Sustainability--the capacity to endure.
Resources for the next generation and the next.
Sustainability is on my mind a lot.
I'm a terrible fund raiser. A couple of weeks ago, when someone in an audience asked a question about our finances, I was humiliated to admit that the Village Writing School operates mainly as my expensive hobby. I make the building payment, pay the utilities, and the internet. I also work for free. This is ridiculous because if I got hit by a meteor tomorrow (it could happen) how would the VWS go on?
Shouldit go on? That's a fair question.
Have you benefited from any of our workshops or programs?
Have we given you the tools to write better?
Does it help you as a writer to be a part of one of our writing circles?
Do you leave Writers' Night Out a little inspired or a little wiser in some aspect of writing or publishing?
Do you thrive on the energy of just getting together with others of your tribe?
How about this newsletter? Do you find helpful, inspirational tidbits here?
Have you taught for us? Have we given you a chance to share your knowledge and connect with others eager to hear you?
Do you believe in what we do because you know that stories matter. They connect us, empower us, heal us.
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then you've answered the question as to whether the Village Writing School should go on.
People often leave our workshops saying, "You should charge more." No, I want everyone to be able to take our workshops.
If you've ever done a price comparison to other schools or online workshops, you know what a value our program is. I intend to keep it that way. To do so, we needa dependable, regular income. A sustainable income from our Friends.
Please consider becoming a monthly Village Friend.
25 @ $10 and 10 @ $25
I have a goal to add 20 Friends at $10 and $10 Friends at $25. That's one coffee a week or one sandwich. Seriously, you can do that.
Once we reach our 25 @ $10 & 10 @ $25 goal, we can hire a part-time Director of Development to write grants, contact big donors and get us on our feet.
We (desperately) need that SUSTAINABLEmonthly income. We want to continue to be here for you and Village Writers yet to come. Your pledge $10 or $25 a month will make a big difference.
Already a Friend? We LOVE you. P.S. Can you do more?
Here's the link. It's easy. Any problems, call Jessie at 417 847-7605. Or mail a check to PO Box 202, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
Village Writers ~~ Stronger & Better Together
Thursday, August 13
Eureka Springs
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
A game night to celebrate our great sale!!
Jessie will be making BLT's!
If you are not a fan of the 'B', there will be other options along with the option of gluten-free bread.
Tuesday, August 18 Rogers/Bentonville 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Our guest speaker will be Casey Cowan, President of Oghma Creative Media, a publishing company with a unique vision and marketing approach.
Come hear how Oghma is solving some of the biggest problems that small press authors face. And, they are always looking for good stories!
Panera Bread
1320 SE Walton Blvd
Bentonville, AR 7271
Jackie's PLATFORM Tip
What's the optimal number of hashtags for an Instagram post?
Would you believe ELEVEN?
Many writers are using Instagram because of its unique strengths. To find out more click here.
Because a platform is essential to a writer in today's publishing world, we have partnered with national branding consultant Jacqueline Wolven to help you create the platform that's right for you.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice compose little girls.
What are little boys made of?
Little boys comprise frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails.
This version of the bedtime nursery rhyme demonstrates proper usage of compose and comprise, two words that—far too often—are confused by writers.
Compose means make up or come together to create. Compose is used toward the end of a sentence; the parts (sugar and spice and everything nice) come before the whole (little girls).
Comprise means contain, include or consist of.Comprise is used near the beginning of a sentence; the whole (little boys) comes before the parts (frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails).
Never use the preposition of with the past tense of comprise (as in comprised of).
Reminder Note: Comprise and its definitions—contain,include and consist of—all are spelled with the letter i.
Nighty-night, now!
See CMS: Glossary of Problematic Words and Phrases, Paragraph 5.220, alphabetical listing.
Each week, our Merry Grammarian will share one pithy grammar or style rule based on The Chicago Manual of Style, the Bible of the book publishing industry, and other sources. Learn each week’s rule and gain confidence that your manuscript won’t be rejected because of sloppy word usage or style.
Maudlin House is a monthly literary publication that welcomes flash, poetry and fiction submissions by both emerging and established authors.
B o o k sOn WritingIn Our Library
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
by Browne & King
Explore the process an editor uses to help improve a writer’s work. Included are chapters on point of view, dialogue, exposition, and interior monologue. Includes examples from books edited by the authors.
There's Good Discussion Here (but remember, it's discussion--not RULES)
Q u o t e sOn Writing
The flesh of prose gets its shape and strength from the bones of grammar.
Constance Hale, Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose, 1999
Meet a Village Friend - Judith McCartan
Judith McCartan comes from a long line of storytellers and writers but has only gotten serious since she began taking workshops with the Village Writing School. Currently she has a novel in the works and several children’s books looking for a brilliant illustrator. She says, "The VWS has certainly given me a wonderful opportunity to develop my craft." We also want to thank Judith for being a long-time Village Friend.
Eureka Springs
Maumelle/Little Rock
Rogers/Bentonville
Fayetteville
THE
SALE
WAS A
SUCCESS !
Saints, preserve us.
Set Up
Thanks to the 13 Village Writers who turned out on Thursday to help.
Lots of Happy Shoppers
W H E W !
Marian Szczepanski Returns!
Next monthwe welcome back one of our favorite presenters, Marian Szczepanski, author of Playing St. Barbara.
On September 9, Marian will teach us how to Make the Most of a Moment. Many writers, especially beginners, lose the opportunity for powerful writing because they fail to SLOW DOWN.
Then, on Oct 3, Marian will share her successful journey in DIY Book Promotion.
We're SAD to say good-bye to wonderful writer/teacher/human Pamela Foster (left) and wish her all the best in her new home.
Your best adventures are yet to come!!
(Pam will still be mentoring in our new WRiT program.)
Congratulations to Talya Tate Boerner who recently signed a publishing contract with SYP Publishing, a Florida press that specializes in southern authors.
The MISSION of the Village Writing School is to foster a vibrant literary community in Arkansas and
to provide resources for ALL writers who seek to improve their craft.
Become a FRIEND of the Village Writing School
Donate as Little as $10 per Month
WE GROW THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT
THANK YOU TO OUR 2015 FRIENDS: David Auernheimer, Tandy Belt, Wendy and David Carlisle, Jean Elderwind,Crow Evans, Alice French, Valerie Fondetti, Linda Harrison-Gracia, John & Nancy Grosella, Gary Guinn,Nancy Harris, Kate Lacy, Shirley Lamberson, Gail Larimer, Judith McCartan, Richard Schoe, Shiva Shanti, Greg Sherar, Cris Senseman, Judith Ulch, Brent Wendling
The Village Writing School is a 501c3 organization.
You are receiving this email because you asked to be kept informed about writing workshops and coming events.
Publisher: Alison Taylor-Brown
Editors: Alice French & Jessie Rex