West Virginia Writers, Inc. Blog

Anthology of Appalachian Writers seeks submissions

2009-06-26T10:47:00.000-04:00

Anthology of Appalachian Writers
The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is a publication that encourages a long-established tradition of storytelling, love of language, and creative expression associated broadly with the area of the country known as Appalachia. Though the principal mission of the anthology is to provide a venue for publication of new writers, it also provides a collection of literature and scholarship that contributes to an understanding and appreciation for the region. Poetry, fiction, memoir, heritage writers, as well as new voices appear in each annual volume of the anthology. The anthology is supported by The Shepherd University Foundation and The West Virginia Center for the Book. The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is part of the Appalachian Heritage WIR and Writers Project.

Submissions: To submit any original, unpublished work of fiction or poetry for consideration by the editors, send an electronic copy, along with the information below, to Dr. S. Bailey Shurbutt, sshurbut@shepherd.edu . All submissions must be in the submission format below.
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Title of Submission:___________________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________________
E-mail:____________________ Phone:_____________________
Brief Biography (limit 100 words):________________________________________________
Format for Submissions: Click here for submission format.
Deadline for Submissions: October 15, 2009.

Click on the image below to order a copy of 2009 Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Adriana Trigiani Volume I from the Shepherd University Bookstore.

Editorial Board of Anthology of Appalachian Writers:
Managing Editor, S. Bailey Shurbutt, Appalachian Heritage Writers Project Director; Senior Editors, Ethan Fischer and Charlotte Henning; Senior Editorial Advisors: L. G. Wise and 2009 Appalachian Heritage WIR Silas House

WV Writers Podcast: Episode 11 Now Available

2009-06-26T00:03:00.000-04:00

Episode 11 of the WV Writers Podcast is now available. In it we speak once again to Episode 3's guest, writer/editor Rhonda Browning White. Instead of speaking about memories of conferences of years past, we speak of memories of conferences of two weeks past.

If you were unable to attend, this will give you some highlights.

Episode 11: Memories of Conferences More Recent

Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Festival and Songwriting Contest

2009-06-22T22:03:00.001-04:00

(The following news courtesy of WVW Podcast music creator, Pops Walker)

Performing Arts of Luray is hosting the first - Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Festival and Songwriting Contest.

They’re looking for great acoustic roots songs. Think blues, think country, think folk, or think bluegrass. BUT, think ACOUSTIC ROOTS.

Entrants will submit CD recordings of their original songs via the US Postal Service.

Preliminary judging will occur January – August 2009.

The top ten finalists will perform “live” on October 3, 2009 at the BB&T Performing Arts Center in Luray, Virginia.

1st prize is $500, a guaranteed future booking and six hours of studio time.

2d prize is $300, and a guaranteed future booking.

3d prize is $200.

Complete details can be found at:

Performingartsluray.org -- or at popswalker.com.

Patchwork Writers Workshop

2009-06-22T14:12:00.003-04:00

Patchwork Writers Group of Huntington will offer a day of workshops on August 15, 2009 at the Huntington Museum of Art. Picturebook author Sarah Sullivan and writer and editor Geoffrey Cameron Fuller will be leading the workshops. There are a limited number of slots available for these workshops, so pre-registration is suggested.

Sarah Sullivan is the author of four picture books. Her second book, Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother, (Candlewick 2005), was an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award winner. Her third book, Passing the Music Down is forthcoming from Candlewick and her fourth book, Once Upon A Baby Brother, is forthcoming from Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Her poetry has appeared in Cricket magazine and she holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College where she was the recipient of the Harcourt Post-Graduate scholarship. She also received an Individual Artist Fellowship/Grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Prior to writing for children, Sarah practiced law for fourteen years. Currently, she writes full-time and conducts writing workshops and visiting author programs in schools throughout the country.

Geoffrey Cameron Fuller’s fiction and nonfiction has been published in newspapers and newsmagazines, literary and genre periodicals, fiction collections and classroom textbooks. As a book evaluator and editor, Fuller’s work has also helped clients win awards and Fellowships, most recently winning a national award—a bronze IPPY, the Independent Publisher Book Award—for the history, Monongah (Davitt McAteer, West Virginia University Press). Fuller was on the editorial board of Writer’s Digest for a number of years and currently writes, edits, and teaches in Charleston, West Virginia.

HUNTINGTON
MUSEUM OF ART
2033 McCoy Road,
Huntington, WV

10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

COST $20.00

Deadline for Registration:
August 8, 2009

Limited to 40 people

Download official registration form HERE.

LITERARY ARTS DAY - MORGANTOWN - JUNE 20TH

2009-06-16T15:28:00.001-04:00

MWG Writers Workshops and Literary Arts Day June 20, 2009 at Monongalia Arts Center

Morgantown Writers Group hosts its 2nd Literary Arts Day Saturday June 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We've invited four more exciting writers this year:

Laura Bentley (Poetry) -- Laura is a poet and novelist. Lake Effect, her first book of poetry, was published in 2006. Bentley's poems have appeared in the New York Quarterly, Art Times, Poetry Ireland Review, Antietam Review, Rosebud, Wind, The Stinging Fly, Kestrel, ABZ, Crannog, Now & Then, 10x3 plus. Her poetry has been featured in 15 anthologies and on the websites of A Prairie Home Companion and Poetry Daily.

Sean O'Leary (Playwriting)-- Sean has written five plays, four of them professionally produced. Valu-Mart won several prestigious awards. Beneath Shelton Laurel won a National Endowment for the Arts "Access to Artistic Excellence" grant. Pound premiered at the Washington Stage Guild in DC and won the Ostrander Award as Best New Play of 2006. Rain in the Hollows premiered at Tri-State Actors Theatre in New Jersey.

Carter Seaton (Cr. NonFic)-- Carter is a freelance writer whose novel Father's Troubles was named for the prestigious Fore Word Magazine 2003 Book of the Year award in Historical Fiction. She has received other awards and her work has appeared in Appalachian Heritage, West Virginia Encyclopedia, MetroValley Magazine, Marshall Magazine, St. Mary's Today and the Huntington Quarterly.

Geoff Fuller (Fiction)-- author, teacher, editor, and managing partner of the Evergreen Syndicate LLC , Geoff is an award-winning author and the only person to win the coveted WV Commission on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships in all three prose categories - (fiction, nonfiction, and memoir), Geoff Fuller teaches and mentors an ever-increasing group of successful writers in the Charleston, WV area. He is married to lifestyle columnist, Karin Fuller.

Registration Rates:
Full day: $25
WVW Member Discount: $20
High School Student: $10

Sign up in advance to reserve a seat. If you wish to register or need info, write to Registrar: Patricia.Patteson@mail.wvu.edu

We've kept the registration cost as low as possible as an incentive in this tough economic times. We're limited on space too, but we anticipate about 48 writers and our veteran staff of volunteers. Four workshops in morning, four workshops in the afternoon. Refreshments will be served.

We invite a few writers to submit manuscripts for critique in fiction and non-fiction (nominal extra charge) at workshops. If interested in submitting, send email to George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu. There is a $10 fee for both fiction and nonfiction critiques.

