Hi folks,

There are a few spots still left for next year's WRW. We've got some great guests who will be here. Hope to see some of y'all there!

Blue skies,
Les

Writers Retreat Workshop 2017 May 6 - 13    San Antonio, TX

The 30th year of Writers Retreat Workshopfeatures, as always, top authors, instructors, agents and editors. Work with all our of visiting and core staff in classrooms, diagnostic groups, and 1-1 sessions. Only 35 new and returning writers will attend...will you be one? We're thrilled to announce our newest visiting author for 2017. Mystery and thriller novelist Reavis Wortham returns for his second year after the announcement of his newest thriller series published by Kensington Publishing (July 2017) featuring Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke. Wortham's long-running series, the Red River Mysteries, has a new installment titled Unraveled (Red River Publishing). Yes, Reavis has two series titles with two publishers. He's prolific, fabulous, and we're very excited to welcome him back to WRW. Lisa Cron's newest book-of-craft for writers is titledStory Genius. Her first book, Wired For Story, challenged writers in a refreshing way. In the last month I've spoken to writers who are reading Cron's books and, with all the workshops and classes they've attended, Cron's "brain science" approach has opened new doors in all aspects of their Story. It's a rarity to be with Lisa in an intimate setting like WRW. If you haven't read her work, do your inner artist a favor and read them now. Thriller novelist Daniel Palmer returns to WRW with the publication of his pre-order novel, Forgive Me, (called by early reviewers "10 stars...his best book yet"). In 2016, Daniel released his novel Constant Fear, and in early 2017 is the publication of a novel he finished along with his father, NYT bestselling author (and amazing man much missed by all), Michael Palmer titled Mercy. It's a busy year for Daniel, and we're grateful he's spending part of that time with the WRW family. Les Edgerton is one of our most-in-demand authors, instructors, and guy we love to have around. Les' latest novel, Bomb!, is getting him even more rave reviews than the dozen plus earlier fabulous works. Joe Lansdale says, "Les Edgerton has swiftly become my favorite crime writer. Original voice, uncompromising attitude and a pure hardboiled style leap him to the front ranks of my reading list. He will become legendary.” He's already legendary in our world. Agents and additional visiting staff yet to be announced. Of course, our WRW core staff of the brilliant Carol Dougherty, Jason Sitzes and Lisa Willars-Pirc will be on hand to lead the way. We're welcoming back WRW family to lead Night Owl and Early Bird sessions, show folks the ropes, run diagnostic groups, and make WRW 2017 the best yet. Visit our website for more information. We hope to welcome you, your story, your characters, and your hopes/dreams in May. -Jason . If you're in the mood for something sooner... how about next month in Pennsylvania with a terrific line-up? Wake Up and Write Writers Retreat Workshop Nov 14 - 19, 2016 Haverford, PA with David Corbett, Tex Thompson, Carol Dougherty, and Jason Sitzes Wake Up and Write Writer's Retreat Workshopis a craft-oriented workshop with the focus squarely on your work-in-progress, and what we can do to help you unlock the potential of the story you want to tell. The workshop is limited to 25 students in order to provide each student an opportunity for several one-on-one consultations with our staff. In addition, we will offer classes for all students, optional informal sessions on a variety of topics, and diagnostic sessions in small groups, plus plenty of writing time. Editorial and Coaching Whether you're writing for a publisher, or writing toward your own independent goals, your story will be improved using the eyes and insight of a professional editor. Work with Jason personally and receive 1-1 conversations, audio reports, and detailed comments based on your work. This is not copy editing, and you won't receive form 'lectures'. Every word of feedback is specific to your manuscript. You receive not only story development feedback on character, description, pacing, scene and sentence structure, but also conceptual lessons and personal feedback to last through the next project and the next. With over 15 years working with hundreds of writers through manuscript evaluations and 1-1 sessions, you'll work directly with WRW Program director/instructor Jason Sitzes. Jason specializes in teaching through explanation and example. Also available for 1-1 instruction, reading your work, and feedback/brainstorming in your town or Austin.  Contact us for more information and to discuss the many options available to you regardless of where you are in the writing process. Lisa Cron Daniel Palmer Reavis Wortham Les Edgerton

STUFF'S HAPPENIN'!

Hi folks,

Lot of stuff going on! Just returned from Indy where I gave a workshop on Thelma & Louise and then had dinner with Joe Lansdale. And now, it’s gonna get busy up in here!

Me and Joe Lansdale in Indy.

