April - Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Recap

April 26 Southeast Chapter Missouri Writers' Guild Meeting Minutes

Since the President, Vice-President, and Secretary were all unable to attend, Treasurer Laura Luttrell and Historian Janet Cannon conducted the meeting.

They welcomed several visitors, some of whom signed up to be members. Several members also had kudos to share including some who won awards at the Missouri Writers' Guild Conference.

The Southeast Chapter again won Basket Wars! This year's trophy is new. No engraving plate will go on the base, but each chapter that wins will get to display the trophy for a year and keep a certificate.

Our summer mini-conference, "All Write Now!" was the next topic. Everyone was still on-board to go ahead, so we put together some more ideas and the committee went on the next day to the Heartland Writers Guild to discuss further plans. The main idea is to get some of the small presses to come take pitches, perhaps talk on a panel, and have a variety of workshops for both fiction and non-fiction writers. Details will be out later this month.

We're still having issues with getting our critique workshop off the ground. Many members are not receiving pieces. The idea was suggested that each person e-mail the critique group and when you get a piece, send a confirmation e-mail back. This seems to be the best idea so far.

Members then shared some of the information they learned about pitching, platforms, and marketing from the conference. Several visitors asked for feedback on their issues and members shared their advice.

Janet Cannon closed the meeting at 11:30.

Next meeting is Saturday, May 31 so it doesn't interfere with Memorial day weekend. We as yet do not have a speaker.