President Barbara Rollins called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Guests and new members were introduced to the group.

President Rollins announced that we currently have 95 members. Treasurer's report: Gail McMillan was not able to be at the meeting but sent the following financial information. There is $2217.33 in the account.

The group shared brags and sags for the month. Those who submitted items for publication (and who had not yet received a button) received an "I Submitted" button from President Rollins.

Pat Mehaffey announced that two of her stories will be published in the Cup of Comfort Series. Also, Rocking Chair Reader has purchased four pieces from her.

Shirley Strawn has had a poem accepted for publication by Texas Magazine.

Lou David Allen submitted an article for publication.

Diane Lyell submitted photographs to New Mexico Magazine's annual contest and received 3rd prize.

Jim Johnson was paid by ARN for an article he did for the paper.

Jan Carrington submitted an article to Blood and Thunder journal.

Pat Johnson announced that the article she submitted to Family Circle was rejected.

Barbara Darnall presented information about a book chain she has participated in and has already received six books.

The date for AWG 2005 Annual Workshop and Awards Luncheon has been set. Please put this date on your calendar. The workshop and luncheon will be Saturday, October 22, 2005. Our featured speaker will be Michelle Medlock Adams, a very successful writer of non-fiction articles, memoirs, and short pieces for magazines and other publications.

The Annual contest will begin on July 1, 2005, with winners announced at the October workshop. It's time to start getting those entries ready for the contest. Guidelines will be forthcoming soon.

Refreshments for the evening were provided by Pat and Marvin Johnson, Judy Brooks, and Karen Wittemeyer.

The winners of the January Members' Only contest are as follows:

• 1st - Doug Sellers
• 2nd - Pat Johnson
• 3rd - Lynn Davidson

The winners of the February Members' Only contest are as follows:

• 1st - Sharon Ellison
• 2nd - Francis Johnson
• 3rd - Karen Wittemeyer

Deadline for the March contest is March 10. Guidelines are in the newsletter.

Our program, "How to Sell Yourself Short," was presented by Robyn Conley. Robyn talked about writing short pieces, breaking into publication, and building your by-line. The key to success is SUBMITTING!!! If you don't submit pieces for possible publication, you won't get published. Robyn showed the group how every piece she writes holds the seeds for creating additional pieces. An example she gave was about a fiction piece she wrote which had an automobile mechanic as a character. In order to understand her character better, Robyn did research on auto mechanics. From that research, she developed the story and also a non-fiction article about how to prepare your car for the winter months.

Robyn involved the group in an exercise that was very helpful in guiding us through the process of how one topic can lead to several different article or story ideas. She provided a useful handout that begins with a "Topic," and then breaks down into "Sub-Topics," and further into ideas and "angles." This is a useful tool for seeing how many article/story ideas can grow out of one topic. Books that Robyn uses to help her with tapping into the right markets for her pieces include:

• Writer's and Publisher's Guide to Texas Markets, published by the University of North Texas Press.
• Writer's Market
• Writer's Market On-line

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,



Jan Carrington
Secretary