Mar
16
5:00 PM17:00
May
18
5:00 PM17:00
Jun
1
12:00 AM00:00
2025 Season Submission Window Closes
Each review and awards season starts (author submission window opens) on Jan 2. MWSA authors can submit books until June 1.
We normally announce finalists around mid-August, and present medals during our annual membership conference (Sept—Nov).
Jul
27
5:00 PM17:00
Aug
17
5:00 PM17:00
Sep
25
to Sep 27
2025 General Membership Conference
Under Construction
All information is subject to change.
Overview | Hotel | Registration | Agenda
Registration
Click on the blue Register button below to get started.
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First, scroll down and read the Notes & Instructions. If that doesn’t work and you can’t register,
Click here to go directly to the conference registration page of our membership website.
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Hotel
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
MWSA Discount Rate
Being negotiated, details soon
Overview
If you want to participate in a panel or would like to make a presentation, please let Rob Lofthouse know, using our Event Contact Form or email Rob directly at events@mwsa.co
Kansas City Attractions
click on a blue title below for details
What to do in Kansas City — Suggested Websites ▿
Top attractions
- National WW1 Museum
- 0.5 miles/13 minute walk from hotel
- Includes KC's most famous landmark, the Liberty Memorial
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- 3.1 miles/9 minute Uber/cab
- Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
- 7.9 miles/15 minute Uber/cab
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
- 1.6 miles/6 minute Uber/cab, or 37 minute walk
Websites
Kansas City for authors ▿
If you're an author visiting Kansas City, you can immerse yourself in the literary scene by visiting bookstores like Rainy Day Books, browsing the large collection at Prospero's, attending writing workshops at The Writers Place, participating in critique groups at the Kansas City Writers Meetup, or checking out the literary events hosted by the Kansas Book Festival.
Key literary spots in Kansas City:
- Rainy Day Books: A prominent bookstore known for hosting frequent author events.
- Prospero's: A large bookstore with a unique selection and charming atmosphere.
- The Writers Place: A literary center offering writing workshops, readings, and writing groups.
- Kansas City Writers Meetup: A group where writers can participate in critique sessions and meet other authors
Other literary activities in Kansas City:
- Explore the Kansas Book Festival: Attend presentations, performances, and events aimed at different age groups.
- Visit the Linda Hall Library: Check out the rare book room with a vast collection of volumes
- Check out the local writing scene: Connect with other writers through writing groups and workshops
- Attend author readings at local venues: Many bookstores and community centers host author events
- Learn about Kansas City's literary history: Discover the city's literary landmarks and notable authors
- Article about Kansas City literary history
Notable Kansas City authors ▿
Some notable authors from Kansas City include:
- Gillian Flynn: Author of Gone Girl and a University of Kansas graduate
- Jim Butcher: Author of The Dresden Files series
- Adib Khorram: Popular YA author
- Jen Mann: Author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat
- Sarah Smarsh: New York Times bestselling author of Heartland and She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs
- Grace LaJoy Henderson: Author of 30 books who grew up in Kansas City's Squier Park neighborhood
From generative AI search
Agenda
Jan
19
5:00 PM17:00
Jan
2
12:00 AM00:00
2025 Season Starts
Each review and awards season starts (author submission window opens) on Jan 2. MWSA authors can submit books until June 1.
We normally announce finalists around mid-August, and present medals during our annual membership conference (Sept—Nov).
Sep
26
to Sep 29
2024 MWSA General Membership Conference & Awards Banquet
Photos
We’d love to share any photo(s) you took during the conference. Use the button below to drag and drop your images to our MWSA Dropbox account. Thanks!
Hotel
WYNDHAM SAN DIEGO BAYSIDE
Note:
The special hotel rate expired on September 3, and our conference registration window is now closed.
Overview
MWSA conferences are a great opportunity for members to network and hone their writing skills. In addition, we have routinely gotten very favorable feedback on our conferences from past attendees. We have planned some very good seminars, and the Awards Banquet is always a hit. Our selected locations normally provide outstanding opportunities to visit popular tourist attractions along with top military related historical settings: the Alamo in San Antonio, the WWII museum in New Orleans, etc. This one is no exception as we are right next to the USS Midway and not far from a large Marine training center -- in case any of you want to enlist. :-)
San Diego is a great place to take the family on holiday. We encourage you to attend. As they say, "The more, the merrier."
You can use our Event Contact Form or email Bob directly at Events@mwsa.co if you have any questions.
See you in San Diego!
Agenda
Aug
10
5:00 PM17:00
Writers Ed Series: Writing for Screens Big and Small (Part 4)
A Primer on Writing for Television and the Movies
Part Four: The Rewrite: You’ve written your script, created your bible, now what?” by Greg Elliot
Jul
23
to Sep 7
MWSA Elections
It’s time to cast your vote for MWSA leadership.
Visit our election page to learn about the candidates and to cast your vote.
Voting will remain open to MWSA members in good standing until September 7.
