Roanoke, VA - Virginia’s Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women is pleased to announce the winners of the 10th Annual Poetry Competition.
The winners are:
(1st) Saundra Hartman of Jacksonville, FL for Reverie for Art on Exhibition
(2nd) Lorraine A. Vail of Sanibel, FL for Women in Black
(3rd) Susan Major-Tingey of Quincy, MA for Flannery O'Conner's Peacocks
Honorable mentions: Bruce A. Rae of Moneta for A Surreal Canvas
Catherine Moran of Little Rock, AR for We Leave Only One Footprint
Joan Gelfand of San Francisco, CA for I Know Why Sylvia Plath Put Her Head in the Oven
For this contest, the theme was Women in the Arts. The winning poems addressed this theme.
The contest was judged by Rene Parks Lanier, Jr., Professor of English emeritus at Radford University. Professor Lanier served for many years as Poet-in-the-Schools at numerous Virginia counties and has been published in many small press and academic magazines. He also served five years as president of the Appalachian Writers' Association.
Proceeds from the Poetry Competition fund an annual scholarship, given to adult women for expenses related to a return to school or for a creative project.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
2011 Pen Women Scholarship
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women is offering a scholarship to a woman who is working on a creative project or taking a class in the arts.
Scholarship Requirements:
The Roanoke Valley Pen Women will grant a scholarship of a minimum $100 to a woman age thirty or older who is taking a class in the literary, visual or performing arts; or who is working on a creative project involving the literary, visual or performing arts. The applicant must live within 50 miles of Roanoke.
The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses directly related to the project (tuition, travel expenses, conference fees, etc.).
Women interested in receiving the grant for 2011 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before February 1, 2011. The application should include the following:
•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A proposal that includes the following: (1) a paragraph that either explains the recipient’s reason for taking the class or describes the creative project, (2) a statement about the applicant’s career goals, (3) verification that the applicant is committed to the project (Verification for class enrollment could include a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition. Verification for a creative project might include receipts for materials already purchased, photos showing that the applicant has worked on a similar project, preliminary sketches for an artistic project, etc.)
•A work sample in one of the following:
Literary Arts: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Visual Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Performing Arts (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.
Friday, July 30, 2010
10th Annual Poetry Contest!
10th Annual Poetry Competition
$100 First Prize
Roanoke, VA – Virginia’s Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, winner of the 2009 Perry Kendig Award, is pleased to announce its 10th Annual Poetry Competition.
This year the organization is celebrating Women in the Arts and all poems should address this as the theme of the work.
Proceeds from the Poetry Competition fund an annual scholarship, given to adult women who have returned to school.
Postmark deadline for entries is July 30, 2010. Cost per poem is $5.00; make checks payable to Roanoke Valley Branch, NLAPW. Prizes are $100, $75, $50 and Honorable Mention $5. Rules are available at http://roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com. Entries which do not adhere to the rules will be disqualified.
Rene Parks Lanier, Jr., Professor of English emeritus at Radford University, will judge the poems. Professor Lanier served for many years as Poet-in-the-Schools at numerous Virginia counties and has been published in many small press and academic magazines. He also served five years as president of the Appalachian Writers' Association.
Here are the complete rules:
Entry Deadline: Postmark July 30, 2010
Poems will be accepted from April 15, 2010 to July 30, 2010
Theme: Women in the Arts
Any Form
Line Limit: 40*
RULES:
1) Only original, unpublished poetry accepted. Websites are considered publishing.*
2) Submit 2 copies of each poem, typed on 8 ½" x 11" paper, Times New Roman 12 point type, single space, flush left, black ink. No bold in text. Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address on only one copy.* Entry by e-mail is not allowed.
3) Contest entry grants permission for a one-time non-exclusive right to publish winning entries in any future Roanoke NLAPW publications.
4) Winners will be notified by September 30, 2010.
5) Entry Fee: $5.00 per entry*. No limit to number of entries but payment must accompany each entry. Make checks payable to Roanoke Valley Branch, NLAPW.
6) Prizes: $100, $75, $50 and Honorable Mention $5.
7) Winning poems will be read at the November 2010 meeting of Roanoke NLAPW. Proceeds from the contest will be used to help fund a scholarship.
8) Names of award winners will be available on the website, roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com, only. Poems will not be returned.
Mail entries to:
Co-Chairman, Peggy Shifflett
700 Cherrywood Road
Salem, VA 24153
Visions and Voices, Pens and Brushes, an anthology of previous winning poems, is available for $10.00 each plus $2 shipping. (Virginia residents add .50 sales tax) Please mail requests to Margaret DuBois, P.O. Box 388, Salem, VA 24153-0388.
*Incorrectly submitted poems will not be considered and entry fees will not be returned.
Please note that a list of winners' names will be posted at roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com by October 15, 2010. The poems themselves will not be posted.
