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The Wisconsin Regional Writer
Volume 56, Number 3 Fall 2007 |
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Club News
This was a busy quarter for the online group, with a high of 298 messages in July (a “normal” month is under 150), prompting some members to change from receiving their messages as routine e-mails to receiving a single daily message encapsulating all posts for that day. But, participants continue to regard the Forum as useful in addressing a broad range of writing issues. Many of us attended the Spring Conference, this time wearing Hawaiian shirts as our group gimmick. We haven't decided what we'll do for the Fall Conference. We enjoy these twice-yearly opportunities to meet personally and others often see Forum members sitting together at the conference, having dinner together, or a drink in the bar. It's a way to expand your circle of writing friendships beyond your local clubs, and many of us have become fast friends. We discussed a wide variety of topics this quarter, from Miss Snark (an online blog by a “snippy” literary agent), to building your own Web site, author interviews, writing guidelines, links to marketing sites, how Yahoo is snooping on members' Web surfing habits, the distinct problems associated with writing beginnings-middles-endings, writing “list” poems, participating in a “script frenzy” (quickly writing a 20,000 word screen play), alternative publishing/pricing options, marketing ideas for a member's language book, literary aspects of the short story, discussing why so few people enter our contests, questions about murder mysteries, blogging in general, a survey of what “high technology” members use, the pros and cons of “viral marketing,” warnings about new viruses and Trojan horses, “log lines” (a single sentence that captures the essence of a book, story, or screen play), how to get your computer to add “diacritical marks” to your words when needed, several ideas for improvement of the WRWA and the Web site, and sharing our writing successes and problems with each other. As you can see, we cover a lot of ground and there's something for everyone, whether you write poetry, fiction, non-fiction, articles, or nostalgia, and whether your fiction genre is fantasy, science fiction, thriller, romance, mystery, or literary. And we spend some time just having fun-socializing, exchanging a few humorous stories, and even crying on each other's shoulders from time to time. We welcomed at least four new members-Sue Wentz, Wayne Long, Meg Graham, and Molly Tull. This brings us to 51 members. One of our members, Linda Jitmoud, who writes under the name Jamilah Kolocotronis, moved with her family from Milwaukee to Lexington, Kentucky, but has decided to remain an active member. Another of our members lives in Denver, Colorado. So it's an increasingly far-flung group. But, the advantage of the Internet is that our writing family can be close in practice, because we're all just an e-mail away. Come join us for fun, for information, and for the writing family. [This edition was prepared by Boyd Sutton because our regular reporter, Patty Miler, had a family emergency.]
This past July the Northern Lakes Writers' Guild hosted a Writers' Forum, a gathering of members to read their work for the general public as published in Northern Lakes' Soundings, the semi-annual publication of local writers work published by the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts. Northern Lakes has been publishing local writers' original stories, poems, and essays since 1991. Writers published in this issue included Pi Kielty, Jeanne Murphy, Dave Myers, LaMoine MacLaughlin, Edward M. Moersfelder, Ralph Weber, Irene V. Christiansen, Judy Warmanen, and Patricia Lanthier Hansen. The Northern Lakes Center for the Arts publishes one of the area's local newspapers, The Hometown Gazette, which also provides an opportunity for local writers to be published. Recent issues included work by Edward M. Moersfelder, Ralph Weber, LaMoine MacLaughlin, and Jeanne Murphy. Northern Lakes Center Director LaMoine MacLaughlin edits a regular column for the regional publication, What's Playing, a magazine listing area arts and cultural activities happening throughout northern west-central Wisconsin. Recent issues have published poems and essays by Northern Lakes members Pi Kielty and Shannon Schacht. In August, members of the Northern Lakes Writers' Guild gathered with members of the Northwest Regional Writers (and a couple out-of-area guests) for an afternoon's discussion of poetry in a workshop conducted at Northern Lakes by LaMoine MacLaughlin. Northern Lakes members attending included Ed Moersfelder, Ralph Weber, Don Hansen, Irene Christiansen, Don Hoffman, and Josie Fisk. Members from Northwest Regional Writers included Boyd Sutton, Mary and Ed Jacobsen, Alice Ford, and Denis Simonsen. Other guests included Jane Osypowski (Campbellsport) and Bev Larsen (Hudson). We had a terrific time discussing what differentiates prose from poetry (especially as it relates to what attempts to pass for poetry in our time) and what distinguishes great poetry from that which is merely pedestrian.