Pearl S. Buck International Writers Workshop June 25 - 27, 2009

2009-06-16T08:23:00.002-04:00

Second Annual Pearl S. Buck International Writers' Workshop
"Pearl S. Buck ~ The Patchwork of Her Life"
Sponsored by Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation
and Little Levels Heritage Fair
Hillsboro, West Virginia
June 25-27, 2009

Join West Virginia writers Edwina Pendarvis, Christina St. Clair, Belinda Anderson, Cat Pleska and Pam Pritt as well as West Virginia's most famous "Liar", Bill Lepp, for the Second Annual Pearl S. Buck International Writers' Workshop on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and "Cliffside," the restored home of Dr. Wallace who delivered Pearl. Events will begin with Registration and Meet and Greet Session on Thursday at noon. Participants will tour Pearl S. Buck's Birthplace before beginning the workshop.

Pam Pritt, Editor of the weekly Pocahontas Times will conduct the first session on "Writing your story, how to get published, legal issues, editing, etc." Dinner will be served by the ladies who support Pearl S. Buck Birthplace. The evening speaker is Cat Pleska, essayist for WV Public Radio and a freelance writer, editor and teacher.

Friday morning brings Belinda Anderson, author of three short story collections. Belinda's session will connect the "stitches" in the patchwork of Pearl's writing that relate to her roots in West Virginia. Keynote speaker, Dr. Edwina "Eddy" Pendarvis and co-author Christina St. Clair will connect the Patchwork of Pearl's Life and Works on the International/China level. The final presentation will be open to the public. Bill Lepp will teach us how to spin a yarn, tell a lie and entertain.

Participants will attend an old fashioned barbeque with music in the evening and have free time to attend the final concert of Allegheny Echoes at the Pocahontas County Opera House.

Saturday is open to enjoy the Little Levels Heritage Fair. The Pearl S. Buck Birthday Celebration and Writers' Fair will kick off at 4 pm Saturday afternoon. Pocahontas Music students will present "Links In The Chain - Our Appalachian Musical Heritage,' Eddy Pendarvis and Christina St. Clair will assist in presenting student writer awards and summary of the Writer's Workshop. Bill Lepp will spin a great big yarn (lie) about life in the Little Levels. Birthday cake and punch for all will conclude the program. The final dinner is a Chicken Barbeque sponsored by Marvin Chapel United Methodist Church.

One scholarship to the Writers' Workshop will be awarded to a WV High School or College Student who submits the best original story (500 words or less) about the influence of Pearl S. Buck, The Patchwork of Her Life and Works. Entries must be submitted no later than May 1, 2009.

Participant cost for the workshop is $75.00 and covers all meals, entertainment and tours. The workshop is designed for approximately 20 participants, so register early. Contact Ruth Taylor, Director at littlelevelsheritagefair@yahoo.com or call 304-653-8563 for additional information and to register for the workshop. Make checks payable to Little Levels Heritage Fair and mail to HC 64 Box 423, Hillsboro, WV 24946.

Lodging will be on your own this year. Contact Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau at pocahontascountywv.com or call 800-336-7009 or 304-799-INF0 for lodging information.

WV Writers Conference 2009 Just Uncommonly Good Award and Historical JUG Winners List

2009-06-15T10:22:00.002-04:00

At the 2009 Conference Awards Banquet, the board of directors of WV Writers, Inc. awarded it's Just Uncommonly Good Award (JUG). According to existing records, the JUG Award was the brainchild of John “Jack” Zierold. It was established to honor exceptional writing, or the body of work, and also to mentors of writers. Over the years it has grown to include service to writers of the state and service to WV Writers, Inc. The award itself includes a certificate and a clay jug.

The 2009 JUG Awards were granted to Geoff Fuller, for his service to writing in West Virginia, and Eric Fritzius, for his service to WV Writers.

JUST UNCOMMONLY GOOD
(JUG) AWARD MASTER LIST
1983 - 2009

2009 Geoff Fuller for writing and mentoring. Eric Fritzius for service to WV Writers.

2008 Joe McCabe for writing and mentoring. Sandy Tritt for service to WV Writers and for mentoring.

2007 Patsy Pittman for her years of service to WV Writers and Kate Long for her service to writers from WV.

2006 Irene McKinney and Pam Hanson for writing, Cathy Pleska for mentoring, Jerry and Rae Anne Blair for corporate support.

2005 Mary Furbee for writing, Fay Thompson for mentoring.

2004 Mark Defoe for his poetry and service to WV Writers, Belinda Anderson for mentoring.

2003 Fran Simone, George Lies; Wilma Acree

2002 Boyd Carr for writing; Cheryl Ware for mentoring; Elizabeth Chilton (corporate support from Charleston Gazette)

2001 no nomination

2000 Cleta Long (for both writing and mentoring) awarded posthumously

1999 Sherrell Wigal and Carolyn Sue Ferguson, both for mentoring

1998 Irene Brand and Billy Edd Wheeler

1997 Dennis Deitz and Jim Andrews

1996 Meredith Sue Willis and Kirk Judd

1995 No nominations

1994 Mary Lee Settle and Barbara Smith

1993 Jean Batllo and John “Jack” Zierold

1992 John Suter and Betty Mac Queen

1991 Denise Giardina and Helen Carper

1990 none

1989 none

1988 none

1987 Shirley Young Campbell

1986 none

1985 Louise McNeill (aka Louise McNeill Pease)

1984 Emil Pauley for her long term efforts as organizer of the conferences; James B. Andrews for helping establish WV Writers; Jim Comstock for writing

1983 Alberta Pierson Hannum, the first recipient, received the award for the body of her work which includes nonfiction, fiction, essays, and the motion picture screen writing for one of her novels Rosanna McCoy (which, by the way, starred Farley Granger). She was in a nursing home at the time and died soon after. The effort to honor her was spearheaded by Jim Comstock.

WV Writers Conference 2009 People's Choice and Writers Wall

2009-06-15T09:47:00.005-04:00

Each year at the Summer Conference, WV Writers offers the attendees of the conference a chance to vote upon the winners of some conference-based writing contests. The People's Choice contests take place on Friday and Saturday of the conference and are split into poetry and prose categories on Friday and poetry, prose and youth categories on Saturday. Competitors recite their pieces with a four minute time limit and the top three are voted upon by the audience in secret ballot. In the Writers Wall contest, three free-standing bulletin boards in the assembly hall represent poetry, prose and youth categories. Entries are usually only one page and are read and voted upon by conference attendees, also in secret ballot.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE POETRY (Friday)
1st Place-- Nicole Lawrence
2nd Place-- Cheryl Denise
3rd Place Tie-- Amanda Stephens
3rd Place Tie-- Susanna Holstein

PEOPLE'S CHOICE POETRY (Saturday)
1st Place-- Judy Southard
2nd Place-- Rhonda White
3rd Place-- Susanna Holstein

PEOPLE'S CHOICE PROSE (Friday)
1st Place-- Kathy Kish
2nd Place-- Eric Fritzius
3rd Place-- Janet Smart

PEOPLE'S CHOICE PROSE (Saturday)
1st Place-- Dawn Baldwin
2nd Place-- Mary Shortridge
3rd Place-- Claire Stuart

PEOPLE'S CHOICE YOUTH
1st Place-- Theresa Buczek
2nd Place-- Miranda Gable
3rd Place-- Sam Harding

