The meeting was called to order by President Barbara Rollins.
Guests and new members were introduced to the group.
President Rollins announced her "I submitted" buttons for each person who submits a piece of writing for publication this year. Several folks received buttons for recent submissions:
- Barbara Rollins - submitted two poems to Blood and Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine
- Ruth Sellers - submitted query letters for articles to Southern Living and Family Circle Magazine
- Nancy Masters - submitted an article to Flying Magazine
- Karen Witemeyer - submitted her children's story to several different editors; good feedback and comments received, but no publication yet
- Pat Johnson - submitted an article on travel to Family Circle Magazine
- Mary Richards - submitted a poem to Clyde Journal
Brags and sags were presented.
Announcements:
- Several announcements of illnesses were made.
- Terry Burns, inspirational western writer from Amarillo will be featured at Hastings for a signing event for his new book, Mysterious Ways, on Saturday, February 5 at2:00 pm. All are welcome to come and support an area writer. Terry is an active member of the Panhandle Plains Writer's Group in Amarillo. He has published several books.
- Randall Ingermanson, Christy Award winner and writer of Christian and inspirational fiction has a new book out. It is Double Vision, a cyber suspense thriller. Mr. Ingermanson has an interactive web site that features lots of information on writing techniques, plotting structures, query proposals, and tips and pointers for writers. For info, go to www.rsingermanson.com
- Elaine Coleman's resignation from the AWG board was announced. Joan Rogers has agreed to complete the term. Welcome to the board, Joan!
The Board of Directors has decided to keep the October date for next year's annual contest and workshop. The contest will begin in July and end in August, with winners announced at the workshop in October. More to come regarding speaker(s) for next year.
It is time for any changes to be made to the by-laws. Please get any suggestions to a board member by January 31.
Also, there is a short "survey" in the newsletter, requesting ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms, etc. Please fill this out and send it in so that the board can make changes that the membership wants and needs and so that ideas for the future can become reality.
The January Members Only contest had 10 entries. Unfortunately, Nancy was not able to connect with the judge in time to announce the winners. Winners will be announced next month, along with the February contest. Theme for the February contest is "Autumn." Get entries to VP John Busby, in accordance with the guidelines.
Program:
Dr. Cleatus Rattan, Texas poet laureate for 2004 - 2005, presented a program of his poetry and discussed different types of poems. He was informative and entertaining. He read some pieces from one of his books, and also had a book of poems for sale. The Border, published in 2002 by the Texas Review Press in Huntsville, was the winner of the 2002 Texas Review Poetry Prize. He is the recipient of numerous other prizes, as well as being a professor of English at Cisco Community College. Dr. Rattan discussed deductive and inductive writing, talked about the "cut and shuffle poem", and explained how he was selected as the Poet Laureate of Texas. One of the memorable quotes from Dr. Rattan's presentation is "To me, poems are gestures to scare away the dark."
Next meeting is February 24. Meeting will begin at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Carrington
Secretary