Whidbey Island Writers Association

Welcome to WIWA

The Whidbey Island Writers Association supports writers and promotes the literary arts. Our annual conference and year-round networking and educational opportunities -- including the country's first master of fine arts program offered by an association of writers -- bring world-class programs and hundreds of visiting writers to this northwest island community.

We invite you to join with us as we create a cultural environment for writers that provides the best possible combination of literary resources and inspiring surroundings. As with any trip to Whidbey itself, there's lots to see on our site. Browse around and discover what WIWA has in store for members and friends.

New Items:
Write with Andrea Hurst - Wednesdays in Coupeville
Workshop: Mythic Structure for Writers with Wayne Ude - June 27, 2009 in Oak Harbor

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO WIWA MEMBERS AND FRIENDS:
Dear Members and Friends of the Whidbey Island Writers Association,

     Times are tough. Anyone who's been within earshot of a newscast knows that our nation, and the entire world, is facing one of the worst financial crises since the Great Depression. In times like these, when belts are tightening across the county, charitable organizations feel the pinch as well.

     Over the past year, WIWA's financial situation has steadily declined. Even as we have tightened our own belts, WIWA has managed to eke out some remarkable successes thanks to a dedicated corps of devoted volunteers. While volunteerism and cost-cutting can stretch the dollars we have, eventually they do run out. At this point, WIWA does not have the necessary funds to continue operations for another month, let alone the rest of the year. If WIWA is to survive it needs your help, and right now.

     If you can give anything at all, $5, $10, $50 or $500, we ask that you consider giving to the Whidbey Island Writers Association. For WIWA to continue to provide programs and activities through the end of the year, we need to raise $10,000 as soon as possible. Checks can be made payable to WIWA and mailed to PO Box 639, Freeland, WA 98249. If you prefer to make your donation in person, our offices are located at 5577 Vanbarr Place in the Courtyard Building. The office is open Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 9am to Noon. WIWA is pleased to accept your credit card donations as well and our staff will gladly take your information over the phone at (360) 331-6714 during normal business hours.

     The Whidbey Island Writers Association has an 11 year history of supporting writers and writing through a series of programs and activities. We look forward to many more years of fostering the development of new writers and furthering the skills of those already established, but we need your help.

     Even as many popular and prominent writers' conferences were canceled, the Whidbey Island Writers Conference went on and did so with an all volunteer staff. WIWA's annual student writing contest fielded three dozen excellent entries and chose 9 winners, two of whom wrote their entries from the county juvenile detention center. WIWA's MFA program (Northwest Institute of Literary Arts) graduated four more students with Master of Fine Arts degrees, bringing their total graduates to 10. WIWA Local Programs continues to offer excellent seminars and classes to develop new and emerging writers. WIWA would like to continue offering these programs and activities, and we hope to provide more, but many of these valuable programs will not be possible without your help.

     Since the dire state of WIWA's finances became clear, we of the board have been working to cut costs, develop new sources of revenue, and implement reforms to see that WIWA never faces a crisis like this again. These processes are ongoing, but the board cannot solve this problem alone. We need your help. Together we can make certain that these past 11 years are not the last, but the first of many, many more. Please, give today.

Thank you,

The Board of the Whidbey Island Writers Association

PLEASE NOTE:
The above fund-raising request has been sent out to WIWA members and friends. The request mentions that WIWA's programs may not survive without some help from the membership.
Programs in danger do not include the MFA nor Soundings which are financially secure.

Whidbey Island Writers Associations 2009 Student Celebrate Writing contest closed on January 23, 2009. This is an annual contest for students in grades 6 through 12. Go to the Student Celebrate Writing page to view the 2008 winners.

2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference over -- This year's conference, with a theme of Back to Basics, has successfully concluded. To see photos from the event go to 2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference Photos.

