2.16.12
Lots of good news from Claudette Cohen. Her short story, The Mayor of Biscoe, won first place in fiction at the Southern Writers Symposium. It also made the finalist list for the North Carolina Humanities Council’s Linda Flowers Award, and has since been made into a screenplay. In addition, her poem Telling the Loved Ones earned Honorable Mention at the Southern Writers Symposium. Her short story, Raven’s Wing, was shortlisted for ZenFri Inc.’s upcoming anthology, Warpaint, and the poem, Venus, has been selected for an upcoming anthology titled Testing the Waters. Finally, her short story, To Step Into The Flood, recently appeared in Cream City Review.
2.2.12
Susan Surman will be reading from and signing her newest novel, Dancing at all the Weddings, on Sat. Feb 11 from 2-4 p.m. at Barnhill’s.
1.26.12
Bonnie J. Doerr’s eco-adventure novel, Island Sting, received the 2011 EPIC eBook award for Outstanding Children’s Book. Her eco-mystery novel, StakeOut, is shortlisted for the young adult 2012 Green Earth Book award.
Ray Morrison will be speaking at the Central Library on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. about his experiences as a veterinarian and a writer. Click here for a write-up about Ray from the Library’s website.
1. 19.12
Nathan Ross Freeman‘s play Hannah Elias will have a featured opening night stage reading at the renown LaMaMa Theater’s Shadow Festival in New York City on Thur., Feb. 2. Nathan said, “It will be so good to get back to the Big Apple for 3 glorious days doing theatre.”
Stacy Jones, digital marketing and business consultant from Mudfoot Marketing will hold a workshop on blogging for business and personal use. The course will include how to set up a blog, content tips, SEO, and social media sharing. The workshop is appropriate for both business bloggers and personal use. The program is Saturday, January 28th at the Kernersville Public Library. Visit the library website for complete details.
1.3.12
Will Wright released his comic western Trouble in Taos under the pen name Headley Hauser on Amazon a couple weeks ago. You can find it here. Or you can go to Will’s website, http://gofigurereads.com/
Deep South Magazine did a “year in review” of its Top 10 Favorite stories of 2011, including all their travel blog articles, poetry, fiction, etc. We’re excited that Susannah Cecil‘s story “Virgin Snow” made the list. Read the article here.
12.7.11
Craig Greenlee will join host Denise Franklin for an in-depth conversation regarding his book “November Ever After” on Voices & Viewpoints. The interview will air on NPR affiliate 88.5 WFDD on Friday, December 9 at 1 and 6 p.m.
Rosalyn Marhatta has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her poem “Ocean Flight” published in April 2011 in Vox Poetica. Read it here. She also has another poem, “A Rose is Not a Rose,” coming out in Vox Poetica later this month.
Michael Wilson had a signing of his book, “Death of a Politician”, at Barnes & Noble on November 26th.
12-2-11
WSW founder Al Perry will lead a free introductory session at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 6 for an early-January workshop on family and life stories. The intro will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. For details, contact Al by email – al@wswriters.org.
This Saturday, come learn the healing benefits of journaling and expressive writing at a workshop led by former WSW president Jennifer L. Stevenson. The Forsyth County Public Library is sponsoring the free workshop at the Kernersville Branch. Jennifer will discuss the many journal forms and how to start one. No writing experience is necessary, but participants should bring paper and pen/pencil for writing exercises. To learn more, call (336) 703-2930 or see the library website.
Susannah Cecil‘s short story “Virgin Snow” has been published in the Southern Voice section of the Fall/ Winter issue of Deep South Magazine. Read it here: Virgin Snow.
11-9-11
Susannah Cecil’s story, “Humble Beginning” has just been published by Dead Mule School of Southern Literature. You can read the story here.
Claudette Cohen has a short story, “To Step Into The Flood,” appearing in the current issue of Cream City Review. Also, out of the 130 submissions received, Claude Limoges’ short story “The Mayor of Biscoe” was among the six finalists for the North Carolina Humanities Council’s Linda Flowers Literary Award.
