Meeting Minute June 15, 2023

 Attendees: Eileen, Nancy, new member Hank and Michelle

We did not have a formal list of announcements to start this meeting.  The group launched into a discussion about the Swanton Arts Council and specifically the meet the author's event held on June 3rd.  The majority of the limited attendees were friends/family of the authors and members of the writer's group.  The consensus seem to be that more advertising is needed for future events.  The group would like to get an update from the council as it pertains to writing group and related activities.  Request for a future meeting. 

Upcoming Events

BookStock is June 23-25th.  Please consider attending.  Information found HERE

Contests:

Don't forget the Edwin M Church Award.  Deadline for submission has been set for September 1.  1,000-3,000 words.  More information HERE

Resources

Eileen offered to talk about her experiences with Kindle Direct Publishing during a future Writer's Group Meeting.  Find some information HERE

Hank used Finishing Line Press to self publish his poetry.  Perhaps we could ask him to expand on the process at a future meeting.  Information found HERE

Michelle brought up the concept of A Human Library as explained to her by author Bill Schubart.  He wrote a  wonderful article for VTDigger.  Find it HERE  Bill is a font of information and he is always willing to share.  Reach out to him via email HERE

Readings

Nancy read a journal entry about worrying/thinking about the future.  Such thoughts can be distracting and consuming.

Hank read from a work in progress.  It's called "Basic Questions".  Inspired by his experiences during basic training for the army during the Vietnam War.  A reflection of what is the purpose of training people to kill/hate others.  Delved into areas of spiritualism, race etc.  Intense!

Eileen read a draft of the prologue to her second memoir "The Builder's Wife"

Meeting wrapped up a little after 7.  Our next meeting is July 20th at 6pm. at the Swanton Library. 

Details and application for the Edwin M. Church Award for local writers

With thanks to Judy and SAC here is a direct link to the details and application for the Edwin M. Church Award for local writers.  Deadline is August 1st. Let's get writing people!

Meeting Minute June 14th

Meeting commenced at 6 pm.

First on the agenda was the announcement of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees for the Swanton Library.  If anyone is interested in filling this vacancy please contact the Swanton Library 802-868-7656, or EMAIL Becky personally .

REMINDERS for various upcoming contests and events were next. Please keep the following dates in mind and click on the name of the event for more information.

League of Vermont Writers: July 21st Writer's Meet Agents event. Registration is now open. A chance for serious writers to meet agents and pitch their completed work. Check the link for details.

Swanton Arts Spectacular: August 25th.  Our table will feature local artists, possibly typewriters for people to use. Other exhibits and items TBT

Vermont Writers' Prize: Deadline November 1st. Co-sponsored by Green Mountain Power and Vermont Magazine. The theme of this contest is Vermont: people, places, history and values. Entries must be unpublished and 1,500 words or less.  Check the link for details.

Judy Paxman asked the group at large if anyone was interested in helping with the play Swansee III Feathers of Fury. An annual project of Northwest Nightmares and Northwest Access TV the play will be shown at the Weldon Theater in St. Albans in October. EMAIL Judy or contact SAC for more information.

Please keep in mind: July 27-29 Bookstock in Woodstock VT. October 5-6 SAC's "Seven Deadly Sins" art exhibit.

The first Edwin M. Church Award for Young Writers was awarded to our own Emmet Mathieu for his short story "Tracks of Destiny"! Congratulations, Emmet! If you haven't read the story find it HERE and let Emmet know what you think! The Edwin M Church Award for Adult Writers is now open. The deadline is July 31st. Entries must include references to a train and be no longer than 3,000 words.  More details to come. Watch this space, our Facebook page or the SAC website.

Look for a good read? Don't forget our BOOK RECS page for ideas.

Three members shared their work.  As a result of one piece a writing prompt was born. Based loosely on an ongoing writing project called "Flat Stanley" individual group members will take our 'Stanley' for a month and chronicle the adventures they share with him through journals, pictures, etc.  Meeting adjourned at 7:25. Next meeting JULY 12TH 6 p.m. Swanton Library.