The success of the Midwest Writing Center is one key to ensuring that local literary talents get the nurturing and support they need to be successful and - hopefully - stay in the Quad Cities. The center's program chair, Bj Elsner, said that the organization's major focus right now is finding a permanent facility, and "when that happens, we'll have year-round programming.
"
Still, the Midwest Writing Center offers a variety of programs and contest for writers of all ages.
The Writer's Studio Spring Conference will be held on March 23 at the Butterworth Center in Moline. Thriller novelist R. Karl Largent, who also wrote How to Write and Sell Your Novel: Handbook for the Beginning Novelist, will be the keynote speaker at the free event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. Professional writers will discuss market trends and how to get published.
The center will hold the annual Mississippi Valley Writers Conference at Augustana College from June 3 to 7. The conference will include workshops on screenwriting, romance, poetry, novel basics, the short story, beginning writing, nonfiction, and magazine markets. Writers can register at the center's Web site (http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org).
Scholarships to the conference are also available. For a brochure or more information, call conference registrar Bess Pierce at (309)764-5540 or secretary Stephanie Keenan at (563)332-6117, or look at the "Call for Entries" section of the Reader calendar. Applications are due by March 15.
The Midwest Writing Center is also offering two contests right now. The Teen Writing Contest has a deadline of April 3, while submissions for the Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest are due April 1.
For more information on any Midwest Writing Center program, visit the Web site (http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org).
Still, the Midwest Writing Center offers a variety of programs and contest for writers of all ages.
The Writer's Studio Spring Conference will be held on March 23 at the Butterworth Center in Moline. Thriller novelist R. Karl Largent, who also wrote How to Write and Sell Your Novel: Handbook for the Beginning Novelist, will be the keynote speaker at the free event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. Professional writers will discuss market trends and how to get published.
The center will hold the annual Mississippi Valley Writers Conference at Augustana College from June 3 to 7. The conference will include workshops on screenwriting, romance, poetry, novel basics, the short story, beginning writing, nonfiction, and magazine markets. Writers can register at the center's Web site (http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org).
Scholarships to the conference are also available. For a brochure or more information, call conference registrar Bess Pierce at (309)764-5540 or secretary Stephanie Keenan at (563)332-6117, or look at the "Call for Entries" section of the Reader calendar. Applications are due by March 15.
The Midwest Writing Center is also offering two contests right now. The Teen Writing Contest has a deadline of April 3, while submissions for the Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest are due April 1.
For more information on any Midwest Writing Center program, visit the Web site (http://www.midwestwritingcenter.org).
