* Another Terrific Meeting *

We had a terrific meeting yesterday. Our Guest Speaker, Joe Holleman, energized everyone with his presentation. He educated us, entertained us, and answered questions. He mingled after the meeting, and graciously accepted our invitation to have lunch afterwards at a local restaurant. Thank you, Joe!

Joe Holleman

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

With Winter Weather Advisories out for our area today, I feared many people would stay home. We rented the larger room for today's meeting and I truly worried we might only have 20 people.

Some socializing after the meeting.

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

Our turn-out was good, though. (I believe at last count, we had 41 attendees.) Although we averaged 60 at our two previous meetings, this is the first time we had to deal with a negative weather forecast.

Three of our illustrious board members.

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

During lunch, Joe said he really enjoyed speaking to us and would love to come back sometime. I told him I'd let him know of upcoming Meet & Greet events, etc.

Happy members!

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

Hello & Welcome to our newest followers: Lynn and J Markus. Thanks and hope you always enjoy stopping by!

* Monthly Meeting Today *

Today is my favorite day of every month.....it's the last Saturday of March, so it's meeting day! Our Guest Speaker for today is Joe Holleman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Columnist.


I'm hoping for another great turn-out especially since we've rented a much larger room today than usual. We're growing so quickly, our past two meetings have been wall-to-wall members and a few visitors, too.

This past week, we've had typical St. Louis weather, which means....nothing is typical and everything is possible! We had record breaking high temperatures less than a week ago. We had snow yesterday. And the cold, snowy weather is predicted to continue for quite a few days. Instead of our beautiful spring and summer-like temperatures, our high temps will only be in the 40s (Fahrenheit). But, this blog is certainly not about the weather!

I just wanted to remind everyone, one more time, that today is meeting day. Please see all pertinent info on the left side bar: time, place, etc. There's also lots of important information and reminders on the right side bar, too: membership info, etc.

** Don't forget today is the day to renew your dues at the reduced rate of $15.00. After today, it is $20.00.
** Also, visitors are welcome, with a $5.00 per meeting fee.

See everyone there!

* Exciting Writing Times *

This coming Saturday, March 26th, is our next Saturday Writers meeting. *See all pertinent info on the left side bar.* I always look so forward to each meeting for various reasons: Meeting the guest speaker if we haven't already met, talking with the members and visitors, as much as possible, seeing the various expressions on everyone's face: deep thoughts, learning something new, smiles and laughter.

I must admit one of my favorite things is giving out the Door Prizes! I'm always on the look-out for "writerly" and inexpensive kinds of things. I've found the best ones in major retail stores that have dollar-item shelves! Most of which I've paid for from my own pocket for two reasons: I'm certainly not spending much and I don't want members to think I'm using our money improperly!

The annual Missouri Writers Guild Conference is April 8 - 10. That's only about 2 and 1/2 weeks away! If you haven't signed up yet, please take the time to look into all that will be happening this year. Check out their blog or website for all important information.

This conference is open to anyone across the nation! You do not have to be from Missouri. You do not have to be a published author. Beginners are very welcome! Many are unpublished and do not have completed books. I'm looking so forward to being there this year! Check it out....You won't be disappointed!

* Deadline is Over for One-Page Poem Contest *

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

The postmark deadline was yesterday for our *One-Page Poem Contest*.

Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top ten only) will be posted here by April 30, 2011. Certificates and cash prizes will be mailed the following week.

We will check the postmark date on any envelopes that still haven't arrived. If they are postmarked 3/15/2011 or before, they obviously will be accepted. Any envelopes dated after 3/15/2011 will be disqualified. Thanks to everyone who entered and good luck!

* Hello & Welcome to our newest follower: A.F.! Thanks and hope you always enjoy stopping by

Poetry Contest

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.



One-page Poem Contest
April is poetry month!

Saturday Writers is announcing our 9^th annual poetry contest!

Submission Guidelines:

1) Any style, any subject, any form allowed. (No porn or gore.) Wow us in one page. (One poem per single-spaced page.)

2) No identification should appear on the entry. Attach a separate coversheet with title, name, address, e-mail, and phone number.

3) Two copies of each entry! (Both judges need a copy.)

4) Entry fee: $5 per poem, 3 entries max. Checks payable to Saturday Writers

5) Poems must be unpublished at the time of submission, original work of the contestant. (Published includes being published on any internet/blog sites.)

6) ***  Deadline: March 15, 2011 postmark. ***

7) Prizes: 1^st place - $100, 2^nd place - $50, 3^rd place - $25. Top 10 entries receive a certificate.

8) Mail entries flat, not folded, to: 

Saturday Writers One-page Poem Contest

PO Box 2093

St. Peters, MO 63376.

Contest is open to members of Saturday Writers and nonmembers, too. Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top ten only) will be posted on the website by April 30, 2011. Certificates and cash prizes will be mailed the following week.

For a list of winners, check our website after April 30: www.saturdaywriters.org and back at this blog: http://www.saturdaywriters.blogspot.com/

Decision of judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Poems will not be returned.  

Questions? E-mail the president at BeckySatWriters@aol.com

** Hello & Welcome to our newest follower: Patricia Preston. Thanks and hope you always enjoy stopping by! **

* Contests*

If you're here looking for a certain contest, please click on the word Contests on the left column. That will take you right there.

Hello & Welcome to our newest follower: Andy! Thanks and hope you always enjoy stopping by.

Missouri Writers Guild Conference

It's hard to believe that the 2011 MWG Conference, "Just Write" is only a month away! We've all heard about it, talked about it, began getting involved in it months ago. It's getting exciting! Our chapter is entering a theme basket in the Basket Wars silent auction. Our theme: Chocolate! I've already purchased a few goodies to donate, and from what I'm hearing, I think we'll need one of those large, wicker laundry baskets to accommodate it all!

I'm thrilled and honored to be the "shepherd" for Linda C. Apple during the conference. (This means I get to be her guide and make sure she finds her way to the correct meeting rooms, etc.)

The following is from Linda's blog "About Me" section:  Linda is a writer and a speaker. Her writing includes both fiction and non-fiction. Her book INSPIRE! Writing from the Soul and CONNECT! A Simple Guide to Public Speaking for Writers, is now available. Check it out on her website: www.lindacapple.com. Her current work in progress is a historical romance set during the late 1800's. Linda writes devotionals, some of which have appeared in The Upper Room and The Secret Place. She has also been published in thirteen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Linda is the Arkansas regional speaker-trainer for Stonecroft Ministries. She speaks for women's groups and writing groups. You may reach her at: lindacapple@gmail.com.

I'm looking so forward to meeting Linda and spending time with her!