WV Writers 2009 Writing Contest Winners List

2009-06-14T22:22:00.004-04:00

YOUTH CATEGORIES

Elementary School winners:

Kadian Harding / Jefferson County
First Place Elementary School
"The Inauguration in Photos"

Jessi Hersom / Berkeley County
Second Place Elementary School
"One Fine Clear Day"

Haley Lambert / Kanawha County
Third Place Elementary School
"The Adventures of Loud Mouth Sally"

Andi Hersom / Berkeley County
1st Honorable Mention Elementary School
"Seneca Rocks"

Matteo LaMonaca / Jefferson County
2nd Honorable Mention Elementary School
"Nonno"

Roula Hammer / Jefferson County
3rd Honorable Mention Elementary School
"Magenta and the Secret Garden"

Middle School Winners:

Miranda Gable / Monongalia County
First Place Middle School
"To Remember"

Abby Buckley / MD.
Second Place Middle School
"Chauncey Goes to the Beach"

Elizabeth Buscher / Jefferson County
Third Place Middle School
"The World Through My Eyes"

Samuel Tillman / Harrison County
1st Honorable Mention Middle School
"The Wolves"

Kyra Dawe / Jefferson County
2nd Honorable Mention Middle School
"Soldier Boys"

Alex Hersom / Berkeley County
3rd Honorable Mention Middle School
"Home in West Virginia"

Theresa Buczek/ Monongalia County
4th Honorable Mention Middle School
"My Knight in Shining Armor"

High School Poetry Winners:

Joesph Foster / County Putnam
First Place High School Poetry
"Mistral's Child"

Lindsey Maxon /Texas
Second Place High School Poetry
"Puzzle"

Rachel McKinney / Jefferson County
Third Place High School Poetry
"Pictures"

Chase Smith / Kanawha (Kan.)
1st Honorable Mention High School Poetry
"Glory"

Lindsey Maxon / TX.
2nd Honorable Mention High School Poetry
"Song of Silk"

Clare Tillman / Harrison County
3rd Honorable Mention High School Poetry
"Seven Themes on West Virginia"

High School Prose Winners:

Alora Ray / Jefferson County
First Place High School Prose
"Harbor Theory"

Caitlin Gentry /Virginia
Second Place High School Prose
"Rubble"

Caitlin Gentry / VA.
Third Place High School Prose
"Sahara"

Nicole Marton / Harrison
1st Honorable Mention High School Prose
"That's My Girl"

Rebecca Liu / Michagan
2nd Honorable Mention High School Prose
"The Nature of Road Trips"

Lindsey Maxon / TX.
3rd Honorable Mention High School Prose
"Flyboy"

Caitlin Gentry / VA.
4th Honorable Mention High School Prose
"Discord"

ADULT CATEGORIES

Emerging Writers: Prose -Winners:

Patricia McKnew / Hampshire County
First Place Emerging Writers: Prose
"The Other Side of the Mountain"

Ethel Morgan Smith / Monongalia County
Second Place Emerging Writers: Prose
"The House of Flowers"

Patrick Joyce / Harrison County
Third Place Emerging Writers: Prose
"Nocturnal Missions"

Jessica Murphy / Monongalia
1st Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose
"Hijacking Nature"

Shawn May / Monongalia County
2nd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose
"Appalachian Uprising"

Nadine McKinney / Boone County
3rd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose
"Coping in Blackbird Hollow"

Ceason Ranson / Jackson County
4th Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Prose
"The Product of Red and Blue"

Emerging Writers: Poetry-Winners:

Kevin Colistra / Monongalia County
First Place Emerging Writers: Poetry
"Fighting Cougars"

Jim Davis / Marion County
Second Place Emerging Writers: Poetry
"Undercurrents"

Christy Gingerich / Monongalia County
Third Place Emerging Writers: Poetry
"The River My Witness"

Jim Davis / Marion County
1st Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry
"Plane Geometry"

James Garrett / VA.
2nd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry
"Fievre du Printemps"

Richard DeVan / Hampshire County
3rd Honorable Mention Emerging Writers: Poetry
"Vultures"

Short Poetry Winners:

Anna Smucker / Harrison County
First Place Short Poetry
"Regret"

Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier
Second Place Short Poetry
"Living Proof"

Earl Keener / Brooke
Third Place Short Poetry
"Grand Mal Seizure"

Charity Gingerich / Mon.
1st Honorable Mention Short Poetry
"Visting Lennon in a Square in Izmail"

Kimberly Honaker / Mon.
2nd Honorable Mention Short Poetry
"The Lights On The River"

Marion Kee / Washington (state...not that there's a WA County in WV
3rd Honorable Mention Short Poetry
"Florida Citrus"

Sandra Vrana / Upshur
4th Honorable Mention Short Poetry
"Emblems"

Long Poetry Winners:

Cheryl Denise / Barbour
First Place Long Poetry
"Mother From Paradise"

Charity Gingerich / Monongalia County
Second Place Long Poetry
"St. Vladimir's Kiev"

Tom Donlon / Jefferson County
Third Place Long Poetry
"Strip Club"

Sandra Vrana / Upshur County
1st Honorable Mention Long Poetry
"The Student, The Teacher"

Ed Zahniser / Jefferson County
2nd Honorable Mention Long Poetry
"Urinalysis 101"

Mary Lucille DeBerry / Monongalia
3rd Honorable Mention Long Poetry
"No Sounds While Bulbs Growing"

Children's Books Winners:

Pam Miller / Jefferson County
First Place Children's Book
Chestnut Street

Belinda Anderson / Greenbrier County
Second Place Children's Book
Fly Away Street

Belinda Anderson / Greenbrier
Third Place Children's Book
Jackson vs. Double W Making Kid Soup

Craig Etchison / Mineral County
1st Honorable Mention Children's Book
Sam's Song

Julia Sadd / Kanawha County
2nd Honorable Mention Children's Book
Beatrice, the Cow Who Danced On Ice

Nadine McKinney / Boone
3rd Honorable Mention Children's Book
Bad Case of Crickets

Humor Winners:

John Bagladi / Jefferson County
First Place Humor
“Bradley's Delivery"

Susan DeVan /Hampshire County
Second Place Humor
"Granny Takes a Job"

Susan DeVan / Hampshire County
Third Place Humor
"The Do-Gooders' Day From Hell"

Deborah Filanowski / PA.
1st Honorable Mention Humor
"Nature's Lesson"

Jeanne Wilson / Calhoun County
2nd Honorable Mention Humor
"The Week I Was Famous"

Willa Izzo / Greenbrier County
3rd Honorable Mention Humor
"Volunteer Coach"

Susan DeVan / Hampshire County.
4th Honorable Mention Humor
"Granny and the Gremlins"

Nonfiction Winners:

Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County
First Place Nonfiction
"Apples"

Elizabeth Dawn Lippman / Brooke County
Second Place Nonfiction
"Anamnesis"

Nadine McKinney / Boone County
Third Place Nonfiction
“Coping in Blackstrap Hollow"

Dianna Simms / Pendleton County
1st Honorable Mention Nonfiction
"My Sister"

Sarah Beth Childers / Monongalia County
2nd Honorable Mention Nonfiction
"The Preacher"

