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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
April 2006
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Dear writer:
The 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop was a huge hit. Seventy-two percent of
attendees gave the workshop a rating of 9 or 10. And 70 percent said the knowledge and
connections they gained at the workshop will cover the full cost of attending or cover far
more than the cost of attending. Wow!
For those of you who didn't make it to the 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, you can
Many workshop attendees wrote about the workshop. We've included some of their columns
and articles below. Enjoy them and mark your calendar for spring 2008, when the next
workshop will be held.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
2006 WORKSHOP RECAP
Getting to the workshop...
I'm headed for Dayton and I'm actually happy about it
by Gordon Kirkland, Orangeville Citizen
"One of the greatest honors in my career has been the invitation two years ago to join the faculty the Workshop, something that no other Canadian writer can lay claim to." Read more.
The only way to follow Dave Barry is riding on one wheel and throwing candy
by Susan Reinhardt, Asheville Citizen-Times
"The gig I am heading to is one I am probably not qualified to handle. Somehow, through too much wine and a crowd of rowdies, I ended up becoming one of the keynote speakers for the annual Erma Bombeck National Writers' Workshop in Dayton and am leaving today on a jet plane, though the ticket man couldn't understand my Southern and I couldn't understand his Burmese." Read more.
Stalking Dave Barry
by Dave Fox
"I'm off this morning to the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in Dayton, Ohio. Dave Barry is the keynote speaker. Dave Barry is my idol. He will be signing books after his talk tomorrow night. I am very afraid." Read more.
At the workshop...
An Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop report
by Ron Rollins, Dayton Daily News
"Writers workshops are many, but UD’s is one of the best around … attended mostly by people from outside the Dayton area, I met folks this weekend from Canada, California, New York and Oregon who attended." Read more.
Dave Barry in Dayton: He's still kinda funny!
by Ron Rollins, Dayton Daily News
"Humorist Dave Barry kicked off the 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton Thursday evening by cluing in about 350 fellow scribblers on how to make people laugh — along with a bunch of other silly stuff." Read more.
Bombeck documentary shown at UD event
by Bob Batz, Dayton Daily News
"Erma would have loved it. On Friday night, with Erma Bombeck's family looking on, the first TV documentary about the humorist was unveiled in her hometown." Read more.
Timeless humor
by Teri Rizvi
"When 350 writers saw the premiere of the first documentary produced about Erma Bombeck's life, they were quick to applaud her legacy. 'On behalf of all the Erma wannabes, most of us feel we're not worthy to touch the fuzz on her house slippers,' one writer quipped as the Bombeck family and the audience erupted into laughter." Read more.
Writers give words of wisdom at workshop
by Lauren Caggiano, Flyer News
"We all could use some help perfecting our writing. As Erma Bombeck said herself, 'And if you think it gets any easier for professional writers, you’re wrong.' The 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop was just the remedy for those suffering from a bout of writer’s block." Read more.
Back home again...
The Erma Bombecks of Podunk
by Karyl Miller
"I just flew in from the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop and boy, is my jaw tired. I’m sick of talking. I was out of practice. A writer is a hermit. Some days, the only sentence I utter is 'ExCUSE ME! I’m on the DO NOT CALL list!'" Read more.
At the Erma Bombeck workshop, I learned about goddesses, stalking and how hard to throw things
by Susan Reinhardt, Asheville Citizen-Times
"I waited, mingling with other writers and then held out my book to him. I had bought 'Boogers are My Beat,' thinking that would be right up my entertainment alley." Read more.
A good Barry trip to Dayton
by Rick Steelhammer, The Charleston Gazette
"In the realm of the bush-league humor columnist, there’s nothing that gets the blood pumping like an expenses-paid trip to a conference in an exotic city, and the chance to meet a humor columnist superstar like Dave Barry. Okay, Dayton, Ohio, may not seem that exotic to many of you, but it holds many exciting and mysterious memories for me." Read more
My moment with Dave Barry
by Linda Crow
"Oh my gosh--he’s flushing right now! I hear him flushing! Dave Barry! Flushing!" Read more.
Barry knows best
by Judy Epstein
"I have just returned from a writing conference where Dave Barry, Pulitzer-Prize- winning colossus of the humor-writing field, gave a key piece of advice to all us wanna-bes: 'Sit down at your computer with a cup of coffee, first thing every morning, and don’t get up till 1,000 words have appeared on your computer screen.'” Read more.
