One Day Mercer County Writers Conference

... to Writing Success XIX

{Title of keynote TBA}

19th Annual One Day Mercer County Writers Conference

TBA
Featured Speaker, 2010

2009 Workshop Leaders

Gloria Clover writes Christian fiction, devotions for Penned From the Heart, and co-directs this writing conference. Her novella, The Remaking of Moe McKenna, came out Oct. 2007 in the anthology Race to the Altar from Barbour Publishing.

Don Feigert is the outdoors writer for THE HERALD of Sharon, PA, and the Grove City ALLIED NEWS and a former eastern U.S. travel columnist for a national motorcycle magazine. He’s also the author of four books (including the recent The F-Troop Camp Chronicles) and more than 400 magazine and newspaper stories. His work has been published in Writer’s Market, Writer’s Digest, Gray’s Sporting Journal, Buffalo Spree, Troika Magazine, Easyriders, Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine, Pennsylvania Game News, Byline, Pennsylvania Sportsman, Hiram Poetry Review, and many other publications. Visit his Web site at www.donfeigert.com.

Hana Haatainen Caye is a full-time writer and voiceover talent living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in dozens of magazines, websites and anthologies. With two stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Hana also served as a freelance editor/proofreader/ghostwriter for Chicken Soup for the Network Marketer’s Soul, with a November 2007 release.Her business, Speechless, specializes in dynamic narrations of audio books, corporate videos, radio ads and more, as well as copywriting and creative writing for clients worldwide. She leads a monthly writers’ workshop at Northland Public Library in McCandless Township and recently finished serving a five-year term on the Board of Directors for the Pregnancy Care Centers of Pittsburgh.

Hana and her husband, Bill, attend Emmanuel Christian Church in the Brighton Heights section of Pittsburgh, where she serves on the worship team, in the missions’ ministry and as an adult Sunday School teacher. Her blended family includes five grown daughters and a new granddaughter.

Carol Hamilton belongs to National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International. She has competed in the Evaluations, Humor, and International Speech contests held by Toastmasters annually at the Club, Area, Division, and District levels. Carol has been published in a variety of magazines, she writes young adult novels, and she loves speaking to nurture teens and rejuvenate tired moms.

Brad Isles is Web Editor for Grove City College and is responsible for the daily updating and maintenance of the school’s external Web site. He assists other campus groups, organizations and departments in creating and maintaining Web sites that are focused specifically on their needs and their constituents.

Isles previously served as sports writer and assistant sports editor for The (Sharon) Herald and editor of the twice-weekly Allied News in Grove City, PA. During his newspaper career, Isles won numerous Keystone Press Awards presented by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. He garnered Community Newspaper Holdings’ Weekly Newspaper Designer of the Year honors in 2004. Isles still contributes to local media outlets by covering high school and college athletics, as well as writing Wolf Creek Chronicles, an occasional column on the outdoors. His writing and photography has also appeared in Grove City College's alumni magazine “GeDunk,” and other regional newspapers. Isles co-created a history book on Grove City distributed by Arcadia Publishing.

Isles is a freelance writer, photographer and designer for both web and print projects. He recently designed the book “F-Troop Camp Chronicles, A Life in the Pennsylvania Outdoors” written by Mercer County author Don Feigert. In addition to his other writing and design work, Isles serves as editor of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s newsletter, “PowWow.”

Nancy E. James edits The Upper Case, newsletter/magazine of St. Davids Christian Writers Association. She taught creative writing at Westminster College and has led workshops in poetry and journaling at retreats and writers’ conferences. Currently she teaches a monthly writing workshop at Passavant Retirement Center in Zelienople. This class is working on a sequel to its 2004 booklet of writings. .

Jeanne Mahon lives in Mercer, PA. She attended Youngstown State University and Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA. She has been the recipient of a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts writing grant. Her first collection of poetry, “The Wolf in the Wood,” was published in 1996 by Pangborn Books, Ltd. Her poetry has been published in many literary journals, including: The Hiram Poetry Review, The Cimarron Review, Cutbank and West Branch. She is poetry editor of Shenango River Books and most recently edited Neno Perrotta’s “Not One Thing about Science – Very Small Stories & Average Sized Poems.” In 2007 her poem, Notes on the Sobriety of Angels won the $500. first prize in “The Country Mouse” webzine’s winter, 2007 poetry contest. Also, in 2007 her poem, Who Was Playing the Piano at My Party Last Night? won the $250. second prize in Tricinium’s contest for poems on community. Music for the three winning poems in that contest was composed by Lawrence Siegel. They were then performed at the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, NH in celebration of The MacDowell Colony Centennial on October 14, 2007.

Evelyn Minshull has 26 published books, still. Eaglet's World recently won a prize. She teaches a weekly class at the Senior Center in Hermitage.