Kay Karras was invested as First Poet Laureate of Solon Springs at a ceremony on July 10, 2007. Here's the reaction from some club members. “Kay Karras' recognition party for becoming the first poet laureate of Solon Springs was a high point of our northwoods summer.” Kathy Maas “Kay's (poetic) awareness of nature gave me a new view of the Northern Wisconsin woods.” Jackie Schippers “Kay is 'the wind beneath my wings.' She teaches me grace and humility.” Anna Martineau Merritt “The response of our WRWA organization was both warm and astounding, from the certificate designed by Robin Butler and the WRWA membership presentation by Boyd Sutton, to LaMoine MacLaughlin's poem to Kay, written especially for this occasion.” Agnes Kennard [Editor's Note: Agnes sent me a lovely note of thanks for attending the ceremony and representing the WRWA. Believe me, it was an honor to be there and to meet Kay and hear her read her wonderful poems.] Jean Choate's book, Eliza Johnson, Unknown First Lady, published by Nova Press, has been updated and reissued with a new title, Eliza Johnson, a New Perspective. The Washburn County Register published Mary Ellen Ryall's “Honey Bee Die-off Concerns Local Bee Keepers” in March. In May they published her photographs and article, “Woodland Spring and Watercress Are a Joy.” Ann Penton had three poems published in Free Verse this spring. She was also awarded an Honorable Mention in the year-end contest for the WordSpinners poetry Round Robin group. Judy Ford was published in the Pacific Pearl, “RV Snowbirders Celebrate their 65th Anniversary in Mazatlan.” She was guest columnist in The Lake Superior Sounder, published in Iron River, WI. Thomas W. King is published regularly in the Superior Daily Telegram's “Senior Class.”
Summer creativity sizzles in the Chippewa Valley. The Writers' Group at the Library is in its nineteenth year. Steve Betchkal, Yvette Flaten, Peg Lauber, Eva Mewes, Dina St. Louis, Susan F. Kirch-Thibado all had poems published in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets' Calendar. Bruce Taylor's story, “Hiccup Tricks,” appears in Bar Stories by Nan Byrne. It can be purchased at Amazon.com. Sandra Lindow's review, “Polio, Superstition and Medical Care in the Fifties,” of Brenda Serotte's memoir, The Fortune Teller's Kiss can be read in the Summer 2007 issue of Kaleidoscope: Exploring the Experience of Disability through Literature and the Fine Arts, # 55. Her poem, “The Shine,” has been accepted by Dragons, Knights and Angels magazine. “Gothic Milk Toast,” will appear in the March 2008 issue of Star*line.“ A Crisis of Forest,” has been accepted by Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine and “Doorways,” will appear next year in The Magazine of Speculative Poetry.
"Summer time, and the livin' is easy...the fish are jumpin'..." and the Guild Board's been plannin'! We met last week to start planning for the 2007-2008 year and we are excited about the coming season! WEBSITE CHANGES: We decided to add two new features to our guild website. Check them out at www.wwcwg.com. You'll see a "Celebrations" page, where we'd love to post YOUR good news! And we've added a "Resources for Writers" page where we welcome your book reviews, recommendations for online resources, or other useful information. SCHEDULE: A sneak peek at the schedule for next year is also on the Web site, though we are just now contacting speakers so the details are pretty sketchy. You'll notice that, due to the HUGE positive response in May, we decided to kickoff the year with another "CURVES FOR WRITERS" with new topics (and may end the year this way again as well.) Spread the word. DUES: Because we want to continue to bring in great speakers, and because speaker mileage costs have increased so dramatically, the board is asking to raise dues to $25.00 for the year and to raise the visitor fee to $7.00 per meeting. This helps our budget tremendously (and we don't have to ask board members to cover speaker costs out of pocket any longer! That's it for now. May God bless you all with a restful or productive summer...or BOTH...according to His perfect plan!