Randell Jones has received two awards from the North Carolina Society of Historians for his 2011 releases Before They Were Heroes at King’s Mountain and A Guide to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Each book received a 2011 Willie Parker Peace History Book Award at ceremonies conducted October 22. For more information, see www.ncsocietyofhistorians.org. Randell will be appearing at the Kentucky Book Fair in Frankfort on Nov. 11 & 12.
11-2-11
Steve Mitchell has a short story, “Trouble in Mind,” appearing in the current issue of The Licking River Review.
Craig Greenlee will be signing November Ever After on Sat., Nov. 12, 4-6 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 1925 Hampton Inn Court, Winston-Salem.
10-5-11
Craig Greenlee has just published his memoir, November Ever After. It’s about his days as a college jock at Marshall University in the late ’60s/early ’70s. This memoir marks his debut as a book author. The book’s website is here, and Craig’s blog is here.
9-28-11
Ray Morrison‘s flash fiction story, “The Fish,” is now live on Fiction Southeast, appearing along with stories by Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Olen Butler, Ron Carlson, and many others. Also, his short story, “Allison Tarleton’s Jar,” appears in the new Short Story America Anthology. He’ll be reading and signing copies of the anthology (along with contributor/editor Tim Johnston) at Barnhill’s Books on Fri., Oct. 7 from
7-9 p.m.
9-21-11
WSW V.P. of Communications Robin Chalkley has just converted his blog to a full-featured website. Great American Things (greatamericanthings.net) features a positive view of the many things that are special about living in America. He has now completed almost 800 entries in categories ranging from travel, to sports, to music, to film and more. The blog was designed and programmed by Ben Cotten of Cottentech Web Services, the designer of the WSW website.
The film that Deni and Will McIntyre (Will & Deni Films) have been working on since 2008 is coming to screens large and small. Saving the Hansen House will have its broadcast premiere on UNC-TV (NC Public Television) at 10 p.m. on Oct. 10. Additional broadcasts will be scheduled later: UNC-TV has three-year broadcast rights. Meanwhile, the theater premiere will be at a/perture cinema (311 W. Fourth Street, Winston-Salem) at 8 p.m. on Sept. 25. Admission is just $5.
Author, public speaking expert, and WSW board member Carol Roan will offer another of her workshops for writers who have a book ready to publish. “Presenting Your Book: From Manuscript to Book Store” will help you jump start a publishing career, whether you intend to self-publish or find an agent or independent publisher. Sessions include Defining What You’ve Written, Marketing Your Book, Pitching Your Book, Querying Agents and Publishers, and Presenting Your Book. The workshop meets Thursdays, Oct. 6 through Nov. 3 from 7-9 p.m. in Winston-Salem. Fee is $125. To register, please contact Carol at 336-726-0269 or croan1@triad.rr.com.
WSW board member and former president Jennifer L. Stevenson is leading a new workshop at Salem College designed to help participants improve their lives by creating and maintaining proven writing practices. Six classes will be held at 7-8:30 p.m., from October 4 to November 15. Enrollment is limited to just 12 students, so register early by calling 336-721-2855 or by visiting the Salem College website at http://www.salem.edu/community/cfc.
9-7-11
WSW Member Frank Wood will read his poem “Eagle of Mourning” at an American-British commemoration of September 11 – a joint service on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wait Chapel, Winston-Salem, and simultaneously at the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Will Wright has completed his new website, and invites everyone to visit. See it at gofigurereads.com.
Developing Your Daily Writing Practice, a a Workshop with Steve Mitchell, is coming up on September 24 at the Press 53 Center for Creative Writing. Find out all the details here.
8-31-11
Following Christy Dunovant last week, Carol Roan has also been invited to post to the Bookmarks blog. It’s a review of Bookmarks presenter Drew Perry’s book This is Just Exactly Like You, and can be read here.
Marta Felber’s book A Cat’s Eye View of Life and Love by Sterling With Gentle Self-Help for All Ages was the 1st Finalist in the Animals/Pets Category of the 2010 National Indie Excellent Book Awards.
Children’s book author Michele M. Manderine will be signing copies of her book, Tristan, The Maine Coon Cat at the Yadkin Arts Council’s “Arts on Main” in Yadkinville on Fri., Sept. 9 from 6-9 p.m.
