WIWA NEWSLETTER

Vol. 7, No. 5 October - November 2007
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CONTENTS

Letter from the Editor, by Achaessa James
WIWC 2008 Conference News
   The Early Bird Gets the $55 Worm
   Presenter Interview – Bob Mayer (or is it Greg Donegan? or is it Robert Doherty?)
WIWA Announces
   Farewell Address From the Exiting Board President, by Gail Madden
   CritiqueMania – Soundings Fundraising Update, by Marian Blue
On the Island
Off the Island
MFA Program Update
   Kathleen Alcalá joins the MFA faculty, by Wayne Ude
   MFA Program Looks Ahead to January Residency, by Wayne Ude
   First Class – 2007 Whidbey Writers Workshop Anthology, by Nina Bayer
Recent Releases
Cheers!
Contests and Market Requests
   Dated Calls
   Open Calls
WIWA Web Site News and Member Services
WIWA’s Wish List
WIWA Seeks
   Volunteer Roving Reporters
Quotations
CyberSurfing
Writers Ask / Writers Respond
To Contact Us or Submit an Article
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

“If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before.” – Mitchell Burgess

This edition of the WIWA newsletter weaves the threads of many spools together and spits them out as whole cloth, ready to be sewn into something useful. Our outgoing board president bids a gracious goodbye and gives thanks to other key members of the WIWA team who are also departing. The MFA Program Update announces a special anthology published by the first graduating class. The smashingly successful Summer of Love 40th Anniversary Celebration events brought locals together in June and July for three days of tie dye, poetry and music. Other Island harvests include a fellow named Storey who wrote all summer long and is now looking for someone to type his manuscript. (Interested typists, please call the WIWA office.)

What will you be harvesting this fall? I have been pulling some juicy literary mangos out of cyberspace for you folks to enjoy. I’m not just talking contests, here (and, btw, there are some really hot submission opportunities this fall). You’ve got to check out the goodies I found for you in the Cybersurfing section (can you say “free online writing workshop” by two famous authors?) and the On the Island and Off the Island events and workshops (you can stay almost local and hear a Nobel laureate). Plus, I pulled a sweet secret from NY Times bestselling author Bob Mayer at the end of his Presenter Interview.

I have definitely worked late to bring this harvest in for you (and if you hear the rumor that I did it during a flash flood, it would be true). So now it’s time for you to roll up your sleeves. You know the routine: Browse. Click. Enjoy.

Keep writing and keep in touch!
Wet and muddy from the knees down, Achaessa

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WIWC 2008 CONFERENCE NEWS

The Early Bird Gets the $55 Worm
The 10th Annual WIWC should already be on your calendar for February 29 – March 2, 2008. But, have you registered yet? Early registration is smart registration – and the Early Bird Rate is only available through December 5. Sure, you’ll save money, but more importantly you’ll secure a premier spot at some of our exciting, limited-space events. Our Chat Houses, Master Classes, Dinner With an Author and Pre-conference Workshops fill up faster every year.

I know from personal experience that lodging close to the conference venues books up quickly, so you’ll need to make your formal commitment to attend the conference soon. Visit our conference Lodging page for a comprehensive listing of B&Bs, Cottages, Hotels/Motels, and Private Residences and Shared Lodging. (I booked my B&B for 2008 on the last morning of the 2007 conference.)

Folks on the WIWC mailing list will be receiving reminder postcards and brochures in the mail soon, but you can beat the rush by clicking straight over to the Conference Registration page. The full program has already been posted on the Web site (many thanks to Candace Allen, Bob Richardson and Nancy Bartlett), including the early bird sessions, Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. Bookmark the Conference Web site to watch for program updates – but get registered now!

You can also get college credit and clock hours for attending the Whidbey Island Writers Conference through two accredited institutions:
Skagit Valley College - sign up for LIT 152 and the conference for two credit hours. Call 360-341-2324 for more information.
Heritage Institute - awards teacher clock hours or graduate credits. Call 360-341-3020 for details.

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Presenter Interview – Bob Mayer (or is it Greg Donegan? or is it Robert Doherty?)

Wouldn’t you love to be so prolific (let’s say, writing three books a year) that you had to use three different names just to get them all published? Bob Mayer is just that prolific and as a result, is the NY Times Best-Selling author of over 35 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and has sold over six million books. At the 10th anniversary Whidbey Island Writers Conference, Bob will be leading an advanced session on characters and a full day pre-conference workshop "Writing the Novel: a comprehensive introduction." Want to know more? Read along . . .

AJ - In researching for this interview, I came upon your 2007 online writing workshop with Jennifer Crusie "He Wrote, She Wrote" - would it be useful for a conference or workshop participant to review the HWSW workshop before coming to your class? And, if so, any part in particular?

Bob - It would be useful, but the presentation is pretty complete. It goes from the original idea, through conflict, plot, point of view, characters and even into the business of selling the book and publishing. The He Wrote, She Wrote blog will be taken down at the end of 2007 and we'll make it into a book.

AJ - Speaking of Jenny Crusie, I am a huge fan of hers and was a little jarred by your collaborative work in Don't Look Down. I hear your latest joint effort, Agnes and the Hit Man (St. Martin's Press, August 21, 2007), is a smoother read (which, of course, I'll have to pick up when I'm in the States again - along with your Area 51 and Atlantis books). What comes after Agnes? You've said that you're on a three year writing-publication-marketing cycle, so I know you've got something in the works.

Bob - Jenny and I are discussing another project but the nature of publishing requires us to wait to see how Agnes and the Hit Man does. It's been out two weeks now and just moved up 10 slots on the NY Times Bestseller list so that's good. Don't Look Down was a version of High Noon with a happier ending. Agnes is a version of Shane with a happier ending. We're talking about The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance as a template for a new book.

