FLATHEAD RIVER WRITERS CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 28 AND 29

Posted on July 15, 2013 by bettykuffel

This is the 23rd Annual writers conference sponsored by Authors of the Flathead. We are a nonprofit group of writers who provide support to each other through critiques and camaraderie. Sharing ideas in the competitive publishing world is helpful, especially to newcomers. The group meets the first three Thursday evenings of each month. Details of meetings, speakers and topics can be found at our website that has just been revamped: authorsoftheflathead.org.

On August 29th we are hosting the annual Author Potluck Picnic at Pavilion #2 at Whitefish Lake at City Beach. We will be grilling burgers and brats. Plates, utensils and condiments are supplied by the group. We purchased a beverage permit this year, so if you would like to bring wine, beer or another alcoholic drink, that is acceptable. The picnic is a great social gathering to bring new friends and share stories. We will have brochures for the conference if you haven’t already registered.

The conference is limited to 100 people so it is advisable to register early. The theme this year is broad – “A Writer’s Journey.” You will find speakers in varied genres from around the country, local best-selling authors and two literary agents. Presenter information below:

23rd ANNUAL FLATHEAD RIVER WRITERS CONFERENCE

September 28th & 29th 2013

 Saturday & Sunday 

 

Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell, Montana

“A Writer’s Journey”

 PRESENTERS

KEYNOTE/FICTION

William Haywood Henderson – CO – Novelist, writing coach, educator. William’s acclaimed literary novels are set in the American West. He has a BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley, MA from Brown University, Stanford University Wallace Stegner Fellow in Creative Writing. He has honed the art of teaching novel writing at Harvard, Brown, the University of Colorado, the University of Denver and the Lighthouse Writers Workshop. www.williamhaywoodhenderson.com

LITERARY AGENTS

Elizabeth Kracht – CA –Kimberley Cameron & Associates – Experience as an acquisitions editor, freelance publicist, writer and newspaper copyeditor. Liz now represents literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction. Fiction interests include: literary, commercial, women’s, thrillers, mysteries, and YA. In nonfiction, she particularly loves voice—or adventure-driven memoir. Liz is also interested in nonfiction heroic pet stories and nonfiction projects that contribute to the well-being of self or others. www.kimberleycameron.com

 Paige Wheeler – NY – Folio Literary Management founding partner. Paige manages intellectual property rights of authors domestic and foreign. She also co-agents film and audio rights. Her broad fiction interests include: contemporary, commercial, historical, women’s fiction, romance, mystery, thrillers, inspirational/Christian and psychological suspense. Nonfiction interests include: narrative and prescriptive, and authors with a large platform in women’s issues, relationship, business, food-subsistence-homesteading topics, trendy reference projects, parenting, and lifestyle.http://foliolit.com/paige-wheeler/

 CRAFT AND BUSINESS EXPERTS

FREELANCING

Becky Lomax – MT – Writer, photographer, naturalist, travel author, with a M.A. in teaching writing from University of Washington. Becky writes for the Moon Series Handbooks: Moon Glacier Park, Moon Montana Wyoming & Idaho Camping, Glacier National Park Camping and Idaho Panhandle Camping. With more than 300 stories in publications such as Smithsonian, Backpacker and Running Times, she also writes for regional newspapers and is an editor for Onthesnow.com, covering western ski resort news in the US and Canada. Becky also provides editing services. Presentations: Darwin at Work in Print and Web Magazine Writing; Crafting Magazine Queries That Land Assignments and Nonfiction Stories: Soaring Beyond Diaries and Encyclopedias www.Beckylomax.com  

Jim Satterfield – MT – Prolific novelist in many genres. Jim is a natural resource professional with a Ph.D. in fishery and wildlife biology. His first book, The River’s Song, published in November 2012, became a best seller. His second, Saving Laura, is a June 2013 release. Jim was recipient of the Zola Award in 2011 for his manuscript, Soon You Will Cry.  A skilled and focused writer, Jim has completed five books in six years while working full time. Presentations: How to Finish Writing Your Novel and Synopsis, Submission Packet Preparation www.JimSatterfield.com

Kathy Dunnehoff – MT – Best-selling author, educator, MFA in Creative Writing.