The Fox Valley Writers chose the topic "The Old Man In The Window" for their annual Shirley Lee writing contest. Our judge was Joan Flemming, Wisconsin writer, poet, teacher and judge. The following winners were chosen: First Place - Curtis Brown Second Place - Ruthann Bornemann Third Place - Marian Eberle Athens Honorable Mention - Vic LeClair Honorable Mention - Earl Gates Earl Gates had an opinion piece on page one of the Post Crescent in July. They also published his article on health care.
Several Sheboygan County Writers' Club members reported publications, presentations, and sales at recent meetings. Jane Kocmoud's pantoum, “Airborne Over the Grand Canyon,” was accepted for publication in the Fall/Winter edition of the Iodine Poetry Journal. John Textor published a booklet, The World War II Exploits of a Polish Cavalryman, describing his uncle's experiences in the war. John reported sales of over 1,000 copies of his Phoenix book. Wisconsin Public Radio 89.7 recently re-ran an interview of John discussing his book. He has given dozens of the Phoenix presentations, most recently at the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and the Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Sy Regan's new pocket-sized book of cinquains, Psalms to Go, is out in bookstores. Sy held book signings at Stephanie's Café and Bookheads. He was also interviewed about his book in the Catholic Herald. Don Cooper reported he sold or distributed over 200 copies of his From the Heart of an Old Farmer book. Lou Bulebosh's article on World War II was published in Memorial Day edition of The Sheboygan Press.
Karyn Powers of Central Wisconsin Creative Writers Group was a featured guest speaker who focused on poetry and writing memoirs. Her presentation was informative, encouraging, and motivational. Jo Ann Opsahl continues to write her column, "In A Nutshell," for the Merrill Courier. She also had a poem published in the Wisconsin River Valley Journal. Susan Engebrecht will have her story, "Just Like Grandma's," appearing in Chicken Soup For The Chocolate Lover's Soul, and her story, "Biscuits And Tea," will appear in Chicken Soup For The Tea Lover's Soul. Both books are due to hit bookstores in November, just in time for Christmas shopping. She also has an article called "Chain Breaking" appearing in Standard magazine in October.
Active Writers Ink members are creating all kinds of great pieces. Critique meetings show us that these writers are working on books, a novella, articles, poems and fiction. One member is pondering changing genres. Treasurer Jason Waltz has been doing a fine job as co-publisher of the non-profit WW-II quarterly magazine, The Custer Hawk Gazette. President Gail Toerpe—look out Hillary—has had numerous interesting articles published in her newspaper, The Washington Island Observer. Toerpe is a WRWA member who also writes and edits the Oak Creek Historical Society Newsletter. ESPN sports commentator and club vice-president Christopher Peppas has a poem entitled “In the Hearts & Minds Back Home” posted on www.AnySoldier.com. Club publicist and WRWA online writing Discussion Moderator, L.A. Van Veghel (Larry) has been writing and sending out numerous press releases for writing clubs, fishing clubs, and for non-profit organizations. Among his recent published material are articles in April's Wisconsin Sportsmen's Digest; April's MidWest Outdoors, where he is a Wisconsin editor; plus an outdoor book review article in the June issue of Wisconsin Fishing Club Ltd. Newsletter. WRWA members are invited to stop in, when in town, and new members are always welcome. Our extravagant yearly dues are a whopping $3.00, and we operate in the black.
