The 2015 workshop had many highlights. Purple t-shirts. Special tote bags. New members! 

Everyone came away with knowledge and new writing connections. 

While there are many noteworthy moments from the workshop, I'm going to focus on one. Awards. Congratulations to ALL the winners!

2015 SWA Workshop Contest Winners

The Hal Bernard Memorial Award for Novel 

1. Weather Permitting – Jody Herpin--$60

2. My Friend Albert –John Sheffield--$40

The GT Youngblood Short Fiction Award

1. The Boy Who Drew the Spidery X – Tom Jordan

2. The Rise and Fall of Superdad – Stuart Blandford

3. The Hardest Part – Sandra Giles

HM  Bullied to Death – Nicole Blandford

The Microcosm Award 

1. Color of Pain - $50 Kris Burnett

2. My name is Hana - $30 Nicole Blandford

3. The Diary - $20 Sheila Hudson

The Vega Award for Speculative Short Fiction

1. Lucifer – Amy Wethington $100

2. The World of Alphabet Soup (Was) Point of Departure – Diane Douglas $50

3. You Can’t Go Home Again – Stuart Blandford  $25

Lines of Worth Award 

1. Familial – Bonnie Tobias

The Julie L. Cannon Award

Two first place winners

       1. High Hopes – Susan Lindsley $50 each

       1. Yellow Bellied – Mellie Justad $50 each

The Bill Westhead Memorial Award

1. It Takes a Suburb – Sheila S. Hudson

2. Up in Flames – Elaine Cameron

3. Angel on a Bicycle – Kristin Burnett

The Angel Award for Holiday Seasonal Writing

1. Christmas at the Hub and Hubbub – 

Sheila S. Hudson  $60

2. Easter Always – Ardsley Ames - $40

The Award for Excellence in Inspirational Writing

1. Peachy – Judith Barban

2. Heaven’s Gate – Catherine Fendig

3. Looking Back – Elaine Cameron

HM – Find Your Star and Shine – 

   Cheryl Hildebrand

The Cappy Award for Humor 

1. Don’t Flip Your Wu-ig – Millie Justad

2. No Sign of Relief – Cheryl Hildebrand

3. My Mama’s Teeth – Judith Barban

HM The Transparent Attack on American   

   Heroes – Stuart Blandford

HM On the Road Less Traveled – 

   Sheila S. Hudson

Edna Sampson Award

My Friend Albert –John Sheffield

For more photos of all the winners, please check out SWA's Facebook page

SWA Facebook

Race. Zoom. Fly. Get to SWA on St. Simons for THE best writers workshop

There's no time like NOW to register for the writers workshop.

Southeastern Writers Workshop is June 19-23 

at Epworth by the Sea on scenic St. Simons Island, Georgia.

The weekend workshop (June 20-21) is dedicated to fiction writing. 

The weekday workshop (June 22-23) is focused on nonfiction writing. 

There is no better way to open up your creativity than immersing yourself in craft. The priceless takeaway? Networking with some of the finest and most experienced writers in their respective fields. 

Who are they? Let's begin with the faculty: 

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation - http://www.fairbankliterary.com/ 

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace - https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark - http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn – http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa - http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes - http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby - http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith - http://www.danawildsmith.com/

REGISTER HERE

Writers, even published writers, are students of craft. Who are some of the writers already registered for SWA? 

Ardsley Emily Ames

Barbara Duffy

Brenda Rose

Briana Cole

Buzz Bernard

C. Hope Clark

Chris Tusa

Christy R Diachenko

Cynthia Tolbert 

Dana Wildsmith

Donald Vaughn

Embe Charpentier

Janet Shepperd Kellerher

John House

John Sheffield 

Judith Barban

L A Patrick

Larry Starkey

Linda Joyce

Mellie Justad

Patrick Hempfing

Sheila Hudson

SR Johannes

Stuart Clarke

Susan Lindsey 

Those listed in purple are SWA Board Members.

There is limited space remaining. 

Sign up NOW.

Don't miss this opportunity

to learn and connect. 

After all, no one understands a writer better than another writer. 

See you soon!

Path to Publication with SWA

Is your journey of writing paved with good intentions? How do you get back on the path whenever you stop for a break or fall off it completely? How do you stay inspired and tenacious? 

SWA is here to help!

Southeastern Writers 40th Annual Workshop will be June 19-23, 2015 at Epworth by the Sea on scenic St. Simons Island, Georgia.

