Bulletin Board

SDWG members, submit a free listing on our bulletin board for a reading, workshop, or service you’re offering

REQUESTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Perk for SDWG Members! Straw Dog Writers Guild is now an affiliate of Bookshop.org. If you are a current SDWG member and you have published a book, we can include your book on our members list on our Bookshop.org profile. Important instructions for inclusion: To be included, first, check to see if your book is available at: https://bookshop.org/ THEN, if it is, send your name and book title to admin@strawdogwriters.org. This platform will give greater exposure to your book. “Bookshop.org is an online book marketplace launched in January 2020. Its stated mission is “to financially support local, independent bookstores.” Bookshop, Inc., a privately held company, has been certified as a B Corporation.” NOTE: Some books may not be available on this site.

Missed an online SDWG event? Check out our YouTube channel for workshop and event recordings.

SDWG Howie Faerstein shares an opportunity: Submit 3-5 POEMS by Saturday, November 2 to Cutthroat Journal. This year, we call for poems that concerns recent controversial Supreme Court Decisions. Send ONLY your finest UNPUBLISHED/UNPOSTED writing. The competition is stiff. We are open to all styles, but we favor writing with an edge. We are particularly concerned with social issues. Each poem has a limit of 100 lines. There is a nominal reading fee to help cover Submittable fees. Include a short bio note. Give us two to six months to make a decision.

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MEET UPS

Forbes Library Writing Room Wednesdays at 9:00am-12:30pm

This is a free, structured, facilitated drop in community writing group. We check in at 9:30, then write together for two hours, followed by the opportunity to read what you wrote (5 minutes). Follow the link for ZOOM meeting

Valley Society Black Writing Group

Valley Society, a SDWG committee, is open to new writers for our AWA writing group. We meet Sundays from 2-5 virtually. Visit valleysociety.org/about/writing-group/ to sign up.

Zooming Poetry Workshop

Monthly poetry workshop on the 4th Monday of the month from 4-5pm. “We send each other a poem or two before the workshop, and we give constructive, positive feedback during the workshop.” Interested poets please email Phyllis at phystgeorge@gmail.com

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BOOK LAUNCHES/CONCERTS/READINGS

SDWG member Edward Orzechowski will host his book launch on Saturday, November 23, 1-3 pm at the Florence Civic Center, 90 Park Street in Florence. Becoming Darlene The Story of Belchertown Patient #4952 Published by Levellers Press, November 2024 By Ed Orzechowski
Darlene, the eighth of what would be fourteen children in an impoverished family, was born in 1956 in the factory town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Abused and neglected, she didn’t respond to her own name, and considered herself an It. At age three she was sent to live with an aunt, where the abuse continued. Darlene didn’t speak, but began to hear voices in her head. When she was seven years old, she was sent to a place called Belchertown State School. Becoming Darlene follows the publication in 2016 of You’ll Like It Here, The Story of Donald
Vitkus—Belchertown Patient #3394, which became an all-time best-seller for Levellers Press of Amherst, Massachusetts. Both books are the work of Ed Orzechowski, a retired high school English teacher, radio, and print journalist.

Stories Told In a Lost Tongue Book Readings by Elaine Reardon on Wednesday December 11, 2 pm at the Greenfield Library in Greenfield MA as part of the Local Author Series. Stories Told in a Lost Tongue is a story of immigration and assimilation spanning three generations, this book is an exploration of heritage and healing found in everyday rituals. There is a teller of fortunes, a monk who travels with a donkey, and the tastes and smells at the kitchen table as the alchemy of cooking raises memories of those that were loved. Stories Told In a Lost Tongue is Harootunian Reardon’s third book of poetry, an exploration of heritage and healing.

SDWG member Magdalena Gomez will be a co-featured author highlighting her Memoir, Mi’ja, silver medal winner of the 2024 International Latino Book Awards. Also featured are: Kevin Gallagher and Vijaya Sundaram. Attend on Saturday, December 12, 2024 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Menino Arts Center, 26 Central Avenue, Hyde Park, MA 02136. For more info contact: info@hpaa-mac.org

WORKSHOPS/RETREATS/CONFERENCES

The Road to Haibun—Combining Prose + Haiku in Traditional and Non-Traditional Forms

SDWG member Cheryl J. Fish invites you to sign up for a free, online writing workshop she will be teaching in December. It’s a two-session workshop through the organization ART IN THE BASIN. It will be held on two Wednesday evenings–December 4 and 11 at 7 to 8 p.m. You can attend one or both sessions. “In this two session on-line workshop, we will work with the traditional Japanese form, haibun, which combines short prose followed by a reflective haiku. We will experiment with variations, and read and discuss a number of examples ranging from Basho, considered a master of the form in his travel poems, and more modern applications. We will focus on themes ranging from journeys, to love, to memory. No experience necessary.” Register HERE.