On May 12, I fly to Austin, Texas where that night at 7 pm I get to take part in a Noir @ the Bar event, hosted by Scott Montgomery of Texas largest independent bookstore, Book People, at the Threadgill’s Bar on Riverside Drive. If you’re in the area, stop in and listen to me, Jesse Sublett, Con Lehane and Jordan Harper reading our stuff. For details, check here: http://www.bookpeople.com/event/noir-bar-feat-les-edgerton-jordan-harper-con-lehane-jesse-sublett

Scott Montgomery and Reavis Wortham at BookPeople

Then, as soon as we’re done, Scott is going to drive me over to San Antonio where I’ll be for the next week at the Writer’s Retreat Workshop (WRW) at the Oblate Retreat as a staffer. Bunch of really good folks appearing there, including Reavis Wortham, Tex Thompson, David Corbett, Michelle Johnson, Matthew Brock, Carol Dougherty, Jason Sitzes, Marjorie Brody, Carl Brush, Scott Montgomery, and Lisa Pirc.

 Marjorie Brody leading a morning session at WRW.

 Carol Dougherty in a one-on-one session with a participant at WRW.

 The Grotto at Oblate Renewal Center. Just a peaceful, gorgeous place... and the food is fantastic!

 Me and Reavis Wortham at MysteryPeople at BookPeople.

 Matt Brock leading a class at WRW.

 Me, doing my thing at WRW.

Some of the back row "bad boys" at WRW...

As it turns out, four more openings for participants for WRW just became available. If interested, just go to their webpage for complete info. If you can swing it, I think you’ll find it to be an experience truly transformative for your writing career. At http://www.writersretreatworkshop.com/index.html

Yesterday, I was honored to have my book BOMB! reviewed on the Booked Podcast. Check it out at:http://www.bookedpodcast.com/304-bomb/

And, a few days back, I had a ton of fun being interviewed by Tom Pitts on his podcast, Skid Row Chatter, on the Authors on the Air podcast. Check it out at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsontheair/2016/04/21/the-fantastic-felonies-major-misdemeanors-of-les-edgerton-on-skid-row-chatter

That’s all, folks! Hope to see some of you at some of these events. And, I know it's short notice, but if you can make it to WRW I think you'll discover it to be a major turning point in your writing career.

Blue skies,

Les

BACK HOME FROM TEXAS--GREAT TIME!

Hi Folks,

It’s time to report on my two weeks in Texas! I’m a bit late on doing this as when I returned home a bunch of things happened. First, I had to decompress! Still doing that, but almost fully recovered.

And, then, my son-in-law, Ray Robinson notified me that he’s interested a financial group in Louisville to hopefully finance a short version of my novel, THE BITCH, which he hopes to enter at Cannes and Sundance in an effort to interest investors in the full-length version. He’s writing the screenplay now.

I’m also about to begin strategizing the promotion of my screenplay of THE GENUINE, IMITATION, PLASTIC KIDNAPPING with Voyage Media and producer John Crye. I’m very excited about the possibilities.

And, I needed to get back up to speed with my brilliant writing class—it’s a true labor of love to be able to work with such a group of extremely talented writers, each of whom are going to end up with publishable novels.

But… Texas was wonderful! And, I get to do it again next year.

First, I flew in to San Antonio a couple of days early, to stay with my good friend, novelist Marjorie Brody. She’d arranged an appearance in her home with her San Antonio Writer’s Group. We had about twenty-five writers appear and I had a fantastic time. Hopefully, we’ll get to do it again next year.

(Photo of Marjorie and me at WRW--taken by Gail Provost)

Then, Marjorie and I went on to the Oblate Renewal Center for the Writer’s Retreat Workshop  with Jason Sitzes and Gail Provost, where Marjorie was a participant and hosted the Early Morning Sessions and I was on the staff.

Marjorie leading a Morning Session.

What a gorgeous place!

Above, the back row at a class and below, presenter Carol Dougherty.

There, I met up again with fellow staffers and old friend Don Maass, and a guy I met in Oklahoma a couple of weeks before and recommended to Jason that he ask him to present at WRW—Richard Thomas, editor for Dark House Press and writer extraordinaire. I was anxious also to meet one of the members of our private online class who was attending—Connie Fulmer. Connie turned out to be as wonderful a person in real life as she is in cyberspace in our class, and I’m so darned proud of her—fellow staffer Carol Dougherty showed a movie and asked everyone to point out the inciting incident and Connie was the only one to nail it. Yes! Connie also had a major breakthrough in her writing while there and is already enrolled in next year’s WRW. It’s a life-altering experience for a great many of those who attend.

Don Maass teaching a class.

Richard was a huge hit with everyone and the more I get to hang with him, the more I know it’s gonna be good times whenever he’s in the vicinity. Just a great literary mind and a terrific person—the kind of guy you want to have beers with.

