MWG Writing Contests Deadline Extended to March 15

The 2014 MWG conference committee has decided to extend the deadline for the Sponsor and Chapter contests until March 15, 2014.

So, whether you write short stories in YA, Sci/Fi, fantasy, humor, or on any topic, put the finishing touches on your manuscript and send it in! Or pen an inspirational essay or turn our judges on their ear with a flash fiction story.

Chapter Contests:

1. Flash Fiction (Sponsored by Saturday Writers) Max 500 words

2. Inspirational Essay (Sponsored by: Saturday Writers) Max 2500 words

3. Young Adult (YA) Short Story (Sponsored by Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild) 2,500 words or less

4. Short Story (Sponsored by Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild) Max 2000 words

5. Free Verse Poem (Sponsored by St. Louis Writers Guild)

Sponsor Contests:

1. Humorous Short Story (Sponsored by Joanna Dale) 1,000 –2,000 words.

2. Science Fiction and Fantasy Bonanza Short Story Contest (Sponsored by Walrus Publishing) 1,000-6,000 words. 

Here's our previous post on the judges >>>

For complete contest listings, judges, and rules go to: http://missouriwriters guild.org/2014AnnualContest Rules.pdf and www.missouriwritersguild.org and click on the 2014 conference link.

WRITE! And see you there!

—Submitted by Donna Essner, MWG Secretary

Authors learn how to “sit down & pitch” at free St. Louis Writers' Guild workshop

Once you’ve written a book, getting the attention of an agent or publisher isn’t always easy. Learn how to promote yourself and your writing at the St. Louis Writers Guild’s second annual “Sit Down and Pitch” workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, March 1, at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Rd. in Kirkwood, Mo.

“Pitching to an agent or publisher might be the scariest thing a writer has to do,” said Brad Cook, St. Louis Writers Guild president. “This workshop is free and open to all. We invite everyone who is planning to attend the Missouri Writers Guild (MWG) conference in April or other writing conference this year.”

Brad will offer tips for delivering an effective five-minute pitch, then writers will get a chance try their pitches within small breakout groups of other authors. 

“Even if you don’t have a pitch when you arrive, you’ll have one by the time you leave,” he said.

Then you’ll be ready to pitch to real agents and publishers at the 2014 MWG Conference, Fifty Shades of Writing, April 11-13, in St. Louis. For more conference information and registration, visit www.missouriwritersguild.org.

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild, a MWG chapter, at www.stlouiswritersguild.org.

Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Nets Record-Breaking Early Registration Numbers

Regular registration lasts through March 31

SAINT LOUIS – The 99^th Annual Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference has broken its previous early bird registration record. Currently, approximately 80 writers from throughout the country are registered to attend the “Fifty Shades of Writing” conference. The event will take place Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13, 2014, in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Registration remains open through March 31. 

“Writers looking for an affordable conference that’s centrally located, need look no further,” said Conference Chair Lisa Miller. “The MWG board has worked hard picking our speakers and agents and the early numbers prove we have put together a stellar line-up that appeals to writers of all skill levels.”

Conference events include:

Introducing the Judges for the MWG Writing Contests

Tick Tock. Tick Tock....Watch the Date! Watch the Clock! MWG Writing Contests Deadline Approaches 

Time groweth short to send in your entries to the 2014 MWG Conference Contests! The postmark deadline is a little more than a week away—Saturday, March 1, 2014. But there's still time to enter.

This year, there are several Chapter and Sponsor contest options—the Short Story (open topic), the Humorous Short Story, YA Short Story, and the Sci Fi Short Story contests. Additionally, a Flash Fiction contest, as well as an Inspirational Essay and Free Verse Poetry contest are open for submissions. And you don’t have to be present at the conference banquet to win! If you’re a MWG member, you don’t have to go to the conference at all to enter.

All submission guidelines can be found at http://missouriwritersguild.org.

So, don’t delay! Polish your story, essay, or poem and send it in. Why not try more than one? Or all?! The distinguished panel of contest judges are waiting in the wings to read your submissions.

DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF CONTEST JUDGES

The conference committee now would like to take this opportunity to introduce some of the distinguished panel of judges who have volunteered their time and expertise to judge all contest submissions this year. Kudos and thanks to each and every one of you!

Drum roll, please!

MWG 2014 Conference Volunteer Opportunities

The Missouri Writers’ Guild is a non-profit organization and is run on a volunteer basis. While board members do much to organize the conference throughout the year, more help is needed during the conference weekend.

The "Fifty Shades of Writing" Conference takes place Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13. Volunteers are needed for Friday and Saturday.

MWG volunteers, while receiving the added bonus of receiving additional face time with our conference faculty, help keep the conference costs low. Please consider supporting the board's continued efforts to offer attendees a first-class conference line-up and activities at an affordable rate by volunteering for the below jobs.

Contacts for Volunteering:

Please contact these persons directly to volunteer in that area. More information for each volunteer opportunity can be found by reading below.

Registration – Brain Katcher
Shepherds – Brad Cook
Pitch Sessions – Brain Katcher
Basket Wars – Sarah Whitney
Writing Contests – Donna Essner