WIWC Student Scholarship Winner Announced -- The Whidbey Island Writers Association has announced the 2009 Student Scholarship Winner to the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. The scholarship recognizes writing potential and covers tuition for the Whidbey Island Writers Conference February 27 - 28, 2009. The scholarship winner is Margaret Francik, Pasco High School. The aspiring authors' scholarship applications were judged on writing samples, plus an essay detailing their reasons for pursuing the scholarship. The student scholarship is provided by generous supporters of the Whidbey Island Writers Association and its programs.

Whidbey Island Writers Association announces 2008 winners of the Spirit of Writing Contest -- A Grand Prize winner be announced December 17^th and will be awarded a full scholarship to the 2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference.

Soundings Review Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions and Contest Entries -- Soundings Review seeks manuscript submissions and contest entries for its March 2009 issue. Guidelines for submissions and contest entries are available online. The deadline for all submissions is November 15, 2008. The first issue of Soundings Review will be released at the end of September; copies are available by subscription. Support for Soundings Review comes from subscriptions and donations. Special thanks go to generous members of the Founders Circle, all of whom donated $2,500 or more to launch Soundings Review. Members of the Founders Circle are: Sheryl Clough & Bill H. McGeary, JoAnn Kane, Peggy Shumaker & Joseph Usibelli, and Washington Mutual Bank (matching grant).

South Whidbey Port Supports Writers Conference -- The South Whidbey Port recently granted $2,000 to the Whidbey Island Writers Conference for advertising on the mainland. Having just concluded its 11th year, the conference attracts writers from the Puget Sound region and across the nation to the event giving the local economy a winter boost. Each year, the Port budgets $30,000 -- half for tourism and half for business development -- to help local organizations attempt to improve South Whidbey's economic health.

Coupeville Writers Group Open to New Members -- The recently formed Coupeville writers group welcomes new members, especially those interested in writing poetry and literary fiction. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month in the lunchroom at CamBey, 50 N. Main St, from 12:30 to 2:45. For more information, contact Brett Rebischke-Smith.

Freeland novel Writers Group looking for a new member -- Our group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month from noon to 2:00 pm at the Freeland Fire Station in a large, comfortable room. We are limited to six people and each person must be working on a novel or starting one immediately. Our group provides thoughtful and honest critiques intended to help the author improve their work with the objective of publishing. At each meeting we critique one chapter from each of the two authors whose turn it is, usually every third meeting. These are informal, but the author's comments are usually held until the critiques are finished unless it helps the process by having a discussion. Currently we are reviewing a sci-fi (?) thriller, a cruise ship mystery, a drug war thriller, a mystery about stolen artwork in post-war Italy, and a work of nautical fiction.
Anyone interested and willing to commit to a steady, long term association, will be considered. Skill level is not an issue if you are willing to take positive feedback. We are nice people! Please contact Jerry Mercer or call 360-678-4813. Please provide a brief summary of your novel or at least the (planned) idea you will present to the group.

Soundings Review Announces Contest Winners -- Two outstanding writers have had their work chosen for Soundings Review’s September 2008 Founders’ Circle and First Publication contests. Ann Gerike's poem, Blessed Are the Hashmakers, received the Founders' Circle award. In addition to publication, she will receive $300. Jo Meador's poem, Awakening, received the First Publication award. In addition to publication, she will receive $100. Many excellent entries from throughout the U.S. were received, and some of those manuscripts are included in the magazine along with other fine submissions of poetry, fiction and nonfiction submitted during the past year. Order your copy of the premier issue of Soundings Review today! The contests for the March 2009 issue of Soundings Review are now open. The deadline is November 15. Review the guidelines online. Regular submissions are welcome at any time; editors are already reading material for the March issue. Photo by Bob Richardson

Mechanics for Writers -- The Whidbey Island Writers Association presents workshops for writers at the Mukilteo Garage, 807 2nd St., Mukilteo, on the first Saturday of each month, an opportunity to improve your writing craft, find new inspiration and meet other local writers. Check out the learning opportunities.

Members Welcome at WIWA Board Meetings -- WIWA Board meetings are usually held the second Wednesday of every month. The address and directions are available by phoning the office at 360-331-6714 or by e-mailing wiwa@whidbey.com.

Header Photo by Bob Richardson