This is our monthly e-newsletter.   If you would like to receive it, please provide us with your email address by sending an email to mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org and request to be added to our newsletter list.Midwest Writing Center

 

   

 

 
 

 

 

   

   MIDWEST WRITING CENTER

                                           
225 E. 2nd Street, Suite 303, Davenport, IA 52801     Phone: 563-324-1410

 

                            www.midwestwritingcenter.org

 

Mission: Fostering appreciation for the written word and supporting its creators.

May 2008 Newsletter

Midwest Writing Center programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. 


Please check the membership link on the website for a list of grantors, donors, supporters, members, and memorials.

If you are a local author and would like to participate in book signings, please let us know.  Preference will be given to members of the Center.

 

Please check this link on our website for information about local writing groups, upcoming writing events, and submissions being sought.  http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Resources.htm  New groups meeting at the MWC are Faith Writers' Group, CommU Writer's Group, and Writing as Healing Group.  More information about these groups is available on this page.   

 

Unless otherwise indicated all of our programs and events take place at our location, third floor, 225 E. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa.

 

GOOD NEWS MWC IS NOW ABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR REGISTRATIONS AND PURCHASES!

 

Chapbook Contest

The Midwest Writing Center is proud to announce our sponsorship of  the new "Mississippi Valley Poetry Chapbook Contest".  Submissions accepted from May 1 until July 31.  Watch the website for more information!

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS 

If you are a high school student who enjoys writing and would like to get paid to learn and write, please look at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Young%20Emerging%20Writers.htm

Applications are due May 23!!

 

The Midwest Writing Center is also seeking an Illinois high school summer intern.  This a paid position.  Contact us at 563-324-1410 or mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org

 

   
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

 MWC consistently offers high quality opportunities for local writers of all ages and experience to improve their skills.  We always encourage pre-registration to avoid disappointment of a full class or class cancellation.  There is a workshop registration form on our website at  http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Programs.htm

THERE ARE NO WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED FOR MAY AT THIS TIME!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

All of these events are at no cost.

Book Signing and Readings

May 3 at 7p.m. The Midwest Writing Center presents author Dan Bynum for an exclusive signing of his new book, The North Point Boys. The North Point Boys takes place in California and follows the life and experiences of Dave Baker, including his family's horrific murder and the history of his friendship with the North Point Boys. Bynum will be reading from his work, signing copies of his book and answering questions from the audience.  

At 8:15-- Poets, Sarah Gardner and Farah Markelvits, will read their poetry followed by Linda Louise Newell reading from her book Longing for Wholeness

Annual Meeting

May 8 at 6 p.m.  All members and volunteers please mark your calendars for the Midwest Writing Center's Annual Meeting.  This meeting will take place at the Deere-Wiman House, 1105 8th St. in Moline.  Out wonderful volunteers will be recognized and refreshments will be served.

Book Launch

May 10--1:30 Author, Donna Beserra, launches her  newest book Twirly Shirly and the Hurricane

Book Discussion
 
May 15 -- 7 p.m. Cindy Johnson will lead a discussion on  Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns. Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about this book and author.
 

Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest Awards Night

May 17-- 7 p.m. You are invited to the 35th Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest Awards Night at Butterworth Center in Moline.  Poet, Robert Dana, will be reading his poetry.  There will be refreshments.  If you have questions, please call 563-324-1410.  Sponsors are River Cities' Reader and Sam's Club Foundation.

 

Book Signing and Truman Impersonation

May 24--1:30-3:30 p.m. Author, Niel Johnson, from Independence, Missouri will sign copies of his book Power, Money, and Women Words to the Wise from Harry S. Truman.  Mr. Johnson who is a nationally renown Truman impersonator will portray President Truman at 2 p.m.  


 

Out Loud

May 29--7 p.m. Out Loud--our public poetry and prose reading is held the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. except for July
.  Come and read or just listen and enjoy!  We appreciate the increased participation and new faces each month.  By participating you are eligible to submit to our Anthology of Poetry.  We appreciate the increased participation and new faces each month.  By participating you are eligible to submit to our Anthology of Poetry.  More information at     http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Out%20Loud%20Poetry%20Reading.htm  

Information on the Out Loud Anthology of Poetry Volume III is available at http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Anthology%20of%20Poetry.htm

Copies of this year's anthology are available for $7.50.

Final Friday

May 30--7 p.m.  Author, Larry Patten, will launch a new book.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Midwest Writing Center David R. Collins Writers' Conference
 
Registration is underway for our June Conference.  To better serve the participants the workshop size will be limited so get your registration in early to avoid disappointment.  Early bird discounts end June 14.

