West Virginia Writers Blog

June Langford Berkley to be Honored

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:56 -0400

(This news courtesy of Phyllis Wilson Moore)

In celebration of homecoming, June Langford Berkley, author-writing coach-educator-performer-mentor-world traveler, and humorist, will receive the Salem International University’s Outstanding Achievement Award, October 3, 2009, Salem, West Virginia.

Members of West Virginia Writers Inc, and the West Virginia Library Commission will recognize June not only as a noted author but as the willing judge of state writing contests and as a humorous capable presenter of workshops and historical monologues.

Her novella SHANNAGANEY BLUE, set in West Virginia, is felt by many to have the ring of truth of Harper Lee's novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It is available at James and Law in Clarksburg.

Reservation for the banquet may be obtained by contacting Cheryl L. Rogers, 304-326-1344 or .

Those unable to attend may want to send June a message of congratulation on this, her latest, award. .

Poet Stephen Earley Jordan II reads at Alderson-Broaddus

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:31:24 -0400

On Thursday, October 8, Stephen Earley Jordan II will be on the Alderson-Broaddus campus to read his poetry and prose. The reading will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Humanities Division Lounge, 206 Withers-Brandon. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

Jordan, originally from Huntington, WV, is a 1999 graduate of Alderson-Broaddus College, where he earned a BA in writing and literature. Shortly after graduation, Jordan left West Virginia for New York City, where he established an editing business, offering clients short- and long-term writing/editing consultations. Clients have included educational publishers, universities, travel magazines, encyclopedias, web sites, and various pharmaceutical advertising agencies.

In May 2006, Jordan published Beyond Bougie, a collection of creative nonfiction, essays, and poetry on race, class, and gender. The book has been used for book clubs and college (multicultural/sociology) courses. During this time, Jordan also created the “Are You Bougie?” presentation, allowing him to visit colleges and speak about being progressive in the Black community. In August 2007, Jordan published a follow-up collection of his works, Cold, Black, and Hungry.

"I see myself as an educator, even though I don't teach in a classroom,” Jordan has said. “Editing and writing allow me to educate my readers about our own deep-rooted hidden agendas, whether it's with my creative writing, nonfiction, or poetry. I write about real life people and our uncomfortable circumstances. People rarely want to talk about these issues. But we must recognize these issues if we want to progress in life. This is why I write."

Jordan recently founded OutStretch Literary Advancements, an educational, literary nonprofit organization building mini-libraries for foster group homes. He also recently released his spoken word CD "Black Baby Tears.” Jordan lives in Bronx, New York.

Press 53 Open Awards 2010 Contest Now Open

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:30:25 -0400

The 3rd Annual Press 53 Open Awards Contest is underway and accepting entries for the 2010 Press 53 OpenAwards writing competition.

This year there are six categories: Poetry, Flash Fiction, Short-Short Story, Short Story, Creative Nonfiction, and Novella.

Details are online now at www.press53.com/openawards_2010.html.

WVW Podcast Episode 17 Now Online

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:29:41 -0400

Episode 17 of the WVW Podcast has now been posted. It's our second recorded live reading, this time originating from a session of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre's October Literary Tea series, from 2007. The featured material is the short story "Faux Fangs" from Beverly Pauley's collection Gothic Bedtime Stories. This story is the first appearance of Bev's reoccurring character, elderly West Virginia vampire Rutherford Zucks.

The episode also has information about the 2009 Literary Teas as well as a preview of what WV Writers will be doing at the 2009 WV Book Festival in Charleston and some hints about presenters for our upcoming 2010 Summer Conference.

Check it out at our PODCAST PAGE.

Writers Digest Popular Fiction Awards Contest

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:28:22 -0400

Writers Digest has opened their 5th Annual Popular Fiction Awards Writing Contest. Deadline for it is November 2 for the following categories:

    * Romance
    * Mystery/Crime Fiction
    * Science Fiction/Fantasy
    * Thriller/Suspense
    * Horror

See their website for entry requirements and all details.

http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

GVT and WVW’s Annual Literary Tea Series Scheduled for October

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:40:28 -0400

GVT’s Annual Literary Tea Series Scheduled for October

Sit back, relax, enjoy hot, fresh tea, and listen to an hour of great works of literature, read by local writers and theatre artists, Thursday evenings in October at Greenbrier Valley Theatre. The Teas begin at 5:30 pm on October 1, 8, and 15, and 22 and offer a soothing experience for the mind; a relaxing hour of reading, complete with tea and coffee and tasty treats.

GVT’s Annual Literary Tea Series is in partnership with the West Virginia Writers and, in addition to guest-artist readers, it features some of the winners of the West Virginia Writers competition. This year’s readers include Belinda Anderson, Willa Izzo, Sara Crickenberger, Tim Armentrout, and many others.

GVT invites the Community to join them for their Annual Autumn series of Literary Teas. Admission is free and no reservations are required. Call GVT Box Office at (304) 645-3838, 10 – 6pm, Monday – Saturday, for more information.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre is handicap accessible and is smoke-free. To be reminded by email of upcoming events, call GVT. Visit www.gvtheatre.org for all GVT events.

Writers Prompt Contest Now Open

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:39:36 -0400

Dear Writer Friends,

Our West Virginia Writers Group at http://www.writerscafe.org currently has two writer prompts for contests that will deadline on September 30. We need more participators, more poets entering their poems. Won't you help by going to each of the following contest sites and submitting something?

When we respond to writing prompts and enter contests, we achieve two things: we are inspired to write more poems and we also get to practice our writing craft.

Why not join us?

Here are the two contests. You have until September 30 to submit something.

1. A memoir: http://www.writerscafe.org/contests/8688

2. An etheree: http://www.writerscafe.org/contests/8689

Shepherd University Hosts Regional Writers, Photographic Artists, and a Conversation on Mountaintop Removal

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:38:50 -0400

A series of programs on Appalachian storytelling and environmental issues will take place at Shepherd University during the week of September 28 through October 3. Award-winning fiction writer Silas House, 2009 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd, will be on campus along with others to celebrate Appalachian writing and storytelling and to encourage a conversation on environmental issues and Appalachian culture and traditions.

A photographic art show beginning September 15 will inaugurate the series of events. The show exhibits photographs published in the 2009 Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Adriana Trigiani Volume. The exhibit will run through October 5 in the Scarborough Library Reading Room.

During the week of the Appalachian Heritage Celebration at Shepherd, September 28-October 3, a wide range of events and programs will occur. On Monday, September 28, at 7:00 p.m., the Shepherdstown Film Society will host a screening of the documentary Sludge. Dr. Ed. Snyder, Chair of the Environmental Studies Program at Shepherd, will be on hand at Reynolds Hall to introduce and discuss the film. The film is part of a conversation on mountaintop removal that Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence Silas House has inspired. House’s latest book, Something’s Rising, is a collection of oral histories on the subject. Among the figures included in the book are Lee Smith, literary mentor to House, and renowned singer/song-writer Jeanne Ritchie, who will headline the Appalachian Heritage Festival Concert on October 2.

At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, “A Celebration of Appalachian Storytellers“ will present writers featured in the new Anthology of Appalachian Writers, published this spring. Featured poets include West Virginia writers Eddy Pendarvis, Kathy Combiths and regional writers Jeff Mann, Marc Harshman, Karen Robbins, and Justin Batton. A reception will follow the program and readings. The event is sponsored by the WV Center for the Book, which provided funding for the Anthology.

Silas House will speak with local high school students on Wednesday, September 30, followed by a program at the Martinsburg Public Library at 10:30 a.m. Later in the day, there will be a Master Writing Class with Silas House from 3:00 until 4:30 in the Robert C. Bryd Center for Legislative Studies. At 7:00 p.m. House will talk about his life as a playwright and fiction writer at “The Writing Life with Silas House" event, also scheduled at Byrd.

The keynote and awards event is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, at Erma Byrd Hall. This event is sponsored by The WV Humanities Council and The Shepherd University Foundation. House will receive the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award and deliver the Scarborough Society Lecture, “The History of Every Country: The Importance of Place.” He will also present the WV Fiction Competition Awards. The public is invited to the reception.

On Friday, October 2, a 5:00 p.m. program is planned for the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies called “Writers and Renegades.” Appalachian Heritage Journal editor George Brosi from Berea College will be present, along with Silas House, to talk about those writers and renegades whose work and activism have made a positive impact on the environment of Appalachia.

The highlight of the week includes the Friday and Saturday Appalachian Heritage Festival Concerts at 8:00 in the Frank Theater, where singer/songwriter legend Jeanne Ritchie will headline. Events all day Saturday through out Shepherdstown conclude the Festival and the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence Project. For more information or tickets to the Festival Concerts, call or contact Rachael Meads, PASS Director at Shepherd, at 304.876.5113 or RMeads@shepherd.edu or Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, Appalachian Heritage Writers Project Director at 304.876.5220 or sshurbut@shepherd.edu. See the Appalachian Heritage website for information about Silas House and the Festival at http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/.

Poets and Musicians Opportunity

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:38:19 -0400

(This news courtesy of Wilma Acree)

Steve Ritter from Cairo, WV, extends an invitation for poets and musicians to participate in a
called this evening to tell me about a poetry/music event on Oct. 3, 6:30-9:30 pm at the Odd Fellows Building.

Poets and musicians are invited to read or perform. He says his group will put up signs showing where to go, or if anyone wants directions, they may call him at 304-628-3905 (evenings) or 304-834-0526. In addition, Ann Thistle (304-628-3445) will take calls.

Poets or musicians may sell books, Cd's, or tapes.

Cairo is between Parkersburg and Clarksburg off Route 50.

Anthology of Appalachian Writers is Open for Submissions

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:37:41 -0400

(This information courtesy of author Meredith Sue Willis's online newsletter)

ANTHOLOGY OF APPALACHIAN WRITERS IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS. The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is a publication that encourages a long-established tradition of storytelling, love of language, and creative expression associated broadly with the area of the country known as Appalachia. Though the principal mission of the anthology is to provide a venue for publication of new writers, it also provides a collection of literature and scholarship that contributes to an understanding and appreciation for the region. Poetry, fiction, memoir, heritage writers, as well as new voices appear in each annual volume of the anthology. To submit any original, unpublished work of fiction or poetry for consideration by the editors, send an electronic copy, along with the information below, to Dr. S. Bailey Shurbutt, sshurbut@shepherd.edu . All submissions must be in the submission format below.
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Title of Submission:___________________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________________
E-mail:____________________ Phone:_____________________
Brief Biography (limit 100 words):________________________________________________
Deadline for Submissions: October 15, 2009.
“THINK OUTSIDE THE CELL” WRITING CONTEST Resilience Multimedia, publisher of the widely praised book, “THINK OUTSIDE THE CELL: AN ENTREPRENEUR’S GUIDE FOR THE INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED,” is sponsoring its second writing contest for people who are or were in prison, and their loved ones. The books will be widely distributed and widely read.. Contestants may write personal stories about one or more of these topics:
* Reentering society after incarceration
* Waiting for loved ones to return home from prison
* Prison marriages and relationships
Three winners will be chosen for each topic and will receive these prizes:
* 1st Place: $300
* 2nd Place: $150
* 3rd Place: $ 75
Stories that do not win cash prizes will still be eligible for inclusion in the series.
For contest rules and more information, email resiliencemultimedia@verizon.net or call 877-267-2303.

Rumsey Radio Hour Returns

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:36:59 -0400

Dear friends of the air & Gee Lee & all

Lend us your ears sooner than later:

Let's get the word out about Rumsey Radio Hour this Sat. and Sun. at Reynolds Hall, Shepherd campus, Shepherdstown: Sat. at 2 and 8; Sun. at 6.

We've grand music and hilarity fresh from the local soil, scented w/ manure and flowers . . .

Clissy has a body electric song against PATH and The Corsets will harmonize and Johnny Dime will fight crime with poetry and Mark Kraham will impersonate a GPS and much more! Hear
Don Oehser sing and play; cheer for radio performed live since 1989. WSHC & other sponsors bring you mirth not to be missed this weekend! Please forward.

Admission is cheap and students FREE.

P.S. WSHC hopes the show will stream through Internet, so if you're far away tune in via: www.RadioTime.com & click to Rumsey Radio Hour.

WVW Podcast Bonus Show 2

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:36:13 -0400

The second bonus show for the WV Writers Podcast has now been posted. It features conversational outtakes with Dolly Withrow and Barbara Smith recorded for last week's special podcast. Plus we have a further interruption from my dog.

Find it HERE or on iTunes.

Belinda Anderson radio interview

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:35:26 -0400

Author and WV Writers member Belinda Anderson is appearing in an interview on Allegheny Mountain Radio in promotion of her September 19th appearance at the Hillsboro Public Library, hosting a Literary Tour of the writers of WV and their stories.

You can hear the interview online HERE.

Writers’Master Class with Silas House

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:51:35 -0400

A master class with writer Silas House is being offered, Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 3:00-4:30 p.m., at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies.

This class is sponsored by Four Seasons Book Store and Shepherd University Creative Writing Program.

Antietam Review Senior Editor and WV Writers member Ethan Fischer will moderate.

To participate, email 1-2 page prose and/or poetry manuscript (double-spaced), with name and email address on the manuscript, to Sshurbut@shepherd.edu.

STO Fest Begins this Week

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:33:18 -0400

In conjunction with Market Fest 2009, the Independent Theatre Collective opens StoFest: A New One-Act Play Festival this weekend. The festival runs Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, September 19 at 8pm and Sunday, September 20 at 3pm and features original plays from WV playwrights. The festival's namesake, Tom Stobart, will also be represented each evening with a staging from his repertoire. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 or festival passes can be purchased online (itc.ticketleap.com) for $25.

Wheeling-native writers include Ned Gallaway ("Painting Face"), Butch Maxwell ("Fine"), Jeremy F Richter ("L3" & "Evolving Elliot") and Ron Scott, Jr. ("Opposite But Equal"). Other writers' resumes read like a who's who of theatre artists from Tennessee Williams Award-winner, Jeffrey Scott Elwell to WV Writers podcast creator, Eric Fritzius.

"It is a thrill to be presenting four solid days of all-original, all-WV theatre," says ITC Managing Director, Jeremy Richter. "We have fifteen plays written by ten different writers featuring a cast of twenty. To have this large of a collaborative team in our very first year of StoFest is just incredible."

One play, however, will break the "all-WV" mold. Saturday evening's "Postcards From a Dead Dog" by Pittsburgh playwright, F.J. Hartland will receive a special staged reading. Hartland's script has been highly touted, even being named the Best Play at Pittsburgh's New Works Festival. The reading will feature Arlene Merryman and Richter as a mother/son duo who find it easier to communicate through postcards "sent" from the dead family dog, Rusty.

Performances will be held at Historic Second Presbyterian, 2001 Market Street in Wheeling and doors will open an hour prior to curtain. For further information including online ticket sales and each night's line-up please visit itcgreenroom.org.

Think Outside the Cell Writing Contest

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:32:41 -0400

(This information courtesy of author Meredith Sue Willis's online newsletter)

“THINK OUTSIDE THE CELL” WRITING CONTEST Resilience Multimedia, publisher of the widely praised book, “THINK OUTSIDE THE CELL: AN ENTREPRENEUR’S GUIDE FOR THE INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED,” is sponsoring its second writing contest for people who are or were in prison, and their loved ones. The books will be widely distributed and widely read.

Contestants may write personal stories about one or more of these topics:
* Reentering society after incarceration
* Waiting for loved ones to return home from prison
* Prison marriages and relationships
Three winners will be chosen for each topic and will receive these prizes:
* 1st Place: $300
* 2nd Place: $150
* 3rd Place: $ 75

Stories that do not win cash prizes will still be eligible for inclusion in the series.
For contest rules and more information, email resiliencemultimedia@verizon.net or call 877-267-2303.

History Alive! Program Seeks New Characters

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:32:14 -0400

The Humanities Council is seeking proposals for new characters for our History Alive! program. We have special interest in portrayals of significant Civil War and statehood related figures such as Stonewall Jackson, John Brown, and Francis Pierpont in preparation for the upcoming sesquicentennial of the Civil War beginning in 2011. To apply, contact program officer Mark Payne at 304-346-8500 or payne@wvhumanities.org.

WVW Podcast Shirley Young Campbell Tribute Special

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:31:19 -0400

This week we present a special double-sized podcast episode in tribute to the lady without whom there would not be a WV Writers, Shirley Young Campbell. Mrs. Campbell passed away August 17, 2009. For this special episode, we interview Barbara Smith, Dolly Withrow and Kirk Judd, each counted among the charter members of WV Writers and longtime friends of Mrs. Campbell. We discuss Mrs. Campbell's many accomplishments in promoting the writing and writers of WV, her role as a catalyst in the creation of West Virginia Writers, Inc., her co-founding of Mountain State Press, her own writing and many publications, what she was like as a person, and her role as the "Literary Mother" of so many of the finest writers of our state and beyond.

