Join AWC for a Zoom Workshop on March 27th from 12-12:40 PM with Clinical Psychologist, Patricia Black-Gould. Free to AWC Members.

Countdown to Book Launch: What I’ve Learned About Marketing The Hard Way

If you think marketing begins after you’ve written your book, think again. Experts say marketing should start from a year to six months before you launch your book. A year might be a bit much, but there are marketing strategies you can incorporate during the writing process.

We will discuss several marketing strategies, ranging from obtaining editorial reviews to use for your book cover (Kirkus, Foreward, Indies Today), finding Advance Readers (ARCs) for prepublication reviews on Goodreads; using services such as NetGalley, and Book Funnel to increase readership; locating influencers through social media sites; entering book contests, working with virtual promotional tours (Look Book Tours, Children’s Book Review); and if you can survive and get through all this and much more—hosting a launch party! 

Workshop Registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpyPuPIN32HaXyYLBuP4M-zGYYHDI8JepOy5zBnoFe0juxVQ/viewform?usp=sharing

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BIO

Pat Black-Gould is an award-winning author, speaker, and psychologist. Her novel All the Broken Angels, co-written with Steve Hardiman, is a family saga set during the Vietnam War era. As a psychologist, Pat specialized in working with Vietnam Veterans, and the novel pays tribute to those who served and their families. Her children’s book The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, tells the story of a hidden child of the Holocaust. 

Pat’s writing explores themes of compassion, inclusion, and diversity, and she gives presentations nationally on these topics. WSRE PBS TV featured her on the program Conversations with Jeff Weeks. As a speaker, Pat also conducts workshops on marketing and the craft of writing.  In addition, Pat was a theater director and producer of a New England summer stock company and a murder mystery dinner theater.

Pat Black-Gould, PhD

Author, Clinical Psychologist

https://patblackgould.com/

Author of All the Broken Angels (First place, Digital Book Times Literary Award and Winner of a 2024 Royal Palm Literary Award from Florida Writers Association) and The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey (Three-time Gold Medal winner).

2026-2029 Alabama Poet Laureate Nominations Guidelines

Deadline for nominations: July 25, 2025

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Alabama Writers’ Cooperative has opened nominations for the office of Poet Laureate of the State of Alabama until July 25, 2025.

What is the Alabama Poet Laureate Position?

The Alabama Poet Laureate recognizes and honors a citizen poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The Alabama Poet Laureate also encourages appreciation of poetry and literary life in Alabama. This position was created by the state legislature May 5, 1931.

What is the Term of Service and Compensation?

The term of service is a four-year renewable term. The award is honorific; there is no compensation. The term begins January 2, 2026.

Who is eligible to be nominated Alabama Poet Laureate?

Any citizen of the state of Alabama may nominate a poet for the Poet Laureate position. A poet may not self-nominate, and no award will be given posthumously.

Nominations for Alabama Poet Laureate will be accepted for Alabama poets who meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Must currently be a resident of Alabama and have resided in Alabama for at least ten years.

2. Must be at least 21 years old.

3. Must have at least one book of poetry published by a commercial or small press within the past ten years.

4. Must be available to travel and give presentations.

5. Must have produced work of the highest caliber and critical acclaim and have contributed substantial service to the development of the literary arts as demonstrated by the submitted application.

What is the selection process for Alabama Poet Laureate?

The President of Alabama Writers’ Cooperative has appointed a Poet Laureate Nominations Committee Chair. The Chair has appointed a committee who will review applications and present a candidate for election at the AWC Annual Meeting on September 14, 2025. The Governor of the State of Alabama will then appoint the selected candidate in an official ceremony.

How will Alabama Poet Laureate nominations be evaluated?

1. Excellence as evidenced by the submitted poetry sample.

2. Exemplary professionalism as evidenced by an established history of substantial and significant publications in journals and books including at least one book of poems published by a commercial or small press (see eligibility requirements) and special honors, awards, fellowships, or other recognition.

3. Advancement of poetry in Alabama communities as evidenced by an established history of activity in Alabama’s literary community through readings, publications, public presentations and/or teaching.

