GWG Newsletter
GREENBELT WRITERS GROUP, 15 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt, MD. 20770,
June 1997, No. 6
USE IT OR LOSE IT
Unbelmownst to most of us, the Greenbelt Community Center has allotted
GWG more hours in the Media Room for this spring than we had last year.
From April through June, the GWG has the Media Room reserved from 6 p.m.
to 10 pm. on Sundays, from 9 am. to 10 pm. on Mondays, from 6 pm. to 10
p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 9 am. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays. The room is
ideal for meetings of critique groups or small writing groups, or
individuals
who just want a quiet place to write. It has been noted that the Group
underuses the Media Room, and that it could be given to other groups who
would use it more often. We worked hard last year to gain this space; it
would be a shame to give it up because of lack of interest. Dorothy
Sucher,
a founding member of GWG who has been using it three mornings a week, said
the room is 'a godsend, as I was having trouble getting back to work due
to too many distractions at home.' She finds it a quiet, pleasant space
with good lighting. The GWG has installed a computer with WordPerfect
Bring
a diskette so you can take your work home. To make a reservation, call
the Community Center at 397-2208.
BRAVO!
Robert Levine, who has been with GWG since its first night, has been
given the Emerging Writer Award by the creative writing program at Emerson
College in Boston. He will use the $5,000 award to enter Emerson's M.F.A
program in the fall. Robert, who plans to leave in late July, will be
sorely
missed. He has served as the emcee at almost every Open Reading, has
written
publicity notices and stories about the GWG for the Greenbelt News Review,
and edited last summer's "Genius Loci' anthology. Congratulations,
Robert!
GWG MEMBERS BREAK INTO PRINT IN NEWS REVIEW
A number of GWG meanbers have contributed feature articles recently
to the Greenbelt News Review, the community's nonprofit, cooperative
newspaper.
An interview by GWG treasurer Charles Braun with Misak Mermer, the cobbler
in Greenbelts Roosevelt Center, has been accepted for publication. Charles
said he enjoyed writing the profile, his first, and may do others if
inspiration
strikes. Mary Wirick has also written her first feature for the paper.
Her interview with Woon Nain Bang, a Korean-born student in Mary's English
as a Second Language (ESL) class, will be published soon. Other GWG
writers
who contribute articles to the News Review on a regular or occasional
basis
include Mary Moien, Marsha Barrett, Robert Levine, and Dorothy Sucher.
The paper is always open to new writers, and Editor Mary Lou Williamson
is happy to suggest possible topics. Call (301) 474-4131, or drop by the
office in the Greenbelt Community Center on a Tuesday nighl Ifs a great
way to learn, as well as to pick up some publication credits for your
resume.
WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE?
There has been some concern expressed by new members that they aren't
getting what they've paid for. Maybe we have promised more than we can
always or quickly provide. The big problem is that we are an all-volunteer
organization. The people who are helping run GWG activities are already
busy with work, families, and/or writing. You may not get your newsletter
until the next one is printed simply because we have no one who has
volunteered
to serve in a 'orienting' function. (Any volunteers?) Many of us on the
steering committee are serving 'under duress' because no one else has
offered
to take over those functions.
Basically, we need the membership fees from people to help pay for the expense of running the organization. The biggest expenditure every year is paying for liability insurance on the two rooms we use in the Community Center. Last year, the cost was over $200. Aftematively, we could try to pay such costs by asking for donations at each Open Reading. But many of us have expressed concerns this might keep the readings from feeling truly open and free to the public. Plus, I don't always remember to bring cash with me to the meetings; I prefer simply writing a check once a year.
Why do I join? I don't want to see the GWG disappear. The greatest enjoyment I've had at being a member has been seeing local writers 'come out of the woodwork'. I didn't know there were so many of you. Not everything I've done for the GWG has been for altruistic reasons: I volunteered to start 'GWG Readings' because I wanted to practice writing book reviews - and to get them published. Nor does any other volunteer have to have pure motives; we're here to help you add to your resume, etc.
If you would like to discuss the issue of whether GWG should charge an annual membership fee, or should simply ask for donations, please attend the next steering committee meeting which will be hold on June 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Media Room at the Community Center. In the meantime, for those of you wanting to send in your dues, the cost is $7.50. Please send your checks, along with your name and address, to Charles Braun, Treasurer/ GWG, 4D Laurel Hill Rd., Greenbelt MD 20770. - Beth Blevins
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GWG NEWS IN BRIEF
Another GWG Anthology?
