Dear Writers,

World Cup fever is sweeping North America this summer, and not just because of the plays on the field.

You don't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the phenomenon virally nicknamed "the Great International Sleepover" or the "Great American Sleepover." The images of Scottish supporters partying in Boston, Japanese fans marveling at Texas barbecue, Algerian players being embraced by communities in Kansas and hundreds of other cross-cultural moments around the U.S., Canada and Mexico have given us a much-needed infusion of joy, laughter and heart.

These moments of shared laughter and unexpected connection remind me that the best stories are the ones we create together. On the eve of our nation's 250th birthday, welcoming the world to our doorstep feels like the perfect way to celebrate.

Writers from the Erma community will be prominently featured in Fast Forbidden Women, an anthology of 75 flash nonfiction essays, which will be published by Woodhall Press in fall 2027.

“The submissions from Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop attendees were everything I had hoped for,” said co-editor Bonnie Jean Feldkamp. “I especially appreciated how brave each writer was when sharing her story. Hard truths in a forbidden world make for vulnerable writing."

Need a summer reading recommendation? Past workshop faculty member Marion Winik co-authored Oprah Daily's "The 24 Best Books of Summer 2026," featuring romance, true crime, memoir and more. As the list puts it, "Whatever your sweet spot — romance, domestic drama, social satire or memoir — you'll find something delicious to dive into here."

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary this weekend, we're reminded of Erma Bombeck's timeless quote about the way the nation has celebrated Independence Day — including "family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness.

"You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

Enjoy the celebration, and keep writing!

Shannon Shelton Miller

Co-director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

300 College Park

Dayton, Ohio 45469-1520

go.udayton.edu/erma