To be considered, nominations must include the following:

1. Completed nomination form.

2. Completed nominee form signed by the nominated poet that includes a binding statement that the poetry sample is their own original work and the materials submitted are true and complete.

3. A cover letter from the nominator of no more than two pages providing the following information: name and a short biography of the nominated poet and a summary of significant awards and published works.

4. The nominated poet’s resume.

5. A summary of no more than one page indicating why the nominator considers the work of the nominated poet to be of the highest quality.

6. A work sample of no more than ten poems. Submissions may not exceed 15 continuously numbered 8 1/2” x 11” pages (one side), no less than 12 point type. Please provide copyright information where appropriate; all submissions become part of the public record. Both published and non-published poetry may be submitted. All submissions must be typewritten or computer-generated. Materials hand-written will not be accepted.

7. A recent photograph of the nominated poet.

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Receipt deadline for all nominations is July 25, 2025.

The nomination form and information can be found here: 

Please send questions to Nominating Committee Chair Tina Mozelle Braziel at ALpoetsearch@gmail.com.

The 2025 Alabama Writing Workshop is an annual one-day writers conference held in Birmingham on Friday, March 14, 2025: https://alabamawritingworkshop.com/

The full-day “How to Get Published” writing event will be held at the Embassy Suites Birmingham.

This writing event is a great opportunity to:

• get intense instruction

• pitch a literary agent or editor

• get your questions answered

• and more!

Seats are limited to 140, so Register Today!

The Alabama Writers’ Forum is planning to give this award out to organizations and individuals who have followed Jeanie’s example in promoting the literary arts in our state.

Jessica Jones Langston, President of AWC, will accept the award on behalf of AWC at the Alabama Writers’ Forum Gala on March 7, 2025 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Cheers to an incredible night celebrating the AWC, the AWF, and all that Jeanie Thompson has done for writers throughout Alabama and beyond. Congratulations to the 8 inductees to the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame! The 2025 class inductees include Ace Atkins, Frye Gaillard,  Joy Harjo, Janice Harrington, Robert McCammon, and Dr. Sue Brannan Walker. Authors C. Eric Lincoln and Brad Watson will be inducted posthumously.

AWC’s 2024 Journal is here and just in time for Christmas! Get your copy of the Awarded Writers’ Collection for 2024 today! Here is a link to the publication on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQLC3647

We hope you enjoy reading through the great pieces submitted by our 2024 AWC Writing Competition winners! Join us again in congratulating them on all their hard work.

Let’s also not forget the hours of time given by our Publications Committee members and the editors who brought us our newest journal edition! We appreciate them so much for all their hard work and expertise!

Don’t miss this workshop with editor, writer (The Bluegrass Standard) and Teaching Artist and past Fellow (Mississippi Arts Commission) Richelle Putnam! It’s free to paid AWC members.

This workshop explores how creative writing can enhance marketing and branding efforts. Participants will learn to apply storytelling techniques to build their brand’s identity (them as authors; their writing as products), engage target audiences, and write effective marketing content. It’s ideal for writers looking to incorporate creative writing into business or promotional materials.

Key elements:

   - Understanding the role of storytelling in building a brand.

   - Crafting persuasive and emotionally resonant marketing copy.

   - Writing for various media platforms, including social media and print.

   - Hands-on exercises in writing advertisements and creating brand narratives.

Use the below form to register. Be sure to scroll down, fill out the entire form, and click the “Submit” button.

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Don’t miss this workshop led by a successful published author. It’s free to paid AWC members!

Use the below form to register. Be sure to scroll down, fill out the entire form, and click the “Submit” button.

In case you missed it, or if you didn’t miss it but you want to relive it, AWC member Emma Fox’s workshop on engaging all five senses in your writing is now available for streaming. Check it out—so many good tips from a published author.

Engage your vision! Watch the full-motion video with sound here.

Engage your hearing! You can enjoy just the audio here.

And, for the fully-immersive experience, relive the lively chat exchanges here.