Cathy, Jackie, Joan, Judy, Pam
Guest: Debra
Members introduced themselves and welcomed Debra. Debra is a special education teacher's aid in Hammond. Debra had a short story published in Stark/Tinkham in 2010 - A Purdue Calumet publication.
Judy passed out 2012 membership cards and bookmarks to each member present. We have a new logo!
Pam is working on a modern day fantasy.
Cathy put together a recipe for her My Life by A. Banana poem. Cathy and Joan would like us to all come up with a poem or short story and related recipe and discuss putting together a MHW publication this year.
Judy read Ryleigh Emma - Supper Sleuth, The Case of the Missing Chocolate Heart. Jackie suggested she include a detective's checklist within the story.
Members discussed having a discounted membership fee for students. It was determined that the annual student membership fee will be $10.
Judy will look into purchasing the 2012 edition of a publishers magazine this year. Since we have the 2011 edition of Children's Writer's Market, MHW will purchase the Children's Writer's Market every other year from now on.
Jackie passed out a sheet on Story Building. She will e-mail it to the other members. She talked about the "call for submissions" on sports poems. Information about this contest is on the blog in the upcoming events and contests page. She then read her latest poem and handed out an activity sheet she plans to submit with it. Jackie shared her recent rejection letters from Highlights, Illumination Arts, US Kids, and Tanglewood Press. Jackie did receive hand written notes of encouragement with two though.
Debra read her short story The Juniper Leaf and then discussed her book "101 Reasons for Time Out in Preschool and Kindergarten" and the process she went through to self publish it in 2003. It is now also an electronic pdf file and on sale for 99¢.
JSH
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Make up meeting - this Thursday
Magic Hour Writers will be meeting Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 at Chapel Lawn.
Hope to see you there!
I just added to contests to the Upcoming Events page - Check them out and submit!
Hope to see you there!
I just added to contests to the Upcoming Events page - Check them out and submit!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Party / Meeting Notes December 1, 2011
In Attendance:
Paul, Joan, Cathy, Judy, Lorraine, Pam, Luneil, Jackie
Joan read her latest poem Bitten by the Love Bug. She would like the group to consider writing and selling a cook book to raise money for MHW. The group discussed incorporating stories and illustrations that would go along with each kid friendly recipe. Symbols could be included as well so the steps are easier for young children to follow. A digital book could be accessed online and costs would be minimal. We could also encourage submissions from readers through various contests.
Cathy has been busy writing letters to the Innocence Project. She informed the group about the organization and discussed a case she is particularly interested in.
Jackie read the poem My Sister's Tutu written by Eileen Spinelli. The poem was in a Highlights for Children Magazine. Jackie also researched the author and brought in the 3 U.S. Kids Magazines she recently purchased. Jackie continues to submit materials to both publishing houses.
Paul brought in the book A Wish for Wings That Work by Berkeley Breathed. He reported that he has not heard back from the non-profit organization he contacted yet but he is still interested in fundraising for the cause. He would like proceeds from his book of poems to benefit those families who have a loved one with a Trisomy disorder.
Lorraine read the cover letter she is working on for her Martie the Moose story and asked for imput.
Luneil reported that she submitted Lottie Nora to Highlights. She informed the group that the magazine is having a short story fiction contest. The topic is a funny story inspired by an unusual newspaper headline. All entries must be postmarked between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2012. See their website http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest for more information. She then read Life You Can Love which included a reference to her MHW friends :).
Pam has officially launched her digital paper for scrap bookers and photographers business. Her goal is to start a website and provide digital downloads. She is pleased to report she has already had orders. Jackie discussed Burrell Imaging as a possible host for her orders.
Judy has not had much time for writing. She has been teaching and evaluating her elementary and secondary education interns. Next month she will be teaching a science course to them.
Magic Hour Writers exchanged presents and enjoyed a buffet of holiday food and desserts. Joan won a book and gift card. Luneil won a Kindle - courtesy of Chapel Lawn!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 12, 2012.
We plan to have guest speaker Shannon Anderson present to the group. Please join us!
JSH
Paul, Joan, Cathy, Judy, Lorraine, Pam, Luneil, Jackie
Joan read her latest poem Bitten by the Love Bug. She would like the group to consider writing and selling a cook book to raise money for MHW. The group discussed incorporating stories and illustrations that would go along with each kid friendly recipe. Symbols could be included as well so the steps are easier for young children to follow. A digital book could be accessed online and costs would be minimal. We could also encourage submissions from readers through various contests.