Shawn May / Monongalia County
3rd Honorable Mention Nonfiction
"Appalachian Uprising: Prologue"

Donna Evans / CA.
4th Honorable Mention Nonfiction
“The Uncle Ed Experience"

Dianna Simms / Pendleton County.
5th Honorable Mention Nonfiction
"In Defense of the Rooster"

Joe McCabe Memorial Playwriting Contest Winners:

Kenley Smith / VA.
First Place Stage Play
Devil Sedan

Susan DeVan / Hampshire County.
Second Place Stage Play
My House/My Home

Ethel Morgan Smith / Monongalia County
Third Place Stage Play
African Violets

Susan DeVan / Hampshire County.
1st Honorable Mention Stage Play
Christmas Gift

Ingrid Briles / Kanawha County
2nd Honorable Mention Stage Play
Welcome Home

Sarah Beth Childers / Monongalia County
3rd Honorable Mention Stage Play
Baking Biscuits

Short Story Winners:

Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County.
First Place Short Story
“Resurrection"

Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier County
Second Place Short Story
"Fixing Fried Turtle"

Dreama Frisk / VA.
Third Place Short Story
"A Hunter's Moon"

Rhonda White / FL.
1st Honorable Mention Short Story
"Just Rita"

Jay Tabor / Berkshire 2nd Honorable Mention
Short Story
"Journey to Fate"

Lori D'Angelo / Mon.
3rd Honorable Mention Short Story
"Provisions"

Chris Kuell / CT.
4th Honorable Mention Short Story
"Catalyst"

Wilma Acree / Wood
5th Honorable Mention
Short Story
"Cave Chief"

Appalachian Writing Winners:

Elizabeth Dawn Lippman / Brooke
First Place Appalachian Writing
"Anamnesis"

Wilma Acree / Wood
Second Place Appalachian Writing
"House on Parchment Creek"

Susanna Holstein / Jackson
Third Place Appalachian Writing
"King Coal"

Wilma Acree / Wood
1st Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing
"Emily Catherine Messenger Speaks to Her Grandfather"

Cat Pleska / Putnam
2nd Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing
"Night On Cheat Mountain"

Racheal Rose / Nicholas
3rd Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing
"Bees"

Sara Crickenberger / Greenbrier County.
4th Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing
"Fixing Fried Turtle"

Susan DeVan / Hampshire
5th Honorable Mention Appalachian Writing
"Granny at the Landfill"

Book Length Prose:

Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County
First Place
Book Length Prose
The Corner Cupboard

Dawn Baldwin / Greenbrier County
Second Place Book Length Prose
Angelus

Katherine Cobb / Jefferson County
Third Place Book Length Prose
Skyline Higher

Holly Becker / Kanawha County
1st Honorable Mention Book Length Prose
The Year Kate's Brain Got A New Battery

Terry Lively / Kanawha County
2nd Honorable Mention Book Length Prose
Keystone

Shirley Nordeck Short / Preston County
3rd Honorable Mention Book Length Prose
The Coffeesoup Collection

***Special Mention:
Randi Ward / The Faroe Islands
Special Mention Book Length Prose
Labor Pains: A Portrait of Olevina Joensen

Conference Entertainment Update

2009-06-11T14:25:00.003-04:00

We've had something of a change in our conference entertainment for Saturday evening. Keith and Joan Pitzer were scheduled to perform in concert following the awards banquet, but an emergent situation has come up in their lives that has forced them to bow out for this year.

Fear not, for the Pitzers have lent us a hand at securing a replacement and we will now be honored to have Ron Sowell as the musical entertainment for Saturday night. Ron is the musical director of the internationally acclaimed public radio show, Mountain Stage, and is also a singer-songwriter, guitarist, performer and producer.

Ron originally joined the Mountain Stage as its guitar player when it was only a fledgling local radio show. Since then, the show has grown to be heard each week on 120 public radio stations nationwide and worldwide via the Voice of America and Ron has been promoted to its musical director. On the show he has played with hundreds of performers, such as Sarah McLachian, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Kathy Mattea and the legends Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Rambling Jack Elliott and Odetta.

According to his website: "In 1992 he released his first solo CD, Oil and Water, featuring ten original compositions. The songs range from the absurdly humorous to the socially conscious.

"As a performer he has the gift to make a thousand people in a concert hall feel like they are sitting in his living room. He's engaging and funny and plays great guitar and harmonica. Whether making you laugh or cry, sing or dance, Ron Sowell exudes sincerity and grace rarely found in such an accomplished entertainer."

We look forward to welcoming Ron Sowell to the WV Writers family of entertainers and know that he will continue our trend of outstanding performances at the conference.

WV State Folk Festival in Glenville

2009-06-09T10:52:00.002-04:00

(This news courtesy of WVWriters' own Granny Sue Holstein)

The Oral Traditions tent at the WV State Folk Festival in Glenville features some names that should be familiar to WV Writers members and possibly to Roundtable members too. The Festival is scheduled for June 18-21; the Oral Traditions tent is scheduled on Friday (19th) and Saturday (June 20th).

Most festival events are free and include lots of old-time music with our state's best musicians, The WV Belles, and lots more. It's a fun, laid-back time in a small town that keeps the heart of the mountains alive.

Here is the Oral Traditions tent schedule:

Friday, June 19th:
11am:Kirk Judd (poet)
12:00 Laura Treacy Bentley (poet)
2:00 pm Marc Harshman (poet, storyteller, writer)
3:00 pm Mountain Echoes (storytellers)

Saturday, June 20th:
10 am Fran Schmetzer (local Gilmer County author)
12:00 Susanna Holstein (storyteller, poet, writer)
3:00 pm Cat Pleska (storyteller and writer)
4:00 pm Suzi "Mama" Whaples (storyteller)

I hope to see you there! Email me if you need more information about this festival, which is the oldest folk festival in WV.

Conference Attendee Checklist

2009-06-08T09:19:00.007-04:00

A handy checklist for attendees of this weekend's 2009 WV Writers Summer Conference.

If you've never been to the conference, check out the Conference First Timers Guide for some handy tips.
Remember to bring material to pin to the Writers Wall, be it poetry or prose. Remember not to put your name on the Writers Wall material.
Remember to bring material to read in the People's Choice competitions on Friday or Saturday, be it poetry or prose.
Remember that name badges are required in order to attend workshops, so that will help in knowing who people are in all the activities. This year we've chosen the much-requested hanging badges instead of the pin-style so they won't snag clothes, so this will make them easier to wear.
Remember to bring something to donate to the silent auction. People have brought books, crafts, jewelry, art, sculpture and many other kinds of things. If it looks interesting, chances are it will do well. (Eric is especially interested in starting and winning a bidding war on one of those Flatwoods Monster porcelain lanterns, if you've got one lying around.) If you don't have something already, maybe ask a local business to donate something. WV Writers can send them a tax receipt.
Remember to bring a food item or drink item for the Reception Table in the Main Hall. This can be something home baked or store bought, like cookies, candy bar minis, doughnuts, or, God help us, something healthy like fruit. Chips, not so good. Likewise for drinks, a 12 pack of canned soft drinks or water is greatly appreciated. We'll have coffee and fruit/veggie trays on hand, but if you have healthy food you'd like to bring, that's always appreciated too. We like to have enough food and drinks on hand so there are refreshments throughout the weekend, so if everyone brings a food item and a drink item, we'll be good to go.
If you have a cooler and ice you can loan us for the weekend please do bring it. We use them to keep the refreshment drinks cold.
If you're doing a Pitch Session with Peter Lynch, you might stop by the following address for some Pitch Session How To suggestions. (http://jenniferlawler.com/wordpress/?p=133)
If you've registered for your room and meals with Cedar Lakes, be sure they have your meal choice for the Saturday evening banquet (baked steak or stuffed chicken). Every year Cedar Lakes has to spend countless hours calling people to get their choice.
Check out the finalized schedule online for the latest changes, so you can plan your days accordingly.
Remember to bring a hoodie, sweater or something warm to pull on, as it does get nippy at night. Similarly, a rain coat or umbrella would be good, as traditionally there is an annual torrential downpour at some point.

