SCWA / The Quill / November 2024
A Newsletter of the South Carolina Writers Association
November 2024
Message from the President
GIVING THANKS
Whew! October was a wild ride and I am thankful that we are still here. I was affected by the hurricane by having a tree fall on my house. The two cats and I are OK, but that stopped me from attempting to continue to Columbia for Storyfest in a hurricane. I live far away from blood family, however my made family immediately stepped in to support me. My blood family was able to help from afar.
I say all of this because this shows how important made families of close friends and community are. Many in SCWA reached out and supported me as well. SCWA is my community of writers that I need to be comfortable and confident in my writing world. You inspire me to keep working on writing and help take away times I fight imposter syndrome.
I was so looking forward to seeing you at our conference this year and mingle in our community that I am so thankful for. This month we will come together with blood family and/or made family to share in food and reflect on what we are thankful for. I am thankful to have the privilege of being your SCWA president.
I am thankful I am able to give back to my writing community/family that welcomed and supported me during a time when I needed a writing community. What I loved most about our conference is the fellowship and getting to see you that I learn with throughout the year virtually. As we break bread this month know that you are part of something great that brings us all together no matter which path you are on outside of your writing path.
United we can grow and help each other grow. Without realizing it, we lift each other up and make writing accessible for each other in a way that being without community cannot. As this year is nearing the end and we question our coming years know that SCWA is part of your writing family. I am inspired by the support we give each other throughout our journey no matter what other walks of life we take from each other.
“I hope that the world turns, and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you.” - V for Vendetta
Like Valerie from this movie, I care that you are here. Our writing will continue to get better and community is a strong one. Let’s write and grow together as a writing family.
May the muse be ever in your favor.
Ash Smith
President
SCWA Board of Directors
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY FOR BOARD SERVICE
It’s not too late to apply to serve as a director or advisor on the SCWA Board, but we’d like your application as soon as possible.
Please consider volunteering.
You also could serve SCWA and fellow members by serving on one of the various committees rather than being a board member - help plan the next conference or other events, provide your ideas and expertise to promote and market SCWA and its events, guide us as we look at grants to help the organization, advise us on other fundraising and financial matters. There’s so much you could do.
For more information, email our administrator, Laura Corbin, at administrator@myscwa.org or President Ash Smith at president@myscw.org. If you would like to apply for a board position, please fill out the form at 2025 SCWA Board Application.
Events and Education
FINAL 2024 AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX NOV. 21
SCWA has one final Author’s Toolbox session this year, Nov. 21. The program is free to members and $25 to nonmembers. We already are booking our sessions for 2025, so stay tuned for that schedule.
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.
APPLY FOR NORTH CHARLESTON ARTS FEST 2025
The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is seeking artists in music, theatre, dance, visual art, media art and literature to perform or present at the 2025 North Charleston Arts Fest to be held April 30-May 4. Regional and local artists and community organizations are welcome to apply to perform on stage or present their talents through programs such as exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and more. There is NO application fee. Applications will be accepted through the online submission platform until Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Apply at https://www.northcharlestonartsfest.com/apply/.
The North Charleston Arts Fest is an annual five-day celebration of the arts, offering an array of free events and activities such as concerts, theatre presentations, exhibitions and installations, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, and more, throughout North Charleston. The review panel will select applicants from all art disciplines to create a mix of events, programs and activities that will work well in the available venues and are geared to meet the interests of a cross-section of ages, cultures and backgrounds.
Proposals for new concepts or programs are encouraged.
Pat Brandon
VP/Events & Education
The South Carolina Writers Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary organization, receives support from the South Carolina Arts Commission and our members, furthering our mission to offer a supportive environment for people to become better writers. SCWA is grateful for this support. Donate to help SCWA to enhance our ability to provide quality programs and services to writers in South Carolina and the region.