Writers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area exchanged ideas on the craft of writing and publishing during a book signing event at Geisha Steak and Sushi in Plano Tuesday night. Debbie Reece, the featured author, signed copies of her children’s book “The Christmas Pumpkin,” as she shared her experiences as a writer.
The function was organized by The Muse Literary Mingle, a happy hour event-planning outlet that focuses on the thriving and growing Dallas-Forth Worth community. Each monthly event features a local author, publisher, agent or industry professional. More than 20 people attended the event.
“The Christmas Pumpkin” tells the story of a boy who decides to show what a green pumpkin can do for Christmas. While pumpkins are historically associated with the Thanksgiving holiday, James’ insistence in thinking outside the box ultimately proves that believing in something can bear unexpected results.
Reece said she was inspired to write the book by her 8-year-old son Matthew.
“I never planned to be an author,” Reece said during an interview at the event. “The book took shape as I wrote what Matthew did.”
With time, her writings mushroomed into a book.
Katherine Smith, the founder of “The Muse Literary Mingle,” formed the organization hoping to create a link between professionals from the publishing field and writers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She said she wanted to correct the myth that writers must send their manuscripts to be published in Los Angeles or New York.
“My goal is that five years from now, Dallas-Forth Worth will be considered the central location for publishing,” Smith, who is also an author, said. Smith previously hosted a syndicated morning radio show with ABC Radio.
Smith said that while the top seven media conglomerates have been gobbling each other in the last decade, focusing on publishing works of celebrities, new publishing opportunities have emerged for aspiring writers. She said they can take advantage of the social media to market their books.
“Most writers don’t believe they have to sell books. They need to be able to speak in front of audiences to promote their books,” Smith said. “Nobody knows your book better than you. You have to speak for your characters. If not, your voice will be silenced.”
Dallas author Debbie Lewis, who attended the event, said technological advancements in the publishing industry present a double-edged sword where anyone who can write publishes, whether the work deserves merit or not.
“In order to write quality books, the writer needs to be involved in every aspect of marketing after the book is published,” Lewis said. “You have to educate yourself in order to take advantage of the new marketing avenues.”
The Muse Literary Mingle hosts monthly events at Geisha Steak and Sushi in Plano. Information on forthcoming events can be found at www.preface-entertainment.com.