Kathy’s screenplays have placed in numerous competitions. A recipient of a Zola Award for fiction from the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association, Kathy has perfected the ability to bring writing and life together with insight and humor. Her best-selling romantic comedy collection continues to expand, even as she is engaged in her teen daughters’ endeavors and teaching writing and creativity courses at Flathead Valley Community College. Presentation: 50,000 Words in 30 Days…How to Survive National Novel Writing Month. www.KathyDunnehoff.com

Gwen Hernandez – CA – Former programmer and manufacturing engineer, MS in Industrial Technology, Gwen’s broad interests in writing and teaching have come together with her expertise in Scrivener, the powerful efficient software for writers. Author of Scrivener for Dummies (Aug 2012). A romantic suspense writer and 2011 Golden Heart® finalist, Gwen is an herbivore, runner, USAF wife & Mom, and shares her love of Scrivener with other writers through online classes and her book. Her presentations will be: Fitting It All In and Writing Your Way with Scrivener. www.gwenhernandez.com

For additional information and online registration check out: www.authorsoftheflathead.org.

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SPECIAL OFFER: EYES OF A PEDOPHILE E-BOOK ONLY $2.99!

Posted on May 14, 2013 by bettykuffel

KEEPING KIDS SAFER 51-7zjnViaL._AA160_– Read Eyes of a Pedophile to learn more information to keep kids safe.

Each year, May 25th is observed as Missing Children’s Day to serve as a reminder to make child safety a priority. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, reminds us to take time to educate our kids about safety and prevent abductions. Their Take 25® program is a national campaign to increase child safety awareness.  http://www.missingkids.com or  http://www.take25.org

An important fact many people do not realize is that most children are victimized by relatives and friends. Only 11% of child molesters are strangers. We worry about abductions and must teach our children safe behaviors, but the dangers are often close to home. The vast majority of child rapists are known to the family or child—and the violent acts occurred in the victim’s or the offender’s home.

Eyes of a Pedophile: Detecting Child Predators is a true crime book based on the behaviors of violent pedophile Nathanael Bar-Jonah. Even if you are not a typical true crime reader, this book may interest you if work with kids, have children or grandchildren. Pedophiles are serial offenders who will not stop until prosecuted and incarcerated. To stop them, we must be aware of abnormal behaviors and report any suspected abuse to both child protective agencies and law enforcement. Pedophiles are difficult to identify because they blend in so well and are pathological liars. They seek jobs with kids, in positions of power. They intimidate and threaten their young victims not to tell. You will find them in all professions, and aged from subteens to grandfathers.

Be wary of a man bearing gifts and offering private excursions with a child. A man who collects toys or has a child-theme room in his home should be supervised with kids present. Is there an adolescent boy in your neighborhood hanging around with children half his age? What about the sweet grandfather or uncle the kids avoid and try not to hug? Do you know an adult male who lives with his parents, focuses on kids, and has no friends his age? Any one of these as a single trait could be meaningless, but is reason for caution.

Overview of Eyes of a Pedophile

Peer inside the mind of violent child molester Nathanael Bar-Jonah.

Personal coded writings, life-long behaviors and victim testimony reveal how he operated and the difficulties law enforcement experienced stopping him. Eyes of a Pedophile follows Bar-Jonah’s evolution from religious beginnings to hunting children.

 Extensively researched medical and psychological details explain what is known about child predators and show you how to recognize pedophile behavior and protect children.

Eyes of a Pedophile: Detecting Child Predators is available for purchase at a special reduced rate of $2.99 at Amazon and in numerous e-book formats through Smashwords, and at a reduced print special of $9.99 at Amazon/CreateSpace:

Paperback $9.99 : http://www.CreateSpace.com/3817124

Kindle $2.99 : http://tinyurl.com/b82c7w3

Smashwords many e-book formats $2.99 :http://tinyurl.com/cvgunya

Betty Kuffel, MD

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THE PSYCHOPATH NEXT DOOR

Posted on May 11, 2013 by bettykuffel

Bar-Jonah's downstairs apartment

A Cleveland Sexual Psychopath – One of Many

Neighbors of Ariel Castro express horror at discovery of the dungeon of terror he had created, enslaving abducted young women to beat, rape, intimidate, and savor. For ten years, he hid his secrets from everyone. It is difficult to peer inside the minds of such men. What is it that created the two-headed monster? How could he live two lives? –  At times, with acceptable public behavior, a bus driver trusted with children, at other times a crazed violent predator.

 Psychopaths are not crazy in the “usual” sense. They don’t hear voices. They don’t talk to themselves. They are not psychotic. No, this is a personality disorder that affects about 2% of the population.

