May 2026 Meeting Information

 

Join us Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11am

via ZOOM for

Marcus Barton presenting

a combo presentation

From Manuscript to Audiobook

and

The Human Touch:
Why Voice Actors Outshine AI in Audiobooks

Marcus's presentation serves as a dual-purpose guide for authors, detailing both the practical steps to producing an audiobook and the artistic argument for using human narrators. He'll outline the process of bringing a book to market, starting with finalizing the manuscript and preparing a narration-friendly script.

He'll speak to choosing between self-narration and hiring professionals through platforms like ACX or Findaway Voices. He'll compare distribution strategies—exclusive deals with Audible for higher royalties versus wide distribution for broader reach—and offer marketing tips such as leveraging promo codes and partnering with influencers.

And Marcus will also argue strongly for the "human touch" over AI in audiobook narration. While acknowledging that AI offers speed and cost efficiency, Marcus emphasizes that human actors provide superior emotional depth, character differentiation, and storytelling artistry that AI currently lacks.

Human narrators can adapt intuitively to context and direction, whereas AI often struggles with pronunciation, nuance, and delivering a "soulful" performance, offering a more immersive experience for listeners.

* * * * *

Marcus Barton is a Texas-based voice actor and audiobook narrator known for his deep, resonant, and authoritative voice. A retired combat veteran originally from Missouri, Marcus has established himself in the voice-over industry while also maintaining a career as a high school teacher.

 

May 2025 Meeting Information

 

Join us Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11am via Zoom for

Great (Editing) Expectations

Thanks for checking us out!

Anne will explore the process of finding a freelance editor. This will include a brief overview of the production process (which service/s you need) and also a discussion of how to vet candidates. You need to find someone who makes the editing process as smooth as possible, an editor you can mesh with who will help polish your manuscript and be a part of your production team for a long time to come.

* * * * *

About Anne:

My name is Anne Victory, and I’m the founder of Victory Editing. The business name isn’t just a gimmick or a catchy phrase–I came by it honestly.

So, how did I decide on editing as a career choice? Like many of my clients, I’ve been an avid reader since I was about five. I read thrillers, mysteries, some horror, true crime, science fiction, and of course, my great loves: romance and fantasy.

I’ve always been a stickler for grammar, and at every job I was “volunteered” (or volun-told) to either write or proofread everything from menus to game manuals to advertising copy. That business writing and editing experience came in handy when I started to work in fiction. I enjoy reading, and I enjoy polishing the written word. Common wisdom says do what you love and you’ll live a long and happy life. With my background in English literature, grammar, and library science, it was a fairly easy decision to work with authors.

In December of 2010, I started offering “final pass” proofreading services (also known as cold reads). Monique Martin jokingly called it “Oops Detection,” and the name stuck. Oops Detection® was an instant hit, and over time I had requests for manuscript-level services as well. In response to that growing demand, I expanded my services to offer editing in addition to after-formatting proofreading. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

April 2025 Meeting Information

 

Join us Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11am via Zoom for

Self-Promotion Doesn't Have to Be Scary:

How to Talk Authentically About Your Work

(otherwise known as self-promotion)

Whether it's in person or on-line, talking about your books and writing are the keys to connecting with readers and other writers, but it can feel very overwhelming to put yourself out there. Emily will talk about ways to reframe self-promotion and help with concrete plans for becoming your own best hype squad to every stage of your author career.

* * * * *

EMILY ROBERSON is an author, screenwriter and an Arkansan. She is the award-winning author of LIFESTYLES OF GODS & MONSTERS (Macmillan), a retelling of the Minotaur myth with a reality TV setting. Emily has been a bookseller in Little Rock, a newspaper reporter in Vicksburg, a marketing manager in Boston, and a writer in Chapel Hill and Dallas. She graduated from Brown University and has a master’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. She now lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, three sons and no pets. You can find her on the web at www.emilyrobersonbooks.com, on Instagram @robersonemilym, and on Bluesky and TikTok as @robersonemily.

 

November 2024 Meeting Information

 

JOIN US SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2024 at 11AM

VIA ZOOM

FOR

Tere Michaels
The Last Three Chapters

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

What best sells your next book? The ending of your previous book! A satisfying ending ties together all the pieces of your novel – the character arcs, the relationship arcs, the plot, the carefully laid out details – and gives the reader a feeling of completion and satisfaction. They have trusted you with their time and emotions and have been rewarded with an ending that makes them sigh (and recommend your book!).

