March 19th 2006

Today, March 19, 2006, we held our March meeting. The April meeting will be held on Sunday, April 23, from 1:30 to 4 pm at Beagle Books in Park Rapids.

We had such a fun meeting today. Present were: Sharon, Tarah, Russ, John, Ted, Sandi, and Jerry.

TALKING STICK 15:
We have already started receiving submissions. Keep them coming! Deadline is June 1.
Three judges have been chosen. One of them will do a workshop on Aug. 5, the day of the annual writers’ celebration.
The editorial board has been decided. We will meet in the last half of June and get the top choices to the three judges in early July.
Tarah is already thinking about the next book cover. Sharon is emailing Morris Publishing to see if they have new book cover choices this year. We will probably do one of our own photos again, if possible.
Cindie is working on workshops for the summer.
ANNUAL WRITERS’ CELEBRATION:
Jerry has not yet received the contract for using the Long Lake Theater on Aug. 5. Sharon will email Bruce about it.

TWIGS:
The Twigs (our branch group) have contacted Tarah about doing the layout for a future book of their work. They might use lulu.com. Tarah mentioned another Print on Demand publisher, cafepress.com.

NEW YORK MILLS REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTER REGIONAL ART EXHIBIT CALL FOR ENTRIES:
This is the event that Tarah won last year with her photo “Sorry I’m Late”. For more information, call NY Mills Cultural Center at 218-385-3339. First day of exhibit is May 9. Paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, baskets, quilts, hand-pulled prints, glassware, and other fine or folk arts.

HACKENSACK BOOK ARTS CELEBRATION:
Hackensack will again have their August celebration. Date will be available later. We might be in the church basement or in the other building this year.

GRAND RAPIDS 30 X 30:
Macrostie Theater. Several of the JWB members are involved in this event this year. There are 30 pieces of art, randomly matched with 30 writers. They must write one page about the piece of art. Jerry was in this last year also and it was a great time.

PARK RAPIDS 20 X 20:
Jerry has approached Dawn at the Museum in Park Rapids regarding an event with 20 pieces of art and 20 writers. There could be a people’s choice award. We don’t know yet when this would be. One evening in early summer? Contact White Birch Artists, perhaps the schools, Brainerd Writers’ Alliance, Walker artists and writers?

TOM MCGRATH SERIES:

April 10, 2006 Susan Hauser, 8 pm reading. Contact Mark Vinz 218-477-4678 or mn.state.edu/finearts.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Black Moose will be reopening April 3. There will be one whole wall devoted to art, paintings and photographs. Some of Tarah’s work will be there.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP:
Ted talked about this new book discussion group. The first book is The Kite Runner. First Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 3 o’clock at the Detroit Lakes Public Library. These will be held the third Tuesday of each month. Next book is The DaVinci Code, followed by The Sparrow.

FAITH SULLIVAN:
We hope to get Faith Sullivan up here for a possible book signing and workshop. Her workshop on Editing is great.

9TH INTERNATIONAL RED RIVER CONFERENCE ON WRITING:
April 21, 22, 23 at NDSU. Nations and Narrations. Contact jeanne.hageman@ndsu.edu for more information.

MISC. INFORMATION:
Go to www.minnesotahumanities.org/Book/writers.htm to see information about Minnesota organizations and networks for writers, MN graduate writing programs, MN Residencies, fellowships, competitions and funding opportunities, MN Literary publications, National organizations for writers, Resources for writers, etc.

We had a good time reading our work and critiquing the work of other writers. This was one of those days that we had such fun that we had to continue it after the meeting by going for coffee.

Hope to see you all next time!