In December, we got together for a Holiday Party. It was so nice to celebrate this festive time of year with our VFRW sisters.

Cheers for a terrific 2011, and we look forward to the opportunities that the new year brings!

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In November, we discussed attracting readers through social media with our very own Lynn Kellan. Blogging, Twitter, and Facebook can build your audience long before your first novel hits the shelves. Social media gives published authors a way to stay engaged with their readers and attract new fans between book releases. Lynn gave  us a brief overview of each platform and demonstrated how social media can showcase someone really special: YOU!

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If you’ve been writing for more than ten minutes, you’ve probably thought about quitting. But for every reason to quit, there are more reasons to keep going. Learn to turn your inner critic into your inner cheerleader. Lisa Stone Hardt will lead us in a upbeat, interactive exchange of ideas about how to stay positive in an industry that’s famous for pessimism and bad news. We’ll look at some of the most common reasons writers quit: intimidation and self-doubt, boredom, and financial burden. Why do these issues affect us the way they do, and how can we fight back?

Lisa Stone Hardt began her career at Dell Publishing, where she learned the editorial craft from several of the best mass-market editors in the business. With the founding of LSH Editorial Services in September, 2010, Lisa has followed her heart back to the editorial desk, where she once again helps established and aspiring authors find the sparkle in their work. Lisa specializes in romance, fantasy, women’s fiction and YA, and will consider non-fiction projects on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about Lisa at LSHEditorialServices.com.

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