Charlotte Writers Club , September 21, 2021
Meeting Recap:
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When writers get together conversations usually turn toward books and on Tuesday evening, as we opened our 99th program year, the social time chat rolled with recommended reads, like Less by Andrew Sean Greer, Mick Herron's Slough House series, The Personal Librarian written by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray; and Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell; the new release from Wiley Cash, When Ghosts Come and Escape From Dreamland, in paperback soon, written by our featured speaker Charlie Lovett.
We also agreed CWC should have a wine tasting as wine always pairs well with a good book!
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President Caroline Kane Kenna welcomed those who Zoomed in including new members Dionne, Sharon, Hope, Elizabeth and Tracy. She introduced Noah Mathis
our student intern from UNC-Charlotte who will be working with us through the end of 2021. His focus is on helping us communicate more effectively and to better use social media. "He may be reaching out to some of you," she said.
Kicking off the 2021-2022 program year, we have so much going on. Here is a printable copy of the Year at a Glance.
So far we have planned/ rolled out: Virtual Office Hours and The Writing Series for students is set to launch in late October. CWC and CWC North are hosting online workshops and book launch events. There's a garden tour and preparations for the Centennial. We will be adding to this calendar as we firm up the program year.
You’ll be getting an email with details and a special request to donate if your budget allows.
Caroline announced when we are able to meet in a physical space once again, we be in a new location.
She thanked President-Elect Dave Collins for spearheading the project. The executive board approved the move this summer, however since the contract is still pending and out of an abundance of caution with the delta variant, the consensus from the leadership team is to hold meeting virtually through November.
We hope to return to real on December 14th. The annual Critique Groups meeting will be that evening
As long as it is safe, we will start 2022 in person and continue through the rest of the program year. We are working on how to use Zoom to keep those who cannot be with us, in the loop.
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Speaker Charlie Lovett Winston-Salem playwright & bestselling author of fiction and non fiction. |
Program Chair David Collins summarizes Charlie's presentation this way "if you missed the craft talk on “Beginnings and Endings,” you missed a good one.
He began with the cautionary tale we all know too well, a story about the high percentage of manuscripts that come into a literary agency over the transom and are rejected before the potential agent has finished reading the first page.
The lesson is simple: “Your first page has only one purpose – to get the reader to turn to the second page.” Citing the beginning of his most recent novel, Escaping Dreamland, in which a woman literally unpacks a box full of clues about what is to follow, Charlie offered a solution, “Think of the beginning of your novel as a suitcase that contains all the
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key elements you’ll use later and needs to be unpacked.” For forty minutes he showed listeners how to do that in ways that would keep a potential agent reading – on and on and on."
See the Q&A, pictures and context on the RECAP page. And visit Charlie's website,
Bonus: For a limited time, through the magic of Zoom, Charlie's Thoughts on Beginnings and Endings is available for members to view.
Contact Caroline for the link to our YouTube channel.
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Club News & Announcements:
The 2021 Ruth Moose Flash Fiction Contest is Open
Polish your Shorts and Submit those 500-word (or less) fiction gems! Tuesday, October 19, is the deadline—but why wait? CWC’s Gary Powell is this year’s judge. Learn more about him on the CWC Contest page. Contact Contest Co-chair Darrell Horwitz with questions.
Sign up for Our Fall Virtual Writing Workshops
On Saturday October 2, from 10 am to 1 pm: Kevin Winchester will lead The Flesh Made Word/The Word Made Flesh. This workshop explores all the elements of character building in fiction. Register Now, Space is limited!
On Saturday November 20, from 2-4 pm: Rebecca McClanahan will lead.Forest in the Trees: Shaping a Book of Essays or Memoir-in-Essays In this workshop, we’ll explore basic shaping principles and combine our discussion with brief in-class writing prompts. You are encouraged, though not required, to bring to the workshop a list of your essays or drafts that you imagine could be part of a book of essays or a memoir-in- essays. Register Here.
Garden Tour at the UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens
On Thursday, October 14,10:30 am to noon, Garden Director Jeff Gillman is our tour guide. Sign Up Here, join us for this mid-morning walk.
