Blog

Nancy Ellen Dodd Workshop, November 2 & 23

August 19, 2013 By Annis Cassells

Nancy Ellen Dodd, writer, university professor, editor, and author of The Writer’s Compass, is no stranger to Writers of Kern. In November, she returns for a two-part writing workshop. At this time, the twelve spots are filled. But, we have begun taking names for the waiting list.

The first session will include writing from visual representations; Nancy and the participants will discuss options for Session Two.

Dates and Time: Nov. 2 and 23, 2013; 9:00 AM -1:00 PM.

Location: Westbrook Church Coffee Shop on Ashe, south of District Blvd.

Fee: $105 per WOK Member for the 8-hour workshop. Non-Members: $120. Fees are payable to Nancy Dodd at the first meeting.

If you wish to be added to the waiting list, email Annis Cassells. She will confirm that you have been added and let you know your position on the list.

The Write Way Revived

August 11, 2013 By Guest

Welcome to the revived Write Way. As part of the re-energized Writers
of Kern, Annis Cassells, Jasmine Lowe and I are sharing editorial
duties to publish the newsletter. Annis and I will take alternate
months as editor, and Jasmine will handle the layout to make it
attractive. See Jasmine’s profile and Annis’ article about the Jack
London Award to get more insight into the talent they bring to the
enterprise.

Beth Davisson passed the editorship to me and I passed it on to
Marty, so I’ve been here before. I know from experience two editors in sync are
better than one under water. Several of the other branches have a regular staff to produce
their newsletter, so our team approach is not even novel.

We are focusing on NEWS but leave our options open for the future. As Dennis
VanderWerff points out in his article, we have a new website and it is filled with
information, much of which used to be in the newsletter. There is also the new Facebook
page where members can easily post and read what’s going on.

To read the current issue of The Write Way, please click here.

If you have wanted WOK to have a newsletter, you’re in luck. In the future we will be
asking for member input, so please be generous. Enjoy the journey.

Writers of Kern Members Pay Dues Online!

August 2, 2013 By Joan Raymond

I have Great News! Effective immediately, Writers of Kern accepts online payment of dues for new and renewing members. With online payment, members can pay their dues with a major credit card, debit card, or through PayPal. Although payments are processed through PayPal, a PayPal account is not necessary to take advantage of this service.

Online dues payment simplifies the renewal process. Members can renew their membership from the comfort of their home, the beach, or from anywhere there is internet access. Online payment is an advantage for new members, allowing them the opportunity to fill in the membership application online and to browse the Writers of Kern web site to become familiar with the advantages of membership and all that WOK offers. Not only is the new payment method an advantage for members and new member applicants, online processing of dues payments simplifies the treasurer’s job.

Along with dues payments, members and new member applicants are prompted to provide information about their writing interests, preferred writing genre, website and blog information. This information is used for the Writers of Kern Roster and Directory. Members are listed on the Our Members page of the web site along with their genre and links to their website or blog .

Membership forms are found under the “Membership” menu tab on the web site’s navigation bar. Please take time to visit the web site and to become familiar with the many resources available there. Let us know about your online experience with our web site. Share your comments and suggestions here or email them to webmaster@writersofkern.com. Direct questions about membership to membership@writersofkern.com.

Writers of Kern Summer Writing Contest

August 2, 2013 By Joan Raymond

This year Writers of Kern is bringing back the Non-Fiction genre, but with a twist. Narrative/Creative Non-Fiction will be the genre. Any topic is fair game. For those not familiar with the genre, a definition from the English Language & Usage says narrative non-fiction is “writing that tells a factual story, sometimes even a personal one, but also makes an argument and conveys information in vivid, effective ways.” Write your story in a personal way, with you, the author, perhaps becoming part of the story.

Guidelines
The entry should not to exceed 1,200 words, doubled spaced, 12 pt. font (Times New Roman or similar), pages numbered consecutively. Narrative Non-fiction. One (1) entry per member.

Requirements
Two (2) copies of the submission must be attached to an email. One copy should be identified with your name and contact information. The other should have the title in the file name and in the header of the document. The “blind” copy is read by the judges. To reiterate: You are emailing two (2) copies of your story: one that identifies you as the writer; the other does not. Submit your entry to submissions@writersofkern.com no later than August 31, 2013.

If you choose to mail a hard copy of your entry, please mail (2) copies of the entry identified as described above. Address the submission to: Writers of Kern Summer Writing Contest, P.O. Box 22335, Bakersfield, CA, 93390.

Please note: The Summer Writing Contest is open only to new or renewing members of Writers of Kern, who paid their current dues on or before August 31, 2013.

The winner will be announced at the Christmas Dinner in December. There is a $200 prize.

California Writers Club Literary Review Submissions, Issue 2013-14

August 1, 2013 By Annis Cassells

CWC members are invited to submit their published or unpublished work. Submissions are blind-read and work meeting a threshold of quality and interest will be published. Minor editing, enhancing/correcting presentation, may be performed. While satire and parody are welcome, proselytizing or potentially libelous material as well as pornographic forays, and/or gratuitous vulgarity and obscenity will not be considered. Rejections will be accompanied with editors’ suggested improvements. Please see the California Writers Club Web site for Submission Guidelines.

In the latest issue, “Shirts,” an essay by Writers of Kern member Dennis VanderWerff, was featured.