Welcome to WIWA

The Whidbey Island Writers Association supports writers and promotes the literary arts. Our annual conference and year-round networking and educational opportunities -- including the country's first master of fine arts program offered by an association of writers -- bring world-class programs and hundreds of visiting writers to this northwest island community.

We invite you to join with us as we create a cultural environment for writers that provides the best possible combination of literary resources and inspiring surroundings. As with any trip to Whidbey itself, there's lots to see on our site. Browse around and discover what WIWA has in store for members and friends.

2009 Whidbey Island Writers Conference being reorganized -- In response to fiscal restraints of the current economic climate, the WIWA Board has been obliged to restructure the 2009 conference from 3 days to a 2-day event. This effort is in progress so please check the Whidbey Island Writers Conference home page for the latest information.

WIWC Student Scholarship Winner Announced -- The Whidbey Island Writers Association has announced the 2009 Student Scholarship Winner to the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. The scholarship recognizes writing potential and covers tuition for the Whidbey Island Writers Conference February 27 - 28, 2009. The scholarship winner is Margaret Francik, Pasco High School. The aspiring authors' scholarship applications were judged on writing samples, plus an essay detailing their reasons for pursuing the scholarship.  The student scholarship is provided by generous supporters of the Whidbey Island Writers Association and its programs.  

Whidbey Island Writers Association announces the 2009 Whidbey Island Student Writers Contest -- Prepare all the young folks you know for some creative fun and excitement! The student writer’s contest for 2009 (grades 6 through 12) has been totally renewed!  New timeline! New rules!  And, most of all, new prizes! The contest opens on December 2, 2008, and ends on January 15, 2009. Submissions are encouraged in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction. This is a GREAT opportunity for adults and teachers to encourage young writers!  Contestants entries will be judged with respect to genre quality (i.e., descriptive, expository, narrative, persuasive, technical), grammar usage, and writing excellence. The complete rules are on the WIWA Student Celebrate Writing web page and will be made available or distributed at all island middle, high, and private schools.

Soundings Review Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions and Contest Entries -- Soundings Review seeks manuscript submissions and contest entries for its March 2009 issue. Guidelines for submissions and contest entries are available online. The deadline for all submissions is November 15, 2008. The first issue of Soundings Review will be released at the end of September; copies are available by subscription.  Support for Soundings Review comes from subscriptions and donations. Special thanks go to generous members of the Founders Circle, all of whom donated $2,500 or more to launch Soundings Review. Members of the Founders Circle are: Sheryl Clough & Bill H. McGeary, JoAnn Kane, Peggy Shumaker & Joseph Usibelli, and Washington Mutual Bank (matching grant).

South Whidbey Port Supports Writers Conference -- The South Whidbey Port recently granted $2,000 to the Whidbey Island Writers Conference for advertising on the mainland. Now in its 11th year, the conference attracts writers from the Puget Sound region and across the nation to a four-day event -- including preconference workshops -- giving the local economy a winter boost. Each year, the Port budgets $30,000 -- half for tourism and half for business development -- to help local organizations attempt to improve South Whidbey's economic health.

Coupeville Writers Group Open to New Members -- The recently formed Coupeville writers group welcomes new members, especially those interested in writing poetry and literary fiction. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month in the lunchroom at CamBey, 50 N. Main St, from 12:30 to 2:45. For more information, contact Patricia Brooks.

Freeland novel Writers Group looking for a new member -- One of our members will soon be moving off-island. Our group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month from noon to 2:00 pm at the Freeland Fire Station in a large, comfortable room. We are limited to six people and each person must be working on a novel or starting one immediately. Our group provides thoughtful and honest critiques intended to help the author improve their work with the objective of publishing. At each meeting we critique one chapter from each of the two authors whose turn it is, usually every third meeting. These are informal, but the author's comments are usually held until the critiques are finished unless it helps the process by having a discussion. Currently we are reviewing a sci-fi (?) thriller, a cruise ship mystery, a drug war thriller, a mystery about stolen artwork in post-war Italy, and a work of nautical fiction.
     Anyone interested and willing to commit to a steady, long term association, will be considered. Skill level is not an issue if you are willing to take positive feedback. We are nice people! Please contact Jerry Mercer or call 360-678-4813. Please provide a brief summary of your novel or at least the (planned) idea you will present to the group.

Soundings Review Announces Contest Winners --  Two outstanding writers have had their work chosen for Soundings Review’s September 2008 Founders’ Circle and First Publication contests. Ann Gerike's poem, Blessed Are the Hashmakers, received the Founders' Circle award. In addition to publication, she will receive $300. Jo Meador's poem, Awakening, received the First Publication award. In addition to publication, she will receive $100. Many excellent entries from throughout the U.S. were received, and some of those manuscripts are included in the magazine along with other fine submissions of poetry, fiction and nonfiction submitted during the past year. Order your copy of the premier issue of Soundings Review today! The contests for the March 2009 issue of Soundings Review are now open. The deadline is November 15. Review the guidelines online. Regular submissions are welcome at any time; editors are already reading material for the March issue.  Photo by Bob Richardson

Mechanics for Writers -- The Whidbey Island Writers Association presents workshops for writers at the Mukilteo Garage, 807 2nd St., Mukilteo, on the first Saturday of each month, an opportunity to improve your writing craft, find new inspiration and meet other local writers. Check out the learning opportunities.

Members Welcome at WIWA Board Meetings -- WIWA Board meetings are usually held the second Wednesday of every month. The address and directions are available by phoning the office at 360-331-6714 or by e-mailing wiwa@whidbey.com.

See Photos from the Writers Conference and Revisit the Magic -- Now that the tenth annual Whidbey Island Writers Conference is over, it's time to take all you learned and apply it to your writing life. For inspiration, visit the Conference Photo Gallery and re-experience the event. Five albums are available for your enjoyment. Page through them for a reminder of the friends and contacts you made, and as a prompt to practice what you learned. You can even leave your comments by sliding down to the comments section at the bottom of any page. Share your thoughts about the pictures, the conference and your writing life. Express yourself; keep on writing.

Photo by Candace Allen

Toad Hops from Journal to T-Shirt for MFA Scholarship Fund --The first graduating class of the Whidbey Writers Workshop, produced its third t-shirt to help raise funds for the student scholarship fund. This year's commemorative t-shirt features an elaborate illustration of a toad from the journal of writer and artist Susan Zwinger. Shirts are available in long or short-sleeve styles and include sizes medium (limited supply, long sleeve only), large, XL and 2XL. The cost is $12 for short sleeves and $20 for long sleeves. If you are unable to pick up your order, include an additional $3.50 per shirt to cover mailing expenses. Students paid the production costs of the shirts. All proceeds from sales go to the scholarship endowment fund. For more information, call 360 - 331- 0307 or e-mail mfa@whidbey.com.

Header Photo by Bob Richardson