Whidbey Island Writers' Association
Newsletter

Issue No. 007
February -- March 2002

CONTENTS

Message From the Editor
Letters to the Editor
One Writer's Way - by Dan Millman
On the Island
         -- Whidbey Island Writers' Conference
         -- WIWC Classes to be Taped
         -- Pre-conference Retreats
         -- Monthly Writers' Group Has New Facilitators
Cheers
We Want to Celebrate Your Writing
Authors Remember First Book, Interviews with Pat Rushford and Cynthia Dial
Opportunity for WIWC Participants to Sell Their Books at Conference
Recent Releases
Contests, Submission Requests
Writing Without Interruption by Dan Poynter
Cyber Surfing
Quotes
To Contact Us or Submit An Article *********************************************

Message From the Editor

One needs a mentor, otherwise it's very lonely. You need someone to tell you to go on.
          --Paul Scott

Robert Frost first conceived of the idea of a conference for writers while he was teaching English at Middlebury College. Perhaps he was weary of the long hours a writer toils alone, or perhaps as an educator he simply wanted to share his knowledge with others interested in the art of expression. His idea resonated with his colleagues, Willa Cather, Katherine Lee Bates and Louis Untermeyer. The foursome held the first writers’ conference in America in 1926. Since then the clamor for gatherings has grown so strong that hundreds of  conferences are held each year. Some conferences cater to specific patrons or genres: screenwriting, romance, horror, mystery, travel, poetry, southern and even obituary writing. Others, like the Whidbey Island Writers' Conference (WIWC), are broader, offering participants exposure to a variety of genre and an opportunity to try something new. Although I write nonfiction, I plan to attend a few sessions on fiction. Maybe I'll branch out into new writing territory, but regardless, I know I'll be able to apply some of the fiction techniques I learn to creative nonfiction. As for poetry, my experience is limited to occasionally wielding my pen like a sledgehammer at the Whidbey Island Slam. But who can resist this year’s all star lineup: Iowa's Poet Laureate Marvin Bell, Utah's Poet Laureate David Lee, and the winner of the 1989 National Endowment of the Arts Poetry Fellowship Peggy Shumaker? If you're coming to the conference, you have your own reasons for attending. Perhaps you want to learn to write more believable dialogue. Maybe you’re struggling with the point of view of your novel, or maybe you have completed your novel and now you need an agent. Then again, you may simply want to share the same air as a best selling author. Nothing wrong with that. Role models make great motivators. Or perhaps you want to make contact with other writers like yourself who enjoy good writing and want to become better writers themselves. At the Whidbey Island Writers' Association (WIWA), we hope we can help you do that through the conference, and even if you can’t attend, then through this newsletter. Writing is a lonely task and sometimes you just need to reach out and touch someone. Write us. We want to hear from you. May goodwill prevail,
Candace

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Letters to the Editor

What a fabulous e-zine! Congratulations!
          -- Catherine Franz Wow. I am so pleased to read about your trip and delighted to hear that Brian Ames has been so successful this year. He is an outstanding writer. Thanks for the news! See you soon. ;)
          -- Peggy Lambert

Correction -- Reckless Eyeballin'

Thanks for including this, [new book release information in Dec-Jan newsletter] but Reckless Eyeballin' is actually my fourth Star Duvall novel. The first, Do Not Go Gently, was published by HarperCollins. Random House listed it in my second novel (first for them) The Hoodoo Man. For whatever "mysterious" reason, with the publication of Green Money, reference to Do Not Go Gently disappeared. It was not resurrected in the listing in Reckless Eyeballin'. So, I find myself having to say, to booksellers and readers who contact me about the series, that there are four books. Your trip to Portugal and Spain sounds wonderful. Makes me want to dust off my passport! :-)
          -- Judith Smith Levin

Conference Book Sales

As always I enjoy reading the newsletter since my first time being at the conference last year. You may remember, I was the one who came from the longest distance -- Connecticut. Because of the inspiration of being at the conference, I was able to complete and sell two books, which are both coming out by Running Press in the next few months. I would like to be able to come to the conference. Would it be possible to sell some of my books, as well as attend? I found a lot of the right encouragement to be able to finally go forward and sell my first books. I have been a professional writer for 20 years, but never had the confidence to actually write a book, which is my personal dream. Thanks,
          -- Lenore Skomal WIWA is providing limited space for participants of WIWC to sell their books at the conference. See this newsletter's article Opportunity for WIWC Participants to Sell Their Books at Conference -- the editor

