Bestselling author on tap for next Bootheel Writers meeting

A pool of talented writers continues to grow at the Dunklin County Library Main Branch at Kennett.

Published authors John and Carol Fisher lead the bi-weekly Bootheel Writers seminars, and Thursday's meeting focused on publishing trends within the industry, query methods, and peer review of poetry penned by members.

John Fisher explained some of the challenges faced by writers, including polishing query letters.

Those letters are the beginning of the publishing process, in which writers submit their outlines for pieces and sell those thoughts to publishing houses for review.

Carol Fisher told the group about her experiences pitching ideas to a number of different publishers, how each query differed and targeted specific publications among traditional houses, University Presses and academic publishers, and non-traditional publishers.

Fisher said it's a good idea to address the communications to a specific person by name within the house to gain more prominence within the organization and increase the chances of pieces being accepted.

John Fisher discussed publishing trends, from the invention of the Gutenburg Press, a movable type machine invented by German craftsman Johannes Gutenburg and used to print the famed Gutenburg Bible in 1455, to Amazon Publishing and products whose aims are to simplify the publishing process, like the popular Kindle medium.

Several members read poetry aloud, and everyone present provided positive feedback and encouragement.

Dunklin County Library Director JoNell Minton and Asst. Director and Bootheel Writers organizer Julie Orf announced that USA Today bestselling author Gail Harris is slated to speak at the group's March 13 meeting.

Harris "loves blending romance out of life’s everyday chaos, pens stories filled with humor, steam, and moments of sweetness, along with suspense and twists," according to social media.

"Using coffee and her imagination, Gail writes in a variety of genres, including romantic comedy, small-town romance, romantic suspense, and new adult/coming of age romance."

Harris debuted her first novel, Worth a Shot, a steamy romantic comedy with a twist of suspense, in January 2020.

In 2022, Harris and Ashton Brooks debuted their first co-written series: The Illicit Brotherhood.

The Bootheel Writers meet at 4 p.m. every other Thursday at the Dunklin County Library Main Branch at 209 North Main St., Kennett.

Membership is open to the public, and the group's numbers increase with every meeting.

Phone 573-888-3561 for more information.