No news is good news, right?
by Jill Jacks-Tate
"I don’t typically venture too far from my cubs solo, but when the opportunity arose to attend the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop in Dayton, Ohio, I sprang from the den like a lioness hot on the heels of an injured gazelle." Read more.
Excursions
by Joy Richardson
"I’d laughed so hard by the time I’d shuttled from the airport to the Dayton Marriott Hotel, going home even then would have left me fulfilled. I was to attend the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton." Read more.
How do you get there from here?
by Terry Whalin
"The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton was an exceptional conference. It has a maximum of 300 participants and is held every other year. This year’s conference sold out in a matter of weeks." Read more.
Other news...
THE GIFT OF LAVENDER by Lynn Colwell
Sometimes being a writer isn’t about writing at all. It’s about recognizing our humanity and what we need to be happy.
SAY GOODBYE TO PAPERBACKS
Say goodbye to hardcovers as well. BusinessWeek describes the new trend of books available on digital devices. Read more.
WANT TO BE A WRITER?
Inc. magazine explains how to become an author in five easy steps. Step 6? Cash your royalty checks and become a recluse. Read more.
AN INTERVIEW ABOUT AN INTERVIEW
LouAnn Edwards interviewed Lynn Colwell about her experience interviewing Erma Bombeck. Read more.
FAT TUESDAY AND ASH WEDNESDAY WITH ART BUCHWALD
President of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, Suzette Standring, wrote a heartwarming and humorous column about visiting Buchwald in hospice. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
KATE FRATTI
Kate Fratti, whose column appears on PhillyBurbs.com, has been standing in front of the mirror trying to look mysterious and alluring. It makes her husband and the dog nervous. Visit her Web site.
Who's publishing what?
WORKSHOP FACULTY
KIRKLAND DOES IT AGAIN: Canadian author, syndicated columnist and entertainer Gordon Kirkland has been named one of the five finalists for the 2006 Stephen Leacock Award For Humour for his third book When My Mind Wanders It Brings Back Souvenirs (2005, AuthorHouse). This is the third time he has been named a finalist for the award. His first book Justice Is Blind – And Her Dog Just Peed In My Cornflakes (1999, Harbour Publishing) and his second, Never Stand Behind A Loaded Horse (2004, Thistledown Press) both received the Leacock Award of Merit.
YOGA FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE: Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant's new book will stretch your writing to funny new places. You’ll laugh yourself silly with exercises like Bi-Polar Express, Faking It, Genre Deficit Disorder, I’m Not as Dumb as I Look, Separation Anxiety, and That’s So Formulaic. Read more.
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
FORMER ATTENDEE HITS THE BIG TIME: Patti Lawson is scheduled to appear in an interview in the May issue of O Magazine. During April, Patti will be doing signings of her new book, The Dog Diet, in Richmond, Va.; New York City; Ramsey, NJ and Hartford, CT.
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
Markets, contests and more
A FREELANCER’S PARADISE: The American Society of Journalists and Authors has developed a Web site allowing editors to search for freelancer writers, and freelance writers to search for editors and project managers. Read more.
LITERARY SYMPOSIUM IN DAYTON: Oct. 6-7, 2006, the Pen to Paper Literary Symposium will take place in Dayton, Ohio. Dan Poynter is one of the featured speakers. Read more.
ADD HUMOR TO YOUR SPEECHES: Gene Perret, author of Damn! That’s Funny, is offering a 12 week course in tailoring you jokes, anecdotes and quotes to fit your style. Read more.
TONY HILLERMAN CONFERENCE: Offering a $1500 prize and publication in Cowboys & Indians Magazine. Read more.
EMBARASSMENT AT THE WORKPLACE: Aspen Mountain Publishing is seeking humorous stories about your first real job after college. Send your stories to Jason Smith at jason.smith@aspenmtnpublishing.com
HAVE AN EMPTY NEST?: Send your stories about your empty nest or how you are anticipating your empty nest for a chance at publication. Stories must be 500 words or less. Read more.
COFFEE LOVERS: Does your day start with a double mocha latte? Need an espresso to lift your eyelids? Coffee shop walls can't talk, so PathBinder Publishing needs your stories. Read more.
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NETWORK WITH OTHER HUMOR WRITERS: Network with other humor writers. Join the e-mail discussion group for past attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and those who would like to attend in the future. Join now.
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SUGGEST A RESOURCE: If you have a favorite book or Web site, let us know at bete@udayton.edu.
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Copyright 2006, University of Dayton
