Friday, March 1, 2013

Membership Open During March 2013

Please Note: We are no longer accepting new member introductions. See details.

Greetings from Westside Writers! Thank you for your interest in our critique group. If you wish to join, please read the page “About Us” prior to submitting your email introduction. If you have any questions, feel free to either comment on this post or email WestsideWriters503@gmail.com.

We understand that few writing groups ask potential members to apply, however we are looking for members who are serious about their work. We will accept requests for membership during March 2013. And remember, prior publication is not a requirement for membership, but you must have work in progress.

To request membership, please send an introductory email to WestsideWriters503@gmail.com and include the following:
  1. Your real name and pen name 
  2. Where you are at as a writer? (eg: just starting, completed first novel, published, etc) 
  3. What you are looking for in a critique group? 
  4. Have you been published? If so, where? 
  5. What are your plans for publishing? 
  6. Please attach a 500-1000 word sample of a recent piece of your work in either DOC or PDF format. [Note: This will NOT be critiqued. It is your chance to provide members with a sense of your writing style and interests.] 
When your application is received, we will forward a 250 word piece of flash fiction for you to read and critique. There is no correct critique. We wish to see how you react to an example of our work and what suggestions you provide to the author to make the piece stronger.

Once you return your critique to WestsideWriters503@gmail.com, it and your introductory email will be forwarded to all members of the group. We will provide an email response within fourteen days to all who request membership. We hope to invite most who are interested in membership to attend an upcoming meeting, but please remember actual invitations will depend on the number of requests received and interest expressed.
From each of us at Westside Writers, we wish you both success and great personal satisfaction in your writing.

Writer's Retreat in Gaston

The Writing Retreat Weekend is a two-day opportunity to learn and practice the basics of writing good fiction, to write one short story and to generate future story ideas. The weekend alternates between dedicated periods of time to write and interactive mini-workshops on the craft of writing fiction. - See more at: http://anandalaurelwood.org/program/writers-retreat-weekend/ 

When: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 4:00 pm – Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Where: Ananda Center at Laurelwood, 38950 SW Laurelwood Rd, Gaston, OR, 97119 (Map) Contact: Reservation Desk efl@anandalaurelwood.org
Phone: 503.746.6229

Click here for details

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Member Publishes Short Story

Westside Writers member Vanessa has a story in the current issue of Bohemia (read online free). It's on page 20 "Infallible Universal Order".

Visit Vanessa's blog for more information.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Fiction Divas Debutes

An exciting new blog made its debut at the close of November. Fiction Divas features writing by, about, and for women who love to read. The site will feature a wide selection of flash fiction, short stories, and novel excerpts as well as occasional interviews with Fiction Divas' contributors and other authors.

Submission guidelines are available on the blog here.

It is edited by Westside Writers member and coordinator April Aasheim.

You can also "Like" Fiction Divas on Facebook.

New website live

Hillsboro Writer is now known as Kaleb Lynn Thomas. Please visit his new website at www.kaleblynnthomas.com.

Kaleb has been with Westside Writers since 2010 and currently coordinates the group with the assistance of April Aasheim.