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Next meetup, unique poetry prompt...and more!
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Hello all! I wanted to share the latest news from my world with all of you. It's been a while since I've shared all the latest happenings. My day job as the senior reporter/editor at the AdVantage News in Godfrey, Illinois has kept me away longer than I like, but here I am. Enjoy! -- Peace and love, Melissa
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September meetup: Writers & Wannabes Guild
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The next Writers & Wannabes Guild of Greater Jersey County meetup is tomorrow evening (Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017) with a new start time of 6:30 p.m. We’ll be meeting in the lower level meeting room at Jerseyville Public Library, 105 North Liberty Street, Jerseyville, Illinois 62052.
I opted to start our meetup a half hour earlier so that there could be a bit more time for exploring when someone brings something to share, such as when Michael Davenport brought in his typewriters at our last meetup. I also wanted to be able to have some dedicated write-in time built into the meetup for those who have said they haven’t been able to find a time to write.
We had 17 in attendance at our August meetup, and were a bit crowded in the upper level meeting room, so I know we’ll all be thankful to be back downstairs where we can stretch a little. See you there … and be sure to follow our Facebook page:
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Writing a narrative about Celestial Narratives
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On Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 I am planning to make a journey to Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois to take in the exhibit currently filling the space at Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery. Entitled “Celestial Narratives,” it features the works of artist Michiko Itatani. Itatani is a Chicago-based artist who was born in Osaka, Japan.
The show’s opening coincides with the culmination of the campus Monticello Sculpture Gardens’ cosmic-themed 2017 Summer Garden Show, “Solar Flair.” The exhibition will be open to the public through Sept. 22, 2017. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more info about the exhibit, visit the college’s website at
http://lcstage.lc.edu/michikoitatani/.
My goal is to experiment with ekphrastic writing, specifically poetry. Some of you might be wondering what ekphrastic poetry is. Here’s an online definition I found: “An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the ‘action’ of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning.”
Writing, in whatever form you choose, that is defined by the feelings and mood evoked through your interaction with a visual art piece can be surprising and inspirational. Hopefully you can join me on this explorative journey! I am planning to be at the Gallery around 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning and begin developing a new narrative with a celestial influence.
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“The Dirt Still Looks the Same”
makes its way to Missouri
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The Heartland Writers’ Guild will be hosting the Heartland Book Festival on the Mississippi on October 28, at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. I am planning to take several copies of my first published book, “The Dirt Still Looks the Same,” a poetry collective and hopefully SELL OUT. I also have another goal — to network with other authors, storytellers and readers from all over the Midwest.
The event is an opportunity for the public to meet published authors who will have their books available for purchase. Authors, book publishers, book sellers, along with illustrators and book editors, can register for booth space on the group’s web site or on the Facebook page. There will also be performances by area schools’ student speech and drama teams and a local “living literature” team, as well as by both musicians and storytellers. Crafters will also host booth space throughout the day.
If you would like more information about the Festival, visit
www.heartlandwriters.org or find them on Facebook at The Heartland Book Festival on the Mississippi. You can also call Mary Rechenberg at (573) 833-6509.
And if you would like to know more about my author booth, or would like to propose the idea of me taking your books with me too, let me know right away. I am excited about this first opportunity I’m taking to get myself out there as an author, and I know I’ll be excited to share all the goodness that came from it when I get back!
If you still haven’t bought your copy, you can secure it through Amazon.com (
http://a.co/bMneXZl) or let me know and I’ll take care of getting you a SIGNED copy, along with much thanks!
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Edited series follows the path of
a young Indian warrior
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I have had the extreme privilege and pleasure to serve as the editor now for three books written by West Virginia storyteller George I. Kidwiler, Jr. His first published book is a parenting guide entitled, “The Secret of the Warm Fuzzy Blanket.” As a licensed certified social worker with decades of experience, George has much applicable advice to offer through its pages.
His “Atochi of the Blue Mountain Tribe” series takes his audiences in an entirely different direction. Books 1 and 2 of the series have now both been published, and Book 3 is in preliminary stages.
Book 1, entitled “Atochi of the Blue Mountain Tribe: Chasing the Ghost,” follows two young Indian warriors as they grow into the men they were meant to be. Readers have the chance to join them in their adventures of danger, magic, and love as they ride through their Blue Mountain world toward an adulthood they were destined to receive.
“Atochi of the Blue Mountain Tribe: Gathering the Clans” is Book 2 in the Atochi series. The story of Atochi and Daywa continues, as they fight the TsukaQ and protect their own people. The magic, the danger, the adventure in the book continues to fill you with wonder, excitement, and hope as you follow the escapades of the two young men who take on a mission of reuniting the Clans that make up the Blue Mountain Tribe, which have been separated for generations, in order to regain their livelihood and protect their united families from the TsukaQ.
All three books are available through Amazon.com (
http://a.co/54GQPWt). I highly recommend them — the Atochi series would make a great gift for the middle schooler in your world as the holiday season gets underway. I’ve told George, after reading and editing Books 1 and 2 of the Atochi series, that to me they were a hybrid of “Harry Potter meets Indian in the Cupboard, with a little Small Soldiers thrown in.” You will not be disappointed!
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PLEASE HELP OUT US AUTHORS!!!
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Both George and I would deeply appreciate not only your purchases of our books, but your feedback on them once you’ve perused their pages. Please post your reviews on Amazon and on Goodreads. Your reviews help boost our ratings there. Any other review sites are also welcome, and a welcome bonus!
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Font & Pen invited to Round 2
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I am also very excited to share with all of you that my writing and editing services firm has been invited to take part in Round 2 of the Metro-East StartUp Challenge, facilitated each year by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business and the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center.
Font & Pen submitted its executive summary and answered a few other brief questions for advancement consideration in Round 1 of the contest. On Sept. 11, I was notified of my invitation to advance to the next round of the contest. For Round 2, contestants will submit their full business plan in early October. For more info about the contest, visit the website at
http://www.siue.edu/metroeaststartup/index.shtml.
In a nutshell, or a “nut graf” for those of you from the world of journalism,
Font & Pen provides professional writing and editing services, public relations and event promotions help, virtual administrative assistance, as well as business incubation and development support.
My firm is focused on helping the truly small business, home office, and solopreneur ventures in greater Jersey County and beyond be as successful as they can be. The same is true for the non-profit groups we plan to assist. And for writers — there will be opportunities to get paid for your work while partnering with other freelance professionals such as graphic designers, photographers, and more!
The first place winner of the Metro East Startup Challenge will receive a $7,000 cash prize accompanied by an array of in-kind professional services. Second and third place winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize and $3,000 cash prize, respectively, along with many in-kind professional services. Fingers crossed!
Font & Pen: Located in Jerseyville, Illinois. Available virtually anywhere.
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Melissa Crockett Meske, Author & Professional Writer | Font & Pen
melissa@poweredbyfontandpen.com | poweredbyfontandpen.com
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