Elizabeth Rosian has published more than one thousand articles in magazines and newspapers, and is the author of the instructional series, Books in a Nutshell. She is a frequent speaker at clubs, churches, schools, and conferences.

Jan Sady is the President of the Inspirational Writers Fellowship group. She is a lay minister in the United Methodist Church. She speaks, teaches and ministers to civic as well as religious groups and churches. She has been published in: Ideals, Cross & Quill, Penned from the Heart, Christmas in the Country, The Spirit, Smalltown Life Magazine, Mebane enterprise, the Daily Devotions for Writers from the Writing Academy, Spirit-led-Writer as well as True Story and True Confessions. An article was accepted by the Writer Magazine and a devotion by the Secret Place. Numerous other devotions and articles have been accepted in newspapers, and anthologies. Jan has also authored two books of devotions, and one historical fiction.

Audrey Stallsmith is the author of the Thyme Will Tell series from WaterBrook Press and The Body They May Kill from Thomas Nelson. She writes articles on plant folklore and Christian thought for her own web sites: thymewilltell.com and inklingsoftruth.com . Audrey is also registrar and webmaster for the St. Davids Writers' Conference

Shirley Stevens Published poet and teacher. Poet Lore to Christian Century, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to Time of Singing M.A. In English, The University of Pittsburgh Poetry columnist, The Upper Case Poet in Residence, The International Poetry Forum. Writing Mentor, The Writing Academy Board member, St. Davids Christian Writers Conference, Member, Squirrel Hill Poets Member and presenter for The Pittsburgh Poetry Society Recently published in “Along These Rivers,” an anthology of Pittsburgh poets and photographers to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary Included in “Common Wealth: Contemporary Poets on Pennsylvania” I have won first prize from The Pittsburgh Poetry Society for my response to a water color painting. I have also written and delivered my poem about St. Francis at The Panza Gallery in Pittsburgh where I was one of 2o poets invited to respond to sculptures by Pittsburgh Artists. Pittsburgh illustrators will also respond to our poems for a gallery show and catalogue. I presented a program on Walt Whitman to The Bellevue Literary Society. I am currently involved with Pittsburgh Poetry Society members in teaching a poetry workshop for inner city youths.

Katrina Wampler has been writing for twenty-five years. Three years ago, she left her full time job in the medical field to pursue her writing career and hasn't looked back. She is the published author of A Hope and A Future and the award winning blogger/owner of Kat Logic. Her most recent goal was to launch Kat Logic Talk Blog Tours & Events in the effort to assist other authors and bloggers to spread their names and recognition by way of virtual tours and on line events.

Katrina, her husband, Ethan, and their four children currently reside in NC and are planning a move to Bucks County PA in the near future where Katrina will continue to write full time and grow Kat Logic Talk Blog Tours & Events.

Laurel West: Twice a Penn State graduate, Laurel West holds a B. A. in Journalism (1959) and an M. A. in Teaching English as a Second Language (1992). She has worked in multi-media journalism for more than 40 years, taught English to internationals for 12 years, and authored two published novels. Laurel is a professional editor and directs the Christian Writers’ Roundtable, which she co-founded in central Pennsylvania in 1999. She has presented writers’ workshops and seminars as well as women’s programs and retreats throughout her career. Laurel and her husband are the parents of two children and the grandparents of four.

Joe Zentis says: Talking with people wasn’t always easy for me. Maybe it’s because I grew up with three older siblings who were quite vocal. I was pretty much of a loner all the way through college, and even beyond.

Nevertheless, I got involved in professions that required me to converse with others – as an officer in the army, a college teacher, and a communications specialist. Most importantly, I married a beautiful lady who is very social. She drew me out of myself and changed me into the outgoing, loquacious person I am today (for better - or some might say for worse)! Oh yes, and having three intelligent and beautiful daughters also helped.

For the past ten years, that’s been the key to my writing. I have interviewed literally hundreds of people as preparation for writing feature articles, business articles, and more than 90 life stories for the Sharon Herald – and as background for the novel I am writing. And I’ve discovered that the more I do it, the more I love it.

Lora Zill has a M.A. in English and teaches at Gannon University and for Allegheny College's gifted program for public schools. She is a teaching artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, directs the St. Davids Christian Writer's Conference, edits Time Of Singing, and speaks at writers’ conferences. Her award-winning work has been published widely.