For those of you unfamiliar with the history of our organization, this is a podcast not to be missed.

Many thanks to Phyllis Wilson Moore for her tremendous help in the research for this podcast.

http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/09/episode-16-shirley-young-campbell.html

Labels: Shirley Young Campbell, WVW Podcast

Writers Workshop of Horror book signing

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 08:30:36 -0400

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. - A variety of nationally known horror writers will converge upon Barboursville this Sat., Sept. 5th, at Huntington Mall Borders bookstore.

In celebration of the release of Writers Workshop of Horror—a new book that focuses solely on the craft of writing—several contributors to the book will make a one-time appearance in the Mountain State—making it a mini horror writer’s convention, of sorts. The acclaimed writers will be meeting and greeting Borders visitors from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Among those scheduled to appear will be Gary A. Braunbeck, Lucy Snyder, Elizabeth Massie, Tim Waggoner, Jason Sizemore, C. Cameron Fuller, Brian J. Hatcher, and Michael Knost.
“We’ve assembled a dream-team of horror writers for this weekend event—many are Stoker Award winners and represent the top storytellers in the business,” said Keith Davis, of Woodland Press.

All the participants will be signing special copies of Writers Workshop of Horror as well as other titles they each have penned, during this gathering. They will also be available to answer questions from the public during an informal panel forum.

“This may be the literary event of the year. We’re extremely fortunate to have these authors at our bookstore. This is a rare, rare treat for book lovers in West Virginia,” said Lill Neace, of Borders.

Besides their contribution to Writers Workshop of Horror, the authors represented at the event have written many of the most popular books currently available in the horror and fantasy genre. In addition, each has contributed works to the popular regional series, Legends of the Mountain State, also published by Woodland Press.

Among the authors of Writers Workshop of Horror are several accomplished West Virginians, including Logan County resident Michael Knost, who also serves as editor of this title as well as the Legends of the Mountain State series. Other in-state contributors include Charleston residents Brian J. Hatcher and G. Cameron Fuller.

Gary A. Braunbeck, of Columbus, Ohio, has many other published titles including Far Dark Fields; In Silent Graves; Keepers; Coffin County; Mr. Hands; X3; Masques V; The Little Orange Book of Odd Stories; and Fear in a Handful of Dust: Horror as a Way of Life.

Braunbeck’s wife, Lucy Snyder, has authored other titles including Spellbent; Installing Linux on a Dead Badger, Sparks and Shadows, and Chimeric Machines.

Works by Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, author Elizabeth Massie include Sineater; Power of Persuasion; Wire Mesh Mothers; The Fight for Right; 1609: Winter of the Dead; 1863: A House Divided; 1870: Not With Our Blood; The Little Magenta Book of Mean Stories; and she co-authored The Secret of the Silver Shoes; The Tudors: Thy Will Be Done; and The Tudors: King Takes Queen.

Tim Waggoner, who hails from Dayton, Ohio, has written many titles, including Thieves of Blood; Forge of the Mind Slayers; Sea of Death; Darkness Wakes; Pandora Drive; The Harmony Society; Like Death; Valhalla; All Too Surreal; and Godfire.

Kentucky resident Jason Sizemore’s works include Aegri Somnia and Gratia Placenti: For the Sake of Pleasing.

The book signing event is open to the public, and patrons are encouraged to come early to speak with their favorite authors. For additional information, contact Huntington Mall Borders, at Barboursville, at 304-736-6233.

Inspiration for Writers Contest

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 13:04:55 -0400

Another contest from Sandy Tritt's company, Inspiration For Writers, Inc. Below is the Cliff Notes version, but check out her blog site for full details, and to qualify for the contest. This one includes a GREAT PRIZE! Her blog can be found at www.InspirationForWritersInc.blogspot.com Good luck! In our last post, we covered dialogue, and we gave you some examples of ways you can use beats, physical descriptions, to show your characters in your stories. Here’s your chance to put that into practice. We’re going to give you five themes, and it’s up to you to write the dialogue. But first, a few rules for this writing contest: You don’t have to use all five themes, but you do need to use at least one. You should stick to one character per theme. (Feel free to use the same character across themes.) You don’t have to use a beat, but you do need to make sure you format attributions correctly. In order to win the prize, you must be a follower on our blog. Please leave us a way to contact you with your entry. Here are your five themes: Have a character declare his or her love. Have a character declare his or her hate. Have a character greet a friend. Have a character greet his or her nemesis. Have a character respond to an embarrassing situation. Post your answers in the comment section for a chance to win an e-book of our popular Tips and Techniques Workbook. You can get a sneak peek of the workbook at our website. We'll announce the winner Friday, September 4th.

Anna Egan Smucker Display and Reception

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 13:04:24 -0400

(This news is courtesy of Phyllis Wilson Moore) Anna Egan Smucker, an award winning author of Harrison County, will be honored with a window display of her work and a reception on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 3:30-4:30 at James and Law, 217 West Main Street, Clarksburg, West Virginia. The event will recognize Ms. Smucker’s latest honor: her recent children’s book, "Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story," is the choice of the West Virginia Library Commission and the WV Center for the Book as the one book to best represent WV at the 2009 National Book Festival in Washington, D. C. The public is invited to meet Ms. Smucker and discover how she came to write a rollicking book about the origins of the state’s official fruit. Refreshments will be served at this free event.

StoFest Play Festival in Wheeling

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:03:46 -0400

The Independent Theatre Collective's StoFest Play Festival will take place in Wheeling, September 17 – 20. The festival is named after Wheeling playwright T.S. Stobart, whose plays were celebrated this past April with the first version of StoFest. Due to the response this second festival is being produced, featuring not only Stobart’s plays but plays from writers throughout WV and the surrounding region (including one by El Prez Emeritus Eric Fritzius). The Festival will take place at the Independent Theatre Collective stage located on Historic Second Presbyterian / 2001 Market Street / Wheeling, WV 26003. "...to a Flame" will run on September 20. The schedule for the festival is as follows… Thursday, September 17th 2009: I Endorse This Message - by Jonathon Joy (Huntington, WV) Opposite but Equal - by Ron Scott, Jr (Wheeling, WV) Dinnertime - by Dr. Jeffrey Scott Elwell (formerly Huntington, WV) Painting Faces - by Ned Gallaway (formerly Wheeling, WV) Next to Nothing - by T. S. Stobart Friday, September 18th 2009: Fine - Butch Maxwell (Wheeling, WV) L3 - by Jeremy Richter (Wheeling, WV) Spirals - by Dr. Jeffrey Scott Elwell (formerly Huntington, WV) Lucy Dreaming - by Stacey Lane (formerly St Albans, WV) Simple Filing - by T.S. Stobart Saturday, September 19th 2009: Postcards from a Dead Dog - by F.J. Hartland (Pittsburgh, PA) Oh, Rob - by T. S. Stobart Sunday, September 20th 2009: the War on Halloween - by Jonathon Joy (Huntington, WV) Evolving Elliot - Jeremy Richter (Wheeling, WV) Alien to Antiquity by Stacey Lane (formerly St Albans, WV) ...to a Flame - by Eric Fritzius (Princeton, WV) Gaffer Gone - by T. S. Stobart * Nightly order & titles subject to change *

WV Writers Podcast Episode 15 Now Online

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:03:14 -0400

Episode 15 of the WV Writers Podcast is now online. In it, we talk to storyteller Susanna "Granny Sue" Holstein. She’s been a featured storytelling performer at events from Bellingham, Washington to Boston, Massachusetts and points in between. She's especially well known, however, for being a West Virginia storyteller, focusing much of her repertoire on WV history, ghost stories, Appalachian tales and ballads. We talk about how she began storytelling, the fluidity of the artform, the skills required to do it correctly and, of course, we'll hear one of her more famous stories. Download it at http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/08/episode-15-granny-sue-holstein.html

Children's play and book authors' database needs writers from WV

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:02:45 -0400

Phyllis Wilson Moore sent a note out regarding two website directories of children's authors and children's playwrights that are in dire need of WV-based writers. USA Plays For Kids and America Writes for Kids are projects of Drury University School of Education and Child Development. Both of these sites offer links to the websites of children's writers (plays or childrens books, respectively) around the nation. So far, WV has one children's book author and no children's playwrights listed. If you fall into either of these categories and would like to be listed, you're invited to contact them for free membership at the site. All the details can be found at the bottom of the page for the links below. http://usawrites4kids.drury.edu/ http://usaplays4kids.drury.edu/

WVW's own Dwight Harshbarger to appear on WV Metro News Radio

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:02:20 -0400

Dwight Harsbarger, author of the new book "Witness at Hawk's Nest" is scheduled to appear on Hoppy Kercheval's Metronews Talkline program on Thursday, at 11 AM, to speak about the Hawk's Nest tragedy. Consult your local frequencies for channel.

WEST VIRGINIA WRITERS Members Live Reading Aug 28 - 30

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:01:42 -0400

(This news courtesy of George Lies) WEST VIRGINIA WRITERS Members Read at Barnes & Noble Friday and Saturday Morgantown Poets celebrates its one-year anniversary this weekend (Aug. 28-30) with a book fair event at Barnes & Noble. Besides some great musicians and authors, the MWG Writers have been invited to this fund-raiser. Come hear WVW Writers Members: -Mary Lucille DeBerry (Friday at 7:00 p.m.), -George Lies (Saturday at 2:00 p.m.), -Terry McNemar (Saturday at 2:30 p.m.) -Patricia Patteson (Saturday at 5:00 p.m.), -Joey Madia (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) At Barnes and Noble this coming weekend, the three-day event will feature free and open public readings by West Virginia authors. The schedule follows below. The book fair will serve as a fund-raiser for Morgantown Poets so that the group can continue to conduct its monthly community-based literary arts gathering at the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC). Several musicians will be performing throughout the weekend. Barnes & Noble is located at the University Town Center, 3000 University Towne Centre Drive, off Star City exit off I-79, organtown. SCHEDULE: FRIDAY The book fair kicks off with a reception from 6-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Wayne Rowand, a classically trained guitarist, will be performing. Refreshments provided. Immediately following the reception, West Virginia poet Mary Lucille DeBerry (author of "Bertha Butcher's Coat") will read from 7-7:30 p.m., followed by poet Cheryl Denise ("I Saw God Dancing") from 7:30-8 p.m. SATURDAY On Saturday, Aug. 29, events begin with an 11-11:30 a.m. reading by Cari Carpenter ("Seeing Red: Anger, Sentimentality, and American Indians," a non-fiction book), which will be followed by poet Bonnie M. Brown from 11:30 a.m.-noon. Carpenter is a faculty member in the Department of English at West Virginia University, specializing in 19th century American literature and Native American literature. A published poet, Brown has performed her work throughout the country. Musician Ben Harki will be performing from noon-1 p.m. George Lies, fiction author and steering committee member for the Morgantown Writers Group (MWG), with stories published in Mountain Voices, Mist on the Mon, and Hamilton Stone Editions, will read from 2-2:30 p.m. Then, fiction author T.W. McNemar ("Ragdoll Angel") will read from 2:30-3 p.m. McNemar is president of West Virginia Writers, Inc., the statewide organization that supports and encourages writing activities throughout West Virginia. Also on Saturday (Aug. 29), fiction and non-fiction author Patricia Patteson will read from 5-5:30 p.m., followed by Mark Brazaitis (author of the recently released poetry book, "The Other Language") from 5:30-6 p.m. Brazaitis directs the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing in the Department of English at WVU. Poet Lori Wilson ("House Where a Woman", Autumn House Press) will read from 7-7:30 p.m., and Suzanne Heagy (author of the novel "Meridian Inn," which has been recently accepted for publication by Diversion Press) will read from 7:30-8 p.m. Wilson is a computer systems analyst and a Master of Fine Arts student at Drew University. Heagy is a faculty member in the Department of Language and Literature at Fairmont State University. SUNDAY On Sunday, Aug. 30, events begin with a special reading from 1-1:30 p.m.. by Joey Madia (author of the fantasy/adventure novel, "Jester-Knight: Book One of the Ambir Dragon Tales"). Madia's reading of "Jester-Knight" will be enjoyed by older children and teens (ages 10 and up), as well as adults. In addition to his literary pursuits, Madia is the artistic director/resident playwright for New Mystics Theatre Company, Inc., which, according to its Web site, "uses the performing arts as a means of engaging young people, faculty, families, and communities in explorations of cultural and social issues affecting our lives.." Immediately following the reading of "Jester-Knight," from 1:30-2 p.m., poet, artist and craftswoman Tonya Madia will conduct a special children's reading in the children's section at Barnes & Noble (ages 4-10). She will read from the well-known children's books, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak and "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub" by Audrey Wood. Musician and songwriter Jim Savarino, facilitator of the Songwriters Circle at the MAC, will perform from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday. Rounding out the weekend, Morgantown Poets will host an open reading with a sign up sheet for writers in the community from 4-5 p.m. Sunday. Poetry and short excerpts of fiction, non-fiction, essays and other forms of writing/literature suitable for the general public are acceptable for the open reading. To assist Morgantown Poets, Barnes & Noble is providing vouchers in advance of the book fair which visitors should bring in for presentation when they check out over the weekend.. Barnes & Noble will use the vouchers as a way to donate directly to the MAC, a local, non-profit, community arts organization, to help cover costs associated with Morgantown Poets.

WV W charter member, Shirley Young Campbell, passes.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:37:30 -0400

(This information sent to WV Writers by Geoffery Campbell) Shirley Campbell, age 91, of Charleston, passed away at home Monday August 17, 2009 with her loving son and caregiver Timothy by her side. She taught in Kanawha County Schools in East Bank High school, she was a founding member of Mountain State Press and West Virginia Writers Association, published Hill and Valley Magazine for several years, she has published books and poetry collections, both fiction and non-fiction. Shirley was a member of Village Chapel Presbyterian Church. Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, George Edward Campbell and a son David. She is survived by her children Geoffrey, Anne, Martha, and Timothy; five grandchildren Amanda, Aaron, Scott, Laura, and Craig; and four great grandchildren. A tribute will be held Saturday August 22 at 1:00 pm at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church with Rev. Todd Wright officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hardingfamilygroup.com. Harding Funerals & Cremations 514 50th St. SE Kanawha City is serving the Campbell family.

Opportunity for Playwrights at Independent Theatre Collective

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:38:09 -0400

Wheeling's Independent Theatre Collective has an opportunity for playwrights as part of their reader's series, Friday Night Footlights. ITC is looking for 60-90 minute plays -- no real restrictions, smaller casts & minimal tech requirements are appreciated -- for staged readings. The readings are held the first Friday of each month in front of a live house and are streamed via their website, along with a talk-back session about the plays. Those in attendance then vote on their favorite plays. The last script standing at the end of the season gets a full production as part of the following season. Last year's winner - Stacey Lane's A Thousand Variations on a Lie Told Once will be mounted this coming November. ITC has received a good many scripts, but few have been selected . . . so slots are available! Send yours in .doc format to plays@itcgreenroom.org

io9 presents a backstage view of the job of Sci-Fi editors

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:38:26 -0400

An interesting peek into the job of a sci-fi editor, courtesy of the blog io9. http://io9.com/5333077/a-peek-inside-the-life-of-a-science-fiction-editor

This week on the WV Writers Podcast

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:34:52 -0400

This Friday, the WV Writers Podcast will broadcast its first recorded live reading. Our subject will be a live reading given by author Joey Madia from his novel Jester Knight. You can see the trailer for this book by visiting the following link: http://bookscreening.com/2009/03/18/jester-knight-by-joey-madia/ Tune in Friday morning, August 14, for Episode 14 of the WV Writers Podcast.

Belinda Anderson gives talk on the writers of WV and their stories in Hillsboro

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:57:27 -0400

On September 19, 2009, writer Belinda Anderson will give a talk entitled "West Virginia Writers and their Stories" at the Hillsboro Library of Pocahontas County, from 4:30 to 8 pm. There is no charge for the event, but attendees are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share with the whole group as part of a covered dish supper. For more information call 304-653-4936.

Issue #2 of HOLLER seeks poetry submissions

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 09:56:48 -0400

The Princeton Poetry Project's quarterly literary journal, HOLLER, is seeking poetry submissions for its second issue. The deadline for submissions is Monday, August 31. Submit online or send your poems to: The Princeton Poetry Project P.O. Box 1924 Princeton, WV 24740 And tell your friends to submit, too. The fall issue is scheduled for publication in September and there will be another reception to mark the occasion.

http://www.princetonpoetryproject.org/holler.cfm

MOTESBOOKS SEEKS SUBMISSIONS FOR 2010 ANTHOLOGY

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 09:55:56 -0400

(This news courtesy of Meredith Sue Willis's Newsletter for Readers and Writers) MOTIF is an anthology series published annually by MotesBooks of Louisville, Ky. VOLUME 1: WRITING BY EAR featured 116 writers, including Patty Griffin, Silas House, Buddy & Julie Miller, Maurice Manning, Evie Shockley, Neela Vaswani, Frank X Walker and Pamela Duncan. Each volume in the MOTIF series focuses on a theme – for Volume 2 the theme is CHANCE. Submissions may be poems, short stories, song lyrics, short memoirs, essays, letters, creative nonfiction, or other forms. Combinations of forms are acceptable up to the limits described: Prose must be under 3,000 words. Send no more than three poems/lyrics. All genres will be considered as long as “chance” is referenced or illuminated in the works. Submissions may address the theme either directly or indirectly, but “chance” should figure significantly and artfully in the piece. For full guidelines, go to http://www.motesbooks.com/ Submission period closes September 1, 2009.