The GWG Steering Committee is planning to publish another GWG
Anthology.
To keep things simple, well probably do this rather than publish separate
"chapbooks" of individual GWG members, at least for this year.
If this is to become a possibility, we need people to volunteer for a
selection
committee. We also need people interested in copy editing. If interested
please call Guillermo Olivos at 345-0215.
Computers Donated to GWG
Two computers with printers have been donated to the GWG by Giant Food
Company. The company has a policy of donating serviceable equipment that
has been replaced by newer models to non-profit groups in the community.
The gift was arranged by Steven Fletcher, a member of Greenbelt News
Review
staff, with the cooperation of the Greenbelt Arts Center. One computer
is already in use by GWG, and the other is in the News Review office, on
loan, until we need it. Our thanks go to Giant and to Steve.
Electronic Writers Group
Beth Blevins has offered to compile an email listing of GWG members.
Rather than do this by passing around a sheet at meetings, as we have in
the past (the sheet always gets misplaced), please email her so she can
verify your email address and then can simply cut and paste it into her
address list. Those doing so will be sent an evolving email list of
members.
Her address is: beblevins@aol.com.
GWG Library
The GWG is debating whether to add new books and magazines to its
collection
in the Media Room, to try to donate to them to the Greenbelt Public Libmry
(GPL) where GWG members and others could use them, or both. The advantage
of giving books to GPL is we would not have to catalog or keep track of
them. We can add resources the public library has not or cannot purchase.
And it would help make us more visible to the community. The disadvantage
is we wouldn't have them to use in our own space. Before we can present
this idea to the GPL, they need a list of titles we want to donate.
Suggestions
so far include: Story Magazine, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market,
and the Pushcart Prize Annual. If you have any additional suggestions,
please call Andy Nitz at 345-7081.
CC Supervisor Leaves
Cathy Salgado, who has served as the Greenbelt Community Center
Supervisor,
is leaving to become the Youth and Family Services Director for the Upper
Montgomery County YMCA, Salgado has been very supportive of the GWG since
its inception, helping us secure office space in the Media Room and
meeting
space in the Multipurpose Room at the CC. We wish her luck in her new
endeavors.
1997 GWG Readings and Meetings
Open readings are hold the third Friday of each month at the Greenbelt
Community Center at 7:30 p.m., with reader signup beginning at 7:15. The
1997 readings are scheduled for the following dates: May 16; June 20; July
18; Aug. 15; Sept. 19; Oct. 17; and Nov. 21. In December, rather than hold
an open reading, members (and their families) are invited to a
potluck/holiday
party. Steering Committee/Business Meetings usually are held the Sunday
before the Friday meeting. The public is invited to attend any of the open
readings. However, those who regularly attend the open readings and others
interested in the future of the GWG are urged to become members.
Media Room/Library Hours
All GWG members have access to the Media Room located on the first
floor in the East Wing of the Community Center) on the following days:
Monday: 9am to 10 pm; Wednesday: 6pm to lopm; Thursday: 9am to lopm;
Sunday:
6pm to lopm. (Critique groups and other small groups or individuals can
use the Media Room during these times). If the room is locked during these
hours, you may stop at the CC office to have someone let you in. Your GWG
membership card may be needed to identify yourself as a GWG member.
Visit Us On the Web
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~kirin/gwg.html
Our web site features general info on the GWG as well as back issues
of this newsletter.
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Greenbelt Writers Group
Co-Chairs: Mary Moien and Guillermo Olivos Planning Coordinator:
Dorothy
Sucher Treasurer: Charles Braun Newsletter. Both Blevins Publicity: Robert
Levine Librarian: Andy Nitz Webmistress: Jenifer Kirin
If you have an item for the newsletter, please send h to B. Blevins by email: beblevins@aol.com or by mail (3.5' disk, any format) to: P.O. Box 221, Greenbelt, MD 20768; or, in a pinch, call her at 345-5879. If you have general questions about the GWG, please call Mary Moien (474-4713 before 6 p.m.) or Guillermo Olivos (345-0215).
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Added to the UMD version of the GWG Homepage July 7, 1997