AJ - Why in the world would someone choose to have two pseudonyms?

Bob - Mainly for business reasons. I was writing three books a year and publishers only want to put out one. Plus I wrote in different genres. My Robert Doherty pen name has done well with over one million books sold in the Area 51 series.

AJ - From what I could find, you're the most organized writer I've ever heard of. Were you always this obsessed with organization or did that come after your stint with the Green Berets? Could you give some examples of time-maximization techniques that non-military-trained writers would find useful? How do you fit in all of your teaching/workshops/touring into your 3000-5000 words per day writing schedule?

Bob - Staying organized is important for me because my weakness is details. I can do the big picture of a book and plot pretty well, but have a hard time keeping track of all the details. So I use an Excel spreadsheet that I call my Story Grid to keep track of the details of the book as I write it.

I enjoy teaching. I'll be running my Novel Writers Workshop on Whidbey Island November 15-19, 2007 at the Saratoga Inn and then again March 27-30, 2008. I limit the retreat to 8 people. There's a downloadable brochure for this and other teaching I do at http://bobmayer.org

AJ - Six million books sold is an admirable number. How many years of writing did that take? When in your career did you go from being a Green Beret and Educator who also writes, to being a full-time writer?

Bob - I've been making a living for 16 years as a writer. I'm actually starting a new business based on Who Dares Wins: Special Operations Strategies for Building Your Winning A-Team (e-reads; First edition, July 4, 2005). I do keynotes, a day long workshop and consulting for team-building and leadership. It's about taking the strategies and tactics we used in Special Operations and applying them to the civilian world.

AJ - I am really enjoying the HWSW 2007 online workshop. I am particularly interested by your repeated references to the Myers-Briggs personality types and Maslow's pyramid. Do you have any other favorite resources for character building?

Bob - I also use profiling. MindHunter is a good book about how the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit was formed. You can profile anyone, not just serial killers. 99% of what people do is habit. In my latest solo, Lost Girls (Forge Books, August 21, 2007) under the Doherty pen name, one of the two main characters is a profiler.

AJ - I used to want to write like Robert Ludlum, but then his books got boring in their sameness sometime around the late 70's (just one reader's opinion). As prolific as you are, and writing so often from your extensive military background as you do, has it been a struggle to keep your books and characters distinct from one another? Do you do anything in particular to ensure variety?

Bob - Writing in different genres helps, as does collaborating. Both force you to get out of your comfort zone. I'm working on a political thriller right now, The Jefferson Cipher, and it's exciting to do the research and try to bring American history alive within the framework of a fast-paced thriller.

AJ - I was looking through your Web site and came across the comparison points between your Atlantis books (1999-2004) and the TV series Lost (debuted 2004). So, did you collaborate on the series or did someone accidentally lift significant themes from your books?

Bob - It's hard to say. Great minds think alike? What surprised me was that there were exact scenes in the show that were in the book. What will be interesting is to see if the theory behind my Atlantis series plays out in the TV show.

AJ - I just finished the HWSW - Tightening the Story segment and note that you did an online workshop through Fields End in July. Now you tell me you’re doing two big workshops on Whidbey Island, besides presenting at the 10th Annual Whidbey Island Writers Conference. So, you're doing a lot of events in the Islands - are you planning to move here? Or just gathering setting elements?

Bob - I'm moving to Whidbey Island at the end of September.

AJ - I could not find evidence that you have a life outside of writing. Is there anything you do just for fun, or is it all just research for the next book or character?

Bob - I kayak and bike. Watch a lot of movies and read a lot of books.

Editor’s Note: The Conference team is really excited that Bob will be one of our advanced-level presenters at the 2008 Conference. To learn more about Bob Mayer (your new Whidbey Island neighbor), or to sign up for his writing or team-building workshops, or just eavesdrop on his August book tour with Jennifer Crusie for Agnes and the Hit Man, take a look at his blog at http://www.bobmayer.org/.

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WIWA ANNOUNCES

WIWA is preparing for its next decade. At 10 years old, the Board has a new look after the Annual Meeting on September 19, 2007. Incumbents Sherry Mays, Cameron Castle and Susan Wilmoth, have been joined by newly elected directors Susan Jensen, Garr Kuhl, Lois Edstrom, and Linda Casale . Nancy Ruff continues as the MFA Program representative to the Board.

WIWA has also fashioned a different management style in the office. On July 23, Pam Owen joined WIWA as the Administrative Program Director and her responsibilities are to handle all business matters for the organization including WIWA administration, local programs, annual conference and liaison services to the MFA program. Pam has a B.S. in Business Administration and comes from a long career in the legal field including a few years as the business manager for a Seattle law firm. She was recently the President of the Friends of the Langley Library and says she has an ambitious appetite for books. What better place to work than an organization that supports writers! Welcome aboard Pam.

More news in the WIWA office. Long-time volunteer Pat Brunjes has joined WIWA as a part-time employee to help keep the office running smoothly. Pat has a keen interest in organizing our local programs and will be teaching a class this fall. Pat is a retired educator who taught English, writing and competitive speech at both the high school and college levels. So welcome Pat! We’re glad your years of volunteering provides such a strong backbone to the organization.

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The 2007 Annual Meeting featured keynote speaker John Jacobsen, President of Seattle Film School. The annual meeting for the Whidbey Island Writers Association was held September 19, 2007 at the Captain Whidbey Inn, in Coupeville, WA. The meeting minutes should soon be posted at WIWA Minutes.

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WIWA Local Programs. In 1998 a small group of writers created the Whidbey Island Writers Association (WIWA), a non-profit 501(c)-3 organization dedicated to supporting writers and promoting the literary arts. With help from many people, WIWA has evolved into a multi-faceted association that provides not only its signature annual writers' conference, but also the country's first independent Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing, as authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2005.

