[TO REGISTER ON LINE -- CLICK THE "SIGN UP TODAY" BOX IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN OF THIS PAGE AND GO TO OUR SHOPPING CART!]

Designed to build on Sharon Faelten’s presentation “Keys to the Perfect Book Pitch,” this hands-on workshop will show writers how to pitch their nonfiction book proposals to editors, agents, or publishers.

Based on her extensive experience as an acquisitions editor for Rodale, Inc., Sharon will guide writers through multiple drafts of a strong pitch letter, from the proper salutation to a professional closing.

Writer will learn about all-too-common “query killing” mistakes to avoid, and hear tips for polishing a pitch and preparing for an agent or editor meeting.

Customized to each participant’s book concept, the workshop will focus on the key elements of every pitch letter, paragraph by paragraph. Participants are encouraged to send a draft of their query letter to Sharon ahead of time (must be received at least one week prior to the class) for review and discussion during the workshop.

As a bonus, Sharon will provide follow-up advice (one phone consultation and one light query edit) to participants who complete the workshop.

Where: At the Brownell Library, Essex Junction.

When: Saturday, 12:30 -- 3:30 pm

Fee: $40 for League members: $45 for Nonmembers.

Class is limited to ten students, so don't delay.

TO REGISTER ONLINE: Click on the "Sign Up Today" box on this page and register with PayPal, or ...

TO REGISTER BY MAIL [***see corrected Zip Code here!***, call the registrar to confirm space in class: (802) 349-7475. Then send name, address, phone number and email address along with a check made out to "League of Vermont Writers" to: LVW Query Writing Workshop, PO Box 172, Underhill Center, VT 05490.

The League of Vermont Writers has launched a new literary competition in 2012 with the award of The Vermont Prize and a $1,000 award given in each of three genres. The theme for the inaugural year's competition is "My New England." Submissions will be accepted in three categories:

• Fiction
• Personal Essay
• Poetry

Fee: $15 per submission, non-refundable. Pay by check only; credit cards are not accepted.

Submissions may include up to 3000 words for fiction (adult only); up to 1500 words for personal essay; up to 5 poems of no more than one page in length each.

Writers may submit to one or more categories; only one entry per category is permitted. Multiple submissions in a single category will not be accepted.

The LVW Literary Competition 2012 is open to all writers, whether League members or nonmembers. Submissions will be accepted beginning February 1, 2012. Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2012.

Winners of The Vermont Prize will be announced in July.

Grand Prize Winners in each category will receive $1,000 and guaranteed appearance in the League's Vermont Prize Anthology for 2012. Fifteen finalists in each category will also be considered for inclusion in the anthology, at the discretion of the editors.

[Members of the League of Vermont Writers Contest Committee, Board of Directors, first readers and judges, and their immediate families, are ineligible.]

Spend a day with your writing peers and instructor Linda Cruise on Saturday, June 9, for an intensive workshop on literary writing at the Bixby Memorial Library in Vergennes. Bring pen and paper and be prepared for practice writing!

Participants in this four-hour workshop will gain a deeper understanding of critical literary story elements, including: plot, conflict, characterization, setting, point-of-view, story structure, and narrative form.

Vermont author and instructor Linda Cruise, MFA, MA, has designed the workshop for any fiction or creative nonfiction (CNF) writer interested in improving crafting skills. Good narrative results whenever the writer can captivate a reader’s imagination through the conscious and calculated use of story elements such as dramatic tension, voice, character development, plot, setting, or conflict.

Come to the Bixby Memorial Library in Vergennes on Saturday, June 9, to develop your skills in crafting fiction and creative nonfiction story-telling.

The workshop fee is $45 for League of Vermont Writers’ members, and $50 for non-members.

To register, please contact Paula Diaco at 802-343-5684, or click on the "Sign Up Today" box in the right hand column of this page to register using PayPal.

Register now and spend the day with us!