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Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 9/22/2009 6:06 PM UTC

  Interview with Cyndi Hughes, Executive Director of the Writers' League of Texas
  

  BlogTalkRadio's Hope42Day interviewed Cyndi Hughes who is the Executive Director of the Writers' League of Texas (formerly the Austin Writers' League).  Before Cyndi took that position in May 2008, she was the president of Cynthia Hughes Literary Management in Austin which is a firm that provides publicity, editorial and consulting services to authors and publishers.  Hughes Literary projects included producing the 2007 Kansas Book Festival and creating an author programming track for the 2008 Texas Library Association Conference.
  
  Cyndi's background also includes having been the Founding Director of the Texas Book Festival, which was established by the Former First Lady Laura Bush in 1996.   Under Cyndi's leadership, the Festival acquired a reputation as one of the most prestigious library events in the United States and raised nearly $1.5 million for more than 470 Texas Public Libraries.
  
  Some of the things Cyndi and I talked about were what the Writers' League of Texas is all about and why all kinds of writers and all levels would want to be a member. I can tell you today that I'm convinced they have a lot of the information that I am looking for (as well as the support) so I will be re-upping my membership today!
  
  In addition to programs and events what was of special interest to me was that they offer on-line courses. There is one in particular about "how to write a novel in 30-days" that will be taught by Kit Frazier in October, that I am very interested in. For more information and to sign-up for their classes we can go to their website at http://www.writersleague.org/programs/classes.htmlhttp://www.writersleague.org/programs/classes.html
  
  Two events that Cyndi mentioned that are of special interest to me are "The Way Out West Book Festival" which is hosted in beautiful Alpine, Texas on the lovely campus of Sul Ross University. If you haven't visited West Texas yet, I really recommend you consider this event and location. It is one of Texas' best kept secrets tucked away in the center of the Ft. Davis Mountains (yep, we've got mountains in Texas too!).
  
  The other event was the Annual Agents Conference which is usually hosted at the end of July. Stay tuned for posted dates on the Writers' League website. 
  
  Two out of the four tips that Cyndi left us with that I feel were important reminders for me were:
  
  1.) WRITE.  Sounds like common sense, doesn't it? But how many times have we either talked about what we were going to write about or worried about how we were going to publish what we wrote when we hadn't even written down anything yet? So WRITE.
  
  2.) READ.  Again,  common sense? Cyndi suggested we make a mental or literal note to ourselves the next time we're reading a book that we enjoy to explore exactly what it is about the book that we enjoy so much. I know that Cyndi is one of the most well-read people that I know (which is fun since she always recommends the best books!) and I believe her reading helps broaden her view point about many aspects of life as well as giving her many ideas for her own writing work. 
  
  Hope this inspires all you writers out there. I sure do love to read and I do love to write! Glad to know there are support systems out there for us to do both!
  
  Here's hoping you, have a day full of hope.
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  • Writers' League of T
  • Texas Writers
  • Cyndi Hughes
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