Members of the greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group met at the Lower Macungie Library Feb. 27 for a workshop on writing and publishing tips.

The forum was led by David Miller II, of Macungie, author of "Time Birds" and "A Gift of Love" on the Lutheran Home of Topton.

Francis J. Waller, Ph.D. of Lower Macungie, attended with questions on publishing. He has written various books on chemistry.

Pat Waller, of Lower Macungie, a writer of articles for the National Association of Biology Teachers, also attended.

Bart and Phyllis Palamaro, of Bath, are members of the writers group and attended to help answer questions about writing and publishing. They are both published writers.

Joyce Hislop, of Breiningsville, is a nurse and has been writing stories about her experiences with patients.

The topic of fiction versus nonfiction writing was raised and the need to be experts in the subject matter.

The panel said many fiction writers write outside of their area of expertise using the example of novalist Tom Clancy who was an insurance expert.

The panel was asked about credibility as a writer.

"Just being published is credibility," Miller said. The publishers will then say, "Ok, you are working on your second book?"

Miller and Palamaro said there are between 500 to 1,000 writers in the Lehigh Valley.

There are also five writing groups in the Lehigh Valley.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group holds a free writers cafe 7 to 9 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at Wegman's on Route 512, Bethlehem. Miller encouraged writers to attend with their ideas and about 500 written words for critique.

"I've found if my writing doesn't pass at the writers cafe, I don't proceed," Miller said.

"Writing is a very lonely business," Palamaro said. "That's why writers need other writers."

In addition, they hold an annual "Write Stuff Writers Conference" which this year will be held March 22 and 23 at the Days Inn & Suites, Allentown. At that conference, five agents and two editors will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a charge for this conference.

Miller said the next step is to write the rest of the story.

The group said a novel must be finished before it is pitched to an agent. A nonfiction work can be about 10 pages to pitch to an agent.

They said novel contracts are almost always for a series of two to three books.

Miller said it took eight years for him to write his first novel and two years for the second.

"Once the characters come to life, they have something to say and they are demanding," Miller said.

Writers were advised to say "thank you" to the critiquers, but acknowledged criticism is not always easy to take.

Various ways to publish was addressed including e-publishing. "I found it impossible to publish through the traditional means and found e-publishing," Miller said.

Miller and Palamaro said the rules and requirements for e-publishing are not easy.

In the majority of cases, writers are responsible for their own marketing.

"Unless you are famous, you will have zero marketing support. You have to do it yourself," Palamaro said.

Hislop wondered if you should e-copyright your document before sending it to publishers.

Miller said most people do not e-copyright their works before sending, however there have been a few cases when ideas have been stolen.

"To learn how to write, you just have to write," Phyllis Palamaro said. "Everyone has a different voice or character in their heads.

"You can't figure out how to do it better until you write it the first time," Palamaro said. In fact his first novel idea came to him as part of a dream.

The title for Phyllis Palamaro's children's book came from a misspoken voice mail message.

There was also discusson on print on demand via createspace.com.

For more information on the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, visit www.glvwg.org.