The journey resulted in a positive experience and they will be open to taking that trip again with you, with your next book. A good ending feels like a story never ends in a reader’s mind and heart, and that means a continued satisfaction that you are responsible for. What better marketing is there?!

We’ll discuss all the parts of your story that need to be considered as you end your book – everything from major character arcs to little details. We’ll consider the big and small in concluding your story in a satisfying way to make your readers happy!

* * * * *

About Tere:

Tere Michaels writes happily ever afters in the big city – with heaps of snark, angst, and humor. Her focus is on characters and all the ridiculous ways they trip through life and love. She has written sixteen books, including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series, and The Vigilante superhero saga. She has two new series: Broadway or Bust, and The Love Broker. Her most recent book is “Undead Love Story.”

She has been presenting workshops on the writing process for ten years. She has taught at the RT Booklovers Convention, Liberty States Create Something Magical Conference, and RWA online classes, and done presentations and workshops for chapters of RWA, Liberty States, Sisters in Crime, and Horror Writers of America, as well as being a frequent instructor at SavvyAuthors. She taught and managed the RT Booklovers Convention Boot Camp. She is a plot whisperer/consultant/developmental editor and writing coach.

Send her a message through her website (www.teremichaels.com), her business website (www.writergarage.com) or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

 

October 2024 Meeting Information

 

JOIN US SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 2024 at 11AM

VIA ZOOM

FOR

Tere Michaels
Making a Good First Impression: The First Five Chapters 

Your opening chapters are a book’s first date with a reader. They’re going to make decisions on if this is the right match for them based on their first impressions. So how do we write engaging, enticing, informative first chapters that set up your story, your characters and keep readers reading?

In this workshop, we’ll discuss all the factors that go into creating a smart and effective start to your book.

• How much information is too much? Not enough?
• Are you starting in the right place in your timeline?
• What are genre expectations?
• How are your readers emotionally engaging with your story and your characters?

We’ll also touch on additional topics such as POV, red herrings, worldbuilding and more.

* * * * *

About Tere:

Tere Michaels writes happily ever afters in the big city – with heaps of snark, angst, and humor. Her focus is on characters and all the ridiculous ways they trip through life and love. She has written sixteen books, including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series, and The Vigilante superhero saga. She has two new series: Broadway or Bust, and The Love Broker. Her most recent book is “Undead Love Story.” 

She has been presenting workshops on the writing process for ten years. She has taught at the RT Booklovers Convention, Liberty States Create Something Magical Conference, and RWA online classes, and done presentations and workshops for chapters of RWA, Liberty States, Sisters in Crime, and Horror Writers of America, as well as being a frequent instructor at SavvyAuthors. She taught and managed the RT Booklovers Convention Boot Camp. She is a plot whisperer/consultant/developmental editor and writing coach.

Send her a message through her website (www.teremichaels.com), her business website (www.writergarage.com) or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

July 2024 Meeting Information

 

JOIN US SATURDAY JULY 20, 2024 at 11AM

via ZOOM for

S.Z. Gray

presenting

How to Build Your Author Brand Using Social Media 

In this class, you’ll learn how to harness the power of social media to establish and grow your author brand. We’ll cover essential strategies for creating engaging content, building a loyal audience, and effectively promoting your books. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your online presence, this course will provide you with practical tips and real-world examples to help you navigate the complexities of social media marketing. 

We’ll explore various platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads, focusing on how to use each one to its full potential. You’ll discover the importance of posting regularly, keeping a social media schedule, and building off the followers you have. Additionally, we’ll delve into the importance of reciprocity on social media and why it’s more than just converting followers into sales. By the end of the class, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building a compelling author brand that resonates with your target audience and stands out in the crowded digital landscape.

May 2024 Meeting Information

 

Join us May 18 at 11AM via Zoom for Alessandra Torres

Authors and AI: What the Future Looks Like

AI can be scary for authors - but there are some exciting tools that it unlocks, ones that won't intrude on your creative process or your book's rights. In this presentation, a bestselling author (and CEO of an AI tech company) will share how she uses AI in her research, marketing, and editorial processes - and how you can best protect your IP while still benefiting from the latest advancements in technology.

* * * * *

Alessandra (AR) Torre is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty romance and suspense novels. She is an Edgar Award nominee and has sold more than 3M copies of her books.

Since 2020, Alessandra has been the CEO of Authors AI, a company that uses artificial intelligence to aid in the editorial and book discovery process. In addition, Alessandra is the co-founder of Inkers Con, an annual events company for authors.