July 2010Connecting Writers to Community for 20 Years

We all need a reminder that it is okay, even in hard times, to invest in our own creative selves. If you're not yet registered, consider giving yourself the gift of three days at the 2010 Mendocino Coast Writers Conference. Inspirational people, the magic of the Mendocino Coast, and the tools that deepen craft are vital for you and your muse. Consider what previous attendees have said:

• "This has been like my annual checkup, a way to keep my writing self healthy."
• "The conference was a life-changing opportunity that will give my writing new impact and purpose."
• "Being here unstuck my work. I came home with new ways of thinking, new visions and perspective, supported by new skills."
• "Confidence, community, energy, encouragement...Like summer camp, I'll look forward to it all year."

There are still a few openings in these intensive morning workshops:

• Malin Alegria: If you're working on a novel, Malin's workshop will focus on structure, character development and dialogue.
• Nancy Lord: Explore the many sub-genres of creative nonfiction. Focus on craft, personal involvement, and ethical and artistic boundaries led by Alaska's writer-laureate.
• Alison Luterman: Learn to write poetry that leaps between observation, memory, emotion and imagination.
• Kat Meads: We all have a story to tell. Come and learn how to turn the raw and chaotic material of memory into dramatic, compelling narratives.

The conference brochure and registration form are at http://www.mcwc.org. Dates are July 29-31, 2010.

Bring a Friend and earn $50: Our Bring a Friend rebate offer stays open until the conference starts. Details at http://www.mcwc.org/mcwc_friend.html

Conference lodging: If you still need to find lodging for the conference, http://www.mcwc.org/mcwc_lodg.html has extensive links. If you are a group coming together, you might want to check out the link on that page to the historic Head Lightkeeper's House at Point Cabrillo Light Station, which is now a vacation rental. A warm welcome awaits you on the Mendocino Coast.

Allegra Fisher, 2006 Young Writers Scholar at MCWC, is spending the summer leading a summer reading club at Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino. For an hour every Saturday morning, the bookshop lets middle and high school students to choose an advanced reader's copy book (not yet published) to take home for free, read, review and return for another book. The reviews are featured in the bookshop.

Allegra is also teaching a summer creative writing class at the bookshop. For more information, email allegragpof@gmail.com or info@gallerybookshop.com.

Suzanne Byerley, former MCWC co-director, reports that her poem, "Summer Reading" won honorable mention in the Passager poetry contest.