The Conference

Thanks for your kind words about my awards. [See the Cheers section for Communicator of the Year award.] Yes, I've been to your conference twice--last year and the first year you had it--must have been 1999? I'd love to come again this year. I love your conference, your friendly people running it, the participants and, of course, your beautiful island but because of the distance from St. Louis, I won't be making it this time.You can be sure, though, I'll be there in spirit and thinking of you all March 1-3. I have many great memories of the conferences I've attended, my stay with Edna Hansen (what a doll!)--and, of course, the island itself. I've learned a lot at both conferences I attended and I appreciate all I got from it but I'm also indebted to the conference for introducing me to your part of the country. What a beautiful part it is! I was just telling someone--forget California. if I could live anywhere, I'd pick northern Washington. I apologize for taking so long to write, but my freelancing really keeps me hopping--knock on wood!
          -- Kathie Sutin

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I wanted to tell the world just one word. Unable to do that, I became a writer.
          -- Stanislaw J. Lec

In my high school and college years, I was better known as an aspiring athlete than a literary lion. Writing meant English papers: thesis statements and endless analyses. The day I completed my last college essay I discovered that I enjoyed sculpting with words--mining gems from the creative unconscious. My past gymnastics training had shown me that I could develop my limited talent through intelligent effort. I would write and rewrite until I got it right. Training had also taught me to accomplish big goals in small steps. So, armed with little more than a presumptuous idea that I could write something worth reading, I wrote articles for a gymnastics magazine. Then I began to notice that my athletics skills did not help me much when I went out on a date or later got married or had children or dealt with financial or career challenges. So I began to ask myself, "What qualities are required to develop talent not for sport, but for daily life?" This question shifted my research, and my interests, into the larger arena of personal and spiritual growth from the fundamentals of sport to the laws of living. This search led to travels around the world, to numerous mentors, and to new grist for my literary endeavors. When I reached a certain point of understanding, the desire to share it with others reached a boiling point. The question, "What will I write about" became moot. The productive years began. Through the lean years, I sustained myself with six rules for writing and for living: Show up. Pay attention. Express your truth. Do your best. Don't be attached to the outcomes. Trust the process. For ten years I felt like The Invisible Writer--except for a few friends and relatives, no one knew or cared that I was fighting the good fight or appreciated the hours of solitude striking the keyboard with little to show but crumpled pages. That saying about how overnight success takes about ten years was proven true in my case--a decade of work, foundation building, dues paying. In 1979 I completed my first manuscript. I had risen (mostly on hot air) above the crowd of would-be authors. I was now a would-be author with a heavy ream of paper filled with words. My words. I called it Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Francis Bacon wrote something to the effect, "We rise to great heights by a winding staircase." My fortunes have fallen and risen many times over the past twenty years, comprising a story of their own. Since then, I wrote a second novel, seven non-fiction books, two children's stories, and a screenplay. My advances have ranged from $100 to over $1 million. I've written ten books on my own, and one in collaboration. I've worked with publishers large and small, run the promotional gauntlet, and lectured around the world. I continue to write and have returned to my first love--stories with spirit. I also share my experience with others as a freelance editor, personal literary coach, and teacher of the art, craft, and business of writing. Hard work makes luck, and I've been lucky. It all started with showing up--writing through the good times and bad. Because our craft is a marathon, not a sprint. I moved from amateur to professional when I realized that the race begins with self-expression, but is sustained by empathy for one's readers--and by the knowledge successful authors don't just spread beautiful words on their canvas; they also have enough business acumen to appreciate that they are creating a product that may entertain, uplift, inform, or enlighten--maybe even change lives. Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote, "Life is God's novel; let God write it." Truly, who can guess what twists and turns the path our lives may take? All we can do is to take the shot, sow the seeds, make the effort--and leave the rest to God. Dan Millman has authored eleven books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, The Life You Were Born to Live, Everyday Enlightenment, The Laws of Spirit, and Living on Purpose, that have inspired millions of readers in 22 languages. Today, Dan also offers professional literary services as an editor, consultant, and coach. For more information: www.danmillman.com.

