Happy New Year!

from The Bird's Nest, Judy Bridges

I'm looking at my list of resolutions. It looks a lot like last  year and the year before -- diet, exercise, etc, etc, etc. I did write more, though. And I got a lot of things organized. So now I have the right to say: If you didn't keep all the resolutions you made last year, so what! This is a whole new year and you get to start again. If this is the year you want to see "award winning writer" next to your name, check out contests that are open right now. If this is the year you want to improve your writing and turn out more pages, check out Redbird workshops. If none of that works for you, find a writing friend or a group in your area. Wisconsin is a land of opportunity for writers and you are the right person to take advantage of them.

 

And if reading is on your list, pick up the current issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living. Turn to page 19 and see "Under the Covers" -- six book recommendations by local booksellers and writers, including Marilyn Taylor and yours truly.

 

In the next News, we'll include the latest about Redbird Writers and Friends. Here's a teaser. Who has a new book coming out in January titled, THE WISCONSIN CHEESE BOOK (Globe Pequot)? Hint: His last book, GOT MURDER? THE SHOCKING STORY OF WISCONSIN'S NOTORIOUS KILLERS (Trails Publishing) was released right  before Halloween.

 

 

CONTESTS...CONTESTS...CONTESTS...

'Tis the season for writers' contests. You can find plenty of opportunities on the web or through your local writing groups. The following contests are open now and meant especially for Wisconsin writers:

 

Council for Wisconsin Writers

For work by Wisconsin residents, published in 2007

         Larry and Eleanor Sternig Award for Short Fiction

         Posner Poetry Book Award

         Kay Levin Award for Short Nonfiction

         Arthur Tofte/Betty Ren Wright Children's Literature Award

         Kenneth Kingery/August Derleth Nonfiction Book Award

         Anne Powers Fiction Book Award

         Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing Award

         Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award

         Christopher Latham Sholes Award for Outstanding Encouragement of WI Writers

Deadline: Jan 31, 2008

Prizes: $$ plus a full week to write at Edenfred Retreat in Madison

Details: www.wisconsinwriters.org

 

Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association

         Florence Lindemann Humor Contest

         Al P. Nelson Feature Article Contest

Prizes: $$

Open: January 1, 2008

Details: www.wrwa.net

 

Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets

         Muse Prize for Excellence in Poetry

For poems by Wisconsin residents

Prizes: $$ plus publication in the WFOP Museletter

Deadline: February 1, 2008

Details: www.wfop.org

 

Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets

         Student Poetry Contest

Junior Division: Grades 6-8, Senior Division: Grades 9-12

Prizes: $$ plus Publication in Wisconsin Poets' Calendar

Deadline: February 1, 2008

Details: www.wfop.org

 

 

 

WRITE NOW AT REDBIRD...

There's a reason why we have a 14 ft. long shelf full of books authored by Redbird Writers!

 

(Details and registration info: www.redbirdstudio.com  or call 414-481-3195)

 

POETRY CRITIQUE GROUP with MARILYN TAYLOR

         Meets 4 Wednesday nights per session, 6:30-8:30 pm. Fee: $85

         Winter 2008: Jan 23, Feb 6, 20, Mar 5

         Spring 2008: Apr 2, 16, 30, May 14

 

SHUT UP AND WRITE! SEMINAR with JUDY BRIDGES 

         Meets six Monday evenings. 6:30-9:00 pm. Fee: $375  

         Spring 2008: Mar 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28

         Summer 2008: Jun 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28

 

REDBIRD WRITERS ROUNDTABLES

 

Roundtables with ROBERT VAUGHAN

         (Note change in schedule from Friday to Monday mornings)

         MONDAY MORNINGS (4 meetings in 2 months) 9:30 am to 12 noon, $85

         Winter, 2008: Jan 21, 28, Feb 11, 25

         Spring, 2008: Mar 10, 24, Apr 7, 21

         Summer, 2008: May 5, 19, Jun 2, 16

 

         THURSDAY EVENINGS (4 meetings in 4 months) 6:30 to 9 pm, $85 

         Winter/Spring, 2008: Jan 24, Feb 14, Mar 20, Apr 17

         Half-Session: May 22, Jun 12 (Fee: $45)

        

Roundtables with JUDY BRIDGES

         TUESDAY AFTERNOONS (4 meetings in 2 months) 12 noon to 2:30 pm, $85

         Winter, 2008: Jan 8, 22, Feb 5, 19 (waiting list)

         Spring, 2008: Mar 4, 18, Apr 1, 15

         Summer, 2008: May 6, 20, Jun 10, 24

 

         WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (4 meetings in 2 months) 6:30 to 9:00 pm. $85

         Winter, 2008: Jan 16, 30, Feb 13, 27 (waiting list)

         Spring, 2008: Mar 12, 26, Apr 9, 23

         Summer, 2008: May 7, 21, Jun 11, 25

 

YOUNG AUTHOR PROGRAMS with KIM SUHR

New name: Red Oak Young Writers

Details and registration info: www.redoakyoungwriters.com  

         SUNDAY AFTERNOON ROUNDTABLE GROUPS, Meet at Redbird Studio

         SUMMER DAY CAMPS FOR YOUNG WRITERS, Meet at Redbird Studio and Ten Chimneys