The weekend workshop (June 20-21) is dedicated to fiction writing. The weekday workshop (June 22-23) is focused on nonfiction writing. 

Click HERE and learn about what SWA is offering to you: 

* Win one of two scholarships!

* Meet The Faculty

* The Workshop Schedule

* Evaluation Categories and Guidelines

*Contest Guidelines 

Here's your faculty: 

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation - http://www.fairbankliterary.com/ 

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - 

http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace

https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark 

http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn 

 http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa 

http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes 

http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby 

 http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith 

http://www.danawildsmith.com/

Is SWA really of  benefit to a writer? 

 Meet Sheila S. Hudson
Award Winning Author and SWA Board Member Emeritus

1993 Met Amy Munnell at local book club

1994 First attended SWA, won award for Inspiration and gained encouragement from Linda Tomlin  and Cec Murphey to launch freelance career. Completed course from Christian Writers Guild;  3rd Place for Inspiration SWA; 3rd place for Linda Tomblin Inspirational Writing Award.

1995 Won Honorable Mention for “On Forgiveness” from The Black Mountains Christian Writers Retreat sponsored by Linda Tomblin; 1st Place for Most Rejection Slips from 2nd Wednesday Writers; 1st Place for Most Outrageous Rejection Slip from 2nd Wednesday Writers, 1st Place for SWA Limerick Award.

1996 2nd Place for SWA Non-fiction and 2nd place for Children’s Literature.

1997 3rd Place for SWA Limerick Award and 3rd Place for Non-fiction.

1999 1st Place for SWA Limerick Award and 3rd Place for Inspiration.

2000 Two Honorable Mentions SWA Limerick Awards; Honorable Mention for Juvenile Writing; Honorable Mention for Non-fiction.

2002 Honorable Mention for SWA Limerick Award; 1st Place Limerick Award; Honorable Mention for Inspiration.

2003-2012 Joined SWA board as Assistant PP Editor. Remained on SWA board until 2012 serving two two-year terms as SWA President. Served another two-year term as co-president with Amy Munnell. I served as Registrar for many years and assisted Tim Hudson with his role as meeting planner.

2013 2nd Place for Bill Westhead Award; 1st Place for Holiday Seasonal Writing; and 2nd Place for Inspiration.

2014 1st Place for Humor Award; 1st Place for Holiday Seasonal Writing;  1st Place for Bill Westhead Award; 2nd Place for Inspiration; published 13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life in November with Dancing with Bear Publishing.

2015 Completed 2nd book – 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage with Dancing with Bear Publishers- due out in summer, 2015.

My husband, Tim, and I have been committed to SWA from day one serving in many official and unofficial capacities. The motto “writers helping writers” is a driving factor in our loyalty to SWA.

* * * 

REGISTER HERE 

April's Anticipation

Greetings! I'm going to come out from behind the curtain and introducing myself. I'm Linda Joyce, Newsletter Editor/Blog Boss for SWA. Each week, sometimes twice I week, I bring you information about Southeastern Writers Association. 

The link to the newsletter is : http://purpleprosswa.blogspot.com/   I'm asking you to share this link on your social media places, like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. Support yourself through supporting SWA. 

Why? 

Because that's what writers do. They share information. They support one another. It's how we writers build a supportive community. SWA provides for the needs of writers. 

If you scroll down through previous blogs, you'll discover information about the SCHOLARSHIP that's open until 4/15. You'll learn about CONTESTS --these pay prize money. With your registration, you have the opportunity to receive critique from recognized industry professionals. 

Here's link for REGISTRATION and there you'll find links for ALL the information about the 40th Annual SWA Workshop. 

***The weekend workshop (June 20-21) is dedicated to fiction writing. The weekday workshop (June 22-23) is focused on nonfiction writing, which includes poetry. 

Why is SWA so important? 

Because attending SWA is a step on your path as a writer, regardless if you're published, as many of the members are, or at any other place in your writing path. 

Therefore, I'll be sharing Paths to Publication, the personal success journeys our some of our members. And, maybe soon, you'll share your story with me and I'll be happy to spread the word here...after all, SWA is all about supporting it's members--ALL of it's members. 

Please meet Dr. John House ~

Dr. John House

Without Southeastern Writers Association I would not be an author. A writer, yes. But not an author. 

I started writing poetry in high school and continued, adding short stories, into college and medical school and beyond. My medical practice was so busy I had little time to write. When I retired in 2007 after 36 years, I moved to Brunswick with a dream of full time writing. My retirement last three weeks(that's a whole different story). 

