Midwest Writing Center Programs

MIDWEST WRITING CENTER
Inside the Bucktown Center
225 E. 2nd St., Suite 303, Davenport, IA 52801 • (563) 324-1410

All programs partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

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.

WHERE: The Midwest Writing Center located on the third floor of Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. 2^nd St., Davenport, Iowa. Access from the south entrance.

COST: The full payment in advance cost for non-members of MWC is $210, members $180, and students, ages 16-22, $150. There is an option to pay in three monthly installments with the first payment due at the time of acceptance, the 2^nd due October 1, and the 3^rd payment due November 1. The rates for installment payments are $216 for non-members, $186 for members, and $156 for students. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card.

Applications and book proposals are due to the Midwest Writing Center no later than August 23!

* Pitch line for “The Odyssey”: Odysseus, the brilliant Trojan War
tactician, battles his way home after 20 years, defeating monsters and
an amorous witch, only to find his home besieged by his wife’s
treacherous suitors, who will murder him unless he comes up with his
most-clever plan yet. The parallel second narrative tells the coming-
of-age story of his young son, Telemachus, who leaves home a boy in
search of a father, and who must grow into manhood if he is to help
his father defeat his enemies and reclaim his kingdom.

Click on this link or copy and paste in your browser for the application form.

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

OUT LOUD READINGS

Men Poets seeking Women Poets--we have a great regular group of guys at Out Loud, but they want the woman's perspective. Come and join us gals!

Out Loud, Poetry and Prose Readings, meets at the Center 7:00-9:00 pm the last Thursday of every month. Come and share your work or listen to others. Our July date is August 28.

In May we have started selecting a poem of the month from those who read during the Out Loud evening. This poem will be published on our website and next May we will choose from the poems selected each month and honor the Out Loud poem of the year at our annual meeting.Out Loud Poem of the Month for May 2008

2008 schedule available at www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Out%20Loud%Poetry%20Reading.htm

A DAY WITH PEN IN HAND---Coming October 4. Four workshops for adults and one for young writers, grades 5-8.

Confirmed workshops include:

Basics for Beginners--if you always wanted to write but did not know how to get started this workshop is for you.
Reinventing the Fairytale in Poetry
Self-publishing panel--learn how to publish and market your creative work from successful authors who have done just that.

More details are available at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Pen%20in%20Hand%20II.htm

October 9--7 p.m. Author Barbara Lounsberry will present "The Marriage of Fiction and Non-Fiction". Barbara Lounsberry is a retired Professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. She was named the University's Distinguished Scholar in 1994. She is particularly interested in the subjects of Midwestern life and literature. Born and raised in Iowa, Professor Lounsberry believes Iowa culture, like its soil, is incredibly rich. Barbara Lounsberry's appearance is made possible by a grant from Humanities Iowa.

Two new writing groups have formed Women's Writing as Healing based on book 'Writing as a Way of Healing' by Louise DeSalvo. Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month 7pm at the Bettendorf Library and Monthly Bucket List Meeting write dreams, goals and desires then share accomplishments with others. Sponsored by the Midwest Writing Center and meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Bettendorf Library both are Conducted by Dr.Jenna Hobbins. No charge. Donations accepted.

Programs for Readers

Book Discussions

MY FAVORITE BOOK

Our book discussions return on September 18 at 7 p.m. This year local well-known personalities will lead the discussion on their favorite books. Julie Jensen McDonald, local author and journalist, will lead the September discussion on The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje.

The English Patient is a 1992 novel by Sri Lankan Canadian novelist Michael Ondaatje. The story deals with the gradually revealed histories of a critically burned man, his Canadian nurse, a Canadian thief, and an Indian sapper in the British Army as they live out the end of World War II in an Italian villa. The novel won the Canadian Governor General's Award and the Booker Prize for fiction. The novel has been translated into more than 300 languages and was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name in 1996. The narrative is non-linear and the main characters are examined in depth and detail

Mentoring Program
You've written your poem, play, novel, short story, or song and need some input. Members of the Midwest Writing Center can participate in our Mentor Program, where we pair emerging writers with established writers for critiquing, advice and resources. Contact us for more information! mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org

Workshop charges will be $10.00 per hour for non-members;$7.50 per hour for members; and $5.00 per hour for students. These rates are based on the attendee preregistering and paying for the Workshop in advance. There will be a $5.00 surcharge for "walk-ins" the day of the Workshop.

In the event we do not have five participants preregistered for Workshop one week prior to the Workshop, we will cancel the Workshop for lack of attendance and refund the registration fee to those few who had preregistered. In the event someone preregisters for a workshop and then cancels at least 3 days prior to the workshop, refunds will not be made, however, we will issue credits for use at future workshops . If 3 days notice is not given, no refunds of any kind will be issued.

Join Us!
Members are able to participate in the Mentor Program, receive a discount on workshops and receive The Writer's Block - a quarterly newsletter. For more information on becoming a member, contact us or click the membership link below.