra Kemp was read. Upon hearing the broadcast Debra said, "The entire show is wonderful. Lovely music! But one part in particular, starting at around the 7 minute mark particularly made me cry. What a moment to hear my characters brought to life and hear Dafydd's name pronounced correctly!"

Celtic Myth Podshow - Episodes (Samhain 2008, part 2)

"Writing Progress is Defined by...."

2008-11-12T12:17:00.001-08:00

IWG members answer this perplexing question....

Writing progress is defined by the number of soul wrenching moments you agonize over your work, and the amount of joy filled accolades when your work is accepted.

Sandi Sookoo

Third Place - 2008 Celtic Hearts Golden Claddaugh - All I want for Christmas...is to keep my job.
Finalist - 2008 Spacecoast Author of Romance Launching a Star - The Art of Fang Shui

Writing progress is defined by inspiration and not perspiration. If I agonize for ages and my only result is a single, lonely phrase that truly moves me, it is worth infinitely more than the mechanized machinations I perfomed to crunch out pages of uninspiring drivel.

Jim Henderson

Writing progress is defined by what new facet of Lin is revealed by the time I close down the file for the day. It isn't the word count. I often agonize for hours on a single word within a sentence. So I mark progress by Lin's evolution. Her growth defines me as an author.

Debra A. Kemp
The House of Pendragon saga continues!
www.telltalepress.com/debrakemp
www.myspace.com/debrakemp

Indy Film News Talks about Debra Kemp

2008-11-12T12:11:00.000-08:00

Indy Film News posted a great article about Kate Chaplin’s interview shoot with Debra Kemp!! Lin, The daughter of King Arthur is the principal character of Debra Kemp’s series “The House of Pendragon”. The first book “The Firebrand” was released in 2003. The second book, “The Recruit” was recently published and Debra is out promoting it’s release. She is currently working on the third book of the series.

As part of the promotion of the book series Debra commissioned Kate Chaplin to shoot an interview explaining the concept behind the series and introduce…

To read the rest of the article click here

or go to http://indyfilmnews.com/wordpress/2008/11/02/the-house-of-pendragon-debra-kemp-interview-shoot/

Debra Kemp at Mudsocks!!

2008-11-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

Mudsocks is a wonderful independent books store filled to the brim with new and used books. It's children's section and games are to die for. Did I mention there is a black cat roaming around the store? It's a magical place.

Now the store is a bit more magical as IWG Author Debra Kemp made a stunning appearance.

Debra was on hand to sign and talk about her Award-Winning House of Pendragon Series. If you haven't read it yet, pick up your copy at Mudsocks in Fishers, IN!

What Happens At the IWG Meetings....

2008-10-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE IWG MEETINGS...Ms. Hollywood giggles because she's secretly trying not to share her story about a train, while the other authors share their sweat and tears formed into paragraphs with characters, plot, and themes.

-Ellen Tevault

Hmm... what happens at IWG meetings; well first one visits with friends, old and new. Next if I am the one chosen, first I read my work and while reading I recognize the many errors i've made and that my work is crap. Ah, but then Ellen says she loves my spunky lead character and the others pick portions they noted. and liked or that I could improve and they give valueble suggestions for the improvements.Others read from there work and we try to help in whatever way we can. But mostly what happens at IWG meetings is a kind of rejuvination of the soul. One leaves eager to pluck away at the keyboard, tame those wayward villians on the screen, and finish the damn book.

-Eleanor Mason

IWG Members Are....

2008-10-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

IWG members are; interesting, helpful, sincere and always on the internet when they should be working. hehe
-Eleanor Mason

IWG members are...neurotic, nuts, crazy with a lot of crativity mixed in. Oops! That's just me. LOL IWG members are great friends, creative people, and makers of stories full of wonderful characters, plots, themes, and genres.
-Ellen Tevault

IWG members are inspiring, talented, supportive and for some reason put up with my crazy.
-Kate Chaplin

Debra Kemp @ Mudsocks!!

2008-10-13T13:42:00.001-07:00

IWG Member Debra Kemp will be at Mudsocks Books Saturday, Nov. 8th to sign copies of her books, House of Pendragon Book 1: The Firebrand and House of Pendragon Book 2: The Recruit.

Come and meet this wonderful award-winning author! Her stories will amaze you!

Debra Kemp

Booksigning

Saturday, November 8

12pm

Mudstock Books & Coursity Shoppe

11631 Fisher's Station Drive

Fishers, IN

All Day Critique Retreat

2008-10-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Got this info from our good friends at Meetup's Indy Writers Critique Group....

Announcing a new Meetup for Indy Writers Critique Group!

What: Writers' Retreat at Butler University

When: November 1, 2008 8:00 AM

Where: The Writers Studio at Butler University (details)

Meetup Description: Join the Indy Writers Critique Group for our first all-day retreat! Bring your current writing project along, whether in longhand or on your laptop, and we will spend the day together as writers, supporting and critiquing. This is your chance to get away and spend a whole day working on the project.

The event is free, but a $5 donation is requested. You are also welcome to bring pot-luck snacks, drinks and other brainfood for hungry minds. RSVPs are required due to limited space!

Schedule for the day:

8:00am:
Room opens! Come early if you are an early bird.

10:00-10:30am:
Regular check-in time

10:30-Noon:
Independent Writing Time

12:00-1:00pm:
Brown Bag Lunch and Guest Speaker

1:00-3:00pm:
Partner Critiques

3:00-4:00pm
Individual readings from particpants

4:00pm:
Wrap-up and depart!

Parking info:
You can park in most staff and faculty spaces on the Butler campus on Saturdays. Just read the signs.

Learn more here:
http://writers.meetup.com/633/calendar/8954355/

Query Letters Are...

2008-10-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

IWG-ers were asked to complete this sentence, Query letters are...

Here were their responses.

Query letters are my least favorite short stories.

-Jim Henderson

Query letters are...a necessary evil or
Query letters are...what the literary Gods invented as punishment for aspiring writers

-Sandi Sookoo

Third Place - 2008 Celtic Hearts Golden Claddaugh

Query letters are a stumbling block for an aspiring writer along the path of publication.

Query letters are an introduction of me and my writing to a new business associate, THE EDITOR.

-Ellen Tevault

freelance writer and editor, serving the GLBT, BDSM and erotica communities

Query letters are a road block to submitting work.

-Jerri Yager

Query letters are . . . agonizing and the most difficult writing one can do--Ack!

Debra A. Kemp

The House of Pendragon saga continues!

IWG-ers at Indy Book Talk

2008-10-13T10:38:00.001-07:00

IWG Members were representin' at this year's Indy Book Talk. IWG's own Debra A. Kemp was on a panel about publication in the afternoon. Debra did an amazing job talking about the struggles she endured to see her book into publication. Fellow IWG-ers, Ellen Tevault, Sarah Gott and Kate Chaplin where there to cheer her on and spread the word of IWG.

The Book Talk took

place at Lawrence High School and had local celebrities, Andy Murphy, Dick Wolfsie,

Mayor Paul Ricketts and Mayor Greg Ballard in attendance.

Presentations were given

about all aspects of publication from publicity on the Internet to the "real deal" of a book publication timeline. Th

ere were great interviews and Q&A sessions with well-known and award winning writers, and "mall" featuring a freebie table, booksellers, jewelry sellers, info on Indy Reads and more.

With a lunch sponsored by Olive Garden, it was a full, fun

time had by all. Wonderful to have an IWG-er in the brochure!! Way to go Debs!!

IWG now on Facebook!

2008-10-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

You read right, the group you know and love is now global on Facebook. Search for Indy Writers Group on Facebook groups or use this URL: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28829359109.

Join the Group today!!

Debra Kemp at Write Stuff Writers' Book Talk!

2008-10-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

IWG member and team leader, Debra Kemp, is invited to participate in a panel at the upcoming WriteStuff Writers' Book Talk event October 11. She will have a table to display her books and meet and greet readers.

For more information about Write Stuff Writers check out www.writestuffwriters.com

For more information about Debra Kemp and her House of Pendragon Series check out: www.myspace.com/debrakemp

Book Trailer for Wind Dancer

2008-10-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

IWG Member Jamie Carie third book is being released by B&H Publishing. Check out the book trailer on You Tube!

IWG-ers Answer: Writing Is...

2008-10-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Each week we ask IWG-ers to finish a sentence. Sometimes it's writing related, sometime it's not. This week the sentance to finish is: Writing is...

Here is what a few of our members said:

Writing is . . . expression, lifeblood and love, a pouring out, a soaking in, a way of meaning in the days, hours, minutes, heartbeats of our lives.

Jamie Carie

Writing is food for the soul.

Eleanor Mason

Writing is practice for my real job, re-writing.

Kate Chaplin

Writing is: my real job, what I do at the bookstore is just a hobby.

Debra A. Kemp

Writing is...dreadful to consider but once you get started, it feels so good.

Jerri

Writing is...the most difficult and rewarding thing you can do.

Sandi Sookoo

IWG Member Wins Big at the INDY Awards!!!

2008-09-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

After losing by one vote at last year’s INDY Awards, filmmaker Kate Chaplin, returned with the powerful human-rights inspired film entitled First They Came for… and found herself on stage accepting the Audience Choice.

Kate Chaplin started the Indy Writers' Group in 2004 and is proud to say that the rough draft of First They Came for went through the critique process and came out better for it.

Chaplin said, "The encouragement of IWG members and their gifts for storytelling are

invalueable. I love each and everyone of them for helping me become a stronger writer with each project I take on. I couldn't have won this pretty award with out them."

To view Kate Chaplin's film "First They Came for" on You Tube click play:

Call for Submission - Nerdvana

2008-09-29T12:37:00.001-07:00

Call for Submissions – Nerdvana
Edited by Fred Towers
Published by Starbooks Press
Submission Deadline: November 8, 2008
Scheduled: tentatively for Fall 2009
Payment: 1 contributor copy and $ 50 for 4001–7000 words or $ 25 for 2500–4000 words

Calling all gay geeks, nerds, dorks, dweebs, or other teased social misfit!

I want to hear about how the social misfits, brainiacs, and comic book/superhero obsessed geeks get it on. I want fiction that shows brains can be sexy. Do the men hook up at a scifi con? Does a role playing game gain a twist? What happens in the back room of the comic book store? Does the reading club turn into an orgy? Do the computer geeks get hot and bothered in the wiring closet? Are brains sexier than brawn? Show me.