$100 First Prize
Roanoke, VA – Virginia’s Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, winner of the 2009 Perry Kendig Award, is pleased to announce its 10th Annual Poetry Competition.
This year the organization is celebrating Women in the Arts and all poems should address this as the theme of the work.
Proceeds from the Poetry Competition fund an annual scholarship, given to adult women who have returned to school.
Postmark deadline for entries is July 30, 2010. Cost per poem is $5.00; make checks payable to Roanoke Valley Branch, NLAPW. Prizes are $100, $75, $50 and Honorable Mention $5. Rules are available at http://roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com. Entries which do not adhere to the rules will be disqualified.
Rene Parks Lanier, Jr., Professor of English emeritus at Radford University, will judge the poems. Professor Lanier served for many years as Poet-in-the-Schools at numerous Virginia counties and has been published in many small press and academic magazines. He also served five years as president of the Appalachian Writers' Association.
Here are the complete rules:
Entry Deadline: Postmark July 30, 2010
Poems will be accepted from April 15, 2010 to July 30, 2010
Theme: Women in the Arts
Any Form
Line Limit: 40*
RULES:
1) Only original, unpublished poetry accepted. Websites are considered publishing.*
2) Submit 2 copies of each poem, typed on 8 ½" x 11" paper, Times New Roman 12 point type, single space, flush left, black ink. No bold in text. Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address on only one copy.* Entry by e-mail is not allowed.
3) Contest entry grants permission for a one-time non-exclusive right to publish winning entries in any future Roanoke NLAPW publications.
4) Winners will be notified by September 30, 2010.
5) Entry Fee: $5.00 per entry*. No limit to number of entries but payment must accompany each entry. Make checks payable to Roanoke Valley Branch, NLAPW.
6) Prizes: $100, $75, $50 and Honorable Mention $5.
7) Winning poems will be read at the November 2010 meeting of Roanoke NLAPW. Proceeds from the contest will be used to help fund a scholarship.
8) Names of award winners will be available on the website, roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com, only. Poems will not be returned.
Mail entries to:
Co-Chairman, Peggy Shifflett
700 Cherrywood Road
Salem, VA 24153
Visions and Voices, Pens and Brushes, an anthology of previous winning poems, is available for $10.00 each plus $2 shipping. (Virginia residents add .50 sales tax) Please mail requests to Margaret DuBois, P.O. Box 388, Salem, VA 24153-0388.
*Incorrectly submitted poems will not be considered and entry fees will not be returned.
Please note that a list of winners' names will be posted at roanokepenwomen.blogspot.com by October 15, 2010. The poems themselves will not be posted.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Lambert Wins Honorable Mention
Pen Women member Gail Lambert has won Honorable Mention in the 2010 Leapfrog Fiction Contest.
Her story, “Aesop: The Storyteller” is set in the ancient Greek world of slaves, sailors, merchants, wars and gods; all of which contribute to the slave boy Aesop’s eventual fame as the most celebrated storyteller in all of history.
Lambert holds a Graduate Degree in Children’s Literature from Hollins University as well as a BA and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She was a frequent reviewer for Best Sellers with a review included in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 30, as well asa Contributing Writer and Editor of Notable Women of Southwest Virginia, 1850 – 1950 published by the Historical Society of Western Virginia, 2007. She authored an essay for National Public Radio in 2009, teaches high school Latin, and is a regularly published freelance writer in Virginia.
Her story, “Aesop: The Storyteller” is set in the ancient Greek world of slaves, sailors, merchants, wars and gods; all of which contribute to the slave boy Aesop’s eventual fame as the most celebrated storyteller in all of history.
Lambert holds a Graduate Degree in Children’s Literature from Hollins University as well as a BA and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She was a frequent reviewer for Best Sellers with a review included in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 30, as well asa Contributing Writer and Editor of Notable Women of Southwest Virginia, 1850 – 1950 published by the Historical Society of Western Virginia, 2007. She authored an essay for National Public Radio in 2009, teaches high school Latin, and is a regularly published freelance writer in Virginia.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
June 2010 Meeting
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women met on Wednesday, June 2, at Mama Maria's in Salem.
The program was an update on member activities.
Becky Mushko, Vice President, chaired the meeting.
Elena DeRosa reported that she is nearing completion of her manuscript. Her memoir should be ready for submission in the next few months.
Ethel Born reported that her nonfiction book, From Horse 'n Buggy to Hi Tech, which is about the rural postal service in Virginia, will be presented to the postal society later this month.
Meg Hibbert, a guest, noted that she is writing steadily for an online magazine and is editor of The Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record.
Becky Mushko reported that she has participated in numerous book readings and author events in order to promote her book, Ferradiddledumday.