In 2008 I saw an ad (I don't remember where) about the SWA Conference at Epworth. I worked up my courage and applied. The first day I approached the front of Jones Auditorium  and promptly turned around and started back to my car. My thoughts were, 'what am I doing here with real writers?' and I truly planned to leave. Bill Westhead, a member of SWA, stopped me and after a brief conversation ushered me into the building and pretty much stayed close to me for the entire event. Bill is no longer with us but in his memory I established the Bill Westhead Award which is given annually. 

I have written and had published three novels since that first day. With the help of great authors and teachers like Cheryl Norman, Elizabeth Sinclair, David L Robbins, Buzz Bernard and Brian J. Corrigan, I learned the craft of writing and the importance of networking. WRITERS HELPING WRITERS. A fitting slogan for SWA. 

The second year I won first place in the short story competition. The next year I won second place in the same category. This gave me enough confidence to take on a novel and with Lee Clevenger and ThomasMax Publishing  SO SHALL YOU REAP was published in 2011 and I was a nominee for Georgia Author of the Year. I didn't win, but I was thrilled to be nominated and hooked on writing novels for the rest of my life. 

In 2012, Lee Clevenger helped me in the publication of CHOICES, a novel that took place in coastal Georgia and included some of my knowledge of medicine. 

For the next two and half years I applied things I learned from the SWA Conference and advice from other writers and created TRAIL OF DECEIT. I was fortunate to obtain Jeanie Loiacono of Loiacono Literary Agency to represent my novel and in February 2015, the book was published and released by Limitless Publishing LLC. 

I have completed and revised another manuscript which will soon be on its way to Emily Carmain of Noteworthy Editing. Emily has edited all three of my novels and does so much more. She has taught me POV and maintaining pace. I can't stress enough the importance of presenting clean and lean manuscripts to your agents. When Emily finishes the manuscript, it will go to my agent. 

So, it is obvious SWA was a turning point in my writing career. Not only for what I've learned in the classes, but also the networking. It was there that I met Buzz Bernard who has been a mentor, advanced reader, encourager and a friend. I also enjoy reading his successful weather related novels; EYEWALL, PLAGUE, SUPERCELL and BLIZZARD. His success puts pressure on me to improve my writing and I will definitely be at the SWA Conference at Epworth June 19th-24th, 2015. 

John House, Author 

* * * 

I hope you will share the news about SWA. Again, remember there's still time to win a SCHOLARSHIP. Please share this newsletter with your writing friends, heck, share with everyone because you never know who secretly harbors a desire to be a writer. 

~ Best Regards, 

Linda Joyce

Editor of SWA's Purple Pros

Author of the Fleur de Lis series.

Check your calendar! Is it marked for SWA in June?

Scholarships!

Time is running out!

★☆★ WRITERS ★☆★

Win one of two scholarships to the SWA Writers Workshop!

SWA is offering two scholarships. One for the Fiction mini-workshop (June 20-21)

and one for the Non-Fiction mini-workshop (June 22-23)

Just submit a 300-word essay on why you should be selected to attend the Fiction

mini-workshop or the Nonfiction mini-workshop. You MUST state which mini-workshop

you want to attend.

The entry deadline is midnight on April 15th. The scholarship pays for tuition

only. Please email your entry to DebraAyersBrown@gmail.com with a subject line

of SWA Fiction Scholarship or SWA Nonfiction Scholarship.

Faculty List 

40th Annual Southeastern Writers Workshop

June 19-23, 2015

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation  

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear Publishing 

Publisher: CreateSpace 

Novel: C. Hope Clark

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn 

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa 

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes 

Columns: Darrell Huckaby

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith 

Where? 

St. Simons Island, GA

REGISTER HERE! SWA

Follow the path to Publication

The path to publication is a journey of many steps. A marathon, not a sprint. 

What can you do to ensure you're on the right path? 

Invest in yourself. 

Southeastern Writers Association is the perfect ticket to help you reach your destination. 

Want proof? 

Meet H.W. “Buzz” Bernard

Award-winning Author 

and SWA board member. 

This is Buzz's story journey with SWA: 

2005: first workshop; Buzz’s novel, The Koltsovo Legacy, is sliced and diced rather severely by international, best-selling author Steve Berry.

2007: Buzz’s novel, Eyewall, wins Honorable Mention.

2008: Eyewall (rewritten) wins First Place.

2010: The Koltsovo Legacy (rewritten) wins First Place; Buzz signs a contract with Sullivan-Maxx Literary Agency.

