Austin Camacho, 1st Vice President of VWC

presenting the Outstanding Chapter Award to

Darrell Fleming, President, AAG, November 5, 2011

at the Commonwealth Club, Richmond, VA

Appalachian Authors Guild

For exemplifying excellence in leadership and support of writers in the Appalachian region. They offered first year VWC membership to anyone who joined or renewed membership in their Chapter for the year 2011, resulting in over 30 new members for the statewide organization. They hosted numerous "Meet-the-Author" events for their members during the year with their largest venue being the annual Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon. Partnering with Southwest Virginia Community College and the Appalachian Arts Center, they co-sponsored the annual Appalachian Heritage Writers Symposium in Richlands which, this year, featured Lee Smith as the keynote speaker. They invited fellow statewide VWC members to participate in their "Meet-the-Author" event and writing contest at the Symposium. Finally, they hosted the September meeting of the Board of Governors and had an excellent afternoon program on promoting and marketing Appalachian culture with guest speakers addressing opportunities for the region's writers and artists.
The Virginia Writers Club, Inc.
November 5, 2011
June Forte, President
Austin Camacho, 1st Vice President

On to the Next Big Thing, Appalachian Authors!
Mark your calendar
AAG Membership Meeting Program

September 10, 2011
1:00pm--2:30pm
Virginia Highlands Community College theatre

Appalachian Culture - On the Page and On the Stage

Special Guests - Virginia Writers Club, Board of Governors

Speakers:

Todd Christensen, Executive Director, SWVA Cultural Heritage Commission will open the program with a presentation of special interest to writers, authors and the general public on Heartwood’s mission and its literary connection with writers and authors.

As a special guest, Richard Rose, Artistic Director, Barter Theatre will be the keynote speaker on the topic of authors and development of resident playwrights at Barter, in particular of Appalachian material, and the impact of Barter’s involvement with promoting Appalachian works into the theatre world at large.

This program will be of great interest to all writers, authors and supporters of Appalachian literary art. So, put the date on your calendar now, invite a friend(s), car pool and come join in the exciting news for Appalachian writers and authors. Arrive in time to get a good seat. It’s open to the public and free for all comers.

Also, make plans to visit Heartwood (http://www.heartwoodvirginia.org/) before or after the program. The facility and displays are truly a treasure for our entire region and the food is outstanding. You will even see books on sale by many of your fellow authors.

In addition, the Board of Governors of the Virginia Writers Club will be attending the program following their quarterly board meeting at Heartwood. You’ll have an opportunity to meet and greet these special guests who represent writers and authors from throughout the State of Virginia as well as neighboring states.

Virginia Highlands Festival - 2011

AAG kicked off the 2011 Va. Highlands Festival with its new banner displayed. Thanks to Jack Rose for having it made and to Darrell Fleming for hanging it!

A Wag's View Of Book Reviews

Slate published this recently on book reviews. Thought you all would be interested. Bob Mustin

Chat with local writers

Chat with many local and regional authors at the Appalachian Authors tent during the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, Virginia.

Whatever your genre reading preference, you're apt to find it.

 

Anthology stories-
http://www.lldreamspell.com/SylviaNickels.htm
http://mysterylanerambler.wordpress.com
http://www.ramblinscribe.com
http://appalachianauthors.com

http://appalachianauthors.blogspot.com

http://appheritagewritersym.wordpress.com

Sylvia Nickels at the "Pickle"

The Piccadilly Restaurant chain in Tennessee and Virginia has been a good partner for the Appalachian Authors Guild, as this picture of Sylvia Nickels attests.

Appalachian Heritage Writer's Symposium

Lee Smith will be there - and we hope you will, too. For details, check out the AHWS website!

Plumb Alley Day

AAG Prez Darrell Fleming at Plum Alley Day, Abingdon, VA - 5/28/2011

Bristol Mall Book Sales

Jack Rose and Bob Mustin took part in the recently renewed Piccadilly Book project yesterday. They enjoyed one another's company, sold a number of books, and made new friends there. Many thanks to Rodney Smith for making the arrangements.

AAG Meeting

The next meeting of the AAG will be at the Cumberland Plateau Planning Office in Lebanon, VA on February 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm.

Lyn Hawks Speaks

In this link, my good friend and writing partner, Lyn Fairchild Hawks, waxes forth in her own...ahem "write"...about editing. Never mind that she mentions me there - Lyn is a fine teacher and a stellar writer - this is all to the point about what makes writing good, and good writing even better. Hope you find the time to check out her insights in this post.

Bob Mustin