Award winning poet Marilyn Taylor will lead a new “twice a month” poetry critique group in the studio this fall. This is the perfect opportunity for poets to present works in progress for discussion and feedback in a supportive atmosphere. Six Wednesdays: Sept 12, 26, Oct 10, 24, Nov 7, 28. 6:30-8:30 pm. $145.

Also new this fall, Redbird is sponsoring an event for adults and one for young authors as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, Milwaukee. Events are tailored for those who enjoy writing. Location: Main floor of the Marian Center (follow Redbird signs). FREE.

For adults: “Panel and a Party: Six Wisconsin Authors Talk About The Writing Life” Sat., Oct 6, 4-7 pm. Authors: Sharon Hart Addy (children's); Liam Callanan (literary fiction); Kurt Chandler, (nonfiction); Stacey Kannenberg (parenting); Sandra Kring (novelist); Paul Salsini (historical fiction).

For young authors: “The Book You Publish Tomorrow Begins Today” Sun. Oct 7, 1-4 pm. In this workshop, young authors will see books written by other young writers and get a start on their own. Presented by Kim Suhr, Director of Young Author Programs, and other Redbird writing teachers.

Next year-2008-will mark the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association's 60th anniversary. Just for fun, I looked at the membership records to see how many Founding Members we still have in the Association. I could only find four whose records showed that they joined in 1948. They are Libby Nolan, Jo Stewart, Lorraine Hawkinson, and Delores George.

But the data for year joined are incomplete, with perhaps 10-15 percent of the records blank in that column. So I'd appreciate it very much knowing if any of you are Founding Members or know of those who are (other than those already listed here) and who still belong to WRWA. Please let me know by e-mail at bdsutton@centurytel.net or just call me at 715-653-4376.

Please submit calendar items to the Newsletter Editor for consideration. We'd like to include contests and regional conferences sponsored by WRWA affiliated clubs that are open to all members and other events of broad interest to WRWA members.

I have written a children's book with the title, I Hate To Wait. The story is about children's involvment with movements. I am a professional storyteller and have used the story many times in my performances. It is the type of story that gets children up, moving, and ridding themselves of wiggles. I need someone who could illustrate the story and then perhaps do a sidebar, on each page, that shows what movments are required, or any suggestions an illustrator could offer. Please contact Kady Martin at
or write to Kady Martin at 13860 W 67th Ct., Arvada, CO 80004-2024, phone 303-420-8317

One of the goals set by the WRWA Board of Directors is to keep our Web site up-to-date with current news, fresh faces and relevant advice. To that end, we have started updating certain segments on the site.

I am proud of the members we have featured on our Spotlight on our Member's page; they are but the tip of the iceberg of hard working and creative people that are both in front of and behind the scenes. But now it is time to turn the spotlight on other members of our organization. This is where we are looking for your input. Know a fellow writer with an interesting history? Is there someone you know who has been working diligently behind the scenes for quite a while and never been recognized? Are there any members who have changed the face of the writing world in general or just a sliver of it here at WRWA, or for you personally? If so, we'd like to know.

We would like to rotate our spotlight more frequently, showing off our talent, and our members, to all who visit our Web site. Send me the name of someone you'd like to learn more about, the reason why you think this person should be showcased, and any information you may have concerning the candidate. We'll compile the information, interview the members, and have the information put on the site.

You can e-mail your information to me, send it by mail to my address in this journal, or pass it along to any Board Member or Committee Chair.

We want to make our Web site your Web site. All suggestions are welcome.

Claudia Anderson, Board of Directors

In the work of a blacksmith there is a saying that all of us should understand, "Strike while the iron is hot." The blacksmith knows that in order to accomplish a certain shape of the iron that he's working on, timing is everything. He must strike the hot iron when it's red, before it cools down.

In the world of writing, when an opportunity presents itself, grab onto it, "Strike while the iron is hot."

In 1981, the Milwaukee Journal created an opportunity for all of us who were writing back then. Through the Journal's WISCONSIN Magazine, which came with the Sunday paper, they started the, "Wordsmith Writing Contest." It was a free contest for all Wisconsin and upper Michigan residents. Nonfiction entries only up to 2,500 words were accepted. Cash awards were, $750 for First place, $450 for Second, $300 for Third and $100 to each of the two honorable mentions. The top stories were also published in WISCONSIN Magazine.