 Not all psychopaths are violent, nor are they all rapists. You may know a psychopath. You may be married to one. Many people display some of the traits, but do not meet the criteria for diagnosis as a psychopath and may be called “antisocial.”

 The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (DSM IV-TR) is currently the guidebook in use for psychiatric diagnosis. The manual defines exact findings and behaviors required to diagnose complex mental illnesses. With this information, practitioners can speak to each with clarity regarding specific diagnoses.

Terminology changes with improved understanding and findings from scientific studies. An updated manual, DSM-5 with the latest information will soon be published.

Reference for this blog: The following information excerpted from early DSM – 5 criteria for Antisocial/Psychopathic Personality Disorder requires the following identifiers to make the diagnosis:

             <<Impairment of self functioning: Either extremely self-centered, with self esteem gained from personal power, pleasure or achievement –or primary goals are based on personal gratification, absence of social standards and failure to conduct themselves in lawful or normal ethical manner.

And

            Impairment of interpersonal functioning:  Lack empathy– lack of concern for needs, suffering and feelings of others; lack of remorse after hurting or mistreating another. –Or incapable of mutually intimate relationships; uses exploitation as means of relating to others; uses deceit, coercion, dominance or intimidation to control others.

Other descriptions of behaviors related to Psychopathic Personality Disorder:

Superficial charm. Fake emotions.

Disregard for moral principles.

Seeks power over others.

Will exploit, deceive, con, and take advantage, in order to inflict harm or achieve goals.

Emotional expression is mostly limited to irritability, anger and hostility.

Disregard of rights, property or safety of others. No remorse if others are harmed.

Reckless sensation-seeking behaviors.

Impulsive without regard for consequences.

A sense of invulnerability.

Unlawful/unethical behavior, including substance abuse and physical violence

Aggressive/sadistic acts are common.

Pleasure and satisfaction derived from humiliating, dominating or hurting others.>>

It is rather boring to read lists, but if you consider what has been in the news about the behaviors of Ariel Castro, you may be able to correlate reported behaviors with the above information and understand why experts interviewed in the news media are calling him a psychopath. He has reportedly displayed many of the above behaviors. In addition, in a television news report today (5/10/13), Ariel Castro labeled himself a “sexual addict.”

Castro claims he was beaten by his parents and sexually abused by a family member. When interviewed by FBI profilers, many Sexual Violent Predators (SVPs) report their violent sadistic behavior stems from abuse they endured. Many people who endured severe abuse are not violent, nor do they, in turn, sexually abuse others.

 Some SVPs claim unbelievable stories of being dominated and raped, or “gang-raped” like Nathanael Bar-Jonah, the violentNathanael Bar-Jonah child predator in my true crime book, Eyes of a Pedophile. He used the rape story to justify his life-long behavior of stalking and harming children. But his oft-repeated story was later verified as false by those he named. The supposed perpetrators were incapable of performing acts he described when some were preschool age. The apartment where he tortured young boys is shown above. Bar-Jonah was charming. Women left their children in his care. He clearly fit the profile of a violent psychopath.

Abductors and sexual predators often claim personal abuse as an explanation for their behavior. The “cycle of abuse” described, is related to witnessing or experiencing abuse and then inflicting the same type of abuse on others. This cycle is seen, but no pattern is consistent. Many do not follow the cycle. Abuse is not a valid excuse for harming others.

It will be interesting to follow the Cleveland case as more information is shared with the public. The prosecution of Castro and life-sentencing without the possibility of parole are supremely important. He must never be released.

With the support of counseling, love and protection by family and friends, the three abducted victimized women and young child born in captivity, will hopefully recover from the violence they experienced at the hands of a madman and learn to enjoy life. May they learn from the recoveries of other abducted, imprisoned and raped young women: teen Elizabeth Smart, and eleven-year-old Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped by a stranger and held as a sex slave for 18 years—with the knowledge and support of the abductor’s wife. Both Elizabeth and Jaycee are women now and appear to be survivors, positive in outlook, and learning to live, love and smile again.

There are likely other dungeons of horror, similar to the one in Cleveland, in other US cities and around the world. We all need to be wary, observant of unusual happenings and report concerns.