Cathy has been busy writing letters to the Innocence Project. She informed the group about the organization and discussed a case she is particularly interested in.
Jackie read the poem My Sister's Tutu written by Eileen Spinelli. The poem was in a Highlights for Children Magazine. Jackie also researched the author and brought in the 3 U.S. Kids Magazines she recently purchased. Jackie continues to submit materials to both publishing houses.
Paul brought in the book A Wish for Wings That Work by Berkeley Breathed. He reported that he has not heard back from the non-profit organization he contacted yet but he is still interested in fundraising for the cause. He would like proceeds from his book of poems to benefit those families who have a loved one with a Trisomy disorder.
Lorraine read the cover letter she is working on for her Martie the Moose story and asked for imput.
Luneil reported that she submitted Lottie Nora to Highlights. She informed the group that the magazine is having a short story fiction contest. The topic is a funny story inspired by an unusual newspaper headline. All entries must be postmarked between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2012. See their website http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest for more information. She then read Life You Can Love which included a reference to her MHW friends :).
Pam has officially launched her digital paper for scrap bookers and photographers business. Her goal is to start a website and provide digital downloads. She is pleased to report she has already had orders. Jackie discussed Burrell Imaging as a possible host for her orders.
Judy has not had much time for writing. She has been teaching and evaluating her elementary and secondary education interns. Next month she will be teaching a science course to them.
Magic Hour Writers exchanged presents and enjoyed a buffet of holiday food and desserts. Joan won a book and gift card. Luneil won a Kindle - courtesy of Chapel Lawn!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 12, 2012.
We plan to have guest speaker Shannon Anderson present to the group. Please join us!
JSH
Friday, November 18, 2011
Christmas Party Invitation
MHW Christmas Gathering
December 1, 2011
6:30 p.m.
Chapel Lawn
bring a side dish or dessert (see list in last meeting notes)
bring something to read - theme is LOVE
Meeting Notes - November 10, 2011
In Attendance: Joan, Lorraine, Pam, Luniel, Judy, Jackie
Jackie invited two of her sons to the meeting to discuss their favorite books. Damian did a presentation on the Wimpy Kid Do it Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney. The book includes questionnaires, writing prompts, space to draw your own comics, and pages in the back for journaling. He purchased it at the elementary school book fair. Jake is a fan of all the diary books in the series because they are funny and have good illustrations.
Lorraine brought the book Elena's Big Move written by Sarah M. Olivieri and illustrated by Joaquin L. Zarate. The book is published by Synergy Books. Mrs. Olivieri moved to East Chicago, IN from Puerto Rico when she was nine. Elena's Big Move helps children struggling to transition into their new home. She has also written a second book which should be published soon. Lorraine also brought in Olivieri's author bio to share with the group.
Luneil will officially be starting her series Lottie Nora. She plans to target children 7-10 years old. She asked for ideas from members about different incidents Lottie Nora could find herself in.
Pam suggested members develop and keep Character Fact Sheets in a binder. These sheets or note cards would include information on each character in your story such as their hair color and type, height, unique qualities, speech patterns, clothing, etc. Pam will e-mail a sample Fact Sheet to each member. Pam also knows a lady who writes plays for special needs children.
Judy read a poem about fireflies by local author and artist Beverly Topa. Judy and Jackie met Beverly through Prairie Writers Guild last year. Bev's poem is entitled Magic Hour.
Jackie informed the group she met a local author from Rensselaer who has a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul - Find Your Happiness and also has been in Highlights Magazine for Children. Shannon Anderson has agreed to be a guest speaker in January and may also be interested in joining MHW. Jackie sent in two more poems to children's magazines this week and also purchased three children's magazines from US Kids for the MHW library. Each targets a different age group. Jackie shared her 2011 submission log and reported she received yet another rejection letter.
Lorraine read her short story A Treat to Remember for Martie Moose.
Joan submitted her poem Ode to World Poetry Movement Poetry Contest and has been notified that she is a semi-finalist. She should hear back from them in the spring.
Members decided next meeting will be moved to the first Thursday of the month - December 1st at 6:30. We will have a regular meeting combined with a Christmas party. Below is a list of food members will be bringing. Please join us!!!
Pam - Sloppy Joes
Judy - Pasta salad
Luneil - Vegetables and dip
Lorraine - Chips and hamburger buns
Jackie - Fruit and drinks
Joan - Cookies
JSH
Jackie invited two of her sons to the meeting to discuss their favorite books. Damian did a presentation on the Wimpy Kid Do it Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney. The book includes questionnaires, writing prompts, space to draw your own comics, and pages in the back for journaling. He purchased it at the elementary school book fair. Jake is a fan of all the diary books in the series because they are funny and have good illustrations.
