March 17, 2020
The Silver Lining
by Samantha Hoffman
Coronavirus. If it were a beer, we could shove a lime down its little neck and sieze the day. But it's not a beer, it's a pandemic, and it feels as though we're living in a movie. Who writes sci-fi? Here's your next novel.
We at CWA have spent the last seven months working on Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference, and as you know we've had to postpone…
March 10, 2020
We’ve Got You Covered
There's something for everyone
Do you write poetry? Fiction? Nonfiction? Flash fiction? Memoir? Are you in the revision process? Are you just beginning? We've got you covered. Here's a sampling of sessions at Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference:
Dominic Pacyga: The Importance of Place in Storytelling
Place and character are equal partners…
March 3, 2020
Fiction Writing Contests Worth Your Time in Spring 2020
by Arthur Klepchukov
Excerpted from WriterUnboxed.
Article by Arthur Klepchukov
Since my Winter contest roundup, I got another (non-contest) short story published, which had a quite a journey to finding a home. How long did it take for my very first Submittable acceptance to be published? You’d be surprised.
This…
February 25, 2020
A Writer’s Best Investment
10 Tips on Rocking a Conference
by Samantha Hoffman
One of the best investments a writer can make is a writers conference. Not just because we at CWA have one of the best (we do, though), but because it's a great way to energize your writing, gain a new perspective on your work, connect with other writers,…
February 18, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet Award-winning Writer and Teacher Tim Storm
Interview by Jessica Mack
Tim Storm is a writer and the owner of Storm Writing School, which examines what aspects of story affect an audience emotionally and keep them engaged. He does all of this with a certain gusto, helping anyone who is willing to learn at his school. Previously, he taught…
February 11, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet USA Today Bestselling Author Ann Garvin
Interview by Jessica Mack
After getting her Ph.D. in Exercise Psychology, Ann has traveled all over the world. Ann had her moment in writing with the Wisconsin Book Festival, when she won a 24-hour writing contest. Since then, she has gone on to publish multiple successful books. Ann will be part of the…
February 4, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet Chicago Historian Dominic Pacyga
Interview by Meryl D'Sa
Dominic Pacyga, an urban and ethnic historian, discusses the importance of “place” and “space” in fiction and nonfiction, and how where we are and live can impact the way we behave and respond to what life offers us. Dominic will be giving a presentation on “The Importance of Place…
January 28, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet NY Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Berg
Interview by Jessica Mack
Elizabeth Berg has always loved books and reading from the time her mother began reading to her, and she’s loved writing ever since she could hold a pencil. Before writing, she was a registered nurse for 10 years, using her experiences of taking care of patients to learn more…
January 17, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet Book of the Year Award Winner Russ Fee
Interview by Meryl D'Sa
Winner of the Award for Indie Fiction
Russ Fee, the 9th Annual CWA Book of the Year winner for Indie Fiction, discusses the inspiration behind A Dangerous Identity and what the publishing world can offer indie fiction writers.
Q: What is your writing process? How much time do you spend researching, planning, or world-building before…
January 17, 2020
Behind the Pen: Meet Book of the Year Award Winner Devin Murphy
Interview by Meryl D'Sa
Winner of the Award for Traditional Fiction
Devin Murphy, the 9th Annual CWA Book of the Year winner for Traditional Fiction, shares his experience and journey writing the award-winning book, Tiny Americans. He discusses how structuring a novel can really impact the way the story is received.
Q: Describe your writing space. Do you have any favorite…
