Serving all writers since 1948 
WWA...NewsBrief
what you need to know for March 2020 Wisconsin Writers Association |
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Editors Note: The WWA NewsBrief is about member accomplishments, writing events, and contests. It is delivered on the 25th of each month by email. I welcome your comments, suggestions, ideas, and yes, complaints. Please send news bits for the March 2020 issue to me by February 20th. Thank you.
Housekeeping:
Access Links To access web links inserted in this NewsBrief, click on blue text to jump to the referenced web link.
To download and print a copy of this NewsBrief, CLICK HERE.
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WWA Website News: Send all requests for website changes, corrections, routine updates, and questions associated with the WWA website to Board Operations Chair, Kymberley Pekrul, kpekrul.editor@gmail.com.
 Share your pride in WWA membership and promote the organization at the same time! Download badges to include in your email signature and other areas where you want to tell the world about your associations. Visit the WWA website to download your badge.
Facebook: Keep up with WWA every day? Follow the WWA Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/WIWrite/ – Post your exciting writing news! Stay up with the pulse of what’s trending in today’s shifting marketplace. Network with other members. Explore, learn, discover, connect, and keep up with authors.
Paid a visit to the WWA website, yet? You'll find tons of great information for writers. Check out the "Helpful Articles for Writers" page for a valuable list of resources from industry experts. |
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Website Refresh We've got a great public
website! Have you
noticed? Check it out at: wiwrite.org
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WWA President’s Message
February 23, 2020
It’s March already and WWA stuff is happening! Let’s get to
it:
WWA’s venerable Jade Ring Writing Contest opens on
March 1. Yes, it does And you need to participate. Can you win the Jade
Ring? Bet you can…details here |
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• And WWA’s High School Writing Contest is now open. Know a student writer? Tell her or him about this – it’s very cool. Details here• WWA’s marvelous February 9 Book to Film and Craft Workshop with authors Sara Dahmen and Joanne Nelson was sadly, cruelly snowed out. (I hated to cancel…) But fear not, it’s being rescheduled…look for an announcement shortly. It’s too good to miss…
• Thursday, March 12, 7 PM at the Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WWA and Write-On Door County, will host a book talk "From the Boxing Ring to the Boardroom.”Being bullied as a south-side Milwaukee child can elicit many kinds of responses. For Hector Colon, his childhood trials led to the United Community Center boxing program (and seven subsequent USA National boxing titles). Hector Colon and author Judith Gwinn Adrian will present their forthcoming book. Details here
• Shake off the winter blues! The annual Cabin Fever Rendezvous is Saturday March 28 is up in the Northland in Solon Springs, 8:30 AM to noon. With workshops by authors Naomi Musch, Tom King, and Sandy Nelson, a splendid time is guaranteed for all. Details here
• Led by the amazing Dasha Kelly, Poet Laureate of Milwaukee, The Dynamic Page at the Retreat is back — short fiction lifted from page to stage with voice over professionals, and real-time painting. April 7, 7 PM. Details here
• Registration is now open for the wonderful Lakefly Writers Conference in Oshkosh, May 8 – 9. WWA members get a very nice discount. Check your email for the WWA discount code, then register here
Besides all this, look for WWA at Untitled Town in Green Bay, April 23 – 26. WWA is an Untitled Town sponsor and is hosting an Open Mic Night on Friday evening, April 24 at the Amphora Wine Bar, 131 N. Broadway, downtown Green Bay. Have an adult beverage and read your stuff! Details coming.
Supporting writers all over Wisconsin. It’s what we do. Tell your writerly friends. Join. Renew. Participate.
Keep on writing…
Barry |
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Meet Your Board
New Board Member: The WWA Board of Directors invite you to join them in welcoming the newest member of the board. Catherine Lanser (Gove) has joined the WWA Board of Directors. Catherine is from Madison and writes creative nonfiction. She is looking for a home for her memoir which tells how she found her identity and a place in her large family, told through the lens of the brain. A marketer, by day, Catherine can’t wait to help WWA with events, membership and other efforts. Welcome, Catherine. The WWA Board looks forward to working with you! The WWA Board looks forward to working with with Catherine!
Board Members Needed: WWA, a registered 501(c)3, is managed by a Board of Directors. Board members focus on policy and the goals of the mission to support Wisconsin writers to achieve their own writing goals. Visit the Board of Directors. If interested in joining the board, contact Barry Wightman. Not ready for the board, consider volunteering: Check out the opportunities
Next WWA Board conference call: *Note* call has been rescheduled to March 11, 2020, 10:30 am. – all members are welcome as observers. For details, contact Kymberley. |
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WWA Business Membership Available: Promote your writing-related service business. Just $35 one-year annual membership for individuals who own/operate a business that provides related writing services may join WWA and secure a listing on the Business Member Profile Directory page of the WWA website.
