Meeting Minutes - September 8, 2011

In Attendance:

Joan Bodefeld
Cathy Dzuibla
Pam Gonzalez
Jackie Huppenthal
Luneil Morrow
Judy Whitcomb

Members discussed upcoming events:

Chapel Lawn Craft Fair
Schererville, IN ~ September 24th 10:00 a.m.
Magician, Silent Auction, Raffle Prizes, etc.
Proceeds benefit American Diabetes Association.

Indiana Writer's Consortium 3rd Annual Banquet
Avalon Manor, Merrillville ~ October 20th, 2011 6:00 p.m.

Write-On Hoosiers 3rd Annual Christmas Banquet
LOFS, Crown Point ~ December 7, 2011 6:30 p.m.

(See events page for more information.)

Highlights of the Meeting:

Joan added another section to her poem Ode.

Pam is thinking about writing another book in which the setting takes place on another planet.

Judy read a concrete poem Tiny Little Insect and a fractured fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood Edited.

Cathy read Communication 101, a poem about how young children seek attention in a store.

Luneil read her latest version of Chicken Cereal and asked for input from the group. She is also working on a newsletter for the library. Pam offered several suggestions and tips to get her started.

Jackie reported she received a "rejection to submit" letter from National Wildlife Federation. They are not taking outside writing submissions for any of their magazines including Wild Animal Baby, Big Backyard, and Ranger Rick. Jackie also read a poem They written by David L. Harrison. She found it in an old Highlights for Children magazine at the orthodontist's office earlier in the week. Jackie contributes to David's Poem of the Month contest on a regular basis. He has a very large fan base and really works hard to stay connected with his readers of all ages.

Pam and Jackie are still waiting to hear from several publishers they submitted works to in the spring.

Cathy, Judy, Jackie, and Pam are working on poems and short stories to submit to Sharon for the 2011 edition of Hoosier Horizon Magazine.

Members discussed compiling works and self-publishing a Magic Hour Writers book for children. Pam will start researching options and cost. Jackie will give Pam the book Publishing Basics that she obtained last year. The group needs to decide target audience and layout. Price will depend on length, number of illustrations, and publishing choices, etc. Members would like to sell book locally as well as on amazon.com.