2011: Eyewall is published by Bell Bridge Books, goes on to become a number-one best seller in Amazon's Kindle store; Buzz joins SWA Board of Directors.

2012: Plague (formerly The Koltsovo Legacy) is published by Bell Bridge Books, goes on to win the 2014 EPIC eBook Award, Suspense/Thriller category.

2013: Supercell (Buzz’s third novel) is published by Bell Bridge Books, goes on to win the 2015 EPIC eBook Award, Suspense/Thriller category.


2015: Blizzard (Buzz’s fourth novel) is published by Bell Bridge Books; he continues work on my fifth novel.

Buzz is dedicated in his service to SWA and bringing writers quality educational opportunities. 

There are many success stories of SWA members and you could be one, too. 

Register now! Click Here. 

What do you get for the price of admission? 

Contests that pay money. Critiques. Networking. Plus, direct interaction with two publishers--  

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear 

Publisher: CreateSpace 

An agent: Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank 

of Fairbank Literary Representation 

A well-rounded faculty for all your writing needs: 

Novel Writing: C. Hope Clark 

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn 

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa 

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes 

Columns: Darrell Huckaby 

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith 

AND there's more! Scholarships!

★☆★ WRITERS ★☆★

Win one of two scholarships to the SWA Writers Workshop!

SWA is offering two scholarships. 

One for the Fiction mini-workshop (June 20-21) and one for the Non-Fiction mini-workshop (June 22-23)

Just submit a 300-word essay on why you should be selected to attend the Fiction mini-workshop or the Nonfiction mini-workshop. You MUST state which mini-workshop

you want to attend.

The entry deadline is midnight on April 15th. The scholarship pays for tuition only. 

Please email your entry to DebraAyersBrown@gmail.com with a subject line

of SWA Fiction Scholarship or SWA Nonfiction Scholarship.

Want to know more? 

Check out SWA on Facebook

and on Twitter. 

Will we see you at SWA in June?  

SOUTHEASTERN
WRITERS
ASSOCIATION
Workshop

Presenting the 2015 Faculty

What do you get with SWA?

What does your money buy you when you register for the Southeaster Writers Association 40th Anniversary Workshop? 

Check it out!

Scholarship

Win one of two scholarships to the SWA Writers Workshop!  SWA is offering two scholarships. One for the Fiction mini-workshop (June 20-21) and one for the Non-Fiction mini-workshop (June 22-23)

Just submit a 300-word essay on why you should be selected to attend the Fiction mini-workshop or the Nonfiction mini-workshop. You MUST state which miniworkshop you want to attend.

The entry deadline is midnight on April 15th. The scholarship pays for tuition only. Please email your entry to DebraAyersBrown@gmail.com with a subject line of SWA Fiction Scholarship or SWA Nonfiction Scholarship.

Manuscript Evaluations - (Authors must be registered for at least 2 days to submit manuscripts for evaluation.)

GENERAL

 There are 7 evaluation categories:

• Poetry (Evaluator: Chris Tusa)  - No more than 100 lines (one long poem or several short poems)

- Poetry can be single-spaced

• Novel (Evaluator: C. Hope Clark) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis

• Flash Fiction (Evaluator: Chris Tusa) - Complete manuscript of at least 100 and not more than 500 words 

• Nonfiction (Evaluator: Donald S Vaughan) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis –OR– Complete manuscript not over 1500 words

• Columns (Evaluator: Darrell Huckaby) - A 1-paragraph description of the column, including the intended media and the target audience, and a 750-word sample column manuscript.

• Memoir (Evaluator: Dana Wildsmith) - The first chapter and a three-page synopsis

• YA Fiction (Evaluator: SR Johannes) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis 

 The submission DEADLINE IS May 15, 2015. NO extensions.

Find out ALL the details here: http://southeasternwriters.org/uploads/EvaluationsGuidelines2015.pdf

Contests

2015 SWA Workshop Contests & Guidelines

The Hal Bernard Memorial Award for Novel

- The first 10 pages (double-spaced)

- 1-page synopsis

- 1-paragraph "elevator pitch."

- Any genre, literary or mainstream

The Past Presidents’ Romance Award

- The first chapter and a five-page synopsis

- Romance novels only

The GT Youngblood Short Fiction Award

- Complete manuscript not over 3000 words

- Any genre, literary or mainstream

The Microcosm Award

- Fiction of at least 100 and not more than 500 words

The Vega Award for Speculative Short Fiction NEW

- Complete manuscript not over 4000 words.

