Abilene Writers Guild Meeting Minutes

June 28, 2001, 7:30 p.m., Center for Contemporary Arts



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. Three corrections were noted: Jo Cox was first "brag" rather than Jo Rogers; Howard Payne is spelled without a hyphen, and one possessive apostrophe was out of place in Congressmen's.

Treasurer Gail McMillan reported the operating fund balance this date is $2606.20. Gail also reported that income for the annual writers' workshop was $2637.13, expenses were $2171.04, leaving a profit of $466.09.

April Bennett, a first-time guest, was introduced and "Brags and Sags" were reported by the membership.

Among the "Brags" was notice by Jan Carrington that she had won first prize in the "Frontiers in Writing" contest, Juvenile fiction, sponsored by the Amarillo writers group, that she attended the workshop and learned she was awarded the "Best of the Best," which included all ten first prize categories. Elaine Coleman's book goes to the printer June 14, and her first book signing will be August 11! Gwen Choate was invited to submit book for publication in 2003 to the Texas Folklore Society. Barbara Rollins reported Kidz Chat bought repeat rights for more money on a story she had sold earlier to them. Nancy Masters spent June conducting workshops across Texas for teacher staff development.

Sags included Ginny Greene's head cold and Barbara Darnall who entered six inspirational works and was told they weren't.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Stewart announced the new brochures for members to pick up, and a full length mirror door prize was awarded, after a drawing from all present, -to Stewart! Nancy Masters announced a new Supreme Court ruling that a writer's work is owned by the writer and is not to be used after a first publishing unless the writer gives permission in writing for his or her work to be re-published. Members can access a web site "publisherslunch" for additional information regarding the writing and publishing business.

OLD BUSINESS:

The annual workshop was a great success and Gail McMillan read a note of appreciation from Cheryl Nelms one of the workshop presenters and judge.

NEW BUSINESS:

Gail asked for discussion on suggestions for programs. Subjects submitted for consideration were: Business practices for writers, taxes, etc., "How to" in finishing or polishing final drafts, Flash Fiction, short-short stories, Fantasy, Writing dialogue, Point of View, Back to Basics in grammar. Nancy announced she has three programs already lined up. They are: "Stupid Things We All Do," "Order in the Court," and "Writing Humor and Comedy."

Gail estimated that we have 54 AWG members currently paid up for the coming year.

Members read various critiques written for the writers' workshop and the corresponding excerpts from their work. Those participating were Gerald Murphy, Ginny Greene, Barbara Rollins, Barbara Darnall, Betty Thomason, Elaine Coleman, Jo Cox and Joan Rogers.

Meeting adjourned and refreshments were served by Marvin and Pat Johnson, Paula Thomas and Carolyn Dycus.

Respectfully submitted,


Carolyn Dycus
6-29-01


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