Margaret DuBois has been working hard to create her arts of oil, pastel and enamels. Her work was for sale recently at the Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show.
The group will take a hiatus and will meet again in September.
The program was an update on member activities.
Becky Mushko, Vice President, chaired the meeting.
Elena DeRosa reported that she is nearing completion of her manuscript. Her memoir should be ready for submission in the next few months.
Mildred Sandridge, currently a student at Hollins University, said an independent study with Professor Jeanne Larsen was invaluable in assisting her with her book, which is a multi-generational work.
Ethel Born reported that her nonfiction book, From Horse 'n Buggy to Hi Tech, which is about the rural postal service in Virginia, will be presented to the postal society later this month.
Meg Hibbert, a guest, noted that she is writing steadily for an online magazine and is editor of The Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record.
Becky Mushko reported that she has participated in numerous book readings and author events in order to promote her book, Ferradiddledumday.
Margaret DuBois has been working hard to create her arts of oil, pastel and enamels. Her work was for sale recently at the Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show.
The group will take a hiatus and will meet again in September.
Meeting Dates for Fall 2010
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women will meet on the following dates this fall:
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
These meetings will be held at the Roanoke Coop in Grandin in Roanoke. Anyone interested in joining the group can contact President Peggy Shifflett at pshiffle@radford.edu.
Programs will be announced at a later date.
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
These meetings will be held at the Roanoke Coop in Grandin in Roanoke. Anyone interested in joining the group can contact President Peggy Shifflett at pshiffle@radford.edu.
Programs will be announced at a later date.
Mary Tousman Open House
Mary Tousman, a member of the Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, will hold an open house to showcase her art at WVTF radio station on Friday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show is called called Feeling Fired: Masks. Oils, and Watercolors.
The event will be catered by Center Stage Catering and The Blue Ridge String Quartet will perform. The art will be on display from June 1st to June 30
The event will be catered by Center Stage Catering and The Blue Ridge String Quartet will perform. The art will be on display from June 1st to June 30
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 5, 2010 Meeting
William Spillman, winner of the Roanoke Valley Pen Women's Poetry Contest in 2009, was the guest speaker at the group's May 2010 meeting.
Spillman spoke about the writing process and how he learned to write better poetry through study and persistence. He also read a number of his poems.
Members in attendance included Mary Tousman, Peggy Shifflett, Margaret DuBois, Elena DeRosa, Gail Lambert, Ethel Born, Becky Mushko, Beth Rossi, and Anita Firebaugh.
Margaret DuBois and Becky Mushko.
With permission, the group is pleased to present Mr. Spillman's award-winning poem:
Garden of Stones
By W. B. Spillman, Jr.
This is a garden of stones
whose shadows never touch,
not the long shadows of winter,
not the small shadows
of summer noon.
It began as Japanese,
but its plan decays
as western thoughts intrude.
The wind likes this place
and its unexpected confusions.
I sit on the largest stone
and arrange my thoughts
like the notes of a flute,
no meaning, only emotion.
Twilight joins me.
After awhile,
The world loses color.
Monday, April 19, 2010
2010 Scholarship
The Roanoke Valley Pen Women will grant a scholarship of a minimum $100 to a woman age thirty or older who has either returned to college or entered college for the first time, and who is taking one or more classes for credit in the arts, letters, or music at a college or university within 75 miles of Roanoke.
The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.
Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2010 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 1, 2010. The application should include the following:
•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.
•A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
•Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).
The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.
Send applications to Peggy Shifflett, 700 Cherrywood Street, Salem, VA 24153 or to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137
The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.
Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2010 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 1, 2010. The application should include the following:
•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.
•A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
•Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).
The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.
Send applications to Peggy Shifflett, 700 Cherrywood Street, Salem, VA 24153 or to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 2010 Meeting
The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women met on Wednesday, April 7 at Mamma Maria's in Salem.
Guests were Diane Cayton-Hakey, Meg Hibbert and guest speaker Fred First.
Mr. First writes Fragments From Floyd, a popular blog, and has self-published several books about life in his community, sustainability, and related issues.
Below is a video, courtesy of Ms. Cayton-Hakey, with a little taste of the discussion during the meeting. That is followed by photos of various members who enjoyed the afternoon.
Author Fred First laughs with former Pen Women president Margaret Dubois and current President Peggy Shifflett.
Peggy Shifflett, Vice President Becky Musko, and guest Diane Cayton-Hakey.
From left: Diane Cayton Hakey, Meg Hibbert, Beth Ann Rossi, Pat Bijwaard, and Gail Lambert.
From left: Margaret DuBois and Peggy Shifflett
Guest speaker Fred First makes a point during his discussion of self-publishing.
Pat Bijwaard
Fred First
From left: Beth Ann Rossi and Pat Bijwaard
Becky Mushko
Gail Lambert
Margaret DuBois
Guest speaker Fred First.