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Promote and Support Wisconsin Authors!
Order Your Copy of the WWA Creative Wisconsin Anthology Today!
Order online: WWA Shop or by mail: send a $10 check to Kymberley Pekrul, W1347 Pit Road, Mount Calvary, WI 53057-9508 (please include the address to which to send the copy sent. |
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Writing Quote of the Month:
“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” — Virginia Woolf |
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WWA is pleased to announce the 72nd Annual Jade Ring Contest
Opens for submissions March 1; deadline June 5, 2020. New cash awards!
All winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions will be published in Wisconsin Creative Anthology, plus...
First Place: $100 plus a coveted Jade Ring or $200; publication in Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine.
Second Place: $100.
Third Place: $50
Honorable Mention (three per category): one-year WWA membership (new or renew)
Categories: Fiction : welcomes submissions of short story, flash fiction, novel excerpt, romance, mystery, humor, fantasy, science fiction with 2,000- word limit.
Nonfiction: welcomes entries of articles, essays, nostalgia, memoir, self-help, etc. limited to 2,000 words. |
Poetry: open to any style or theme. Up to 3 poems per entry, limit one poem per page.
Meet the judges...
Entries in fiction will be judged by r.r. campbell, author, writing coach, and founder of the Writescast Network podcast
B.J. Hollars will judge nonfiction entries. He is the author of several books will judge. Among his awards is the Truman Capote Prize for Literary Nonfiction and the Anne Be and James B. McMillan Prize.
Poetry entries will be judged by Dasha Kelly, Poet Laureate of Milwaukee. She is the author of three poetry collections, four spoken word albums, and two novels.
ENTER and see RULES here |
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WWA High School Student Writing Contest! |
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Member News:
Got News? Send your member news by the 20th of each month for inclusion in the upcoming month’s WWA NewsBrief issue. Send to the editor. |
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Jade Ring Team Jade ring Contest managers, Christine Schultz and Barb Messick, are pleased to welcome Tom Malin to the team. He's learning the ropes to be ready to take over some responsibilities as current managers rotate out of the roles.
Tom bring a wealth of contest experience with him. He's earned accolades through a number of contest entries, winning and placing, including the Hal Grutzmacher Award for Literature. He has also published several short stories and participated in short story and poetry readings. |
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2nd Act Writers was chosen as the April group for the Local Author Slam at the Mystery to Me Bookstore on Madison's Monroe Street on April 16, 2020 at 7 pm. Other local authors that evening will be firefighter novelist Greg Renz, mystic chaplain memoirist Kathy Collins and incarceration/artist witness memoir author Judy Adrian.
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“Time to Write Your Story,” a writing workshop facilitated by WWA member Laurel Bragstad, is being offered by the Greenfield Park & Recreation Department in April and May in the Greenfield City Hall building. Each 4-part session will cover topics and practice relevant to novel, short story and memoir, including: story structure, character development, tension, narration, dialog, and editing. Dates: Wednesdays, April 8-29 and Wednesdays, May 13-June 3, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. All writing abilities welcome. To register, call the Greenfield Park & Rec office at 414-297-9008.
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Member discount to WWA members for the Saturday Craft & Publishing Workshops at Red Oak Writing Studio. WWA members enjoy a special rate of $45 (a $5 discount!) For more info, contact Kim or call 414-881-7276 or visit the website
The Paid Writer: H0w to Start Freelancing …Without Writing for Free
Saturday, March 14 9:30 am - Noon ( deadline - Mon., March 9) Register online
You’ve said you want to make a living as a writer. You’ve even spent a fair share of time sitting at the kitchen table researching freelance writing, only to walk away with your head spinning, rather than enlightened. Participants will learn the common misconceptions about being a paid writer, take the critical first steps that many writers skip, and walk away with an action plan for writing productivity and profit. With Jessica Noel.
Whose Point of View is it Anyway? Janet Burroway, author of 8 novels. Saturday, April 18, 2020 9:30 am - noon Register Here Space is limited
Point of Point of View is the most complex element of fiction writing, the most difficult to understand and the most difficult to accomplish. It consists of many moving parts. This workshop deals with the practice of point of view: How can you understand POV in the fiction of others and yourself? How do you choose what person to write in? How can you be consistent when the reader needs external information? Must you really be consistent? How can you show physically a character whose viewpoint we share? How do you show the backstory? How do you signal an unreliable narrator? How do you make one sympathetic? The method will be a combination of practicum—analyzing published passages—writing prompts and Q&A. |
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WWA is a proud sponsor Novel-in-Progress Book Camp and Writing Retreat
Book Camp & Writing Retreat, two six-day, residential programs focused on the craft of long-form writing, publishing, and networking among new friends (writers all.) It will be held Sunday evening, May 17 through Saturday morning, May 23, 2020, the week before Memorial Day. The event is hosted by member Dave Rank.