WV Writers BONUS Podcast: Episode 9 Now Available

2009-06-08T09:10:00.000-04:00

Episode 9, the first of our two, count `em, TWO work-week bookending podcasts we're releasing this week, is now online.

In this episode we talk to Keith Pitzer of the singing duo Keith & Joan Pitzer.

Keith is not only leading a workshop on songwriting at the conference this year, he and Joan are returning to the Saturday night entertainment stage. Attendees last year remember them for their concert with our podcast's music provider, Pops Walker.

We talk to Keith about the craft of songwriting and hear some of the Pitzers music as well.

http://www.wvwriters.org/2009/06/episode-9-keith-pitzer.html

WV Writers Podcast Episode 8: William Bitner & Daniel Boyd: Tag Team Interview

2009-06-05T08:49:00.003-04:00

Episode 8 of the WVW Podcast is now online, in which we speak with William Bitner and Daniel Boyd, authors, film-makers, educators, professional wrestlers, and creators of the WV-set pulp-style illustrated novel Death Falcon Zero Vs. the Zombie Slug Lords.

We talk to them about how they became the wrestlers Death Falcon Zero and Professor Danger and how that ultimately led to their book starring their in-ring alter-egos.

Both William Bitner and Daniel Boyd will be leading workshops at next week's WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV.

Check it out at our Podcast Page.

LEISURE BOOKS PUTS OUT CALL FOR "FRESH BLOOD"

2009-06-02T20:51:00.000-04:00

Leisure Books, the company “leading the way in publishing paperback horror,”* is partnering with Rue Morgue magazine in association with horror fiction web site ChiZine, to present “Fresh Blood,” a new writing contest specifically for unpublished horror authors. The winner will receive a contract for publication in Leisure’s 2011 lineup, as well as a contract from ChiZine Publications for a limited-edition hardcover release, also in 2011.

Leisure is looking for finished horror novel manuscripts, either supernatural or non-supernatural, of 80,000 – 90,000 words. A panel of experts, including Leisure Executive Editor Don D’Auria and editors at ChiZine, will judge entries. The finalists will be announced in November 2009.

From December 2009 through July 2010, monthly competitions in categories such as “Best Summary,” “Best First Line,” “Best Title,” and “Most Frightening Scene” will run on ChiZine.com. Readers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites, and after each deadline, entries with the fewest votes will be eliminated.

The winner will be announced in August 2010 at Rue Morgue’s Festival of Fear in Toronto, Canada, as well as on the Leisure and ChiZine web sites.

Entries should be sent to Submissions@dorchesterpub.com by September 30, 2009. “Fresh Blood” must appear in the subject line of the email.

For full entry details, visit www.dorchesterpub.com or http://chizine.com. Leisure Books is an imprint of Dorchester Publishing and publishes two horror titles every month by authors such as Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, and Sarah Pinborough.

Contest Rules
Submission materials should include:
A synopsis that tells the story from beginning to end.
The complete manuscript
The chosen finalists will later be asked to supply:
A dramatic, brief summary of the novel, similar to what would go on the back cover of the book. This should be no more than 200 words.
A description of your novel’s frightening element (the killer, the monster, ghost, vampire, evil presence, etc.). No more than 250 words.
A description of your novel’s protagonist. No more than 250 words.
The best dialogue scene in your manuscript. No more than 1500 words.
The most atmospheric scene in your manuscript. No more than 1500 words.
The most frightening scene in your manuscript. No more than 1750 words.
A brief bio and author photo

FAQ:
What does “unpublished” mean?
“Unpublished” refers to any author who has never had a novel published in book form. For example: If you have been e-pubbed, you are eligible.
If you have had short stories or anything under 40,000 words published in a magazine or anthology, you would still be eligible.

What formatting should I use?
Entries should be double-spaced and sent as a Word email attachment. The complete manuscript and the synopsis should be in two separate files attached to one email.

How long should the synopsis be?
There is no required length for the synopsis, though we find 3-7 pages is generally sufficient.
How do you calculate your word count?

If the manuscript is written in a standard font, our word count requirement generally means it will run about 340-400 pages. Your computer can help give you a rough estimate of what constitutes 80,000-90,000 words.

May I enter more than one title?
No. We request that you send only one submission.

Marc Harshman 1st Place in Newport Review Flash Fiction Contest

2009-06-01T20:48:00.000-04:00

Congrats go out to WV Writers member and previous conference presenter Marc Harshman for his 1st Place win in the Newport Review's Flash Fiction contest.

You can read his entry, entitled "The Company of Heaven" at the Newport Review site.

http://newportreview.org/?contest-winners/mharshman.html

Their 2009 Flash Fiction Contest will open for entries from June 1 through September 1, 2009. This year's guest judge will be fiction writer Hester Kaplan, author of The Edge of Marriage and Kinship Theory.

They are looking for works that are short in length but linger long in memory: small stories that pack a big emotional punch and make creative use of language.

Please note that this year, we are accepting slightly longer stories, up to a maximum of 1,000 words.

Complete Contest Guidelines:

Deadline: Postmarked by September 1, 2009

Word Count: Short-short stories up to 1,000 words

Entry fee: $7 per story, 3 for $20

Mail manuscripts w/check or money order (made out to Newport Review) to: Newport Review Flash Fiction Contest, P.O. Box 65, Warren, RI 02885

Manuscripts should include writer's name and complete contact information, including email and phone. Winners will be notified and posted on our blog and web site. Include a business-size SASE if you wish individual notification of contest results. Manuscripts will not be recycled unless return is requested; include SASE with sufficient return postage.

Writers may submit a total of six entries. The contest is open to all writers, published and unpublished, except writers personally affiliated with Newport Review, its editorial staff or board of directors. Past contest winners and those who have been published in the print edition of Newport Review are eligible to enter.

New prizes will be awarded:

First Prize: $150 and publication

Second Prize: $100 and publication

Third Prize: $50 and publication

Honorable Mention: Publication

Prize-winning stories and stories receiving honorable mention will be published in a future issue of Newport Review. Other stories may also be considered for publication.

CSI Conference Presentation UPDATE

2009-05-31T21:37:00.000-04:00

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Theodore Anglas has been forced to cancel his CSI presentations. NOT TO FEAR. Thanks to the dedicated staff at Mountain State University and intermediaries, we are pleased to announce that Andrew Wheeler will now give the CSI presentations.