Photos courtesy of Anita Firebaugh and Diane Cayton-Hakey.
Guests were Diane Cayton-Hakey, Meg Hibbert and guest speaker Fred First.
Mr. First writes Fragments From Floyd, a popular blog, and has self-published several books about life in his community, sustainability, and related issues.
Below is a video, courtesy of Ms. Cayton-Hakey, with a little taste of the discussion during the meeting. That is followed by photos of various members who enjoyed the afternoon.
Author Fred First laughs with former Pen Women president Margaret Dubois and current President Peggy Shifflett.
Peggy Shifflett, Vice President Becky Musko, and guest Diane Cayton-Hakey.
From left: Diane Cayton Hakey, Meg Hibbert, Beth Ann Rossi, Pat Bijwaard, and Gail Lambert.
From left: Margaret DuBois and Peggy Shifflett
Guest speaker Fred First makes a point during his discussion of self-publishing.
Pat Bijwaard
Fred First
From left: Beth Ann Rossi and Pat Bijwaard
Becky Mushko
Gail Lambert
Margaret DuBois
Guest speaker Fred First.
Photos courtesy of Anita Firebaugh and Diane Cayton-Hakey.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Member Reading
Roanoke Pen Women member Judy Light Ayyildiz on March 31, 2010 will be conducting a memoir workshop for Women's History Month at Radford University. She will read from her works of memoir in the Muse Student Center from 4:00 - 5:00. Reception to follow. Free. All welcome.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Published Members
Two members of the Roanoke Valley Pen Women have recently published books.Becky Mushko is the author of Ferradiddledumday, published by Cedar Creek Publishing. It is an Appalachian version of Rumplestiltskin. Check out Becky's websites or her blog, Peevish Pen, if you wish to contact her to order a book.
Peggy Shifflett, the organization's president, recently self-published The Living Room Bed. It is available from Ms. Shifflett. You can email her at pshiffle@radford.edu if you would like to order a book.
Congratulations to both women on their accomplishments.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 2010 Meeting
Members of the Roanoke Valley Pen Women met on March 3, 2010 for the first monthly meeting since December, thanks to snow.
The membership had a show-and-tell day. Each person told about their latest projects and current artistic activities.
Mary Tousman (standing), the group secretary, reported that she has found much enjoyment in a autobiography/memoir that she has started writing and illustrating.
Peggy Shifflett (sitting), the group president, said her self-published book, The Living Room Bed, will be released later this month. She noted that fellow Pen Women member Anita Firebaugh assisted her with editing.
Margaret DuBois, left, former group president, showed off her enamal on copper paintings. The pieces are fired, some as many as 10 times, before the piece is complete, she said.
Beth Ann Rossi, right, has been in the process of building a new home. She has kept and documented every aspect of the project. Her documentation and scrapbooking has taken up several journals and albums.
Gail Lambert, right, reported that she has been published in Senior News and other places.
Ethel Born, second from right, reported that her book From Horse to Buggy to High Tech, which is about the postal service, has been completed and is ready for distribution.
Judy Ayylidiz, first on the right, reported that she was a visiting reader at Marshall University and recently reprinted her book, Nothing But Time, among other projects.
Becky Mushko, third on the right, the group vice-president, reported that her book, Ferradiddledumday, has been released by Cedar Creek Publishing. She is currently marketing the book.
Anita Firebaugh, not pictured, noted that she is working on a booklet about Cloverdale and continues to publish articles in local newspapers.
The membership had a show-and-tell day. Each person told about their latest projects and current artistic activities.
Mary Tousman (standing), the group secretary, reported that she has found much enjoyment in a autobiography/memoir that she has started writing and illustrating.
Peggy Shifflett (sitting), the group president, said her self-published book, The Living Room Bed, will be released later this month. She noted that fellow Pen Women member Anita Firebaugh assisted her with editing.
Margaret DuBois, left, former group president, showed off her enamal on copper paintings. The pieces are fired, some as many as 10 times, before the piece is complete, she said.
Beth Ann Rossi, right, has been in the process of building a new home. She has kept and documented every aspect of the project. Her documentation and scrapbooking has taken up several journals and albums.
Gail Lambert, right, reported that she has been published in Senior News and other places.
Ethel Born, second from right, reported that her book From Horse to Buggy to High Tech, which is about the postal service, has been completed and is ready for distribution.
Judy Ayylidiz, first on the right, reported that she was a visiting reader at Marshall University and recently reprinted her book, Nothing But Time, among other projects.
Becky Mushko, third on the right, the group vice-president, reported that her book, Ferradiddledumday, has been released by Cedar Creek Publishing. She is currently marketing the book.
Anita Firebaugh, not pictured, noted that she is working on a booklet about Cloverdale and continues to publish articles in local newspapers.
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