I’m a big advocate of working together for
betterment. In my own life, I’ve been
blessed to know the full advantage of having a strong support system. When my kids were small and I worked ninety
hours a week to keep food on table, shoes on feet and tires on car. There’s no way I could have survived without the
great support system of my family and friends.
I feel the same way with my writing. Joining together with others of like mind
helps me improve and, as well, help others.
It’s that way with this blog, my business networking and
my membership to the Nebraska Writers Guild which offers support and
educational conferences and material for a minimal yearly membership.
I’ve found such writer support groups just about
everywhere and Maryland is no different.
The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit
organization dedicated to supporting the art, business, and craft of writing in
all its forms. MWA strives to:
- Bring together aspiring, emerging, and established writers of all genres and disciplines
- Serve as an information and networking resource
- Help members make contacts that lead to publication
- Encourage writers to reach their full potential, and
- Promote writing within Maryland communities
Members produce both nonfiction and fiction, including novels, short stories, poetry, plays, scripts, speeches, feature articles, and essays. Some work in specific genres such as romance, science fiction, thriller, fantasy, children's literature, travel writing, or biography.
Among MWA's activities and services:
- Monthly chapter meetings featuring guest speakers, open mic readings, workshops, and more
- Annual writers' conference
- Member newsletter, Pen in Hand
- Critique groups throughout the state
- Literary contests
- Writing projects for children
Members of MWA have access to:
- Free attendance at monthly chapter meetings
- Forums to present your creative work
- Reduced fees to MWA-sponsored events
- Participation in MWA's annual conference
- Marketing opportunities at art and literary festivals
- Links to your website(s) from the state and chapter websites
(Info found on website above.)
The Maryland Writers' Association sounds great, and I'm sure it's a huge help to MD writers looking to go further in their writing journeys. I am a member of a similar group in New Jersey that's just for women, called Women Who Write, that offers similar benefits. Since I joined I've found nothing but support that has been invaluable. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so important to have a support group in the writing, submission and publishing process. Writing can be a lonely job, but a group can provide feedback, experience, and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI'm hard-pressed to even find the time to write, squeeze in some promoting, and work my multiple jobs. More power to you for taking advantage of the support you've found. But unless I gave up sleep or talking to my family, I'm not sure how I could fit it in! Maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot to make a writer's group work, or any group for that matter. Your group must certainly have a lot of people who put a lot of effort into these activities and functions. I greatly admire that. Living on an island with many diverse personalities and people spread out in diverse directions, it's difficult to hold a group together and many people here could use your type of services. Wish it could happen here for many islanders. Your group is to be admired.
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