- Ventura County Writers Club

the
write
stuff
Newsletter of the Ventura County Writers Club • Vol 33 Issue 2 • February 2014 • www.VenturaCountyWriters.com
How to Live Long and Prosper:
The Unusual View from the Entertainment Industry
By Barbara Piszczek
At the February 2014 VCWC meeting, Paul Salamoff will
speak about his journey through the entertainment industry and
share his philosophies and writing techniques. A veteran of
several creative fields, Salamoff has experience that can help
authors in many genres. His theme is creativity and longevity in
the entertainment industry.
It's hard to pin down Salamoff to one particular career. A
veteran of more than twenty years in the industry, he has found
success as a writer, producer, film executive, comic book creator,
author, and originally as a special effects (F/X) make-up artist.
Born in Natick, MA, he was raised on a healthy diet of horror and sci-fi from the age of five. After high school, he moved to
California to attend film school at USC. In his years doing FX, he
worked on more than forty films, ten television series, and
Speaker Paul Salamoff with friends from the industry
numerous commercials.
His Film and TV writing credits include The Dead Hate The Living, The St. Francisville Experiment and Alien
Siege. He was recently hired to write the high-budget film Sinbad: Rogue Of Mars for Morningside Entertainment. He is also author of two non-fiction books: On The Set: The Hidden Rules of Movie Making Etiquette and
The Complete DVD Book: Design, Production and Marketing.
As a comic creator, Salamoff is the writer of a number of comic series including the wildly popular Vincent Price Presents, Roger Corman Presents Black Scorpion, Puppy Power: Bo Obama, and the critically acclaimed Logan's Run: Last Day and Logan's Run: Aftermath, both written with William F. Nolan.
In 2005, Salamoff became Vice President of Production for David Lancaster Productions, working on Wes
Craven's The Breed and Hollow Man 2. After a successful merge with BOLD Films, he became their Vice President of Production and worked on such films as Legion, Bobby, and Starship Troopers: Marauder. After leaving
Bold, he accepted the position of President of Production for Rat Bastard Productions working on the festival
darling, Down For Life.
Having been involved with The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for more than twelve
years, he produced the 22nd, 23rd, 33rd, 34th and 35th Saturn Awards. Salamoff has also produced video game
TV/web development videos and trailers for G-Net Media. Working on such high-profile projects as The Adventures Of Tintin, Bulletstorm, Mafia 2, Mass Effect 2, Gears Of War 2, and Dead Space.
Paul will have copies of his book, On the Set, available for purchase and signing after the meeting.
Newsletter of the Ventura County Writers Club
The Write Stuff is published monthly, except for
the month of December, by the Ventura County
Writers Club.
VCWC 2013-2014 Board of Directors:
President
Bernie Barnes
[email protected]
1st VP,
Programs
Lee Wade
[email protected]
2nd VP,
Membership
Rhonda Noda
[email protected]
Secretary/
Treasurer
Pat Caloia
[email protected]
Technology
Information
Barbara Piszczek
[email protected]
Recording
Secretary
Duncan Smith
[email protected]
Member
at Large
Michele Soto
[email protected]
Committee Chairs:
Anthology
Glenn Turner
[email protected]
Carol Malone
[email protected]
Historian
VACANT
Publicity
Patricia Kochel
[email protected]
Special Events
VACANT
Event Setup
VACANT
Social Media
Manager
Carol Malone
[email protected]
Workshops
Greg Elliot
[email protected]
Short Story
Contest
Shelba Robison
shortstorycontest@
venturacountywriters.com
Newsletter Committee:
Editor
Glenn Turner
[email protected]
Copy Editors
Tammy Ditmore
Greg Elliot
Pat Caloia
Designer
Barbara Piszczek
Contributing
Writers and
Photographers
Patricia Kochel
Carol Malone
Peter Pohl
Vic Prushan
Glenn Turner
Newsletter of the Ventura County Writers Club
The January meeting of the Ventura County Writers Club was a memorable event for many people,
as the winners of the 2014 Short Story Contest
were announced.
Bernie also announced that the club’s purpose is
to encourage the craft of writing. He invited members to submit stories for the upcoming club Anthology and for opening acts of monthly meetings.
Lee took the podium to tell us about upcoming
meeting programs. In February, we will hear from
Winners of the annual VCWC short story contest. Credit: G.Turner
Paul Salamoff. In March, Jeff Lyons, of Story
Geeks, will be our guest. He is a teacher, scriptwriter, and screenwriter. He will also be giving a
seminar.