Stay (Cozy) at Home and Write: A Virtual Retreat, Jan. 24-26 with Tzivia Gover

In this Write-at-Home retreat, you’ll write at home—or close to home—in your pajamas if you please, at your desk in your comfiest chair, in a local cafe, park, local library, café, or beside the fireplace—it’s up to you. Work on a big project or get in the flow with daily writing prompts and virtual check-ins with a community of other writers. Our days will include: Lots of time to write, Intention-setting and mutual, gentle, and supportive accountability, Morning and lunchtime check-ins by Zoom and chat, Evening read-aloud circle to share what we’ve written, 2-3 optional prompts per day. Come home to your writing! Begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 through 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. With Tzivia Gover, author of Dreaming on the Page: Tap into Your Midnight Mind to Supercharge Your Writing (an IBPA Gold winner and a Forward Indie finalist) $95 regular price, with Sliding scale options from $35-$125. Register by Dec. 15 and receive 20% off! To learn more or register for Stay (Cozy) at Home and Write CLICK HERE or email hello@thirdhousemoon.com.

Word Weaving for Everyday People with Suzanne S. Rancourt

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 11am – 3pm All genres, and skill levels are welcome to our AWA and Expressive Arts inspired writing workshop. If you don’t have any work that’s o.k. too, you will by the end of the day! Writing prompts to take home after the workshop are provided, along with refreshments. AWA skills are reviewed at each session to ensure a safe, respectful, & considerate space while creating new work and reviewing older work. BE THE LIGHT for each other and ourselves while responding to various writing prompts and craft techniques that highlight the undercurrent of our metaphors. 21 Weeks Road, Queensbury, NY $50.00 For registration and payment info, email: kataahdin@gmail.com. (To maintain safe space, maximum number of attendees is 10. Please RSVP to ensure proper amounts of writing materials, prompts and food.) ALL PEOPLE ARE WELCOMED TO WORD WEAVERS WRITING WORKSHOPS The UU church of Glens Falls is completely accessible to people of all abilities. If the workshop fee is an issue, please, contact Suzanne. Suzanne S. Rancourt, Abenaki/Huron, Quebecois, Scottish descent, USMC and Army Veteran: author of NU Press & Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas First Book Award, Billboard in the Clouds; 2023 Poetry of Modern Conflict Award winner murmurs at the gate, Unsolicited Press 2019; Old Stones, New Roads MSR Pub.2021; Songs of Archilochus, Unsolicited Press, 2023. Suzanne is a multimodal EXAT, Drug & Alcohol Counselor w/ degrees in psych., writing, Aikido, Iaido; a Nature Culture’s Writing the Land Project Fellow; UMI’s New England Literature Program, Sundog Poetry Center, Solstice MFA Guest Artist. Suzanne is widely published in her fields of expertise which include post traumatic growth, and trauma treatment. She is a certified Amherst Writers & Artists affiliate workshop leader.

APERTURES OF INTIMACY – Voyeur as Witness with Suzanne S. Rancourt

5 week bibliotherapeutic writing series, Fridays, 10am – 12pm EST via Zoom, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2025. $50. usd registration fee, $200. usd balance by Jan 3. (various payment plans & methods are available. What’s App or text. Suzanne for more info. No one is turned away. +1 518.470.3078) In each 2 hour session, using original photography, selected texts, and writing prompts, we will explore cross sensory writing experiences that incorporate Expressive Arts Therapy methods with the Amherst Writers & Artists practices. AWA certified facilitator, Suzanne S. Rancourt highlights openings into ourselves and into our writing. While honing writing craft, we strengthen ourselves as human beings and courageously experience a variety of artistic points of view other than our own. Upon receipt of registration payment, participants receive the Zoom link, short book list, suggested readings, course syllabus. Handouts are shared digitally each session. Accepted forms of payment are: Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, cash, or check. Suzanne S. Rancourt, Abenaki/Huron, Quebecois, Scottish descent, USMC, and Army Veteran: author of NU Press & Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas First Book Award, Billboard in the Clouds 2004; 2023 Poetry of Modern Conflict Award winner murmurs at the gate, Unsolicited Press 2019; Old Stones, New Roads Main Street Rag Pub.2021; Songs of Archilochus, Unsolicited Press, 2023. She is a multimodal EXAT, IEATA member and presenter, Drug & Alcohol Counselor w/ degrees in psych., writing, Aikido & Iaido. With numerous publication and education accolades, Suzanne continues to study and refine her methods and writing craft. Please explore her website: https://www.expressive-arts.com

