Next Writers' Workshop Meeting: March 11!

The next meeting of the Writers' Workshop, part of the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council, will be Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library. 

Anyone remotely interested in writing or in learning more about writing is encouraged to attend. Writers may bring around six copies of two to three pages of their work to share. Work will be read aloud by the author, and then attendees will offer suggestions for improvement and encouragement. Those who would like to listen and comment without bringing anything to read are more than welcome to do so. 

Keep in mind that information regarding the Writer's Symposium by the Sea (February 20-28) and the East County Magazine Writing Contest (deadline April 30) are posted below this entry. 

We hope to see you on March 11!!

"Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard."

~David McCullough

Writer's Symposium by the Sea: February 20-28

Greek Amphitheater, Point Loma Nazarene University

The last week of February marks the 19th Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU). This year's symposium is entitled Writing That's Raw.

Among the evening speakers at this year's symposium are author, professor, and New York Times columnist Samuel Freedman (February 20), author of three memoirs Jeannette Wall (February 26), the delightfully witty Anne Lamott (February 27), author of Bird by Bird, Traveling Mercies, and Operating Instructions, plus the 2nd Annual Storyline Conference featuring Donald Miller (February 27-March 1). More information for all of these events, including cost and ticket purchasing, may be found on the Writer's Symposium by the Sea webpage.

If you have to choose only one writer to see, I have to highly recomment Anne Lamott. I've seen her at a previous Writer's Symposium in 1997 (link to the one-hour YouTube video of her talk here: Anne Lamott 2007), and she's simply magical. 

I would LOVE to be able to attend the Donald Miller Storyline Conference, but it's sold out. Perhaps next year. 

ENJOY!!

East County Writing Contest!

From East County Magazine

Win prizes for your prose--including admission to a writers conference and a literary festival!

February 13, 2014 (San Diego's East County)-- Love to write?  East County Magazine invites you to enter our 1st annual East County Writing Contest.  Description: Crank up your creative juices and send us your best short story, or first chapter of a novel, set in our inland region, East County (mountains, deserts, cities or towns east of I-15 in San Diego County).  Your story can be historical or contemporary, in any genre or style you choose – dramatic, romantic, mystery, humor, time travel…The only limit is your imagination!

Prizes: Our top winner will receive a free admission to next year’s San Diego Writers Conference.  Top three winners will be featured at East County Magazine’s Arts & Literary Festival later this year, plus publication online in the “Bookshelf” section at the award-winning East County Magazine, which averages 150,000 readers a month. Excerpts of winners’ works and/or interviews with winning authors will also be broadcast on the East County Magazine Show’s Bookshelf segment on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio. Our judges include award-winning authors and editors. Additional prizes will be announced shortly. (Readers, if you would like to be a sponsor of our contest or arts/literary festival, or have additional prizes to donate in exchange for promotional opportunities, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.)

Entry rules: Short stories should be 3,000 words or less. Alternatively, you can enter up to 3,000 words from the first chapter of a novel. All entries must be set in East County (see definition above) and suitable for a general audience in compliance with FCC public broadcasting rules.

How to enter:   Mail a $15 check for each entry to East County Magazine, 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, CA 91941 (or make a $15 donation online atwww.eastcountymagazine.org). Include 3 printed copies of each entry, double-spaced in 12 point font with 1 inch margins. Include a cover sheet with your name, address, phone, and e-mail, title of entry and contact info.  Please also send an electronic copy of your entry toeditior@eastcountymagazine.org with subject line: Literary Contest.       

Deadline to receive entries is April 30, 2014 at midnight.

Next Meeting: February 11!!

Yes, writerly people of the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC), our next meeting of the MECAC Writers Workshop is this Tuesday evening, February 11 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library. 

Bring a short sample of your recent work to share and we'll offer our thoughts and ideas as we work together to improve our writing and support one another on our writerly journeys!!

And good news!! Our own MECAC Writers Workshop member Maureen Brown's new book The Exile of Cain is now available on Amazon here: The Exile of Cain. You may also find more information on her site: The Exile of Cain. (This link is also in the sidebar of this site.) 

So let's celebrate Maureen's publication success and work together to get our writing published as well!

See you all on Tuesday!!