Graduates (Left-to-Right): Carol Frischmann, me, Frances Wood

The letters M.F.A. can now be added after my name – long time coming and very fantastic! Does that mean I’m a better writer? God I hope so.

But whether or not I am, doesn’t affect my take away from the entire MFA experience. From its low-residency component to its high-caliber instructors – not to mention the fabulous fellow-students/writers I’ve had a chance to toil beside – it’s been  a ride well worth taking. It’s one I already miss and it’s only been two days!

With Keynote Speaker Elizabeth George

As far as graduations go, this one soared (of course there’s no prejudice here at all). New York Times best-selling author, Elizabeth George was the keynote and she was fantastic! Inspiring and encouraging while also spurring us on by reminding us of the discipline it takes to see our writing through. Indeed, she charged us with the responsibility to do so – and since she lives that talk, it makes it more inspiring to try and live up to that charge. I am so grateful for her generous spirit not only for this keynote, but for all she has done for the newly, fully-accredited, MFA program with NILA.

As the day approached, the weather called for rain. I fretted over that fact since much of the after-festivities were planned for outdoors (“festivities” included mingling with friends and taking photographs!). Of course, I also worried that rain could affect the mood/tone of the day. Mother Nature changed her mind…

Wow - husband and son surround me - what a fantastic feeling!

The brightest moment of the entire affair happened when my oldest son made a surprise appearance (younger son tried to come, too, but couldn’t get off work). There I was, already excited and thrilled about, well, everything. Turns out, that was only the half of it. Nothing can top such an outpouring of love. Nothing.

So the sun decided to shine, after all.

Beach near Coupeville on Whidbey Island

This week at my final residency, I’ve been surrounded by inspiration every time I’ve turned around. It’s been with fellow students (amazing writers all!!!), instructors (today I had to say a grateful goodbye to poet/publisher/editor Kate Gale – what a godsend she is!), and even on a mussel-strewn beach littered with driftwood.

For today, that’s all I have to share – a hint of inspiration from a sea worn log. It just doesn’t get any better.

Adding to her already full schedule, Kaye has taken on the position of  Editor-in-Chief for the Writers’ Alliance of Gainesville‘s publication: Bacopa Literary Review, a print journal of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Let’s see what she has to say!

Q:  Can you introduce yourself and briefly tell us a bit about yourself?

I have completed the MFA in creative writing at NILA but I am still working on the thesis – a collection of mythological short stories set in the Australian suburbs.  Currently, I have the honor of working as Editor-in-chief of the Bacopa Literary Review.  My home is Gainesville, Florida, where there exists a large support network for writers of all genres.

Q.  When was the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) formed and what is its primary focus?  How long have you been a member?

WAG was formed some years ago by a group of dedicated writers – among them professors and teachers.  These people worked hard to offer writers support through such means as newsletters, monthly lectures and talks, submission leads, genre critique pods, as well as speaking and volunteer opportunities.  (We are currently creating a national model for working with homeless veterans who have created some inspirational pieces of writing.)    I joined WAG two years ago, shortly after I moved here from South Florida.

Q.  When did WAG launch its Bacopa Literary Review – and what was the inspiration behind this writers’ organization launching its own review?

We launched it one year ago.  The writers’ organization felt that they could help fund a journal that offered writers everywhere an opportunity for general submissions and for contest money in a lovely print journal.  This is not just a local journal.  We are a solidly founded project that aims to be around for a long time, with both a print and an online presence. The goal is to provide all writers equal opportunity for publication, without bias and without judgment.  The writing speaks for itself.

Q.  As its new Editor-in-Chief, what is your short – and long – term vision for the journal?

My short- term vision is to build on the fantastic foundation that the writers spearheaded last year. I am still learning the ropes as I just came into the position this year.  We wish to raise the standard of the journal to a high professional level that will include writers and readers from all over the world.  Right now, we are receiving numerous submissions from overseas and I am pleased to see that.  I wish to expand the scope of the journal to eventually include Young Adult and perhaps some experimental writing, but that would be down the line. We have our desks full for right now.  The Bacopa board works as a team and such choices would have to be a team decision. I can only suggest and offer chocolate…

Q.  Are you actively seeking new writers?

Absolutely.  They stand an excellent chance of publication with Bacopa.

