Saints and Sinners 9.5, is made possible by the generosity of the John B. Harter Charitable Trust and the Hotel Monteleone. The event will provide attendees with plenty of opportunities for fun and learning all within the historic French Quarter in weather that will be anything but wintry. Below is information about this unique SAS FEST.

Update and Registration Information:
Registration for Saints and Sinner 9.5 is now open. The cost for the weekend pass is $95 and includes the following:

• Welcome Party/Book Launch Reading on Friday, May 18. You’ll also receive a copy of the anthology from the 3rd annual short fiction contest.
• A choice of one of four writing workshops/manuscript critique sessions for a full day of information on Saturday, May 19. Select from Jameson Currier, Fay Jacobs, Jeff Mann, or Radclyffe. Each workshop will include a two-hour morning session, as well as a three-hour block in the afternoon. A full day to get practical advice, tips, critiques and comments from your workshop facilitator and peers that have signed up for your chosen session. (Space is limited to 10 people per workshop)
• Saturday evening we will have an author reading/social event.
• And we’re planning a “publishing industry update” panel discussion for 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

QUESTIONS: If you have questions regarding Saints and Sinners 9.5, please feel free to contact Paul at: pjwillisnola@aol.com

To register: View the online order form. You will select the all access ticket with the name of your workshop facilitator, and you are all set for the weekend. If coming with a friend that is not signing up for the all day Saturday workshop, separate tickets can be purchased for Friday and Saturday evening events. If have questions about registration, or if you prefer to register over the phone, you can call us at: 504-581-1144.

Who should attend Saints and Sinners 9.5?
Any writer working on his or her first manuscript, whether a novel, collection of short stories, essays, or memoir can benefit from getting insight from our experienced and knowledgeable workshop facilitators. Authors interested in working within a new genre, or scribes who may want input regarding a new project would also benefit, as would those who want a new perspective on their work. We know we sometimes get in a rut with our own work, and as much as we value the critique of our trusted agent/writing group/Aunt Selma, we sometimes need a different voice to get things moving again.

By attending the 2012 event, you’re not only gaining valuable feedback on your writing, you’re also supporting an organization that values GLBT writing and helps sustain the efforts of the NO/AIDS Taskforce. Furthermore, you’ll be helping us build towards our 10th anniversary Festival in 2013!

AN ALL-STAR LINE UP
We’re so pleased to have lined up a stellar cast for our writing intensives. Participants in the weekend choose from one of four sessions on memoir, creative non-fiction, literary fiction, and genre work led by great writers from the GLBT community. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer and a little bit about the instructors. Not that their names aren’t super familiar already…

RADCLYFFE: Managing Point of View in Genre Fiction — Rules and When to Break Them

Choice of POV is one of the first decisions an author makes when writing genre fiction. The decision isn’t as easy it first appears — Does one POV work better for mystery versus fantasy? First or third? Limited or…not? What are the rules and are they “really” carved in stone? What is “deep” POV anyhow? This session is a practical workshop on how to get the most out of your POV character(s) in critical scenes using a combination of instructional examples and manuscript critiques.

Requirements: A writing sample of 1200 – 2000 words emphasizing character and action (as opposed to narrative) to be critiqued by session leader. Each member if the group will be provided with the samples prior to the workshops. Each critique will be shared during the session. Choose any type of scene (First meeting, first sex, first fight, first chapter). The writing sample must be emailed as an attachment (.doc or .rtf) to radclyffe.bsb@gmail.com by April 1, 2012.

Radclyffe has published over thirty-five novels as well as dozens of short stories, has edited numerous anthologies, and, writing as L. L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She is a three-time Lambda Literary Award winner, an RWA/FF&P 2010 Prism award winner, and a member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame. She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books.

JEFF MANN: Creative Non-Fiction — Telling It Like It Is
In this session, participants will learn ways to elevate their nonfiction beyond mere facts and figures. Sharing work with the class, facilitator Jeff Mann will offer insight on participants writing as well as provide samples of models to emulate.

Requirements: Participants should submit one essay or chapter of a larger nonfiction work for critique.

Jeff Mann is a professor and member of the graduate faculty at Virginia Tech University. His creative work spans several genres. His creative nonfiction deals with the gay/lesbian experience, as well as the vagaries of aging, the legacies of family, the many facets of eroticism, and travel in both Europe and North America. He is a Lambda Literary Award winner for his volume of short fiction, A History of Barbed Wire.

JAMESON CURRIER: Literary Fiction — It’s a Matter of Character
Award-winning author, editor and publisher Jameson Currier will facilitate a workshop focusing on literary narrative and character development. This workshop will be open to both short story writers and novelists. Participants will read and critique one another’s work and learn new strategies for making fictional characters come alive.