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Whidbey Island Writers' Conference The Whidbey Island Writers' Conference (WIWC) will be held March 1 through March 3, 2002. This conference is appropriate for all levels of writers -- beginning and experienced. Multiple genres will be represented, including: fiction, creative nonfiction, freelance writing, poetry, mystery, romance, children and young adults, and screen writing. Known for its unique setting and interactive sessions, the conference takes place on rural Whidbey Island. Friday's sessions are held in private homes -- intimate settings that foster friendship between the authors and registrants. Saturday and Sunday classes are held at the local high school and evening events take place in Langley, a picturesque village by the sea. Presenters include best selling true crime author Ann Rule, Iowa's Poet Laureate Marvin Bell, Utah's Poet Laureate David Lee, New York Times best selling romance and suspense writer Catherine Coulter, screenwriter Bill Kerby, Edgar Award winning mystery writer Burl Barer, children's authors Jules Older and Kirby Larson, and many more. Agents and editors will also be available in classes or for pre-registered private consultations. This is the fourth year for WIWC.

Tuition is $308. Private consultations are additional. For more information about registering, see the Web site www.whidbey.com/writers/conference.

Many of this year's WIWC classes will be professionally taped by VW Tapes. The tapes will be for sale at the conference for $10.

Four pre-conference retreats will be held Thursday, February 28 in poetry, fiction, mystery writing and nonfiction. The sessions are full day intensive workshops from 9:00 to 4:30 and are for the serious writer. Retreats are limited to the first 10 people who register. The cost for the retreat is $175 and includes dormitory style lodging for the entire retreat and conference weekend. For more information, email writers@whidbey.com or call 360-331-6714. Peggy Shumaker, professor emeritus in the MFA Program at University of Alaska Fairbanks and author of four collections of poetry, will teach the poetry retreat, "Herons Over Useless Bay." Poets and those who love poetry will spend a day talking about poems and generating material for new poems. Participants are requested to bring writing materials, an open mind, and a sense of humor. This retreat will take place near Useless Bay, a body of water that stranded early mariners--but for poets, it's far from useless. It sustains herons and eagles, clams and sandpipers, and Whidbey writers. Participants will look at work by Li Po, Pablo Neruda, Naomi Shihab Nye, Dave Lee, Marvin Bell, and others. A favorite instructor, Elizabeth Engstrom Cratty will teach "Designing Your Novel." From title to climax, a well-written, well-received novel doesn't happen by accident. Participants will spend a day with this author of eight books and editor of three anthologies, learning the internal architecture of fiction, how to populate a story with characters that matter to the reader, and how to hone prose to a polished sheen. Patricia Rushford will teach "Writing Mysteries to Die For." This Edgar nominee and author of more than 20 mysteries will instruct participants to plot the perfect murder. They will also learn to hook the editor and readers with arresting openers, practice creating characters who are more than corpses, and discover the art of building a plot and creating cliff hangers that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Would you like to get paid to write your nonfiction book? If so, join the dynamic duo Michael Larson and Elizabeth Pomada in the retreat, "Get Paid to Write Your Book!". Michael and Elizabeth will use humor to help you develop your ideas into successful books and the career you were born for. Michael is the author of How to Write a Book Proposal, now in its second edition. You will receive a step-by-step workbook and have the opportunity to work on your proposal and get feedback on it during the class and through free follow-up phone calls. After you register, you can send your proposal or a part of it for free oral feedback. Mike and Elizabeth are celebrating their agency's thirtieth anniversary. They are members of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) who have sold books to more than 100 publishers and have written or co-authored fourteen books. Their Web site, www.larsen-pomada.com includes a list of the parts of a proposal.

Michele Griskey, facilitator for the WIWA Writers' Group will be moving to Orcas Island this month, but she says the writers' group will continue in good hands. Steve Clark and Dottie Read, English teachers at Whidbey Island High School, will share the facilitator's responsibilities. The WIWA Writers' Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Freeland Library. Anyone interested in writing is invited to attend. It is a place to discuss writing techniques or problems you may be having with your work. Informal brainstorming and support for fellow writers are encouraged. If you feel like sharing something you have written, please bring it with you to the meeting and read it aloud. For more information, contact Dottie at thereads@whidbey.com or 331-2018, or Steve at clark@whidbey.com or 331-3887.

