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Writers Studio Founder and Former Director Scott Foran
 Photo by Willa Smith
Sweetbay Review 2008

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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