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A Message from our President
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“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”
~~Vista M. Kelly
Welcome to Colorado Romance Writers where our motto is TOGETHER WE CAN!
Writing, like the snowflake, can be a fragile thing. All alone in front of our keyboards, the world we’ve chosen to immerse ourselves in can be wondrous and exciting and new. It can also be aggravating, confusing, even intimidating. CRW is full of unique snowflakes drifting along individual paths but, stick us together, and look at the beauty we create.
It’s one of the things I love about CRW, the camaraderie and support members find here. I’m not just talking about those who keep the organization running although, without them, the picture wouldn’t be nearly as pretty. I’m talking about our members. The questions asked, the triumphs celebrated, the sorrows commiserated, and the knowledge we share creates a unique bond between all of us at CRW. We encourage you to join us and make this organization “yours”.
There are a lot of exciting events in the works for 2008…new monthly programs and workshops, our annual Writer’s Retreat, Published Authors Luncheon, and the annual Workshop and Awards Luncheon, to name a few. We offer networking, the latest in market news, critique groups, question and answer sessions, two nationally recognized writing contests, a monthly newsletter full of informative articles, and a library overflowing with excellent workshop tapes, CDs and books. I look forward to presenting lots of RWA® PRO® pins, silk roses, and First Sale medallions to our members over the next twelve months, too.
The most important thing we offer is support. We invite you to make CRW your home, a place to dream, share, groan, be encouraged and supported. We are committed to being the organization you need, whether you’re just taking your first steps toward publication or whether you’re a multi-published author. We’re delighted to welcome you.
Together We Can!
Karen Docter
President
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August 9, 2008 -- Althea Mortensen, a clothing historian and costume consultant, will be visiting to present two fabulous workshops on historical clothing.
WHAT AND WHERE: The monthly meeting is held at the Northern Hills Christian Church. Click HERE for directions.
WHEN: Second Saturday of every month. Meeting and luncheon begin at noon. Board meeting begins at 10:30 and members are welcome to attend.
Cost: $5.00 to cover the room rental.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING: Yourself, CRW provides the luncheon at no charge to our members.
1) A Writer's Guide to Fashion in the American West 1850-1899. A survey of dress in the American West, from cowboys to crinolines, using 19th century black-and-white photographs. This one was selected for the 2004 RWA conference in Dallas.
2) Costume and Courtship Through the Ages (presented to CRW in 2000). A romantic overview of European fashion from the 15th to the 19th century, including courtship rituals and romantic traditions.
Althea Mortensen has a B.S. degree in Textiles and Clothing with a concentration in the field of Historic Costume. She is the author of the historical romance Every Tomorrow (Kensington Publishing, 1999) and a past member of RWA and Colorado Romance Writers, as well as the Costume Society of America. In 2000, she received the Writer of the Year award from her local chapter. Althea's collaborative work, A Writer's Guide to Historic Costume, was under contract with Writer's Digest Books in 2001. Her latest book, The Little Black Suit: Dress for Success Secrets That Will Change Your Career was published in 2005 and featured in the Forbes.com book club. Althea has been a speaker at the Rocky Mountain Book Festival, and continues to present workshops and seminars for professional women.
BOOK TALK -- TBD
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CRW Annual Awards
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CRW Awards for 2008
Congratulations to our CRW award winners!
2007 Bookseller of the Year Award
Sue Grimshaw, Romance Book Buyer
Borders Group, Inc.
2007 Casey Award
Michele Chambers
Maya Milhous
2007 Outstanding Newsletter Article of the Year Award
"Have You Hugged Your "Brain Trust" Today?
By Karen Docter
2007 Writer of the Year Award
Melissa Mayhue
2007 Keeper Award
She Blinded Me With Science...Fiction
By Kally Jo Surbeck
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NOW AVAILABLE! Nuts and Bolts
 Writing a saleable novel is a complex process, combining creativity and craft. In Nuts and Bolts, fifteen of Colorado Romance Writers' published authors offer advice on the craft and the business based on their personal experiences. The booklet covers topics ranging from manuscript preparation, character development and effective use of point of view to contest entry, query letters and synopsis writing, right up to networking and self-promotion for the first time author.
Nuts and Bolts is affordably priced at $15.00 [$10 for CRW members] plus $1.69 for postage and handling.
Click here for a sample of what's inside.
For Members:
For Non Members:
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Heart of the Rockies Contest for Unpublished Writers!
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New timelines and Submissions!
CRW is proud to announce our HOR contest. This year will save you tons of money, as it’s all electronic. No more printing with ink and paper costs, no more postage and envelopes and return postage!
The deadlines are also different this year. Our contest is not yet open, but will begin accepting entries on May 1, 2008.
In the meantime, please feel free to read our rules of submissions and become familiar with the new formats.
Rena Marks
HOR Coordinator/2008
GoodnightSirene@aim.com
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