Lorraine brought the book Elena's Big Move written by Sarah M. Olivieri and illustrated by Joaquin L. Zarate. The book is published by Synergy Books. Mrs. Olivieri moved to East Chicago, IN from Puerto Rico when she was nine. Elena's Big Move helps children struggling to transition into their new home. She has also written a second book which should be published soon. Lorraine also brought in Olivieri's author bio to share with the group.
Luneil will officially be starting her series Lottie Nora. She plans to target children 7-10 years old. She asked for ideas from members about different incidents Lottie Nora could find herself in.
Pam suggested members develop and keep Character Fact Sheets in a binder. These sheets or note cards would include information on each character in your story such as their hair color and type, height, unique qualities, speech patterns, clothing, etc. Pam will e-mail a sample Fact Sheet to each member. Pam also knows a lady who writes plays for special needs children.
Judy read a poem about fireflies by local author and artist Beverly Topa. Judy and Jackie met Beverly through Prairie Writers Guild last year. Bev's poem is entitled Magic Hour.
Jackie informed the group she met a local author from Rensselaer who has a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul - Find Your Happiness and also has been in Highlights Magazine for Children. Shannon Anderson has agreed to be a guest speaker in January and may also be interested in joining MHW. Jackie sent in two more poems to children's magazines this week and also purchased three children's magazines from US Kids for the MHW library. Each targets a different age group. Jackie shared her 2011 submission log and reported she received yet another rejection letter.
Lorraine read her short story A Treat to Remember for Martie Moose.
Joan submitted her poem Ode to World Poetry Movement Poetry Contest and has been notified that she is a semi-finalist. She should hear back from them in the spring.
Members decided next meeting will be moved to the first Thursday of the month - December 1st at 6:30. We will have a regular meeting combined with a Christmas party. Below is a list of food members will be bringing. Please join us!!!
Pam - Sloppy Joes
Judy - Pasta salad
Luneil - Vegetables and dip
Lorraine - Chips and hamburger buns
Jackie - Fruit and drinks
Joan - Cookies
JSH
Monday, October 31, 2011
Meeting Minutes - October 13, 2011
In Attendance:
Paul Benninghoff
Joan Bodefeld
Cathy Dzuibla
Pam Gonzalez
Jackie Huppenthal
Luneil Morrow
Judy Whitcomb
Guests: Lorraine Ackerman and Brenda Havens
Lorraine is a retired elementary school teacher. Brenda taught ESL and English at the high school level.
Members and guests discussed Writer's Digest and online classes. Both Lorraine and Brenda recommend this site and their services.
The group also discussed local authors including Meg Demakas author of Captain Jeb, Pirate Cat and Sharron Thornton author of Upir and the Monster Gang. Keiko Kasza is one of Jackie's favorite children's authors. She also currently lives in Indiana. She is the author of My Lucky Day and Badger's Fancy Meal, among others.
Joan asked if anyone had any ideas about where to submit her poem Ode.
Pam read her short story Spookified.
Cathy read Seize the Moments, a memory about a recent outing.
Luneil read the first short story she ever wrote for her first writing class entitled The Toilet Paper Incident.
Brenda read some of her short story Gus the Canada Goose.
Paul Benninghoff
Joan Bodefeld
Cathy Dzuibla
Pam Gonzalez
Jackie Huppenthal
Luneil Morrow
Judy Whitcomb
Guests: Lorraine Ackerman and Brenda Havens
Lorraine is a retired elementary school teacher. Brenda taught ESL and English at the high school level.
Members and guests discussed Writer's Digest and online classes. Both Lorraine and Brenda recommend this site and their services.
The group also discussed local authors including Meg Demakas author of Captain Jeb, Pirate Cat and Sharron Thornton author of Upir and the Monster Gang. Keiko Kasza is one of Jackie's favorite children's authors. She also currently lives in Indiana. She is the author of My Lucky Day and Badger's Fancy Meal, among others.
Joan asked if anyone had any ideas about where to submit her poem Ode.
Pam read her short story Spookified.
Cathy read Seize the Moments, a memory about a recent outing.
Luneil read the first short story she ever wrote for her first writing class entitled The Toilet Paper Incident.
Brenda read some of her short story Gus the Canada Goose.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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