AGT Monthly Meeting for April 2025

The Authors Guild of Tennessee held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Farragut, from 10:30 to noon.

The following members were present:

Sam Bledsoe, Gary Butler, Deana Charcalla, Pat Crumpler, Gayle Curtin, Laura Derr, Leoma Gilley, Jim Hartsell, Wes Hibbert, David Johnston, Jim Johnston, Ernie Lancaster, Sean Mitchell, Jerry Morton, Kathy Parr, Cheryl Peyton, Nancy Pressley, Ron Pressley, Brenda Sellars, Kit Sexton, Art Stewart, Becky Tucker, Jeri Weems, and Curt Young.

Guests:

Welcome – Cheryl.

• Bill B and Brooke have COVID.
• Kit Sexton is our newest member. She is a Retired Air Force veteran who writes children’s books. She works in an animal shelter near her home in Vonore.
• Blount County Daily Times awarded Brenda Sellers the Community Leadership Award. She is the 25^th
• Cheryl has been added to Who’s Who in America.
• Cheryl presented a new book by 12 members of the Writers Circle, including 9 AGT members. It’s a collection of 12 short stories titled Spring Tales.
• Sam Bledsoe informed us about his latest book, Nukes How to Survive a Nuclear War.

March minutes:  Approved online.

Treasurer’s Report for March – Cheryl

Beginning Cash Balance                   $ 4,116

Ending Cash Balance                        $ 4,005

           Less:                   $(1,256) Writing Competition

                                      $  (236) Outstanding checks

Net Cash Available                          $2,513

Income               

Membership Dues             $ 80

Trade Show Booths        $443

Expenses

Bank Service Chg              $  5

Domain Name Renewal    $ 46

Trade Show Booth Fees  $180

Speaker luncheon            $ 20

Name Badges                   $102

Reports by members and Committee Chairs:

1. Festival Facts – Nancy P is the chairperson now, as there have been two resignations of co-chairs. To participate in fairs, after the invitation is sent out, immediately let Nancy know. Once accepted, pay your share of the space to reimburse AGT. If you find that you can’t go, we can’t make refunds. You can find a replacement who will reimburse you, or give up your space. Nancy is now working out the details of all the shows held prior to June. The Dogwood Arts Festival is on two days: Saturday and Sunday with set up by 9:00 a.m. Saturday. A captain for each event will be responsible for all the details. The cost for an individual will be divided equally among the maximum number of participants. If all slots are not filled, it will make a difference in the cost. One tent can accommodate 3 people unless there is a corner location.
2. Writing Contest – Art/Jerry. The Lenoir City writing contest is well underway. By April 18, we should know the winners. Cheryl will present the awards on May 5^th and 6th.
3. Library – Laura Derr: As a member of AGT, bring one copy of your book for check out. If your book is not checked out, please take your book(s) home with you. When you choose a book to read, be sure to complete the card in the back so we can keep track of where the books are.
4. Retail– Cheryl went to Barkside Lodge in Lenoir City, where the manager bought all our books with animals for wholesale. Hospital gift stores might be a possible location, as are coffee shops.

Program 

Our special speaker was AGT member, Kathy Parr, who spoke on Writing Historical Fiction. Kathy taught First-Year Composition, Media and Professional Writing, and Grammar at the University of Illinois – Chicago.

Her historical novel, Eva of the Nation, arose from her dissertation on Eva O’Doherty, a poetess and essayist for Dublin’s literary newspaper. Eva’s writing denounced colonial practices during the Irish famine, joining the Young Ireland group. Eva met and fell in love with another member of Young Ireland who was sent to prison.

Katherine also published a book on writing, Grammar and Style: Navigating the Bewildering World of Writing. Recently, she published a children’s book about her West Highland Terrier, Charlie Bear. 

Historical fiction is set in a particular past time period. Steampunk fiction is set in the Victorian era that had steam trains, but includes supernatural elements. It is important to do the research to ensure accuracy.

Characters need to fit the era. Map out your plot, but be flexible as you write. You don’t want to be constrained by history, as this is fiction. You can leave out actual historic events of the time period, provided it is logical. It is important to consider the effect events would have on the characters and community.

Some historic periods that make excellent backgrounds for fiction stories: the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Elizabethan, Victorian, American Colonial, American Revolution, American Civil War, U.S. Western Migration, the Gold Rush, the Gilded Age, America in the 1920s, the Space Age, the Depression, Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonization, and the U.S. relations with Mexico.

Old newspapers are a great resource, particularly for pictures from the time. The Tennessee Electronic Library is a good place to begin. There are many online sites. They show not only the articles, but also ads for items of the time like mowing machines (lawnmowers) or clothing. You can add these details to improve your story. The Library of Congress and the National Archives are also good resources. Museums often have archives that are available online. The PowerPoint with many listings will be on the AGT website. If you use Wikipedia, use only their cited sources. It is not acceptable for academic writing, but fine for fiction.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 12:01. Next meeting will be on May 1, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church.

Respectfully submitted,

Leoma Gilley, AGT Secretary