Mary Lucille DeBerry Reading in Bridgeport

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:25:03 -0400

(This news courtesy of Phyllis Wilson Moore) West Virginia native Mary Lucille DeBerry will read from her first poetry collection, Bertha Butcher’s Coat at the Bridgeport Public Library (1200 Johnson Avenue, Bridgeport, WV 26330) Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Refreshments and autograph session will follow the reading ~Free and open to the public~ Terry McNemar, president of WV Writers Inc., will introduce the poet The event is sponsored by the Bridgeport Public Library and friends of the poet: Debbie Benedetti, Phyllis Wilson Moore, Anna Egan Smucker, and Dr. Sandra Vrana For information contact Crystal Hamrick, Bridgeport Public Library, 1200 Johnson Ave. Bridgeport, WV, 26330 at 304-842-8248

West Virginia Center for the Book Helps WV Writers Promote Works

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 11:24:39 -0400

(This news courtesy of George Lies WVW eNEWS -- August 3, 2009) The 2009 National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th streets from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public. Check web site at http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/ Please alert your great network of writing contacts that the West Virginia Center for the Book will have a table at the National Book Festival on Sept 26 and would love to promote as many West Virginia writers as possible. Deadline for mailing materials: August 26. Send Promotional Materials to: Karen Goff, Director Library Development Services West Virginia Library Commission 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. Charleston, WV 25305 Phone: 304-558-3978 Fax: 304-558-1612 Email: karen.e.goff@wv.gov Writers should have promotional materials to Karen Goff no later than August 25 so we can ship everything off to DC. Just a reminder, slick, colorful items move best. Information photocopied on 8 * x 11 paper - even colored paper - does not move. This year*s featured title is Anna Smucker*s Golden Delicious, A Cinderella Apple Story. CONTACT: Karen at Karen.E.Goff@wv.gov === General Festival Information Phone: (888) 714-4696 E-Mail: bookfest@loc.gov The Library of Congress 101 Independence Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20540-1400

ANTHOLOGY OF APPALACHIAN WRITERS IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 12:24:01 -0400

(This news courtesy of Meredith Sue Willis's Newsletter for Readers and Writers) The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is a publication that encourages a long-established tradition of storytelling, love of language, and creative expression associated broadly with the area of the country known as Appalachia. Though the principal mission of the anthology is to provide a venue for publication of new writers, it also provides a collection of literature and scholarship that contributes to an understanding and appreciation for the region. Poetry, fiction, memoir, heritage writers, as well as new voices appear in each annual volume of the anthology. To submit any original, unpublished work of fiction or poetry for consideration by the editors, send an electronic copy, along with the information below, to Dr. S. Bailey Shurbutt, sshurbut@shepherd.edu . All submissions must be in the submission format below. Name: Title of Submission: Address: E-mail: Phone: Brief Biography (limit 100 words): Deadline for Submissions: October 15, 2009.

Glimmer Train's Short Story Award for New Writers

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 12:23:41 -0400

The Short Story Award for New Writers competition closes August 31. We're looking for original, unpublished stories by writers whose fiction has not been presented in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. Word count range: 500 - 12,000. First-place wins $1,200 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories Issue 77. Second- and third-place winners win $500/$300 (or, if chosen for publication, $700).

Erotic Fairy Tale submissions sought

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:19:08 -0400

(This news courtesy of Cynthia Sterling Market News) Editor Kristina Wright of Cleis Press is seeking erotic fairy tales for a new anthology to be published in Spring 2010. The submission deadline is August 15 for stories of 1500 to 4000 words. Payment is $50 on publication. Wright is interested in "reinvented classic tales as well as new fables that blend fantasy and desire." Find all the details at http://kristinawright.com/blog/call-for-submissions/

ITC's StoFest Play Festival Accepting Entries (DEADLINE SOON!)

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:18:45 -0400

(This news courtesy of Jeremy Richter of Wheeling's Independent Theatre Collective.) Wheeling's Independent Theatre Collective will be staging a new 10 to 15 minute play festival named StoFest after Wheeling playwright T.S. Stobart. In April, ITC revived three of Stobart's plays to great success and enthusiastic audiences. Due to the response, the festival will continue this September with not only plays by Stobart, but is also open to other WV playwrights (of past & present residency). The length of StoFest will be determined upon how many submissions are received and selected. The only guidelines are that the scripts must be ten to fifteen minutes in length and written by WV residents/natives. Age, genre and subject matter are not restricted in any way. Please submit via email to stofest@itcgreenroom.org The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2009. Please forward this email onto any interested parties! Let's get viral w/ this notice and continue to strengthen our brilliant arts community! Contact Jeremy Richter with any questions at: jfr@itcgreenroom.org.

Esquire online fiction contest

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:49:12 -0400

(This news courtesy of Cynthia Sterling Market News) Esquire Magazine is now publishing fiction exclusively online. As part of this new venture, the magazine is publishing a fiction contest. There's no entry fee and anyone can enter -- but only one entry per person. All entries must be based on one of the following three titles: Twenty ten An Insurrection Never, Ever Bring This Up Again Stories will be judged on both literary merit and technical proficiency. Stories may be no more than 4000 words. The deadline for entries is August 1. First prize is $2500 and publication in Esquire. Find all the details at http://www.esquire.com/fiction/fiction-contest

Monongalia Arts Center Presents Comedy and Music (starring WVW's own Steve Goff)

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:48:20 -0400

MAC PRESENTS COMEDY AND MUSIC CANTINA, AUGUST 6 AND 7. In anticipation of Morgantown's upcoming first comedy festival, MAC plans to set the comedy table with two stellar nights of comedy and music at its "Hot E'nuff For Ya?" Comedy and Music Cantina on Thursday and Friday nights, August 6 and 7, 8pm, in the Tanner Theater at the Monongalia Arts Center on High Street. Featured each night will be two of MAC's favorite versatile and veteran performers, comedian Steve Goff and singer, songwriter Jim Savarino. Comic Steve Goff returns to the Tanner Theater for the first time since his hilariously successful show "Love Stinks (and Other Reality Based Observations)" ran for three sold out nights in April of 2001. Steve wrote, directed and starred in that production which was a wickedly funny combination of one man's view of love, and the world in general; and the hysterical comedy sketch "The Lunatics of Love" that utilized an all star cast of MAC players. The Morgantown Dominion-Post wrote a rave review of that show calling it "...witty, observant, and highly entertaining; a creative and rollicking good time." (DP, " 'Love Stinks Offers Sweet Laughs"... Rhonda Gillespie, April 2001). Steve is a native of Clarksburg and a graduate of WVU with a degree in journalism and a masters in public administration. An accomplished character actor, Goff appeared in numerous past MAC productions, including "Foxfire"; Crimes of the Heart"; "The Mousetrap" and "Love, Sex, and the IRS". He has been performing as a stand up comedian since his college days in Morgantown in the late 1970's and has played college campuses, comedy clubs and nightclubs all over the east coast and worked with comedy greats David Brenner and Jeff Foxworthy. Songwriter Jim Savarino, also a West Virginia native, came to songwriting from a very unusual path. Jim left home at age 15, joined the Marine Corps at 17, and later became a physicist. He began writing songs and performing in Los Angeles, and now resides in Morgantown, WV. Jim’s influences include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Denver. Jim currently hosts monthly songwriting workshops in Morgantown at MAC. Jim’s third album, “Sun Dreams” is receiving radio play in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. He has co-written with Kathy Hussey, has songs covered by folk, bluegrass, old-time, country and cowboy artists in the US and Europe. His songs include poetic descriptions of the natural beauty of Appalachia, with a viewpoint of optimism and hope in an increasingly frustrating world. This well rounded evening of comedy and music is part of MAC's ongoing effort to bring high quality and affordable entertainment to the Morgantown area. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and may be purchased by calling 304-292-3325 or online at monartscenter.com.

Glimmer Train Deadline Approaching

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:42:49 -0400

The Very Short Fiction Award closes on July 31! Very Short Fiction Award (not to exceed 3,000 words) Prizes: 1st place—$1,200 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories. 2nd place—$500 and possible publication. 3rd place—$300 and possible publication. Other considerations: Reading fee is $15 per story. Open to all writers. Results post September 30, winning story publishes in issue 77. http://www.glimmertrainpress.com/writer/html/index2.asp

WVW Podcast Episode 12 Now Available

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:41:02 -0400

After a two week absence, we return with Episode 12 of the WVW Podcast. We at long last speak to singer/songwriter and composer of our podcast's music Mr. Pops Walker. Pops is a friend of WV Writers and has performed at our summer conference on two past occasions. We speak to him about those experiences, his early days and the Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest, which he is overseeing. Visit our PODCAST PAGE for downloading, or subscribe via iTunes.

Mary Lucille DeBerry's Book Launch Party

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:51:41 -0400

(This news courtesy of Phyillis Wilson Moore) BOOK LAUNCH At The Blue Moose Cafe, 248 Walnut Street, Morgantown, WV 26505 Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:00-8:00 pm Award-winning West Virginia native (AND FUTURE WV WRITERS PODCAST GUEST) Mary Lucille DeBerry will read from her first collection of poetry, Bertha Butcher’s Coat. $15.90 (or a pre-purchased book) at the door includes an autographed copy of Bertha Butcher’s Coat, wine and appetizers. This event is sponsored by Parsons Corporation and co-hosted by Gary Tannebaum, owner of the Blue Moose Café, and Parsons representative Anne-Marie Borbely-Bartis.

Writers Digest 2009 Short Story Contest accepting entries

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:51:13 -0400

Anthology of Appalachian Writers seeks submissions

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:51:00 -0400

(This news courtesy Fay Thompson, WV Writers Roundtable Forum moderator) Writer's Digest is now accepting entries for its 10th Annual Short Short Story Contest. Enter your story of no more than 1500 words, any fiction genre. First place wins $3000, Second place $1500, with more cash prizes for other entries. The entry fee is $15. Deadline to enter is December 1, 2009. For more information and to enter online, go to http://writersdigest.com/short Labels: Writing Contest posted by E. Meritus at 10:21 AM Friday, June 26, 2009 Anthology of Appalachian Writers seeks submissions http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/images/anthology_head.jpg Anthology of Appalachian Writers The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is a publication that encourages a long-established tradition of storytelling, love of language, and creative expression associated broadly with the area of the country known as Appalachia. Though the principal mission of the anthology is to provide a venue for publication of new writers, it also provides a collection of literature and scholarship that contributes to an understanding and appreciation for the region. Poetry, fiction, memoir, heritage writers, as well as new voices appear in each annual volume of the anthology. The anthology is supported by The Shepherd University Foundation and The West Virginia Center for the Book. The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is part of the Appalachian Heritage WIR and Writers Project. Submissions: To submit any original, unpublished work of fiction or poetry for consideration by the editors, send an electronic copy, along with the information below, to Dr. S. Bailey Shurbutt, sshurbut@shepherd.edu . All submissions must be in the submission format below. Name:________________________________________________________________________ Title of Submission:___________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________ E-mail:____________________ Phone:_____________________ Brief Biography (limit 100 words):________________________________________________ Format for Submissions: Click here for submission format. Deadline for Submissions: October 15, 2009. Click on the image below to order a copy of 2009 Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Adriana Trigiani Volume I from the Shepherd University Bookstore. http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/anthology/anthology-cover.jpg Editorial Board of Anthology of Appalachian Writers: Managing Editor, S. Bailey Shurbutt, Appalachian Heritage Writers Project Director; Senior Editors, Ethan Fischer and Charlotte Henning; Senior Editorial Advisors: L. G. Wise and 2009 Appalachian Heritage WIR Silas House

WV Writers Podcast: Episode 11 Now Available

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:49:26 -0400

Episode 11 of the WV Writers Podcast is now available. In it we speak once again to Episode 3's guest, writer/editor Rhonda Browning White. Instead of speaking about memories of conferences of years past, we speak of memories of conferences of two weeks past. If you were unable to attend, this will give you some highlights. http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/06/episode-11-memories-of-conferences-more.html

Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Festival and Songwriting Contest

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:06:34 -0400

(The following news courtesy of WVW Podcast music creator, Pops Walker) Performing Arts of Luray is hosting the first - Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Festival and Songwriting Contest. They’re looking for great acoustic roots songs. Think blues, think country, think folk, or think bluegrass. BUT, think ACOUSTIC ROOTS. Entrants will submit CD recordings of their original songs via the US Postal Service. Preliminary judging will occur January – August 2009. The top ten finalists will perform “live” on October 3, 2009 at the BB&T Performing Arts Center in Luray, Virginia. 1st prize is $500, a guaranteed future booking and six hours of studio time. 2d prize is $300, and a guaranteed future booking. 3d prize is $200. Complete details can be found at: Performingartsluray.org -- or at popswalker.com.

Patchwork Writers Workshop

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:06:16 -0400

Patchwork Writers Group of Huntington will offer a day of workshops on August 15, 2009 at the Huntington Museum of Art. Picturebook author Sarah Sullivan and writer and editor Geoffrey Cameron Fuller will be leading the workshops. There are a limited number of slots available for these workshops, so pre-registration is suggested. Sarah Sullivan is the author of four picture books. Her second book, Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother, (Candlewick 2005), was an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award winner. Her third book, Passing the Music Down is forthcoming from Candlewick and her fourth book, Once Upon A Baby Brother, is forthcoming from Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Her poetry has appeared in Cricket magazine and she holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College where she was the recipient of the Harcourt Post-Graduate scholarship. She also received an Individual Artist Fellowship/Grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Prior to writing for children, Sarah practiced law for fourteen years. Currently, she writes full-time and conducts writing workshops and visiting author programs in schools throughout the country. Geoffrey Cameron Fuller’s fiction and nonfiction has been published in newspapers and newsmagazines, literary and genre periodicals, fiction collections and classroom textbooks. As a book evaluator and editor, Fuller’s work has also helped clients win awards and Fellowships, most recently winning a national award—a bronze IPPY, the Independent Publisher Book Award—for the history, Monongah (Davitt McAteer, West Virginia University Press). Fuller was on the editorial board of Writer’s Digest for a number of years and currently writes, edits, and teaches in Charleston, West Virginia. HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART 2033 McCoy Road, Huntington, WV 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. COST $20.00 Deadline for Registration: August 8, 2009 Limited to 40 people Download official registration form HERE. Labels: writing workshops

WV Writers Conference 2009 Just Uncommonly Good Award and Historical JUG Winners List

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:39:33 -0400

At the 2009 Conference Awards Banquet, the board of directors of WV Writers, Inc. awarded it's Just Uncommonly Good Award (JUG). According to existing records, the JUG Award was the brainchild of John “Jack” Zierold. It was established to honor exceptional writing, or the body of work, and also to mentors of writers. Over the years it has grown to include service to writers of the state and service to WV Writers, Inc. The award itself includes a certificate and a clay jug. The 2009 JUG Awards were granted to Geoff Fuller, for his service to writing in West Virginia, and Eric Fritzius, for his service to WV Writers. JUST UNCOMMONLY GOOD (JUG) AWARD MASTER LIST 1983 - 2009 2009 Geoff Fuller for writing and mentoring. Eric Fritzius for service to WV Writers. 2008 Joe McCabe for writing and mentoring. Sandy Tritt for service to WV Writers and for mentoring. 2007 Patsy Pittman for her years of service to WV Writers and Kate Long for her service to writers from WV. 2006 Irene McKinney and Pam Hanson for writing, Cathy Pleska for mentoring, Jerry and Rae Anne Blair for corporate support. 2005 Mary Furbee for writing, Fay Thompson for mentoring. 2004 Mark Defoe for his poetry and service to WV Writers, Belinda Anderson for mentoring. 2003 Fran Simone, George Lies; Wilma Acree 2002 Boyd Carr for writing; Cheryl Ware for mentoring; Elizabeth Chilton (corporate support from Charleston Gazette) 2001 no nomination 2000 Cleta Long (for both writing and mentoring) awarded posthumously 1999 Sherrell Wigal and Carolyn Sue Ferguson, both for mentoring 1998 Irene Brand and Billy Edd Wheeler 1997 Dennis Deitz and Jim Andrews 1996 Meredith Sue Willis and Kirk Judd 1995 No nominations 1994 Mary Lee Settle and Barbara Smith 1993 Jean Batllo and John "Jack" Zierold 1992 John Suter and Betty Mac Queen 1991 Denise Giardina and Helen Carper 1990 none 1989 none 1988 none 1987 Shirley Young Campbell 1986 none 1985 Louise McNeill (aka Louise McNeill Pease) 1984 Emil Pauley for her long term efforts as organizer of the conferences; James B. Andrews for helping establish WV Writers; Jim Comstock for writing 1983 Alberta Pierson Hannum, the first recipient, received the award for the body of her work which includes nonfiction, fiction, essays, and the motion picture screen writing for one of her novels Rosanna McCoy (which, by the way, starred Farley Granger). She was in a nursing home at the time and died soon after. The effort to honor her was spearheaded by Jim Comstock.