We are all writers, some beginning, some famous.  We really don’t pay attention to whether someone is well published or not. As I said, the writing speaks for itself.

Q. What words of advice can you give folks who’d like to submit?

Follow the guidelines, read your work out loud before submitting (to catch little errors) and just submit.  You have an excellent chance for publication in our Review.

Q.   Any other comments?

Yes.  I see a lot of simple errors in otherwise well-written work. These errors can make the difference between publication or not.  We do not edit.  If you read aloud, you will catch errors that otherwise might go unnoticed in a silent read.   Please submit.   We especially need short fiction and non-fiction for the current general submission period.

Visit us at : http://www.writersalliance.org/bacopa.html

Thanks so much, Kaye. Good luck to Bacopa and you as your journeys continue!!!

Probably the coolest thing for my writing career is my thesis for my MFA was completed – and it was signed off by both my adviser and award-winning author, Kathleen Alcalá, and 2nd reader, NY Times best-selling author, Joshilyn Jackson. My official graduation is this coming August. Guess it’s time to breathe now…

Then, exciting news about the successful fund-raising event I hosted for the Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference (WIWC). The high tea atmosphere was the perfect setting for the Silpada Jewelry show. Our Silpada representative,

Whidbey Island's Deception Pass

Melinda Messer, donated 100% of the event’s proceeds to WIWC – which equated to $1500! Wow! Special people like Melinda are rare treasures, indeed. She rocks it! Melinda, if you’re reading this, know how grateful I am – as well as everyone associated with WIWC.

More great news is my brother, writer Flip Kobler, came to spend time with me here in the Pacific Northwest. We had an opportunity to talk writing and attend the Chat House Mini-Conference, hosted by WIWC. Boy, I’d missed him! If you get a chance to attend any of the writing events hosted by WIWC, be sure to go; they’re amazing. And if you have the unique opportunity to either see one of Flip’s plays – or mount one yourself – don’t miss that chance!

The last piece to this hodgepodge post is my short story, Flying for Food, has been published in the most recent issue of Hunger Mountain - the VCFA journal of the arts. Hunger Mountain is one of my favorite journals, so having a piece published there is a true highlight in my career.

Phew. See? Lots of stuff going on. And that’s the most inspirational thing of all!!!

Where to begin? Start with writers’ organizations – you can go large like MWA (Mystery Writers of America) or RWA (Romance Writers of America) or SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators), to name a few. After joining you can then check out the local chapter’s events. This is one way to go. Another way is to look for writers’ organizations that are geographically set up – like Pennwriters in Pennsylvania, PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association) in the Northwest. In some places it’s even possible to narrow the geographical area even further – like SFL (Seattle Freelances) or WIWA (Whidbey Island Writers’ Association), both terrific writing organizations in the Puget Sound area.

If all that sounds daunting, but you’d still like to find inspiration with fellow writers, attend a conference – without joining the organization that sponsors it. Sort of like a test drive. Last weekend I attended a one day mini conference on Whidbey Island and came home so creatively juiced up my fingers haven’t left the keyboard!

If even that feels like too much, perhaps just try to find local writers who are interested in starting a writers’ critique group. Sharing your own work, and honing your craft of both writing and critiquing, is all good.

At the end of the day, the key is to get out there – join – participate in the writing world. There is no down side, just lots of terrific people to meet and things to learn and share. See you in the trenches…

And one of my favorites, COLUMBIAKids, recently earned a Muse Award (a silver- second only to the Smithsonian Museum of American History!). Quite an accomplishment, especially when you consider the fact they’re only two-years old!

So please join me in congratulating editor Stephanie Lile and her hardworking crew, as well as contributing authors. Here’s to another fifty years with as many new awards!