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2009 Workshops

Workshop Schedule

8:15-8:45 – Registration and Fellowship
9:00-9:50 – Announcements, Worship, and Keynote
10:00-10:50 – Workshop 1
11:00-11:50 – Workshop 2
12:00-12:50 – Workshop 3 or lunch
1:00-1:50 – Workshop 4 or lunch
2:00-3:20 – Workshop 5
3:30-4:30 – Awards Ceremony, Closing Remarks

Workshop Descriptions -- TBA

ARTICLES

WRITING BASICS

FICTION

NON-FICTION

POETRY

DRAMA

WRITER’S LIFE

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Contests

All entries must be postmarked and mailed to Audrey Stallsmith at 87 Pines Road East, Hadley, PA 16130 by April 4, 2009. There is no charge. Envelopes and entries should be clearly marked CONTEST. You should include a cover sheet with your name, pertinent info., entry categories, and manuscript titles. A piece title, not your name, should identify each separate ms. You may enter as many categories as you’d like, but enter each category only once. The poetry contest is the exception: enter either beginning or advanced, but not both.

Poetry Contests

Beginning Poetry: Any poetic style, 1-3 poems, total of 40 lines or less in all poems together. This is for Newbies, not humble poets—if you’ve placed in this category before, don’t play again.

Light Verse: 1-3 poems, total of 40 lines or less in all poems together. Make us laugh.

Advanced Poetry: If you have placed in the Beginner's Poetry contest in years past, it is time to enter here. Any type of poetry. 1-3 poems, 40 lines or less.

Fiction Contests

Story Beginning: No more than four pages, double-spaced, of your best adult fiction in any genre.

Dialogue: Two pages or less of dialogue lifted as is from your short story or novel. Can we grasp the story basics just from how your characters converse? Double-spaced. Any genre.

Children’s Story: A picture book or a story for a magazine, complete in four, double-spaced pages.

Non-fiction Contests

Devotional: 250 words or less, one Christian thought, including Scripture and prayer.

Favorite Childhood Memory: Two pages double-spaced, share from your heart.

An Interview: Four pages or less pages, double-spaced article of someone you've interviewed -- family member, co-writer, celebrity, etc.

(Contest entries should be double-spaced.)

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2009 WINNERS:

Advanced Poetry
26 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Brain Freeze by Daniel Bates
Ritual by Joe Stierheim
Self Portrait by Rachel by Marjorie Wonner
3.Gift for a Beach Walker by Kay Haggart Mills
2.When the Ice Storm Came by Mary Koepke
1.Casting a Line by Marjorie Wonner

Beginning Poetry
15 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Metamorphosis by Emma Westerman
3. Modressty by Walter Fillmann
2. Naomi's Cry by Gloria O'Donnell
1. Dance of Age by Jean Croyle 1. Imagine--Glory by Sharon Haynes

Childhood Memory
20 entries

Honorable Mentions:
The Day I Almost Died by Helen Zanone
Pop-Can Prank Gone Awry by Daniel Bates
3. The Last Homecoming Queen by Cherie Reilly
2. My Tooth Fairy Experiment by Mary Hickey
1. The Year We Couldn't Afford Christmas by Michele Huey

Children's Story
8 entries

3. Amy's Chickens by LuAnne Shaffer
2. Last Summer by Cherie Reilly

Devotional
22 Entries

Honorable Mentions:
Each Day -- Give Thanks by Tina Andree
Time Remembered by Marion Gorman
Water of the Word by Sandra Tucker Deligiannis
3. Give Others a Chance by Diane Harrison
2. Father Love by Emma Westerman

Dialogue
14 entries

3.After the Sacrifice by Mary Hickey
2.Heart Remembers by Michele Huey
1. Bus Stop by Hana Haatainen Caye

Interview
8 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Longest Nightmare by Sharon Haynes
Testimonial: Christians Battling Homosexuality by Bethany Criswell
2. Predicted Blindness, Unexpected Sight by Hana Haatainen Caye

Light Verse
18 entries

Honorable Mentions:
At the Beach by Sandra Tucker Deligiannis
Ode to a Kiss by Michele Huey
3. Three Limericks by Jack Wonner
2. Done? by Michele Huey
1. Poor Man Lazarus by Mary Hickey

Story Beginning
18 entries

3. The Heart Remembers by Michele Huey
2. Majorie Sunshine by Hana Haatainen Caye
1. Scarlet Letter Opener by Linda Au
1. Fear Not by Melody Lee

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Critiques

Everyone who registers for the conference is entitled to one FREE critique of 6 or less double-spaced, (size 12, clear font), pages of a manuscript. Additional critiques may be purchased for the following fees:

10 additional pages for $10.00
25 additional pages for $22.00
50 additional pages for $43.00

REMEMBER: Do not send contest entries with manuscripts to be critiqued, or vice versa.

Include this fee with your registration. However, ALL manuscripts for critique are to be sent to Evelyn Minshull at 724 Airport Road, Mercer, PA 16137. All persons who send (or bring) manuscripts after April 18, 2009 must include a SASE for the return of your ms. after the conference.

Printable Registration Form