Now it is time to extend this same professionalism to WIWA’s local classes and workshops. The many fine instructors who have provided classes in the past, and those who will provide classes in the future, deserve the highest level of respect and support.

For this reason, WIWA is instituting a formal quarter system for it’s local programming and implementing procedures that will increase enrollment and assist volunteers who keep the classes and workshops running.

We invite you to become a part of this exciting growth. To that end, please note quarter dates through:

   Winter 2008 – begins January 7
   Spring 2008 – begins March 31
   Summer 2008 – begins June 23
   Fall 2008 – begins September 15

Courses may be weekly, ten-week term courses, one-day or two-day weekend courses, or week-long workshops. If you are interested in teaching with WIWA, please e-mail the office at wiwa@whidbey.com to obtain an instructor’s packet and sample course outline.

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Farewell Address From the Exiting Board President
by Gail Madden

As my time on the board comes to an end, I am reminded what a rewarding experience this has been for me. I am in awe of the many volunteers who have supported the Whidbey Island Writers Association with their time and financial contributions. These past three years have been ones of growth and accomplishment reflecting those efforts on the part of so many of you.

Special thanks for their tireless efforts go to the departing board members: Candace Allen, Linda Beeman, and Jerry Mercer as well as to JoAnn Kane, Ned Goodhue and Bill Russell who, due to other commitments, were unable to complete their full terms. The MFA Program Governing Board under the leadership of Nancy Ruff has achieved outstanding success and they are to be commended for their efforts.

In addition, I could not have been successful without the daily support of Elizabeth Guss and Erika Sanders, both of whom have moved on to other positions. They have been ably replaced by Pam Owen and Pat Brunjes who expertly manage the day-to-day operations for the WIWA programs. I owe a big thank you to our webmaster, Bob Richardson, who has kept you all in touch through his creation of a state-of-the-art Web site and conference registration package as well as other background programs that make it possible to keep our records and membership lists straight.

Looking back on our progress over the last three years, I am humbled by the generosity of all our volunteers who have made our milestones and accomplishments possible.

Our annual conference has continued to develop a national reputation for excellence and hospitality. In 2008 we will celebrate ten years of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference with a program of dynamic presenters including Elizabeth George, Erik Larson, Christopher Vogler, and Lewis John Carlino among many other nationally and internationally renowned authors, agents, and publishers. Check out the offerings and presenters on our Conference Web site. I hope to see many of you next March when we gather for this landmark event.

Several years ago a small group of visionary members put together a proposal for a stand-alone MFA in Creative Writing. Rather than the traditional university sponsorship, they proposed that WIWA could successfully develop and foster such a program. Through hard work and planning their dream came to fruition in the creation of the Whidbey Writers Workshop - directed by Wayne Ude - a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing chartered under the umbrella of the Whidbey Island Writers Association.

In August, on a sunny-rainy Whidbey summer day, the eight graduates of the inaugural class were awarded their degrees. As a value-added benefit, the intensive residency only option for non-matriculating students is proving to be a popular option for serious authors reinvigorating their writing endeavors, without the commitment of seeking an advanced degree.

Our local programs continue to provide classes for Whidbey Island residents. Between 25 and 40 students sign up for these classes each quarter. We have benefited from the skills of our local instructors in maintaining a varied program of course offerings. Weekend intensive workshops have also proven popular as students have signed up for both half and full-day sessions in various genre topics. We have instituted an author reading program – 3rd Tuesdays – where local published authors are able to read their works at the 3 Cats Coffee House as well as have a venue for book sales through Bayview Arts. Our local writing contests for adults and children continue to be successful and bring island-wide interest and recognition to WIWA.

Our most recent successful fundraiser – CritiqueMania – will allow Marian Blue to begin to shape our newest venture, the literary magazine Soundings. I am sure that many of our local authors and members nationwide will be anxiously awaiting her call for submissions for the inaugural edition.

Finally, we all manage to stay connected through cyberspace with this newsletter bringing you news of WIWA and the Whidbey writing community from our editor who lives in sunny Mexico.

As new members join Susan Wilmoth, Cameron Castle, Nancy Ruff, and Susan Jensen on the WIWA Board, and as Sherry Mays takes over the board presidency leading this amazing organization to greater accomplishments, I am confident that all the members and friends of WIWA will continue to support our growth and success. Just like the leaders of any non-profit organization, the new WIWA Board has a challenge and mandate for successful fundraising. So, when you think of making a donation, think of WIWA and our many programs supporting “writers helping writers.” I know I will.

To all of you, members, volunteers, supporters, published authors and aspiring ones, my thanks for the opportunity to be of service to the Whidbey Island Writers Association. It was a great ride.

Now, I will go and do some writing.

Gail Madden holds a masters degree in Public Administration from Seattle University and until her retirement in 2000 was the Administrator for Primary and Specialty Medicine at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Her work has been published in two short story anthologies of the Whidbey Writers Group, and she has won awards in both fiction and poetry in the Sno-Isle Celebrate Writing Contest.

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CritiqueMania – Soundings Fundraising Update
by Marian Blue

Thank you to all the participants of CritiqueMania during August and September. An amazing 55 authors, from 16 states, Great Britain and Denmark, responded to submissions from 63 writers, from 11 states, Mexico and overseas (APO #). This spurt of creative energy generated $1,260 for our literary journal, Soundings; some of the authors also made contributions amounting to another $295! In addition, WIWA has three new members and one renewal! Thus we have a total so far received of $1,555.00. Why do I say “so far”? Because I’m sure some of you will be inspired by this success to send in additional donations before our kickoff date!