Requirements: Length of manuscript should be one short story or one chapter of a novel or memoir, not to exceed 7,500 words, sent in advance

Jameson Currier is the author of three novels and four collections of short fiction. A former member of the National Book Critics Circle, he has reviewed for numerous magazines and newspapers and served as a judge for several national literary competitions. He has been a participant and moderator in private writing workshops for more than thirty years. In 2010 he founded Chelsea Station Editions, an independent press devoted to gay literature, where he is editor, designer, and publisher. Among the authors the press has published in its first year are debut writers Craig Moreau, Michael Graves, and David Pratt, and veterans Felice Picano, Walter Holland, Wesley Gibson, Charles Silverstein, and Jon Marans. In the fall of 2011, he launched Chelsea Station, a new literary magazine of gay writing.

FAY JACOBS: Memoir — Defining a Life
Fay has recently taught a series of writing workshops on campuses in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area and an acclaimed Memoir course for the Rehoboth Beach Writer’s Guild. She teaches humor writing, memoir and editing, along with seminars in small publishing. Now, participants can learn from the author in this hands-on seminar and workshop. Avoid the navel-gazing and create a story of self that mesmerizes.

Requirements: A writing sample of a maximum of 7,500 words is required.

Fay Jacobs, a native New Yorker, spent 30 years in Washington, DC working in journalism, public relations and theater. She is the publisher of A&M Books, a successor to the legendary Naiad Press. Her first book, As I Lay Frying – a Rehoboth Beach Memoir (2004) is in its 3rd printing. A second essay collection, Fried & True – Tales from Rehoboth Beach won the 2008 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year for humor. Her latest, For Frying Out Loud – Rehoboth Beach Diaries won a ForeWord Reviews Humor Book of the Year, a Goldie Award, American Library Association Over the Rainbow nomination and the 2011 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year Award. The book just won the Rainbow Award for first place for the best lesbian non-fiction books of the year and second place for best lesbian book of the year from Elisa Reviews, an international contest featuring over 300 entries from around the globe. Fay has written for The Advocate, Curve Magazine, The Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, Delaware Beach Life and more. Contact Fay at www.aandmbooks.com

NEW HOST HOTEL? WELL, PLEASED TO MEET YOU…
We’re proud to announce our new partnership with The Hotel Monteleone, which will be the official host hotel and a major sponsor of Saints and Sinners 9.5. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Saints and Sinners and the Monteleone’s truly one-of-a-kind literary past. One of three literary landmark hotels in the country and a favorite haunt of Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and many contemporary authors including Winston Groom and Richard Ford.

The Hotel Monteleone is offering a discounted room rate of $185 for Saints and Sinners participants. You’ll need to book a room by March 30 to receive the discount rate. Ask for the Saints and Sinners room block.

SOUNDS FUN, DOESN’T IT?
We think so. So mark your calendars and sign up today for Saints and Sinners 9.5. Space is limited in each workshop. And while you’re at it, consider becoming a member, forwarding this newsletter to your friends, or spreading the word about our programs.

We’re also looking into additional housing options. The Olivier House always offers special and affordable rates to Saints and Sinners participants. Also, after you have registered, we will put you in touch with your workshop facilitator to submit your pages for critique. Additionally, we will coordinate to be sure that all participants receive the pages from the other attendees in their session for review before the event.

We look forward to seeing you in May!

We’d like to give you an update in regards to the future of the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. As many of you know, this past May marked the 9th annual event. We would like to move forward and produce/program a very special SAS Fest to celebrate the landmark 10th anniversary. In order to do that, we’ll be moving the full celebration to May of 2013.

The time and financial resources are just not available this year to produce a full scale Saints and Sinners—we’ve had some changes in staffing at the office, as well as some significant cuts in funding as the communities that support the arts tighten their belts. Although it has been a tough decision to make, we feel that it is the best decision to ensure we achieve our goal of a truly special 10th anniversary.

Plans are already in the works for 2013:

For the 10th anniversary we will be partnering with our new host hotel— The Hotel Monteleone. We are excited to mention two great literary voices are already confirmed for 2013—Val McDermid (at left, top) and Dorothy Allison (at left, bottom). We already have plans underway for new events and a new writing contest, so stay tuned as we’ll be sending regular updates regarding the 10th anniversary as they develop.

We look forward to seeing you at SAS 9.5 for our “hands-on” workshops, book launch party and a getaway to the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is sure to be a wonderful and educational weekend. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to continue to support Saints and Sinners by entering the short fiction contest, forwarding/posting information about the contest, becoming a member or renewing your membership, making plans to come for the 10th anniversary in 2013 and encourage a friend/new writer to attend with you.

We look forward to seeing you at our future events and as we build towards the next ten years of celebrating GLBT literature at its finest.

Contest Judge Dorothy Allison

We are pleased to announce the Saints and Sinners GLBT Literary Festival’s Third Annual Short Fiction Contest. SAS Fest is seeking original, unpublished short stories between 5,000 and 7,000 words with GLBT content on the broad theme of “Saints and Sinners.”

Judge: Dorothy Allison. The author of Bastard Out of Carolina and Cavedweller, Allison will select the winning stories.

