Meeting Minutes August 22nd 2019

Here is a compilation of notes created by Becky and myself.  Our group has really grown in the last few months. Wonderful to see so many new and enthusiastic faces.

Events and workshops

Brattleboro Literary Festival 
October 17-20 "The 18th annual Brattleboro Literary Festival will take place October 17-20. The theme of the 2019 festival is Identity: personal identity, cultural identity and our identity as a country. Free and open to the public." Find more information HERE

League of VT Writers
St. Albans Historical Museum
Saturday, September 28, 8:30 AM - 3 PM
Theme: The Art of Writing.  Find more information HERE

Swanton Arts Spectacular
Saturday, September 7 Swanton park We'll have a local authors' tent starting at 10 AM. Come talk to us!

Performances

Swanton Arts Council presents "The Year of the Salmon"

"Join us on Monday, September 16th at 6PM sharp at the Welden Theater for the Premiere of "The Year of the Salmon". Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased by contacting jpaxman@swantonartscouncil.org

And don't miss the After-party and Salmmy Awards Presentation to be held at Mill River Brewing directly after the showing!"

Still looking for participants for the Great Ghost Read, to air on NW Access TV in October - Halloween-themed stories either of your own or by your favorite authors. Contact Becky if you're interested in reading.

Becky reiterated the idea of "Mailboxes for kids"  A program where children could write to their favorite fictional character and group members could write back in the voice of the character. Several members signed up for this program.  Everyone is welcome to participate.

Several members new and old read their work before our meeting adjourned at 7:35.  Next meeting is September 26th at the Swanton library. One of the items to be discussed is setting a firm day for our monthly meetings. Please bring your calendars.

Meeting Minutes for August 16th

The meeting commenced at 6 pm. We had a short discussion about memoir writing.  Author Gene Shepherd was mentioned specifically his work "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash"  The group also discussed a play writing exercise and the possibility of recording group members work and broadcasting it on local TV or radio.

Renee shared her adventures with Flat Stanley and Flat Stella. Follow the LINK to view her google doc journal.  Nancy Fuller took 'the Flats' for their next adventure.

Upcoming Events/Contests/Exhibits

Swanton Arts Spectacular: August 25th. The Writer's Group in conjunction with SAC will be sponsoring a local author's panel. The following authors are committed: Chloe Viner, Pat Esden, Bill Schubart, Tammy Hetrick, Jerry Johnson, Bethany Morrow, and our own Rebecca Rupp! Hope to see everyone there! It is possible the winner of the Edwin M. Church Award will be announced.

League of Vermont Writers presents: Other Paths to Publication, Independent Presses and Self-Publishing. October 6, 2018. Time: 8:30 am-5 pm. Location: Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne.  Find all the details HERE. There is a registration fee. Bill Schubart is one of the speakers

Swanton Arts Council is sponsoring an arts exhibit entitled "Emotion Speaks". The theme for the exhibit is "Anxiety". The deadline for submission is October 26th.  The opening reception will be held on November 9th and the artwork will remain on display until mid December.  Upon registration entrants will receive an 8x8 canvas.  This canvas must be used for the exhibit. Entrants can create a visual, physical or written piece which exemplifies their perception of the emotion anxiety. Multiple entries are encouraged. Further details and a registration form will be available at the Swanton Arts Spectacular and announced here in a separate entry. Questions can be emailed to Judy Paxmam HERE 

Four of our group members read their work: Annie read a portion of one of 3 novels of Emmet Mathieu's proposed scifi series "Phoenix". Renee read a short piece about a man suffering from a mental disorder who thought bugs had literally invaded and consumed his body. Judy read Elizabeth Nance's short story "Going Home". Nancy read her short story "A Post Modern Romance". 

Please check out Nancy's art exhibit "Art by Nancy Fuller" at the Alburgh Library.  It will be on display until the end of August.  Meeting adjourned at 7:40. Upcoming meeting is September 20th at 6 pm at the Swanton Library.