Brenda Cooper Award Nomination

Congratulations to Fairwood alum Brenda Cooper, whose latest novel Edge of Dark is a finalist for for the 2016 Philip K. Dick award.

She's in great company among the other finalists for this year's award:

• EDGE OF DARK by Brenda Cooper (Pyr)
• AFTER THE SAUCERS LANDED by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books)
• (R)EVOLUTION by PJ Manney (47North)
• APEX by Ramez Naam (Angry Robot Books)
• WINDSWEPT by Adam Rakunas (Angry Robot Books)
• ARCHANGEL by Marguerite Reed (Arche Press)

The winner will be announced on March 25, 2016 at Norwescon 39. Good luck, Brenda!

EDGE OF DARK by Brenda Cooper (Pyr)
AFTER THE SAUCERS LANDED by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books)
(R)EVOLUTION by PJ Manney (47North)
APEX by Ramez Naam (Angry Robot Books)
WINDSWEPT by Adam Rakunas (Angry Robot Books)
ARCHANGEL by Marguerite Reed (Arche Press) - See more at: http://www.brenda-cooper.com/2016/01/12/edge-of-dark-nominate-for-the-p-k-dick-awards/#sthash.nfwGwsmQ

EDGE OF DARK by Brenda Cooper (Pyr)
AFTER THE SAUCERS LANDED by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books)
(R)EVOLUTION by PJ Manney (47North)
APEX by Ramez Naam (Angry Robot Books)
WINDSWEPT by Adam Rakunas (Angry Robot Books)
ARCHANGEL by Marguerite Reed (Arche Press) - See more at: http://www.brenda-cooper.com/2016/01/12/edge-of-dark-nominate-for-the-p-k-dick-awards/#sthash.nfwGwsmQ.dp

Countdown: Two Weeks To Go

Get your manuscripts ready for the writers' workshop at Norwescon 39 next March!  We're counting down to our submissions deadline at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to have your fantasy, science fiction and horror short stories and novel excerpts critiqued by professional writers and editors.  You'll find our guidelines here.

The clock is ticking!  We hope to see you and your work at Norwescon!

Patrick Swenson Nominated for World Fantasy Award

Back in June the world acknowledged something that a lot of locals already know... that Fairwood Press, run by Fairwood Writers Group alumnus Patrick Swenson, is pretty darned awesome. Patrick is a nominee for a 2015 World Fantasy Award in the Special Award -- Non-professioinal category for his work on Fairwood Press.

World Fantasy Award winners will be announced in November at the World Fantasy Convention. If you're there, be sure to cheer for Patrick. (He'd probably also be cool with it if you wanted to support him by buying a copy of the newly-released paperback version of his debut novel, The Ultra Thin Man.)

** Note that the Fairwood Writers aren't part of Fairwood Press; we share similar names because both organizations originated in Fairwood.

Rhiannon Held Reading

Rhiannon Held has a reading coming up for the fourth book in her SILVER series, WOLFSBANE. It will be at the University Bookstore on September 30, at 7 pm, downstairs. Come and hear a selection from the new book and get your questions answered afterwards at the Q&A!

If you can't make it to the reading, the book will be released on September 29. You can preorder the epub or Kindle version, or check back in on Amazon on that day for the print version! (Createspace, sadly, doesn't do preorders).

2016 Norwescon Workshop Guidelines Now Available

We are pleased to announce that the guidelines for the Writers' Workshop at Norwescon 39 in March, 2016 are now available!  If you've participated in the workshop since 2013, or inquired about the workshop within the last two years, you should have received a copy of the guidelines in your email.  If not, visit the Norwescon 39 website.

The deadline for this year is November 29. Now's a great time to finish that story you've been working on or draft up a synopsis for your novel. (Hint: see our previous post with synopsis-writing advice from Fairwood Writer Catherine Montrose.)

We're looking forward to seeing you and your best work next March!

Register Now for Our Youth Writing Workshop at EMP

The Fairwood Writers are pleased to be working with the EMP in cooperation with Norwescon 39 to teach the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Youth Writers Workshop at the EMP on October 10, 2105. This unique, 2-hour workshop is for kids in grades 3-12 and will include inspiration from the Science Fiction Museum's current exhibit, a brainstorming session, and a chance to try out some new ideas.

Spaces are limited. $6 fee includes museum admission for the day.

Synopsis Advice

If you missed our special class for workshop participants at Norwescon 38, we've added a page with the instructor's notes.

You'll want to bookmark it -- especially if you're thinking of sending us a novel excerpt for our 2016 workshop!