PRIMER FOR WVW CONFERENCE FIRST TIMERS

As a service to first time attendees or potential attendees of WV Writers Summer Conference, this document is being provided as a guide to planning your conference experience. There are answers to frequently asked questions below...

• We recommend that you register in advance by completing the forms on our web site at www.wvwriters.org/conference.html.
• If you plan to stay overnight, be sure to fill out the separate Cedar Lakes form, as well. You'll also need to fill it out if you plan to eat meals there, which I recommend, because it's hard to get out and back without missing a workshop or two.
• You don't have to register for the individual workshops in advance. Just pick them as you go. Some people find that it's easier to print out the schedule (or use the one given to you at registration, which will be the most accurate) and then highlight two classes each session that you're interested in. Then, when the time arrives, you can pick between the two. Some people like to have a "back up class" in case one is overcrowded, or in case you find yourself enjoying a particular track so much that you want to stick with it (poetry vs. non-fiction, for example). We would recommend that you take at least one class outside of your chosen genre; not just for the broadened experience, but because you might find inspiration or a particular nugget of writing wisdom that you can apply to what you're working on. For example, if you write fiction, take a poetry workshop or a nonfiction editing workshop, which can help with your craft.
• Be sure to dress light because the classrooms can get warm. However, bring a sweater, cause it can get chilly, particularly at night.
• Bring an umbrella. One of our annual traditions at the WVWriters Conference is to host a vertical torrential downpour, usually on Saturday. Last year, it knocked out the air-conditioning in the cafeteria.
• Bring shoes that are comfortable for walking, not only for walking to and from the dining hall but for taking strolls around the grounds of Cedar Lakes. However, don’t bring shoes you’re not willing to have soiled by Goose Poo, as there’s a lot of it around.
• We also hope you're planning to attend the banquet and stick around for entertainment, as Pops Walker and Keith & Joan Pitzer are going to be amazing.

Cat Pleska in Mother's Day Concert

WV Writers own Cathy Pleska will be appearing in The Mother's Day Centennial Concert on WV Public Broadcasting. She appears as Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother's Day.

It will run on the following WV channels at the following times

WTRF & WVNS on Saturday 5/10 from 7-8p

WOWK & WBOY on Saturday 5/10 from 8-9p

WTRF, WVNS, & WOWK Sunday 5/11 from 2-3p

WBOY Sunday 5/11 from 1-2p

Poetry & Politics: Protest in Verse

Charleston , WV - Poetry & Politics: The liveliest open mic in Charleston featuring some of the highest caliber Kanawha Valley emerging poets, singers, musicians, and spoken word artists.

First up, we’ll hear from six gifted, young Spoken Word poets who speak from the heart about love, dreams, self-respect, politics and everything that makes today's world a fascinating, complex place. “True artists, writers and performers,” describes Covenant House Director, Amy Weintraub. “They are the voices of the next generation: If Langston Hughes or Virginia Woolf was alive today... this is what they'd sound like.” Already slated to perform: Tuesday Taylor, Holly Cross, Elliott Roseberry, Patience Deweese, and MiC Group members John James and Dave Roberts.

A local celebrity Political Haiku Slam is also in the works. Hear some of your favorite Charleston personalities compete for top honors in this haiku poetry contest.

Hosting the event will be Covenant House Assistant Director, Crystal Good, a well-known poetry organizer, and Randy Elsea, Drop In Center Coordinator and notorious comic. They are the go-to folks if you want an event that is not only hype, but conscious and spirited. Mixing hip hop and spoken word, with soulful rhythms, they will keep the audience stimulated and entertained. Come join Good, Elsea, and other poets and artists, for a night of the best Spoken Word around the state.

Experience a casual atmosphere with refreshments.

Grace the mic yourself (sign in 30 minutes before event or by email to cgood@wvcovenanthouse. org) or simply enjoy the poetry, deejaying, and fun-loving atmosphere.

This is definitely a food-for-your- soul event of the year, so get your fill now!
Sponsored by Covenant House, the West Virginia Poetry Society, the Keep Your Faith Corporation, the West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association, and the MiC Group.

Thursday, May 8
6:30-8:30 PM | Laundry soap powder collected to benefit the Covenant House Drop In Center.

Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury Street (parking in rear of building)

For more information, contact Covenant House Assistant Director and Event Host Crystal
Good at cgood@wvcovenanthouse. org

Warning to all writers

WV Writers has been alerted by William Haydon of Mountain State Press that there is a so-called literary agent out of Michigan named Michelle Glance Rooney who has corresponded with at least one prospective client in our state and misrepresented herself as an agent of Mountain State Press. Having no agents in their employ, Mountain State Press wanted to alert writers to Ms. Rooney's false claims so that no one else is deceived.

Thinking perhaps there was a misunderstanding, I've done some digging and have located an article about Ms. Rooney and some of her other less than ethical practices, straight from the Writer Beware blog. You can see for yourself at the link below.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2007/06/victoria-strauss-queen-for-day.html

And just a further note, Writer Beware's home site is an excellent source for scam avoidance techniques.