 

I also got to meet a young lady I’d met in the class I co-taught via Skype with Jenny Milchman for the New York Writer’s Workshop a couple of years ago, who came up and introduced herself with the name I’d given her in class—Apple. Her real name was Jacqui Wolf and she turned out to be one of my new best friends. Got to hang out with a bunch of new friends and old ones as well. Terrific people and writers such as Alexandra Marbach, Barbara Clarke, Camile Di Maio, Carol Dougherty, Diane LaCombe, Connie Fulmer, Ellan Otero, Joni Hahn, Katrina Stonoff, Larry Brill, Linda Moore, Linda Zimmerman, Lisa Pirc, Macaire Hill, Marilyn Tucker, Marjorie Brody, Mary Bowers, Matt Brock, Michalea Moore, Patty Mayeaux, Rick Bylina, Suanne Shafter and Wondra Chang.

Got to meet and hang out with Matt Brock, one of the presenters and an old friend of Jason’s. Matt teaches at the University of Tennessee and went to school at Ole Miss, where he took classes from and hung out with the likes of Barry Hannah! Man! Doesn’t get any better than that! And, he’s a fantastic writer and was the only other one besides me that smoked so we logged a lot of “bench time.” In fact, Wondra told me she had a visual image of me sitting on the bench outside the rooms, smoking, and that would appear in her novel… Can’t wait… maybe…

Matt Brock giving talks at WRW

Several of us got to go down to the Riverwalk and that’s always a fun time!

Katrina “Hurricane” Stonoff (I gave her the nickname and she was… a hurricane), did what no man or woman has ever done before—embarrassed me by singing to me in the cafeteria… I played it off, but she really did embarrass me. Now she knows… J I have wonderful memories of each and every person!

During the retreat, I rented a car and traveled to Austin for a day on May 16 to deliver my Thelma&Louise presentation to the Writer’s League of Texas  and there were about twenty-five people in attendance—a terrific group! I got to hang out with Rodney Sprott and when we were done, he took me to the oldest bar in the U.S. where they were filming a documentary and we had an adult beverage and really connected.

Giving my Thelma and Louise presentation

After the week at WRW, I got to go home with Jason and his beautiful fiancé, Lisa, to their home in Austin where I got to hang out with them and Lisa’s three terrific kids, 

 (Working with Jack on his batting stance and throwing mechanics)

and then, on Saturday, spent all day with Scott Montgomery at the BookPeople Bookstore https://mysterypeople.wordpress.com/ as a guest of his and Gale Albright, Vice-President of the Sisters in Crime, Heart of Texas chapter, sitting on a panel with fantastic writers Reavis Wortham and George Weir, and then doing a signing. I was totally surprised when one of the participants at WRW, Camille Di Maio, showed up with her husband. Camille has one of the most interesting stories of the century! She’d written a novel based on the Paul McCartney song, Eleanor Rigby, and during a concert she’d attended in San Antonio, McCartney brought her up on stage and read a page from her novel! Just a wonderful person and wonderful writer. Look for her book—it’s gonna be a mega seller when it comes out next year.

George Weir, Reavis Wortham, Scott Montgomery and moi...

After the signing, I got to go out with Scott and George Weir and his wife, Jason and Lisa, and a few other of the attendees for a bite to eat and some adult beverages and they all bit the bullet for me, sitting out in a misty rain so I could do my bit in keeping the tobacco industry flourishing… All I can say is I appreciate it but if anyone develops pneumonia it wasn’t my fault… I have an alibi…

Jason and Lisa took me to some really cool places and I got to eat some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had… since the last time I was in Texas. The weather wasn’t typical. During the two weeks I spent there, I saw the sun a total of about two hours… But, that was a good thing. Last year, it was hot, hot, hot and allergy season was in full bloom and I lost 25 pounds and came home half-dead. This year, I gained weight! (An ounce and a half, at least…)

It was just a wonderful couple of weeks and the best thing is I get to repeat it all next year. Plus, I’d suggested to Jason that he consider asking my hero Joe Lansdale to appear as a presenter and unless something changes, Joe will be there next year! I frickin’ can’t wait!

So much more happened that I just don’t have room to report on. Just an absolutely mind-blowing two weeks. If you can swing it, I’d recommend attending WRW. It’ll change your live. And, if you’re considering it, I wouldn’t wait long—they’re already filling up all the spots for next year.

Hope to see some of y’all there!

Blue skies,

Les

 Jason Sitzes and Camille Di Maio during a class.

The grotto at Oblate Renewal Center

Part of the audience at my T ^ Louise presentation.

More folks in class.