Writers Studio Year in Review

The Writers Studio celebrates its third successful year with the release of its third annual anthology; Sweetbay Review, 2008: Anthology of Virginia. This anthology was designed and edited by Writers Studio Director, Gene Curtis who dedicates the book to the retired founder, Scott Foran. The anthology contains 240 pages of Poetry, Fiction and Non-fiction from over twenty Virginia authors. Some of the contributors include Ron Miller (President of Convergence Art Guild), Ruthann P. Anderson (The Duck Lady), Andy Coe, Margaret Covington, Shirley Mandel, Tanya Oliver, Jack Peachum, Barbara Shaver, Gertrude Slabach, Tammy Tillotson and M. Edward Wilborne, III. The 2008 Anthology’s judges were Pocahontas Press, Gryphonwood Press, and Virginia author Laura Wright.

The theme for 2008 was “The Editor Within,” focusing on the process of editing and improving one’s own writing through craft and revision. The Writers Studio Newsletter was the first to reap the rewards of the 2008 theme by its revised design and name, Ink Quarterly. Other WS events in 2008 included World renowned artist and author Ron Miller as a guest speaker in April, a summer Poetry Workshop with Andy Coe and a very successful “Meet the Authors” event in July which hosted over a dozen local authors for a day of Readings, Signings and door prizes.

The 2009 Poetry Journal is also now available. It is a 52 page journalizing calendar featuring twelve poetic works from Writers Studio members. Each poem’s theme corresponds to the twelve months of the year. This is the third year for the Poetry Journal and it has also received a new look with inspirational quotes and calendar page designations. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 Poetry Journals are all designed and edited by D. S. Curtis, Writers Studio Assistant Director.

The Writers Studio’s new Young Authors Anthology, Bull Bay Review will be released in the spring of 2009. Bull Bay Review will feature works from Virginia authors between the ages of 14-19. Submissions of poetry, fiction, children’s stories, non-fiction, and drama are welcome and will be accepted for submission through January 15, 2009. Cover art submissions from Virginia Young Artists will also be considered. Bull Bay Review’s editor Tammy Tillotson can be contacted by email at bullbayreview@yahoo.com

Writers Studio first meeting was in September 2005, since then it has continued to serve as a platform to educate, inform and encourage local authors and to increase their knowledge in all aspects of the art of writing. The Writers Studio is made up of a large group of writers with all levels of experience and it is open to anyone with the desire to improve their writing skills whether it is fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, children’s stories, Internet publications, magazine or newspaper articles and each writer keeps all rights to his or her own works. The 2006, 2007 and 2008 Sweetbay Review anthologies all represent talent from artists and authors of Virginia. The 2006 Sweetbay Review cover art is “Country Walk.,” a watercolor painting by WS member Dianne Hills. The second anthology The 2007 Sweetbay Review, Anthology of Virginia cover art entitled “In the Mood for Jazz” was furnished by local Artist Wyatt Ramsey and the 2008 Anthology’s cover art is a painting, “Wanchese Fishing Boat” provided by Artist Pat Nottingham of Chesapeake Virginia.

The theme for 2009 is “Release your Muse.” Your writing muse is the creative spark that ignites your imagination and motivates your mind. Your muse may be a little creative tickle (or a sledge hammer) that inspires you beyond your normal artistic process, sometimes taking a whimsical 180 degree turn.

The 2006, 2007 and 2008 Sweetbay Review and the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Poetry Journal are available locally and online. Bull Bay Review, the Writers Studio young adult anthology will be available in the spring of 2009.

The planning for the 2009 Sweetbay Review has already begun and if you would like to participate, the Writers Studio meets at 2:30 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History in downtown South Boston at 1540 Wilborn Avenue.

Meeting Time and Place

Second Sunday of Every Month,

2:00pm-4:00pm Writers Social

4:00pm-6:00pm Writers Critique

Convergence Art Guild

99 South Main Street

Halifax, VA

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