Dreaming on the Page Writing Circle with Tzivia Gover, Author and Certified Dreamwork Professional

First Tuesday of each month, 11 am-2 pm US Eastern Time, on Zoom.
Combining dreams and writing helps to increase self-awareness, reinvigorate your creativity, and supercharge your writing. Each workshop includes information and inspiration for combining dreams and the imagination, plus writing prompts and time to write and share your work.
$55 with accessible pay-what-you-can options for those with low/limited incomes. Learn more and register at: thirdhousemoon.com/event/dreaming-on-the-page-writing-circle/

Miss T’s No Bull Writing Workshops

Miss T here and I’m developing a series of two-hour $10 workshops on various writing topics. Cool, right? The first will be backstory. I call it “Don’t Put the Backstory in the Front.” Future topics include dialogue, show don’t tell, an editing cheat sheet, personal essay, cutting down on adverbs, using power verbs, etc. And, of course, I am open to your suggestions. For the workshop, I’d like you to bring a doubled-space page 12 pt font – about 250 words. It would be best if you could bring in the beginning of your story, or somewhere where you think you may be having an issue with backstory.
To indicate your interest in this or future $10 workshops, click on the link DON’T PUT THE BACKSTORY IN THE FRONT!

Pioneer Valley Writers Workshop

At PVWW, there’s definitely no better time to dive deeply into creative work and goals! They always have A LOT going on, from a full lineup of virtual workshops (one-day and multi-week) to regular readings, panels, and gatherings! And monthly Community Writing (and Community Reading events) – free and open to all – continues. Applications for PVWW’s 10-Month Manuscript Program (in all genres) open each year in the fall as well.  Browse their current workshop schedule HERE!
And visit them online at www.PioneerValleyWriters.org!

Writers in Progress

Writers in Progress, the Valley’s Literary Arts Studio, is excited to re-open our gorgeous physical space this September, launching our Fall Session with a huge variety of weekly, half day and one-day generative and craft workshops. We will also continue to offer many workshops online. Some of our many offerings this fall include: Morning Jumpstarts, with Dori Ostermiller, Writing From Life with Emily Lackey, the Craft of Memoir with Cathy Luna, the Blueprint Your Book Series, with Susanne Dunlap, Fiction Essentials with Jacqueline Sheehan, Poetry Workshop with Sarah Browning, Word for Writers, Tarot for Writers, and many more. We also host a monthly community writing workshop, the first Sunday of each month, open to all. Founded in 1992 by author Dori Ostermiller, WIP has been supporting writers and creating community for three decades and has ‘midwifed’ dozens of published books. Our workshops are limited to 8 participants and emphasize writing time, community and craft development, nurturing voice, giving and receiving constructive, encouraging feedback. We believe that the writing process calls for both rigor and playfulness, both craft and inspiration. We also offer our legendary year-long manuscript intensive for writers working on book-length manuscripts, a six month revision intensive, as well as one-on-one coaching, editing and consulting. Our published alums include Ellen Meeropol, Steve Bernstein, JoAnne Jones, Dusty Miller, Ruth Lehrer, Dinah Mack, Kris Holloway, David Lovelace and many, many more. We host a seasonal Live Literature reading series in our studio and online. Check out our amazing lineup of fall workshops and events at www.writersinprogress.com. Hope to see you soon!

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SERVICES

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Straw Dog Writers Guild YouTube Channel

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Having your events and other writing notes on this Bulletin Board is one of the many benefits of SDWG membership.

• We ask that events be in or within driving distance of the Western MA area.
• Text of up to 100 words
• Link to website or email where further information is available.
• Please send at least six weeks before the event to be placed in our newsletter.