Most of the CritiqueMania submissions were fiction, which surprised me; I expected a boatload of poetry, and we had lots of poets ready to respond, more than enough for the number of poems that came in. Not all writers listed did critiques, especially those whose names were in the latter part of the alphabet (we’ll hit them up again next time).

All the writers have been very generous. I encourage everyone to read their work – buy books! Support writing and writers! And to all those writers who submitted their material: keep up the good work – I’ve heard a great deal of praise for work submitted.

Thank you all. Watch for upcoming announcements for Soundings.

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3rd Tuesday Whidbey Island Writers at 3 Cats Cafe. Join your Island writing colleagues the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m – October 16 and November 20 – at the Bayview Corner in South Whidbey Island. Dessert, espresso drinks, wine available. Call 360-221-5460 for more information.

Island Coffee House Poetry Evening, Saturday, October 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Rob Harrison will lead a poetry evening just before Halloween devoted to masks of all kinds. Who are we behind our masks? Do you have a Yoda mask stashed in your closet? Island Coffee House & Books, 124 Second Street, Langley, 360-221-2414.

Literary Landscapes reading at Hedgebrook, Saturday, October 27. Please join us for Hedgebrook’s “Women Authoring Change – Literary Landscapes” reading featuring the work of Hedgebrook alumnae in a range of genres and on various topics. This reading will celebrate autumn, the harvest, our ancestors and Dias de los Muertos. This event is free and open to the public. The reading begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Whidbey Island retreat (2197 Millman Road, Langley). Details at http://www.hedgebrook.org/calendar.php.

Poetry Slam at the Dog House, 230 First Street, Langley, Wednesday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. Jim Freeman is also working with a couple of venues in Coupeville and Oak Harbor to host slams. For details contact the WIWA office at wiwa@whidbey.com to be put in touch with Jim.

Island Coffee House Poetry Evening, Friday, November 16, 7:00-9:00 p.m. A poetry evening led by Molly Cook as a Harvest Benefit for Good Cheer food bank. Cash donations or canned food will be happily accepted. Island Coffee House & Books, 124 Second Street, Langley, 360-221-2414.

Freeland Arts and Crafts Fair. Once again WIWA will participate in the Freeland Arts and Crafts Fair on November 16-18. Freeland Crafts Fair receives 30% of sales proceeds and WIWA receives 15%. You may submit 10 books to the sale. Everything is well inventoried and there is no cash handling by the volunteers. In past years, WIWA’s authors have done well. If you would like to sit at the table and talk to folks and sign your books, that would be great. If you wish to participate, let us know how many books and what time over the three days that you would be willing to sit at the table. Please call the WIWA office at 331-6714 or email wiwa@whidbey.com.

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WIWA Fall 2007 Classes. WIWA sponsors great writing and writing-related classes, but due to the many changes in the office this summer, the WIWA fall quarter classes didn’t get scheduled in time for publication in the August edition – and they all started in September, so it’s too late to sign up now. Winter quarter classes will be posted soon, so be sure to check the Classes & Groups page frequently to make sure you don’t miss something really interesting (like Pat Brunjes’ evening class “I have a pen and I want to write - What do I do now?” which has been held over to the Winter quarter).

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WIWA-Sponsored Writing Groups. WIWA sponsors a broad selection of writing groups, both on-island and online. You can find the details for your particular locale or genre on the WIWA Web site at WIWA Writers Groups.

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OFF THE ISLAND

Richard Hugo House goes crazy! Here is a listing of just the October and November classes being offered at Richard Hugo House. All classes have limited registration and range in duration from three hours to two days. Details and registration at http://www.hugohouse.org/classes/listings/.
Working the Mojo: Making Your Fictional Characters Live and Breathe. Saturday, October 13, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Re-Creating Legends. Saturday, October 13, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Publishing Choices. Friday, October 19, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Spoof, the Retort and the Riff. Saturday, October 20, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
You're Writing the Manuscript—Now What? Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
It’s About Time. Sunday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Writing the Supernatural Story. Saturday, October 27, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The Writing Habit. Saturday, November 3, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Claiming Your Own Territory. Saturday, November 10, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Star in Your Own Comic Strip. Saturday, November 17, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
New Writing From the Everyday. Saturday, November 17, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Slipping into the Strange. Sunday, November 18, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Field’s End presents The Fire in Fiction with Donald Maass on October 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bainbridge Pavilion Cinemas. Donald Maass is a published novelist and highly successful literary agent. His workshops on craft, creativity and career planning resonate with writers at every level, first-timers to mega-bestsellers. Reduced group fees for five or more who register together. Details at http://www.fieldsend.org.

Field’s End Writers’ Roundtable. “How can a writer handle criticism and rejection?” with animal writer and activist Kristin von Kreisler. Tuesday, October 16, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Bainbridge Public Library. Free.

Literary Arts is pleased to announce that Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk will commence the 2007-2008 Portland Arts & Lectures series on Tuesday, October 16. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Details and tickets at www.literary-arts.org.

SoulFood Poetry Night. Every third Thursday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at SoulFood Books, 15748 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA. Featured readers, followed by open mic. Free. October 18 and November 15. For directions, visit www.soulfoodbooks.com or call the store at 425-881-5309 or e-mail info@soulfoodbooks.com.

Field’s End Writers’ Roundtable. “How do you go from Field’s End student to published author?” with middle-grade novelist Suzanne Selfors. Tuesday, November 20, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Bainbridge Public Library. Free.

Field’s End Writers’ Roundtable. “Opening pages: what grabs; what drags?” with romance writer Ann Roth. Tuesday, December 18, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Bainbridge Public Library. Free.

