Like many of you, one of my New Year’s Resolution is setting new writing goals. Luckily, we are a part of a group of women writers who are willing to support you in your writing journey. I encourage each of you to reach out to other members and offer to be a writing buddy, attend monthly meetings and provide valuable feedback to our readers, attend public readings by WWW members, or host a Seasonal Write. The more you become involved in Women Who Write, the more we can help you meet your writing goals throughout the year.
Diane Cruze WWW Director
Welcome New Members
Welcome to the following who recently joined Women Who Write.
Deanna O’Daniel
2019 WWW Leadership Team
The following members will serve on the WWW board: Director: Diane Cruze, Assistant Director: Terri Lyndsey, Secretary: Suzanne Courtery, Public Relations Officer: Pat Smith, Treasurer: Mel Dixon.
In addition, thank you to the following WWW members who have volunteered to assist the Board in 2019: Membership Manager: Brittni Caudill, Marketing Committee: Pam Lafollette and Kim Esteran, Website Editor: Debbie Chartoff
December Meeting and Readings
Eleven members were in attendance. We had two visitors Deanna O’Conner, Deanna Hopper and Clea Lewis. Deanna O’Conner joined.
Readings:
Suzanne Cordery: Short Story: “The Bell Ringer”
Joan Dubay: Scene from a play: “Foiled”
Ramona Osbourne: Chapter 1, nonfiction: “The Best Family”
Pat Thomas: Chapter 1, fiction: “House Divided”
Kim Esteran: Two Poems: “Stones I” and “Hi Mom, Its Me”
Irene Sueyevich: Essay: “Is There Love In Your Sixties”
Women Who Write Book Club
The WWW Book Club will resume on Wed., Jan. 9., at Selene Phillips’ home, 5730 Moser Knob Rd., Floyds Knobs, Ind., 47119, at 6 p.m. Your hosts will be Kim Snead and Selene. A light dinner, snacks, and drinks will be provided. Since there was inclement weather last month, the group will discuss November’s book, Tommy Orange’s There There. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be delayed until Wed., Jan. 30.
Future meetings will be held on the Wednesday after regular WWW meetings. The 2019 schedule will be as follows, with meeting places to be announced.
Wed., Jan. 9, 6 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
Wed., March 13, 6 p.m.
Wed., April 10, 6 p.m.
Wed., May 8, 6 p.m.
February’s book will be Michelle Obama’s book Becoming. Other books will be announced soon. The book club will break for June, July, and August, resuming in September. RSVP for January at , and you will be e-mailed directions.
Words, Warmth and Wisdom Project
Thanks to all of you who participated in the Words, Warmth, and Wisdom Project to benefit refugee families at Catholic Charities ESL Program. Over 50 books were donated with a variety of winter wear! Prior to the books being distributed, the Director spoke about literacy and the importance of reading with parents and children, and a teacher read books to the group. They have planned reading time once a month and will have a book giveaway with the extra books.
A special thanks to Debbie Chartoff for organizing this project.
Member News
Congratulations to Laura Johnsrude for the publication of her essay, "Look at My Chest," in The Spectacle.
Suzanne Cordery has been accepted into the Eastern Kentucky University Bluegrass Writers Studio Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program. She begins hers studies this month.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Women Who Write will celebrate Women’s History Month in March with special community events and a new spring Writers Retreat.
Kentucky Women's Book Festival - Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the University of Louisville. WWW is a sponsor of the Kentucky Women's Book Festival which brings noted writers to a morning of workshops and readings. It was founded by Carridder Jones, who was also the founder of Women Who Write.
The festival has requested that a WWW member lead a workshop on beginning to be a writer or trying to publish. If you are interested, please contact Diane Cruze or another Board member as soon as possible.
Flying Out Loud - Monday March, 11 at 6pm at Four Pegs Lounge on Goss Avenue.
Flying Out Loud, a monthly Literary reading event will Celebrate Women’s History Month by featuring Women Who Write. “Women’s Words of Wisdom” will showcase six WWW members who will be reading their works. We hope you will make plans to attend.
