Writing-Related Sessions at FGS 2013

The Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference will be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from August 21-24, 2013.  There are just a few days left to save $50 on the full-conference registration (early-bird rate ends July 1).

There are so many sessions available, covering a wide array of topics.  Following are some of the writing-related sessions, many of which I will be attending!  I’ve also thrown in a few preservation topics since many times, we incorporates photos, documents, and artifacts into our stories.

Date/Time (Eastern)	Session	Speaker
Wednesday, August 21 11 AM	Printed vs. Online Publishing for Societies [although this is targeted at societies, I have seen this lecture and Donna presents wonderful information you can use related to your own work]	Donna M. Moughty
Thursday, August 22 5 PM	Research Reports for Ourselves: More Than Just a Research Log	Paula Stuart-Warren
Friday, August 23 11 AM	Image Organization Made Easy	Eric C. M. Basir
Friday, August 23 3:30 PM	Workshop – Scanning+Image+ Editing+Placement [currently full]	Eric C. M. Basir
Saturday, August 24 9:30 AM	Creating Family Histories for Future Generations	Thomas W. Jones
Saturday, August 24 11 AM	Scanning 101	Eric C. M. Basir
Saturday, August 24 11 AM	It Takes a Human: Genealogists and Writing	Jeanne Larzalere Bloom
Saturday, August 24 2 PM	Speak, Write and Publish Safely: Staying Out of Copyright Trouble	Judy G. Russell
Saturday, August 24 3:30 PM	The Rest of the Story: Using Manuscripts to Create a Family History	Laura G. Prescott
Saturday, August 24 5 PM	Family History Writing Made Easier: Cloud-based Tools Every Genealogist Can Use	Lisa A. Alzo

The entire schedule can be found on the FGS Conference website.

Don’t forget, the early-bird rate ends July 1, so hurry on over and register today!

Reminder – Entries Due 6/15 for 2013 ISFHWE Writing Competition

Don’t forget to submit your entries for the 2013 International Society of Family History Writers and Editors Excellence in Writing Competition.  Submissions are due by June 15, 2013.  Both ISFHWE members and non-members are allowed to enter the competition.

Here are the categories for this year (note, there are some changes from previous years):

• Category I - Columns. This is for columns of original content published on a regular basis, in any medium, published in 2012. Entries should consist of two columns, each submitted as a single file, and must be shorter than 2,000 words. These are entries from the author’s regular column, not features.
• Category II – Articles. These one-time articles (not part of the author’s column) must have been published in 2012 in a journal, magazine, newsletter, blog, or website. Entries cannot exceed 5,000 words.
• Category III – Genealogy Newsletters. This category is for society or family association newsletters published in 2012. Entries should consist of two issues, each submitted as a single file in PDF format. The judging will be based on originality, content, visual appeal, writing and editing quality, and accuracy. The award is to the editor of the publication.
• Category IV – Unpublished Authors. Entrants in this category aspire to be published writers or columnists in the field of genealogy, family or local history. The submissions in this category are original and unpublished, between 500 and 2,000 words.
• Category V – Unpublished material by Published Authors. This category is for original unpublished genealogically-related articles by previously published authors. Entries should be between 500 and 3,000 words.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category.  Winners will be announced at 2013 FGS Conference in August.

Complete details, including rules, judging criteria, entry fees, and the entry form, can be found here (will open a PDF file).

Need some convincing to write about your genealogy research?  See my post 4 Reasons to Convert Your Genealogy Research Into Writing.

Entries Are Being Accepted for the 2013 Dallas Genealogical Society Writing Contest

Submissions for the Dallas Genealogical Society 2013 Writing Competition are due by August 31, 2013.  You do not have to be a DGS member to enter and the articles do not necessarily have to be about Dallas genealogy.

Articles are to be 1,500-5,000 words in length, unpublished, and should fall into one of the following categories:

• basic and advanced methodologies and case studies (not limited by geography)
• family histories and genealogies, particularly those linked to North Texas, including those who came from or left to settle elsewhere
• historical events in North Texas with a local family connection
• ethnic, house, or military histories related to North Texas

Monetary prizes will be awarded as follows:

• First Place – $500
• Second Place – $300
• Third Place - 150

Winners will be announce at the Annual DGS luncheon in December.

Complete details, including rules and submission guidelines, can be found at the DGS website.

Need some convincing to write about your genealogy research?  See my post 4 Reasons to Convert Your Genealogy Research Into Writing.