Andrew Wheeler holds a Master of Forensic Science degree from The George Washington University and has over ten years of field experience in civil and criminal investigations. He is qualified as an expert witness, and has testified in several fields of forensic investigation. Mr. Wheeler received the prestigious “Professor of the Year” award given by the Mountain State University Student Government Association in 2005. I think we just turned this presentation up a notch.

Nanny Dish Writing Contest for Mothers

2009-05-31T10:24:00.000-04:00

Vancouver, Thursday, May 26th 2009 - Nannies on Call and Fat Rock Productions - owned separately by locals Michelle Kelsey and independent film producer Karen Rebecca Black - have partnered to launch THE NANNY DISH: a unique mini-writing contest created specifically for mothers. The concept is simple: 300 words to write your "dish" -- a nanny story told from mom's point of view.

"The Nanny Dish was created to find a fun way to transition between blogging and writing a structured storyline - small-size!" Karen explains, "Michelle and I have been navigating the world of Twitter for our companies over the last six months - in the midst of research we were finding hundreds of entertaining and unexpected blogs, quirky Facebook rants and posts, the majority from moms..." Karen pauses to note that she is always on the lookout for raw female writing and directing talent. "The Nanny Dish is about inspiring moms to write in eye-catching, unexpected style -- while making every word count." Adds Karen, "you can't fake your way through 300 words!"

The grass-rooots PR and marketing campaign for The Nanny Dish will be executed across North America, with a mom-specific audience in mind. "We're building on the strengths we both bring to the project," says Michelle, "I'm focusing on my network of Canadian moms. Karen's production company is based here in Vancouver, but she primarily works with writers out of the US. She actually started out in the industry as an executive at The Weinstein Company in Los Angeles." Karen's LA ties also helped her bring a touch of Hollywood to the contest: TV writer Aury Wallington - of SEX AND THE CITY and VERONICA MARS - will join Karen and the YummyMummyClub's popular blogger EarnestGirl in judging the entries.

The Nanny Dish grand prize is a full-time nanny placement service from Nannies on Call valued at $1,500 and registration in Fat Rock's August session of the BETTER THAN CHOCOLAT Screenwriting Workshops (a four-week online screenwriting series for mothers). "The winning Dish will also be developed into an actual screenplay during the BTC workshops," Karen says. "This is a teaching tool exclusive to both The Nanny Dish and the BTC workshops - we're very excited!"

Along with the grand prize winner, judges will select three finalists to receive prizes from sponsors The Willamette Writers Conference, Urban Harmonie Handbag Designs, Munch Family Restaurant (the newly re-launched Babyeats) and Juliet's Room Organic Skin and Body Care.

Entry to The Nanny Dish is free and all winning Dishes will be posted on the website for the pubic to enjoy.

Submissions open June 1st at www.nannydish.com.

"Dish up your favorite nanny story - and win! There are three simple rules: write from a mother's perspective, feature a nanny as a main character, 300 words tops. That's it. Submissions close July 15th. Start Dishing - we can't wait to start reading!"

Bottle Tree Productions One Act Play Competition

2009-05-30T22:22:00.000-04:00

(FROM WRITER-EDITOR.COM)

Bottle Tree Productions One Act Play Competition For Writers. Awards: $1,000, $250, $100. One-act plays of any length may be submitted. Plays can have previously been produced or work-shopped but not professionally.

Entry fee: $25. Deadline: November 30, 2009.

Info: www.bottletreeinc.com/script_contest.html.

WVW Podcast Episode 7 Now Online

2009-05-29T00:03:00.000-04:00

Episode 7 of the WVW Podcast is now online. In it, we speak with artist, poet, essayist, philosopher and official WV Writers Conference Artist in Residence Boyd Carr. We speak with Boyd about his origins as an artist, how it led him to a long association with WV Writers and about his foray into philosophy and the origins of storytelling, which he calls My.Th.

Check it out at the Podcast Page.

High Prairie Poets Poetry Contest

2009-05-28T22:20:00.001-04:00

(FROM WRITER-EDITORS.COM)

High Prairie Poets – New Mexico State Poetry Society Bimonthly Contests. 32-line limit. Awards: $25, $10, $5 plus honorable mentions. Entry fee: $3 first poem; $1 each additional poem. Deadline: July 20, 2009. Info: SASE to Carol Dee Meeks, Silver Arrow Estates, 2601 South Elm Place, Apt. #108, Broken Arrow OK 74012; or c_pmeeks@hotmail.com.

Editor Peter Lynch Pitch Session Details

2009-05-26T09:06:00.005-04:00

On Saturday June 13th West Virginia Writers, Inc. is delighted to welcome Peter Lynch, Editorial Manager at Sourcebooks, Inc., one of the country’s largest and most innovative independent publishers. Peter has worked for Sourcebooks as Editorial Manager, trade for the past nine years. He acquires and develops 20–30 books per year, across a variety of categories. Peter’s nonfiction interests include, but are not limited to, books on parenting, history, memoir, self-help, reference, humor, and college/study aids. He is also interested in historical fiction and commercial women’s fiction. Peter is always interested in hearing from authors who are self-motivated and willing to publicize their books in innovative ways. In addition to development and oversight of the Fiske, Gruber and US News study aids lines, recent books from his list include The Four Corners of the Sky (fiction), Healing the Addicted Brain (self-help), and The Autism & ADHD Diet (parenting).

Sourcebooks, Inc (www.sourcebooks.com) is currently looking for: romance fiction (single title all subgenres, 80,000 words +), YA fiction and non-fiction, historical fiction, Jane Austen sequels/retellings/contemporary romances/etc., commercial women's fiction (must have a really unusual premise), multi-media and digital book projects, non-fiction: memoir, how-to, humor, college guides, study aids, parenting, business, careers, personal finance.

Sourcebooks is one of the fastest-growing independent publishing houses in the country, widely known for their sales and marketing, as well as a steady focus on building authors' careers.
In addition to a presentation on Sourcebooks, the business of the writing world, and what is required of today’s writer, Peter Lynch will hold five minute pitch sessions in hopes of landing a new batch of clients for Sourcebooks. This is his primary reason for coming.

Pitch sessions will be limited to a total of 50, so early reservation for them is recommended.

In order to participate in a Peter Lynch Pitch Session, you must register and pay for at least the day of Saturday, June 13 of the Conference.

The cost for a pitch session is $10, which will go help offset WV Writers costs.

You may pay for your pitch session at the conference.

To make a reservation for a pitch session, please send a note by email to President T. W. McNemar at twmcnemar@verizon.net

While the pitch sessions will take place on Saturday, there will be an early workshop conducted by Christine Witthohn of the Book Cents Literary Agency on the topic of pitching your book ideas to industry pros.

Don’t pass up this incredible opportunity, these folks are aggressively seeking new authors and they publish nearly every genre in any given bookstore. If you would like to verify this, take a look at their website.

ALSO…… The appearance of Peter Lynch is due in great part to the incredible efforts of Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency. Christine will be on hand to keep this opportunity flowing.

Books Cents has become an outstanding advocate to the writing community in West Virginia and Kentucky. Much thanks to Christine and Judith Ann!