Guidelines:

Stories should be between 2500-7000 words in length. Email me if your story is longer or shorter.
Stories should have fully developed characters and plots.
Stories should be gay male erotica. All other genres welcomed.
Name, pseudonym if used, address, phone number, word count, and email should appear on first page.
Each page should double-spaced and include your name, title, and page number.
Include short bio (25-50 words) with story.
“Nerdvana submission” should be in the subject line of the email.

Email me at fredtowers at yahoo dot com with the story or any questions you have.

Fred Towers has published stories in Bearotica, Muscle Worshipers, Flesh to Flesh, and Ultimate Gay Erotica 2008. Forthcoming stories are coming in Ultimate Gay Erotica 2009 and Fairy Tales Do Come True.

Critique Corner - Sandi

2008-09-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

IWG Member Sandi needs your help!

Critique Corner a new addition to the IWG Blog. From time to time we'll post a story in need of critique. Post your feedback here on the blog under "comments." Please do us a service and leave comments that are helpful and proffessional to the writer.

The Music Box Princess

Once upon a time in a land of golden rolling hills and plains lush with grain, a woman by the name of Evelyn ruled the Kingdom of Cavatina with a gentle hand and a sweet disposition.

Evelyn loved to sing. In the evenings with her business concluded, happy notes of jubilation would flow from her ruby red lips as she sang her songs. “The world is a magical place, full of wonder and delight. Love holds the key to harmony.” Long hair the color of the morning sunshine flowed about her shoulders as she danced. Her eyes sparkled like unclouded emeralds as she flitted about her room.

When the autumn rains began to fall, there was a visitor to Cavatina. His name was Gavin, and he was king of the neighboring lands as well as a powerful wizard. “I have heard that your voice is like an angel. I demand you sing for me!”

“I must refuse.” Her slim fingers worried the braided cord at her waist. “I only sing for people I love.” Gavin lingered at the castle.

“Sing for me or I will take you prisoner.” A sneer contorted his black bearded face.

“I can not.”

True to his word, Gavin grew angry and spirited Evelyn off to his black castle. He ignored the cries of the princess and locked her in the tallest tower as punishment.

As the red and brown leaves fell from the trees, Princess Evelyn befriended a royal servant. She looked forward to his brief visits, if only to see a smiling face among so many cheerless soldiers. “Thank you for the persimmon trifle. It’s one of my favorite desserts.” Her full lips parted with her grin when the tips of the servant’s pointy ears turned pink.

“It was no trouble, princess. I merely described the color of your lips to the cook, and he made the sweet.” He bowed then departed the tower on silent feet.

Another day, Evelyn exclaimed in delight at the tender vegetables nestled on her plate. “Thank you for this welcome break from beef.” She accepted the dish from a slit in the bottom of the door that was only big enough for a meal to pass through.

The servant’s lips lifted in a tiny smile. “I gathered them from my own garden.”

Each day the servant brought something new and different to the imprisoned princess. When the final leaf fell from the last black and naked tree, King Gavin paid the princess a visit.

“I am not a cold-hearted man. I will set you free if you sing for me in the Great Hall.”

Evelyn averted her eyes from his portly frame. “Truly, I must refuse. I would rather be a prisoner than sing in such a loveless place.”

“As you wish, princess.” King Gavin stormed from the tower, his black velvet robes trailing behind him on the cold flagstones.

When next the servant visited, Evelyn was ready. “Please, I know you to have a kind heart. Will you open this tower door?”

“I can but try, princess.” When he placed his fingers on the iron lock of her door, sparks showered through the air and he pulled his hands back in shock. “It is enchanted, milady. It will not open.” His shoulders slumped with defeat as he left her alone.

The next day Evelyn tried again. “We mustn’t give up. Will you please try to open the door?”

The servant’s sigh seemed to come from the tips of his brown boots. “As you wish.” When he approached the lock the second time, it glowed red with heat. “Alas, princess, it is too hot for me to touch.”

“You tried, and that’s all I can ask of you.” As she bowed her head, the long curtain of golden hairs hid her face. “Since we cannot open the door, could you plead with the king to release me?” Her lily-white fingers clenched the bars on the door and her chin trembled with emotion.

The servant bowed and swept a green hat from his chestnut curls. “Since you have been good to me, I will do as you ask.”

A smile of hope touched her lips. “What is your name?”

“I am called Alex.” His heart beat frantically in his chest as he waited for her to speak.

“If you are successful in your mission, I will reward you with anything you desire.”

“The only thing I desire is your happiness, my lady.” Alex’s heart was sad as her green eyes sparkled with tears. “I will do my best to please you.”

Evelyn nodded. “Be swift in your task.”

Alex brought a reply the next morning, hidden under her porridge bowl. “King Gavin will only release you if you sing for him every night as he takes his dinner.”

“Then I will remain a prisoner. My voice shall not be heard by one so foul.” She paced about the tower room, her russet robes whispering along the stones.

His fingers pleated the brim of his hat. “Shall I give the King your answer?”

“Yes.”

Alex stomach churned with hopelessness as he scurried from the tower.

The next morning, with an entourage of knights and flag bearers, King Gavin climbed the ninety-nine steps to the princess’s tower. “After all of your refusals, I have changed my mind. I will let you go.” A leer slithered over his beefy face as he exchanged glances with his knights.

“That is wonderful news!” Evelyn clapped her hands with joy.

King Gavin held up a hand for silence. “I will release you if you promise to marry me. Once you are my wife, you cannot refuse to sing for me.”

Evelyn’s gasp echoed in the sudden quiet of the tower. “I would rather die alone than marry such an evil person.”

“Then it shall be as you wish. Winter is coming and you will keep a cold sentence.”

Hiding in the shadows, Alex’s thoughts swirled in his head as he kept a quiet vigil in the hall. There must be a way to solve this problem!

Winter’s first snows covered the land as the days passed. Evelyn gazed at the sparkling white vistas from her window and cried. How could she possibly break the spell of the enchanted door? She needed a miracle.

Alex watched the Princess with a heavy heart. “Princess? I have brought you a gift to take your mind off your suffering.” When she approached the door, Alex frowned to see her swollen eyes and the red blotches that marred the ivory perfection of her face.

“What is it?” Her green eyes lit with excitement as she slid the fabric bundle between the cold iron bars. “How wonderful.” When the rough fabric fell away, a music box was revealed. Made of carved oak and polished to a fine shine, it fastened with a silver latch that caught the faint light. “Thank you.”

Alex bowed, pleased at the admiration in her voice. “It is my pleasure. I fashioned the box myself and chose the tune. The delicate song reminds me of your voice.”

“You must accept this token. I have nothing else.” She snipped a lock of her hair with her sewing scissors and passed the offering through the bars on the door. “I am truly in your debt.”

“It is I that carries the balance, milady.” Nonetheless, Alex was pleased as he slipped through the chilly halls.

Every morning the sweet, elfin notes from the music box tinkled down from her window and could be heard by the people of the kingdom as they went about their work.

Winter continued its harsh and relentless conquest of the land, but the people could take no more of the sad melody. The music seemed to say, “Please, send someone to set me free.” They petitioned the king with tears and offerings and asked him to let their princess go.

Again and again he refused. The princess belonged to him and nothing could change that.

Finally, the last of the snows melted. When tender young grasses and colorful budding flowers cropped up in the kingdom, the wizard king appeared in public again.

As the royal crier declared King Gavin’s twenty-fifth birthday, the people of the kingdom assembled outside the castle walls. “I grow weary of being alone. Today I will marry Princess Evelyn!” He flexed his hands around the hilt of his sword and turned to his favorite knight. “And tomorrow, I’ll kill the servant.” Gavin observed the servant and decided there was something extremely troubling about him. “Prepare the chapel for the ceremony this instant!”

The people gasped, Alex sighed with dejection, and the princess cried, “I don’t love you!”

King Gavin laughed wickedly. “And I don’t love you, but who needs love? I’m the king, and you’ll do as I say!”

The people yelled and brandished pitchforks and torches. “She belongs to the people!” they cried. “Let her be free.”

“However, a new thought has occurred to me.” The smile that curled about Gavin’s lips had nothing to do with mirth. “Instead of wedding your fair princess, I will challenge Evelyn with three tasks. Each day will have its own job. She must complete each task by the stroke of midnight of the fading day. If she fails, I will sentence her to live in her precious music box, and she can dance to her haunting melody forever!”

Darkness gripped the hearts of the people. Whatever could they do?

The next morning, King Gavin announced the first of the three tasks. “I have had all of the blueberries in the kingdom gathered and placed in the tower. If Princess Evelyn cannot turn the berries into sapphires by midnight, she will become the music box princess.”

Alex presented the task to Princess Evelyn with her breakfast. “I’m very sorry, Princess.”

“Oh, Alex, how shall I ever complete this impossible job?”

Indecision gripped Alex. On the one hand, if he opened the door to help the princess, King Gavin would kill him instantly. On the other hand, how could the princess finish the task without the support of his magic? Excitement made his blue eyes glow as he thought of the perfect solution. “I will visit you after nightfall, when the guard changes. Do nothing until then.”

Princess Evelyn watched the servant quickly disappear down the corridor. What if Gavin captured Alex? Would the music box be her home tonight? Afraid and alone, Princess Evelyn sat among the many crates of blueberries and waited.

When the light of the moon came through the tower window, Princess Evelyn heard a quiet scratching in the hall. When she appeared at the door, she put her hand through the cold iron bars. “Alex, is it you?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He shoved his hand through the window on the door and dropped a tiny golden key into her palm. “You must be swift. There are only four hours to midnight.”

Evelyn peeked through the dim light to look upon Alex’s face. “What should I do?”

“You must put the fruit in the music box. Turn the key twice then look inside.”

The princess complied.

“I can only fit three berries in at once time.” Her wail was pitiful in the cold tower.

“Fear not, princess. Persistence will pay off.”

Evelyn turned the key with shaking fingers. When she opened the lid, she gasped and retrieved three twinkling, dark blue jewels. “Look, Alex! It’s wonderful!” She held them up, so he could see them through the door.