Jul
6
8:00 PM20:00
Announcement of 2024 Awards Finalists
MWSA will announce our 2024 Awards Finalists this Saturday, July 6, at 8 PM Eastern (7 Central, 6 Mountain, 5 Pacific Daylight Time).
The announcement will be broadcast on our Facebook and Instagram accounts at that time. You can watch the video live by yourself using the Facebook and Instagram links below.
But why watch by yourself when you can watch it with your fellow MWSA authors at a live online watch party? ;-)
Zoom Watch Party
This year, we’re trying something new: a finalist announcement watch party on Zoom. Join us 5-10-15 minutes before the scheduled time. Then, we’ll watch the video together live at the times listed above (8 PM Eastern).
After the video airs, we’ll spend another 15-30 minutes congratulating this year’s winners and/or fielding any questions you may have. Use the link below to join us on Zoom.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89879264354?pwd=0sqzjCEtps9AJ0OS3PggXPxVsIEoF9.1
https://www.facebook.com/MWSA.MembersPublic/live_videos
https://www.instagram.com/mwsa.member/
If you miss the live presentations, we’ll post the video on our website and our allied social media sites. We’ll also publish a list of our finalists on our 2024 season page shortly after the live video announcement (https://www.mwsadispatches.com/2024-season)
Good luck to all our 2024 authors!
Jun
15
5:00 PM17:00
Writers Ed Series: Writing for Screens Big and Small (Part 3)
Part 3, “Your Bible: Establishing your World, Tone, Theme, and creating the well from which your characters emerge,” by Greg Elliot
Where does your story take place? When does your story take place? The past? The future? And what’s your tone? Dark, with a sense of humor? Light, but with a serious streak? Laying out the foundation of your story in your bible.
Jun
1
to Jun 2
2024 Awards Season: Submission Window Closes
MWSA’s 2024 season will start two weeks earlier than in years past.
We’ll start accepting author book submissions on January 2, 2024, and the window will remain open until June 1. This will give us more breathing room before this year’s awards banquet in San Diego, CA, on September 28, 2024.
We’ll provide further details as we approach the season kickoff. Stay tuned!
Apr
20
5:00 PM17:00
Writers Ed Series: Writing for Screens Big and Small (Part 2)
Part 2, “Building Dialogue, Creating Character, Forming Plot,” by Greg Elliot
Feb
24
5:00 PM17:00
Writer Education Zoom
Back by popular demand, the MWSA Writers Education Series continues on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 5:00 PM EST with Greg Elliot who will speak with members about screen writing and writing for television.
Click on the image or the link below to open Zoom session.
Jan
2
12:00 AM00:00
2024 Awards Season Opens
MWSA’s 2024 season will start two weeks earlier than in years past.
We’ll start accepting author book submissions on January 2, 2024, and the window will remain open until June 1. This will give us more breathing room before this year’s awards banquet in San Diego, CA, on September 28, 2024.
We’ll provide further details as we approach the season kickoff. Stay tuned!
Nov
9
4:00 PM16:00
Writers Education Zoom with Greg Elliot
Click on the image above or use the link below to join us
Topic: Getting to the Heart of the Matter: How and When to Reveal Emotion
Presenter: Greg Elliot, Screenwriter/Writer/Editor
November 9, 2023, at 4 PM EST
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81667323159?pwd=eH2oAsuNw5sXqgk49FHQGHK4ONQXdG.1
Sep
14
to Sep 17
2023 Conference New London, CT
Photos & Videos
If you took photos or videos during the conference and are willing to share them, please let us know.
A special thanks to Kathleen Rodgers for steering us to the photos she posted to her blog.
Hotel
The total room price is $263.35 (including taxes & fees) and covers a room with either one or two king-sized beds). This price is valid until the room block is full or August 26, 2023, whichever comes first.
To book your room, use: 1-860-443-7000; please do not use booking sites. When registering at the hotel, tell them the room is for the "MWS Block of Rooms" (yes, without the A)
Overview
Original Conference Overview
Help create a memorable time filled with solid educational events that will inspire and motivate you to write.
Volunteer to help at the registration desk. Become a Book Reviewer.
Undecided? Talk to those who attended the 2022 Conference in New Orleans, you know the one you missed out on, don’t let this opportunity to learn and have fun slip by.
A great organization is only made great by its members willing to volunteer to do the work needed to do more. It takes a lot of work to run an organization – volunteers are our lifeblood.
Comments & Critiques
If you’d like to comment or critique your experiences during this year’s conference, please let us know using our Event Contact Form or emailing our events staff at Events@mwsa.co
Agenda
Aug
3
4:00 PM16:00
Writers' Education Zoom Session
When: August 3, 2023 @ 4PM EST
Subject: Story Structure 2: character development, tension, and conflict.
Presenter: Greg Elliot
Jul
15
to Aug 11
2024 Conference Poll
Watch your inboxes. We’ll be emailing a poll to get a feel for where our members would like to have us host our 2024 Annual Membership Conference.