8-24-11
WSW member Christy Dunovant wrote a blog post at Bookmarks, describing her reaction to our upcoming anthology, Taking Flight: Winston-Salem in Prose and Poetry. We think it’s outstanding, but maybe we’re biased; you can decide for yourself here.
Anne Civitano authored an excellent guest column in Sunday’s Winston-Salem Journal. You can read it here, and also link to her previous articles.
Ray Morrison’s flash fiction story, “The Fish,” will appear in the Fall 2011 issue of Fiction Southeast, appearing along with stories by Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Olen Butler and Michael Martone among others.
Dr. Michael Wilson will be signing copies of his book Death of a Politician – One Man’s Run from Defeat to Victory at Barnhill’s Books on Fri., Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m.
8.18.11
Susannah Cecil had an article on the Waterford Stingrays swim team in last week’s Clemmons Courier. Susannah also took the photos published with her article.
8.11.11
Susannah Cecil‘s story “Virgin Snow” was accepted by Deep South online magazine, and will run in its Fall/Winter issue.
A poem titled “Chinese Sculpture at Innisfree, 1998″ by Claude Limoges will appear in Pirene’s Fountain toward the end of October.
7.21.11
Oma Boyd has a new book, ‘Round This Mountain’, being released Aug. 1. “Few books embody such a depth of family and regional tradition, or represent it to the rest of the world with so much authority and affection.” She’ll begin promotion with a book signing Aug. 13 at Chapter’s Bookstore in downtown Galax, Virginia during the annual Fiddler’s Convention.
Dr. Michael Wilson’s new book, ‘Death of a Politician: One Man’s Run from Defeat to Victory’ is now out. From the website: “The strength of this story is how it moves seamlessly from one God-inspired moment to another until his true destiny was revealed.” Visit deathofapolitician.com to order.
7.6.11
Members have success in the 2011 Press 53 Open Awards competition
Congratulations to Ray Morrison, who took first prize in the Short Story category, and to Caroljean Gavin, who won second prize. We also had four finalists: Jennifer Stevenson (Creative Nonfiction), Steve Mitchell (Short Story and Flash Fiction), and Ray Morrison (Short-short Story).
Children’s/cat book author, Michele M. Manderine will be signing copies of her book, “Tristan, The Maine Coon Cat” and introducing her “Tristan” afghans (designed, knit and crocheted by Michele) for cats and dogs. See her at Christmas In July, Winmock at Kinderton, 168 E. Kinderton, Bermuda Run. Tues., July 12, 4-7 p.m. Visit
www.mainecooncat.webs.com for more information.
6.21.11
The Winston-Salem Journal just published an interview with WSW member Carol Roan in its Artist Profile series. You can read it here.
6.14.11
WSW board member Nathan Ross Freeman is teaching a seminar this summer for The Writers’ Workshop called “Writing and Producing the Indie Feature Film.” The class will receive an overview of writing for the screen, and how to produce, direct and distribute a film of your script. Various formats, structures and techniques will be discussed, as well as tips on creating interesting characters and realistic dialogue. The seminar will be held July 9 in Charlotte and August 27 in Asheville. For more information, contact writersw@gmail.com, or call (828) 254-8111.
5.31.11
Stephen McCutchan recently wrote, performed, and released a CD titled Laughter from the Well. It features comedy and music with David Bailey and Bryan McFarland. It’s 70 minutes of humorous and musical reflections on the challenges of ministry It can be ordered from www.cdbaby.com.
Helen Losse’s official Book Launch/Release Party for Seriously Dangerous will be held June 11 from 2-5 pm at Barnhill’s in Winston-Salem. Everyone is welcome to come and join the festivities. For more information: http://www.onlyatbarnhills.com/ or e-mail Helen at hlosse@triad.rr.com. She’ll be interviewed by David Ford on Triad Arts Up Close on WFDD at 8:50 am June 6.
Steve Mitchell will teach a seminar entitled “Developing Your Daily Writing Practice” on Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m. at Press 53 Center for Creative Writing. For more information, call 525-5053 or click here.