Idella Anacker had a poem in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets' Calendar titled "Summer Green." Elayne Hanson created a brochure for the Portage Museum. She also has written a newsletter for the Portage Museum since 1996. Marge Inselmann a poem in Free Verse magazine titled "Thoughts," about thoughts running through the brain to the point of distraction. Free Verse magazine is edited and published in Marshfield by Linda Aschbrenner. Lou Roach had a poem in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets' Calendar titled "Plan for Winter." She also will have a poem in the fall issue of Fox City Review. Her second book of poems titled For Now, will be out the end of July. Lorelee Sienkowski a poem in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets' Calendar titled "Escape." She also had a poem titled "Cats and Furballs" accepted for the MATC Literary Magazine. That poem will appear in the Yahara Journal. Charlotte Clark's was missed in the WRWA summer Journal. She had an article titled "Race for the Cure, Celebration of Life," about a fund raiser for breast cancer held in Madison. The following Pauquette Wordcrafters will have articles in the "Writers' Write" column of the Portage Daily Register. Titles not available. Lorelee Sienkowski, Muriel Getchel, Elayne Hanson, Bea Heberlein, Sarah Mautz, Marge Inselman, Lou Roach, Idella Anacker, Charlotte Clark and Sue Wentz.
Karen McQuestion can now add radio commentator to her list of credits. Her piece, "The Identity of a Regular", aired on the Lake Effect program on WUWM, an NPR affiliate, on April 9, 2007. It can be heard here: http://www.wuwm.com/view_le.php?articleid=166 . Karen Kvool published "River of Blood," a story about post-partum depression in the September issue of True Story Magazine. Chapter One meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 pm at Martha Merrell's Books in Downtown Waukesha.
Sherry Derr-Willie's novel, Outlaw's Daughter, entered in a competition sponsored by the Electronically-Published Internet Connection (EPIC) earned an EPPIE award as the best in the Inspirational Fiction category. Other recently-published titles by Sherry include The Preacher Takes a Husband, by Wings, and Double M: The Parkhursts, by Whiskey Creek Press on August 1st; Never in a Blue Mood, by Loose ID on September 1st; and Black Conley, by MOJO Castle Press on October 1st. Our members are working on novels, plays, memoirs, and several significant poems are in the works. Minds and pens are busy, but, except for Sherry, publishing credits are at low tide right now.
We're most pleased to announce that Green Bay has a new writer's group. We are the Fearless Freelancers! The group was started last February by a few individuals from the Wisconsin Regional Writer's Association. Once a month, we come together to offer support and constructive feedback on whatever our members happen to be working on. The fact that we have members of all ages in all stages of the writing journey keeps the meetings lively and interesting. Writing can be a very solitary endeavor and we know how important it is to stick together. We're still small, only about eight members so far, but we're dedicated to the craft. The Fearless Freelancers meet the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Barnes and Noble on Oneida Street. We're always happy to welcome newcomers so please feel free to join us! We look forward to keeping you updated on the successes we'll have along the way!
