Magic Hour Writers

Our Mission: To encourage and promote excellence in writing for children through
friendship, education, and peer support to writing colleagues.

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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Meeting Highlights June 8, 2016

Members Present:  Jackie, Judy, Karen, Pam, Patty, Pete, Ruthann

Guest: Andy

Jackie went over the current member list and discussed a suggestion from Karen. If someone has a longer piece and needs specific help they can email their work to the group a week before the upcoming meeting. This will allow members to take their time reading the piece and then offer more thoughtful advice and critique. The members can print out their own copy and bring it to the meeting with their corrections/suggestions.

Pete reported that he read his poems at an elementary school which prompted the high school graphics department to contact him about adding animated graphics to one of his poems. The LHS students worked over 9 weeks and even used Pete’s own voice. Members are anxious to see the finished product.

Judy is looking for writers for the IWC blog. July’s them is “Writing for Children.”

Jackie discussed the Prestivus Literary Festival which will be held the weekend of July 22-24. Magic Hour Writers will have a table on Saturday 10-4 p.m. at Central Park, in Griffith. The MHW Christmas book, Rescuing Ivy, and artwork will be available for purchase. Members are also encouraged to read a short story or poem for children. There will be other activities for children as well in the children’s tent area.



https://smallprestivus.wordpress.com/book-store-individual-authors-titles/

Ruthann, Judy, and Jackie submitted to Horizon Spectrum, the next Write-On Hoosiers publication, due out this fall.

Judy discussed ideas about an interactive children’s book on travel, culture, and giving back inspired by her grandson’s travels. Luis’ group just returned from the Dominican Republic where they donated computers to an orphanage.

Patty is participating in her 3rd Nanowrimo and encouraged other members to as well.

Karen recapped the school visits she had since publishing Rescuing Ivy. After the presentation, many of the students wrote her letters praising her story.

Pete read the poems he shared on the first and last day of the 2015/2016 middle school year. He is officially retired now but hopes to continue to inspire kids to write poetry.

Andy read his poem “The Small Grey Rock.” Andy is from Michigan and is studying to be a teacher at Valparaiso University. Members felt it would make a good picture book, only needing minor editing.

Judy discussed the books members can borrow from both the MHW library and her own personal library. She compiled a list and Jackie will put the titles on the blog.

Karen discussed the benefits of SCBWI and the Illinois regional networks. She then read Chapter 2 of “Haunting Mom.”

Next meeting: Wednesday, July 13th at Rosati’s in Schererville. 6:30 p.m.

JSH