Richard Hugo House Six Week Courses. Like the workshops above, all of these are limited class sizes. Details and registration at http://www.hugohouse.org/classes/listings/.
Practice Might Make Perfect, But Practice First: Writing the Personal Essay. Tuesdays, January 22, 2008 through February 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Disciplined Artist. Wednesdays, January 23, 2008 through February 27, 2008, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Generating Poems. Saturdays, January 26, 2008 through March 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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MFA PROGRAM UPDATE

Editors Note: The Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA Program is a low-residency program that consists of four 16-week semesters and five 10-day residencies. Residencies are held on Whidbey Island in August and January, each followed by an online semester.

Kathleen Alcalá joins the MFA faculty
by Wayne Ude, Program Director and Fiction Faculty

Kathleen Alcalá will join the Whidbey Writers Workshop low-residency MFA program’s fiction faculty for the January 2008 residency and spring semester. A graduate of the University of Washington’s MA in Creative Writing, Alcalá is the author of five books: three novels, one collection of short stories, and most recently a collection of essays, The Desert Remembers My Name: On Family and Writing.

Of these essays, Elliot Bay Book Notes says: “This collection of over a decade and a half of writing by Kathleen Alcalá provides valuable insight into the Seattle Chicana writer's deep connections to her family in Mexico, the process of moving from story and research to the writing of fiction, and the ways in which we can use stories to make sense of tragedy and loss.”

In addition to this latest collection of essays, Alcalá has written three novels set in 19th century Mexico and a collection of short stories. Her work has won the Western States Book Award, the Governor’s Writers Award, the Washington State Book Award, and the Northwest Booksellers Association Award.

Of her own work, Alcalá has said, “My life’s work, whatever it has been called, is the act of translation. Not necessarily from one language to another, but between world views. I am a translator between worlds, between cultures, between jargons and contexts. And in trying to explain these many worlds to others and to myself, I have become a writer.”

Kathleen Alcalá is a most valuable addition to the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA faculty. For more information, please surf to Kathleen’s Web site at http://www.kathleenalcala.com/.

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MFA Program Looks Ahead to January Residency
by Wayne Ude, Program Director and Fiction Faculty

With the graduation of eight new MFA-holders at the August residency, one cycle of student enrollment, study, and graduation is complete. Now eleven returning students and seven faculty are looking ahead to the January 5-15 residency. Five are on track to graduate in August, 2008.

For the first time, the January residency will be held at the Captain Whidbey Inn in Coupeville, which will be familiar to WIWA members as the site of the September 2007 Annual Meeting. The inn’s new owners have generously opened their doors to the Association and to the MFA’s residency, and we’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to enjoy this fine old inn for ten delightful and hard-working days. Information about the inn can be found at http://www.captainwhidbey.com/. All residency classes and evening readings will be held at the inn.

The residency schedule is not yet complete, but the following visiting faculty are committed: novelist Elizabeth George, poetry and story-writer Tess Gallagher, nonfiction author Gary Ferguson, young adult novelist Anjali Banerjee, and Hugo House Director Lyall Bush. The January residency schedule is available at http://www.writeonwhidbey.com/mfa/residencies.htm.

Applications to participate in the residency-only option are open from October 6 until November 6. For further information, visit the MFA web site at www.writeonwhidbey.org/mfa.

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First Class – 2007 Whidbey Writers Workshop Anthology
by Nina Bayer

The 2007 graduating class of Whidbey Writers Workshop has produced a beautiful anthology of student work entitled First Class. The anthology, written and compiled by the eleven inaugural students, features works of poetry, fiction and nonfiction.
 
First Class is being offered exclusively to WIWA members through this newsletter offer. The cost is $5 per copy while supplies last (plus $1.80 shipping). All profits benefit the WWW MFA Student Scholarship Fund.
 
Send $6.80 per anthology (check or money order made payable to Nina Bayer) to:
 
Nina Bayer
22833 Bothell-Everett Hwy
Ste 110 - PMB 1117
Bothell, WA 98021
 
Thank you for supporting WWW students!

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Want to see what the MFA Program students are up to? Visit the student site at www.whidbeystudents.com - student publications, student blogs, interviews with writers, agents and editors, Northwest small press directory and much more.

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RECENT RELEASES

NOTE: Let us know when you’ve got a new release or publishing contract. We love to celebrate your publishing successes!

The Venetian Betrayal (Ballantine Books, December 11, 2007). Frequent WIWC presenter Steve Berry is back with a new Cotton Malone adventure.

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CHEERS!

NOTE: When you place in a competition or get a submission accepted for publication, please let us know. We love to celebrate your successes!

WIWA member and moderator for the WIWA Poets on-line poetry group Julian Taber had his poem, "Remembering the Ethels,” published in the small, privately circulated Clark Street Review.

The Arabesques Print Review just notified Julian Taber that his poem, “The Egg Thing,” will be published in their next print journal and on their Web site.  They’ve also asked for his bio and photo, so soon you will see Julian online at http://www.arabesquespress.org/journal/index.html.

Ron Burley writes “I thought you might be interested in what a former conference attendee has been up to. Thank you all for the education and inspiration.” AARP Magazine has asked Ron to write a new consumer action column titled “On Your Side.” AARP members will be asked to submit their consumer problems for Burley to solve. AARP Magazine has a circulation of more than 33 million and a total readership of more than 80 million. Ron is the author of UNSCREWED: The Consumer’s Guide to Getting What You Paid For (Ten Speed Press, 2006).

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CONTESTS AND MARKET REQUESTS

NOTE: When you place in a competition or get a submission accepted for publication, please let us know. We love to celebrate your successes in our CHEERS! section.

DATED CALLS:

Call for Poets - Burning Word 5
Okay, so I still haven’t gotten the actual call for presenters for Burning Word 2008, but if you’d like to be a part of Burning Word in April 2008, keep checking the Washington Poets Association Web site for the official call for presenters http://www.washingtonpoets.org/burning_word.php. Also, the word is that WPA has decided to take the leap and for the first time hire a paid festival director. There’s nothing on their Web site about it, but my source is the founder of the festival. Interested individuals should query at info@burningword.org.

