SCWA / The Quill / July 2024
A Newsletter of the South Carolina Writers Association
July 2024
Message from the President
LET FREEDOM RI… WRITE!
Happy 4th everyone! Hope everyone stayed cool during the holiday weekend holiday. This month everything is Red, White and Blue, and stands for freedom. The first week of July had many fireworks and drone shows across the country, and they all had music in common. This is so cool because those are some of the most passionate songs the venues could find. A lot of passionate writings are inspired by this time of year and the concept of freedom.
A defining piece of writing that comes from this time of year is the reason we celebrate on July 4th in the first place: The Declaration of Independence. A piece of writing told the world we are our own people and we were going to win this fight for that freedom.
Written pieces and oral telling always have been used to further what we feel passionate about. We have the freedom to write what enthralls us, makes us passionate, works to change the world, or simply entertains us. Events in our lives inspire us every day to put words to paper and to share with others (and ourselves) something we need to see. Like the fireworks and drone shows that are used to stir our passion for big milestones of the year, writing is used by us to stir emotions for our audiences.
We are so lucky to be free to write whatever is in us. And I say that despite the current climate. Right now is scary with movements to try to ban or restrict what we read. However, do not let this silence your story. History and dystopian stories show time and time again that written pieces that need to be heard will find their way to the audience that needs them. Today is no different. People can try, but no one will ever be able to tell us what we can write or what we can read or hear. That is our true freedom.
Writing will always find a way, and, let’s face it, there’s no way we cannot not write. We have writing in us and the most liberating act we as writers can do is to bring our pieces forth into the world. Find that inspiration and passion, hold on to it tight, and be proud of your voice!
May the Muse be ever in your favor.
Ash Smith
President
Events and Education
STORYFEST LEADS TO GREAT COLLABORATION
This is a quote from a group of writers who met at Storyfest. They connected over the weekend, started sharing their work, and got to know one another. When the weekend ended, they took inspiration from one of the faculty members and formed their own writing group, KIP 2.0. Now, they meet regularly and support each other's writing, which spans genres. Those kinds of relationships and friendships - that's what happens at StoryFest.
2024 STORYFEST OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Storyfest is SCWA’s biggest event of the year. We will present some of South Carolina’s most prominent and amazing authors, editors, agents and screenwriters as well as some from outside of our state.
In addition to three pre-conference masterclasses and two craft classes, Storyfest will feature the invaluable Queryfest, Slushfest, Speed Pitch Session and a “Publishing World Today” panel. Four keynote speakers will share their valuable insights. With 20-plus sessions and presentations, there’s something for every genre, every writer.
A Saturday cocktail hour, open mic, exhibits, book signings and more also will be included.
Register now for SCWA’s 2024 Storyfest, set for Sept. 27 through 29 in Columbia.
Fees for the full three-day conference are $280 for members and $355 for nonmembers. Student registration for the full conference is $140. A one-day ticket for Saturday-only sessions is available for $195. Masterclasses, manuscript critiques and query pitches are available for additional charges as add-ons to your registration.
BOOK YOUR ROOM FOR 2024 STORYFEST
The DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia is the host hotel for 2024 Storyfest. The discounted group rate is $169 (plus tax & fees) for one king or two queen beds. For the SCWA discounted rate, reserve at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia; book by Aug. 29 for the discount.
If you are not a member of SCWA, join now to enjoy the member rate for Storyfest as well as other SCWA benefits. Membership is $75 annually; go to Join Us.
For more information email administrator@myscwa.org.
AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX PROGRAMS CONTINUE
SCWA continues to offer Author’s Toolbox sessions in July, free to members and $25 to nonmembers. (Hint: If you join SCWA for $75, attending three Author’s Toolboxes “pays” for your membership.)
July 18 - Stephen Hundley: “Writing Short Stories and Novels”
Join acclaimed writer Stephen Hundley for a one-hour talk on writing short stories and novels—and adding fantasy and science fiction to traditional Southern stories.
Hundley is the author of The Aliens Will Come to Georgia First (University of North Georgia Press, 2023) and Bomb Island (Hub City Press, 2024), “a funny and fast-paced” novel that is part coming-of-age romance and part thriller, says Hundley’s publisher.
He is a fiction editor at Driftwood Press and a book review editor at the Southeast Review.
His stories and poems have appeared in Prairie Schooner, Cream City Review, The Greensboro Review, and elsewhere. He holds an MA from Clemson University and an MFA from the University of Mississippi. He is currently completing a PhD in English at Florida State University.
Award-winning Southern author Ron Rash calls Hundley’s Bomb Island “a remarkable novel by an immensely talented young writer.”
Zoom link provided upon registration.
OTHER UPCOMING AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX SESSIONS:
Aug. 22 - Alex Rath: “Writing With Anxiety”
Oct. 17 - Brenda Gardner/Lisa Harrison: “How to Connect With Book Clubs and Readers”
Nov. 21 - Anthea Sharp: “Kickstarter for Authors: How Writers Can Find New Readers and Flourish With Crowdfunding"
NOTE: All Author’s Toolbox sessions are recorded and the link is emailed to all registrants for the individual sessions. They also are uploaded on the SCWA website in Recorded Events under the Members Only tab, available to all active members - another great benefit of membership.
Pat Brandon
VP/Events & Education
Publications
TPR GENERAL SUBMISSIONS CONTINUE THROUGH AUG. 23
The Petigru Review continues taking submissions of original fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art from members of the SWCA and the public at large. Submissions from all genres are in full swing, and the 2024 issue of TPR is shaping up to be a beauty — but slots remain in all genres!
The reading period for all genres will close on Aug. 23.
The 2024 iteration of TPR will be a themed issue focusing on place and/or voice. Submissions need not be set in South Carolina, nor need they be written by South Carolina authors. However, preference will be given to pieces set in the Greater South (SC, NC, GA, FL, VA, AL, MS, LA, TX, OK, MO, AR, TN, KY, WV).
There will be a $3 fee, payable through Submittable, for each general submission.
For questions about submissions, email Drew Geyer, managing editor, at ageyer@usca.edu.
Drew Geyer
Managing Editor, The Petigru Review
Submissions, Other Opportunities
AIKEN LIBRARY TO HOST LIBRARY CONVENTION IN NOVEMBER
The Aiken Public Library will host its inaugural Library Convention on Nov. 2, 2024. The family-friendly event allows local authors to introduce their published books to area elementary and middle school students. For more information, contact maried@abbe-lib.org. Applications are due by July 15.
LITMOSPHERE: JOURNAL OF CHARLOTTE LIT OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
Litmosphere: Journal of Charlotte Lit is an open submission, paying online literary and art journal, published twice a year in the spring and fall. We’re open to emerging and established writers and are particularly eager to receive submissions from those historically underrepresented in publishing. Send us art, flash (fiction and nonfiction), poetry, and short prose (fiction and literary nonfiction) via Submittable through July 31 for the Fall 2024 issue. The journal is free to read and there is no fee to submit. Information and guidelines are available here.
CALL FOR SCRIPTS BY UNPRODUCED LGBTQ+ SOUTHERN WRITERS
The third Del Shores Foundation Writers Search is open for submissions from unproduced playwrights and screenwriters who identify as LGBTQ+ and currently live in the South. Cash awards are given to the semifinalists, finalists and winners and production grants accompany the winning scripts to move their work toward production. Final submission deadline July 31, 2024. Use the code “DSFSC” for free submission. For more information and submissions visit Del Shores Foundation.