Shelba Robison took the microphone. She handed out fliers for people to distribute regarding the
upcoming poetry contest.
Shelba thanked the judges of the Short Story Contest: Phillip Brown, Sunny Glessner, Margaret
Morris, Vic Prushan, Greg Elliot. She also thanked Barbara, Lee, and Bernie for their assistance in
getting the project completed.
Shelba then introduced each short-story winner, who read part or all of their stories. Winners were
presented with a certificate and a check.
Third place in the youth category was won by Erin Stoodley for her story,
"Paring Ritual." Second place went to Carolyn Richards, who read from her
story, “When Morning Comes.” First place went to Zoe Appleby, from Villanova High School, who read her story, “Funeral.”
Honorable mention in the adult category went to Mal King, who read from
his short story "Is This the World?" which is about a writer who takes his
daughter for ice cream in Aspen. The third-place adult winner was Joe Vandenberg. He won for his story titled, "Had to be You." The second-place winner was Carol Fogel, who read from her story, “When Life Gives You Lemmings.” First place went to Terry Tallent, whose story, “The Loose Rack,” is
about a man playing pool with his 50-year-old brother while remembering
events from his brother's past.
Bernie closed the meeting. At the snack table, Barbara cut a huge cake that
celebrated the Short Story Contest.
Barbara gleefully prepares
to cut the cake honoring our
winners. Credit: G. Turner
Newsletter of the Ventura County Writers Club
Hedwig Kiesler was born in Vienna, Austria, in
1913, of Jewish parents. She was a precocious child. At
age ten she was an accomplished pianist and dancer, and
she spoke four languages. Her father, a wealthy banker,
was always interested in how machines worked, and he
passed this curiosity on to her.
At age 19, Hedwig was an exceptionally beautiful
woman. A German filmmaker featured her in a 1933
film called Ecstasy. Pope Pius XII denounced this movie. It was banned in Boston and in some states until
1940. But it did earn her the title “The Ecstasy Girl,”
and won her acclaim as the most beautiful woman in
the world.
Louis B Mayer of MGM met her in London and
signed her to a seven-year contract. He also changed her
name to Hedy Lamarr. She was featured in Algiers in
1938 and in Samson and Delilah in 1949. Her acting
talent fell short of her beauty. But her real talent as a
mathematician/inventor emerged. In 1940, she created a
torpedo guidance system that was not vulnerable to
electronic jamming. She used the principle for “spread
spectrum technology,” which is the basis for cell phones
and other wireless devices that we call “WiFi.”
The US Navy used her invention during the 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis. In the 20th Century, women
seldom received much
acclaim for their inventions.
Hedy Lamarr was the
first woman to be awarded
the coveted Bulbie, a lifetime achievement award,
the Oscar for inventors.
She died in January 2000.
The Ventura County Writers Club is honoring recently
deceased club member and County Poet of Distinction
Joyce La Mers by naming its 13th Annual Poetry contest
for her. “Initially she was a prizewinner and later chaired
the contest many times, so it is only fitting that the club
recognize one of the county’s well-known poets,” said
Alvin Barnes, club president.
The contest is currently open for submissions and will
close February 15, 2014.
Because poetry’s appeal is ageless, the contest has three
categories; Adult, Youth—Age 13-18, and Youth—Age
12 and under. Finalists will read their entries at the
VCWC meeting and reception on April 8, 2014. “Every
year at our awards ceremony, whether the finalists be seven or seventy, the audience is amazed when carefully
crafted language triggers laughter or a tug at the heart,”
said Shelba Cole Robison, contest chair.
New this year is a discount rate for multiple submissions.
The contest provides an opportunity for many writers to
be published for the first time, and to see their writing enjoyed by a wide reading audience. Winning poems will be
published in VCWC’s monthly publication, The Write
Stuff, and the club’s anthology.
The contest draws entries from around the country and
internationally. The top three adult winners will receive a
cash prize: first place, $100; second place, $75; and third
place, $50. In the Youth 13-18 category, prizes are first
place, $50; second place, $35; and third place, $25. Youth
Age 12 and under prizes are first place, $35; second place,
$25; and third place, $15. For detailed information and an
application form, visit the club’s contest website:
www.venturacountywriters.com/contests/poetry
The Joyce La Mers (for
Poetry
Contest Entry Form
mail-in entries only)
Submit between January 1 and February 15, 2014
No limit on number of poems submitted
Note: 2013 VCWC Poetry Contest winners of first, second or third place, any category, are not eligible this year.
