[UPDATED] February 2025 News
Military Anthology, a new Sage challenge, and more.
Message from the Prez
Your board met last month to discuss future plans for SouthWest Writers. Our discussion was informed by the survey some of you completed. Our primary goals are to build a supportive community, developed a more involved membership, and offer varied and meaningful educational programs. In other words, Writers Helping Writers. Look for more details and plans over the next few weeks and months as we develop strategies to achieve these goals.
And psst! When you see something you are interested in helping with, let us know!
One way for you to get involved now is to submit your military related story, poem, or memoir to the 2025 military anthology, Unbreaking the Circle. Many of us have been touched by military service as active duty, veteran, family member, or caregiver and have a story to tell. For more information and to submit click here.
Judy
Upcoming SWW Events
You can find information about upcoming events on the SWW website here. Here’s what’s on tap in the coming weeks.
Updated time: Saturday, February 8: Meeting presentation (in-person or Zoom) from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Get it Together: Organizing a Submission Packet and/or Manuscript and Tips on Submitting It will be presented by Dorinda Wegener. More information here.
Updated time: Saturday, February 8: Workshop (in-person or Zoom) from 12:00-2:00pm. From Pitch to Launch: Publicity Steps Authors Can Take to Maximize Book Exposure will be presented by Dorinda Wegener. More information here and register here.
Wednesday, February 26: Meeting presentation (Zoom only) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. What Judges Want You to Know BEFORE You Enter a Writing Contest will be presented by Judy Castleberry. More information here.
January’s Writing Challenge - The Results
Last month we challenged you to send us a piece about Love. See contributions from Rachel Bate, Mark Fleisher, Jennifer Hallstrom, Carolyn Hardisty Ruiz, and Rose Marie Kern on the SWW Website here.
February’s Writing Challenge for SWW Members
The monthly challenge is a terrific opportunity to write and submit short pieces based on a prompt. Entries we select for publication will appear on the SouthWest Writers Sage Challenge webpage and will be eligible for inclusion in upcoming anthologies. For more information and our submission guidelines, click here. Email your entry in MS Word or TXT format to info@swwriters.com by February 20, 2025.
February’s writing challenge: Luck!
In honor of the luck of the Irish, describe a moment or experience of luck (close call, serendipity, etc.). No more than 1,000 words.
Let’s Learn From Each Other
Are you getting ready for tax time? Wondering what you can deduct? Check out this piece about TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR WRITERS by member Dorajane Apuna Grummer that we recently shared on the SWW blog.
And here’s a vlog post from member Chris Eboch called about character goal motivation.
Have you checked out the SWW blog lately? There you’ll find posts and interviews we’ve conducted with SWW authors. See interviews about R.M. Tembreull’s eco-fantasy novel here and Rosalie Rayburn’s latest mystery novel here. Find all our blog posts here.
Here’s another submission opportunity! Member Dianne Layden shared this link to the Ethos Literacy Short Short Story Contest. Deadline is March 1.
If you’ve recently written about writing craft or publishing tips on your blog, website, Facebook Page, or other social media platform that fits this section, email Lisa a link to the piece along with a two-sentence introduction to sage@swwriters.com.
Welcome to SouthWest Writers!
The following writers joined/re-joined our community last month. We hope to see you at one of our events in person or online. Write on!
Jennifer Hallstrom, Mike Hibner, Keli Holt, Saleema Ishq, Herman Johansen, Candice Lisle, Carolyn Ruiz, and Kristina Sly-Linton!
If you’re not yet a member, learn more about the benefits here.
We have resources for writers across our platforms and additional content in our members-only section of the website. Visit our website, ask to join our Facebook Group, check out our blog, check out the session recordings on our YouTube channel, or find our page on Goodreads.