For conference registration information: http://www.wvwriters.org/conference.html

Three Weeks and Counting!

2009-05-21T22:34:00.001-04:00

(FROM PRESIDENT T.W. McNEMAR)

It has always been our intention to get this conference planned far enough in advance for you all to make a conscious decision about who you would like to hear and see but if we find an opportunity to add someone or something to the play-list that will inform, delight, entertain, or amaze you – we will add it to the conference immediately.

In the past weeks, we’re delighted to announce that Cathy (a.k.a. Cat) Pleska has joined the lineup of entertainment for Friday evening in the Assembly Hall. Cat will be performing a more bohemian segment of her historical dramatization of Frances B. Johnson. I can’t wait for this one.

In the Assembly Hall on Saturday, a few folks from the WV Commission on the Arts will be around to discuss opportunities available to artists in the state. This will be educational and informative, try to attend.

THERE IS ONE MORE AND I CAN'T RELEASE THE INFO YET, BUT I WILL IN A FEW DAYS. If you are “on the fence” about attending the 2009 West Virginia Writers, Inc. Conference, this announcement will put you at your keyboard and making your reservations pronto. Be ready to get on board and reserve a room on site or nearby.

I know, I don’t like cliffhangers anymore than Dan Brown, but I’m sworn to secrecy . . . for the moment. I just want you to be ready.

Patsy Pittman named Indie Book Awards Finalist

2009-05-20T08:58:00.002-04:00

WVW's own Patsy Pittman has been named a Finalist in the Short Story - Fiction category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for her collection Blood Kin & Other Strangers.

Congrats to Patsy!

WV Writers 2009 Summer Conference Presenter Bios

2009-05-19T07:19:00.001-04:00

This is a work in progress that will be frequently updated. Check back here for the latest news and visit our official 2009 Conference Page for registration forms and lodging/meals forms.

(UPDATED 5/31/09)

WILMA ACREE writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals including Appalachian Heritage, Algonquin, Crazy River, and Pudding House. She is author of two books of poetry, has been included in such anthologies as Wild Sweet Notes and Seeking the Swan, and serves as editor for Confluence Magazine. In 2002 she was selected to attend the Kenyon Review Writers’ Workshop. Wilma has been a member of WV Writers, Inc. for nineteen years and has held numerous offices and currently serves on the advisory board.

ANDREW WHEELER, holds a Master of Forensic Science degree from The George Washington University and has over ten years of field experience in civil and criminal investigations. He is qualified as an expert witness, and has testified in several fields of forensic investigation. Mr. Wheeler received the prestigious “Professor of the Year” award given by the Mountain State University Student Government Association in 2005.

BRAD BARKLEY, a native of North Carolina, is the author of the novel, Money, Love (Norton), a Barnes and Noble "Discover Great New Writers" selection and a "BookSense 76" choice. Money, Love was named one of the best books of 2000 by the Washington Post and the Library Journal. Brad was named one of the “Breakthrough Writers You Need To Know” by Book Magazine. His novel Alison's Automotive Repair Manual (St. Martin’s) was also a "BookSense 76" selection. He has published two collections of short stories, Circle View (SMU Press) and Another Perfect Catastrophe (St. Martin’s). His short fiction has appeared in nearly thirty magazines, including Southern Review, Georgia Review, the Oxford American, Glimmer Train, Book Magazine, and the Virginia Quarterly Review, which twice awarded him the Emily Balch Prize for Best Fiction. His first YA novel, Scrambled Eggs At Midnight, co-authored with Heather Hepler, was published in May 2006 by Penguin, and was a summer 2006 “Booksense 76” choice. His second YA novel, Dream Factory, published in spring 2007, was also “BookSense 76” selection, a Library Guild “Book of the Month, pick” and was voted the Texas Institute of Arts and Letters “Best Young Adult Book” for 2007. Their most recent title, Jars of Glass, was recently published by Dutton-Penguin. Brad has won four Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

DANIEL BOYD, a West Virginian, has degrees in Communications (West Virginia University) and Filmmaking (University of Arkansas). Boyd began his filmmaking career making documentaries (HOMELESS BROTHER, MARCOS DE SAN MARCOS), then a series of short narrative films, then his first feature film, CHILLERS, was released in 1988 followed by STRANGEST DREAMS and PARADISE PARK. A professor of communications at West Virginia State University since 1985, Boyd established the Paradise Film Institute at WVSU in 1994 for the purpose of supporting filmmaking in the state. As a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Boyd taught the first filmmaking and screenwriting classes at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the 98-99 academic year in East Africa. READ MORE at: http://www.danielboyd.com/index.html

WILLIAM BITNER is a life-long fan of both comic books and professional wrestling, with his tastes running distinctly old school in both mediums. At the age of 46, he decided to train to become a professional wrestler himself, and has since dragged his increasingly aching bones through over 300 matches, and a dozen title belts. Mr. Bitner is also the author of a short story collection, M Is for Monster, and currently resides in Charleston, W.Va.

ERIC FRITZIUS A Mercer County resident, Eric Fritzius is a freelance writer / editor / playwright / actor / director / webmaster / graphic designer / and podcaster whose work has appeared in the Greenbrier Valley Quarterly magazine, the Mountain Voices anthology, WV Daily News, the Charleston Gazette, and graces the covers of such books as Belinda Anderson’s Buckle Up, Buttercup, and WV Writers latest collection Seeking the Swan. His play “…to a Flame” recently debuted on the stage of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg. He serves as President Emeritus and webmaster for WV Writers, Inc. and produces and hosts their weekly podcast.

GEOFFREY C. FULLER - author, teacher, editor, and managing partner of the Evergreen Syndicate LLC , is an award-winning author and the only person to win the coveted WV Commission on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships in all three prose categories - (fiction, nonfiction, and memoir), Geoff Fuller teaches and mentors an ever-increasing group of successful writers in the Charleston, WV area. He is married to lifestyle columnist, Karin Fuller

KARIN T. FULLER, lifestyle columnist for the Charleston Gazette, first began writing in 1997, shortly after the birth of her best source of material, her daughter Celeste. In the years since, Karin’s columns have always been selected as one of the top three each year by the West Virginia Press Association, but in 2003, she was awarded first place (General Interest) in the USA, by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Along with her columns, Karin’s stories have appeared in such publications as Woman’s World, Appalachian Heritage, Front Porch, and Atlanta Baby.

PAM HANSON, along with her writing partner (and mother), is the award-winning author of 26 novels for Dorchester, Harlequin/Silhouette, and Guideposts. A 27th, Hometown Reunion, will be published in September by Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A former reporter, Pam previously taught journalism at West Virginia University. In 2006, West Virginia Writers awarded her the JUG award for writing. She now lives in Nebraska where she continues to write and tutors students in a university writing center.

GEORGE LIES a short story writer and journalist, has years of experience working collaboratively with writers of West Virginia. In the 1990s, he led editorial teams to publish limited editions, entitled Janus ’95 and Pokeberry Days. His story, “Trailer Dogs Barking”, is in Mountain Voices; and, “Keys to Heaven”, in the anthology, Mist on the Mon, was translated and published in Steneau, a literary journal in Romania. Before serving as President of West Virginia Writers (1999-01 and 2003-04), he directed the Golden Rod Writers Conference (1983-2001).