The Book Camp is a hands-on workshop led by published novelists, editors, and literary agents, providing craft classes, one-on-one consultations for your Work-In-Progress, group critiques of your writing, and presentations on writing and publishing. A roster of writers are already lining up to attend, so reserve your spot by contacting director Dave as soon as possible. |
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 Why join WWA? Here's another exciting reason...this members-only benefit!
We are looking for more reviewers as well as reviews. Email Lisa for more information. To submit a request for reviews, please visit WiWrite.org, to read book reviews in full or to request a review of your book.
Please enjoy two book reviews by our talented volunteer WWA members. |
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UPCOMING CLASSES, CONFERENCES, RETREATS,
WORKSHOPS & WRITING FESTIVALS...
Announcements WWA forges relationships to help us better serve our membership, improve our organization's performance, and engage our professional networks.
WWA Affiliate Announcements: WWA develops long-lasting partnerships between complementary organizations and businesses where a mutually beneficial relationship serves each organization's interests. WWA will consider proposals to work together or on events and projects but does not guarantee acceptance. |
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UW Continuing Studies Writing Program
UW's Writers Institute
March 26-29, 2020
Registration is now open! The annual event features learning opportunities for every genre, beginner to advanced, from craft to publishing. Register before February 25th and save $40. Learn more here.
Madison Continuing Studies offers additional Writing Classes, in person and online, manuscript critiques, writing retreats, and workshops. Prices and times vary. Check here for details. |
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Lakefly Writers Conference
May 8-9, 2020 – Oshkosh, WI
EVERYONE HAS A STORY! Join our supportive community of writers at the Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center for our 6th annual two-day conference. We offer over a dozen workshops on the craft and business of writing designed to inspire and guide your creative journey. Learn More |
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Lakefly Writers Contest is open and accepting submissions until March 13, 2020 For complete contest details, Visit the website. Questions? or call Oshkosh Public Library at 920-236-5203, ask for Ruth No Entry Fee Cash Awards: $100, $75, $50 Check here for complete contest rules.
Categories Flash Fiction: max 750 words Any genre No theme Short Story: max 3,000 words; Theme: True Love Poetry: max 75 lines, any form or style, free verse or formal, no theme Teen Short Story: Open to 18 years old & younger, max 1,500 words, any genre, no theme
Contest supported, in part, by grants from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board. |
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Contests
Here are a few...for more visit our contest page on the WWA website!
Green Stories Flash Fiction Contest
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 21, 2020. Length 500 words. First prize £500, second prize £100, third prize £50. Additional prizes of £50 for the best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for the best < 18-year submission. Open to all, as long as it has not been published elsewhere. All submissions must be in English and conform to the green stories criteria of showing a positive vision of what a sustainable society might look like or in some way smuggling in green solutions/policies/characters in the context of an otherwise mainstream story.
Lindisfarne Prize for Debut Crime Fiction
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2020. Open to all new writers who are from, or whose work celebrates, the north of England and who have not previously had a crime or thriller story published in any form. Entrants must submit a short story of no more than 10,000 words or the first two chapters and a synopsis of their work in progress to be considered. The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £2,500 to support the completion of their work, as well as free editorial and mentoring services from a local independent publisher and funding towards a year’s membership of industry associations. They must not have had any of their crime or thriller work published before, traditionally or independently (including self-published).
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Good Reasons to Go North! Cabin Fever Rendezvous
Saturday, March 28th, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at the Solon Springs Community Center in Solon Springs, WI is hosted by The St Croix Writers of Solon Springs will host presentations including Your GPS for Success, No Flat Stanleys - Creating Dimensional Characters With Whom Your Readers Will Bond and Let's Talk About Writing Our Life's Stories. There will also be an open mic session for participants to read their work; refreshments; book displays and book sales featuring local writers. Learn more.
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Draft & Craft!
Tuesdays, beginning March 3 through May 5
Date: Tuesday evenings, March 3 through May 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you can ($10 per session suggested minimum donation)
Location: Viroqua Food Co-op's Community Room, except for the sessions on 3/17 and 4/21, which will be held at the Vernon County Museum, 410 S Center Ave, Viroqua
Registration: No registration needed
Draft & Craft is a no-pressure, informal workshop that provides challenging prompts on a variety of topics, giving participants time to think and write. Led by a rotating cast of DWC instructors, the sessions for spring 2020 include instigating and heightening drama in your writing, making new work from found materials, crafting an attention-getting pitch letter, and writing great dialogue. Registration not required. Just bring pen and paper and be ready to enjoy excellent company, intriguing discussions--and fun!