 

June 25, 26, and 27 will be our third conference on the campus of St. Ambrose University in Davenport.   We have increased the number of workshops to ten.  Enrollment will be limited to twenty per workshop so early registration is very important.  This year we are offering a special luncheon on June 26 with Julie Jensen McDonald as the speaker.  That evening we will have a book signing and reading by the faculty and participants as time permits.  Individual critiquing sessions are available.

 Workshops include:

  •  A Recipe for Writing for Children with Connie Heckert
  •  From Aliens to Zombies:The A-toZ of Writing and Selling Horror and Science Fiction with Mark McLaughlin
  •  Freelancing for the Fiction Writer with Felicia Schneiderhan
  •  Discovering the Story:  Writing the Personal Essay with Felicia Schneiderhan 
  •  Writing Popular Fiction with Susan Carroll and Kimberly Cates 
  •  Writing to Inspire with Twila Belk
  •  Short Fiction with David McFarland 
  • Journaling To A Memoir with Joanne Wiklund
  •  Creative Non-fiction with Dr. Ann Boaden
  •  Poetry with Rebecca Wee
    Modern Woodmen of America, Sam's Club Foundation, and the St. Ambrose English Department are sponsors of this conference.
 
You are welcome to join us for the Thursday luncheon featuring author, Julie McDonald.   The cost is $12.  Reservations and advance payment are necessary.  On the evening of June 25, we will host a panel of local authors discussing, All You Ever Wanted to Know About Literary Agents.  This will be at 7 p.m. at  the Writing Center.   It is free to conference participants and $5 for all others.  On June 26 at the Writing Center at 7 p.m. there will be a reading by conference faculty members and participants.  Everyone is welcome to this event at no charge.  On June 27 at 6 p.m. we will have our awards reception at Rogalski Center.  All are welcome the cost is $12.  Reservations and advance payment are necessary.
 

More information and registration form available at  http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/David%20Collins%20Conference/2008%20Conference.htm 

 

  
 
 

FOR SALE:  NEW STANDARD PRINT CARTRIDGES  $10  LEXMARK 13619HC  COLOR

MICRO SOLUTIONS ENTERPRISES BLACK AND COLOR COMPATIBLE WITH LEXMARK 2030/2050/3000/3200/5700/5770/7000/7200/Z11/Z12 Z22/Z31/Z32/Z42/Z43/Z51/Z52/Z53/Z82/Z82  ALL CARTRIDGES $10 

 

Check our store for other items for sale at 

http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Store.htm
 

VOLUNTEERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED


If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact us for more information.
Volunteers are needed to help us at events serving as greeters, hosts, etc. We need help with database inputting and staffing the office. We also need the services of a technologically savvy person.  If you are interested, please let us know.

 

We are currently in need of volunteers who can man the Center from 11:00 until 1:00 Wednesdays through Saturdays.  If you can help us with this, please let us know.

If you are a member and would like to serve on one of the MWC committees such as advancement, programs, facilities, publicity, or volunteers, we would love to talk to you. 

CENTER HOURS /NEW RESEARCH MATERIALS

People often ask "When are you open?" We can be open by appointment. It is always best to call to make sure we are staffed since volunteer schedules can change. We welcome you to visit and shop. Members may use our research library and computers.  Currently we are open Wednesdays through Saturdays beginning at 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Again, please call to make sure someone is available to help you.



MEMBERSHIP/SUPPORT

If you are interested in becoming a member and/or offering support in other ways, please check our website or contact us at 324-1410. We need your support to continue operating and offering quality programming. Be sure to check the benefits associated with the different levels of membership. Membership contributions begin at only $25 annually, $20 for seniors. Please think about the
Midwest Writing Center when making memorial contributions. Recognition of your contribution will appear on our website. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which may allow for your support to be tax-deductible.  http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org/Membership.htm




OUR WISH LIST

We ask if you volunteer, donate or sponsor something that you complete an in-kind form for your records and ours.

 

Sponsor a Young Emerging Writer--$400

Newsletter Sponsor (4 opportunities per year)--$300
Small public address system-$500
Brochure printing--$250
Website sponsor--$300
Workshop sponsor--beginning at $100
Sponsor printing of letterhead and envelopes--$150

Facilities sponsor $1,000-$1,500 per year

Gently used furniture including filing cabinets

 



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Fostering Appreciation of the Written Word and Supporting Its Creators.
 
Midwest Writing Center
225 E. 2nd St.  Suite 303
Davenport, Iowa 52801
Also P.O. Box 3188
Rock Island, Illinois 61204
563-324-1410
Fax: 563-324-1410
www.midwestwritingcenter.org