This is the Virginia Writers Club's festive and fun year-end social event to network with fellow writers and guests, celebrate the achievements of our members who have been published in 2013, and to announce the winners of our annual Golden Nib Writing Contest.
We also have a special presentation of awards to members who have made significant contributions to the operation of our club. Brief, but essential to the business of running this organization, are the elections and voting on the revised bylaws.
To add a dash of fun, we raffle gift baskets created and donated by our VWC Chapters to benefit our Education & Scholarship Fund. Culminating after the final bites of our delicious luncheon, is an address from a renowned keynote speaker followed by raffle winner announcements, book signings, and a renewed vision for writing success in the New Year.
2013 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Sofia M. Starnes
Keynote Topic:
Mood: from creative moment to vessel of meaning
Sofia M. Starnes, Virginia's Poet Laureate, is the author of five poetry collections and editor of two anthologies, including The Nearest Poem Anthology, to be published in 2014. A recipient of a Fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and of various national awards, she received a Doctor of Letters degree (hon.) from Union College, KY, in 2013. Sofia serves as Poetry Editor and Poetry Book Review Editor of the Anglican Theological Review.
This event is open to all VWC statewide members, Chapter members and their guests. Registration is limited due to space constraints, so registration before the deadline is advised. Cost: $40. Extended Registration Deadline: October 30. All payments need to be received in advance via credit card at the VWC website or mailed with check by the deadline. Registration at the door is not available.
SCHEDULE:
9:30 Volunteers & 2013 Published Members selling books arrive to set up
10:30 - 11:45 Meet & Greet - sign in, raffle ticket sales, member book sales
11:45-1:00 Business Lunch - Welcome & Opening Remarks, Invocation & Buffet Luncheon, Contest & Membership Awards, Elections & Other Business
1:00 - 2:00 SPEAKER - Sofia M. Starnes, Poet Laureate of Virginia
2:00 - 2:15 Raffle Drawings and winners announced
2:15 - 3:00 Guest Speaker Book Signing & Member Book Sales
_________________
Our Buffet Luncheon will include: Mixed Baby Field Green Salad; Fresh Diced Fruit; Sliced Flank Steak with Mushroom Demi-Glace; Blackened Salmon with Pineapple Sauce; Chef's Choice of Starch and Vegetable; Chef's Choice of Dessert; Freshly Brewed Iced Tea and Water.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
ATTENTION AUTHORS! Did you publish a book in 2013? You are invited to display and sell your new book at our Annual Meeting during the 10:30-11:45 "Meet & Greet" time, and from 2:15-3:00pm following our guest speaker. We will have a limited number of tables, so please RSVP early! (Please, sales are limited to VWC members who register and pay to attend the annual meeting and who have books released in 2013 only.) Contact: Sara Robinson.
BOOKS NEEDED FOR RAFFLE FUNDRAISER. Members are encouraged to donate a new book(s) for our annual meeting raffle to benefit the VWC Education & Scholarship Fund. It can be a member's published book, or any other new book. Books are to be brought on the day of the event and placed on the raffle table for display. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each at the sign-in table and during lunch. Raffle drawings will be held after lunch until all raffle items are claimed. Winners go up to the raffle table as their name is announced and pick whichever book they want.
ATTENTION VWC CHAPTERS! Gift Baskets Needed for Silent Auction Fundraiser. Each VWC Chapter is asked to contribute a basket to be auctioned via silent bids to benefit the VWC Education & Scholarship Fund. Baskets can be regional, literary, or just great gifts. Chapters should come up with a jazzy title for the basket, a list of contents and approximate values, so we can prepare the bid sheets with those details. Your chapter will be responsible for delivery to Embassy Suites (Wilson Room) on the day of the event.
__________________
Dress Code: Informal
Cell Phone Policy: Ringers for cell phones, Blackberries and other PDA's should be in the "OFF" position.
.png)