Wisconsin writers suffered a tremendous loss in early 1995 when the Milwaukee Journal and the Sentinel merged. Not only did we lose freelance submission opportunities, the Wordsmith Writing Contest was discontinued.

Through the years all of us have experienced newspapers and magazines that have ceased publication. Markets and opportunities appear to be shrinking for freelancers.

As president of the Shawano Area Writers I proposed that we create an opportunity for writers in our state. A fiction contest for unpublished stories up to 2,500 words. I told my members that I was confident we would be successful in this endeavor. Just exposing the contest to the WRWA's 475 members via the spring Journal should have been enough exposure. But to make sure, I emailed a news release to about 150 Wisconsin newspapers, which took me about eight hours. There was a $10 entry fee and the top three selected would get $400, $200 and $100 each, respectively. We were also going to pick two honorable mentions. Everyone had 60 days to send in their fiction stories. We received 38 entries from 28 writers.

This could have been the start of a good opportunity for unpublished work in our state. But, we did not get the minimum entries of 50 to support the contest. So many writers in (Continued on page 18)(Continued from page 17)

our state did not "Strike while the iron was hot." Thus, the fiction contest is null and void and I have returned all the entry checks.

Since the checks were returned I've heard from several people who had entered. They offered kind words for our efforts, which I truly appreciate. I have a lot of respect for the 28 writers who, "Struck while the iron was hot," and entered our fiction contest. Here are the names and the city where they reside (all in Wisconsin):

Something that I've heard from writers through the years has been bothering me. "Every man for himself." If freelance writers supported each other more often, we would all have more opportunities. But it appears most writers feel that they're in this battle to get recognized-all by themselves. It doesn't have to be that way Ö birds of a feather should flock together!

I am the first to admit that I don't enter as many writing contests as I'd like, nor as many writing contests as I should. So imagine my surprise when I received a letter from the Shawano Area Writers Contest, returning my entry fee and apologizing for having to cancel the contest for lack of entries. I've had all sorts of reasons for rejections, but never because there weren't enough entries.

It seems that the number of entrants in local writing contests has been dwindling the past few years. During this past year there were 243 entries by 97 authors split among seven categories in the Jade Ring contest, 25 for A.P. Nelson and 40 for Florence Lindemann. A small return for such a large organization (over 400 members). The Bo Carter Contest garnered 57 entries, again many submitting multiple entries.

What could be the reason for the recent loss of interest in contests? Is it that contests are regarded as too expensive? All three of WRWA's contests are $6 per entry. The price of a McDonald's lunch. Is the return for the investment not worth the effort? First place for the Jade Ring garners $50 plus a ring, AP Nelson's first place is $75 and a traveling trophy, and Lindemann pays $50 and your name on a traveling trophy. The Shawano Club offered prizes of $400, $200 and $100. All for a $10 fee, less than that of most major competitions.

Is the recognition not as wide spread as those in larger venues? The WRWA is the largest association of writers in the state of Wisconsin, and the winners are highlighted not only in the Journal but on the Web site and in the winner's choice of newspapers. That's not including the PR work done by the winners themselves.

Is the reason for such a low turn out because writers don't have a ready supply of poetry or short stories or first-person articles to offer? Not everyone has a wealth of creations in their files, but part of being a writer is writing. Writing for a purpose, writing within specific parameters. It's the challenge of writing to try something new or to hone the skills you enjoy so much. It's also stepping up to the challenge of writing within structure, within boundaries.

Is the problem that we just don't have enough confidence in our work to put it out there in competition? Or is it that local contests just don't hold the same significance as national contests? Our online forum members offered other possible reasons: not enough confidence, doesn't need additional publicity; didn't respond quickly enough; didn't have enough material; forgot about it.

The point is that it doesn't matter what the reason is that we don't enter as many contests as we should. But we should. Supporting local contests helps support local organizations who support local writers. If we don't put our writing out there, if we don't support the writing community in general, who will?

John Mutter, Jr., President of Shawano Area Writers, shared his thoughts on contests: "Most writing groups promote a writing contest for at least two reasons. One: to create an opportunity for writers, and two: to raise money for their group. These were the two reasons that we wanted to promote this fiction contest. We were hoping for a good turnout to help us fund the Shawano/Menominee County Student Writing Contest that is going into it's seventh year in 2008."

So you see - you have no idea where your writing will take you; no idea who you are helping along the way. Support your local contests. Take a chance. Share a thought, a dream. It's what writing's all about, isn't it?