5.25.11
Carol Roan is teaching a six-session workshop to help authors learn to present themselves and their work. It’s called “Presenting Yourself: One Plank in Your Author’s Platform,” and the first session will be Sat., June 4. For complete information, send Carol an e-mail: croan1@triad.rr.com.There is a fee for the workshops.
5.11.11
Anne Civitano had a guest editorial published on Mother’s Day in which she described her feelings as the mother of a soldier serving in Afghanistan about the death of Osama bin Laden. The article is available here.
Helen Losse was the subject of last week’s Artist Profile in Relish Magazine. You can read her question and answer article here.
4.27.11
Steve Mitchell’s short story, Above the Rooftop, has been named a storySouth Million Writers Award Notable Story for 2010. You can find the story here.
4.18.11
Michele M. Manderine’s self-published book, Tristan, The Maine Coon Cat, was reviewed in the June issue of Cat Fancy magazine.
4.5.11
Dan Coulter was interviewed recently about a video he produced, “Asperger Syndrome at Work.” The interview, conducted by Family Network TV’s Mary McHugh, can be seen here.
Tony Lindsay’s story “Orchestra Music” has been selected for the anthology of People of Few Words to be published this May in England.
3.9.11
Randell Jones will be a featured speaker on March 10 at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park as part of their 230th anniversary events. Randell has just released Before They Were Heroes at King’s Mountain, a nonfiction, American Revolutionary War history with a strong emphasis on the Patriot militia of North Carolina. You can learn more about the book at www.danielboonefootsteps.com.
3.1.11
Thomas Banyay has just self-published a book of four short stories for Kindle on Amazon.com, titled When Bad Times Roll In.
Steve Mitchell has short stories forthcoming in the next few weeks in Glossolalia, Eclectic Flash, and Sleet Magazine.
2.23.11
Dan Coulter just had an article published in YES! Magazine designed to help teachers understand students with Asperger Syndrome. The online version of the article is viewable here.
Carol Roan, author of Speak Up: The Public Speaking Primer, will lead a workshop in Salem College Courses for the Community spring session. Introduction to Public Speaking will give participants a basic grounding in public speaking and an understanding of how to use stage fright to their advantage. The workshop will be held March 2 and 9 from 7-9 p.m. Fee for both sessions is $30. Registration is required through the Fleer Center for Adult Education, (336) 721-2855. Click here for more information.
2.7.11
The Friends of the Central Library and the Central Library of Forsyth County are co-sponsoring a reading from When Last on the Mountain: The View from Writers over 50 on Sunday, February 13, at 2:00. Carol Roan, one of the anthology’s editors, will be joined by one of its contributors, Dody Williams, from Greensboro.
2.1.11
Oma Boyd shared her story, “The Christmas Doll,” on WFDD Christmas Morning. And she read three more of her short stories to be aired at a later date. Oma learned about this opportunity from our newsletter.
1.26.11
Michele Manderine has now sold 451 copies of her self-published children’s book, Tristan, the Maine Coon Cat. And she’s done it through hard work, by knocking on doors and initiating readings and signings.
1.11.11
New member Kimberly Coronel writes a blog for Skirt Magazine online. Here’s a link to a recent post, “Home Sweet Home…Vacuuming Naked is Good for the Soul.”
Beth Fain has just had her new book released by Jebaire Publishing. Titled Good Grief: A Care Map for the Grief Journey, it’s a heartfelt guide to assist those who are going through a season of grief, and those seeking to support someone who is grieving. The publisher is offering a special price now at its website.
Keith Jones has a new book coming out in the spring. The Boys of Diamond Hill: The Lives and Civil War Letters of the Boyd Family of Abbeville County, South Carolina features letters that spotlight the Civil War soldier’s experience, including politics, religion, illness, and death. It’s being published by McFarland.
1.4.11
Jason Green’s novel The Weeds are Always Greener has recently been named as recommended reading for members of Move the Mountain, a national organization to end poverty. Jason has also launched a website for the book: http://www.theweedsarealwaysgreener.com/
Three of Steve Mitchell’s short stories have been nominated for the 2010 Pushcart Prize. These stories appeared in Contrary Magazine, Able Muse, and the North Carolina Literary Review. New stories will appear in upcoming issues of Sleet Magazine and Prime Number. For more info, visit www.thisisstevemitchell.com.