WV Writers Conference 2009 People's Choice and Writers Wall

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:20:07 -0400

Each year at the Summer Conference, WV Writers offers the attendees of the conference a chance to vote upon the winners of some conference-based writing contests. The People's Choice contests take place on Friday and Saturday of the conference and are split into poetry and prose categories on Friday and poetry, prose and youth categories on Saturday. Competitors recite their pieces with a four minute time limit and the top three are voted upon by the audience in secret ballot. In the Writers Wall contest, three free-standing bulletin boards in the assembly hall represent poetry, prose and youth categories. Entries are usually only one page and are read and voted upon by conference attendees, also in secret ballot. PEOPLE'S CHOICE POETRY (Friday) 1st Place-- Nicole Lawrence 2nd Place-- Cheryl Denise 3rd Place Tie-- Amanda Stephens 3rd Place Tie-- Susanna Holstein PEOPLE'S CHOICE POETRY (Saturday) 1st Place-- Judy Southard 2nd Place-- Rhonda White 3rd Place-- Susanna Holstein PEOPLE'S CHOICE PROSE (Friday) 1st Place-- Kathy Kish 2nd Place-- Eric Fritzius 3rd Place-- Janet Smart PEOPLE'S CHOICE PROSE (Saturday) 1st Place-- Dawn Baldwin 2nd Place-- Mary Shortridge 3rd Place-- Claire Stuart PEOPLE'S CHOICE YOUTH 1st Place-- Theresa Buczek 2nd Place-- Miranda Gable 3rd Place-- Sam Harding

WV Writers 2009 Writing Contest Winners List

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:03:19 -0400

YOUTH CATEGORIES Elementary School winners: Kadian Harding / Jefferson County First Place Elementary School "The Inauguration in Photos" Jessi Hersom / Berkeley County Second Place Elementary School "One Fine Clear Day" Haley Lambert / Kanawha County Third Place Elementary School "The Adventures of Loud Mouth Sally" Andi Hersom / Berkeley County 1st Honorable Mention Elementary School "Seneca Rocks" Matteo LaMonaca / Jefferson County 2nd Honorable Mention Elementary School "Nonno" Roula Hammer / Jefferson County 3rd Honorable Mention Elementary School "Magenta and the Secret Garden" Middle School Winners: Miranda Gable / Monongalia County First Place Middle School "To Remember" Abby Buckley / MD. Second Place Middle School "Chauncey Goes to the Beach" Elizabeth Buscher / Jefferson County Third Place Middle School "The World Through My Eyes" Samuel Tillman / Harrison County 1st Honorable Mention Middle School "The Wolves" Kyra Dawe / Jefferson County 2nd Honorable Mention Middle School "Soldier Boys" Alex Hersom / Berkeley County 3rd Honorable Mention Middle School "Home in West Virginia" Theresa Buczek/ Monongalia County 4th Honorable Mention Middle School "My Knight in Shining Armor" High School Poetry Winners: Joesph Foster / County Putnam First Place High School Poetry "Mistral's Child" Lindsey Maxon /Texas Second Place High School Poetry "Puzzle" Rachel McKinney / Jefferson County Third Place High School Poetry "Pictures" Chase Smith / Kanawha (Kan.) 1st Honorable Mention High School Poetry "Glory" Lindsey Maxon / TX. 2nd Honorable Mention High School Poetry "Song of Silk" Clare Tillman / Harrison County 3rd Honorable Mention High School Poetry "Seven Themes on West Virginia" High School Prose Winners: Alora Ray / Jefferson County First Place High School Prose "Harbor Theory" Caitlin Gentry /Virginia Second Place High School Prose "Rubble" Caitlin Gentry / VA. Third Place High School Prose "Sahara" Nicole Marton / Harrison 1st Honorable Mention High School Prose "That's My Girl" Rebecca Liu / Michagan 2nd Honorable Mention High School Prose "The Nature of Road Trips" Lindsey Maxon / TX. 3rd Honorable Mention High School Prose "Flyboy" Caitlin Gentry / VA. 4th Honorable Mention High School Prose "Discord" ADULT CATEGORIES Emerging Writers: Prose -Winners: Patricia McKnew / Hampshire County First Place Emerging Writers: Prose "The Other Side of the Mountain" Ethel Morgan Smith / Monongalia County Second Place Emerging Writers: Prose "The House of Flowers" Patrick Joyce / Harrison County Third Place Emerging Writers: Prose "Nocturnal Missions" Jessica Murphy / Monongalia 1st Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose "Hijacking Nature" Shawn May / Monongalia County 2nd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose "Appalachian Uprising" Nadine McKinney / Boone County 3rd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose "Coping in Blackbird Hollow" Ceason Ranson / Jackson County 4th Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose "The Product of Red and Blue" Emerging Writers: Poetry-Winners: Kevin Colistra / Monongalia County First Place Emerging Writers: Poetry "Fighting Cougars" Jim Davis / Marion County Second Place Emerging Writers: Poetry "Undercurrents" Christy Gingerich / Monongalia County Third Place Emerging Writers: Poetry "The River My Witness" Jim Davis / Marion County 1st Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry "Plane Geometry" James Garrett / VA. 2nd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry "Fievre du Printemps" Richard DeVan / Hampshire County 3rd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry "Vultures" Short Poetry Winners: Anna Smucker / Harrison County First Place Short Poetry "Regret" Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier Second Place Short Poetry "Living Proof" Earl Keener / Brooke Third Place Short Poetry "Grand Mal Seizure" Charity Gingerich / Mon. 1st Honorable Mention Short Poetry "Visting Lennon in a Square in Izmail" Kimberly Honaker / Mon. 2nd Honorable Mention Short Poetry "The Lights On The River" Marion Kee / Washington (state...not that there's a WA County in WV 3rd Honorable Mention Short Poetry "Florida Citrus" Sandra Vrana / Upshur 4th Honorable Mention Short Poetry "Emblems" Long Poetry Winners: Cheryl Denise / Barbour First Place Long Poetry "Mother From Paradise" Charity Gingerich / Monongalia County Second Place Long Poetry "St. Vladimir's Kiev" Tom Donlon / Jefferson County Third Place Long Poetry "Strip Club" Sandra Vrana / Upshur County 1st Honorable Mention Long Poetry "The Student, The Teacher" Ed Zahniser / Jefferson County 2nd Honorable Mention Long Poetry "Urinalysis 101" Mary Lucille DeBerry / Monongalia 3rd Honorable Mention Long Poetry "No Sounds While Bulbs Growing" Children's Books Winners: Pam Miller / Jefferson County First Place Children's Book Chestnut Street Belinda Anderson / Greenbrier County Second Place Children's Book Fly Away Street Belinda Anderson / Greenbrier Third Place Children's Book Jackson vs. Double W Making Kid Soup Craig Etchison / Mineral County 1st Honorable Mention Children's Book Sam's Song Julia Sadd / Kanawha County 2nd Honorable Mention Children's Book Beatrice, the Cow Who Danced On Ice Nadine McKinney / Boone 3rd Honorable Mention Children's Book Bad Case of Crickets Humor Winners: John Bagladi / Jefferson County First Place Humor “Bradley's Delivery" Susan DeVan /Hampshire County Second Place Humor "Granny Takes a Job" Susan DeVan / Hampshire County Third Place Humor "The Do-Gooders' Day From Hell" Deborah Filanowski / PA. 1st Honorable Mention Humor "Nature's Lesson" Jeanne Wilson / Calhoun County 2nd Honorable Mention Humor "The Week I Was Famous" Willa Izzo / Greenbrier County 3rd Honorable Mention Humor "Volunteer Coach" Susan DeVan / Hampshire County. 4th Honorable Mention Humor "Granny and the Gremlins" Nonfiction Winners: Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County First Place Nonfiction "Apples" Elizabeth Dawn Lippman / Brooke County Second Place Nonfiction "Anamnesis" Nadine McKinney / Boone County Third Place Nonfiction “Coping in Blackstrap Hollow" Dianna Simms / Pendleton County 1st Honorable Mention Nonfiction "My Sister" Sarah Beth Childers / Monongalia County 2nd Honorable Mention Nonfiction "The Preacher" Shawn May / Monongalia County 3rd Honorable Mention Nonfiction "Appalachian Uprising: Prologue" Donna Evans / CA. 4th Honorable Mention Nonfiction “The Uncle Ed Experience" Dianna Simms / Pendleton County. 5th Honorable Mention Nonfiction "In Defense of the Rooster" Joe McCabe Memorial Playwriting Contest Winners: Kenley Smith / VA. First Place Stage Play Devil Sedan Susan DeVan / Hampshire County. Second Place Stage Play My House/My Home Ethel Morgan Smith / Monongalia County Third Place Stage Play African Violets Susan DeVan / Hampshire County. 1st Honorable Mention Stage Play Christmas Gift Ingrid Briles / Kanawha County 2nd Honorable Mention Stage Play Welcome Home Sarah Beth Childers / Monongalia County 3rd Honorable Mention Stage Play Baking Biscuits Short Story Winners: Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County. First Place Short Story “Resurrection" Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier County Second Place Short Story "Fixing Fried Turtle" Dreama Frisk / VA. Third Place Short Story "A Hunter's Moon" Rhonda White / FL. 1st Honorable Mention Short Story "Just Rita" Jay Tabor / Berkshire 2nd Honorable Mention Short Story "Journey to Fate" Lori D'Angelo / Mon. 3rd Honorable Mention Short Story "Provisions" Chris Kuell / CT. 4th Honorable Mention Short Story "Catalyst" Wilma Acree / Wood 5th Honorable Mention Short Story "Cave Chief" Appalachian Writing Winners: Elizabeth Dawn Lippman / Brooke First Place Appalachian Writing "Anamnesis" Wilma Acree / Wood Second Place Appalachian Writing "House on Parchment Creek" Susanna Holstein / Jackson Third Place Appalachian Writing "King Coal" Wilma Acree / Wood 1st Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing "Emily Catherine Messenger Speaks to Her Grandfather" Cat Pleska / Putnam 2nd Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing "Night On Cheat Mountain" Racheal Rose / Nicholas 3rd Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing "Bees" Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier County. 4th Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing "Fixing Fried Turtle" Susan DeVan / Hampshire 5th Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing "Granny at the Landfill" Book Length Prose: Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County First Place Book Length Prose The Corner Cupboard Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County Second Place Book Length Prose Angelus Katherine Cobb / Jefferson County Third Place Book Length Prose Skyline Higher Holly Becker / Kanawha County 1st Honorable Mention Book Length Prose The Year Kate's Brain Got A New Battery Terry Lively / Kanawha County 2nd Honorable Mention Book Length Prose Keystone Shirley Nordeck Short / Preston County 3rd Honorable Mention Book Length Prose The Coffeesoup Collection ***Special Mention: Randi Ward / The Faroe Islands Special Mention Book Length Prose Labor Pains: A Portrait of Olevina Joensen

Conference Entertainment Update

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:50:36 -0400

We've had something of a change in our conference entertainment for Saturday evening. Keith and Joan Pitzer were scheduled to perform in concert following the awards banquet, but an emergent situation has come up in their lives that has forced them to bow out for this year. Fear not, for the Pitzers have lent us a hand at securing a replacement and we will now be honored to have Ron Sowell as the musical entertainment for Saturday night. Ron is the musical director of the internationally acclaimed public radio show, Mountain Stage, and is also a singer-songwriter, guitarist, performer and producer. Ron originally joined the Mountain Stage as its guitar player when it was only a fledgling local radio show. Since then, the show has grown to be heard each week on 120 public radio stations nationwide and worldwide via the Voice of America and Ron has been promoted to its musical director. On the show he has played with hundreds of performers, such as Sarah McLachian, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Kathy Mattea and the legends Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Rambling Jack Elliott and Odetta. According to his website: "In 1992 he released his first solo CD, Oil and Water, featuring ten original compositions. The songs range from the absurdly humorous to the socially conscious. "As a performer he has the gift to make a thousand people in a concert hall feel like they are sitting in his living room. He's engaging and funny and plays great guitar and harmonica. Whether making you laugh or cry, sing or dance, Ron Sowell exudes sincerity and grace rarely found in such an accomplished entertainer." We look forward to welcoming Ron Sowell to the WV Writers family of entertainers and know that he will continue our trend of outstanding performances at the conference.

WV State Folk Festival in Glenville

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 10:54:37 -0400

(This news courtesy of WVWriters' own Granny Sue Holstein) The Oral Traditions tent at the WV State Folk Festival in Glenville features some names that should be familiar to WV Writers members and possibly to Roundtable members too. The Festival is scheduled for June 18-21; the Oral Traditions tent is scheduled on Friday (19th) and Saturday (June 20th). Most festival events are free and include lots of old-time music with our state's best musicians, The WV Belles, and lots more. It's a fun, laid-back time in a small town that keeps the heart of the mountains alive. Here is the Oral Traditions tent schedule: Friday, June 19th: 11am:Kirk Judd (poet) 12:00 Laura Treacy Bentley (poet) 2:00 pm Marc Harshman (poet, storyteller, writer) 3:00 pm Mountain Echoes (storytellers) Saturday, June 20th: 10 am Fran Schmetzer (local Gilmer County author) 12:00 Susanna Holstein (storyteller, poet, writer) 3:00 pm Cat Pleska (storyteller and writer) 4:00 pm Suzi "Mama" Whaples (storyteller) I hope to see you there! Email me if you need more information about this festival, which is the oldest folk festival in WV.

Conference Attendee Checklist

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 10:05:33 -0400

• If you've never been to the conference, check out the Conference First Timers Guide for some handy tips. • Remember to bring material to pin to the Writers Wall, be it poetry or prose. • Remember not to put your name on the Writers Wall material. • Remember to bring material to read in the People's Choice competitions on Friday or Saturday, be it poetry or prose. • Remember that name badges are required in order to attend workshops, so that will help in knowing who people are in all the activities. This year we've chosen the much-requested hanging badges instead of the pin-style so they won't snag clothes, so this will make them easier to wear. • Remember to bring something to donate to the silent auction. People have brought books, crafts, jewelry, art, sculpture and many other kinds of things. If it looks interesting, chances are it will do well. (Eric is especially interested in starting and winning a bidding war on one of those Flatwoods Monster porcelain lanterns, if you've got one lying around.) If you don't have something already, maybe ask a local business to donate something. WV Writers can send them a tax receipt. • Remember to bring a food item or drink item for the Reception Table in the Main Hall. This can be something home baked or store bought, like cookies, candy bar minis, doughnuts, or, God help us, something healthy like fruit. Chips, not so good. Likewise for drinks, a 12 pack of canned soft drinks or water is greatly appreciated. We'll have coffee and fruit/veggie trays on hand, but if you have healthy food you'd like to bring, that's always appreciated too. We like to have enough food and drinks on hand so there are refreshments throughout the weekend, so if everyone brings a food item and a drink item, we'll be good to go. • If you have a cooler and ice you can loan us for the weekend please do bring it. We use them to keep the refreshment drinks cold. • If you're doing a Pitch Session with Peter Lynch, you might stop by the following address for some Pitch Session How To suggestions. (http://jenniferlawler.com/wordpress/?p=133) • If you've registered for your room and meals with Cedar Lakes, be sure they have your meal choice for the Saturday evening banquet (baked steak or stuffed chicken). Every year Cedar Lakes has to spend countless hours calling people to get their choice. • Check out the finalized schedule online for the latest changes, so you can plan your days accordingly. • Remember to bring a hoodie, sweater or something warm to pull on, as it does get nippy at night. Similarly, a rain coat or umbrella would be good, as traditionally there is an annual torrential downpour at some point.

WV Writers BONUS Podcast: Episode 9 Now Available

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 10:07:50 -0400

Episode 9, the first of our two, count `em, TWO work-week bookending podcasts we're releasing this week, is now online. In this episode we talk to Keith Pitzer of the singing duo Keith & Joan Pitzer. Keith is not only leading a workshop on songwriting at the conference this year, he and Joan are returning to the Saturday night entertainment stage. Attendees last year remember them for their concert with our podcast's music provider, Pops Walker. We talk to Keith about the craft of songwriting and hear some of the Pitzers music as well. http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/06/episode-9-keith-pitzer.htm

WV Writers Podcast Episode 8: William Bitner & Daniel Boyd: Tag Team Interview

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:07:16 -0400

Episode 8 of the WVW Podcast is now online, in which we speak with William Bitner and Daniel Boyd, authors, film-makers, educators, professional wrestlers, and creators of the WV-set pulp-style illustrated novel Death Falcon Zero Vs. the Zombie Slug Lords. We talk to them about how they became the wrestlers Death Falcon Zero and Professor Danger and how that ultimately led to their book starring their in-ring alter-egos. Both William Bitner and Daniel Boyd will be leading workshops at next week's WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV. Check it out at our Podcast Page.

