Time: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
In Attendance:
Paul Benninghoff
Joan Bodefeld
Cathy Dzuibla
Pam Gonzalez
Jackie Huppenthal
Luneil Morrow
Sharon Palmeri
Judy Whitcomb
Magic Hour Writers is now on Facebook. Thanks Paul!
Joan passed out a poem entitled Ode. She stated she would prefer everyone to read it later at home. It is a personal account of her life and feelings after the recent death of her husband.
Pam is over her writer's block and has been writing more for adults lately. She has been working on a fiction piece entitled Dear Sophia that reads like a daily journal entry. The story can be found on her online blogsite. She is also excited about starting her new internet business. She has already taken the first several steps that are needed including becoming a LLC Corporation and obtaining a domain name and tax id number.
Sharon had an article posted through The Times online newspaper in the Community Section. It was about the Brickie Fest Reunion she helped coordinate. Sharon is finalizing the details of the Write-On Hoosiers Annual Banquet. The dinner will be the second Wednesday in December at Lakes of the Four Seasons, in Crown Point. The cost is $22.50. All writers are invited and can bring a guest(s), please get check to Sharon at your earliest convenience.
Jackie announced four of her photos won ribbons in the Lake County Fair and passed around pictures from her vacation.
Luneil read Live Challenges and Life, a 16 line poem.
Judy announced that the Indiana Writers' Constorium is planning its annual banquet to take place on a Thursday evening this October. Judy is on the planning committee and looking into speakers, possible sites and their menu options. All writers of any level are invited to attend. Look for flyers next month once date is secured.
Paul Benninghoff was our guest speaker.
He is the author of Images of America, Dyer published by Arcadia Publishing in 2010.
Most of his information came from these archives while other information was obtained through the web and other various historical societies. He used Wikipedia as a stepping stone but always validated facts he came across. Some interviews were in video form. Hundreds of photos were gathered and captions were written. Those from the historical societies were in public domain. Paul also worked on breaking the book down into chapters and had to write an introduction for each.
The Library of Congress will do research and assist those working on a genealogy project or individuals who express a personal interest in history and are looking for specific answers.
Paul discussed some of the process he went through first to obtain Arcadia Publishing as a publisher. Arcadia books follow a strict format as well. He had a good experience working with their staff but it was his responsibility to format the book and develop a marketing plan.
Paul worked on the book for five years, much longer than he anticipated. It was unveiled for the Town of Dyer Centennial. He was assigned a public relations person to assist with book signings. Books were made available at bookstores, events and anniversaries, museums, university bookstores and coffee shops. Over two hundred were sold in the first nine months. Paul did not have to put out any money and choose to have any proceeds benefit the Dyer Historical Society.
Paul discussed his interest in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train wreck that occurred in Hammond, IN in 1918. He is writing an article about the tragedy for Region Rambler. He also recommended How to Write a Book Proposal by Larsen.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