12.17.10
Robin Chalkley’s blog, Great American Things, recently had its busiest traffic days since its inception in April, 2009. The number of visitors in December appears headed for double November’s previous high total. The blog highlights something great about America each day.
12.7.10
Helen Losse has a new book, Seriously Dangerous, being published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company in May, 2011. The published price will be $14, but an advanced discount price of $9 is available. Visit Helen’s Author Page for more information.
11.16.10
Joan Holcomb earned two Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Awards at the South Carolina Writers Conference held in Myrtle Beach in October. She earned first place in poetry for one of her autobiographical lyric poems, “Tobacco settin’/Spring 1950.” And she won third place in novels with Hunt House Murder, a gothic romance set in Yadkin County in 1901-1902.
11.10.10
Cindy Holby has accepted an offer from Berkley, a division of Penguin/Putnam to write a new western series called Angels End. The first book, Godsend, will be released in early 2012.
A poem by Helen Losse, “Beyond Childhood,” has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Wild Goose Poetry Review. You can read the poem here.
Steve Wishnevsky wants you to know there’s a channel on YouTube dedicated to performances at the Winston-Salem Shuffle. See the videos here.
11.3.10
Helen Losse has two poems included in the new book,
Literary trails of the North Carolina Piedmont by Georgann Eubanks. Helen recently read one of the poems at a talk by Ms. Eubanks, and you can see it on YouTube here.
Keith Jones has completed the manuscript for his new book, based on the Civil War letters of the Boyd brothers of Abbeville County, South Carolina. The book will be released by McFarland Publishers in 2011.
10.19.10
Carol Roan won Second Place in short fiction in the Seventh Biennial Greensboro Awards sponsored by the Writers’ Group of the Triad.
Michele Manderine has sold 400 copies of her cat/children’s book, Tristan, The Maine Coon Cat. She is self-published and sold most of her books in Forsyth County. She has done 118 book signings from Hickory to Kernersville. (That’s persistence!)
10.12.10
Kevin Watson celebrates the fifth anniversary of Press 53 this Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. with door prizes, light food and a cash bar. It’s in the underground theater at the Press 53 Center for Creative Writing at 411 W. Fourth St. in Winston-Salem.
Tony R. Lindsay has eight stories (maximum 550 words) with an English e-zine. click on Short-humour.org.uk (note English spelling of humor), click on “List of Writers”, then click on “Tony R. Lindsay” (Bottom of third column).
10.5.10
Steve Mitchell’s short story, “Wave,” has been nominated for the 2010 Pushcart Prize. “Wave” was published in the Volta Issue of Able Muse. It can be found here.
9.28.10
Marta Felber will present an interactive program at Barnhill’s Bookstore on Tues., Oct. 5. Taken from her book A Cat’s Eye View of Life and Love by Sterling with Gentle Self-Help for All Ages, the program will be from 6-7 p.m. Space is limited, so call 602-1385 to reserve your seat.
9.21.10
Pat Hall won a writing contest sponsored by her publisher, Infinity Publishing. The prize is a $250 Award of Merit Scholarship to the company’s annual conference.
9.15.10
Ed Robson’s poem “The Sail” won national runner-up honors in the National Annual Senior Poets Laureate competition. The poem, already recognized as the North Carolina winner, finished second among 1,052 entries. It will be published online in the Golden Words 2010 Anthology later this fall.
Randell Jones was selected as “Correspondent of the Week” by the Winston-Salem Journal for his letter published August 8.
8.24.10
Tony R. Lindsay’s “That Dog Will Bite You” will run in the October issue of Deep South magazine.
Michelle Manderine will be reading and signing her book, Tristan, The Maine Coon Cat, at the Clemmons Public Library on Wed., Sept. 8, at 3:30 p.m.
8.3.10
Steve Mitchell’s poem, “Open Well,” will appear in the premiere issue of Psychic Meatloaf. His flash fiction story, “Funeral,” will appear in Flash Magazine: The International Journal of Flash Fiction.