July 2023 eBlast

Seeking Shutterbugs

Is there a photographer in the house? The MWSA Program Committee is seeking a volunteer photographer or two to capture moments of our upcoming Annual Membership Conference, and particularly our Awards Ceremony banquet. If you are willing and able, please contact president@mwsa.co.

The Conference Program

The countdown to the conference is on (56 days), with the first event being Sep. 14. If you have yet to register, please do so soon. The hotel is holding 30 rooms until August 26 (37 days away) or until the first thirty are booked. The program is online for you to check out along with the registration form. Please check the agenda online as changes do occur.

Do you think you know all about Benedict Arnold? You may be surprised by our guest presenter, Steve Manuel, the Director of the New London Historical Society, who may have new facts for you and will bring an artifact or two along for you to see.

Some time ago a movie about the slave ship "Amistad" was in theatres and a topic of discussion on television. Learn more about this event and its connection to New London from Henry Savin of the New London Maritime Museum.

Remembrance Ceremony

At approximately 3:15 PM after our Write Your Story workshop ends on Sep. 14, MWSA will hold a brief remembrance ceremony for longtime MWSA member Mike Mullins at his ceremonial brick on the walkway to the Submarine Force and Library museum. MWSA members and guests in New London are invited to attend. Additionally, those members familiar with Mike may write something to be read at the ceremony; Haiku, poem, short memory, or story, but please keep it under 200 words. For those wanting to share something, but will not be present, please forward your input to Valerie Ormond at vp@mwsa.co. If you will be attending and will have a camera with you, we would appreciate you taking some photos which we want to share on social media, our website, and in Dispatches.

Upcoming Writers Education Webinar - NEW DATE!

What: MWSA Writer’s Education Webinar Series Welcomes Greg Elliot

When: Aug. 3, 2023, 4PM EST

 Who: Greg Elliot. For fifteen years, Greg taught at UCLA for the Extension Writers’ Program and was the recipient of their Outstanding Instructor Award in Screenwriting in 2014. Elliot wrote for Star Trek: Voyager, for which he received a Sci-Fi Universe Award nomination. He was a Story Editor on the Warner Brother series Savannah and an Executive Story Editor on the WB series Charmed. Greg also wrote for the Disney Channel series In a Heartbeat. Professionally, Greg has edited short stories, novels, nonfiction books, brochures, how-to books, personal essays, and college papers.

 Greg will offer classes on story structure, broken into two parts. Part 1 was presented on May 20th. See it online on our website. Each class is 1.5 hours, and questions will be permitted at the end.

 Topic: Story Structure Part II: character development, tension, and conflict.

 Follow the Link Below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2245629439?pwd=Sk92UXVZNzBpK1Z3NWd1TWtPcUM3UT09

Casting Call for Open Mic

We are looking for volunteers to step forward and participate in this  year’s Open Mic event which will be hosted by Sandra Linhart. Sing, read a short story of your own, tell jokes, dance, your choice.

MWSA has room for FIVE volunteers to fill the program, for FIVE-minute sessions, so don’t be shy. Please email jimwritespoetry@gmail.com to secure a spot.