Dorene Mangan had a memoir piece titled "My First Job" in the July Issue of Reminisce Magazine. Tammy Peacy was published in the summer issues of both Wanderings Magazine and The Write Side Up. She also has a monologue in 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature, published by Smith and Krause and available in August 2007. The Kenosha Writers' Group's annual anthology, Eclecticity, is available at
Billie Williams just finished a video for A Christmas Dream – the Script. If you want to take a peek, go to http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=z0G3KE5HxNY Jenny Turner's award-winning My Biker Bodyguard has been published as an e-book. To purchase, go to http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook46419.htm?cached. She met musician Rob Anthony, who agreed to provide music for a video trailer on the book. To see it-with music-go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFhsiaEFg5Q. Chris Roerdon has now learned that Don't Murder Your Mystery is one of three finalists for the Macavity Award. Readers nominated candidates in May and will vote for the winning book in September. The organization, named after the mystery cat written about by T.S Eliot, has several thousand members worldwide. Darlene Buechel's article, "The Cheese Stands Alone," was published in the July/Aug. 2007 issue of Town Square Magazine. Town Square is a new magazine which celebrates small town life. Buechel's article covered Hilbert's annual Cheesehead Run where folks can run a 5K or 13.1 mile half-marathon. Those who sport a foam cheese wedge on their head can register for free Packer tickets and other prizes. Check it out at www.TownSquareMagazine.com. Buechel also won First Prize in the Juvenile Fiction category in the 2007 Alamaba Writers Conclave contest. Her wining story, "The Return of the real Granny," was a previous WRWA Jade Ring winner! Check out winning stories at www.alabamawritersconclave.org. Charles P. Ries' poetry reviews and interviews have or will appear in: Poesia, Philadelphia Poets, Poets West, Free Verse, Barking Dogs, Barbaric Yawp, Bathtub Gin, Sein Und Werden, Poesy, PRESA and Small Press Review, Wilderness House, St. Vitus Press, Penhimalaya, Barking Dogs, Mad Hatters Review, Espresso, Pass Port Journal, Hiram Review, Butcher Shop Press, Axe Factory and, Cynic Review. His articles on writing have or will appear in: Small Press Review, Working Writers, Free Verse, Remark, Creativity Connection, Zygote In My Coffee, Quirk, and LauraHird.com. His poetry has or will appear in: Poor Mojo's Almanac, Free Verse, WFOP Poet's Calendar, Phoenix, Kudzu, Harim Review, Temenos, Quirk, Presa, and Cool Plums. His short fiction will appear in: Mannequin Envy's Print Anthology, and Cezanne's Carrot. He won 3rd Place in The Blind Press Bi-Annual Poetry Contest, honorable mention in WFOP Must Prize for Excellence in Poetry; his poem “Perfect Saint,” was selected as a Guerillas Poets Project broadside; Cinnamon Press selected his poem “I Love” for its forthcoming anthology entitled Only Connect; he will be a presenter at the 2008 Association of Writing Programs annual conference in New York; four of his poems were selected to appear in the print anthology, Guerilla Poets Project Reader, and his poems “A Very Silent Man” and “Stars Suspended from Branches” were selected for the Capital Book Fest Book Project coffee table anthology Dawn Mork's poem, “A Whisper from Wisconsin,” was published in the June edition of the 1st Battalion 121st Field Artillery Charlie Company Family Newsletter. John Aschenbrenner's book, Reclaiming Buck, ISBN 978-0-6151-4882-3, was published by Belle Ink, LLC, our own Jack Magestro's company. New member, Heidi Overson, who lives in the LaCrosse area, is looking for contact with other writers in the area and, possibly, a local writing club. She is an active freelancer who writes for Coulee Region Women, has a contract for a piece for Grit, and expects more. Please contact Heidi at
if interested. Heidi's article in Coulee Region Women, “Minka's Miracle,” can be read at Pat Fitzgerald's screenplay, Kid, won second place in the Wisconsin Screenwriters'' Forum script contest. At least one production company has looked at the screenplay. This was Pat's first attempt at a screenplay. Ruth Wucherer of Milwaukee had a book review of Writing in Retirement, by John Campbell, published in Inky Trail News (May/June 2007, p. 9, Shelby Twp., MI).
Groups are being formed. Green Bay writers entered their group information this quarter. Next I'm selecting a number of communities which will receive extra copies of the Journal (3) each to display in each library. A cover letter encourages membership and requests cooperation in identifying or building clubs. It's another way of getting the word out. There are rumblings of groups starting again in Racine and Kenosha and one we've been following in Burlington. It's important writers know membership is not a requirement for a club to be listed in the Journal. It is a great investment. Especially for those who haven't made the commitment.
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Copyright ©
Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association, Inc.
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) Thanks for your support!