- Stand-alone novel chapters also accepted

-

Lines of Worth Award

(in honor of Dorothy Williamson Worth and all she did to encourage poets at SWA)

- Each entry should be a collection of three poems, each up to thirty lines, not

including the title.

- Awards will be made to collections.

The Harry Rubin Award for Limericks NEW

- Submit 3 Limericks in standard form

The Julie L. Cannon Award

- Writing which exemplifies the southern spirit preferably in a subtle, nuanced, and

non-stereotypical manner

- 1,000 words or less

- Fiction or nonfiction, NO poetry

The Bill Westhead Memorial Award

- Complete manuscript not over 3000 words

- For the best short story with a subject matter of an event occurring during the

writer's childhood that shaped his/her life.

The Angel Award for Holiday Seasonal Writing

- Short fiction, poetry or essays of 1200 words maximum about the holiday season.

The ThomasMax “You are Published” Contest

- Prize is publication and 25 copies of the book with no obligation to author.

- Manuscript may be submitted in full or only first three chapters.

- A complete synopsis (3 to 10 pages) should accompany all entries. Approximate

word count should be included with synopsis, preferably 40,00 to 90,000 words,

fiction, non-fiction, or a collection of short stories.

- Do not send work currently under consideration by the publisher.

- The standard contract, which will be modified slightly to show that no money is due from the author, can be seen by  clicking here: http://www.thomasmax.com/images/authorcontract.pdf

- Other details are available at http://www.thomasmax.com/contest.htm or send

SASE to “You are Published,” P O Box 250054, Atlanta GA 30325

The Very Merrie Bosom Buddy Award

- Nonfiction up to 750 words about your best friend.

- This poignant true story must make the reader laugh and cry.

The Dr. George L. Sheppard Memorial Award –

- Nonfiction up to 750 words about a supportive sibling.

- This poignant true story must make the reader laugh and cry.

The Award for Excellence in Inspirational Writing

- The piece may be religious or secular.

- It should be wholesome and leave the reader with a “take away” message of

encouragement, hope, comfort, fresh motivation, or renewed spiritual strength.

- Complete manuscript not over 1500 words

The Cappy Award for Humor

- Complete manuscript not over 1000 HILARIOUS words

Manuscripts entered in these contests will not receive evaluations by faculty members. Contests are judged by the contest sponsors. If you want a faculty evaluation, please see Evaluation guidelines

http://southeasternwriters.org/uploads/2015ContestsJan.pdf

How do you get register? 

Click here

Don't miss this opportunity! Scholarship Deadline closing in fast!

APRIL 15th! It's more than a tax deadline. 

It's also the deadline for scholarship entries! 

★☆★ WRITERS ★☆★

Win one of two scholarships to the SWA Writers Workshop!

SWA is offering two scholarships. One for the Fiction mini-workshop (June 20-21)

and one for the Non-Fiction mini-workshop (June 22-23)

Just submit a 300-word essay on why you should be selected to attend the Fiction

mini-workshop or the Nonfiction mini-workshop. You MUST state which miniworkshop

you want to attend.

The entry deadline is midnight on April 15th. The scholarship pays for tuition

only. Please email your entry to DebraAyersBrown@gmail.com with a subject line

of SWA Fiction Scholarship or SWA Nonfiction Scholarship.

JOIN US FOR the 40th SWA Writers Workshop!

Register here: http://southeasternwriters.org/Writers_Workshop.html

Faculty for 2015

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation - http://www.fairbankliterary.com/

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace - https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark - http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn – http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa - http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes - http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby - http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith - http://www.danawildsmith.com/

SWA Members SHINE!

Buzz Bernard's newest book is making headlines! Here's an excerpt from Buzz's blog: 

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN WOLVES

There are no wolves in the southern Appalachians.  There probably haven’t been in over a century.

They do, however, make a guest appearance in my most recent novel, Blizzard.  In the book, I think I adequately explain their presence.  What’s more interesting, perhaps, is how the animals made their way into the story in the first place.

It started in Germany. 

Read more here: http://buzzbernard.com/2015/03/southern-appalachian-wolves/ 

Also, 

Southeastern Writers Association vice president, Buzz Bernard, has won his second "Eppie." SUPERCELL is the winner of the 2015 EPIC eBook Award, Suspense/Thriller category.  Buzz's novel PLAGUE won in the same category last year.

Buzz Bernard, author EYEWALL, PLAGUE, SUPERCELL, BLIZZARD

Don't forget to send in your scholarship submission!