Many young children, both girls and boys, along with teens and young women are enslaved by traffickers, not just by deranged men like Ariel Castro. Pimps rent their sex slaves to depraved men. Supply and demand drives the horrible trafficking business. As long as there are men out there who are seeking the company of children and prostitutes for sexual satisfaction, there will be pimps willing to supply them. Many missing children and young women are unable to escape from their captors. To help save these missing and exploited people, please contact law enforcement.

Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children if you think you have seen a missing child/teen, or to report child sexual exploitation. Call: 1-800-THE LOST or www.missingkids.com/home for more information.

Commercial sex trafficking of children is rampant in SE Asia, Central Europe, India, and around the world. But did you know at least 100,000 American children are being rented for sex?  For more information on trafficking: Read the story of America’s Prostituted Children: Renting Lacy. Shared Hope International fights against sex trafficking. www.sharedhope.org.

If any of us see unusual behaviors, have concerns about the safety of children or others, or suspicious of abuse, do something. Please call child protective services and/or law enforcement to report your concerns. You may save a life.

Betty Kuffel, MD

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PEDOPHILES, CHILD PREDATORS AND PSYCHOPATHS

Posted on May 9, 2013 by bettykuffel

51-7zjnViaL._AA160_DO YOU KNOW A PEDOPHILE?

Pedophiles hide in plain view.

In most cases, children are molested by family members and close friends. The perpetrator is commonly someone a parent or child knows and trusts.

Pedophiles are priests, teachers, youth pastors, grandfathers, boyfriends, scout leaders, church camp leaders, police officers and fathers. They are difficult to detect and prosecute because they live two lives, a public respected one and a dark dangerous life of sexual violence against children. They are highly believable cunning pathological liars. They are psychopaths.

Are pedophiles mentally ill? YES

Pedophiles are psychopathic individuals in all societies and all professions who fake emotions, lack empathy for their victims and focus on secret sexual fantasies with children. They silence child victims with fear. Often, after a child has the courage to disclose abuse, the reports are not believed by parents or guardians. When a child is not believed, he or she is abandoned to the abuser…and the abuse continues.

Pedophilia is a Paraphilia – as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR) TR=text revision. This is a manual used by professionals to clarify classifications and definitions of clinical psychiatric abnormalities. Pedophiles are not psychotic, they don’t hear voices or have hallucinations. They have the ability to function in all levels of society in all occupations, though most seek positions of power that bring them close to children. They are predators, watching, lying-in-wait, ready to act out fantasies when they are unlikely to be detected.

In the animal world, a predator lives by feeding on smaller, weaker or maimed animals. Human predators behave the same way. They prey on vulnerable victims for perverse sexual enjoyment. Imagine a cat that catches a mouse and plays with it, pouncing, tossing, injuring and enjoying every minute. In the final act, the helpless creature lies dead. Human predators look upon their victims much like a cat. Victims are toys they perceive as disposable. Predators have no remorse.

Pedophiles preferentially target prepubescent children for sexual gratification. Instead of normal development evolving at puberty in combination with sexual interest occurring in the company of a similar aged person, the pedophile is sexually aroused by children. This sexual preference for children begins in early adolescence and lasts throughout life. It is incurable.

No one knows why this aberrant behavior evolves. Sexual offenders often claim they were abused as children and use it as the reason for their behavior. There is no excuse. Most raped and abused children do not become abusers themselves. Some follow the “cycle of abuse” identified in victims of violence who themselves act out in violence, but most do not.

There is no excuse for sexual violence against any individual. The recent Cleveland crime case of abduction and sexual violence, intimidation and control of young women is appalling. The perpetrator is a violent sexual predator who targeted young women, experiencing sexual gratification through violence and control. This scenario is a warning to all of us to be more aware of actions of others and willing to intervene immediately if clues to abnormal situations or behaviors surface. Predators must be prosecuted.

If you believe a child is being victimized, report to both child protective services and to law enforcement. It is better to report and be in error than to have a child continue to be harmed. If you believe someone of any age is at risk, report the situation to law enforcement. Don’t give up. You may save a life.

Pedophile Characteristics:

The following are general descriptions taken from many sources which correlate with pedophile behavior. If identified as single actions, they should not be considered reasons to notify authorities. This is an overview of findings documented by researchers and law enforcement in pedophiles who have been apprehended.