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Cheers

 Your good news cheers us on! Please share your successes with us. email the editor at candace@whidbey.com. WIWA Newsletter editor Candace Allen has another feature with Log Home Living Magazine. Look for The Lap of Luxury in the March issue, or read the article online at www.loghomeliving.com/loghomeliving/articles/2002/March02/page42.html. Pat Rushford, author of more than 30 books, including The Jennie McGrady Mysteries and The Helen Bradley Mysteries writes that she just received a two-book contract to write a new mystery series -- The Angel Delaney Mysteries. Pat will be teaching at WIWC 2002, including the pre-conference retreat, "Mysteries to Die For." Lenore Skomal writes that winning a fourth place in last year's WIWA Celebrate Writing Contest boosted her confidence enough to write two books. Both will be released this spring by Running Press. Watch for Keeper of Lime Rock: The Remarkable True Story of Ida. J. Lewis, America's Most Celebrated Lighthouse Keeper and Heroes: 50 stories of American Heroism. Lenore will be on an extensive tour this spring and fall to promote her books. Congratulations to Kathie Sutin who was named Missouri Communicator of the Year by the Missouri Press Women. The award was given in 2001 for writing done in the year 2000. Kathie received eight first place honors, four second place awards, four third place awards and two honorable mentions for articles appearing in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Midwest Motorist (AAA magazine) St. Louis Parent, Senior Circuit, Construction News & Review, Achieve magazine and an Internet website called lodging.com. The awards were for news stories, continuing news coverage, features, an opinion piece, a personality profile and press releases she wrote for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission. Kathie attended WIWC in 1999 and 2001.

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If you have had anything published during the past year, please let us know so that we can share your success stories in the newsletter and at WIWC 2002. Please tell us the name of your piece, where and when it was published, and a little bit about it. Also tell us how WIWC helped you get published. Be sure to let us know if you are registered for WIWC 2002 so that we can celebrate your writing by introducing you during the conference. Please email your success stories to candace@whidbey.com.

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WIWC Director Celeste Mergens recently asked several authors who will be teaching at WIWC 2002 how they felt when their first book was published and how it changed their lives. This month, you will hear from Pat Rushford, spiritual and mystery writer for children and adults, and Cynthia Dial whose book Teach Yourself Travel Writing was released in September. Future newsletter issues will feature novelist and literary nonfiction author Lisa Norton, children's author Kirby Larson and more.

An Interview with Pat Rushford

A. Excitement, awe. I could hardly believe it had actually happened. I had visions of best-seller lists and notoriety. I had sold the book (a non-fiction, Have You Hugged Your Teenager Today) on proposal so the visions slipped away as I worked harder than I expected to write, research and get the book ready for publication. My advance turned out to be a whopping $3,000--not quite enough to buy my condo on the beach. But enough to keep the stars in my eyes for a while. Q. How did having your first book published change your life, or perhaps unexpectedly, not change your life? A. The biggest change was that once the book had been published I automatically became an expert in the field of parenting teenagers. Of course I'd never touted myself as an expert where teens are concerned. Only a fool or a parent without teenagers would do that. But the marketing department, publicity and readers had different ideas. I was suddenly swamped with calls wanting me to do interviews on radio or television shows or speak to groups of parents. Scary stuff. At first I wanted to crawl under the covers and suck my thumb, but being a person who has a hard time saying no, I plodded ahead. I found that I loved doing interviews and was quite good at it. The speaking took a little longer to love, but through practice, I eventually came to the place where I can speak for hours and not even feel a twinge of stage fright. Q. From your experience, what advice do you have for aspiring writers? A. I guess if I were to advise new writers I'd have to say, don't let your fears hold you back. Forge ahead. Get whatever training or education, research or whatever to do what you need to do. When I first talked with an editor about my parenting teens project, all I had were a couple of short articles. He liked them and wanted to see a book proposal. I had no idea what a book proposal was, but I just smiled and said I'd send him one. Then I panicked. Had to go to another writer's conference to learn how. An old adage is write what you know. So true. But there is no limit to what you can learn.
www.patriciarushford.com/

An Interview with Cynthia Dial

Q. How did it feel to hear that your first book was accepted? A. My most prevalent emotion was sheer panic. Yes, I must admit that once it was accepted (after almost a year of back and forth communication and negotiation with a London publishing house) my first reaction was "Oh no, now I have to write it!" Following close on the heels of "panic" was "doubt." "Can I deliver the book I promised? Can I even write?" I had worked so hard over the past 12 months to convince the publisher that I was indeed the writer to pen the travel writing book for their Teach Yourself series, that I had spent little time actually writing. Had I lost the talent? Maybe the saying "use it or lose it" was really true.

