MIDWEST WRITING CENTER

Things You Should Know

Midwest Writing Center programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Please check the membership link on the website for a list of grantors, donors, supporters, members, and memorials.

If you are a local author and would like to participate in book signings, please let us know. Preference will be given to members of the Center.

Please check this link on our website for information about local writing groups, upcoming writing events, and submission requests. http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Resources.htm

Unless otherwise indicated all of our programs and events take place at our location, third floor, 225 E. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa.

A WRITERS’ PRACTICUM

PRESENTED BY THE MIDWEST WRITING CENTER WITH

SUPPORT FROM THE RIVERBOAT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

WHAT: Of all the forms of art creative people practice, few require as much
time, dedication and sheer effort as novel writing.

Preparation and training help, but it is the actual practice --
writing, editing, rewriting -- that turns a promising idea into a
publishable manuscript. Aspiring writers can learn from teachers; they can
learn from reading other writers’ work. Ultimately, they
must learn from doing. In writing, there are many students striving to
improve their skills, and few masters.

The Writers’ Practicum is an intermediate course designed to assist
and encourage talented beginners and intermediate writers to sharpen
their skills and with the goal of finishing a complete work.

Mike Romkey will be the facilitator. Michael Romkey is the author of numerous published novels. He is also a newspaper editor, musician and producer. He lives with his family in Bettendorf

Course elements will include:

* Extended mentoring in a friendly, honest setting.

* Assistance beginning or continuing work on a novel.

* Lessons to build on the basics of fiction and novel writing.

* The opportunity to present work for in-depth critique.

*Participation by other experts in the fields of writing or publishing.

Class size will be limited. To apply, submit a book proposal, including:

1. A “pitch line” stating your title and summarizing in 1-3 sentences
your idea for a book.*

2. A narrative outline of 1-3 pages describing the characters,
conflicts and major plot points in your story.

3. The first five pages of your manuscript.

WHEN: The Practicum will meet the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of September, October, and November from 7:00-9:00 p.m. There may be additional meetings with guest speakers.

More information and application available at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Programs.htm

http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/A%20Writers'%20Practicum%20Application%20Form.htm

UPCOMING EVENTS

All of these events are at no cost.

BROWN BAG LUNCH

July 11--Noon--Brown bag lunch with talented teenagers from the Metro Arts program of Quad City Arts. Please come and support youth of our community!

BOOK SALE

July 25-26--Gently Used and New Book Sale. Do not miss this opportunity to donate books and to buy some new ones. Donations accepted during operating hours from July 15 until the sale. Sale times are July 25 from 6-9 p.m. and July 26 from 11-4. Proceeds will go to purchasing local authors' books. A receipt for tax purposes will be provided if requested. If the office is closed, you may leave your donation outside the door.

Out Loud

Out Loud--our public poetry and prose reading is held the last Thursday of each month (July 31) at 7 p.m. Come and read or just listen and enjoy! We appreciate the increased participation and new faces each month. By participating you are eligible to submit to our Anthology of Poetry. More information at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Out%20Loud%20Poetry%20Reading.htm

In May, we began to pick an "Out Loud Poem of the Month" from those read at Out Loud. The winning poem is published on our website and next May an "Out Loud Poem of the Year" will be selected from those monthly poems and will be announced at our annual meeting.

Information on the Out Loud Anthology of Poetry Volume III is available at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Anthology%20of%20Poetry.htm

Copies of this year's anthology are available for $7.50.

BIRDIES FOR CHARITY

There is still time to support us with a pledge to Birdies for Charity.

http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Birdies%20for%20Charity.htm

In order to be sure our records are accurate, please let us know if you have made a pledge.

2008 David R. Collins Writers’ Conference

This year’s conference was a great success with 58 people registering for and attending a total of 110 workshops. The award winners from the workshops are:

Writing for Children—Susan Jameson

Creative Non-fiction—MaryBeth Wigginton

Writing the Personal Essay—Lynn Daczyk

Freelane Writing—Aaron Gillette

Horror and Science Fiction—Daniel Willis

Journaling To A Memoir—MaryBeth Wigginton

Poetry—Jill Weissbrot

Short Fiction—Louis Hathaway

Popular Fiction—Carol Freeman

Writing to Inspire—Nicolas Shammas

Thanks so much to all of our volunteers and faculty members for a job very well done!

VOLUNTEERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact us for more information.
Volunteers are needed to help us at events serving as greeters, hosts, etc. We need help with database inputting and staffing the office. We also need the services of a technologically savvy person. If you are interested, please let us know.

If you are a member and would like to serve on one of the MWC committees such as advancement, programs, facilities, publicity, or volunteers, we would love to talk to you.

MEMBERSHIP/SUPPORT

If you are interested in becoming a member and/or offering support in other ways, please check our website or contact us at 324-1410. We need your support to continue operating and offering quality programming. Be sure to check the benefits associated with the different levels of membership. Membership contributions begin at only $25 annually, $20 for seniors. Please think about the Midwest Writing Center when making memorial contributions. Recognition of your contribution will appear on our website. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which may allow for your support to be tax-deductible. http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Membership.htm