CWGLive attendees gather to say goodbye at the CMN Trade Show with Paper Pope Francis
It was a pleasure to finally meet face-to-face several committee chairs at the Catholic Writers Guild conference. They were introduced and recognized during the Welcome session, helping newcomers see that our volunteers are vital to CWG – and that we have the most fun!
We are still looking for a Public Relations Chair to help our Blog and Facebook volunteers promote our conferences, retreat, CALA and SOA. If you love social media, this could be your chance to jump into the wonderful world of Catholic Writers Guild volunteers.
Here’s what our committee chairs report:
Blog: Kathryn Cunningham and Dennis McGeehan have openings for guest posts. They need one or two editors to check one or two blogs each month.
CALA (Catholic Arts and Letters Award): Carol Ann Chybowski reminds us that one important requirement of a CALA entry is that the book must have the CWG Seal of Approval before it is eligible for CALA. This is true even when the book has an imprimatur. The SOA is a validation of editorial integrity in a way that an imprimatur is not.
Catholic Book News: Dawn Witzke reports that the August CBN will feature I Am Margaret by Corinna Turner and A World Such As Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer.
CWCL: Ann Lewis and Ellen Hrkach – The Catholic Writers Conference – Live! Was a huge success! We enjoyed speakers, panel discussions, workshops, pitch sessions and one of the greatest exhibit floors for Catholics ever! Many of our authors participated in the book giveaway tables at the CMN Authors and Artists Reception and the book sale Friday at the CWG booth.
Presenters included Pat Gohn, Ann Lewis, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Tony Kolenc, Gary Zimak, Margaret Realy, Erin McCole Cupp, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Regina Doman, John Desjarlais, Declan Finn (John Konecsni), Arthur Powers, Heidi Saxton, Karen Kelly Boyce, Karina Fabian, Claudia Volkman, Jonathan Ryan, Michelle Buckman, Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Lisa Mladinich, Michael Russell, Matthew Bowman, Joe Wetterling, Nancy Ward and Rebecca Hamilton.
CWCO: Karina Fabian and Laura Lowder. This online conference is all new this March with webinars instead of forums for a full weekend in March. Karina is working on software, pricing and scheduling with Laura surveying prospective participants and former presenters. This year our intention is to offer more classes pertinent to advanced writers.
Facebook: Karina Fabian needs someone to manage the Book Blast, on the public FB page twice a month, Karina posts about people who are teaching writing or Catholic issues via seminars, workshops or coaching.
Membership: Maureen Smith reports that things are going well. We have about 16 new members through PayPal and 7 through mail-in subscription, not including many new members who joined or renewed at conference registration.
Public Relations: On Facebook Karina promotes CWCL, retreat, SoA, Book News, CWG membership, CWG chat, and CWG blog. We still need a PR chair to help promote these on all social media.
Retreat: Ann Lewis and Margaret Rose Realy – Start planning now! CWG writing retreat “Your Word is my Delight,” Oct 25-29 in DeWitt, MI. Prayer, reflection, writing, critique. Register on line at http://buff.ly/1V5LFyz, Click on Other Offerings, or call 866-669-8321. The cost of $490 for five days includes conference, room and meals.
Volunteer Committee: Nichole Latif reports that all of the current volunteer positions are filled, with the exception of the position of Public Relations Chair.
Zenit – Dennis McGeehan – “Recommendations are being received for Zenit.com from the members, I will forward them to Zenit by the due date.
CWG Non-Fiction Critique Group interested several writers at the CWGLive conference. We have two new members. Contact Nancy Ward or Connie Rossini
For other concerns and suggestions about our fabulous committees, contact Nancy Ward, Coordinator of Committees.