LEISURE BOOKS PUTS OUT CALL FOR "FRESH BLOOD"

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 10:06:32 -0400

Leisure Books, the company “leading the way in publishing paperback horror,”* is partnering with Rue Morgue magazine in association with horror fiction web site ChiZine, to present “Fresh Blood,” a new writing contest specifically for unpublished horror authors. The winner will receive a contract for publication in Leisure’s 2011 lineup, as well as a contract from ChiZine Publications for a limited-edition hardcover release, also in 2011. Leisure is looking for finished horror novel manuscripts, either supernatural or non-supernatural, of 80,000 – 90,000 words. A panel of experts, including Leisure Executive Editor Don D’Auria and editors at ChiZine, will judge entries. The finalists will be announced in November 2009. From December 2009 through July 2010, monthly competitions in categories such as “Best Summary,” “Best First Line,” “Best Title,” and “Most Frightening Scene” will run on ChiZine.com. Readers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites, and after each deadline, entries with the fewest votes will be eliminated. The winner will be announced in August 2010 at Rue Morgue’s Festival of Fear in Toronto, Canada, as well as on the Leisure and ChiZine web sites. Entries should be sent to Submissions@dorchesterpub.com by September 30, 2009. “Fresh Blood” must appear in the subject line of the email. For full entry details, visit www.dorchesterpub.com or http://chizine.com. Leisure Books is an imprint of Dorchester Publishing and publishes two horror titles every month by authors such as Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, and Sarah Pinborough. Contest Rules Submission materials should include: A synopsis that tells the story from beginning to end. The complete manuscript The chosen finalists will later be asked to supply: A dramatic, brief summary of the novel, similar to what would go on the back cover of the book. This should be no more than 200 words. A description of your novel’s frightening element (the killer, the monster, ghost, vampire, evil presence, etc.). No more than 250 words. A description of your novel’s protagonist. No more than 250 words. The best dialogue scene in your manuscript. No more than 1500 words. The most atmospheric scene in your manuscript. No more than 1500 words. The most frightening scene in your manuscript. No more than 1750 words. A brief bio and author photo FAQ: What does “unpublished” mean? “Unpublished” refers to any author who has never had a novel published in book form. For example: If you have been e-pubbed, you are eligible. If you have had short stories or anything under 40,000 words published in a magazine or anthology, you would still be eligible. What formatting should I use? Entries should be double-spaced and sent as a Word email attachment. The complete manuscript and the synopsis should be in two separate files attached to one email. How long should the synopsis be? There is no required length for the synopsis, though we find 3-7 pages is generally sufficient. How do you calculate your word count? If the manuscript is written in a standard font, our word count requirement generally means it will run about 340-400 pages. Your computer can help give you a rough estimate of what constitutes 80,000-90,000 words. May I enter more than one title? No. We request that you send only one submission.

Marc Harshman 1st Place in Newport Review Flash Fiction Contest

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 11:40:15 -0400

Congrats go out to WV Writers member and previous conference presenter Marc Harshman for his 1st Place win in the Newport Review's Flash Fiction contest. You can read his entry, entitled "The Company of Heaven" at the Newport Review site. http://newportreview.org/?contest-winners/mharshman.html Their 2009 Flash Fiction Contest will open for entries from June 1 through September 1, 2009. This year's guest judge will be fiction writer Hester Kaplan, author of The Edge of Marriage and Kinship Theory. They are looking for works that are short in length but linger long in memory: small stories that pack a big emotional punch and make creative use of language. Please note that this year, we are accepting slightly longer stories, up to a maximum of 1,000 words. Complete Contest Guidelines: Deadline: Postmarked by September 1, 2009 Word Count: Short-short stories up to 1,000 words Entry fee: $7 per story, 3 for $20 Mail manuscripts w/check or money order (made out to Newport Review) to: Newport Review Flash Fiction Contest, P.O. Box 65, Warren, RI 02885 Manuscripts should include writer's name and complete contact information, including email and phone. Winners will be notified and posted on our blog and web site. Include a business-size SASE if you wish individual notification of contest results. Manuscripts will not be recycled unless return is requested; include SASE with sufficient return postage. Writers may submit a total of six entries. The contest is open to all writers, published and unpublished, except writers personally affiliated with Newport Review, its editorial staff or board of directors. Past contest winners and those who have been published in the print edition of Newport Review are eligible to enter. New prizes will be awarded: First Prize: $150 and publication Second Prize: $100 and publication Third Prize: $50 and publication Honorable Mention: Publication Prize-winning stories and stories receiving honorable mention will be published in a future issue of Newport Review. Other stories may also be considered for publication.

WVW CSI Conference Presentation UPDATE

Sun, 31 May 2009 11:39:28 -0400

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Theodore Anglas has been forced to cancel his CSI presentations. NOT TO FEAR. Thanks to the dedicated staff at Mountain State University and intermediaries, we are pleased to announce that Andrew Wheeler will now give the CSI presentations. Andrew Wheeler holds a Master of Forensic Science degree from The George Washington University and has over ten years of field experience in civil and criminal investigations. He is qualified as an expert witness, and has testified in several fields of forensic investigation. Mr. Wheeler received the prestigious “Professor of the Year” award given by the Mountain State University Student Government Association in 2005. I think we just turned this presentation up a notch.

Nanny Dish Writing Contest for Mothers

Sun, 31 May 2009 11:28:35 -0400

Vancouver, Thursday, May 26th 2009 - Nannies on Call and Fat Rock Productions - owned separately by locals Michelle Kelsey and independent film producer Karen Rebecca Black - have partnered to launch THE NANNY DISH: a unique mini-writing contest created specifically for mothers. The concept is simple: 300 words to write your "dish" -- a nanny story told from mom's point of view. "The Nanny Dish was created to find a fun way to transition between blogging and writing a structured storyline - small-size!" Karen explains, "Michelle and I have been navigating the world of Twitter for our companies over the last six months - in the midst of research we were finding hundreds of entertaining and unexpected blogs, quirky Facebook rants and posts, the majority from moms..." Karen pauses to note that she is always on the lookout for raw female writing and directing talent. "The Nanny Dish is about inspiring moms to write in eye-catching, unexpected style -- while making every word count." Adds Karen, "you can't fake your way through 300 words!" The grass-rooots PR and marketing campaign for The Nanny Dish will be executed across North America, with a mom-specific audience in mind. "We're building on the strengths we both bring to the project," says Michelle, "I'm focusing on my network of Canadian moms. Karen's production company is based here in Vancouver, but she primarily works with writers out of the US. She actually started out in the industry as an executive at The Weinstein Company in Los Angeles." Karen's LA ties also helped her bring a touch of Hollywood to the contest: TV writer Aury Wallington - of SEX AND THE CITY and VERONICA MARS - will join Karen and the YummyMummyClub's popular blogger EarnestGirl in judging the entries. The Nanny Dish grand prize is a full-time nanny placement service from Nannies on Call valued at $1,500 and registration in Fat Rock's August session of the BETTER THAN CHOCOLAT Screenwriting Workshops (a four-week online screenwriting series for mothers). "The winning Dish will also be developed into an actual screenplay during the BTC workshops," Karen says. "This is a teaching tool exclusive to both The Nanny Dish and the BTC workshops - we're very excited!" Along with the grand prize winner, judges will select three finalists to receive prizes from sponsors The Willamette Writers Conference, Urban Harmonie Handbag Designs, Munch Family Restaurant (the newly re-launched Babyeats) and Juliet's Room Organic Skin and Body Care. Entry to The Nanny Dish is free and all winning Dishes will be posted on the website for the pubic to enjoy. Submissions open June 1st at www.nannydish.com. "Dish up your favorite nanny story - and win! There are three simple rules: write from a mother's perspective, feature a nanny as a main character, 300 words tops. That's it. Submissions close July 15th. Start Dishing - we can't wait to start reading!"

Bottle Tree Productions One Act Play Competition

Sat, 30 May 2009 11:28:06 -0400

(FROM WRITER-EDITOR.COM) Bottle Tree Productions One Act Play Competition For Writers. Awards: $1,000, $250, $100. One-act plays of any length may be submitted. Plays can have previously been produced or work-shopped but not professionally. Entry fee: $25. Deadline: November 30, 2009. Info: www.bottletreeinc.com/script_contest.html.

WVW Podcast Episode 7 Now Online

Fri, 29 May 2009 11:27:06 -0400

Episode 7 of the WVW Podcast is now online. In it, we speak with artist, poet, essayist, philosopher and official WV Writers Conference Artist in Residence Boyd Carr. We speak with Boyd about his origins as an artist, how it led him to a long association with WV Writers and about his foray into philosophy and the origins of storytelling, which he calls My.Th. Check it out at the Podcast Page.

High Prairie Poets Poetry Contest

Thu, 28 May 2009 11:27:38 -0400

(FROM WRITER-EDITORS.COM) High Prairie Poets – New Mexico State Poetry Society Bimonthly Contests. 32-line limit. Awards: $25, $10, $5 plus honorable mentions. Entry fee: $3 first poem; $1 each additional poem. Deadline: July 20, 2009. Info: SASE to Carol Dee Meeks, Silver Arrow Estates, 2601 South Elm Place, Apt. #108, Broken Arrow OK 74012; or c_pmeeks@hotmail.com.

Editor Peter Lynch Pitch Session Details

Tue, 26 May 2009 10:37:58 -0400

On Saturday June 13th West Virginia Writers, Inc. is delighted to welcome Peter Lynch, Editorial Manager at Sourcebooks, Inc., one of the country’s largest and most innovative independent publishers. Peter has worked for Sourcebooks as Editorial Manager, trade for the past nine years. He acquires and develops 20–30 books per year, across a variety of categories. Peter’s nonfiction interests include, but are not limited to, books on parenting, history, memoir, self-help, reference, humor, and college/study aids. He is also interested in historical fiction and commercial women’s fiction. Peter is always interested in hearing from authors who are self-motivated and willing to publicize their books in innovative ways. In addition to development and oversight of the Fiske, Gruber and US News study aids lines, recent books from his list include The Four Corners of the Sky (fiction), Healing the Addicted Brain (self-help), and The Autism & ADHD Diet (parenting). Sourcebooks, Inc (www.sourcebooks.com) is currently looking for: romance fiction (single title all subgenres, 80,000 words +), YA fiction and non-fiction, historical fiction, Jane Austen sequels/retellings/contemporary romances/etc., commercial women's fiction (must have a really unusual premise), multi-media and digital book projects, non-fiction: memoir, how-to, humor, college guides, study aids, parenting, business, careers, personal finance. Sourcebooks is one of the fastest-growing independent publishing houses in the country, widely known for their sales and marketing, as well as a steady focus on building authors' careers. In addition to a presentation on Sourcebooks, the business of the writing world, and what is required of today’s writer, Peter Lynch will hold five minute pitch sessions in hopes of landing a new batch of clients for Sourcebooks. This is his primary reason for coming. # Pitch sessions will be limited to a total of 50, so early reservation for them is recommended. # In order to participate in a Peter Lynch Pitch Session, you must register and pay for at least the day of Saturday, June 13 of the Conference. # The cost for a pitch session is $10, which will go help offset WV Writers costs. # You may pay for your pitch session at the conference. # To make a reservation for a pitch session, please send a note by email to President T. W. McNemar at twmcnemar@verizon.net # While the pitch sessions will take place on Saturday, there will be an early workshop conducted by Christine Witthohn of the Book Cents Literary Agency on the topic of pitching your book ideas to industry pros. # Don’t pass up this incredible opportunity, these folks are aggressively seeking new authors and they publish nearly every genre in any given bookstore. If you would like to verify this, take a look at their website. ALSO…… The appearance of Peter Lynch is due in great part to the incredible efforts of Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency. Christine will be on hand to keep this opportunity flowing. Books Cents has become an outstanding advocate to the writing community in West Virginia and Kentucky. Much thanks to Christine and Judith Ann! For conference registration information: http://www.wvwriters.org/conference.html

Three Weeks and Counting!

Thu, 21 May 2009 23:03:28 -0400

(FROM PRESIDENT T.W. McNEMAR) It has always been our intention to get this conference planned far enough in advance for you all to make a conscious decision about who you would like to hear and see but if we find an opportunity to add someone or something to the play-list that will inform, delight, entertain, or amaze you – we will add it to the conference immediately. In the past weeks, we’re delighted to announce that Cathy (a.k.a. Cat) Pleska has joined the lineup of entertainment for Friday evening in the Assembly Hall. Cat will be performing a more bohemian segment of her historical dramatization of Frances B. Johnson. I can’t wait for this one. In the Assembly Hall on Saturday, a few folks from the WV Commission on the Arts will be around to discuss opportunities available to artists in the state. This will be educational and informative, try to attend. THERE IS ONE MORE AND I CAN'T RELEASE THE INFO YET, BUT I WILL IN A FEW DAYS. If you are “on the fence” about attending the 2009 West Virginia Writers, Inc. Conference, this announcement will put you at your keyboard and making your reservations pronto. Be ready to get on board and reserve a room on site or nearby. I know, I don’t like cliffhangers anymore than Dan Brown, but I’m sworn to secrecy . . . for the moment. I just want you to be ready.

Patsy Pittman named Indie Book Awards Finalist

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:00:48 -0400

WVW's own Patsy Pittman has been named a Finalist in the Short Story - Fiction category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for her collection Blood Kin & Other Strangers. Congrats to Patsy!

LITERARY ARTS DAY - MORGANTOWN - JUNE 20TH

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:27:35 -0400

MWG Writers Workshops and Literary Arts Day June 20, 2009 at Monongalia Arts Center Morgantown Writers Group hosts its 2nd Literary Arts Day Saturday June 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We've invited four more exciting writers this year: Laura Bentley (Poetry), Sean O'Leary (Playwriting), Carter Seaton (Cr. NonFic), and Chuck Kinder (Fiction). Sign up in advance to reserve a seat. If you wish to register or need info, write to Registrar: Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu We've kept the registration cost as low as possible as an incentive in this tough economic times. We're limited on space too, but we anticipate about 48 writers and our veteran staff of volunteers. Four workshops in morning, four workshops in the afternoon. Oh, yes, you get refreshments. We invite a few writers to submit manuscripts for critique in fiction and non-fiction (nominal extra charge) at workshops. If interested in submitting, send email to George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu

WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference Workshop Descriptions

