The Professional Writing Organization for Writers in Missouri
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GUILD/CHAPTER NEWS
Funds for Writers Editor and Publisher C. Hope Clark will conduct a special seminar on Friday, April 8th for Early Arrivals at the MWG Just Write! Conference. The 90-minute seminar, Funding Streams for Your Writing Career, will focus on ways contests, jobs, freelance markets, grants, and publishing can all mesh together into a great writing career! Please see our 2011 Conference page for more details! MWG is pleased to announce our Flash Fiction Contest. Deadline is September 30, 2010. Word limit is 500 words or less. Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Honorable mentions will receive certificates. Winners will be announced on our website in late October 2010 and in our December newsletter. Please see our contest page for full details. PRESIDENT'S LETTER: IT’S A CELEBRATION! The Annual 2010 Missouri Writers Guild Conference on April 16th was a celebration of literary talent! A Mystery Writing Workshop sparked an agenda teeming with presentations on fiction, non-fiction, poetry, professional networking, and publishing tips. Once again, the Master Classes were a hit! Many of the evaluations voiced appreciation for the networking opportunities, including the agent pitches and the Outreach Meeting sponsored by the Midwest Chapter, Mystery Writers of America. I would like to extend my deep gratitude to the MWG Board and the numerous (and tireless) volunteers for your time and talent. Thank you for the generous gifts of your collaboration and creativity. In an economically challenging environment, you presented an outstanding event! We were excited to see so many new faces among our attendees. I eagerly embrace this new year with a vision for growth and development. With the support of the dynamic professionals that comprise our membership, the possibilities are infinite. Please forward your ideas and comments to us on our website at www.missouriwritersguild.org. Members, please visit our new Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Your Dues Are Due! Unless you have renewed your MWG membership for 2010-2011, your membership expired at the April conference. Annual reenewals for both full and associate members are $30. Student membership renewals are $20. Don’t miss an exciting year with a revamped newsletter, writing contests, and a brand new conference with plans already in the works. Now’s also a good time to encourage chapter members to join the Guild. Please mail renewals and applications to: Mary-Lane Kamberg, membership chair, 2128 E. 144th St. , Olathe , KS 66062 -2355. Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild is pleased to announce Well Versed — Literary Works 2010 is now available. The chapter is very proud of the talented authors who participated in the contest and are published in the volume. Judges were Richard W. Jennings, middle reader and young adult author, for fiction; Susan Satterfield, science fiction/fantasy/paranormal/horror author, for nonfiction; and Kenneth (Fog) Gilbert, who writes as jacob erin-cilberto, for poetry. With over 120 entries, the judges had their work cut out for them, but did an admirable job, deeming approximately two-thirds of the entries ready for publication. A book signing is scheduled for 2 – 4 p.m., Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Orr Street Studios, 106 Orr Street, Columbia, Missouri. Many of the anthology’s authors will be available for the signing and will read from their work starting at 2:30 p.m. The group is also well into planning The Write Direction Conference which will be held October 23, 2010, at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. This one day conference is beginning to draw more and more attention around the area and state as a “must attend” event. More information about the chapter and its activities can be accessed online at http://columbiawrites.coin.org, or write CCMWG, P.O. Box 7628, Columbia, MO 65205-7628. Marshall Writers' Guild News Mary-Lane Kamberg inspired members at the annual spring Workshop. She was also enthusiastically received by the entire middle school staff and students. Poetry month was celebrated with the Marshall Public Library. Melanie Dees Campbell provided an Open Mike for readings. In June members will travel to Columbia where they will add recent writings and minutes to their file in the Western Historical Manuscript Collection and tour the facilities. Saturday Writers Annual Meeting On April 24, Saturday Writers held their annual meeting dedicated to children's and teen writing with special guest Jen Cullerton Johnson. Ms. Johnson is the author of the children's picture book Seeds of Change, and she led a workshop for writers of all ages from third graders to senior citizens about using nature to inspire writing. She talked about green literacy and shared her publishing journey with workshop attendees. After the workshop, prizes were awarded to the winners of the annual third and fourth grade and teen writing contests. There were over 200 entries in the contests this year as well as 10 elementary student winners and 10 teen winners. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and Saturday Writers members cheered on the young writers as they received certificates, ribbons, gift cards, and cash prizes. Everyone enjoyed a pizza lunch; and after eating, a few children and members shared their writing at an open mic. Thank you to the Missouri Writers Guild for giving Saturday Writers a $100 grant to make this program possible for the community. Volunteer Opportunities MWG is only as good as (its) members. Volunteering is an opportunity to get to know other professionals in the craft and meet featured authors, editors, publishers, and agents. Volunteering allows us to offer more programs and benefits to our members. Your help allows us to keep our membership costs reasonable. Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. Choose a position that is either a one-time event or project, serve a one-year term on the board of directors, or volunteer to help with the next conference. Plus, helping the MWG builds your contacts, and confidence, and it’s fun. Volunteers are always needed to welcome new members, shepherd guests and speakers, find sponsors, write media releases, serve as the photographer at events, facilitate groups, or start new chapters. Volunteer ideas:
Contact: claireapplewhite@gmail.com to volunteer or contribute.
Calling all Missouri Writers' Guild members! |
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