Cutthroat Magazine - Joy Harjo Poetry Award and Rick DeMarinis Short Fiction Award. Submission deadline is October 10. Details at http://www.cutthroatmag.com/contest.html.

Spirit of Writing Contest for Whidbey Island Residents. WIWA invites local writers 18 years of age and older to participate in the ninth Annual Spirit of Writing Contest. Writers may submit manuscripts in any of the following categories: Poetry, Short Fiction, Nonfiction/Essay, Nonfiction/Memoir, or Children's Literature. Submission deadline is October 13.  Details are available here.

Richard Hugo House - Hugo Genre Competitions. For this installment we are looking for stories reflecting the theme “Hauntings,” using one of these three prompts as a starting point: Time, Space, Mind. Submission deadline is October 15. Details at http://www.hugohouse.org/events/contests/.

Indiana Review Fiction Prize. A prize of $1,000 and publication in the Indiana Review is given annually for a short story. Submission deadline is October 15. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines http://www.indiana.edu/~inreview/.

The Other Journal is now accepting work that confronts the role of virtue, sin, and psychosis in our consumerist, self-serving society. We are especially interested in writing that explores issues of faith and mental illness. We welcome poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Submission deadline is October 15. Details at http://www.theotherjournal.com/issue10.php.

Notorious Press invites authors to submit short fiction to be considered for inclusion in the upcoming mystery/crime anthology How’d They Do That? Submission deadline October 21. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.notoriouspress.com/?page_id=19.

Two Review, a new annual print journal of poetry and creative non-fiction, is seeking submissions for its inaugural 2007 issue. TR will publish the best original work it can find regardless of style, content, or the author's publication record. Submission deadline is October 26. Details and guidelines at http://tworeview.googlepages.com/submissionguidelines.

The Washington State Arts Commission is seeking applications for Washington's first poet laureate, to promote poetry throughout the state for a two-year term (January 2008-December 2009). Application deadline is October 29. Details and application form at http://www.arts.wa.gov/.

MO: Writings From The River, The Journal Of The Montana State University - Great Falls Literary Guild. The editors are currently accepting submissions of high quality poetry, short fiction, essays and creative nonfiction (up to 3000 words for prose). Original photographs and artwork will also be considered. Submission deadline is October 30, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.msugf.edu/litguild/index.htm.

Tea Party magazine seeks submissions of fiction, poetry, photography, visual art, comics, interviews, and feature articles for its upcoming issue #18, to be published in Spring 2008. Submission deadline is October 31, 2007. Details at http://www.teapartymagazine.com/submissions.htm.

American Poetry Review/Honickman First Book Prize. A prize of $3,000 and publication by American Poetry Review is given annually for a first book of poetry. Submission deadline October 31. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.aprweb.org/bookprize/bookprize.shtml.

Kore Press Short Fiction Award. A prize of $1,000 and publication by Kore Press will be given annually for a short story by a woman. Submission deadline October 31. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.korepress.org/KorePressShortFictionAward.htm.

Ledge Press Poetry Chapbook Competition. A prize of $1,000, publication by Ledge Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a chapbook-length poetry collection. Submission deadline October 31. Details at http://www.theledgemagazine.com/Poetry%20Chapbook%20Contest.htm.

Margie - Strong Medicine Poetry Award. A prize of $2,500 and publication in Margie is given annually for a single poem. Submission deadline is October 31. Details and guidelines at http://www.margiereview.com/CONTESTS/strongmed07.html.

Glimmer Train Press submissions calendar. Details at http://www.glimmertrain.com/writguid1.html.
Standard Submissions – October 1 through October 31
Family Matters - October 1 through October 31
Fiction Open – November 1 through January 15
Very Short Fiction Award – November 1 through January 31

Bakeless Literary Publication Prizes. Publication by Houghton Mifflin and a fellowship to attend the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in Middlebury, Vermont, is given annually for a first book by a poet, a fiction writer, and a creative nonfiction writer. Submission deadline November 1. Details and guidelines at http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/blwc/bakeless/.

Briar Cliff Review Writing Contests. Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication are given annually for a short story, a poem, and a work of creative nonfiction. Submission deadline November 1. Details at http://www.briarcliff.edu/campus_info/bcu_review/contest_info.asp.

EPIC New Voices 2008 Writing Competition. EPIC established the annual New Voices writing competition to encourage reading and writing among middle school and high school students and to promote e-book literacy in public and private schools.Submission deadline November 1. Details at http://www.epicauthors.com/newvoices.html.

A Cup of Comfort is a bestselling anthology (book) series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. Now accepting submissions for the following volumes: A Cup of Comfort for Divorced Women, submission deadline November 1.
A Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors, submission deadline December 31. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm.

Walt Whitman Award. A prize of $5,000, publication by Louisiana State University Press, and a one-month residency at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. citizen who has not published a book of poems in a standard edition. Submission deadline November 15. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/110.

Nightboat Books Poetry Prize. A prize of $1,000 and a standard royalty contract is given annually for a book-length poetry collection. Submission deadline is November 15. Details and guidelines at http://www.nightboat.org/Submit_To_Contest.htm.

The Formalist: A Journal of Metrical Poetry - Howard Nemerov Sonnet Award. A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single sonnet. The winner and 11 finalists will be published in Measure: An Annual Review of Formal Poetry. Submission deadline is November 15. Details and guidelines at http://theformalist.evansville.edu/formalist.htm.

Prose and Poetry Prizes 2007 from The New Writer magazine. Now in its eleventh year, one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July (back copies available from Web site). Closing date November 30, 2007. Details at http://www.thenewwriter.com/prizes.htm.

