Abilene Writers Guild Meeting Minutes
Center for Contemporary Arts Building
July 26, 2001
President Stewart Caffey called the meeting to order. The minutes are now posted on the AWG web site, so reading them is waived, and the minutes are accepted by acclamation as printed. Members may examine a hard copy of the minutes, which was circulated at the meeting.
Treasurer Gail McMillan reported the operating fund balance this date is $2877.00.
First-time guests were introduced: Michelle Van Horn, Belinda Stewart, Laquia Jones and Ray and Kay McGlothlin, parents of Karyn Henley, our program presenter.
"Brags and Sags" were reported by the membership. Among the "Brags" was Sue Turner's announcement that her "Harvest Moon" story had won first prize in a writing contest. Elaine Coleman proudly displayed her book jacket, saying the book was scheduled for release next week. Laura Thaxton is celebrating six years of publishing her family newsletter. Mac Davis's letter to the editor was published in the Abilene Reporter-News and Ruth Sellers published a guest editorial in the same newspaper, as well as wrote lessons plans for the MHMR Association. Nancy Masters presented a program at the Midland Public Library and was honored as the "Citizen of the Day" in Midland.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A door prize-a silver decorative napkin holder-was presented to Deanna Hicks whose name was drawn by a visitor.
Stewart opened the sole bid for the Guild's tables and chairs, and Nancy Masters bid $425 for the furniture. Carolyn Dycus moved that the bid be accepted, a second was made by and the motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Nancy announced the winners for the July Monthly Members Contest: Third place was a tie: Mary Craig's "The Dollar," and Gerald Murphy's "Physically Challenged." Second place was awarded to Ginny Greene for "Signs I Silence." First place and the $20 first place prize was given to Debra Guerra for her "Dancing with Walter." The August theme for the writers contest is "Something that happened to me when I was 21."
Next month's program will be Sue Turner, telling us about writing "Flash Fiction," and two other members (we'll find out who later!) participating at this educational session, giving us some helpful and challenging tips.
Our speaker for the evening, Karyn Henley of Nashville, Tennessee, presented a comprehensive program of her experience getting into the children's writing market, her successes and her biggest challenges. She shared helpful suggestions to the membership regarding the way that we write for publication and the process of approaching a publisher.
She gave two of her favorite nuggets of wisdom/advice:
1. Don't be afraid to write for the trash can.
2. Keep writing until the story tells you where to go. [Madeleine L'Ingle]
Her husband and brother-in-law displayed a selection of her books, including a best-seller, The Children's Bible Storybook, which has sold millions of copies to date. Members had the opportunity to purchase books and have them autographed by Karyn.
Meeting adjourned and refreshments were served by Doug and Ruth Sellers, Keith and Betty Thomason, and John Busby.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Dycus, Secretary