Eventually excitement crept into my psyche in stages and at unexpected times. I was surprised at my first experience with elation. It was the day I received the cover art for approval. Seeing in four-color "my" book cover surpassed my first book emotion expectations. Another day of pure pleasure was when I emailed the editor to define "worldwide distribution." "I'm writing this book with inclusions for the British and American markets; what other countries should I include?" I asked. "All English speaking countries," was the reply. "Wow," I thought.

But at the top of the excitement thermometer was the first time sighting of my book. It was on the shelves of Waterstones bookstore in London. And it was thrilling to be told by New York's Barnes & Noble on Avenue of the Americas that my book had sold out. (I never discovered whether their inventory was 2 or 10; I prefer to think the latter.)

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Opportunity for WIWC Participants to Sell Their Books at Conference

Limited space is available for participants enrolled in WIWC 2002 to sell their books at the March conference. Space will be provided on a first come, first serve basis during the 15 and 20 minute breaks on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. If you are the author of a published book and would like to sell it during the conference, contact Nancy Ruff at ruffcarr@whidbey.com for details.

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Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge and Murder
by Ann Rule
December 2001
Free Press
www.annrules.com Fifteen times on the New York Times' best-seller list, true crime author Ann Rule has just released an amazing tale of murder about a multimillionaire Texan and his former wife. Sheila Bellush, happily remarried and the recent mother of quintuplets, becomes the target of her ex-husband's obsession. Ann Rule will speak about writing true crime in March at WIWC 2002. Star Light, Star Bright
by Katherine Stone
January 2002
www.katherinestone.com

Former physician and romance writer Katherine Stone's latest book is scheduled for release this month. Katherine will be teaching at WIWC 2002. Following is a quick preview of Star Light, Star Bright:

Twelve years ago Rafe McClure came to FoxHaven Farm, the ancestral home of the Virginia horse country's Forsythes. Descended from ancient enemies, Rafe knows tragedy--and he recognizes it here, in this place of sanctuary and secrets, where foxes are safe but children may not be. Now Rafe is a man loved by two women, and though he loves both Lily and Brooke, he loves only one as a wife. But there can be no marriage until all secrets are uncovered and all truths are told.

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Triple Tree Publishing Contest and Request for Submissions

TripleTree Publishing is now accepting both regular submissions and Emerging Writer Contest submissions for MOTA 2003: Courage. Submission guidelines are on the Web site www.tripletreepub.com or available for a SASE to: TripleTree Publishing, PO Box 5684, Eugene, OR, 97405.

PNW 2002 Literary Contest

The 2002 Literary Contest, sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, is now accepting submissions in 11 categories including: articles, books, plays, poetry, screenplays and short stories. The contest deadline is Feb. 16, 2002 (Postmarked). For more information, see www.c-2.com/pnwa/htdocs/events/contest/2002contest.htm.

Mercer Island Reporter and Mercer Island Library Teen Fiction Contest

The Mercer Island Reporter and the Mercer Island Library announce the first annual Teen Fiction Contest, co-sponsored by Mercer Island Arts Council, Qwest, Starbucks Coffee and Island Books. "The wind howled across the island..." Write an original story under 500 words to finish this idea -- and win some big prizes. Entries can be about any place, anyone and anything your imagination desires. Creativity counts! The first prize is a wireless phone and six months of service from Qwest. Second prize is Starbucks gift basket that includes a loaded Starbucks card for use in-store, a pair of Sonics tickets, a pair of EMP ticket and a Starbucks travel tumbler. Third prize is a $25 gift certificate to Island Books. Prizes will be awarded in each of two divisions: high school and middle school. Entries will be judged by published authors, and winning entries will be printed in the Mercer Island Reporter. The first 100 students who bring their entry to the library will receive a prize. Winners will be announced at an awards and reading ceremony at the Mercer Island Library at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 20. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 1. To enter, type your story, starting with "The wind howled across the island..." in an easily-recognizable 12-point font, double spaced, on standard 81/2 by 11" paper. Put your name, address, phone number, school and birth date on a separate title page ONLY, paper-clipped to the other page(s). Manuscripts will not be returned, so keep a copy for yourself. Your story must be your own, original work. One entry per person only. Hand-deliver your entry to the reference desk of the Mercer Island Library by March 1, or mail it by March 1 to: Teen Fiction Contest, c/o Daniel Masler, Young Adults Librarian, Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, WA.

