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.

Meeting Minutes July 12th

The meeting commenced at 6 pm. We discussed upcoming events, established and proposed. Two members of the Swanton community came to the meeting and were introduced. Scott and Judy announced an appearance on AM 620.  They were going to be interviewed on Wednesday, July 18th at 7:40 for approximately 15 minutes.  Topics included: The Swanton Arts Spectacular, Author panel and various arts events sponsored by SAC.  A link to SAC (Swanton Arts Council) website has been added to the sidebar of this blog.

We discussed poetry. What defines a poem and various types and authors were mentioned. Specific recommendations were: Stephen Vincent Benet's "John Brown's Body" and Kwame Alexander's "Booked" and "Solo"

Additional topics were: play writing, Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" was recommended, Becky proposed writing short plays as a writing exercise for the group. Writing memoirs as fiction due to the challenges of discussing living family members and friends in print and, Commonplace" books

"Commonplace" books as defined on wikipedia:  A commonplace book from the mid-17th century. Commonplace books (or commonplaces) are a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books. Such books are essentially scrapbooks filled with items of every kind: recipes, quotes, letters, poems, tables of weights and measures, proverbs, prayers, legal formulas.

Flat Stella and Stanley were handed out.  Adventures to be chronicled and shared by group members monthly. 2 group members read their work.

Upcoming Events and Contests

Edwin M Church Award: Deadline is July 31st. Application can be found HERE

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!

In Discussion: A Single concept art show. Idea is that all contributors would be given a limited space - say, a 10 x 10-inch square - and would be challenged to respond, in text, print, art, or combo, to a single word, such as HOPE or DESPAIR.  More details in a future post.

Book Recommendations

The Great American Read. A PBS presentation hosted by Meredith Vieira. Click HERE to see the list of books and read more.

Meeting adjourned at 7:20. Next meeting is Thursday August 16th at 6 pm Swanton library.

Contests for July

A list of contests to appeal to all writers.

Miami University Press: The Miami University Novella Prize is awarded annually to a novella-length manuscript of original fiction (18,000–40,000 words). The winner receives $750, a standard contract, publication and 10 copies of the book

Glimmer Train:Open to all subjects, all themes, and all writers. Most entries run from 3,000 to 6,000 words, but any lengths from 3,000 to 20,000 words are welcome.

2018 Constance Rooke CNF Prize:The Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize is awarded to the best work submitted to the magazine’s annual contest for a genre that embraces, but is not limited to, the personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, and biography, all enhanced by such elements as description, dramatic scenes, dialogue, and characterization.

Prairie Schooner: Our annual summer nonfiction contest opens May 15 to all types of creative nonfiction essays up to 5,000 words. The entry fee is $20 and includes a copy of the Spring 2019 issue of Prairie Schooner, in which the winning essay will appear.

Blue Mesa Review: accepts previously unpublished work in Fiction (up to 6,000 words), Nonfiction (up to 6,000 words), Poetry (up to 3 poems), and Visual Art. We have a rotating editorial board, so each issue is fresh and unique. In general, we are seeking strong voices and lively, compelling narrative with a fine eye for craft. We look forward to reading your best work!

The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award:The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is an international literary prize that celebrates excellence in Poetry and Short Fiction. Hosted by the international art and culture publication, Aesthetica Magazine. With the aim to support and nurture new writing talent, it awards publication within an inspiring anthology to a shortlist of 60 writers, including a winner from each category.

The Anzaldúa Poetry Prize: 
Opens: 15 April 2018Deadline: 15 August 2018
Guest Judge: Cynthia Cruz
Awards: First place is publication, $1,000 prize, and 25 contributor copies. Up to five finalists will be announced, and all poems will be considered for publication as a general submission.
Reading Fee: $15
Submit: Open—submit today!

Broken River Prize: The Broken River Prize is an annual poetry chapbook contest from Platypus Press. Each year a different poet will judge the contest—this year’s judge is poet and teacher Eduardo C. Corral.

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.

Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018

Our meeting commenced at 6 pm. There was a lengthy discussion about various upcoming events, contests and exhibitions. Photo prompts were made available. Work to be shared at our June meeting. A lengthy list of book recommendations were made by various members.  This list will be ongoing with a permanent link in the list of pages on the right hand side of the main page. The last half hour consisted of readings by three attendees.  Meeting adjourned at 7:35. 

Upcoming Events and Exhibitions: Local

August 25th. Swanton Arts Council is sponsoring the Swanton Arts Spectacular. Tentatively scheduled times are 10 until dark. The Swanton Writer's Group will have a booth featuring manual typewriters. Visitors can compose their own on the spot pieces or ask to have a piece written for them. 

October 5 and 6, 2018. Swanton Arts Council is sponsoring the Seven Deadly Sins Art Exhibit The next planning meeting for this event is June 13th. Interested writers can submit work based on one or all of the seven deadly sins. The tentative deadline for submissions is two weeks before the event. Suggested forms are poetry, short essay. Possible display methods include a bulletin board or framed piece. Writers might be able to write and then recite their work for attendees to listen to and enjoy. Contact Tonya Caswell for more information.

Statewide Events

July 21st. Writers meet and greet agents at Trader Duke's in South Burlington. More details to be announced on The League of Vermont Writers page. 

July 27-29 Bookstock in Woodstock Vermont. Featuring over 40 outstanding authors,  poets and artists. There will be readings, exhibitions, a poetry jam, presentations by authors and much more! Mark your calendars and find more information HERE.

Phoenix Books has multiple events at its various locations. Please check their EVENTS page for more information. Updated regularly. 

Contests, Opportunities and Education

Burlington Writers Workshop is seeking reviewers to help with The Mud Season Review. Visit their WEBSITE for more information about the publication and how to get involved. 

Green Mountain College Summer Writing Academy. Two sessions are offered. July 8-21 and July 22-August 4.  Please visit their SITE for more information. 

Click the name to be taken to the site for more information. 

Hickory Stump Short Story Contest

Submissions: Little Bitty Writing Space Fiction Anthology

Book Recommendations list found HERE

Next meeting is June 14th from 6-7:30 at the Swanton Public Library. 

Meeting Minutes April 12, 2018

The group came to order at 6 pm. We discussed the April 7th Author's Panel. The event was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by the panelists as well. We discussed hosting another event which would focus more on the road to publication. We would like to invite the same diverse group of authors back. Date and specifics are yet to be determined.

The group discussed hosting a one day/night workshop. Possibly composing a one act play or monologue which would then be enacted by local actors using simple props/sets.

Upcoming Exhibitions: Local

October 5 and 6, 2018. Swanton Arts Council is sponsoring the Seven Deadly Sins Art Exhibit The event is still in the planning stages. Interested writers can submit work based on one or all of the seven deadly sins. Suggested forms are poetry, short essay. Contact Tonya for more information.

August 25th. Swanton Arts Council is sponsoring the Swanton Arts Spectacular The Swanton Writer's Group will have a booth featuring manual typewriters. Visitors can compose their own on the spot pieces or ask to have a piece written for them.

Resources:

Vermont SciFi Writers Series: Geek Mountain State

Writing Prompts. Becky will bring in photo prompts for our May meeting. Machine of Death Prompts are always available and encouraged!

Next Meeting is May 24th, 6 pm at the Swanton Library.