Tue, 19 May 2009 07:52:01 -0400

This is a work in progress that will be frequently updated. Check back here for the latest news and visit our official 2009 Conference Page for registration forms and lodging/meals forms. (UPDATED 5/19/09 WITH UPDATES SHOWN IN RED) 1. Great Characters: I know you’ve read something and couldn’t put it down because there was a character in the book that you could not stop thinking about, cheering for, and hating to the very marrow. Susan Reinhardt will show you where these characters are hiding in the world and how to layer them into a riveting part of your work. (SUSAN REINHARDT) 2. The Business of Writing: When someone mentions the word, “AGENT’, most writers have a thousand horror stories. Susan Reinhardt has a few of those as well, but she will share her view of the underbelly of the ever-changing landscape of the business side of writing. She will talk about agents and publishers and how to react and interact with them to get where you need to be with your work. This is sharing with a writer whose approach has and is a success story. - (SUSAN REINHARDT) 3. Control vs. Creative Chaos: How do you let go of control (or fear?) enough to allow a poem the strength which can come from directed chaos? Learn some methods for pushing yourself outside of the walls that normally define what you allow in your poetry. (DANA WILDSMITH) 4. Focused Energy in poetry: Too many times we smooth our poems into listless shadows of what they should be. Try your hand at revving up the energy levels in your writing. (DANA WILDSMITH) 5. Writing Your Life: Explore how to use your personal stories as raw material for poems that speak beyond the facts of the story itself. (DANA WILDSMITH) 6. The Thick Plottin’s: Have you ever felt like your plotlines were just “going through the paces”? Sandy will discuss techniques that help you discover your story in places you never planned to explore and will show how good pacing and narrative give your story new levels of style. (SANDY TRITT) 7. Editing Your Toughest Customer, You! : They say the best place to hide is in plain sight. Well this is true of mistakes in our own writing. Sandy Tritt will discuss ways to methodically and creatively remove those embarrassing stains in our own prose. (SANDY TRITT) 8. The Nuts and Bolts of the Three Act Play: Even though the style of your dramas may vary, the mechanics of the three act play is basic and contains many working, interchangeable parts. This successful director/writer will show you these steps. (DANIEL BOYD) 9. The Building Blocks of a Good Story, or Screenplay, or Novel, or . . . : Just as if you were building a house, you start with the foundation and then you add block after block, to create the story that you want it to be. (DANIEL BOYD) 10. The Graphic Narrative: or, If You Can’t Afford to Film It, Turn it Into a Book! Unlike the graphic novel, this newer genre is more of an illustrated novel and yes, there is a brand new awaiting audience. (DANIEL BOYD and WILLIAM BITNER) 11. How to Write an Inspirational Romance: This session will shed some light on one of the most popular sub-genres in romance right now. Tips will also be offered on how to follow your own voice and still produce a suitable manuscript for this market. (PAM HANSON) 12. Jumpstarting Your Creativity: This interactive workshop will help spark your creativity. Come prepared to be re-energized! (KARIN FULLER and PAM HANSON) 13. Building Blocks of a Selling Synopsis: What is a synopsis? How do you write one? To submit a proposal to an editor or agent, a writer must write a synopsis, a concise abstract of your manuscript. This workshop will guide you through the steps necessary to produce a successful synopsis, including how to incorporate conflict, characterization and cohesiveness into your finished work. (PAM HANSON) 14. Teens Read Too: An Introduction to Writing Young Adult Fiction: This introductory class gives a clear picture of one of the hottest markets in literature today – the young adult genre. Brad will give descriptions of style and show samples of this market. (BRAD BARKLEY) 15. Collaborating in Writing Young Adult Fiction: The creative juices never stop when you have a partner to share the process of inventing prose. Brad will discuss his positive experiences in writing YA in tandem. (BRAD BARKLEY) 16. Premises and Promises: This important class suits, not only the Young Adult writing, but all prose, all length, all styles. Don’t miss this class – it’s a keeper. (BRAD BARKLEY) 17. Using the Senses to Shape Your Work: Using prompts such as sampling dark chocolate, listening to music, feeling the texture of different fabric and other unconventional prompts, this session will help to unleash the sensual potential of prose. (RENÉE K. NICKLESON) 18. The Music of Line, The Making of a Poem: This session will focus on the sense of music in the line to create and revise poems. Participants will work on the sonic qualities as well as the visual qualities of building poems line by line. (RENÉE K. NICKLESON) 19. Get On the Program: Getting Your Work Out Into the World: Publications, readings, and other outcomes from our writing process may seem mysterious, difficult, and full of rejection. This session focuses on the strategies that work to keep focus on generating work while tending to the business of the writing life. (RENÉE K. NICKLESON) 20. Outdoor Writing: The Whole Ball of Wax: David Samuel will leads us as we stalk the dreaded outdoor essay, report, and article and we will see how this genre is easily one of the most lucrative markets alive. We will discover what outdoor writing is (and isn't), how to connect with the two national outdoor writer associations, how to get into the outdoor writing market, and where these potential markets are lurking (in magazines, newspapers, television, internet, and in books. He will also show us how to write power point programs for presentations on the outdoors. ONE CLASS ONLY. (DAVID SAMUEL) 21. My Father the Minotaur: Elements of the Ridiculous and Surprising in Fiction: A fine line separates fiction that uses “magical” elements from genre fiction, such as fantasy or science fiction. How can we as writers use elements of the absurd without devolving into the gimmicky or ridiculous, and without crossing the line from “literary” to genre? We’ll look specifically at the work of Karen Russell who has recently made big splash in the world of literary fiction with her collection St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves. Exercises will allow participants to try their hand at using the “ridiculous” in their own work. (NATALIE SYPOLT) 22. Beyond She and I: Exploring Alternate Narration in Fiction: This session will focus on the exploration of point of view (narration); we will specifically investigate the collective narrator (first person plural) and second person point of view (including the “Self-Help” format). These are certainly the least often used of all forms of narration, so it’s possible you’ve not had much exposure to them before; even if you have, the chances are that you haven’t experimented much with them in your own writing. We’ll look at sample work and try our hand at writing our own stories using these lesser used POVs. (NATALIE SYPOLT) 23. Drawing the Story of My Life: Examining the Graphic Memoir: The graphic novel is a genre that is becoming more and more popular, especially with the recent cinematic release of the much anticipated The Watchmen; this session will focus not on the graphic novel, but on a lesser known relation: the graphic memoir. It seems no one can quite decide on the correct name for this emerging genre (these works have also been called “graphic narratives”, "book-length comics," and “true comic strip stories). In this session, we’ll discuss this genre, look at some samples, and try our hand at creating some graphic memoirs of our own. Don’t worry if you don’t have any artistic ability; as we’ll soon see, there is more than one way to tell our stories in pictures. (NATALIE SYPOLT) 24. Original Music from Traditional Sounds, Form, and the things that make you write songs: Whether folk, country, blues, pop, all songs follow similar structure. Understanding this from other songs will help to shape new original material that is both pleasant and new. Lyric structure will be covered as well, both from traditional structure, as in metre, rhyme, and patterns, as well as varying the pattern for original musical changes. Keith Pitzer will use traditional, popular and his own songs as teaching tools for this comparative learning experience! (KEITH & JOAN PITZER) 26. Horribly & Humorously True Nonfiction (and Fiction): From breakdowns of woefully unreliable vehicles, run-ins with fraudulent telemarketers, or particularly soul-crushing trips to the DMV (and by that, I mean ANY trip to the DMV), bad things happen to all of us. Oftentimes, however, these "horribly true” events can be humorous in retrospect. Eric Fritzius, author of many a Horribly True Tale himself, seeks to dig out that nugget of humorous gold at the core of the common crappy day experiences we all share. Attend this workshop for help finding your own golden crap nugget. (ERIC FRITZIUS) 27. Blogs, Podcasts and New Media (Not a Lot of Money in it, but Possibly Some Fun): A staple of the Internet for nigh on a decade, weblogs (blogs) have become a branch of the so-called New Media, turning average opinion-holders into real world political pundits and entertainment commentators. Similarly, with the advent of podcasting and vidcasting, nearly anyone can host their own show and reach a fairly wide audience. WV Writers webguy, Eric Fritzius, takes a look into the huge creative avenues to be found in the blogging and podcasting world, from non-fiction to fiction to points in between. (ERIC FRITZIUS) 28. Writing from Life, a personal approach to nonfiction: In this class, these two master writers offer their combined 45 years of experience to help you learn to master the art of turning life’s rich moments into writing that moves, amuses, and inspires readers. You will not only learn about how to write from life, you will experience the satisfaction of combining experience, memory, and narrative that sets a foundation for a good short piece or the basis for a longer work. (KARIN FULLER and GEOFF FULLER) 29. Assembling a Novel: Some novels may be read breathlessly, beginning to end, but most are assembled painstakingly: a foundation built of description and backstory, scenes constructed of dialogue and action. Writer and teacher Geoff Fuller discusses how novels are assembled, passage-by-passage, and reveals the under appreciated physical demands of novel writing. (GEOFF FULLER) 30. Reasons For Writing Poetry: This discussion/workshop – for beginning to advanced poets – will explore some traditional answers to the question: Why write poetry? We will examine how different answers to this question can influence the form and content of a poem. (JOHN J. McKERNAN) 31. Writing the Imagist Poem: This workshop – for developing to advanced poets – will present some examples of different kinds of imagist poems and will involve writing (and possibly revising) a short poem with an imagist perspective. (JOHN J. McKERNAN) 32. Some Ways to Use Prose In The Writing Of A Poem: This discussion/workshop – primarily for advanced poets – will divide the writing process into three stages and discuss how prose passages can help in the early, middle, and revising stages of writing a poem. (JOHN J. McKERNAN) 33. Writers Present A Favorite Poem: This panel-discussion will enable a group of poets to read and comment on favorite poems. Each poet will read one poem by another poet and comment. Audience questions at the end of the panel. (JOHN McKERNAN and STAFF POETS) 34. Representations of Women in Appalachian Literature: In this session we will look at various categories of women portrayed in works of Appalachian literature: wives, mothers, working women, outcasts and misfits (and sundry other types). We will also use a number of dichotomies as a way of approaching depictions of women: real vs. ideal; round vs. flat characters; negative vs. positive traits; etc. (SANDRA VRANA) 35. Lives of Coal Mining Families: In this session we will examine which aspects of the lives of mining families are addressed and which are ignored. Some categories we will discuss: private vs. public selves; the individual vs. the family unit; recreation vs. work; also, modes of communication among family members; expectations according to gender and age; (etc). (SANDRA VRANA) 36. Show Me! Don’t Tell Me! (Except Sometimes). Learn to “act out” your scenes so readers can watch your characters in action and eavesdrop on their dialogue; learn when “telling” is absolutely permissible and necessary. (RHONDA BROWNING WHITE) 37. Writing Your Own Eulogy! Join Wilma Acree for this fun workshop. Some of the most classic and fun eulogies, epitaphs, etc. are in the form of poetry, poetry of all types. Bring pen and paper and prepare for the fun. (WILMA ACREE) 38. What the dead can tell us: scopes and limitations of a Forensic Pathology Autopsy. Manner and Mode of death. What case(s) constitute a Medical Examiner-Coroner’s case or not. Myths of a typical Forensic Pathology Autopsy (DR. ANGLAS) 39. Serial Killers: Dismembers of Your Family. Types of Serial Killers, Crime Scene dynamics, Profiling Serial Killers, Genetic link? (DR. ANGLAS) 40. Sexual Assault: The All-American Crime. Five different principals involved in sexual assault, how to proper handle of all kinds of sexual assault crimes, contemporary issues of sexual assault through the victim’s perspective. Types of offenders, motivations, false allegations and false confessions, profiling the offender, child molestation, and the maligned investigator. Special population-juvenile sexual offenders, female sexual; offenders, gerophiles, serial rapists, and sexual sadists (DR. ANGLAS) 41. People’s Choice Prose (Friday Session) We’ll have two sessions of People’s Choice Prose, wherein participants have 4 minutes to read an original short piece of prose which will then be judged by the vote of their People’s Choice Session Peers. Awards will be given at the Saturday Awards Banquet for first, second and third places. 42. Show Me the Money! Grant Proposal Writing. Learn the ‘thousand little tricks’ of grant writing with a man who knows grants and grant writing, from all perspectives. (GEORGE LIES) 43. Insights On Starting a Writer’s Group. Writers groups exist in some communities in the state, offering a unique way to obtain peer feedback on your prose and poetry. This session offers proven ways to organize a writer’s group in your hometown. Attendees will learn how West Virginia writers in the Morgantown Writers Group survived the ebb and flow of group dynamics to celebrate its 15th Anniversary. This information session includes lots of handouts on how to contact local writers, that first meeting, setting-up a schedule, doing promotion, how to do manuscript critiques, finding well-known guest writers, sponsoring open workshops, how to find small grants or donations for special events and, oh yes, tips on handling personality clashes. The presenter, George Lies, former President, WVW, Inc., and founding member of MWG, in 1994, will discuss and explore ways to start a writer’s group – and keep it going. Informative! (GEORGE LIES) 44. People’s Choice Prose (Repeat on Saturday) 45. People’s Choice Poetry (Friday Session) We’ll have two sessions of People’s Choice Poetry, wherein participants have 4 minutes to read an original poem which will then be judged by the vote of their People’s Choice Session Peers. Awards will be given at the Saturday Awards Banquet for first, second and third places. 46. People’s Choice Poetry (Repeat on Saturday) 47. People’s Choice Youth 48. The West Virginia Commission on the Arts Listening Tour (description to follow)

WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference Presenter Bios

Tue, 19 May 2009 07:51:13 -0400

This is a work in progress that will be frequently updated. Check back here for the latest news and visit our official 2009 Conference Page for registration forms and lodging/meals forms. (UPDATED 5/19/09) WILMA ACREE writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals including Appalachian Heritage, Algonquin, Crazy River, and Pudding House. She is author of two books of poetry, has been included in such anthologies as Wild Sweet Notes and Seeking the Swan, and serves as editor for Confluence Magazine. In 2002 she was selected to attend the Kenyon Review Writers’ Workshop. Wilma has been a member of WV Writers, Inc. for nineteen years and has held numerous offices and currently serves on the advisory board. DR. THEODORE ANGLAS: With a list of credentials far too expansive to list here, let’s just start by saying that Dr. Theodore Anglas has twenty-five years of extensive experience in all areas of teaching with seventeen years of varied experience in the medical field. With his thorough working knowledge of the Forensic Science profession, he has become a vital link of the Forensic team of Mountain State University and the science department as well. Qualified to teach both undergraduates and masters level students in the areas of biological sciences and/or forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic toxicology, forensic photography, major crime scene investigations and criminal justice, his presentations at this year’s WV Writers, Inc. conference will be nothing less than amazing. BRAD BARKLEY, a native of North Carolina, is the author of the novel, Money, Love (Norton), a Barnes and Noble "Discover Great New Writers" selection and a "BookSense 76" choice. Money, Love was named one of the best books of 2000 by the Washington Post and the Library Journal. Brad was named one of the “Breakthrough Writers You Need To Know” by Book Magazine. His novel Alison's Automotive Repair Manual (St. Martin’s) was also a "BookSense 76" selection. He has published two collections of short stories, Circle View (SMU Press) and Another Perfect Catastrophe (St. Martin’s). His short fiction has appeared in nearly thirty magazines, including Southern Review, Georgia Review, the Oxford American, Glimmer Train, Book Magazine, and the Virginia Quarterly Review, which twice awarded him the Emily Balch Prize for Best Fiction. His first YA novel, Scrambled Eggs At Midnight, co-authored with Heather Hepler, was published in May 2006 by Penguin, and was a summer 2006 “Booksense 76” choice. His second YA novel, Dream Factory, published in spring 2007, was also “BookSense 76” selection, a Library Guild “Book of the Month, pick” and was voted the Texas Institute of Arts and Letters “Best Young Adult Book” for 2007. Their most recent title, Jars of Glass, was recently published by Dutton-Penguin. Brad has won four Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. DANIEL BOYD, a West Virginian, has degrees in Communications (West Virginia University) and Filmmaking (University of Arkansas). Boyd began his filmmaking career making documentaries (HOMELESS BROTHER, MARCOS DE SAN MARCOS), then a series of short narrative films, then his first feature film, CHILLERS, was released in 1988 followed by STRANGEST DREAMS and PARADISE PARK. A professor of communications at West Virginia State University since 1985, Boyd established the Paradise Film Institute at WVSU in 1994 for the purpose of supporting filmmaking in the state. As a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Boyd taught the first filmmaking and screenwriting classes at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the 98-99 academic year in East Africa. READ MORE at: http://www.danielboyd.com/index.html WILLIAM BITNER is a life-long fan of both comic books and professional wrestling, with his tastes running distinctly old school in both mediums. At the age of 46, he decided to train to become a professional wrestler himself, and has since dragged his increasingly aching bones through over 300 matches, and a dozen title belts. Mr. Bitner is also the author of a short story collection, M Is for Monster, and currently resides in Charleston, W.Va. ERIC FRITZIUS A Mercer County resident, Eric Fritzius is a freelance writer / editor / playwright / actor / director / webmaster / graphic designer / and podcaster whose work has appeared in the Greenbrier Valley Quarterly magazine, the Mountain Voices anthology, WV Daily News, the Charleston Gazette, and graces the covers of such books as Belinda Anderson’s Buckle Up, Buttercup, and WV Writers latest collection Seeking the Swan. His play “…to a Flame” recently debuted on the stage of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg. He serves as President Emeritus and webmaster for WV Writers, Inc. and produces and hosts their weekly podcast. GEOFFREY C. FULLER - author, teacher, editor, and managing partner of the Evergreen Syndicate LLC , is an award-winning author and the only person to win the coveted WV Commission on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships in all three prose categories - (fiction, nonfiction, and memoir), Geoff Fuller teaches and mentors an ever-increasing group of successful writers in the Charleston, WV area. He is married to lifestyle columnist, Karin Fuller KARIN T. FULLER, lifestyle columnist for the Charleston Gazette, first began writing in 1997, shortly after the birth of her best source of material, her daughter Celeste. In the years since, Karin’s columns have always been selected as one of the top three each year by the West Virginia Press Association, but in 2003, she was awarded first place (General Interest) in the USA, by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Along with her columns, Karin’s stories have appeared in such publications as Woman’s World, Appalachian Heritage, Front Porch, and Atlanta Baby. PAM HANSON, along with her writing partner (and mother), is the award-winning author of 26 novels for Dorchester, Harlequin/Silhouette, and Guideposts. A 27th, Hometown Reunion, will be published in September by Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A former reporter, Pam previously taught journalism at West Virginia University. In 2006, West Virginia Writers awarded her the JUG award for writing. She now lives in Nebraska where she continues to write and tutors students in a university writing center. GEORGE LIES a short story writer and journalist, has years of experience working collaboratively with writers of West Virginia. In the 1990s, he led editorial teams to publish limited editions, entitled Janus ’95 and Pokeberry Days. His story, “Trailer Dogs Barking”, is in Mountain Voices; and, “Keys to Heaven”, in the anthology, Mist on the Mon, was translated and published in Steneau, a literary journal in Romania. Before serving as President of West Virginia Writers (1999-01 and 2003-04), he directed the Golden Rod Writers Conference (1983-2001). DR. JOHN MCKERNAN was born in 1942 and grew up in Omaha Nebraska. He moved to Huntington in 1967 to teach at Marshall and has lived there ever since. He has won many awards for his teaching and his poetry. The author of seven books and chapbooks, his most recent is a collection of his selected poems, Resurrection of the Dust. He is the editor of the annual publication ABZ: A Magazine of Poetry. The press he edits also sponsors an annual First Book Poetry Contest, which awards a prize of $1000 and book publication to the winner. RENÉE K. NICKLESON is a former professional ballet dancer, and a graduate of the MFA program at West Virginia University. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Chelsea, Mid-American Review, Paste, Naugatuck River Review, The Gettysburg Review, as well as other literary magazines and poetry and fiction anthologies. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prizes, and awarded a Special Mention. KEITH & JOAN PITZER are known and respected West Virginia musicians. Sharing music and marriage for over thirty years, they have performed at numerous fairs and festivals, coffeehouses and listening rooms across the mid-Atlantic states. Based out of Kingwood, they’ve appeared as part of the Voices of West Virginia touring group with songwriters John Lilly, Kate Long and Todd Burge. Their song "Underneath a Blackened Moon" is included in the Mountain Whispers adaptation of William Blizzard’s, “When Miners March.” Their musical style is a blend of blend contemporary style with Appalachian and Celtic music. CATHY PLESKA (Cat) holds a BA in English (Mountain State U.), an MA in Humanities (Marshall U.), and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction (Goucher College). She is a regular contributor to Wonderful West Virginia Magazine and is an essayist on West Virginia Public Radio. Her radio essay, “Unexpected Harvest” was published in 2008 in the Hamilton Stone Review. She has three articles in the West Virginia Encyclopedia. Her memoir, The Last Storyteller, began as a thesis for her MFA and was eventually polished into a manuscript. She works as a freelance writer and editor and performs as the ‘History Alive!’ character, Frances B. Johnson. In 2008, she created and performed as West Virginia native and Mother’s Day founder, Anna Jarvis. This performance was televised throughout the state on Mother’s Day. Cat currently teaches English at Strayer University in Teay’s Valley, WV and resides in Scott Depot with her husband Dan, daughter Katie, and several critters. SUSAN REINHARDT has been heralded as “a modern-day, southern-fried Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry,” says Booklist. This award winning author of the celebrated Not Tonight Honey, Wait ‘til I’m a Size 6, (which the Chicago Sun-Times calls “wickedly fun…like hanging out with your bluntest, most mischievous friend, the one who never fails to crack you up.”) will join West Virginia Writers, Inc. for two workshops, a stand-up humor presentation on Friday evening, and an Awards Banquet keynote address. Now, the laughter resumed as Reinhardt took on domestic life in a new collection of essays, DON’T SLEEP WITH A BUBBA, a Kensington Books trade paperback original. Susan Reinhardt once loved a Bubba, so she speaks from personal experience. Susan Reinhardt is the mother of two precious children, ages 14 and 9, and enjoys anything related to water (except snakes), is a community volunteer, a member of the PTA and the Read it or Not, Here We Come Book Club. She is a regular public speaker, having done a keynote address for the Erma Bombeck Writers Convention last year. Reinhardt is speaker in demand to large corporations and small groups alike, listing such topics as: “Healing Through Humor,” and “Out of the Darkness,” which delves into her battles with depression and other illnesses. It is her mission to bring these issues out of the closet, to remove the stigma, and enlighten others so they may get help and find joy in their lives. She also does stand-up comedy and enjoys being a frequent guest on radio and local and network television. She is a highly awarded nationally syndicated columnist. DAVID SAMUEL, former professor of wildlife management and conservation at WVU (1968-1998), has made a niche for himself as an outdoor writer. His articles can be found in all outdoor mass media reporting and the awards garnered include: Safari Club International World Bowhunter Chapters, Hall of Honor, Inducted, 2001, The Wildlife Society, Special Recognition Award, 2001, Lee Gladfelter Award, Pope and Young Club, 2002, West Virginia Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Mountaineer Award, 2005, Archery Hall of Fame, inducted Sept 21, 2007, Springfield MO., Deer Management Career Achievement Award, Southeastern Section of The Wildlife Society, Feb. 24, 2009. Outdoor Writer of the Year, WV Bowhunters Assoc., 1992 and 2009. NATALIE SYPOLT received her MFA in Fiction from West Virginia University in 2005. Her fiction and book reviews have appeared in Kestrel, Potomac Review, Oklahoma Review, Shenandoah Review, and Mid-American Review. Natalie has taught writing at WVU in Morgantown and Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. She currently lives and writes in Preston County, WV. SANDY TRITT is a writer, editor and speaker. The founder and CEO of Inspiration for Writers, an editing and critiquing service for aspiring writers, she has edited hundreds of manuscripts. Sandy’s fiction has been published in literary magazines and local journals; she has also published nine nonfiction books: Everything I Know (Headline Books); Inspiration for Writers Tips and Techniques Workbook; and seven technical manuals (Phoenix Software, Atlanta, GA). But more than anything, Sandy loves to teach the craft of writing. SANDRA VRANA is a professor of English at Alderson-Broaddus College, teaching composition and literature. She is a member of Barbour County Writers and served as the second editor of Grab-A-Nickel, after Barbara Smith, until last year. RHONDA BROWNING WHITE hails from Princeton, WV, though she now resides near Daytona Beach, FL, with her husband Randy and son Jacob. She retired from 20+ years in the medical field and returned to school at Mountain State University, where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies and English and Literature. She is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing. Rhonda is a freelance writer and editor, and has just completed her first novel, a medical thriller. Her short stories, poetry and articles have been published in many literary magazines, trade journals, anthologies and newspapers throughout the Eastern United States. DANA WILDSMITH grew up in south Georgia, the daughter of a Methodist minister active in working for social justice. She attended college wherever her Navy husband’s career took them, finally obtaining a B.A. in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan College.In 1992, Wildsmith was named a Poetry Fellow in the South Carolina Academy of Authors, and published her first book, Alchemy (Sow’s Ear Press). Her second chapbook, Annie won the Palanquin Press competition of the University Of South Carolina, Aiken. Her first full-length collection of poems, Our Bodies Remember (Sow’s Ear Press), was published in 1999. Her most recent book, One Good Hand, was a SIBA Poetry Book of the Year nominee and was nominated for Appalachian Book of the Year. A poem from that collection, Making a Living, was read on Garrison Keiller’s “Writer’s Almanac”. She has been a Writer-in-residence for the Devil’s Tower National Monument and for the Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska. She has worked as an Artist In the Schools for the South Carolina Humanities Council. Wildsmith teaches writing workshops throughout the United States. Her poems and essays have been widely published in both literary and commercial journals, including: The Sun, Yankee, The Kentucky Poetry review, and The Chattahoochee Review. Her poems have most recently been anthologized in the University Press of Kentucky’s Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia, The Southern Poetry Anthology (Texas Review Press, 2006), Women, Period (Spinsters Ink, January, 2009), and Writing By Ear (Motes Books, 2009).

WANT A GREAT DEAL ON ADVERTISING?

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:28:58 -0400

Would you like your business to reach 150-200 writers and writing professionals? Would you like to advertise your book to potential readers? Would you like to advertise your editing or proofreading services to writers? Well, we're here to help. West Virginia Writers, Inc, is offering low-price ads to be printed in this year's Conference program. The program will be distributed to each attendee at the June 12-14 Annual Conference at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, West Virginia. The ads that appear in the program will also be offered for a limited time on the WVW website (www.WVWriters.org). The ads will be printed in black and white in the 8 ½ by 11 spiral-bound program. (Ads on the website can be in color.) Ad rates and approximate sizes are: Full page (8 ½ x 11) - $75 Half page (8 ½ x 5) - $40 Quarter page (4 x 5) - $20 Business Card size - $10 Ads may be submitted as either a camera-ready print or emailed as a high quality jpeg, .tif or Microsoft Word document. Ads may be emailed to twmcnemar@verizon.net . Paper copy should be snail-mailed to: T.W. McNemar, 1107 Cost Road, Stonewood, WV 26301. Checks should be made payable to West Virginia Writers, Inc. Please be sure to include contact information with your ad copy and ads must be received by June 1. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at twmcnemar@verizon.net .

WVW Podcast Episode 5 Now Online

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:41:29 -0400

Episode 5 of the WVW Podcast is now online, in which we talk to Georgia-based poet Dana Wildsmith, presenter at the upcoming WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV. Dana speaks about her journey to becoming a poet, her time spent as a Writer in Residence around the country, her love of music and Garrison Keillor's reading voice, and what her workshops will bring at this year's conference. She was also kind enough to read one of her poems for us. Find it here... http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/05/episode-5-dana-wildsmith-interview.html

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:19:48 -0400

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest is open for submissions, as it is every three months. Check out the rules and regs and submission guidelines at the following link... http://www.writersofthefuture.com/rules.htm

Pearl S. Buck International Writers Workshop June 25 - 27, 2009

Wed, 13 May 2009 13:36:20 -0400

Second Annual Pearl S. Buck International Writers' Workshop "Pearl S. Buck ~ The Patchwork of Her Life" Sponsored by Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation and Little Levels Heritage Fair Hillsboro, West Virginia June 25-27, 2009 Join West Virginia writers Edwina Pendarvis, Christina St. Clair, Belinda Anderson, Cat Pleska and Pam Pritt as well as West Virginia's most famous "Liar", Bill Lepp, for the Second Annual Pearl S. Buck International Writers' Workshop on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and "Cliffside," the restored home of Dr. Wallace who delivered Pearl. Events will begin with Registration and Meet and Greet Session on Thursday at noon. Participants will tour Pearl S. Buck's Birthplace before beginning the workshop. Pam Pritt, Editor of the weekly Pocahontas Times will conduct the first session on "Writing your story, how to get published, legal issues, editing, etc." Dinner will be served by the ladies who support Pearl S. Buck Birthplace. The evening speaker is Cat Pleska, essayist for WV Public Radio and a freelance writer, editor and teacher. Friday morning brings Belinda Anderson, author of three short story collections. Belinda's session will connect the "stitches" in the patchwork of Pearl's writing that relate to her roots in West Virginia. Keynote speaker, Dr. Edwina "Eddy" Pendarvis and co-author Christina St. Clair will connect the Patchwork of Pearl's Life and Works on the International/China level. The final presentation will be open to the public. Bill Lepp will teach us how to spin a yarn, tell a lie and entertain. Participants will attend an old fashioned barbeque with music in the evening and have free time to attend the final concert of Allegheny Echoes at the Pocahontas County Opera House. Saturday is open to enjoy the Little Levels Heritage Fair. The Pearl S. Buck Birthday Celebration and Writers� Fair will kick off at 4 pm Saturday afternoon. Pocahontas Music students will present "Links In The Chain - Our Appalachian Musical Heritage,' Eddy Pendarvis and Christina St. Clair will assist in presenting student writer awards and summary of the Writer's Workshop. Bill Lepp will spin a great big yarn (lie) about life in the Little Levels. Birthday cake and punch for all will conclude the program. The final dinner is a Chicken Barbeque sponsored by Marvin Chapel United Methodist Church. One scholarship to the Writers' Workshop will be awarded to a WV High School or College Student who submits the best original story (500 words or less) about the influence of Pearl S. Buck, The Patchwork of Her Life and Works. Entries must be submitted no later than May 1, 2009. Participant cost for the workshop is $75.00 and covers all meals, entertainment and tours. The workshop is designed for approximately 20 participants, so register early. Contact Ruth Taylor, Director at littlelevelsheritagefair@yahoo.com or call 304-653-8563 for additional information and to register for the workshop. Make checks payable to Little Levels Heritage Fair and mail to HC 64 Box 423, Hillsboro, WV 24946. Lodging will be on your own this year. Contact Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau at pocahontascountywv.com or call 800-336-7009 or 304-799-INF0 for lodging information. ------------------------------------ Stacie Gilmore AmeriCorps VISTA Pearl S. Buck Birthplace info@pearlsbuckbirthplace.com

Open Thread Chapbook Contest

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:39:09 -0400

PITTSBURGH, PA – Pittsburgh-based arts organization Open Thread and artist collective Encyclopedia Destructica are accepting manuscripts for their new Tri-State Chapbook Contest, now supported in part by a Seed Award from The Sprout Fund. The Tri-State Chapbook Contest will produce one winning chapbook from each state in Open Thread’s target region – Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia – and package the three chapbooks as a collection. The goal of the contest is to promote emerging writers with a connection to the region and engage them with both a regional and national audience. THE CONTEST Open Thread will read manuscripts of poetry and prose until June 1st, 2009, officially ending the first round of reading. At that point, finalists will be announced on our website, and the finalist manuscripts will be sent to our final judges: Claire Donato for Pennsylvania, Tyler Meier for Ohio, and Isaac Pressnell for West Virginia. THE PRIZE The three prize winners will be announced later in June, and Encyclopedia Destructica will produce the chapbooks for release in July. Each winner will receive 20 free copies of her/his respective chapbook, the opportunity to read at the release event, and distribution through Open Thread's website and book fairs such as SPF 2009 in Pittsburgh and AWP 2010 in Denver. WHO IS ELIGIBLE Eligible writers are either natives or current residents of the tri-state area and must not have previously published a full-length book of creative writing. Poetry and prose manuscripts will both be considered, though there will be only one winner per state, regardless of genre. HOW TO ENTER Entrants should upload manuscripts on our website before midnight on June 1st. Poetry manuscripts must be at least 15 pages and no more than 35 pages long. Prose manuscripts must be at least 10 pages and no more than 20 pages long. THE ORGANIZATIONS Open Thread, known for its “Variety Variety Variety!” cabaret events at the Brillobox, was formed in early 2007 by co-directors Scott Andrew and Adam Atkinson. They just released their first volume of the Open Thread Regional Review, a compilation of regional art and writing. Encyclopedia Destructica, an artist collective founded in 2005 by Chris Kardambikis and Jasdeep Khaira, has just released its 20th book and celebrated its 4th anniversary. They will manufacture each chapbook at their studio in Lawrenceville. Images available: Tri-State Chapbook Contest: http://www.openthread.org/press Encyclopedia Destructica books: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16927442@N03/sets/ Open Thread Regional Review Vol. 1: http://www.openthread.org/press

WV Writers Blog Feed FIXED

Mon, 11 May 2009 18:26:30 -0400

For those of you who subscribe to this blog using our RSS feed, please take note that the feed has now changed. For some reason I could not get the old feed to update properly, so I have made a new one that seems to work nicely. You can now subscribe to this blog using the following feed address. Easier still, click on the "Subscribe in a Reader" Feeburner link at the right and you'll have your choice of cool places our feed is syndicated to, one of which you likely use on a daily basis as it stands. We apologize for the inconvenience. http://www.wvwriters.org/blogfeed.xml

The one about getting to the conference on time….

Mon, 11 May 2009 16:24:53 -0400

(THIS NOTE COURTESY WV WRITERS' PRESIDENT T.W. McNEMAR) ASK NOT WHAT YOUR WRITING HAS DONE FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR WRITING! It's very simple. Your writing gives you a way to express the art and conscience buried deep in your psyche'. . . or, you simply have something to report. It lets you leave a piece of yourself behind. It allows you to create, when you have no choice, but to create and if you're a writer, this is important stuff. So, what have you done for your writing, besides write? You've read some, contributed to a book, entered contests, celebrated the anniversary of the first publication of The Elements of Style. Great. Now do you really want to do something great for your writing and yourself? COME TO THE CONFERENCE! You get to hang out with great poets, like John McKernan, Kirk Judd, Dana Wildsmith, Wilma Acree, Renee Nickleson, and several more, like you. The book doctors will be there, with advice for the asking….editors and teachers like Geoff Fuller, Sandy Tritt, and Rhonda White. We have writers who specialize in different genre. Pam Hanson is great to talk to about Inspirational Romance; Susan Reinhardt specializes in humor; Brad Barkley is an expert in YA fiction and a terrific novelist to boot. The list goes on and on. If you're on the fence about coming to this conference, please go to our website and check out the schedule, the description of the classes, and the bio's of the presenters, it's impressive. And it's all for you. We're adding to the list each day, so check back once in a while. We won't stop trying to make this conference better until the last minute. http://www.wvwriters.org/conference.html If you haven't seen or shall I say "HEARD" the latest form of President Emeritus, Eric Fritzius' online promotion of West Virginia Writers, Inc. you must take a listen to the WVW, Inc. Podcast! Eric has employed his talents of webmaster, master of ceremony, and masterful host to the likes of: teacher, memoirists, essayist, and future WVW VP, Cathy Pleska; writer, editor Rhonda White; humorist Susan Reinhardt, . . . and more. This is an informative and entertaining addition to West Virginia Writers, Inc.'s ongoing quest to bring the arts to you. Congratulations have been pouring in from all over, so please, take a few minutes and have a listen! WARNING: SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION!!! If you have a service to offer, or a book for sale, or an upcoming promotion that you would like to advertise in an inexpensive way, we would be willing to put your promotional materials (PENS, BUSINESS CARDS, BOOKMARKS, BADGES, ETC.) into the goodie bags at the conference. We will need approximately 200 pieces and in order for us to distribute these items, they must be shipped to us well in advance of the conference. For questions you may contact me at: twmcnemar@verizon.net While at the conference, take a few minutes and pose for Boyd Carr and he will create a sketch that you will take with you and frame as a memory of the 2009 conference. Boyd will return as our "Artist in Residence" once more and make this outing that much more memorable. Sign up today….