Spring Rejuvenation Writer’s Retreat – March 23-24. In 2019 WWW is adding an additional spring writers’ retreat at Hopscotch House. Come for a few hours, spend the day, or register as an overnight guest (accommodations are limited to 9 guests). Bring your writing project, enjoy the outdoors, and socialize with old and new friends who share your same interest. This is a MEMBERS ONLY event.
Volunteer To Host a Seasonal Write
Seasonal Rites events give members an opportunity to bring their laptop or writing tablet and start on that new writing project, revise and edit a piece, or use a writing prompt to jumpstart new writing ideas. It is also an opportunity for members to support each other in their writing pursuits.
We would love for members to volunteer to host a Seasonal Rite at their home or at a community location. As the host, you choose the date, place and time for us to gather. Contact a board member if you would like to host a Rite.
Events and Opportunities
Louisville Literary Arts - InKY Cross-Genre WORKSHOP: To Tell the Truth, I Lied: Incorporating Real-Life Into Poetry & Creative Writing - January 12, 9:30AM – Noon, LLA Office at Portland Point (Enter McQuixotes and find us near the record room) 1512 Portland Avenue. $30 LLA Members $40 Non-members
Do we only write what actually happened? Can we embellish without being called out? Where is the line between truth and fiction? This workshop will focus on incorporating writer's real-lives into their writing without the limitations of truth. Examples from Kerouac to Berryman and Plath to Sexton will be used as well as writing prompts designed to further the possibilities of our own writing. Instructor: John Findura
Creative Nonfiction seeks submissions for an upcoming issue dedicated to Memoir. Deadline: February 25, 2019. We're looking stories that are honest, accurate, informative, intimate, and—most importantly—true. Whether your story is revelatory or painful, hilarious or tragic, if it's about you and your life, we want to read it.
Submissions must be vivid and dramatic; they should combine a strong and compelling narrative with an informative or reflective element, and reach beyond a strictly personal experience for some universal or deeper meaning. We're looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice; all essays must tell true stories and be factually accurate.
Creative Nonfiction editors will award $2,500 for Best Essay and two $500 prizes for runner-up. All essays will be considered for publication in a special "Memoir" issue of the magazine to be published in 2020.
Essays must be previously unpublished and no longer than 4,000 words.
Harriett A. Rose Legacies Contest - Submission deadline: Friday, February 8 Public reading: Tuesday, March 19, 6:00 pm. Writers over age 55 are invited to submit poems, stories, essays, or memoirs drawn from the writer’s personal history. Manuscripts should be limited to 1,500 words (about five, typed, double-spaced pages, which may include up to five poems). Please include a $10 reading fee per five-page entry, payable to the Carnegie Center. Entries must also include a cover sheet complete with writer’s name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and date of birth; names and contact information should NOT appear on the manuscript itself. Manuscripts will not be returned. Entries will be judged by a qualified panel. The prize is $100 for first place and $50 for second place. Winners and finalists will be invited to read at the Legacies Reading on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 pm. The reading is open to the public. Entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, February 8 at 5:00 pm.
Send entries to: The Harriett A. Rose Legacies Contest Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning 251 W. Second Street, Lexington, KY 40507
Next Great Writer Contest - Submission deadline: Friday, May 3. Public reading: summer (date TBA). Writers are invited to submit manuscripts of fiction or nonfiction prose (up to 2,000 words) or poetry (up to 5 poems). Please include a $10 fee per entry, payable to the Carnegie Center. Entries should also include a cover sheet complete with writer’s name, address, e-mail address, and phone number; names should NOT appear on the manuscript itself. Manuscripts cannot be returned. The prize is $150 for first place and $100 for second place. Winners and finalists will be invited to read at a public reading this summer (date TBA). Entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, May 3 at 5:00 pm.
Send entries to: The Next Great Writers Contest Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning 251 W. Second Street, Lexington, KY 40507