His heart lifted to see the dark gems nestled on her white palm. “Hope springs eternal.”

Confusion clouded her eyes. “However can I repay you for your kindness?”

“Your gratitude is more than enough, my lady. Be quick. Midnight approaches.” Alex frowned then vanished down the corridor.

At the stroke of midnight, King Gavin swept into the tower room. Expecting to find crates of blueberries, he was shocked to behold the stone floor littered with thousands of gems. “How can this be?” he exclaimed. His eyes searched the room, but nothing was amiss. In a rage he stormed down the stairs and noticed Alex standing in the shadows. “Be gone, or I’ll lock you up as well.” He narrowed his eyes as Alex slipped away. Could the servant have helped?

The next morning, King Gavin addressed the gathering of people. “Princess Evelyn has completed the first task. However, I sincerely doubt she will be able to accomplish the next. Tomorrow morning we shall see her in the music box!” His laugh was a dreadful, rasping sound and the tip of his black beard quivered. “The second task is this: Princess Evelyn must collect the webs of ten gold-spinning spiders. We shall see how your precious princess fares now!”

As the moon rose on the second night, King Gavin hid himself behind one of the twists of the staircase. Seconds later, Alex knocked quietly on Evelyn’s door. “My lady, do you wish my help tonight?” he asked. He pressed his cheek to the cold bars and saw the princess sitting in a pool of moonlight.

“Alex, oh yes! How can I collect golden spider webs when there are only ordinary cobwebs in this room?” Frantically, she paced about the room, waiting for Alex to speak.

“Look around you, my lady. Collect all the spiders you can find and place them in the music box. Turn the key two times.” Alex watched in the flickering candlelight as Princess Evelyn gathered the small, eight-legged beasts. Into the box each one went. He held his breath as the princess turned the key.

“Oh Alex, look!” Evelyn’s smile beamed through the dim light. Out of the music box, she pulled a shimmering web made out of thin golden thread. “There are ten exactly! I’m almost free!” Rushing to the door, Princess Evelyn grasped the bars of the window. “How is this possible?”

Alex shrugged thin shoulders. “Your music box is enchanted. I made it of elfin wood.”

Evelyn touched his fingers as they rested on the bars. “What would I do without you, Alex? How can I thank you?”

Alex grinned. “You must promise not to forget your poor humble servant when you leave this wretched place. That will be thanks enough.”

“It will be a bittersweet day indeed. I will be free, but I will leave you behind.” Evelyn wiped a tear from her cheek. “I will not think of it now.”

“Fear not, Evelyn. Life will find a way.” Alex scurried away.

From the shadows, King Gavin cursed the servant. How dare he interfere in royal business! A foul plan danced across the king’s brain. There was one sure way Princess Evelyn would not complete the last of the tasks.

In the morning, the king returned to the tower room to find the ten dainty golden webs spread across the floor, shimmering in the sunlight. Gavin stomped over the lacy threads and snapped up the music box. “I have witnessed the magic this box possesses. You and your servant shall not persevere this time. At midnight tonight, you will become my music box princess. You will have no choice but to dance for me for all eternity!” King Gavin spirited the box away.

Evelyn’s last hope for freedom curled up and died.

Feeling smug, Gavin addressed the people for the last time. “This will be the hardest task of all.” He glanced about him, barely able to contain his glee. “Princess Evelyn has to find three winged horses and hitch them to a coach made of moonbeams.” Gavin swaggered about the castle with his chest puffed with pride. By midnight he would have the troublesome princess confined inside her music box and as an extra reward, he would personally kill the meddlesome servant.

When the moon rose that night, Princess Evelyn was in the midst of a great panic. “Alex, what shall I do? Gavin has taken away the music box.” Alex contemplated her room, tapping a finger against his chin in thought. There was absolutely nothing there he could use. Just when Evelyn thought her chance for escape had eluded her, Alex swept off his hat. “Take this.”

She quickly took the green felt cap from him. “What good is this ordinary cap?”

“I am an elf from the Enchanted Forest of Legato. It is my magic that has been helping you.” He ran an agitated hand through his nut-brown hair. “Look on the window ledge. See if there are three dove’s feathers.”

The princess ran to the window, feeling along its stony ledge until she collected the three feathers. “I have them!”

“Put them in the hat.” Alex was at a loss. He had the wings, that was true, but what to do about the coach? “I’ve got it!” He rummaged around in a pocket of his coat and drew out the lock of hair the princess had given him long ago. “Put this with the feathers.” He hated to part with the memento, but what else could he do.

Princess Evelyn carefully took his offering. “You saved my hair?” she asked quietly, gazing at her companion of so many days and nights. “Why?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Alex shrugged. “Please, place it with the other things. You haven’t much time.”

Evelyn paused, her hand hovering over the hat. “I’ll never see you again once I’m free, will I?” she asked. She struggled to hold back her tears as her heart shattered.

“I assume not, my lady,” Alex answered softly. “You will go back to your kingdom, and I will remain here.” His heart was heavy, and he started to turn away.

“Wait!” the princess cried. “What can I give you to equal the help you have given to me?”

“When you marry the prince of your heart, promise to name your first-born son after me.” He hesitated at the door and looked at her for the last time. His chest tightening with sorrow, he quickly descended the steps of the tower.

Wiping away her tears, Princess Evelyn placed the lock of hair in the hat. Immediately, there was a commotion in the courtyard below her window. Rushing to see what caused such a clamor, the princess was astounded to see three beautiful white-winged horses munching on the grass. Silver bridles connected each animal to the most wondrous carriage she had ever seen. It seemed to shimmer with the very light of the moon. The fibers that made the vehicle were so fine.

The next morning, King Gavin was puzzled to come across the strange equipage. Hadn’t he taken away the source of the servant’s powers? He couldn’t understand what happened.

Crowds of people gathered just below the tower.

Today there was much rejoicing for Princess Evelyn would be back among them. As the people of the kingdom began their festivities, King Gavin arrived inside the tower room with a smirk of menace on his lips. “Since you have completed the tasks I set before you, I will let you go. On one condition.” He paused, beckoning to one of his guards. “In order for me to part with you, I will have to kill your beloved servant.” Two armored knights of the realm entered the room, each holding one of Alex’s arms.

Princess Evelyn was shocked into silence. Another trick! She watched, horrified, as King Gavin drew his sword and held the sharp point to Alex’s throat. “Wait!” she cried, just when the king would have finished the job.

Alex stared down his captors with his lips set into a thin line. “Please, my lady, do not worry about me. Save yourself.”

The king removed his sword and its cold steel blade winked in the candlelight. “Have you an objection?” King Gavin looked at the princess with villainous glee shining in his dark eyes.

One hand fluttered to her throat. “I won’t let you kill Alex.” As she stood gazing at her precious friend, she swallowed around the lump of fear in her throat. “I have found a way to repay you, Alex.” She turned to the king. “If you give your solemn promise to spare his life, I will marry you.”

“No!” Alex’s cry echoed through the chamber to echo through the crowd waiting below.

The king appeared to think about the new scheme. “Well now, I don’t know. I’m the king, so I will marry you and kill your servant.” He once again brandished his sword, resting the point on Alex’s chest. “What do you say, Alex? Maybe I should just send your princess to the dark regions of the music box anyway.” King Gavin’s wicked laugh was cut short as Princess Evelyn threw herself against his legs.

“Take my life instead, I beg you!” The princess sank to her knees in front of King Gavin and clutched at his dusty black robes. “Please.”

Confusion shadowed the king’s face. “Why would anyone want to die in place of a mere servant?” Even his knights wore puzzled looks.

The princess bowed her head and the yellow curtain of her hair hid her face. “Because I love him.”

The king was thunderstruck. “You love him?” he asked. “Impossible!”

Princess Evelyn threw her body in front of Alex to ward off the fatal blow she knew King Gavin was about to deliver. She turned her shining face to her champion. “At least you will be able to leave this world with this thought. You are the prince of my heart, and I value you above all things.”

At that moment, the floor began to shake, and the stones of the wall seemed to shimmer before their very eyes. The knights cowered together in fear while King Gavin looked about him in amazement. Alex took Princess Evelyn’s hand and placed a kiss upon her fingers. “I have been waiting for months to hear you say those words.” As Alex helped the princess to her feet, the wizard king’s castle crumbled into dirt.

***

Princess Evelyn awoke from her daze to find herself surrounded by kindly townspeople. Looking about, the first thing she noticed was the wizard king’s castle was gone, and in its place was a field filled with flowers of pink, yellow, and purple. Evelyn scrambled to a standing position near Alex. He wore a tunic and leggings of royal blue and a cloak of black velvet caught the breeze. “How is this possible?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t some kind of cruel trick King Gavin was playing.

Alex grinned as the crowds began to dance around them. “You have killed the wizard king, my dear.”

Princess Evelyn regarded her companion as if he were crazy. “How?” She wore a new gown of twinkling silver lace and beads that sparkled in the spring sun.

Alex took her hands in his. “When you confessed your love for me, you defeated King Gavin. The power of love is far greater than anything else in this world. It can tear down walls, rescue the fallen, and defeat dark forces.” A laugh of genuine mirth escaped his throat as he gazed into her eyes. “While the people are busy, will you answer a question?” He grinned again when a blush of pink stained her ivory cheeks. “I hope you will forgive me for not telling you back at the castle that I return your love. The place was falling, and I was busy trying to keep you in one piece.” Regarding her steadily, he said simply, “Marry me?”

“Of course,” she responded and smiled when her beloved Alex kissed her.

There was much rejoicing in the kingdom that day.

When Nature painted the sky with the oranges and vivid lavenders of twilight, Evelyn and her prince stepped into their magical carriage of moonbeams.

“Where shall we start our life’s journey?” Alex asked as he drew the window curtain closed.

Evelyn’s ruby red lips parted in a smile. “Let’s start at the beginning and work our way to the end.”

And so they did.

Sandi Sookoo Update

2008-09-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

IWG Member, Sandi Sookoo, placed third in the 2008 Celtic Hearts Golden Claddaugh contest!!

Congratulations to Sandi!!

Fred Towers Update

2008-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Revenge Visits Vegas by IWG Member, Fred Towers was accepted for Ultimate Gay Erotica 2009

published by Alyson Publications.

Betrothed Fairy's Tail by Fred Towers was also accepted by barebackmag. com's anthology Fairy Tales Do Come True.

Jamie Carie updates

2008-09-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

IWG member, Jamie Carie will be at Author Fest in Evansville, IN at the Washington Square Mall this Saturday, the 27^th from 9am-4pm. Barnes and Noble is sponsoring it there is slated to be 60+ authors there.

On October 4^th Jamie will be back at The Carpenter’s Son bookstore in Lafayette, IN. Her event is from 1-3pm and includes a “So You Wanna Be Published” Q&A with the panel of authors. Neta Jackson and Colleen Coble are just two of some very well known CBA authors who will be there. Together they have tons of experience. So come on out if you can!

My Favorite Word is...

2008-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

IWG members finish the sentence My Favorite Word is...

My favorite word is chillaxin'? That's what I'm doing right now.

Sandi Sookoo Third Place - 2008 Celtic Hearts Golden Claddaugh - All I want forChristmas... is to keep my job.

My favorite word is Drunkin', as in drunkin' theater.

Kate Chaplin

Author and Filmmaker

My favorite word is Pepsi.

Debra A. Kemp

Author of the House of Pendragon Series

My favorite word is solstice for today and sometimes solus and most of the time discombobulate.

Jerri Yagar

My favorite word is "defenestrate, " but unfortunately, findingappropriate circumstances to use it can be a bit hard.

Wendy Conner

First They Came For selected for the Indy Awards!!

2008-08-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

The powerful human-rights inspired film by Kate Chaplin will be showcased in a one-night film festival celebrating Indiana’s films & filmmakers. First They Came for…will be one of the 12 films showing at this year’s INDY Awards.

Joe Shearer from Indy.com calls First They Came for… “A film with classic themes with a lot of relevance today.” He goes on to say, “It's a very American film, touching on themes of justice, universal freedom from harassment, oppression and imprisonment…”

Inspired by the poem by Reverend Martin Niemoller of the same name, First They Came for… is set in a not so distant future where a nondescript regime takes away innocent people while one man struggles between standing up for what’s right and saving himself. Screened as an official Selection at the Indiana Festival of Independent Film and The Really Big Short Film Festival.

ABOUT THE FILM MAKER: Named a "Naptown notable resident" by Indy.com as well as one of the "most talented writers around today" by the Writer's Page, Kate Chaplin is an award-winning author and filmmaker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, film festivals, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of short films such as LOSS and First They Came for… She is the President of the Indy Writers' Group and a proud mother of two beautiful girls. Kate proudly resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. http://www.katechaplin.com/

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: 2008 INDY AWARDS September 27, 7-10 PM, Laikin Auditorium - Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46260. Admission $8 / $5 IFS members. Tickets available at the door. For more information, and a complete list of the this year’s films, see the Indiana Film Society's website www.indianafilmsociety.org/festival.html

For more information about First They Came for, future Karmic Courage Productions, or to schedule an interview, contact Kate Chaplin at karmiccourageATyahoo.com

2008-07-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Indiana Filmmakers Network Screenwriting Series

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana Filmmakers Network will host The Screenwriters’ Coffee House. On August 12, Kate Chaplin will conclude a three-part screenwriting series as she plays host to Indiana’s best and most gifted screenwriters gathering together to talk about the craft of screenwriting.

Some of the confirmed screenwriters to appear are; Sarah Mynett, award winning writer/director of In the Blue and Riley’s Story, Mark Racop & Chuck Budreau of Starship 2: Rendezvous with Ramses, Stephen Conway, Indiana Film Society President, Kenny White writer/director of Maybe Tomorrow, Andrew Kramer a talented upcoming playwright, and Mikel Wisler writer/director of Cellar Door, Always Reaching and Cold October.

Hosted by Kate Chaplin
President of the Indy Writers’ Group and named a "Naptown notable resident" by Indy.com, Kate Chaplin is an author and film maker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, film festivals, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of such films as LOSS and First They Came for... www.katechaplin.com

The Screenwriters’ Coffee House hosted by the IFN is free and open to the public. Starting at 7:00pm, Tuesday, August 12 at the Abbey Coffee House 825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Contact Kate Chaplin with any questions. karmiccourage(AT)yahoo.com or 317-833-8861.

About The Indiana Filmmakers Network
IFN is an open community of Indiana filmmakers dedicated to networking and support for area film projects. Memberships are $20/year, which is put directly into building the local film community. Anyone with interest in independent film is welcome to join, regardless of experience level. Our monthly meetings are a perfect opportunity to meet others and begin building your portfolio. www.ifnweb.org
For information about IFN, it’s meeting times, and locations, check out www.ifnweb.org

Photos from IWG's Discussion on Publication Event

2008-07-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

This summer IWG hosted a Round Table Discussion. This meeting's topic was the current climate of publishing.

These wonderful pictures were taken by Polina Osherov.

Pictured: (left to right) Robby Slaughter, Jamie Carie, Kimberly Shearer, Kit Ehrman, Kate Chaplin, Debra A. Kemp, Ellen Tevault, Shawnda, Laurielle Danbrielle, Ben, Cheryl Shore

IWG Summer Publishing Discussion

2008-07-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

June 22nd, the Lawrence Library played host to the IWG Round Table Discussion on Publication. The first in a series of seasonal events put on the Indy Writers’ Group, members sought answers to the current shift in the publishing world. Members notated at the greater ease of self-publishing outlets vs. the greater difficulty for mainstream publishing.

Attending Author Kit Ehrman (Triple Cross, At Risk) lead off the discussion with the top 5 things a writer needs to get published:
1) write a great book
2) write a great book
3) write a great book
4) write a great book
5) write a great book

A lively and energetic conversation flowed freely from topics such as; query letters, pennames, writers rights, contracts, e-publishing, deadlines, POD, book reviews, and getting books into stores.

Various authors from the publishing world took part in the discussion. On the self publishing side there was Laurelei Dabrielle author of In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite whose book is doing so well that she is working on an expanded book and seeking mainstream publication for the material.

On the screenwriting side there was self pronounced “rebel” Kate Chaplin. She is the writer/director of the short film First They Came for and also the author of a self-published non-fiction book entitled The Belief Test. “Being an independent filmmaker,” Chaplin said, “just made sense to put my first book out independently as well.”

Jamie Carie, (Snow Angel, Duchess and the Dragon) the 6 book deal author of the group, talked about the royalty confusion with a larger publisher and also the new stress of writing under a fast approaching deadline.

Ellen Tevault, a successful freelance and authors, gave us the editor’s point of view. As an editor for Gaylifestylemonthly.com and Loose-id, she was able to answer many of the questions when it came to submitting material and how it gets from the query stage to the printed (or electronic) page.

Debra Kemp, provided great information about print on demand (POD) publishers such as the one that publisher her The House of Pendragon series. Debra has made a real mark for herself and her book on the e-publishing side of things. Her first book The House of Pendragon: Book 1 The Firebrand won an Eppie for fiction available in an electronic form.

This was the first in a series of Round Table discussion for the Indy Writers’ Group. The group is planning to have discussions seasonally with topics voted on by the membership.

To become a member of IWG or for more information check out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indywritersgroup/

Kate Chaplin Hosts Three Workshops at Indiana Filmmakers Network

2008-05-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Kate Chaplin will be giving three workshops at the Indiana Filmmakers Network covering the world of screenwriting.

Kate will offer insights and exercises by breaking down the screenwriting formula:

Who is your hero?
What is his/her problem?
How is he/she going to solve it?

May 13 Kate will be focusing on character as she invites the group to explore, who is the hero of your story?

June 10 Kate will talk about plot lines, by breaking down the second rule of the logline, what is your hero’s problem? Kate will bring along her Index Card method to show screenwriters a new way to see their story.

July 8 Kate will take on the ever-important third act in screenwriting which is, how is your hero going to solve his/her problem? Kate will guide the group through backwards writing technique. Allow writers and filmmakers to see the end result of their story and then challenge them to work backwards, focusing only on cause and effect.

Aug 12 the screenwriting workshops will conclude with the IFN Screenwriters’ Coffee House where an group of screenwriters will gather to talk about the craft of screenwriting.

For information about IFN, it’s meeting times, and locations, check out www.ifnweb.org

Award-Winning Author to join the IWG Round Table Discussion

2008-05-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Just added to the authors confirmed to appear at the IWG Round Table Discussion on publishing......

Kit Ehrman
Kit Ehrman has combined her love of horses and mysteries by penning an equine-oriented mystery series featuring barn manager and amateur sleuth Steve Cline. Published by Poisoned Pen Press, the series has won numerous awards and has received outstanding reviews in The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, The Denver Post, and Chicago Tribune among others.

Learn all about this delightful author at www.kitehrman.com

The Indy Writers’ Group will host a round table discussion to discuss the current world of publishing June 22, 2008.

E-publishing to giant presses, query letters to multiple book deals – pre-published writers will sit equally with well-known published authors and talk about the pitfalls they have felt and the mountains they have overcome to seek and succeed at publication.

Confirmed authors to appear are: Jamie Carie (Snow Angel, The Duchess and the Dragon), Kit Ehrman, (Triple Cross, Cold Burn), Kate Chaplin, (The Belief Test, First They Came For...), Debra Kemp (House of Pendragon Book 1: The Firebrand, House of Pendragon Book 2: The Recruit), Ellen Tevault (Gay Lifestyle Monthly, Best Date Ever), and Laurelei Dabrielle (In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite).

The event will take place June 22, 2008 at the Lawrence Public Library from 1:30pm-4:30pm. Free admission. Writers of all background and experience levels welcome. For more information, or to schedule an interview with the authors, email indywritersgroup(AT)gmail.com

Updates from Ellen Tevault

2008-05-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

IWG team leader Ellen Tevault has been one busy girl! Here are a few of the projects that have been published these past months:

Published article at http://catloversmonthly.com
Launched a webzine http://erosmonthly.com
Edits the webzine http://gaylifestylemonthly.com
Edits for http://www.loose-id.com
Edits for http://www.eternalpress.ca

Lipstick on Her Collar released from Pretty Things Press
Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2008 released from Alyson Publications
Yes, Ma'am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission released from Cleis Press

As Fred Towers, Ellen has published Flesh to Flesh released from Strebor Books and Ultimate Gay Erotica 2008 from Alyson Publications.

Jamie Carie at Fiction Day!

2008-05-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Jamie Carie will be signing copies of The Duchess and the Dragon this Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. It's Fiction Day at the LifeWay Christian bookstore in Castleton. There will be four other Indiana authors signing with Jamie. Lots of prizes, food and specials – all of our books are on sale!! Please come if you can!!

Click here to view the store flyer

2008 Beach Book Festival Winners Announced

2008-05-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

OK, IWG author, Debra Kemp, might not have won, but she did make it as an honorable mention! This makes about four such honors for The House of Pendragon Book 2: The Recruit.

ATLANTIC CITY (May 3, 2008) _ The 2008 Beach Book Festival has announced its selections for its annual competition honoring the hottest reads of the summer season.

The complete list of winners and honorable mentions is online at www.beachbookfestival.com.

Indy Authors Discuss the New Climate of Publishing

2008-05-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Indy Writers’ Group will host a round table discussion to discuss the current world of publishing.

E-publishing to giant presses, query letters to multiple book deals – pre-published writers will sit equally with well-known published authors and talk about the pitfalls they have felt and the mountains they have overcome to seek and succeed at publication.

Confirmed authors to appear are Jamie Carie (Snow Angel, The Duchess and the Dragon), Kate Chaplin (The Belief Test, First They Came For...), Debra Kemp (House of Pendragon Book 1: The Firebrand, House of Pendragon Book 2: The Recruit), Ellen Tevault (Gay Lifestyle Monthly, Best Date Ever), and Laurelei Dabrielle(In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite).

The event will take place June 22, 2008 at the Lawrence Public Library from 1:30pm-4:30pm. Free admission. Writers of all background and experience levels welcome. For more information, or to schedule an interview with the authors, email indywritersgroup(AT)gmail.com.

About Jamie Carie
Jamie’s first novel, Snow Angel, has been flying off the shelves since its fall 2007 release. This spring she found herself nominated by the Romance Writers of America for a RITA award. Her latest novel The Duchess and the Dragon was released earlier this month to rave reviews. Her third novel, Wind Dancer, is slated for a January 2009 release. Currently Jamie is working on her fourth novel.

About Kate Chaplin
Named a "Naptown notable resident" by Indy.com as well as one of the "most talented writers around today" by the Writer's Page, Kate Chaplin is an author and film maker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, film festivals, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of such films as LOSS and First They Came for...

About Debra A. Kemp
Ask Debra why she writes about King Arthur, and she’ll tell you she was summed to do so. The multiple award-winning Debra Kemp is the author of the House of Pendragon Series. She has been favorably reviewed in Arthurianna, Readers View and Crystal Reviews. She is the recipient of such awards as the National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards, and the 2007 USA BookNews Best Book Awards.

About Ellen Tevault
Ellen Tevault is a freelance writer, proofreader, editor, and researcher. She is the editor of Gay Lifestyle Monthly, Eros Monthly and Eternal Press. She has had stories published in various anthologies, newsletters, and the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. She has written book reviews for JIST Publishing, Rainbow Reviews and Speak Its Name at Wordpress.com.

About Laurelei Dabrielle
Laurelei is the High Priestess of Dragon's Eye Coven within the Clan of the Laughing Dragon and a principal dancer with the Jewels of the Temple (a Pagan dance troupe). She is a Priestess of both Aphrodite and Brighid and has recently published a book in service to Aphrodite entitled In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite.

About the Indy Writers’ Group
Founded in 2004 by Kate Chaplin, the Indy Writers’ Group is a supportive community of published and pre-published writers of all genres. IWG offers workshops, signings, and bi-monthly meetings for critique and support. IWG is a diverse group with strengths in various areas, such as self-publishing, e-publishing, small presses, freelance writing, technical writing, editing, etc. Within the network of in person events and online you’ll find a community of writers with various backgrounds and experiences that understand the pitfalls and success that plague writers today.

This program is not sponsored by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library.

Sneak Peak of The House of Pendragon: The Recruit

2008-05-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Debra Kemp, IWG Author of The House of Pendragon series has posted chapter 12 on her myspace blog.

To check it out click here

Kate Chaplin's Niemoller-based short film premieres at Cinephile

2008-02-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

The new, powerful, human-rights inspired film by Kate Chaplin will make its big premiere at Cinephile’s 2008 Indiana Festival of Independent Film.

Inspired by the poem by Reverend Martin Niemoller of the same name, First They Came for… is set in a not so distant future where a nondescript regime takes away innocent people while one man struggles between standing up for what’s right and saving himself.

With the help of her award-winning crew and impeccable cast, Kate Chaplin brought the Niemoller poem to life. “It was an ambitious task,” admits writer/director Kate Chaplin, “trying to create a visual story based on the historic poem, but the final film is a powerful display of the importance of human rights.”

Chaplin’s main drive to make this film a reality was to share it with students. “I found in my research that many educators use this poem when talking about human rights, whether it was under the lesson plan of civil rights, woman’s rights, or Holocaust remembrance.” Chaplin was a visual learner in school and wanted to take on the task of taking a powerful message and translate it to the screen so that another generation could perhaps learn visually from its powerful message that indifference is not the answer.

First They Came for…will premiere at the 3rd annual Indiana Festival of Independent Film sponsored by Cinephile Film Arts, Saturday, February 16. Event begins at 3:00pm at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana. www.cinephilefilmarts.org

ABOUT THE FILM MAKER: Named a "Naptown notable resident" by Indy.com as well as one of the "most talented writers around today" by the Writer's Page, Kate Chaplin is an award-winning author and filmmaker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, film festivals, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of short films such as LOSS and First They Came for… She is the President of the Indy Writers' Group and a proud mother of two beautiful girls. Kate proudly resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information about First They Came for, future Karmic Courage Productions, or to schedule an interview, contact Kate Chaplin at karmiccourage(AT)yahoo.com.

Kate Chaplin lending a “Helping Hand” For Peace

2008-01-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

The Global Peace Concert, Inc. in cooperation with Clear Diamond Records, One Bar Records, Deep South Promotions, and Mother of 8 Productions announce the release of the song “Helping Hand” to be recorded by one of Country Music’s hottest upcoming groups, “Shilo”. The song along with the video will be released worldwide early spring. Along with, ”Helping Hand”, Shilo will be performing their new hit single “Dodgin’ A Ford In My Chevrolet”. This newly released single was written by country music hit writer Ron Daley, and will be performed at this year’s Global Peace Concert. The concert is being held in Miami, FL. October 24th - 26th, 2008. Shilo is one of the featured performers at this year’s event. “Helping Hand” was written especially for the Global Peace Concert by award winning writer Terry Wooley to raise awareness for the cause. The Global Peace Concert supports national and global organizations that nourish basic human rights, nonviolence, world peace and environmental awareness.

Production is scheduled to start the second week of January with completion of the song slated for the first of February. The video shoot will closely follow directed by acclaimed Director and Producer Kate Chaplin. Please watch for the release date, and be sure to request it on your favorite radio.

Help us to help others.

For more information or to help as a corporate sponsor please contact:

Frank Milstead
Deep South Promotions
Deepsouthp@hotmail.com
(317) 557-6722

www.shiloband.com

Global Peace Concert, Inc.
www.globalpeaceconcert.com
globalpeaceconcert@gmail.com
(941) 726-9285

Amy Haba
Treasurer - Global Peace Concert
amy@globalpeaceconcert.com
(260) 760-6913

IWG author Jamie Carie a USA Book News 2007 Winner

2007-11-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL “BEST BOOKS” 2007 AWARDS today. Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 140 categories covering print, audio books & courses, e-books and interactive CD-ROMs. Awards were presented for titles published in 2007 and late 2006. Snow Angel by Jamie Carie won in the Fiction & Literature: Religious Fiction category.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, said this year’s contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries, which were then narrowed down to over 500 winners and finalists. Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, Penguin-Putnam, HarperCollins, Random House, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin Co., John Wiley & Sons & hundreds of independent titles contributed to this year’s outstanding BBA competition.

Carie’s novel has been receiving stellar reviews--including notice in Romantic Times Magazine and The Library Journal. Reltz Reviews out of Australia claims: “Snow Angel captured my imagination from beginning to end. It is an epic romance with fast paced intrigue and an emotional intensity rarely achieved. Jamie Carie's gifted characterization is of a caliber expected from a multi-published author not one writing her debut novel. Prepare to be swept away by this powerful tale of love and sacrifice and become a devoted reader of anything Jamie Carie pens in the future.”

Jamie Carie will be signing copies of her award winning book at bookstores across Indiana. A complete calendar of book signings can be found at www.jamiecarie.com.

Jamie Carie, an Indiana native, is pleased her book has won a National Book Award. "It is so exciting to watch everything that is happening with Snow Angel. It’s like sending your child into the world and then feeling so proud by what they accomplish. I am honored to win in this category."

Snow Angel, as well as Carie’s second book, The Duchess and the Dragon, are available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, Christian bookstores everywhere and online at Amazon and CBD

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the The USA Book News Best Books 2007 Awards are available at http://www.usabooknews.com/bestbooksawards2007.html

IWG author Debra Kemp Earns 2nd National Book Award Nomination

2007-11-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Indy Writers' Group Member and author Debra A. Kemp of Noblesville, Indiana was named a finalist for the USA BookNews Best Books 2007 awards for her historical novel The House of Pendragon II: The Recruit, Amber Quill Press, January 2007.

Kemp's novel, the second in a series based on the legendary stories of King Arthur, has been garnering a lot of attention lately. Earlier this year The Recruit earned recognition as a finalist in the The National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards and has been receiving stellar book reviews--including a Book Sense Recommended Read by Heartland Review. Renditions of Camelot named it Book of the Month in April 2007. And The Recruit is a featured selection for the 5th Annual Holiday Author Fair hosted by the Indiana Historical Society, and will take place on December 1, 2007 in downtown Indianapolis.

Debra Kemp, an Indiana native, is pleased her book has placed as a finalist for a National Book Award. "It's a validation for all the work that has gone into my House of Pendragon series so far. The nation's best books compete for these awards. I'm honored to be a finalist."

The House of Pendragon II: The Recruit, as well as Kemp's award-winning first book in the series, The House of Pendragon I: The Firebrand are available at Borders Bookstore in Carmel, or online at amazon.com and direct from Amber Quill Press: http://amberquill.com/bio_Kemp.html

Debra Kemp is available for television, radio, and press interviews nationwide to talk about her award winning historical novels. She can be reached at: FerchArthur@aol.com

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the The USA BookNews Best Books 2007 Awards are available at http://www.usabooknews.com/bestbooksawards2007.html

Way to go, Debra! We're proud of you.

IWG

Ten Questions: Laura

2007-11-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Question 1:
What is your favorite word?
quixotic

Question 2:
What is your least favorite word?
conformity

Question 3:
What types of writing have you experimented with? (examples: poetry, novels, short stories, freelance, screenplays, plays, children’s picture books, etc)
I think I’ve experimented with all of the above. Spiritual/Pagan non-fiction is my primary genre at this point, but I am also working on a fantasy novel, an historical fiction novel, and a children’s book. I earn a living through freelance copywriting, and I have written both poetry and plays in the past. I’ve covered it all, I suppose.

Question 4:
Who is your favorite author?
JRR Tolkien

Question 5:
What do you love most about writing?
I love allowing the force of creation to flow through me. When I write, I feel like I am sharing higher ideals and ideas – concepts I don’t necessarily think I could have tapped into on my own. I love when my Muse is present.

Question 6:
What to you dislike most about writing?
Trying to keep myself focused is the thing I most dislike. I have too many projects and too many interests. I want to bounce from one to the other, but that means that I have stacks of unfinished books. I’ve been working on one project since 1997!

Question 7:
Describe your ideal writing spot.
My ideal writing spot doesn’t exist yet. I want a sunny room with white walls and lavender curtains. Think: shabby chic decorating sense. Somehow, I imagine it to be on the upper floor of a house. Since no such room exists (or could be created) in my shady, woodland, single story home, I usually settle for plunking away on my laptop on the living room couch.

Question 8:
How many hours a week do you spend on your writing? (Note: submissions and promotions count too)
Since I fund my spiritual writing habit with freelance commercial writing, I probably spend 40 hours per week engaged in writing and promotion of one variety or another.

Question 9:
What inspires your writing?
My experience inspires my writing. My spirituality is intimately linked to my daily life, and absolutely everything that I write (freelancing excepted) touches and is touched by my spiritual experience.

Question 10:
Writing wise, what is your biggest accomplishment?
To date, my biggest accomplishment in writing is the book I’ve nearly finished. In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite is my first published book, and I am very excited about it.

About Laurelei:
Laurelei Dabrielle is a Pagan author and Priestess. She leads a coven as a teacher and counselor, and she has contributed to some of the larger Pagan magazines and journals. She writes about Aphrodite, Brighid, Dragons, and living a magical life every day.

Links to Laurelei’s material:
www.geocities.com/dragons_eye_coven/writing.htm,

In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite

Publications:
PanGaia, newWitch, Circle Magazine, In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite

Casting Call for Kate Chaplin's Next Film

2007-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Karmic Courage Productions has announced an open CREW/CASTING CALL for FIRST THEY CAME FOR…a short film directed by IWG president, Kate Chaplin. Sunday, October 28, 10am-2pm

ABOUT THE PROJECT
''First They Came For'' is inspired by the poem by Reverend Martin Niemoller. The short film will be set in a not so distant future where a nondescript regime takes away various discriminated groups out of everyday situations where they are creating no crime all the while our Narrator watches this injustice happen and struggles between standing up and saving himself.

This film is being made for Pangea Day:
Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future. On May 10, 2008 – Pangea Day – sites in Cairo, Dharamsala, Jerusalem, Kigali, London, New York City, Ramallah, and Rio De Janerio will be videoconferenced live to produce a 4-hour program of powerful films, visionary speakers and uplifting music.

Click here for more details on the casting call

Kate Chaplin Talks About Local Film with the Indy Star

2007-10-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

This Sunday in the Indy Star's entertainment cover story, "Everything but the Money," Jim Walker talks to Indiana filmmakers about what it's like making films in the Hoosier State. IWG President, Kate Chaplin, was one of the handful of filmmakers featured in the article.

Click here to read the article

Priestess of Aphrodite: Midwest Sees Resurgence of Ancient Worship

2007-10-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

IWG member and Hoosier author Laurelei Dabrielle is creating a stir in the Heartland by writing a guidebook for priestesses of love and publishing it on Lulu.com, the online marketplace for digital content.

Ms. Dabrielle saw a gap in the New Age/Metaphysical market as she began her own research into the training of ancient priestesses of Aphrodite. Looking for a way to bring the classical practices of grace, charm and even sex into the lives of contemporary men and women, Laurelei wrote In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite, the first book to begin the conversation regarding Aphrodite’s service.

Ms. Dabrielle explores some sticky issues in this book – issues that are bound to ruffle some feathers and cause a squawk among the more conservative and sexually inhibited. Topics include cultivating a sense of grace and charm, indulging in sensual experience, understanding sacred sexuality, and conducting the Sacred Marriage (a sexual rite that has been in practice since before the earliest human writings were carved into Sumerian stones).

In Her Service is a must-read for those interested in working with Aphrodite in any form – whether as a priestess, a devotee, or as a simple person who wants to embrace beauty, love, and an enlivened sexual experience. It is available for purchase in print and downloadable forms at www.lulu.com/content/1238825.

Lulu.com is the premier marketplace for digital content on the Internet, with over 300,000 recently published titles, and more than 4,000 new titles added each week, created by people in 80 different countries. Lulu is changing the world of publishing by enabling the creators of books, video, periodicals, multimedia and other content to publish their work themselves with complete editorial and copyright control. With Lulu offices in the US, Canada, the UK and Europe, Lulu customers can reach the globe.

Laurelei Dabrielle is a Neo-Pagan High Priestess living with her husband and two young children in central Indiana. She functions as the Priestess of the Cult of Aphrodite Asteria, a ritual group for the worship of Aphrodite, the Starry Queen of Heaven. Ms. Dabrielle’s work can be found at http://www.lulu.com/content/1238825. She is available for comment and interview at 317-385-0146 and laurelei_lb@yahoo.com.

IWG Author: Jamie Carie

2007-10-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

IWG member Jamie Carie's debut novel, Snow Angel, is in such high demand that her publisher can't keep the book stocked. Even though Snow Angel was released in September 2007, we’ve just heard through the grapevine that a third print run for Snow Angel has been ordered just to keep up with the demand. Snow Angel is the first in a trilogy from B&H Publishing

Jamie is an inspirational fiction novelist who believes in the power of “story” to touch hearts and change lives. Her debut novel, Snow Angel, is a “can’t-put-down” story of redemption, hope and healing. Her second novel, The Duchess and the Dragon (April 2008, B&H Publishing) is a passionate tale of love between a reckless duke and a serene Quaker woman.

Jamie lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and three boys… and a giant of a dog named Leo. In addition to enjoying the overwhelming success of Snow Angel, and working on her second and third novels in the trilogy, in her spare time she attends book signings for Snow Angel.

Stop by the following book signing events and say hello to Jamie. For detailed information and a full listing of book signing events visit jamiecarie.com.

Saturday, October 13th, 2007
The Ark Book and Gift
Columbus, Indiana

Saturday, October 20st, 2007
Living Truth
Noblesville, Indiana

Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Books-A-Million
Indianapolis, Indiana

Saturday, November 10th, 2007
Christian Supply Center
Avon, Indiana

Saturday, November 17th, 2007
Bible Bookstore
Vincennes, Indiana

Saturday, November 17th, 2007
Barnes & Noble
Evansville, Indiana

Saturday, November 17th, 2007
The Open Door
Terra Haute, Indiana

Please join us in wishing Jamie a heartfelt congratulations and continued success.

Ten Questions: Terri

2007-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Within the ranks of IWG, we’ve got some really cool authors that we’d like you to meet. From time to time we like to select a different IWG member to answer the same 10 questions about writing. With our vast variety of IWG members, there is always another facet of writing to learn about and experiences to draw from.

The next interview in this series is with Terri Grimes. Terri’s primary genre is in the world of cookbooks. Earlier this year Terri’s book Cooking With Friends was released to a hungry public. Along with cookbooks, Terri is an author of a children’s book and is currently working on a paranormal romance book. What follows is delightful interview with a woman who has a lot on her plate.

Much Love,
Kate Chaplin
President of IWG

Question 1:
What is your favorite word?
Antidisestablishmentarianism

Question 2:
What is your least favorite word?
Mom (only if followed by a request)

Question 3:
What types of writing have you experimented with? (examples: poetry, novels, short stories, freelance, screenplays, plays, children’s picture books, etc)
I started my writing career with having a poem published when I was in 10th grade. After that I took a sabbatical. Many years later, upon coming out of hibernation I wrote a blog, posting every single day for 2 years. Then I knew I could procrastinate no longer. It was time to get serious about my hearts very fondest desire. It was time to write a book! In 2006 my cookbook, Cooking With Friends, was published as well as a children’s book, A Pony Named Penny, which I co-authored with my seven year old granddaughter. Right now I am working on a second cookbook, Cooking With Hoosiers, and a Paranormal Romance. And as with any writer, I have countless books bouncing around in my head, wanting to jump out onto paper. When someone invents the 48 hour day I’ll actually put all those stories to pen and paper.

Question 4:
Who is your favorite author?
That changes on a daily basis. I would have to say one of my very first favorite authors was and is the Sci-Fi great; Tanith Lee. And how could I forget the classics, which were my childhood friends such as Tom Sawyer, the Little House books, Treasure Island, David Copperfield, Little Women. There are just too many to name. I have to say, I think this is the hardest question for a writer to answer because what writer among us is not an avid book-lover?

Question 5:
What do you love most about writing?
Ah, another hard question. You’re one tough cookie, aren’t you? I’ll take the cowards way out and answer a question with a question. (Don’t you hate that?) How do you even begin to describe that chunk of your soul that is dying to be heard, which you lovingly extract and place ever so gently on paper. It’s like a bug bite that’s dying to be scratched. It feels soooo good when you are scratching it. When you stop it still itches though, and you can’t wait to sharpen your fingernails and scratch again. Yes, writing is like a bug bite. What was the question again?

Question 6:
What to you dislike most about writing?
Sitting in a chair to do it. I’ve often wondered if it might be better to take a walk and tell my story into a handheld tape recorder. But I would still have to sit in a chair to type it out eventually. The only thing that I dislike about writing is rules. There are certain rules a writer is expected to follow. Not that all writers follow the rules, mind you. But they are there nonetheless and any editor worth her salt will try and make a writer conform to the genre’s rules. Did you know that in a romance novel the heroine can’t sleep with other people? It’s true! She can only sleep with the person she ends up. It’s crazy…crazy I tell you!

Question 7:
Describe your ideal writing spot.
The Borders café. Preferably the table closest to the magazines (because it is the one located next to a power outlet for my laptop and I can see the people as they come in the door.)

Question 8:
How many hours a week do you spend on your writing? (Note: submissions and promotions count too)
Between 30 to 50 hours per week except when I am knee deep in a story. Those times I eat, breath and live the story 24/7. I could (and have) easily write 17 hours a day at those times.

Question 9:
What inspires your writing?
Life itself. I pull my inspiration from everyday things. My seven year old granddaughter and I could have a chat and suddenly a storyline comes from it. There is inspiration all around us if we open our hearts to listen.

Question 10:
Writing wise, what is your biggest accomplishment?
Cooking With Friends, my very first book. Although being in the October 2007 issue of Carmel Magazine was pretty awesome too.

About Terri Grimes:
Originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Terri as been a Hoosier since 1995. As mother of three and grandmother of one, Terri’s spent many years telling stories to young ones before finally putting pen to paper in 2005 and realizing her life’s dream of writing. Her first book, Cooking With Friends was published in 2006. From Beef Bourguignon to Hash Brown Casserole to Chocolate Cake, the recipes in Cooking with Friends are a roadmap to creating delicious dishes. Prepare mouthwatering meals perfect for a quiet family meal at home or a festive occasion. Anyone who enjoys the comfort of food and company of friends will savor Cooking With Friends.

Her current passion is passing her love and talent of cooking and writing to her granddaughter, Jasmine. The result of which is A Pony Named Penny, a whimsical children’s book the pair co-authored in 2006 as a Summer project during her granddaughters Summer break.

Terri’s next project is a follow-up cookbook, Cooking With Hoosiers. In addition to writing cookbooks Terri is also working on a paranormal romance novel scheduled for completion in 2008.

Terri’s Webpage(s):
Myspace
Terri's Blog

Terri’s material can be read or purchased at:
Lulu (Cooking With Friends)
Lulu (A Pony Named Penny)
Barnes and Noble
Eruditor.com
Amazon.com
Carmel Glass & Mirror
Chincoteague-island.net
fresh-seafood.net
Borders Bookstores

Publications:
Cooking With Friends - 2007
A Pony Named Penny – 2007
Cooking With Hoosiers – Due Nov-Dec 2007

Hometown Website Interviews Terri Grimes

2007-09-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

(click on above picture to enlarge)

To read more about IWG member and Cookbook author, Terri Grimes, head on over to chincoteague-island.net. The folks over there loved her cookbook, Cooking With Friends, so much they did a review on it. In addition they have also provided an easy, one click link on their site for patrons to purchase the book. Being originally from the Eastern Shore of Delmarva, where chincoteague-island.net is located, Terri is especially honored to have her book reviewed on their site. In fact, in one of the recipes in Terri’s books, it states that only fresh oysters from Chincoteague should be used in the dish. Their sister site, on fresh-seafood.net also includes a one click link to purchase Cooking With Friends. As one of Indiana’s hottest local cookbooks it’s wonderful to see Terri’s hometown crowd recognizing it’s wonderful attributes as well.

To follow Terri’s writing journey check out her blog at http://terrigrimes.blogspot.com/ or her Myspace page.

Happy Writing!

Radio Palm Beach Set to Interview Kate Chaplin

2007-09-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

IWG President, Kate Chaplin will be on Radio Palm Beach this Friday at 11am talking about life, writing, filmmaking and about her films premiering at the Indy Awards. Listen live online at http://www.wrpbradio.com/

About Kate Chaplin: Named a "Naptown notable resident" by Intake Weekly Magazine as well as one of the "most talented writers around today" by the Writer's Page, Kate Chaplin is an author and film maker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of the short films LOSS and Laundry Day. She is the President of the Indy Writers' Group and a proud mother of two beautiful girls. Kate resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her dream is to one day work with Johnny Depp and get drunk in Ireland.

Carmel Magazine Interviews Terri Grimes

2007-09-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Be sure to pick up a copy of Carmel Magazine’s October 2007 issue, just released, to view a two page article on IWG member Terri Grimes. On pages 44 and 45 of the October issue they not only give an in depth insight as to why Terri wrote Cooking With Friends, but they also published four yummy recipes along with some very delicious looking pictures. If that article doesn’t make you ravenous nothing will!

The article detail’s Terri’s next project, a cookbook titled Cooking With Hoosiers which, according to the article, is slated for publication in November 2007.

We were disappointed to see that the article didn’t mention the children’s book she co-wrote with her seven year old granddaughter, A Pony Named Penny. But we forgiven them since they did mention our writing group, even if not by name.

In addition to being available online at the publishers website, Cooking With Friends is also available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Carmel Glass & Mirror and The Borders Bookstore in Carmel Indiana. Be sure to pick up a copy of Cooking With Friends to see what all the fuss is about. IWG Congratulates Terri on a job well done!

IWG Author and Filmmaker Premieres Film at Indy Awards

2007-09-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

On September 29, award-winning author and film maker, Kate Chaplin will be in attendance to witness the premiere of her short film LOSS at the 15th annual Indy Awards.

The script for LOSS began after Kate’s friend Sarah lost her uncle in a tragic car accident. Kate, being no stranger to death herself, had also lost her uncle at a young age. The two found comfort in thinking that maybe death isn’t the end but rather a new beginning. Sarah insisted that Kate’s next movie be about helping others overcome the loss of a loved one. Months later found Sarah in Japan and Kate on the set with a talented cast and crew making the film a reality. “I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of the Indiana film makers,” Kate said. “After spending years in Los Angeles, I now know that there is no better place to make a film than Indianapolis.”

LOSS was a real family affair. Not only are the producer's, Kate Chaplin and Joshua Leach, married but three months into pre-production on LOSS, Kate found out she was pregnant with their second child. Just about every aspect of production was being done as Kate's belly grew. Fighting through months of morning sickness, Kate and the crew made it though rehearsals, test shoots, principal photography and months of post production to bring a memorable and heartwarming short film to movie goers.

ABOUT THE FILM: LOSS is the story of a woman who while sitting at her father’s death bed witnesses her father being “taken.” Later on a hill top that nearly touches the sky, Elsie confronts the man who took her father and learns the answers to death as well as life. Dedicated to Steven Lastovich and Tom Gott. Starring: Monica Barajas (A Shade of Grey), Ben Schmitt (The Break Up) and Don Becker (Crossroads).

ABOUT THE FILM MAKER: Named a "Naptown notable resident" by Intake Weekly Magazine as well as one of the "most talented writers around today" by the Writer's Page, Kate Chaplin is an award-winning author and film maker whose projects have appeared on MTV, local television, in print and online. She is the author of The Belief Test and the writer/director of the short films LOSS and Laundry Day. She is the President of the Indy Writers' Group and a proud mother of two beautiful girls. Kate proudly resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her dream is to one day work with Johnny Depp and get drunk in Ireland.

LOSS will premiere at the Indy Awards sponsored by the Indiana Film Society Saturday, September 29, 6pm-10pm at the Laikin Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46260. Indiana Film Society Website

IWG Author Debra Kemp appearing at Context 20

2007-09-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

On September 29 historical fiction author Debra Kemp will read selections of her award-winning series at Context 20.

About the conference: Context 20 is a friendly convention focused on speculative fiction literature situated in Columbus, OH. Context Website

About Debra Kemp: Debra has won numerous awards for House of Pendragon Book 1: The Firebrand (Amber Quill Press/Oct. 2003) and House of Pendragon Book 2:The Recruit (Amber Quill Press/Jan. 2007). Debra Kemp lives in Noblesville, IN. She recently celebrated 30 years of marriage with her husband, Bill. They have two grown children, both married. They have one grandchild--the divine Bouddica--four year old Tori. Debra's Website

Recommended Books On Writing

2007-09-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

The following books are publications various member of IWG have found to be helpful. This is by no means a complete collection. If you have found a particular book to be of help to you in your writing journey, please leave a comment and let us know.

Happy Writing!
The IWG Team

THE GENERAL WRITING PROCESS

The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes (Recommended by Kate)

The Writer’s Book of Hope by Ralph Keyes (Recommended by Kate)

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Recommended by Kate, Earl and Tina)

Stephen King on Writing by Stephen King (Recommended by Tina)

Making A Literary Life by Caroline See (Recommended by Tina)

How to Read/Write a Dirty Story by Susie Bright (Recommended by Earl)

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (Recommended by Earl, Sarah and Tina)

Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life by Natalie Goldberg (Recommended by Tina)

Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron (Recommended by Earl)

Negotiating with the Dead by Margaret Atwood (Recommended by Earl)

Art Objects by Jeanette Winterson (Recommended by Earl)

The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray and Jack Remick (Recommended by Earl)

Beginnings Middles and Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing) By Nancy Kress

The Poets Companion by Kim Addonizio & Dorianne Laux (Recommended by Sarah)

Walking on Alligators by Susan Shaughnessy (Recommended by Malka)

See Jane Write, A girls guide to writing Chick Lit by Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs (Recommended by Terri)

Writing in a New Convertible with the top down by Sheila Bender (Recommended by Terri)

BOOKS ABOUT PUBLISHING

The Forest From the Trees by Betsy Lerner (Recommended by Kate and Tina)

How to Get Happily Published by Judith Appelbaum (Recommended by Kate)

How to Write and Sell Your First Novel by Oscar Collier (Recommended by Earl)

The Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit by Elizabeth Lyon (Recommended by Mark)

The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman (Recommended by Mark and Tina)

Writing Freelance by Christine Adamec

The Writers Digest Book of Making Money Freelance Writing (Recommended by Mark)

WRITING TOOLS

Writers Market (Recommended by Kate)

The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood (Recommended by Kate)

Strunk and White (Recommended by Kate)

The Artist Way by Julia Cameron (Recommended by Earl)

Schotts Original Miscellany by Ben Schott (Recommended by Kate)

From Aaron to Zoe by Daniel Avram Richman (Recommended by Kate)

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

2008 Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market (Recommended by Kate)

You Can Write Children’s Books by Tracey Dils (Recommended by Kate)

SCREENWRITING BOOKS

500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader by Jennifer Lerch (Recommended by Kate)

Elements of Style for Screenwriters by Paul Argentini (Recommended by Kate)

AFI Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV by Dona Cooper (Recommended by Kate)

What they Don’t Teach you in Film School by Camille Landau & Tiare White (Recommended by Kate)

Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman (Recommended by Kate)

Ten Questions: Deb

2007-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Question 1:
What is your favorite word?
Pepsi. My writing space is not complete without a can of that delicious nectar.

Question 2:
What is your least favorite word?
I thought long and hard on this one. There are many concepts I do not like--hatred, violence, slavery, etc--but I have nothing against the words themselves. So long as we have such concepts in our society, we shall need the words to express them. I recently read “The Meaning of Everything” about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary--what an extraordinary feat to catalogue our rich and diverse language! So I think that whatever the last word is in the dictionary (OED) would be my least favorite because there aren’t any more to follow it.

Question 3:
What types of writing have you experimented with? (examples: poetry, novels, short stories, freelance, screenplays, plays, children’s picture books, etc)
I have two novels completed and one I started last year for NaNoWriMo. I have a few poems, not many that I would share with anyone though. I’ve also written some short stories and a few personal rants. I have also recently taken up blogging.

Question 4:
Who is your favorite author?
Only one? Then that would have to be me! (LOL) Seriously though, I admire so many I’m loath to start a list only to realize I’ve left off someone. But the writer whose work that has been the most influential to me as a writer would be Thomas Malory and his Morte d’Arthur. I wouldn’t be an Arthurian writer without it. His family tree for Arthur and that storyline were the springboard for my own work. Thanks Tom!

Question 5:
What do you love most about writing?
When I’m in the flow and Lin and company are talking to me and the work is seemingly automatic--those are the best times. And when I finish a piece, whether a novel or something short, and realize I created that from nothing. You know, that brief instant right before you start to notice all the typos and other flubs. Fortunately the rush returns after you’ve fixed the mistakes, sent it off and get back the published piece and you hold it in your hands and say, “I did this!”

Question 6:
What to you dislike most about writing?
The self-promotion involved. I often feel pathetic, like I must beg to get reviewers for FIREBRAND and RECRUIT. And people who don’t understand the necessity of self-promotion often belittle my efforts--one Yahoo list owner labeled one of my efforts as spam--even though it was a topic specific for his group of people interested in “all things Arthurian”. Someone asked me once if I was famous (tongue in cheek, of course) but my reply was that I didn’t really want to be famous. I want my character, Lin, to be famous. I would much rather hide behind her! I hope to someday achieve that barrier.

Question 7:
Describe your ideal writing spot.
Well, the small thatched-roof cottage sits at the base of a certain hill in Somerset, England. My sun-drenched writing room, filled with books, naturally faces said hill. But I would often climb to the grassy green summit with my notebook, pens, and Pepsi rather than stay cooped up inside, even on rainy days. But rainy day walks are for thinking not writing.

OK, so it’s a good thing I’m flexible and can write just about anywhere since I really don’t have a cottage in Somerset, England at the base of Cadbury Hill. It was nice to dream a little though. I really don’t need a special place to write. When I was still living in South Dakota and working at the used bookstore, I got a lot of writing done in between customers and shelving books and figuring store credit--while standing behind the counter! Give it a try sometime--writing standing up!

Question 8:
How many hours a week do you spend on your writing? (Note: submissions and promotions count too)
To me it’s nearly 24/7. I spend lots of hours on-line every day in self promotion--the blog, the Yahoo groups, searching for review sites, and I recently joined myspace.com. Being a professional writer takes work! Nothing glamorous, in my opinion. Right now I’m plotting the third novel in my series, and as I said, the process is a 24/7 commitment. If I’m not at my desk putting thoughts to the page, I’m thinking about the story while busy with housework or whatever. And sometimes story ideas come at the least opportune time--during my brother’s wedding, at funerals, in an airport bar to name just a few!

Question 9:
What inspires your writing?
If I knew that I’d never suffer writer’s block! And I’d make a fortune from writing that self-help writer’s book! (LOL) Really though I think it’s my characters that drive me. And this ties into the last question.

Question 10:
Writing wise, what is you biggest accomplishment?
Creating Lin, a wholly unique character in the vast body of Arthurian literature where originality is rare. Lin’s an extraordinary character to work with--strong, vulnerable, King Arthur’s daughter, she stands up to Modred, what’s not to love? I still have a long way to finish out her story, but I don’t think anything else I ever achieve as a writer will compare with Lin. She kinda represents all those nameless souls throughout the course of time--the women, the poor, the slaves--who were never given a voice in the pages of history.

Debra’s Bio:
Debra Kemp lives in Noblesville, IN. She recently celebrated 30 years of marriage with her husband, Bill. They have two grown children, both married. They have one grandchild--the divine Bouddica--four year old Tori.

Debs Links:
Yahoo Blog
Myspace Page
Amberquill Website

Links to purchase Debra’s work:
I have stories (IGRAINE and THE AWAKENING) in two Bardsong Press anthologies:www.bardsongpress.com
And more info about FIREBRAND can be found at: http://www.amberquill.com/bio_Kemp.html

Awards won:
The House of Pendragon II: The Recruit
2007 Indie Excellence Book Award finalist
The House of Pendragon I: The Firebrand
2005 EPPIE finalist (historical)
2003 Dream Realm Award (fantasy)
1999 Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest--2nd place (historical)
1998 Laura Bower Van Nuys writing contest--Best of Show
The House of Pendragon II: The Warrior (old title)
2001 Paul Gillette Memorial Writing contest--2nd place
Igraine
1999 Bardsong Press Celtic Voices contest--1st place
The Awakening (excerpt of the Pendragon series book II)
2003 Bardsong Press Celtic Voices contest--1st place

PUBLICATIONS:
Novels:
The House of Pendragon I: The Firebrand, Amber Quill Press/Oct. 2003
The House of Pendragon II: The Recruit, Amber Quill Press/Jan. 2007

Short stories and excerpts:
IGRAINE, “Offerings for the Green Man”, Bardsong Press, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 2000
THE AWAKENING, The Spring of Nine Hazels’, Bardsong Press, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 2004

Welcome to IWG

2007-08-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Indy Writers' Group blog. To join IWG, click here Don't forget to email a few sentences about your writing; genre, publications (if any), how long you've been writing and why you would like to participate in a writing group.

IWG was founded in 2004 by Kate Chaplin. Our members are located world-wide. We have a varied mix of writers in our group. We cover just about every genre and every level of writing experience. Published and pre-published we welcome and support all forms of writing and creativity.

If you are in the Indianapolis area and would like to attend one of our in-person meetings, we meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month on the North Side of Indianapolis. For more information on the when and where's check out our Yahoo! group.

Ten Questions: Earl

2007-08-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Each month a different IWG member is selected to answer 10 questions about writing. With our vast variety of IWG members, there is always another facet of writing to learn about and experiences to draw from.

Our first interview in this series, not ironically, is our very first IWG yahoo group member, Earl Carrender.

Earl’s primary genre is Literature Fiction and what follows is a great interview I hope you all will enjoy!

Much Love,

Kate Chaplin
President of IWG

Question 1:
What is your favorite word?
At the moment it’s COFFEE!

Question 2:
What is your least favorite word?
Don’t (or Can’t).

Question 3:
What types of writing have you experimented with? (examples: poetry, novels, short stories, freelance, screenplays, plays, children’s picture books, etc)
Short stories mostly. Christmas stories (I write one every year as a Christmas gift for family and friends). I write poetry and enjoy “prose poems” though that’s mostly for my own enjoyment. I tried writing one novel (which I facetiously refer to as “The Monster”) and I’m now working on a collection of interconnected short stories with recurring characters, tentatively titled, "Shameless." I’ve attempted children’s stories for a couple of contests but that was truly an “experiment;” not something I pursue with any diligence. Mostly I just like playing with words. I started out writing when I was a kid and liked making up my own songs and actually wanted to be a songwriter when I grew up. I liked playing around with words and sounds and I like their rhythm and flow. That’s still what I love.

Question 4:
Who is your favorite author?
Jeanette Winterson. She can write a single sentence that just slaps you in the face. I admire that.

Question 5:
What do you love most about writing?
When a story is finished. The process itself is grueling but the finished product is always a joy. I used to laugh when writers would refer to their work as their “child” or compare writing to giving birth. I’ve eaten my words (with a bottle of merlot) since then…

Question 6:
What to you dislike most about writing?
The process of actually DOING it. But the moments of inspiration, the rare times that it just flows and doesn’t feel forced and the final result are all wonderful and make the hard grind of getting it done worth it.

Question 7:
Describe your ideal writing spot.
Ideally it would be a house near the Mediterranean in the South of France!

Question 8:
How many hours a week do you spend on your writing? (Note: submissions and promotions count too)
About a half an hour a day at least 5 days (hang on, let me get a calculator); that’s 2.5—round up to 3.
3 hours!

Question 9:
What inspires your writing?
Many different things and its different for each story. Usually it’s something from my day-to-day life. Something someone did or said or something I read. A song I heard on the radio. A memory. I’ve found that the best stories and the ones that “flow” are the ones that are intentionally written as gifts… a Christmas gift, a birthday gift, Anniversary (I do that a lot).

Question 10:
Writing wise, what is you biggest accomplishment?
Well, my biggest accomplish (so far!) is winning the Thoreau Award for an academic paper on Willa Cather’s novels Shadows on the Rock and Death Comes for the Archbishop. I was also Editor of The Fioretti the Literary journal of my school (Marian College). I helped resurrect it after a 7 year absence. And my story "Our Story Begins" appears in the current issue.