Pedophiles are adept liars

Strive to be alone with kids

Males of any age, few or no friends his age, no close friends

Seek prolonged access to children through work & volunteer  jobs

Sympathetic listeners who target troubled or withdrawn children

Decorate area or room in a child’s theme, collects toys

Collects theme pornography as a fantasy-driven behavior

Collects “paraphernalia” to remind them of their sexual desires

Saves souvenirs from encounters such as photos

Tapes TV programs or buys videos (ex. boys’ workout tape)

Boys mingling with younger children–a red flag

Single men, live with their parents, don’t date, target children

Shy, uncommunicative, backward, with poor interpersonal skills

Volatile, withdrawn or hostile behavior

Difficulty interacting with adults

Seek girlfriends with children of their desired age and gender

May marry women who have children of their focused age

Church affiliations giving them access to children

Interest in guns, uniforms, handcuffs

Gifting and paying unusual attention to a child

Loitering around playgrounds

Excessive friendliness to parents

Takes videos of acts and victims

Photography, with an interest in kids

Psychopathic Triad: Maimed pets, fire-setting &

bed-wetting = high risk for aberrant behavior

Lack remorse and empathy, may fake emotions

Childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for developing pedophilia

Choose activities that enable them power and proximity to kids

Examples: Camp counselors, bus drivers, babysitters, foster parents, coaches, photographers, childcare, special education teachers, ministers, school principals

Choose children likely to be poor witnesses against them

Resources:

Crimes Against Children (CAC) Program  http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm

FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime  http://www.fbi.gov/hq/isd/cirg/ncavc.htm

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-THE LOST  http://www.missingkids.com

JacobWetterling Foundation 1-800-325-HOPE  http://www.jwrc.org  Eleven-year-old Jacob Wetterling was abducted in 1989. He has never been found. The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center has excellent online educational information. The organization is dedicated to making the world safer for children by building community awareness, supporting law enforcement and helping the criminal justice system.

Please see: Eyes of a Pedophile: Detecting Child Predators for more information on this topic. This true crime book is based on the behavior of violent pedophile Nathanael Bar-Jonah with information on how to keep kids safer.

Betty Kuffel, MD

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EYES OF A PEDOPHILE Number One!!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by bettykuffel

After just 12 hours, Eyes of a Pedophile: Detecting Child Predators made #1 on both AMAZON KINDLE FREE BOOKS:

  • TRUE CRIME
  • MURDER AND MAYHEMTrue Crime #1

Thanks to all my readers, fans, family and friends who have helped in this success.

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FREE KINDLE BOOK OFFER 3 DAYS

Posted on February 1, 2013 by bettykuffel

From: Betty Kuffel, MD

I hope you will take advantage of the free e-book download of my book available during the next three days. Please share this with your friends. We can all help stop pedophiles by educating more people to recognize pedophile behavior and report suspected abuse to child protective services and law enforcement.

 If you don’t own an e-reader, check out the easy download of a free application from the Amazon Kindle Store which allows you to read it on your computer.

www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/      Click on “Free Reading Apps”

 EYES of a PEDOPHILE: Detecting Child Predators

Extensively researched medical and psychological details explain what is known about child predators and provides information on how to recognize pedophile behavior and protect children.

 51-7zjnViaL._AA160_BOOK PROMOTION

FREE 3 DAY E-BOOK DOWNLOADS FROM AMAZON

February 1, 2 and 3

 Extending from just after midnight tonight

to midnight on Sunday

The direct link is http://tinyurl.com/b82c7w3

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EYES OF A PREDATOR

Posted on February 1, 2013 by bettykuffel

Predator Characteristics

Ann Rule croppedAnn Rule recently said “…impressive….right on target…” about my book Eyes of a Pedophile: Detecting Child Predators. I was thrilled to have such praise from the prolific author who started the genre. If you have an opportunity to hear her speak, don’t pass it up. She is filled with knowledge of crimes, criminal behavior and police procedurals. Ann Rule has been there and has seen it all. Most of us write from a greater distance; her stories are close and personal. I have read most of her books and found if I didn’t take a break from the genre, the stories of pain, deceit and murder darkened my days. Within those stories, we view the side of life most of us try to avoid.

For me, her horrific stories of crime and mayhem ring true. Many people I met over years while working in emergency rooms as a physician had similar stories. I met victims of violence, some survived; some didn’t. I met killers and the skilled law enforcement officers handling difficult situations. The night swallows many people, destroys families and changes lives. Some leave home, never to be seen again.

