Online Memoir Writing Class: A Few Spots Left!

Have YOU ever considered writing a memoir?

If so, there’s an online class coming up that you can’t afford to miss.

“Memoirama” will be taught by Marion Roach Smith, a former New York Times staffer and author of four books, who has coached hundreds of very successful writers. Marion is a friend of The New York State Writers Institute and is offering this class as a fundraiser for us. All proceeds will go to the NYSWI. We are grateful to Marion for offering us this fundraising opportunity.

Marion is currently listed in the number one spot on Google under “memoir coach,” and previously taught a consistently sold-out class in Troy, New York from which she wrote her book, The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing and Life (Grand Central, 2011). Join her –

Consumer Advocate: AT&T promised to fix my bill. Why hasn't it?

AT&T promises Martin Gorfinkel that it will merge three of his bills into one and send him a $25 credit. But it doesn't, even though he has everything in writing. How do you hold AT&T accountable?

 

Q: I have service from AT&T 
for landline, cell phone, and DSL. 

That generates three phone bills each month. I contacted 
AT&T through their chat in May. 

A representative told me that they could not consolidate my 
cellular service into one bill, but that they could merge my
 DSL and landline charges. A representative said it could take 
up to two months to process the order.

AT&T continued sending me three separate bills for the next 
two months. 

I initiated another chat in August. This time, a representative
 said all three services could be consolidated on one statement 
immediately.

Also, AT&T promised a $25 credit on my account for the 
inconvenience. 

Nothing has changed with my billing, and I have not seen a 
$25 credit. 

How can AT&T be held to account for the information
provided on their chat lines?
 -- Martin Gorfinkel, Mountain View, Calif.

A: If AT&T said it would merge your bills -- and send you a $25 credit --

How To Navigate Chinese Social Media

Here is a wonderful resource! As of November 2018, this is quite thorough!

Need a local reporter in [state] with [expertise]? This directory wants to blow away parachute journalism!

Shoeleather is a national database of writers from non-media hub cities (NYC, L.A., D.C., SF) who are local, knowledgeable and ready to tell their community stories. The database serves as a resource for publications, assigning editors and beyond to connect with writers in the towns, cities and states they are interested in covering instead of relying on “parachute” journalism.

Working as a journalist today is difficult enough, and trying to do so outside of the cities that serve as a nexus for publications can be daunting—particularly if you’re a writer from a traditionally underrepresented community, just getting started or aren’t part of the (let’s face it, insular) networks where assignments are often doled out.

Why should someone from Brooklyn get to be the authority on the stories from your community? With Shoeleather, editors can never say, “But we just don’t know anyone on the ground!” ever again.

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Munk Debate on Populism Livestream tonight at 7:00 PM EDT

The Munk Debate on Populism will be streaming live tonight, Friday November 2 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT. Simply click the link below to access the FREE livestream:

Munk Debate on Populism Livestream

Meet Julissa Arce, "The New Americans," 9/29

MARK THE DATE! Saturday, September 29^th. Free and open to the public. Teens and children welcome!

Meet Julissa Arce who emigrated from Mexico at age 11, rose to prominence as a powerful executive on Wall St., and made international headlines when she revealed that she was an undocumented immigrant. She will speak about her life at the inaugural Albany Book Festival.

Now an advocate for immigration reform, Julissa is the author of the national bestseller, My (Underground) American Dream, and the new young adult memoir, Someone Like Me. She was named one of People en Español’s “25 Most Powerful Women of 2017.” 

Her memoir is currently being adapted as a TV series by 20^th Century Fox Television, with actor and producer America Ferrera.

 

Announcing The Albany Book Festival

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29

University at Albany Campus Center

       

A message from NYS Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl:

"The Albany Book Festival is a new initiative for us and we ask you to join us in creating something truly amazing that elevates UAlbany and our capital city for years to come."