Really, if you haven’t seen an issue, you must click on the photo and scope out their site. With fantastic writers like Newberry Award winner Kirby Larson and local kids’ author Sharon Mentyka (just two of the stellar authors!), this is a must visit.

Congratulations COLUMBIAKids to a terrific award!

Date: June 5, 2010
Time: 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Location: Contact me for details at ka@kobbiealamo.com!

Celebrate in Style

Join us for a relaxed High Tea Party with no formal presentations – just fun with friends!

At a Silpada Party, you can celebrate your personal, one-of-a-kind fashion with unique Sterling Silver Jewelry because Silpada Jewelry makes it easy to look fabulous… and that’s something to celebrate!

Bring a friend to the tea and, since it’s possible to participate without being present, please forward this invitation to anyone – everyone! – who loves jewelry or supporting the arts (they are certain to thank you).

Melinda, our representative, has offered to donate her profit to WIWA; a gracious gift, indeed!

So let’s come together to make great things happen as only an amazing group like WIWA (and terrific people like Melinda) can do.

Can’t make it??

For those of you unable to attend our event on June 5th, you will be missed.  But the great news is, you can still participate to help WIWA!  You just have to visit the website of Melinda, our generous Silpada representative, and scope out her exciting catalog. Then, pick out something special for yourself – or a gift for someone else – and contact Melinda via her website to place your order!

Also, for anyone who makes a selection and needs it before our fundraiser on June 5th, please feel free to contact Melinda. She’ll keep track of our totals while trying to accommodate your needs.

Her website is also a place where you can learn more about Silpada Designs. To begin, simply click on her name below:

- Melinda Messer -

• Michelle Poploff, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books
• Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart
• Jedediah Berry, editor at Small Beer Press, and author of The Manual of Detection
• Tanya Lee Stone, author of teen and young adult fiction, picture books, and children’s nonfiction
• Tanita Davis, writer of experimental, short fiction, who then shares it with the world

In a word?  WOW!!!  See you on the auction floor…

This author needs some help - in the form of a "Hunger Moutain" critique!

Okay, here’s the posting…

Please join us for the Hunger Mountain Spring  Fundraising Auction beginning at midnight EST on Thursday, April 29, featuring manuscript critiques with outstanding authors, editors, and agents.

This auction will feature a full length Middle Grade novel critique with Michelle Poploff, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books; Creative nonfiction critique with Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart; fiction critique with Jedediah Berry, editor at Small Beer Press, and author of The Manual of Detection; full-length picture book critique with Tanya Lee Stone; and full length YA mansucript critique with Tanita Davis.

Also offered are opportunities to work with authors David Jauss, Philip Graham, Allegra Huston, Baron Wormser, Deborah Wiles, and Jacqueline Kelly, author of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

All purchases are charitable in support of Hunger Mountain’s non-profit mission to cultivate engagement with and conversation about the arts by publishing high-quality, innovative literary and visual art by both established and emerging artists, and by offering opportunities for interactivity and discourse.

All items will be available at: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/The-Hunger-Mountain-Store beginning at midnight EST on Thursday, April 29th. Bidding ends at midnight EST on Sunday, May 9th. This is a great way to study with a writer you admire and support non-profit literary publishing!

Thanks for your support and please pass this announcement along far and wide!

Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island

That said, I do want to mention a fabulous writers’ event coming up in June – the Saturday Chat House Mini Conference being hosted by the Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference.  Take a look at the flyer I’ve posted below – this is an absolute must do!  Check it out – and I hope to see you there.

Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference Saturday Chat House on June 12th

As I mentioned in my last post, a few weeks ago I presented at the BizArt Conference with poet Kelly Davio – I was going to do a write up here, but she also wrote about the experience in her blog. I believe her words are terrifically powerful so asked her if I could do a simple cut/paste from her posting – she graciously said, “Sure!’

So please read on…and be inspired!  (And thanks for such a great experience, Kelly – and for sharing your blog post!)

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Poet Kelly Davio

In Which I Propose a Little Project for National Poetry Month