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Driftless Writing Center
Reading & Open Mic Friday, March 13, 7pm MacHelp, 210 S. Main St., Viroqua Angela Light will read from her new book, In Light, Always Light, followed by an open mic. Bring 5 minutes of writing to share.
Workshop: Poetry as a Visual Art Form Saturday, March 14, 10am - Noon The Commons, E. Jefferson St., Viroqua $35 per person (inquire about scholarship opportunities) Pre-registration required, register here
Focusing on craft and form, exploration of white space, caesuras, em dash and elliptical poetry used effectively by poets, including C.D.Wright, Simon Ortiz, Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, Adrienne Rich, Jean Valentine, Claudia Rankine, Joan Nayiyuk Kane, and Layli Long Soldier. Bring one poem on any subject to edit during this time. Register now | | | | | | |
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Writers Groups Writing is a solitary endeavor, but we can learn so much from fellow writers, sharing our works, listening to others share theirs improves our writing. Do you know of writers groups in your area that welcome new members? Share them with us, send your information to the editor. Let's work together!
The Kenosha Writers Guild meets at the beautiful Carthage College on the shores of Lake Michigan. See videos of members and their success and upcoming events at Kenosha Writers Guild.
Lake Geneva writing group meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 1-3 pm at the Lake Geneva Public Library. For more information, contact Rachel.
Monthly Poetry Readings First Tuesday of each month at Suzy's Steakhouse in Portage WI; 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The group extends an invitation to Wisconsin Writers to attend or to request an opportunity to be a Featured Poet. The goal for each month is to have one male and one female Featured Poet and time for Open Mic. Contact June Paul at junegpaul@gmail.com to learn about current openings.
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Opportunities and Events:
Do you know of an event? Send event news by the 20th of each month for inclusion in the upcoming month’s WWA NewsBrief issue. Send to the editor. |
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Networking Opportunities:
Did you know that WWA is On Meetup? Yep, we’ve been on Meetup since November 2018. What’s Meetup you ask? It’s a new way for Wisconsin Writers to connect with writing groups and events around the state! Connect through Meetup with other writers you know from all over Wisconsin, learn about writing-related events that happen everywhere! WWA now has 210 Meetup members! Meetup is a great member benefit coordinated by board member Adrienne Hulburt who regularly adds new conferences, events, and interesting writer events and anything else that gets thrown her way onto the WWA Meetup events calendar. Follow the link below to join WWA’s, Meetup Page! https://www.meetup.com/WisconsinWritersAssociation/ |
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Publication Opportunities:
The Masters Review/New Voices – The Masters Review New Voices category is open year-round to any new or emerging author who has not published a work of fiction or narrative nonfiction of novel length. Authors with short story collections are free to submit. They accept simultaneous and multiple submissions but ask that you inform them immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere. They pay New Voices authors $0.10/word up to $200 and do not charge submission fees but are highly selective. To read previously published stories, or to submit a piece of fiction or narrative nonfiction up to 7000 words, please see the New Voices page of their website. |
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Join the group that supports you throughout Wisconsin!
Become a member here!
You write. Wisconsin writes!
WWA Monthly NewsBrief
___________________________
NewsBrief Editor Barbara Messick
Please send NewsBrief bits to: bjm.writer@gmail.com wiwrite.org facebook.com/WIWrite
Copyright © 2019 Wisconsin Writers Association, All rights reserved.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails click the Unsubscribe link that appears below this email. |
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2020 WWA NewsBrief Submission Deadline Calendar:
To help WWA Members and our Partner Groups & Organizations schedule submissions for inclusion in the WWA NewsBrief, we’ve put together a handy Issue/Deadline Reference (see below) for the upcoming year. Feel free to print and keep the reference in a convenient place to schedule your news submissions.
Please note that the November and December NewsBrief is combined into one issue. Also, the January NewsBrief has an earlier December submission deadline to allow for timely distribution to members before Christmas week each year.
- April NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Friday, March 20, 2020
- May NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Monday, April 20, 2020
- June NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Wednesday, May 20, 2020
- July NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Saturday, June 20, 2020
- August NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Monday, July 20, 2020
- September NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Thursday, August 20, 2020
- October NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Sunday, September 20, 2020
- November/December NewsBrief 2020 - Deadline Tuesday, October 20, 2020
- January NewsBrief 2021 - Deadline Wednesday, December 13, 2020
- Note: earlier deadline for January submissions
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Red Oak Writing offers programs for writers of all levels of ability and experience: Registration is open for 
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