WIWA NEWSLETTER

Vol. 8, No. 5, December 2008

----------------------------------------

CONTENTS

A Message From The Board

WIWC 2009 Conference News

WIWA Announces

Local Events & Contests

Cheers!

New Releases

To Contact Us or Submit an Article

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe

**************************************************

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

By Susan Wilmoth

Yes, there will be a 2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference!

In light of the current economic climate, our annual WIWC has been restructured to fit a 2-day model. This enables us to cut costs not only for the conference, but also for you, our valued registrant.

Even though this year’s event will be more compact, preserving the uniqueness and supportive nature of the WIWC is our priority. Along with the myriad of classes on a variety of subjects important to today’s writers, our Agent/Editor consultations will still be available, and there will also be post conference workshops on the Saturday evening of the conference. We’ve also made sure that the most beloved feature of the conference, our Chat Houses, will still be a big part of this inspirational event.

The 2009 WIWC will be held on February 27 and 28. If you register on or before December 31, it’s just $190.00 for WIWA members and $230.00 for non-members. After December 31, registration fees are $230.00 for members and $265.00 for non-members.

For conference attendees, the Saturday night post-conference workshops will be an additional fee of $50.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members. Non-attendees may also register for post conference workshops at a rate of $65.00 for members and $75.00 for non-members.

In these tough economic times, the importance of our craft becomes even more apparent. To find out how you can register for this special event, or to give the gift of the 2009 WIWC, check out our website for updated information. We hope you’ll be able to join us and our cadre of presenters in 2009!

2009 CONFERENCE NEWS

Welcome to our new WIWA Board Members!

Our current board consists of:
Susan Wilmoth, President
Marian Blue, Secretary
Toni Grove, Treasurer
Bobbi Sandberg, Advisory Treasurer
Jo Meador, Member
Mary Ellen Jones, Member
Candace Dillman, Member.

Many thanks to all who have served WIWA in the past – your time, effort, enthusiasm and dedication to WIWA, its members, and its programs are greatly appreciated.

A special thanks to Candace Allen who is moving on to greater things after serving WIWA for 11 plus years. Candace, WIWA would not be what it is today without your hard work and dedication as webmaster, among your other roles. Congratulations on your new job, and be sure to keep in touch!

A warm welcome to our new webmaster, Ed Meador. Welcome to the team, Ed. We look forward to working with you!

WIWA ANNOUNCES

The 2008 winners of the Spirit of Writing contest have been announced! Click here to view the complete list of winners. A Grand Prize winner be announced December 17 and will be awarded a full scholarship to the 2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference. Check the WIWA website for updates!

2009 WIWC Student Scholarship Winner Announced! WIWA’s student scholarship recognizes writing potential and provides full tuition for the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. This year, Margaret Francik of Pasco High School is our talented winner. Applications were judged on writing samples, plus an essay detailing their reasons for pursuing the scholarship. The Student Scholarship Contest is made possible by generous supporters of WIWA and its programs.

 LOCAL EVENTS & CONTESTS

Calling all young Hemingways: the NEW Whidbey Island Student Writer’s Contest has begun! 2009 is the year for new beginnings, and WIWA’s Student Writer’s Contest is no exception. Totally renewed with new rules, a new timeline and new prizes, the Student Writer’s Contest is for grades 6 through 12 and is open now. The deadline is January 15, 2009 – so get crackin’! Submissions are encouraged in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Adults and Teachers: This is a GREAT opportunity to encourage young writers. Entries will be judged with respect to genre quality (i.e., descriptive, expository, narrative, persuasive, technical), grammar usage, and writing excellence.

New Prizes:

Best of show - $100

Best writing submission in remaining two categories - $75

Second place in each category - $50

Third place in each category - $30

Honorable mention (ribbons) will be given for specific technique or skill

Also:  Each participant will receive a certificate of participation with constructive feedback. Winners and those who receive honorable mention will have their entries posted on the WIWA site, at Sno-Isle Libraries, island bookstores during the month of February, at the WIWC, and in many island newspapers.

For more information, entry forms, and complete rules, click here.

Looking for more ways to improve your craft?  Make sure to check out the WIWA website for the most current listing of our classes and workshops.

Molly Larson Cook’s Skylark Writing Studio is a great resource for writers of all levels who are looking to hone their skills and network with peers. Molly has over 25 years of experience writing and working with writers. For a complete list of upcoming classes (gift certificates available!) and to find out about Skylark’s new location, click here.

Sheila Bender’s Writing It Real is holding a new No-Contest contest! Everyone’s an honorable mention and will receive a one-year subscription to Writing It Real, plus a detailed response to their work. First, Second and Third place winners can publish their work in Writing It Real and will receive a half-hour consultation. For more information or to fill-out the online submission form go to writingitreal.com. Deadline is December 31!

Do you yearn to learn about Literary Magazine Publishing? Members of the Publications class (Humanities 235) at Edmonds Community College form the editorial staff of the college's award-winning literary magazine, Between the Lines. Learn how to edit, design, print, and market. Class begins on January 6 and meets 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some online instruction. For more information, click here to e-mail or call 425-640-1339 ext 7248.

Seattle’s Author-Editor Clinic helps authors revise and polish their work. Clinic sessions take place February 5 to March 12 and April 19 to May 21. For details and deadlines, visit www.authoreditorclinic.com or contact session manager Kyra Freestar by clicking here or calling 206-300-2601. They are also offering a new Manuscript Review Service year round!

 Brave New Words, an all-day Poetry festival on Whidbey Island’s Greenbank Farm is April 18, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Workshops, open mics, award-winning poetry performances, and much more are scheduled. For more information, Contact Festival Director Victory Lee Schouten at 360-331-7099 or click here to e-mail.

Field’s End, a writers’ community on Bainbridge Island, offers lectures, workshops, and instruction on the craft of writing. To view their upcoming events and classes, check out their website at www.fieldsend.org.

[return to top]

**************************************************

 CHEERS!

Congratulations to S.K Carnes, who was recently awarded the Moonbeam Spirit Award for her book My Champion (Self-Published/Illumina Publishing). Moonbeam Spirit Awards are given to those whose compassion regarding children, humanity, and literacy shine throughout their work. Carnes wrote and illustrated My Champion. To read more about her accomplishment, click here.

Are you a WIWA member who has placed in a competition or has your submission been accepted for publication? Let us know at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com. We want to celebrate your success!

Addictions Anonymous: Outgrowing Addictions through a Universal, Secular Program of Self-development was written by Julian I. Taber, Ph.D. This comprehensive text for recovering addicts and addiction counselors deals with all addictions while avoiding controversial elements of religion. You can purchase, check out the table of contents, and/or read sample chapters by clicking here.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sexual Health and Fitness explains all aspects of sexual health and fitness in clear, jargon-free language. Written for both genders by Kate Bracy, a women's health nurse practitioner with 20 years of clinical experience in family planning and sexual health, and Kathryn Arendt, a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. Click here to purchase!

Are you a WIWA member or past presenter with a recent release? Let us know at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com.

To submit content or contact the WIWA Newsletter, e-mail NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com.

For information about the Writers Conference, e-mail writers@whidbey.com.

Check out the WIWA website at writeonwhidbey.com.

 The WIWA Newsletter is available on our website at writeonwhidbey.com/Publications. If you wish to receive an e-mail announcing when each new edition of the newsletter is posted, please send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE WIWA in the subject line to wiwa@whidbey.com. To unsubscribe please reply to the announcing e-mail with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line to be deleted from our records. WIWA does not share or sell your name or e-mail address.