After growing up in a safe small town, I was naïve and complacent. But with repeated exposure to the criminal element through my work as a nurse and later as a physician in large city ERs, I learned my trusting actions were foolhardy. Over years of being stalked and threatened by violent drunks and drug-seekers that didn’t get their drugs, I became more cautious. Threatening phone calls and stalking led me to marksmanship classes, carrying a weapon or pepper spray, and most recently to Krav Maga self-defense classes.

Attackers search for vulnerable victims. Walking alone anywhere, especially in dimly lit areas while looking at a map, or searching for a car or your keys is very risky. These are the behaviors thieves and rapists watch for —someone unaware of their surroundings and defenseless. A great book teaching personal safety behaviors, providing scenarios and protective actions is The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. I purchased many copies and have given them to relatives and friends. I highly recommend the book for all women; men would benefit, too.

Sexual predators do everything they can to avoid apprehension, but when fantasies ignite and accelerate their desires, they act. They prowl forMP900439455 the right victim, the right appearance and in a location where they may not be caught or seen. By examining abductions of adults we often see them in risky positions and vulnerable to attack. These are the same circumstances with abducted children. They are often walking or bicycling alone, unaccompanied by an adult.

But child predators are not usually scary strangers, they are people we know. People we invite into our homes. No one fully understands the mental illness which drives men to seek children for sexual gratification, but as sexual fantasies swirl in their minds their thoughts are camouflaged by acceptable behaviors. These men are public figures and often those in authority, such as teachers, preachers and cops. The focus of my true crime book about Nathanael Bar-Jonah’s life of harming children is to teach readers common child predator characteristics and help keep kids safer.

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WRITING WITH NATURE

Posted on January 19, 2013 by bettykuffel

Writing fiction carries us to far away places and other worlds but there is something truly wonderful noMom and Bab matter where you are. I know city lights are lovely and the wild activity of busy cities have a real draw for some people, but look around. Enjoy what you have where you are right now.

I am in love with my neighborhood deer baby who visits me each morning. I feed hundreds  of birds, even a bunch of pheasants. They keep me company as I sit at my computer, but take time to look out the window. Because I am a morning person, the kind people who like to “sleep in” hate, I watch the sky each morning. Up before sunrise has its advantages. If you are focused, you can have a day’s worth of writing done before noon. Writers write whenever they can fit it into busy schedules, for me, the time before dawn is my favorite and most productive. It always has been. But for night owls who write, I encourage you to take a break and go outside to enjoy the night sky.

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide

Jupiter and starsIf you like to watch the stars like I do, you may enjoy following EarthSky. After growing up in a small northern MN town with black nights and few lights, I grew to love watching the night sky. Meteor showers are great fun. One summer here in MT, my husband and I even took our octogenarian aunt and uncle high on a mountainside after midnight to star-gaze and watch a meteor shower. They loved it. Two meteor showers are coming soon, one in early January and another in April.

Right now, you can see the moon drawing closer to Jupiter. If you consult EarthSky, you will know how to identify those brighter stars near the moon. January 21st is a great night to look up into a dark sky. The moon and Jupiter will have their closest conjunction until 2026.

When we lived in Alaska, the dark long winters provided wonderful sky-watching. The northern lights were so brilliant and changing, I found watching them mesmerizing, addicting. It is like looking into an ever-changing roaring campfire. It’s better than television.

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WRITING WITH SCRIVENER

Posted on January 18, 2013 by bettykuffel

IT’S TIME TO MAKE SOME CHANGESTypewriter

Are you still typing away on an old typewriter? Hopefully you are beyond that and onto the latest and greatest. Electronic publishing has revolutionized the writing world. Many of us who have published an e-book on Kindle and Smashwords needed help with formatting. Writers are writers and really don’t want to take the time away from creating to learn all these detailed new applications. However, things have suddenly become easier if you use Scrivener as your primary writing software.

If you have graduated to the latest technology and are making fantastic progress on your latest manuscript, based on confirmed users of Scrivener, your writing, organization of characters, names, scenes and timelines in your novels will advance with lightening speed.

The long URL below will take you to TheBookDesigner: How to Publish Your eBook from Word to Kindle in under Ten Minutes.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/13c4d7136b76966f

I have subscribed to The Book Designer blog for a long time. The articles are current, helpful and include contributions from many authors.This particular piece is very timely for many writers in this area as it uses Scrivener, a powerful writing software tool. Dennis Foley has been using Scrivener and after all his books, writing for television and teaching, he says he can’t work without it. As a result, he is sharing his skills regarding his utilization with us at a two day evening class at Flathead Community College, Monday and Wednesday, February 11 and 13th 6-8 pm. I have already registered.