Belinda Anderson Creative Writing Workshop #2

Sun, 10 May 2009 16:24:00 -0400

The story of your life is itching to be written, awaiting your reflections on the path your life has taken and where it's headed. This workshop offers techniques in mining the rich veins of your memory. Learn how to express and organize your thoughts as memoir. You'll leave the workshop having already begun to write the story of your life and with the skills to continue. Lecture will be supplemented by in class exercises to jump start the creative process. Cost is $75. Preregistration is required. Deadline for registration is May 21, 2009. To register or for more information contact NRTCC at 304-647-6570.

Belinda Anderson Creative Writing Workshop #1

Fri, 8 May 2009 09:39:12 -0400

Creative Writing Workshop MAY 19, 2009 NEW RIVER TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE GREENBRIER VALLEY CAMPUS, LEWISBURG, WV, 6:30 TO 8:30P. Author Belinda Anderson (http://www.belindaanderson.com) teaches this introductory workshop that will show writers how to develop an idea into a narrative, using the elements of character, plot and setting to craft a story. Participants will learn how to use the structural elements of fiction to create a short story. Lecture will be supplemented by in class exercises to jump start the creative process. Cost is $25. Preregistration is required. Deadline for registration is May 14, 2009. To register or for more information contact NRTCC at 304-647-6570.

Jeffrey Moores Gives the Scoop on Query Hooks

Thu, 7 May 2009 08:33:46 -0400

(This news comes courtesy of Belinda Anderson) Jeffrey Moores Gives the Scoop on Query Hooks…and More During last week’s Tuesday night chat, literary consultant and editor (and also former literary agent), Jeffrey Moores dropped the bomb. Agents are sick and tired of the query letter hook–avoid it at all costs. Here’s the 411 straight from the chat: Yvonnetherese asked: How do you feel about starting the query letter with a hook sentence vs. genre, word count, etc. up front? Jeffrey Moores replied: AVOID THE HOOK! It’s annoying. An agent instead wants simple reality: I am seeking representation for my YA novel about vampires and teenage werewolves. Put what you want up front. Be very simple. I asked: Do many agents feel this way, Jeff? He replied: As far as I know, all of them do. It’s very tiresome to read, over and over again, things like: “Imagine yourself in a world where…” An agent isn’t like a normal reader. They’ve got a lot more analytical wheels turning, and are more interested in your book’s place within the market and your ability to write. The actual details of your plot are only as important as your ability to frame your book within the query letter. Well, I tell you, after cleaning all the grey matter that had splattered all over the chat room walls during the chat, I went away and thought about what Jeffrey had said. I decided I needed a bit more info on the topic and so the next night (he did two chats for us over on AQ.) I asked for a bit of clarification. Here’s the scoop: My question: Jeffrey, in regards to your surprising advice in regards to queries (”AVOID THE HOOK”) I got to wondering, how do YOU define a hook? Could you give us some specifics in terms of what to avoid? Jeffrey Moores: I think that the typical “hook”, wherein a writer tries to hook an agent with a taste of the plot right away, often comes across as false and forced. Such as: “Imagine a town where nothing quite feels like it should…” Instead, agents want to hear something like this: “My novel is a comedy-of-manners that skewers the reality of a strange town whose inhabitants seem to have no clue about the rest of the world…” or something similar. This is a more abstracted and contextualized description of your novel, and is more effective than assuming that an agent is sitting at her desk waiting to be entertained the same way she is when she’s picking a novel off of a book shelf at home. It is still VERY IMPORTANT to “hook” an agent, but it is MORE IMPORTANT to do this through concise and effective presentation of your book’s specific themes and its place in the market, rather than drafting a sort of plot description or synopsis. Often, writers go on and on after their “hook” but fail to mention anywhere in the query WHAT TYPE OF BOOK THEY’VE WRITTEN. novel, YA, fantasy, mainstream, etc. ******* He also mentioned to be confident in your proposal when writing nonfiction. The more confident you are, the more likely it will get picked up. As well, fiction writers should step out when writing their queries and “approach the query in a more nonfiction way”. That means, make your fiction query more about where your story fits into the market, who its audience is–that sort of thing. Which makes sense. It is a business letter. He also mentions to compare your letter to other books that are similar. Just make sure it is selling well! He provided pointers on how to pick the selling well books to compare yours to: Very simply — go to your local bookstore and browse. Notice which books have prominent placement in the stores (front tables, end caps, facing OUT on the shelves, rather than their binding facing out). Publishers have paid for these privileges and it means that they’ve invested extra money in hopes that these books will sell well. Or, it means the book has already begun to sell well so they are pushing it further. Also, check out Amazon’s book rankings, reviews, and blurbs by other authors for that book — if five well-known authors have blurbed a given book, it’s safe to assume is better-known than a book with a blurb by only one lesser-known writer. Both chats with Jeffrey where informative with lots of great tidbits you won’t find elsewhere. If you missed the chats, you can read the transcripts over on AgentQuery.

WVW's own Kathleen Coffee concert this weekend in Princeton

Wed, 6 May 2009 21:19:09 -0400

Kathleen Coffee (a.k.a. Kayla Ward, of WV Writers fame) is performing in concert this weekend at the Riff Raff Arts Collective in downtown Princeton. Conference 2008 attendees might remember her as the amazing singer/songwriter who performed during the Friday night entertainment. She describes her original music as Acoustic / Folk / Healing & Easy Listening. Based in Athens, West Virginia, this star is on the rise. Check her out at: www.myspace.com/katcoffee Tickets are $10. See the Riff Raff link below. http://www.theriffraff.net/

Northern Panhandle Film Workshops

Tue, 5 May 2009 16:41:14 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Film Office will sponsor two free half-day workshops in the Northern Panhandle to help counties and municipalities learn what to expect when filming occurs in their communities and how they can become known as a "film-friendly" location. "As West Virginia becomes a more popular place to shoot feature films, television programs, music videos and commercials, it is important for the Film Office to reach out to communities and community leaders to better prepare them when their region is chosen for filming," said Pam Haynes, director of the Film Office. The workshops are free and open to the public. Haynes said she encourages representatives of convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, mayors and city managers, county managers and commissioners, film and video production companies, and freelance film crew to attend. The workshops are scheduled for May 19 in Weirton and May 20 in Follansbee, said Jamie Cope, location services manager for the Film Office. Cope said the Film Office presented similar workshops last fall in Wheeling, Martinsburg, and Charleston. Cope explained that an expected increase in filming activity relates to tax credit incentives recently passed by the West Virginia Legislature. "The incentives allow the Film Office to participate more competitively with other states to recruit film production to West Virginia," he said. Haynes said the workshop, titled "Business of Film: Paths to Opportunity,” will provide an overview of the tax incentives and how they will benefit West Virginia businesses, how communities may become film friendly, what to expect and how to handle filming when it knocks on the door, and how to work effectively with the Film Office. A brief tutorial on location scouting also will be highlighted, and there will be an assortment of helpful handouts. The current schedule is as follows: -- Tuesday, May 19, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, 350 Three Spring Drive, Weirton -- Wednesday, May 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Community House at Follansbee City Park, State Route 2, Follansbee Haynes said additional workshops are slated for July, August and September in other cities across the state. She also added that the Film Office will conduct the workshops in any county or community where interest and participation would be significant. The West Virginia Film Office is a section under the WV Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, and can be visited at www.wvfilm.com.

Author reading in Morgantown

Fri, 1 May 2009 16:40:36 -0400

Author Joey Madia will be reading from his new fantasy novel, Jester-Knight, Thursday, May 7, from 7-9 pm at the Blue Moose Cafe in Morgantown.

Free Comic Book Day Tomorrow

Fri, 1 May 2009 16:39:48 -0400

Tomorrow, May 2, 2009, is Free Comic Book Day across the nation. For those of you who are comic fans, you probably already know this. But for those of you who have comic shops in your area and maybe haven't picked up a comic since you were a kid, Saturday is the day you can pick some up for free and see the sort of things being done in the medium today. Please note: Free Comic Book Day only happens in honest to God comic book stores, not simply stores that sell comics. To find your nearest shop, click HERE. And for a primer on what Free Comic Book Day is all about, click below. http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090430-free-comic-book-day-primer.html

For Mothers & Daughters Creative Writing Workshop in Lewisburg

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:44:43 -0400

For Mothers and Daughters Creative Writing Workshop in Lewisburg, Saturday, May 9 at the New River Community and Technical College.

Click on image to see larger version of the flyer.

Camber Press Fiction Chapbook Award

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:46:54 -0400

A prize of $1,000 and publication as a chapbook by Camber Press will be given annually for a short story. Ron Carlson will judge. Submit a story of up to 10,000 words with a $15 entry fee by April 30. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines. Camber Press, Fiction Chapbook Award, 1160 Midland Avenue, Suite 3F, Bronxville, NY 10708. Ron Egatz, Editorial Director. info@camberpress.com www.camberpress.com

Writecorner Press E. M. Koeppel Short Fiction Award

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:21:09 -0400

(This news courtesy George Lies' WVWriters eNews list) A prize of $1,100 and publication on the Writecorner Press Web site is given annually for a short story. All entries will be considered for publication. Submit a story of up to 3,000 words with a $15 entry fee ($10 for each additional story) by April 30. Send an SASE, call, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. Writecorner Press, E. M. Koeppel Short Fiction Award, P.O. Box 140310, Gainesville, FL 32614 (352) 338-7778 Mary Sue Koeppel, Contact. www.writecorner.com

Poetry Contests

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:20:06 -0400

Sow’s Ear Poetry Review Chapbook Award A prize of $1,000 and publication by Sow’s Ear Press with distribution to Sow’s Ear Poetry Review subscribers is given annually for a chapbook-length poetry collection. The winner also receives 25 copies of the chapbook. Submit 22 to 26 pages of poetry with a $20 entry fee by May 1. Send an SASE or e-mail for complete guidelines. Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, Chapbook Award, 355 Mt. Lebanon Road, Donalds, SC 29638-9115. Errol Hess, Managing Editor. errol@kitenet.net

Wick Poetry Center Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize A prize of $2,000, publication by Kent State University Press, and an invitation to give a reading and teach a one-week workshop at Kent State University is given annually for a first poetry collection. Naomi Shihab Nye will judge. Poets who have not yet published a book-length collection may submit a manuscript of 50 to 70 pages with a $20 entry fee by May 1. Send an SASE, call, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. Wick Poetry Center Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize, 301 Satterfield Hall, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001. (330) 672-2067 Maggie Anderson, Director. wickpoet@kent.edu www.kent.edu/wick

Southwest Review David Nathan Meyerson Prize for Fiction

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:17:32 -0400

(This news courtesy George Lies' WVWriters eNews list) A prize of $1,000 and publication in Southwest Review is given annually to a fiction writer who has not published a book. Submit a story of up to 8,000 words with a $25 entry fee by May 1. Send an SASE, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. Southwest Review, David Nathan Meyerson Prize for Fiction, P.O. Box 750374, Dallas, TX 75275-0374. Jennifer Cranfill, Fiction Editor. www.smu.edu/southwestreview

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:16:50 -0400

(This news courtesy George Lies' WV Writers eNews) A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story by a writer whose fiction has not appeared in a nationally distributed publication with a circulation of 5,000 or more. Submit a story of up to 3,000 words with a $17 entry fee by May 15 ($12 before May 1). Send an SASE, e-mail, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, P.O. Box 993, Key West, FL 33041. Carol Shaughnessy, Codirector. calico2419@aol.com www.shortstorycompetition.com

West Virginia Fiction Award and Competition

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:19:07 -0400

(This news courtesy George Lies' WVWriters eNews list) Shepherd University's Appalachian Heritage Literary Project announces the West Virginia Fiction Competition, a literary competition to encourage writers and storytellers, whose talent and ability in creative writing is distinctive and promising, and to foster an appreciation of Appalachian culture and values represented in the diverse writing of the region. Submissions are encouraged from any resident of West Virginia or student in West Virginia who meets the criteria below. Click here to view a list of past Fiction Competition winners. What are the limitations upon submissions? Any original, unpublished work of fiction, between 500 and 2,500 words, one submission only. The submission may not have received any other award, recognition, or special honor. What is the deadline for submissions? May 1, 2009. Where should submissions be mailed? West Virginia Fiction Competition Department of English Shepherd University P.O. Box 5000 Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000 Electronic submissions should be sent to bfeltner@shepherd.edu. What should accompany submissions? WEB PAGE for The application form - http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/ What prize will be awarded? $500.00 First Prize Award and possible publication, $100 each Second and Third Prize Awards. Who will select the fiction contest winner? A panel of writers, editors, and creative writing instructors will choose finalists, and the 2009 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence, Silas House, will select first, second, and third place winners from these finalists. The first place winner will receive the West Virginia Fiction Award and accompanying $500 prize on the night of Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the Appalachian Heritage Awards Presentation; and the winning story will be read at the Appalachian Heritage Festival Concert the following night. Both events are part of the 2009 AHWIR residency: "The History of Every Country": Place in the Poetry and Fiction of Silas House. Mr. House will present the awards and offer story critiques to the competition finalists. First, second, and third place prize winners will dine with Mr. House on the evening of the awards. The fiction competition is supported by the West Virginia Center for the Book and the Shepherd University Foundation. When will the winner be notified? August 1, 2009.

National Poetry Month online offerings

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:18:49 -0400

Laura Treacy Bentley continues featuring poetry at her website in honor of National Poetry Month. Don't miss the fine poetry of Grace Cavalieri, Mark Defoe, Larry Jaffe, Llewellyn McKernan, Robert West, Ethan Fischer, Edwina Pendarvis, Jeff Mann, Dana Wildsmith (2009 WV Writers Conference Presenter), Colleen Anderson, Marianne Worthington, Kirk Judd, and others this month, National Poetry Month, on Open Mic: http://www.freewebs.com/laura7/apps/blog/. Tell a friend or forward this email, comment about the poets' work, and enjoy their diverse and powerful poetry. Poetry matters! http://www.lauratreacybentley.com

Flux Books Interview

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:30:28 -0400

(From Cynthia Sterling Market News) Author Cynthia Leitich Smith has posted a terrific interview with Brian Farrey of Flux Books. Flux is the young adult imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide and Brian has recently taken over as editor. Among the books he'd like to see come across his desk, he would like a "really well-written YA steampunk." Read the interview here.

WV Writers Podcast

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:53:20 -0400

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, April 17, 2009, WV Writers will enter the podcasting arena with our very own podcast, hosted by me.

Sword and Sorceress XXIIII now accepting entries

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:52:30 -0400

(From Cynthia Sterling Market News) Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress XXIIII is now accepting submissions. Editor Elizabeth Waters is interested in sword and sorcery stories featuring a strong female protagonist.

Juno Books Updates Writers' Guidelines

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 07:51:57 -0400

Juno Books books.com an imprint of Pocket Books that publishes "Fantasy with a focus on female" has updated its writer's guidelines

National Poetry Month Celebrated on Blog

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 07:50:37 -0400

Laura Treacy Bentley is posting the invited work of diverse poets each day this month on her blog in celebration of National Poetry Month.

Woodland Press Accepting Holiday Hauntings submissions

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 07:49:38 -0400

Michael Knost online is calling for submissions for a new horror anthology to be published by Woodland Press, of Chapmanville, WV. Here are the Submission guidelines from Michael Knost Online:

Princeton Poetry Project accepting submissions for Holler

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 07:49:11 -0400

The Princeton Poetry Project in now accepting submissions for the first edition of Holler, a quarterly literary journal of poetry, song, rap, prose, short fiction, and humor.

Robert Tinnell's SHADES OF GRAY showing in Charleston

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 07:48:13 -0400

WV FILM SERIES � April 11, South Charleston The South Charleston Museum continues its West Virginia Film Series with "Shades of Gray" at the LaBelle Theater, 311 'D' Street on April 11 at 7:00 pm.

WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference Presenter Bios

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:47:32 -0400

Bios of the presenters for WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference

WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference Workshop Descriptions

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:43:38 -0400

Descriptions of the workshops being given at the WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference