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What are the things that hold writers back? Can overcoming these problem areas lead to publication?
During the June 14th meeting of the Ventura County Writers Club, this will be discussed by author Dallas Woodburn, whose first book, “There’s a Huge Pimple on My Nose,” was published when she was in the fifth grade. The book was lauded by “Girls’ Life” and “CosmoGirl!” magazines. A review by the “Los Angeles Times Book Review” said, “If you’re simply looking for some remarkable writing, it would be hard to find a book more satisfying.”
She was the youngest guest interviewed on the national PBS book talk show “Between the Lines.” Recently, she has signed with a New York literary agent to represent her first novel.
“I’ve found that often by writing what you want to write and what makes you feel energized and creatively fulfilled, publication will follow,” said Woodburn. Dallas has written dozens of articles for various publications including, “Family Circle,” “Writer’s Digest,” “Motherwords,” “Justine,” “The Los Angeles Times,” and nine “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books.
Woodburn will also talk about her nonprofit youth literacy organization Write On! that empowers youth through reading and writing. She is actively involved in volunteer work such as her annual Holiday Book Drive and has received awards for her dedication. She is pursuing an MFA in fiction from Purdue University where she teaches undergraduate creative writing and composition classes.
The opening speaker will be Woody Woodburn, who writes a weekly general interest column every Saturday on the Op-Ed page for the Ventura County Star as well as The Daily Breeze in Torrance. Woody has earned numerous national writing awards, including first place for Column Writing by the Associated Press News Executive Council, and has twice been voted top-five for Column Writing by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
He was also named the Copley News Service’s “Columnist of the Year” and honored with the prestigious James S. Copley “Ring of Truth” award. In 2003, Woodburn was inducted into the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation’s Journalists Hall of Fame.
The meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. at the club’s new meeting place, the Pleasant Valley Senior Center in Camarillo. The public is welcomed to all meetings, which are free.
For more information on the Ventura County Writers Club, visit: http://www.venturacountywriters.com/
Since its formation in 1933 with four members in Ojai, the club has grown to more than 175 members and holds regular monthly general membership meetings. Members may attend, free of charge, a variety of Writers Workshops, groups that meet one or more times a month throughout the county to read and critique manuscripts and discuss many aspects of the business of writing. Monthly meetings are open to all interested writers and are held the second Tuesday of each month (except December).
For more information, contact: Kathleen Kaiser, 805-524-6970, Kathleen@KathleenKaiser.com.