Midwest Writers Association
Attn: Buyers of writing in every conceivable nonfiction field
Writers for hire
. . . in any medium you can imagine -- newspaper, magazine, book, video, film, radio, newsletter, brochure, catalog, web site, press release, speech, ad copy, stage play, etc. etc. etc.
We are 50-strong, Chicago-based proven veterans of newspapers, magazines, books, scripts, speeches, brochures, etc. At your service.
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Save the date: Members-only meeting Tuesday June 3
"Writing for the Web"
3-member panel: Hal Higdon, Mira Temkin and Barbara Payne.
Time and place TBA
Hal Higdon's home page is here. He answers qq about running here. He sells his training programs here. He sells books here. Busy fellow, wise in the ways of the web.
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New improved -- that is, approved -- officers
Co-Presidents: Jodie Jacobs and Sue Masaracchia-Roberts
Vice-President: Mary Jane Bezark
Co-Program Chairpersons: Mary Jane Bezark and Sue Masaracchia-Roberts
Communications: (Newsletter and publications) Mira Temkin
PR: Jim O'Connor
Membership: Cynthia Clampitt
Webmaster: Jim Bowman
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NEW NEWSLETTER POSTED: click newsletter below
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WRITERS' NEWS:
GO DANCING: MWA member Cynthia Clampitt's Waltzing Australia is available at Amazon. It made travel agent Carol Hitchie, of Destinations Downunder, "feel the beauty of a special place." Cynthia "brings her dream alive on paper," says Hitchie, "celebrating the beauty and ruggedness of a vast country of huge contrasts." Waltzing Australia "is a breath of freshness in today’s complicated world."
HAVE A BOOK DYING FOR WANT OF ATTENTION? Learn 21st-century printing options from Helen Gallagher's Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way! She is proprietor of Computer Clarity.
Release Your Writing unravels the mysteries of book publishing and marketing, including self-publishing and print-on-demand, and offers dozens of marketing strategies and online avenues for book promotion.
"She has an answer for every question you've ever had about birthing a book into the world and covers every step..." said Jan Phillips, author of the award-winning Marry Your Muse.
Release Your Writing is available from the publisher at VirtualBookworm.com and at major online retailers.
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OCCW: All good writers wanting to become better ones ought to know about the Off Campus Writers Workshop, based in Winnetka, boasting 200 members, and (organizationally) dating from 1946! Look them up here.
Plus a good link to further your efforts: Chicago Writer
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Some of our Writers, all members of Midwest Writers Assn. (MWA):
* Raeann Berman specializes in aging parents, family relationships, health and fitness, travel. She wrote How to Survive Your Aging Parents. She speaks on "You and Your Aging Parents." Phone: 847-433-4149
* Karen Bolek is a writing coach and editor for top executives, contributes to a graduate school newsletter, and devises instructional modules for a large sales force learning to sell new products.
* Jim Bowman , editor and publisher of Blithe Spirit and former Chicago Tribune columnist and former Chicago Daily News reporter, works with top executives to produce corporate history -- books, articles, research, writing -- with a Chicago emphasis. 708-383-4850
* Cynthia Clampitt is a writer and editor who specializes in food, travel, and educational writing, with experience writing magazine and newspaper articles, readers, textbooks, and reference books. For more information, visit WorldPlate.com.
* Nancy Ethiel writes about health care, philanthropy, education, business, and travel -- books, articles, brochures, foundation publications, annual reports. 847 475 5217. Fax: 425 740 9428.
* Helen Gallagher of Gallagher Ink writes on business, technology and travel for WHY Magazine, Writer's Digest, Training Media Review, Training & Development and E-Commerce Times, and ephemeral blogs around the world. She also aids other writers in developing web sites and marketing their work. Helen is the author of Computer Ease, available at online booksellers or at www.cclarity.com. Computer Ease offers a positive strategy and philosophy for success with computers. Her new book Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way, explores options in publishing, from the traditional agent/publisher relationship to self-publishing and print-on-demand. These latter use digital technologies much in demand today, even by American's largest publishers for short runs and reprints of mid-level titles. Learn more at www.releaseyourwriting.com. Helen is also a member of ASJA and other national and local organizations that support working writers.
* Vicki Gerson works with consumer and trade editors and health publishing companies in producing advertorials, case studies, and articles on financial, fitness, healthcare/medical, and technical matters.
* Barbara Goodheart is an award-winning medical/health writer for medical professionals and consumers. Her credits include projects for more than 40 pharmaceutical, educational, and advertising firms.
* Janis Guggenheim, former newspaper business columnist and correspondent for New York-based Office World News and Electronics Retailing, has a mystery thriller in search of a publisher.
* Hal Higdon is Senior Writer for Runner's World and author of 33 books, including the best-selling Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide. His books have covered numerous subjects for a variety of age groups, including a children's book, The Horse That Played Center Field, that ran as an animated feature on ABC-TV.
* Jodie Jacobs writes about interior decorating, education, travel, over-50 issues and Chicago-area entertainment, events, shopping, restaurants, and neighborhoods, primarily for newspapers and magazines.
* Ada P. Kahn, Ph.D., medical writer and chamber-music player, is author of Keeping the Beat: Healthy Aging Through Amateur Chamber Music Playing, and many other books, including Stress A-Z. She is co-author of The Encyclopedia of Phobias, Fears, and Anxieties, The Encyclopedia of Mental Health, Empower Yourself: Every Woman's Guide to Self-Esteem, and Midlife Health.
* Rachel Madorsky writes books and articles on the art of healing, health, self-help, inspiration, spirituality, metaphysical issues, and New Age philosophy. She is author of Create Your Own Destiny! Spiritual Path to Success, “Your Choice! A Healer’s Vision on the Metaphysical Truth behind Health and Disease,” and “Energy and Health of Man. Advice from a Practicing Healer."
* Elliott McCleary author of New Miracles of Childbirth, writes on health and travel matters. He has been editor-in-chief of Today's Health, executive editor of Consumer's Digest, and a book editor for Rand McNally.
* Joanne Prim Shade, a former reporter for the Kansas City Star, has written for more than 50 magazines and newspapers. She writes regularly about travel for magazines, newspapers and the Internet. Her specialties are art, theater, museums, architecture, history, shopping and anything to do with Chicago. Contact her also at 773 907-8448.
* Roberta Sotonoff, a confessed travel junkie, writes to support her habit. Her work has appeared in 40 publications, including Outdoor Canada, Rocky Moutain Sports, the Akron Beacon Journal, Chicago Sun-Times, Fodor's Chicago 2003, Fodor's Caribbean 2004, and World Travel Guide.net. Her specialties are ecotourism and soft adventure.
* Gerry and Janet Souter, proprietors of Avril 1 Group, Inc., are authors specializing in books on American history, architecture, fine arts, and biographies. They have had 40 books published since 1997 and have 11 years of award-winning video writing and producing experience.
* Mira Temkin writes ad and promotional copy for consumer packaged goods and services as well as for business-to-business clients. She also creates incentive marketing programs and is a travel journalist.
* Rita Turow has written travel articles for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other publications. She also writes about divorce. Her book on that subject, Daddy Doesn't Live Here Anymore, was published in 1978.
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Meetings : Members only, June 3
For flavor of MWA -- Newsletter, etc.
MWA officers Here
MWA Authors at Barnes & Noble, June '04 -- Special Events