We've set up a variety of resources for graduates of Odyssey (otherwise known as Odfellows). Writing is a solitary activity, and it can sometimes help a lot just to know that other people are struggling with the same issues you are. With these various resources, you can continue to improve your writing and keep in touch with other Odfellows--to exchange information, discuss writing issues, receive feedback on your work, and build friendships.
Please make sure to keep Odyssey updated with your current address, phone, and e-mail, so we can inform you of any new resources or developments.
Please note: These resources are available to graduates only.
Odfellowdiscussion: An e-mail discussion group for Odyssey graduates from all years, focused on writing and writing-related issues. Members ask questions, offer market information, report progress (or the lack thereof), share problems and insights about writing. Because this is a fairly large group, we try to keep on topic, so members aren't overwhelmed with e-mails on subjects that aren't of interest. The people on this group have a wide range of backgrounds and knowledge and can be a great resource for you. The group is run by Matthew Rotundo (class of '98) at msrotundo@yahoo.com. He, Keith Demanche ('97), and I form the moderator panel, which takes action in the rare cases when someone repeatedly posts off-topic or when a member flames another member. If you sign up for this group, you will automatically receive a welcome message from Matt with some general information about how the group works. I suggest you try it and see how you like it. You may want to introduce yourself as part of your first post. Archives are accessible to members only.
Odfellowcritique: An e-mail critique group for Odyssey graduates of all years. One manuscript is sent to members each week, and members post their critiques to the group. You are not required to critique any manuscripts, but if you want to submit a manuscript to the group, you must be an "active" member, which requires that you do a certain number of critiques. The group is run by Dawn Cotter Schuldenfrei (class of '99) at drcotter@aol.com. If you sign up, she will send you an e-mail with more information about how the group works. Archives are accessible to members only.
Odyssey E-Groups for Individual Classes: An e-group is set up for each Odyssey graduating class. This is where you can keep in touch with the friends you have made, let everyone know how you're doing on various projects, and post more conversational/ personal messages that wouldn't be appropriate on Odfellowdiscussion. Each group is maintained by a member of that particular class. If you'd like to know who is in charge of the group for your class, contact Jeanne at jcavelos@sff.net. Archives are accessible to members only.
NOTE REGARDING ALL E-LISTS: These lists are set up through Yahoo Groups. You can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups and control the format in which you receive postings to these groups. If you feel you are getting too many e-mails from a group, you can choose to receive a "digest," which means that all the posts for a single day are put into one e-mail message. You can also choose to view all posts at the Yahoo Groups website, rather than receiving them as e-mails. FYI, our groups are set up as closed, private groups, which means that you own the copyright to your own postings.
Odyssey Guest Lecturer Tapes: Guests agree to have their lectures taped, with the understanding that the tapes will be made available to Odyssey students and graduates only, and will not be duplicated. As a graduate, you may borrow any tapes, as long as you treat them well and return them in a timely manner. Guests also agree to having brief excerpts (about 250 words) from their lectures posted on the Odyssey website, for the general public. So if, while listening, you'd like to type out a particularly useful excerpt from the tape, we can post that on the site. To borrow tapes, contact Jeanne at jcavelos@sff.net.
The Never-Ending Odyssey (TNEO): Graduates requested a place where they could receive feedback on new work, get together with old friends, and have some time away from home to focus on their writing. So each year, beginning the day after Odyssey ends, we hold an 8-day workshop for any Odfellows who would like to attend (it runs Saturday through Saturday). Each attendee gets three manuscripts critiqued. The workshopping follows the Odyssey guidelines but is usually a bit longer and more in-depth. We critique about 4 manuscripts each morning, and then in the afternoon have a panel discussion, or do a writing exercise, or an attendee gives a lecture on a particular topic. Jeanne does not teach TNEO, but participates along with everyone else. A different graduate serves as moderator each year, setting up the schedule (in response to suggestions from attendees) and running things during the week. For more information, see the TNEO page on this website.
The Odfellow's Log: A print newsletter with articles about writing, markets, genre, conventions, and news about graduates. The newsletter comes out twice a year and so far has been distributed free to all grads, which we hope to continue doing. The newsletter is edited and published by Rita Oakes (class of '98) at odlog@yahoo.com. All the material is written by Odfellows, so if you feel the urge, contact Rita about an article you'd like to write or any newsbites you'd like to share.
Convention Get-Togethers: At some of the bigger conventions, such as WorldCon (the World Science Fiction Convention), the World Fantasy Convention, the World Horror Convention, Boskone, etc., when a number of Odfellows are attending, we try to organize some sort of activity: a group dinner, a workshopping session, or whatever. If you're planning to go to a con, post it to Odfellowdiscussion or let Jeanne know at jcavelos@sff.net, and you can hook up with others who are going.
Finding Odfellows in Your Area: If you live in the US, chances are there is another Odfellow who lives not far from you. Odfellows in your area may be able to tell you about local writing groups, conventions, and resources. If you'd like to connect with Odfellows in your area, contact Jeanne at jcavelos@sff.net.