Look up Scrivener at www.literatureandlatte.com and become familiarized for free. If you like it, $40 will get your copy from cyberspace and you will be off and writing with amazing speed.

Hope to see you at the class.

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A NEW YEAR FOR SELF PUBLISHING

Posted on December 28, 2012 by bettykuffel

Make 2013 Your Year for Writing SuccessCoiled Green Snake

Many writers I know have had a prolific year of writing. Some of them even had fun with National Novel Writing Month, the NaNoWriMo-complete the first draft of a novel in a month method to get a jump-start on your next project. NaNoWriMo occurs each year during the month of November. Energized by camaraderie and focused work, the method brings enthusiasm and a completed draft in just 30 days. This format works to set a fire under some writers and provides the nudge to complete multiple edits and wordsmithing in preparation for publication.

If you have a manuscript honed and ready for publication but have been rejected by traditional agents and publishers, consider some sound alternatives. In a Washington Post technology article by Cecilia Kang on December 27th, she reported an increase from 16% to 23 % in the number of Americans who now read e-books. In a study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the number of adults who read books in print decreased by 5%. With many types of e-readers coming on the market, the Pew research also found one in four e-books is now being read from a tablet and not an e-reader like Kindle or Nook.

The shift to e-readers is stimulated in part by the public move to an e-based lifestyle. When you can carry hundreds of books on a tiny device that fits in a pocket, why would you cling to hard-bound books? Many schools have adopted programs to put tablets into the hands of the young, even preschoolers. High school and college classes are being taught online. Most libraries now offer e-books.

But as a writer, there is more to it than convenience. Instead of struggling through the maze of traditional publishing and then waiting for two years to find your book in print, you can easily learn the formatting and upload your manuscript within a week and add a print-on-demand option in a day. Plus, instead of getting a royalty check for 15% (or less) of the cover price every six months, you can earn up to 85% of the cover price and, via e-banking, with monthly deposits right into your account! There is a learning curve to formatting and uploading but help is available. Becoming e-savvy is worth the effort and part of the new writing life.

Our Authors of the Flathead group has a number of successful writers within both traditional and self/e-publications. One member just had a book published and has another in a different genre scheduled for release in June 2013. He found success where most do not. We applaud him!

But after many others here experienced years of disappointment, languishing in the hands of agents, helplessly waiting for their help to penetrate the walls of traditional publishing— the writers bailed out and self-e-published. Others didn’t even seek agent representation, they proceeded directly to self-publication. A number of local authors’ books have become best sellers in their genres. One of them even had her book optioned for a movie. Success is in your hands.

In the past, self-publishing in bound copy left you poor with an automobile trunk filled with expensive books to peddle on your trip to ignominity. In fact, if you self-published it was a death knell, making it extremely unlikely a traditional publisher would ever consider representing your work.

E-publishing has changed all that and because of its popularity, the NY Times currently lists best selling e-books and for the first time reviewed a self-published book (which they do not actively track). Publishers Weekly now publishes PW Select on a quarterly basis. This supplement covers the self-publishing industry and not only features author interviews and book announcements; they feature reviews of self-published books, too.

Kindle (e-books) and Create Space (print-on-demand) paperbacks became successful methods for many. Smashwords is a great option because of the wider exposure and library catalog listings.

Self-published e-books have become over-night successes and are being picked up by publishers. Some agents say they peruse e-books for selections they might be interested in representing to publishers. It is a boon to an author to have the support and exposure provided by a large publishing company because the down side of self-publishing is self-marketing.

Marketing is a learned skill which takes ongoing time and effort. There are many sources of information available as e-books and in webinars. While most authors I know would much rather write than market, they have come to the conclusion that to be a professional writer and sell your books, you need to have them visible and available. To do this, you must develop a web presence: a blog, website, Facebook, LinkedIn and others. Offer to talk at book clubs, develop a list of book club discussion questions. Have a few quick descriptions ready to summarize and talk to anyone about your book. Search out venues to provide presentations.

In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. If you were born under the sign of the snake, (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989), this may be your year!  “The snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist and a fortune teller. —Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep thinking and your intuition guides you strongly. –Keep your sense of humor about life.” From: www.chinatoday.com

Good Luck in 2013.snake eyes

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