Prize: One grand prize of $250 and two second place prizes of $50 will be awarded. In addition, the top stories will be published in an anthology from QueerMojo, an imprint of Rebel Satori Press. There will also be a book release party to promote the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans May, 2012.

Eligibility:

• The contest is open to authors at all stages of their careers and to stories in all genres.
• Only previously unpublished stories will be accepted.
• Stories that won this contest in previous years are ineligible; their authors remain eligible but must submit new work.
• Stories submitted to this contest in previous years that did not place are eligible.
• Stories that have won any other writing contest are ineligible.

Guidelines:

• Submissions should be in standard manuscript format (double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point font). Please include a word count on first page under the title.
• Your name and contact information should NOT appear on the manuscript.
• No bios or resumes. We only consider manuscript quality.
• Word Count: 5,000 to 7,000
• Submit only original, unpublished short stories.
• Theme (interpret as you wish): Saints and Sinners

Entry fee: $15 per story. There is no limit on the number of stories each author may enter.

Deadline: December 1, 2011 (postmark)

To enter by mail: download the entry form and send 2 copies of each story with a completed entry form and your $15 entry fee to

Saints and Sinners Short Fiction Contest
938 Lafayette Street, Suite 514
New Orleans, LA 70113

To enter online: Click the button below to pay online and upload your script. One script per transaction please. To enter more than one script, please complete the online entry process for each entry.

Fiction Contest Online Submission Step 1: Entry Fee

To begin the Fiction Contest submission process by paying your $15 entry fee, click the button below. Once you’ve paid your entry fee, you’ll be taken to the Entry Submission form to provide additional information and upload your contest entry.
Read the contest eligibility rules and guidelines above BEFORE you begin the online submission process. Submission fees are non-refundable.

“Saints & Sinners is hands down one of the best places to go to revive a writer’s spirit. Imagine a gathering in which you can lean into conversations with some of the best writers and editors and agents in the country, all of them speaking frankly and passionately about the books, stories and people they love and hate and want most to record in some indelible way. Imagine a community that tells you truthfully what is happening with writing and publishing in the world you most want to reach. Imagine the flirting, the arguing, the teasing and praising and exchanging of not just vital information, but the whole spirit of queer arts and creation. Then imagine it all taking place on the sultry streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. That’s Saints & Sinners—the best wellspring of inspiration and enthusiasm you are going to find. Go there.”
—Dorothy Allison, National Book Award finalist for Bastard Out of Carolina, and author of the critically acclaimed novel Cavedweller

And, without further ado, the winner is: SALLY BELEROSE, and our two runners-up are: FELICE PICANO and JOHN MORGAN WILSON.  

Here’s the list of “nominees” from each category:

Fiction Contest Finalists and winners:

• “Fishwives” by Sally Bellerose, Northampton, Massachusetts (WINNER)

• “Everyone Has a Shazam!” by Felice Picano, West Hollywood, California (RUNNER-UP)

• “The Kindness of Strangers” by John Morgan Wilson, West Hollywood, California (RUNNER-UP)

• “Backfire” by David-Matthew Barnes, Hampton, Georgia

• “Hometown Boy” by Nathan Burgoine, Ottawa, Ontario

• “Who the Hell is Rachel Wells?” by J.R. Greenwell, Cox’s Creek, Kentucky

• “Like Spinning Stars, Like Flowers” by Alex Jeffers, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

• “Off Balance” by Belea T. Keeney, Apex, North Carolina

• “Path of Gold” by Jeff Lindemann, Houston, Texas

• “Put That Record On, Fat Man” by Tasha C. Miller, Cambridge, Massachusetts

• “Forgiveness” by Joe Openshaw, Bessemer, Alabama

• “The Altruist” by Shawn Syms, Toronto, Ontario

• “Final Farewells” by Steve Scott, Rancho Mirage, California

• “The Cocktail Hour” by John Morgan Wilson, West Hollywood, California

Play Contest Finalists:

• “The Library of Tomorrow” by Jacob M. Appel, New York, NY

• “Circle” by Suzanne Bachner, New York, NY

• “Memorial” by Anna Renee Pattison, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

• “Bad Beans” by James Magruder, Baltimore, Maryland

• “Mona Lisa” by Ron Burch, Los Angeles, California

• “Suzzy Wells & the Supergirls” by Gerald Arthur Moore, Moncton, New Brunswick

• “From Prague” by Kyle Bradstreet, Brooklyn, New York

• “The Eleven O’Clock Number” by John Kane, West Hollywood, California

• “The Atoning” by Ray Connell Sawyer, Richmond Hill, Georgia

• “Driving to the Moon” by Kim Hanna, Tampa, Florida

• “Chez Gisele” by Dennis Ward, Opelousas, Louisiana

• “The Gallerist” by Fengar Gael, New York, New York

• “The Last Nights of the Sunshine Sage Club” by William Fowkes, New York, New York

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Instructor: Aaron Hamburger, Dessert Blogger

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