• Event

    Bitter Spirits Book Discussion

    Upcoming June STAR Meeting

    What makes an award-winning book?

    June 22nd 6:30 PM Tioga County Office Building, Owego

    Book discussion of tBitter Spiritshe RITA finalist, paranormal romance Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett

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  • Uncategorized

    Rhonda Penders On Romance Publishing

    typing fingersRhonda Penders from The Wild Rose Press to speak at Southern Tier Authors of Romance on Monday, May 18, meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Tioga County Office Building Auditorium, in Owego. Free and open to those who are interested in learning about publishing in today’s quickly changing industry. Ms. Penders will take pitches on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about The Wild Rose Press, go to: http://www.thewildrosepress.com.

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  • Inspiration,  Presidents Desk,  Using Social Media

    Security for Writers

    How much exposure is too much?

    As writers, we are advised to use social media to publicize our works and reach out to readers. However, it is easy to get lulled into thinking we can share anything. Ronie Kendig, a best-selling author of military suspense, gives the following tips for personal safety, and for when posting to social media.using facebook

    1. Never reveal your address. Consider using a post office box for your business address.
    2. Never reveal you are not at home.
    3. Don’t identify members of your family by their names. Use nicknames.
    4. Don’t post photos of your children or grandchildren that show them clearly in identifiable locations.
    5. Don’t give anyone access to your social media sites. Only you should post on your site.
    6. Anything you put in writing, including personal messages, can be accessed. Post only things you want public.
    7. Report threats and stalking. Unfriend people who make you uncomfortable.

    To get more details read Ronie’s blog post at Novel Rocket 

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  • Event,  Inspiration,  Presidents Desk,  Publishing

    Getting Published

    magic bookI wrote a book…now what?

    “I wrote a book. It sucked. I wrote nine more books. They sucked, too. Meanwhile, I read every single thing I could find on publishing and writing, went to conferences, joined professional organizations, hooked up with fellow writers in critique groups, and didn’t give up. Then I wrote one more book.” ― Beth Revis

    “A person who publishes a book willfully appears before the populace with his pants down. If it is a good book nothing can hurt him. If it is a bad book nothing can help him.” ― Edna St. Vincent Millay

    “I finished my first book seventy-six years ago. I offered it to every publisher on the English-speaking earth I had ever heard of. Their refusals were unanimous: and it did not get into print until, fifty years later; publishers would publish anything that had my name on it.”
    ― George Bernard Shaw

    There’s nothing more exciting and difficult then getting something you’re written published so it can be shared with your friends and the world. On March 16th Emma Barron will lead a discussion on ways to get published. We will be meeting at the Tioga County Office Building at 6:30 PM. See you there. Joan

    “If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.”― Roopleen

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  • Event,  Presidents Desk

    STAR in 2015

    STAR LogoSouthern Tier Writers of Romance begins its 21st year of existence with enthusiasm for writing romance. This is the best time to be a romance novelist. The romance genre represents 13% of the adult fiction market. 39% of all romance is now published in e-book format. Publishing opportunities abound.  If you have been thinking of becoming a romance writer, this is the time to do so.

    STAR is a small group of dedicated writers who come together to share their successes and hopes. Almost half of our members are published. Others are in the process of preparing finished manuscripts. Others are just starting out.

    This year we will be reaching out to those who wonder if writing romance is for them. On Feb 7th we will be holding a Roundtable Session: Writing Romance at the George F. Johnson Public Library in Endicott NY. We invite anyone who is curious about writing romance or loves reading romance to come join us.

    Joan Koster, President

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