The Catholic Writers Guild

September brings us back to the books and back to a more regular schedule of researching, writing, editing and publishing. This time of year takes me back to other fall transitions of getting back to my high school creative writing club, my after school job at the public library, my college job as student assistant to the head of the Journalism Department and later my switch from a business to a journalism degree.

Many CWG committee members were busy this summer with our grand event, the Catholic Writers Guild Live conference in July. Now we have the Retreat coming up in October and all the on-going ways we network and have fun together. If you are not involved in a committee, here’s a little insight into what you’re missing from the reports of the committee chairs.

Blog: Kathryn Cunningham and Dennis McGeehan report that things are generally going pretty well.  Authors and editors have settled into the rhythm of 3 days in advance for editors to have time to work.  We could use one more person, however, who wishes to work as an editor once a month to fill in the gap left by Mary Wood’s departure to college.

CALA (Catholic Arts and Letters Award): Carol Ann Chybowski is working with President Ellen Hrkach to look over the adult and children’s fiction titles that could be entered. All must have SOAs.

Catholic Book News: Dawn Witzke featured I Am Margaret by Corinna Turner and A World Such As Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer.

CWCL: Ann Lewis and Ellen Hrkach are both recuperating. The conference was a great success! There were about 100 attendees and dozens of volunteers participating.

CWCO: – Karina Fabian is in the process of conducting a survey. Based on initial feedback, we might charge $15 for this online conference. Next month, we’ll set up registration and call for presenters. We can have 17 presentations over the three days, allowing an hour and a half for each so we have time for people to leave and enter. The online conference next spring will include webinars.

Facebook: Karina Fabian needs a volunteer for Book Blast.

Membership: Maureen Smith reports that membership is going well! We have a lot of new members from the Conference and quite a few new priests/religious as well. We now have 588 CWG members, 461 active.

Newsletter: Barb Szyszkiewicz clarifies that the newsletter is especially for people not on Facebook or the blog. It informs every member on important events such as our upcoming retreat and online conference.

Public Relations: We need someone to help publicize our special events and on-going networking opportunities. Contact Nancy Ward, Coordinator of Committees.

Retreat: Ann Lewis and Margaret Rose Realy invite everyone to “Your Word is my Delight” to be held October 25-29 at the St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt, Michigan 48820. Register online at stfrancis, click on “Other Offerings,” or call 866-669-8321. The cost is $490 for five days including talks, accommodations and meals. Speakers will be announced soon.

SOA: Erin Cupp Is developing a training process for Seal of Approval readers, then new readers will be added. On September 30 the list of the latest SOA winners will be announced.

Speakers Bureau: Dennis McGeehan reports that several new names added to the list since the CWCL. Dennis is also chair of the Education Committee.

Volunteer Committee: Nichole Latif welcomes input from both volunteers and committee chairs that need volunteers.

Zenit: Dennis McGeehan reports that Larry Peterson’s article “Killing Laura” was selected by Zenit.

For suggestions about our fabulous committees, contact Nancy Ward, Coordinator of Committees.