CWC North:
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Tuesday October 5, at 7 pm:. 911 Poetry Anthology Recalls Tragic Events, Advocates for Shared Humanity, on MSBs Outdoor Stage.
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Thursday October 14, 2021 - 7pm: Virtual Reading and Conversation with Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, author of Even As We Breathe
Beyond Poems and Painting Ekphrastic Exhibit 2
The submission period is open for those ekphrastic poems. Sixteen poets will be selected to interpret eight pieces of art for an exhibition at the Mooresville Art Gallery. Hurry! the deadline to enter your poems (phase one of this project) is October 20, 2021. Learn More & Submit
Help Wanted:
We have a couple of opportunities to serve on the leadership team, Dave needs a co-programming chair, social media/marketing positions are open. On my wish list is an archivist/historian. If any of these positions are in your wheelhouse, please contact Caroline or Dave for programming.
Check out Members' Kudos. to see why Elizabeth T. Miller and Dan Gallagher are celebrating and remember to submit your own kudos so we can celebrate you!
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October Happenings!
Virtual Office Hours for grades 5-12: Wednesday October 6, 4-6 pm.
Virtual Write-In & Social Time: October 11, 7-8:30pm. Sign Up Here
Open Mic Night: October 22, 6:30-9pm. Register Here to read your work.
Ask an Author, a Forum for Young Writers: Online on October 28,
from 6:30 to 8 pm.
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Our Next Meeting is on Tuesday October 19, via Zoom
Watch the Website & Newsletter for more about
our speaker whose zooming with us from Milwaukee.
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And more about what the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library offers for writers at CMLibrary.org.
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Call for Personal Stories -
Spring 2022 Personal Story Publishing Project
The theme is “Curious Stuff—mementos, treasures, white elephants, and junk.”
Stories about items in your possession—or things you once had and wish you still did (or not)—and the stories connected to them. We are seeking true, personal stories of 750-800 words Submissions are open through December 15 with publication in March 2022.
Five anthologies, 45 stories each, since 2018, CWC members have contributed our stories on themes of “Bearing Up,” “Exploring,” “That Southern Thing,” “Luck and Opportunity,” and “Trouble.” This is the 6th call for personal stories--the latest, Trouble,was released in September.
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Support CWC Members & Community Partners
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200 + Episodes and Counting
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Click on the image to see what host and creator of CRP and CWC member Landis Wade has in the can for the waning days of September and get a sneak peek at what's in store next month at What's Coming in October. |
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$10,000 in Prizes Plus Publication —
Charlotte Lit’s New Writers/South Awards. Charlotte Lit is excited to announce the inaugural Writers/South Awards. Four categories: poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, and flash. Four prize levels: $1,500 1st, $500 2nd, $250 3rd, $50 honorable mentions.
All prize winners published in the new Writers/South: Journal of Charlotte Lit. Judges include Ron Rash, Jessica Jacobs, Nickole Brown.
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2021 NCWN Fall Conference November 19-21, Durham-RTP
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Nearly 30 authors, editors, agents, and publishing professionals have agreed to be a part of this conference. A weekend full of activities that include lunch and dinner banquets with readings, keynotes, tracks in several genres, open mic sessions, and the opportunity for one-on-one manuscript critiques with editors or agents. Conference faculty include professional writers from North Carolina and beyond.
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The 4th Friday Open Mic
LIVE & In Person
at Mugs Coffee, Charlotte
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Join the fun! You don't have to register to spend an evening listening to fellow members reading their work. Our mic is covered, please wear your mask.
Mugs Coffee, 5126 Park Road, Charlotte is in the Park Selwyn Terrace Shopping Center. Charlotte, NC
Check who read in September at our
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MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Charlotte Writers Club entitles you to participate in workshops, critique groups, contests, and guest speaker programs. The cost is a modest $35 per year for individuals and $20 for students.
We welcome all writers in all genres and forms to join our Charlotte-area literary community. Your membership in the Charlotte Writers' Club helps support writers, readers, and literacy at a critical time in our nation's and our city's history.
To Join or Renew click this Membership Link and follow the instructions.
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Charlotte Writers Club PO Box 220954, Charlotte NC 28222
Please "LIKE" our Facebook page to encourage discussion among fellow
writers and keep up with the club offerings.
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