Inkwell accepts unsolicited submissions in poetry, prose and artwork. Inkwell is dedicated to discovering new talent and bringing the work of writers and artists to a wider audience. We encourage diverse voices and have an open submission policy for both writing and art. Submission deadline is November 30. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.inkwelljournal.org/submissions.htm.

StoryQuarterly Fiction Contest. Accepting pieces in the following categories: short stories, short short stories, and novel excerpts, maximum 8,000 words. Submission deadline is November 30. Complete details at https://narrativemagazine.com/SQ/shared/contest.php.

Concrete Wolf Poetry Chapbook Contest. We prefer chapbooks that have a theme, either obvious (e.g. chapbook about a divorce) or understated (e.g. all the poems mention the color blue). We like a collection that feels more like a whole than a sampling of work. Submission deadline is December 1. Details and guidelines at http://concretewolf.com/current/contest.htm.

Richard Hugo House - Hugo Literary Series: New Works Competition. We are seeking poems, short stories, personal essays or plays, of no more than 1,500 words from residents of Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana. The theme is “Answered Prayers and Other Tragedies.” Entries accepted December 1, 2007 through January 11, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.hugohouse.org/events/NewWorksCompetition/.

Sheila Bender's Writing It Real, an online magazine for those who write from personal experience, announces an essay contest. Submission deadline is December 1. Details and submission guidelines at http://writingitreal.com/contest.html.

10th Annual Whidbey Island Writers Conference 2008 Benefactor's Award Writing Contest
The contest is open to all registered conference attendees. Categories include: essay, short fiction, children's literature, and poetry. Conference participants may submit one entry in each genre. Multiple submissions in any one genre will result in disqualification. Submission deadline February 1, 2008. Details at http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/Contest_Scholarships/Benefactors_Contest.htm.

OPEN CALLS

Dzanc Books is looking for literary fiction that takes chances and does so with great writing. We do not mind books that do not fill a marketing niche. We are looking for absolutely fantastic works to fill those slots. It really is all about the writing to us. More details and submission guidelines at http://www.dzancbooks.org/submissions.html.

Leaf Press - Monday's Poem. We select 4 poems from those we receive each month. Please e-mail your poem and bio to ursula@leafpress.ca. Subject Line: Monday's Poem. We ask for non-exclusive
one-time electronic rights only, but poets are given an option to archive the poem on the site.
Please supply credits for poems previously published in the journals; poems published in books or on another Web site are not eligible. We will ask selected poets to e-mail us a quirky photo as well. We regret not being able to pay in cash—10080 minutes of fame is the best we can do. More details at http://www.leafpress.ca/guidelines.htm.

Narrative Magazine welcomes submissions of previously unpublished manuscripts of all lengths, from short short stories to complete book-length works. We regularly publish fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, including stories, novels, novel excerpts, novellas, personal essays, humor, sketches, memoirs, literary biographies, commentary, reportage, interviews, and features of interest to readers who take pleasure in storytelling and imaginative prose. Details and submission guidelines at http://www.narrativemagazine.com/shared/submit.php.

The Missouri Review is accepting submissions of poetry, fiction and essays. The Missouri Review is published three times a year. Submissions are open year round. Snail mail submission is free, electronic submissions must pay a $3.00 processing fee. Details at http://www.missourireview.org/main_info/guidelines.php.

Silver Boomers is now accepting submissions for an anthology of prose and poetry written by and about the baby boomer generation. Details and submission guidelines at www.silverboomers.com.

Unbound Press announces an open call for submissions. Previously unpublished work, multiple submissions acceptable if disclosed in cover letter. For details and guidelines inquire at UnboundPress@gmail.com or visit their Web site at www.unboundpress.com.

The Whidbey Student Choice Award for Short Forms. Labor Day is over. The kids are back in school. You have no more excuses--time to send that perfect short-short gem to the Whidbey Student Choice Contest. Our August winner submitted this story and won $50 on the same day. How often has that happened to any of us? It could happen to you this month. The Whidbey Student Choice award is open to writers of all genres, locations, and levels of professional attainment. We only require you keep the word count below 1,000 and follow the posted guidelines. Don't delay. The submission mailbox closes as soon as a winner is chosen. Guidelines and submission portal can be found at www.whidbeystudents.com/WSContest.

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WIWA WEB SITE NEWS AND MEMBER SERVICES

Keep Up With Your Favorite WIWC Presenters
To make it easy for our members and conference attendees, WIWA links to the Web sites of past conference presenters who provide their Web site addresses to us. It’s a convenient place to look up your favorite presenters and find out where they’re reading and what they’re publishing. Just visit our Web site under at http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/Prior_Conferences/Prior_Presenters.html.

If you’re a past WIWC presenter and your link doesn’t appear on our links page, but you would like it to, just let us know. The only requirement is that you provide a reciprocal link to WIWA and/or the conference Web site at: http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/.

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WIWA'S WISH LIST

The Whidbey Island Writers Association is looking for generous individuals or groups interested in donating any of the following items to help us in our efforts to offer outstanding and new programs to local writers and readers. Please contact 360-331-6714 if you have any questions or to make a donation, or e-mail wiwa@whidbey.com. WIWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations may be tax deductible.

–Work station (student desk size) with room for a computer and monitor
–Desk chair
–Computer and monitor to run sophisticated graphics software WIWA received through a recent grant. (Please contact Pam Owen, Administrative Program Director, for specific details)
–The Chicago Manual of Style, University of Chicago Press
–AP Stylebook, Associated Press
–New books on writing (to be used as prizes in the annual youth writing contest)
–Phone cards
–Copy paper

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WIWA SEEKS

Volunteer Roving Reporters
Fame! Glamour! Publishing opportunities! Join WIWA's team of volunteers as event-specific and beat reporters. I know you’re out there attending events and participating in our local writing community and our readers want to hear about your experiences. (Okay, fame and glamour I can’t promise, but two of our contributing reporters have been contacted by outside publishers as a result of their WIWA articles.)