DR. JOHN MCKERNAN was born in 1942 and grew up in Omaha Nebraska. He moved to Huntington in 1967 to teach at Marshall and has lived there ever since. He has won many awards for his teaching and his poetry. The author of seven books and chapbooks, his most recent is a collection of his selected poems, Resurrection of the Dust. He is the editor of the annual publication ABZ: A Magazine of Poetry. The press he edits also sponsors an annual First Book Poetry Contest, which awards a prize of $1000 and book publication to the winner.

RENÉE K. NICKLESON is a former professional ballet dancer, and a graduate of the MFA program at West Virginia University. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Chelsea, Mid-American Review, Paste, Naugatuck River Review, The Gettysburg Review, as well as other literary magazines and poetry and fiction anthologies. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prizes, and awarded a Special Mention.

KEITH & JOAN PITZER are known and respected West Virginia musicians. Sharing music and marriage for over thirty years, they have performed at numerous fairs and festivals, coffeehouses and listening rooms across the mid-Atlantic states. Based out of Kingwood, they’ve appeared as part of the Voices of West Virginia touring group with songwriters John Lilly, Kate Long and Todd Burge. Their song "Underneath a Blackened Moon" is included in the Mountain Whispers adaptation of William Blizzard’s, “When Miners March.” Their musical style is a blend of blend contemporary style with Appalachian and Celtic music.

CATHY PLESKA (Cat) holds a BA in English (Mountain State U.), an MA in Humanities (Marshall U.), and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction (Goucher College). She is a regular contributor to Wonderful West Virginia Magazine and is an essayist on West Virginia Public Radio. Her radio essay, “Unexpected Harvest” was published in 2008 in the Hamilton Stone Review. She has three articles in the West Virginia Encyclopedia. Her memoir, The Last Storyteller, began as a thesis for her MFA and was eventually polished into a manuscript. She works as a freelance writer and editor and performs as the ‘History Alive!’ character, Frances B. Johnson. In 2008, she created and performed as West Virginia native and Mother’s Day founder, Anna Jarvis. This performance was televised throughout the state on Mother’s Day. Cat currently teaches English at Strayer University in Teay’s Valley, WV and resides in Scott Depot with her husband Dan, daughter Katie, and several critters.

SUSAN REINHARDT has been heralded as “a modern-day, southern-fried Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry,” says Booklist. This award winning author of the celebrated Not Tonight Honey, Wait ‘til I’m a Size 6, (which the Chicago Sun-Times calls “wickedly fun…like hanging out with your bluntest, most mischievous friend, the one who never fails to crack you up.”) will join West Virginia Writers, Inc. for two workshops, a stand-up humor presentation on Friday evening, and an Awards Banquet keynote address. Now, the laughter resumed as Reinhardt took on domestic life in a new collection of essays, DON’T SLEEP WITH A BUBBA, a Kensington Books trade paperback original. Susan Reinhardt once loved a Bubba, so she speaks from personal experience. Susan Reinhardt is the mother of two precious children, ages 14 and 9, and enjoys anything related to water (except snakes), is a community volunteer, a member of the PTA and the Read it or Not, Here We Come Book Club. She is a regular public speaker, having done a keynote address for the Erma Bombeck Writers Convention last year. Reinhardt is speaker in demand to large corporations and small groups alike, listing such topics as: “Healing Through Humor,” and “Out of the Darkness,” which delves into her battles with depression and other illnesses. It is her mission to bring these issues out of the closet, to remove the stigma, and enlighten others so they may get help and find joy in their lives. She also does stand-up comedy and enjoys being a frequent guest on radio and local and network television. She is a highly awarded nationally syndicated columnist.

DAVID SAMUEL, former professor of wildlife management and conservation at WVU (1968-1998), has made a niche for himself as an outdoor writer. His articles can be found in all outdoor mass media reporting and the awards garnered include: Safari Club International World Bowhunter Chapters, Hall of Honor, Inducted, 2001, The Wildlife Society, Special Recognition Award, 2001, Lee Gladfelter Award, Pope and Young Club, 2002, West Virginia Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Mountaineer Award, 2005, Archery Hall of Fame, inducted Sept 21, 2007, Springfield MO., Deer Management Career Achievement Award, Southeastern Section of The Wildlife Society, Feb. 24, 2009. Outdoor Writer of the Year, WV Bowhunters Assoc., 1992 and 2009.

NATALIE SYPOLT received her MFA in Fiction from West Virginia University in 2005. Her fiction and book reviews have appeared in Kestrel, Potomac Review, Oklahoma Review, Shenandoah Review, and Mid-American Review. Natalie has taught writing at WVU in Morgantown and Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. She currently lives and writes in Preston County, WV.

SANDY TRITT is a writer, editor and speaker. The founder and CEO of Inspiration for Writers, an editing and critiquing service for aspiring writers, she has edited hundreds of manuscripts. Sandy’s fiction has been published in literary magazines and local journals; she has also published nine nonfiction books: Everything I Know (Headline Books); Inspiration for Writers Tips and Techniques Workbook; and seven technical manuals (Phoenix Software, Atlanta, GA). But more than anything, Sandy loves to teach the craft of writing.

SANDRA VRANA is a professor of English at Alderson-Broaddus College, teaching composition and literature. She is a member of Barbour County Writers and served as the second editor of Grab-A-Nickel, after Barbara Smith, until last year.

RHONDA BROWNING WHITE hails from Princeton, WV, though she now resides near Daytona Beach, FL, with her husband Randy and son Jacob. She retired from 20+ years in the medical field and returned to school at Mountain State University, where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies and English and Literature. She is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing. Rhonda is a freelance writer and editor, and has just completed her first novel, a medical thriller. Her short stories, poetry and articles have been published in many literary magazines, trade journals, anthologies and newspapers throughout the Eastern United States.

DANA WILDSMITH grew up in south Georgia, the daughter of a Methodist minister active in working for social justice. She attended college wherever her Navy husband’s career took them, finally obtaining a B.A. in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan College.In 1992, Wildsmith was named a Poetry Fellow in the South Carolina Academy of Authors, and published her first book, Alchemy (Sow’s Ear Press). Her second chapbook, Annie won the Palanquin Press competition of the University Of South Carolina, Aiken. Her first full-length collection of poems, Our Bodies Remember (Sow’s Ear Press), was published in 1999. Her most recent book, One Good Hand, was a SIBA Poetry Book of the Year nominee and was nominated for Appalachian Book of the Year. A poem from that collection, Making a Living, was read on Garrison Keiller’s “Writer’s Almanac”. She has been a Writer-in-residence for the Devil’s Tower National Monument and for the Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska. She has worked as an Artist In the Schools for the South Carolina Humanities Council. Wildsmith teaches writing workshops throughout the United States. Her poems and essays have been widely published in both literary and commercial journals, including: The Sun, Yankee, The Kentucky Poetry review, and The Chattahoochee Review. Her poems have most recently been anthologized in the University Press of Kentucky’s Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia, The Southern Poetry Anthology (Texas Review Press, 2006), Women, Period (Spinsters Ink, January, 2009), and Writing By Ear (Motes Books, 2009).