A question for you. In past years, before registration starts, we've put together a downloadable and printable conference brochure that duplicates information available elsewhere on the website. When you're deciding what workshops to sign up for, do you refer to this brochure, or do you just download the registration form and look to the website for information about class descriptions, instructor bios and schedule? Our graphic designer, who donates his services, is happy to continue producing a brochure if you find it useful. But we'd rather not waste his time and effort if it's not needed. Please let us know your opinion by responding to this email.

A generous gift from a frequent conference participant, matched by an anonymous donor, has put us well on the way to funding this year's grant program for talented writers of limited means. We could still use help, though, in funding the program that brings writers of high school age to the conference. Last year many small donations from Friends of MCWC funded two of our Young Writer Scholars. As members of the MCWC community, you can help nurture the next generation of writers. All gifts are tax-deductible. The address to send your check, made out to MCWC, is:
       Friends of MCWC
       PO Box 2087
       Fort Bragg, CA 95437

January 18 at 7:30 pm in Mendocino Hotel – Garden Room: Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents The Writers of the Mendocino Coast. First Annual Tall Tales contest winners in the Under 12 category - Rowan and Natalia Kawczak - will read their tall tales. Following them will be Alena Deerwater, Molly Dwyer, Doug Fortier, Karen Lewis, and Malcolm Macdonald. They will be joined by David Brown, guitarist for a great evening of entertainment. Music starts at 7:00 pm and the readings at 7:30 pm. Bistro menu and libations are available as soon as the doors open at 6:30 pm. Sliding scale $10-15. Contact Pattie at 937-1732 or check online at www.mendocinostories.com for further information.

Lenore Weiss (2008) reports that the schedule of upcoming readings for her newest chapbook from Finishing Line Press, TAP DANCING ON THE SILVERADO TRAIL, is available at: http://www.lenoreweiss.com. Lenore has a full poetry collection, I TELL MY MOTHER HOW I FOUND LOVE, due out this spring from West End Press. Her poems have also appeared, or are forthcoming, in several anthologies.

Kathleen McClung (2011) writes: "My poem, "Sestina in Late June," appears in Issue 4.1 of Unsplendid, a lovely online journal of poetry and art."

Karen Lewis (2005 and recently retired MCWC board member) says: "Excited to announce an essay, "Driving Lessons," just out on Literary Mama. Some of you may know I've been working on this essay since grad school! Thank you for your help and encouragement." The essay is at http://www.literarymama.com/creativenonfiction/

Carolyn Nash (2011) has a Kirkus review of her book, RAISING ABEL, at http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carolyn-nash/raising-abel-qiHHTZkA/