There is no payment or stipend available for event or class tuition. Reporters will work with the newsletter editor to report on current events they attend to bring pertinent news back to our writing readership. For more information, please contact the Newsletter Editor directly at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com.

WIWA does not pay for articles published in the newsletter, but your article will be circulated to approximately 2,000 writers, agents and publishers via our newsletter’s e-mail distribution list and posted on the WIWA Web site. After publication, all rights revert to the author, who may freely use publication in the WIWA newsletter as a publishing “clip” either in hardcopy, PDF format, or by citing to the newsletter archives on the WIWA Web site. All rights are retained by the author, but we’d love it if you cite the original publication with us when the article is republished.

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QUOTATIONS

NOTE: Please send us quotations about writing that you would like to share.

“The difference between the right word and a similar word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” – Mark Twain

“Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.” – Tom Witte

“The flood of print has turned reading into a process of gulping rather than savoring.” – Raymond Chandler

“To me a book is a message from the gods to mankind; or, if not, should never be published at all. A message from the gods should be delivered at once.” – Aleister Crowley

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CYBERSURFING

NOTE: If you find a Web site you think other writers would find useful, send us the URL.

Armchair Interviews. Book reviews, author interviews, and an amazing resources link page http://www.armchairinterviews.com/links/.

DZANC Books. From the founder of the Emerging Writers Network. Dzanc Books was created in 2006 to advance great writing and champion those writers who don't fit neatly into the marketing niches of for-profit presses. A non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. http://www.dzancbooks.org/front.html.

Emerging Writers Network. Read. Live. Write. Love. Free services to members include book reviews, author interviews and emerging writers news. Membership is free. Click on the “Brochure” link to join. http://www.breaktech.net/EmergingWritersForum/main.aspx.

He Wrote/She Wrote. A free, online year-long writing workshop by two seasoned best selling authors – Bob Mayer and Jennifer Crusie. Start reading now – because at the end of the year, they’re closing the site and turning it into a book. http://www.crusiemayer.com/workshop/faqs.

IMP stands for “Independent Media Project.” Browsing IMP is also a great way to make connections and collaborate. You can also sell your work under several different Creative Commons licenses or plain old copyright, or if you prefer, just give your work away - whichever makes you happiest. http://independentmediaproject.com/beta.php.

The Moth. The most amazing storytelling site ever. Even better than NPR’s “This American Life.” And they’re always looking for new storytellers for monthly story slams in LA and NYC. Listen to the stories on their Web site. You’ll be glad you did. http://www.themoth.org/about.

http://www.savetheshortstory.org/, submitted by our beloved Erika Sanders. She says, “I particularly love that they have started a list of short story writers -- there's some good names on there.”

And then I raided the MFA program bookshelf (thank you Bruce) and came up with some awesome online publications worthy of being cited as providing shining examples of craft:
http://www.vestalreview.net/guidelines.html flash fiction
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/brevity/index.htm concise literary nonfiction
http://www.smokelong.com/sub_guidelines.asp flash fiction
http://www.flashquake.org/ fiction/non-fiction/poetry
http://www.webdelsol.com/Double_Room/ intersection of prose poetry and flash fiction.

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WRITERS ASK / WRITERS RESPOND

Do you have a question on writing or publishing that could use additional input? Do you have writing or publishing resources, information or experience that you’d like to share with our readers? Questions and responses can be sent to NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com and may be published in upcoming editions of the newsletter for the benefit of all readers.

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TO CONTACT US OR SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

We are interested in hearing from you. Perhaps you've been to a recent book fair, heard a favorite author speak, or learned valuable tips from a writing class. Perhaps you're a professional willing to share your expertise. We want your writing related articles. We want to hear your good news for the Cheers or Recent Releases columns, too. Have you discovered interesting markets, contests and cyber sites that we should know about? Or do you have a favorite quote to share? Contact us about the newsletter for any reason at NewsletterEditor@writeonwhidbey.com. For information about the Conference, e-mail writers@whidbey.org. The WIWA Web site is http://www.writeonwhidbey.org.

Remaining 2007 newsletter submission dates:
November 15 for December 1 edition

2008 newsletter submission dates:
January 15 for February 1 edition
March 15 for April 1 edition
May 15 for June 1 edition
July 15 for August 1 edition
September 15 for October 1 edition
November 15 for December 1 edition

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TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE

The WIWA Newsletter is published approximately every two months and posted to our Web site at http://www.writeonwhidbey.com/Publications/. If you would like to receive an e-mail announcing when each new edition of the newsletter is available, send an e-mail, with SUBSCRIBE WIWA in the subject line, to wiwa@whidbey.com. If you would like to unsubscribe, please reply to the announcing e-mail with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject, and we will delete you from our records. WIWA will not share or sell your name or e-mail address.

Whidbey-poets@googlegroups.com is an online poetry critique group open to all members of WIWA. To subscribe to the group, e-mail your request to wiwa@whidbey.com. During each month of 2007 we have a suggested topic for writing, however, subscribers to the group are encouraged to circulate poems on any topic at any time. Remaining 2007 topics:
October – Hate and Loathing
November – Anniversaries
December – No Ordinary Trip

Editor’s Note: WIWA encourages its members to be creative in forming writing groups that meet your genre’s special needs. If you have an idea for a writing group and you’d like to take the lead in making it a reality, we’d love to assist. The proposal form and group guidelines can be found at: New Group Proposal. You don’t have to be a WIWA member to join a writers’ group, but you will have to become a member to remain in the group once you’ve joined.

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