Charlotte Writers Club , May 18, 2021 Meeting Recap: |
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On Tuesday evening we wrapped up our 2020-2021 program year with a conversation with best selling children's book author Derrick Barnes & fine artist and illustrator Gordon C. James. Angela Haigler was the moderator.
The top finishers in our most prestigious fiction contest were announced and winning voices were celebrated.
Lastly, we voted in the next team of executive officers who will lead us in 2021-2022 and Immediate Past President Debra S. Wallin installed us.
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President Caroline Kane Kenna welcomed those who Zoomed in including guests Kevonna and Mario. During social time we discussed social media, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook were the most popular platforms.
Adrian Calabrese, the co-contest chair, led off the evening by announcing the winners of our 2021 Elizabeth Simpson Smith Short Story Contest. She also read the comments judge Abigail DeWitt had for each of the top finishers in our most prestigious fiction contest then each read a bit from their winning works.
Congratulations All!
Carrie Knowles, First Place
for "Souvenirs"
Suzanne Adams, Second Place
for "Bones"
Brodie Lowe, Third Place
for "Snake Oil"
Visit the Meeting Recap page for Abigail's comments, pictures of the winners reading their pieces and to see the name of the piece and the writer she gave an honorable mention.
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A Conversation with a Children's Book Writer & Illustrator |
Co-Program Chair Angela Haigler led a wide ranging discussion with Charlotte based creatives on everything from breaking in to the children's book business to how Derrick and Gordon's children feel about Daddy's work. The third member of the panel, writer and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton was unable to join us.
Barnes who said “writing children’s books is an act of God” has authored 12 including the chapter series Ruby and the Booker Boys , and was the first male African American creative copywriter at Hallmark Cards, Inc. He and James met there.
James is a fine artist who calls illustrating his "a day job" has collaborated with Barnes on acclaimed picture books, I Am Every Good Thing, released in 2020 and Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut, Crown was a multi-award winner in 2018: Caldecott Honor Book,Newbery Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor (Author and Illustrator) Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor.
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Vanessa Brantley-Newton did the art for Barnes's 2019 NYT bestselling children's book, The King of Kindergarten. She too is an award-winning NYT best selling author.
for pictures and more from this discussion.
Learn more about our panelists and their work at their websites:
Bonus: For a limited time, through the magic of Zoom, The Children's Book Writers & Illustrators' panel discussion is available for members to view.
Contact Caroline for the link to our YouTube channel.
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Members Announcements:
Barbara K. Lawing shared good publishing news that her novel Hazeline is finished and will be available online in the near future. Way to Go!
Check out Members' Kudos. to see why Tom Turner and Lucinda Trew are celebrating and remember to submit your own kudos so we can celebrate you!
Club News & Announcements:
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Barbara Kidd Lawing will become Critique Groups Coordinator on July 1. Jennifer Hurlburt is stepping off the advisory board after serving two terms.
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Brian McDevitt, is our new social media and publicity person on the advisory board. He volunteered during the meeting!
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Anshu Gupta who has served the club as VP of Nominations for the past two years is stepping down from that post but will remain on the advisory board as Co-Coordinator for Workshops. She needs a partner for this work. and If you see yourself in this role, have ideas and/or presenters you would like to bring via Zoom or to Charlotte (at some point in the future) please contact Anshu.
CWC North:
Save the Date: August 18, 2021 at 7pm:
CWC North and Main Street Books of Davidson's are partnering for this virtual celebration of the 101st ratification of the Nineteeth Amendment and an investigation of the complexities of the women's suffrage movement. Main Street Books is hosting the Zoom event, the link will be on the CWC North page when it is available later this summer.
In the last bit of business:
Debra S. Wallin, Immediate Past President presided over the election of executive officers for the 2021-2022 program year and following the vote
she installed: new officer David Collins as VP/President-Elect, and four returning officers: Axel Dahlberg, VP of Membership, John McGillicuddy, Treasurer, Tiffany Grantham, Secretary, and Caroline Kane Kenna, President.
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June Happenings!
Open Mic Night : June 18, 6:30-9pm. Register Here to read your work.
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See You on September :
Watch the CWC Homepage and your newsletters this summer for more on how and with whom we will kick off our 99th program year.
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Great Smokies Writing Program
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"Writing for Change" with Carolina Siliceo Perez--perfect for memoirists looking to tell their stories to inspire change
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"Intro to Feature Writing" with Mark MacNamara--excellent for anyone looking to write for websites, magazines, or journals
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"Heart of the Story" with Joy Neaves--wonderful for anyone looking to break into the booming YA scene
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"Such a Character" with Heather Newton (only 1 seat left!) --great for any fiction writers looking to build character
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Last Call for Personal Stories:
The theme is “Trouble— causing, avoiding, getting in, and getting out—with you in the middle.”
Up to 800 words. Deadline is June 30, 2021.
Visit Randell Jones to learn more about submitting to the Personal Story Publishing Project.
Also visit @personalstorypublishingproject or @6minutestories on Facebook.
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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 May and get
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FEATURED LIT EVENT:
PEN TO PAPER
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Join on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for a mini-lesson, writing prompt, writing time, and sharing. Free
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Squire Summer Workshops
July 22-25 - Live, Face to Face
& In Person at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC.
Learn more about this summer's line up of poetry, fiction and creative non fiction workshops at SW21 and Register here.
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The 2022 Sally Buckner Emerging Writers' Fellowship
Deadline: June 30th.
This year the fellowship will support an emerging writer of prose, either fiction or creative nonfiction. Guidelines and more
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Creative Curiosity, An Online Class
On Wednesday, June 23, at 7 pm Gregory DeCandia will lead the next online series offering "Creative Curiosity." All genres are invited to participate. Registration is open.
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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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