STEP ONE: Select and circle your category.
Category 1. Adult – over 18 years of age
Category 2. Youth – Division A - Ages 13 - 18 // Division B - Ages 12 and under
STEP TWO: Fill in submission form - all information is required.
Signature: _________________________________________________________________________
By signing, you confirm that the entry(s) are original and unpublished. A parent/guardian must sign for all youth entries.
Your Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Street Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number(s) ___________________________________________________________________
E-mail address: _____________________________________________________________________
Are you a member of VCWC:
Yes
No
STEP THREE: List title(s) of entry(s)
Entry 1: Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
Entry 2: Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
Entry 3: Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
Entry 4: Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
Entry 5: Title: ____________________________________________________________________________
(if you are submitting more than five, please contact poetry chair at [email protected])
Remember to:
• Include two copies of each poem.
• Make sure your name appears only on this application form.
• Submit only one poem per page, using 12-point type Times New Roman on white 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
• Include your entry fee: Remember -- multiple submissions increase your chances of being selected as a winner and
also earn you a discount on the fee. See rules for fee guide.
Please note that entries which fail to follow directions will not be judged. No refunds will be made.
STEP FOUR: How did you hear about us?
VCWC Member
Newspaper _____________________
Website __________________________
Other __________________________
Mail submissions and make payment to:
VCWC Poetry Contest
PO Box 3373
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359
Our Next Meeting: January 14, 7 PM at Pleasant Valley Senior Center, 1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo, CA 93010
The Joyce La Mers Poetry Contest Rules
All poets must complete and submit an official entry form available via the VCWC website. Mailed applications should
have the official entry form attached.
There is no limit to the number of poems submitted. Note: 2013 winners of first, second or third place, in any
category, are not eligible this year.
For Categories 1 and 2:
• Poems must be no longer than one page, using Times New Roman 12-point type on white 8.5 X 11 inch paper; no
more than one poem per page, regardless of length. Send two copies of each poem when submitting by mail.
• All poems must be titled for tracking purposes. Please include the title at the top of the page.
• Online text submissions must be in .doc, .docx, or PDF.
• Do not place your name or any other identification on the poem pages.
• Poems must be unpublished according to these criteria:
- No award or winning entry at any level in other contests.
- Not published for sale by self or third party copyrighted.
- Not published on a commercial website.
- Can be on author’s personal blog or website, but not online journal.
- Author has not received remuneration for the work.
• All poets must sign the form, confirming that all entries are unpublished and original. Winning poems will be published online following the contest and in the club’s anthology published every two years.
ENTRY FEES
Category 1 - Adult over 18: Fees are as follows:
Fee
1 Poem
2 Poems
3 Poems
4 Poems
5 Poems
Adult VCWC Member
Adult Non-Member
$7
$13
$19
$25
$31
$12
$19
$26
$33
$40
For those adult entrants who wish to submit more than five poems, you must email the Poetry Chair at [email protected] and submit via US mail. There is a flat rate for the additional submissions of $6 per poem for VCWC members and $8 per poem for non members.
Category 2 - Youth: $3.00 per poem.
PAYMENT METHODS
For online submissions, VCWC can accept payment through PayPal or by check. Please mark that you will be paying by
check when submitting online -- processing of your entries may be delayed. Submissions via US Mail should be paid by
check or money order. Cash payments are only accepted for entries submitted in person at a general club meeting.
SUBMISSION
• Send poems with appropriate check or money order, made out to Ventura County Writers Club, to: VCWC Poetry Contest
P. O. Box 3373, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
• Online submissions will be managed by www.venturacountywriters.com. Online submissions must be time-stamped by
8 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) on February 15, 2014. If you will be submitting more than five poems, please submit by US
Mail.
• USPS submissions must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2014.
HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
Please email [email protected] to contact our Poetry Chair. For questions related to online submissions, email [email protected]. Please allow 3 days for response.
Curious as to what kind of poems have won previously? Check out the
2013 Winners at:
http://www.venturacountywriters.com/contests/poetry/past-winners
Newsletter of the Ventura County Writers Club
DELIVER TO:
Printing provided by The Copy Department
818-889-8363 • [email protected]
Writing workshops are for VCWC members only. Call workshop leaders for more info. All phone numbers are 805 area code unless otherwise noted.
CAM=Camarillo; OXN=Oxnard; MPARK=Moorpark; SIMI=Simi Valley; TO=Thousand Oaks; VEN=Ventura; WLV=Westlake Village. List is in order of city.