God Allows U-Turns is Seeking Submissions

God Allows U-Turns is seeking story submissions for its next two volumes: "Especially for Teens" and "Historic Moments in Time-True Stories of Hope and Healing from National Tragedies." Complete guidelines with details are available at www.godallowsuturns.com or by sending a blank email to writersguidelines@godallowsuturns.com. Payment for accepted stories is a $50 honorarium and one copy of the book.

Phati'tude Literary Magazine Accepting Submissions

Gabrielle David writes that Phati'tude Literary Magazine, a literary magazine developed by the Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc. is accepting submissions. See www.phatitude.org/phatsubmissions%20online.htm for details. The publishing organization is non-profit. No payment is provided except in copies.

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Good writing requires concentration. Interruptions often occur when you are deep in thought and producing your best work. Emergencies such as earthquakes, fire, and flood are interruptions we can accept. We may even weave the unexpected experience into our future work. Telephone calls, visitors and unnecessary questions are interruptions that may make a writer a bit snippy. This is perfectly normal. If people do not want to hear you yell at them, they should leave you alone.

Novelist Judith Krantz places this sign on her door:

DO NOT COME IN. DO NOT KNOCK. DO NOT SAY HELLO.
DO NOT SAY "I'M LEAVING." DO NOT SAY ANYTHING
UNLESS THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE.

Explain to your housemates: "I love you but I am working now. Working requires concentration and one brief interruption can cause me to lose a train of thought and lose an hour or more of time. Your brief greeting or question could cause me to lose a valuable thought that will affect our income." Set boundaries and unplug the telephone. God made the earth in six days and then he rested. He could have done the job in just four days if it had not been for all the interruptions.

Sue Grafton lives in Santa Barbara. In 1993 she returned to the University of Louisville to accept an honor. On a lark, she went to look at houses and bought one. Now she writes in both places. She says "It's really quiet in Kentucky because no one knows when I’m there."

Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to sustain and complete an undertaking.
               Lawrence Clark Powell, author.

Whether you are crafting fiction or nonfiction, you must to be able to focus on the entire manuscript. You need and deserve not to be interrupted. As Sue Grafton says: "Writing has to come first". Dan Poynter is the author of The Self-Publishing Manual. He will be speaking at the March conference on The New Book Model, a faster, easier way to break into print.
ParaPublishing.com.

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 Have you encountered some helpful Internet sites? Send us the address and your brief review. Literary Traveler www.literarytraveler.com
Francis and Linda McGovern's online magazine, was inspired by their love of literature and travel. The site features well-known authors and the places they traveled or lived.

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 It's not so much that I write well--I just don't write badly very often, and that passes for good on television.
          --Andy Rooney

One writes only half the book; the other half is with the reader.
         --Joseph Conrad

I had an interest in death from an early age. When I heard, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall," I thought, 'Did he fall or was he pushed?'
          --P D James

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We are interested in hearing from you. Perhaps you've been to a recent book fair, heard a favorite author speak, learned some valuable tips from a writing class. Perhaps you're a professional willing to share your expertise. If you would like to submit an article; tell us about your good news for the Cheers column; send us your favorite quotes, markets, contests and cyber sites; or to contact us about the newsletter for any reason, please email the editor at candace@whidbey.com.

To contact the Whidbey Island Writers' Association, email writers@whidbey.com
The WIWA Web site is www.whidbey.com/writers.

Whidbey Island Writers' Conference:
March 1--3, 2002
The Spirit of Writing
www.whidbey.com/writers/conference.

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