The poll will remain open for your inputs between July 15 and August 11.
We look forward to hearing from you!
May
20
1:00 PM13:00
Writers Education Series: Story Structure by Greg Elliot
MWSA Zoom Webinars Are Back!
What: MWSA Writer’s Education Webinar Series Welcomes Greg Elliot
When: May 20, 2023, 1 PM EST.
Who: Greg Elliot. For fifteen years, Greg taught at UCLA for the Extension Writers’ Program and was the recipient of their Outstanding Instructor Award in Screenwriting in 2014. Elliot wrote for Star Trek: Voyager, for which he received a Sci-Fi Universe Award nomination. He was a Story Editor on the Warner Brother series Savannah and an Executive Story Editor on the WB series Charmed. Greg also wrote for the Disney Channel series In a Heartbeat. Professionally, Greg has edited short stories, novels, nonfiction books, brochures, how-to books, personal essays, and college papers.
Greg will offer classes on story structure, broken into two parts. The classes will each last 1.5 hours, and questions will be permitted at the end.
The First Session: Story Structure: Setting Your Scenes, Backstory and Flashbacks, Your Beginning and Ending.
Questions? Please email MWSA Board Member Gary Zelinski at gbzelinski@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Jan
15
to Jun 15
2023 Review & Award Season Submission Window Open
MWSA plans to open our book submission window on January 15, 2023.
Visit our awards page for details.
Aug
25
to Aug 28
2022 Conference New Orleans, LA
New Orleans, Louisiana
25-28 August 2022
Photos & Videos| Overview | Hotel | Agenda
Photos & Videos
A special thanks to our photographer, Joe Epley!
Videos
Click here for President Bob Doerr’s “State of MWSA” briefing
Awards Banquet Video
Hotel
Higgins Hotel
1000 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Overview
As usual, our conference was preceded by a Veterans Writing Workshop, which we hosted on Thursday before the conference began.
We then hosted two days of presentations, and capped off the conference with our awards banquet on Saturday evening. For more details about the conference, scroll down to the agenda section below.
Most of us also took advantage of our location next to the World War Two Museum (right next door to the hotel) and enjoyed spending a few hours in this spectacular place.
Of course, we also took the opportunity to get together with the wonderful members of our organization. We recognized and celebrated our writing endeavors and promised to stay in touch.
Agenda
Jul
25
to Aug 5
Board of Directors Election
Our MWSA voting window is now open and will remain open for the next ten days. Please don’t delay. Your vote lends legitimacy to our Board and to MWSA. Click on the link and cast your ballots. Remember, you can only vote for four of the six candidates for the Directors at large positions. You can vote for all four officer candidates if you wish.
Here’s the link:
https://www.mwsadispatches.com/2022-board-member-election
Jul
1
8:00 PM20:00
2022 Season Awards Finalists Announcement
We'll be announcing our 2022 Season Finalists via live video presentation on our Facebook page tomorrow, July 1, at 8 PM Eastern Time. We're making this announcement a little earlier than planned to give as much time as possible to our award winners to make plans to join us in New Orleans.
To watch the video live, click on the image above or use this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/542447014158688
To watch the video after it's finished playing, you'll be able to find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/MWSA.MembersPublic/videos
To make your conference (and/or awards banquet) reservations, visit the conference page on our website
https://www.mwsadispatches.com/events/2022-conference
Good luck to all our MWSA authors!
Thanks,
MWSA Awards Directors
PS. We'll send our finalists email notification shortly after the video airs. At that time, we'll also update the 2022 season page our website to list the winners.
Jun
1
12:00 AM00:00
2022 Awards Season Submission Window Closes
Due to the earlier-than-normal date for our conference and awards banquet, we’ll be closing our submission window earlier this year: June 1.
We’re also planning to announce our 2022 awards finalists on July 15—a month earlier than normal.
Visit our Review and Awards page for information.
Visit our 2022 Conference page for more details about our next general membership conference in New Orleans.
Jan
23
5:00 PM17:00
Writer Education Zoom Session -- Writing Workshop
Titled “Your Work in Progress” this first class will focus on “Your first line and what comes after.” This class can benefit most of us. Our guest instructor will be Joseph Badal, a multi award winning author and this year's MWSA Writer of the Year. He has also been a Tony Hillerman awardee twice, and Eric Hoffer award winner, and an Amazon and Barnes and Noble #1 bestseller. So, plan on being there! More to come.
Zoom links TBD
Jan
15
12:00 AM00:00
2022 Awards Season Starts
MWSA Review & Awards 2022 Season will kick off on January 15.
Due to the earlier-than-normal date for our conference and awards banquet, we’ll be closing our submission window earlier this year: June 1.
We’re also planning to announce our 2022 awards finalists on July 15—a month earlier than normal.
Visit our Review and Awards page for information.
Visit our 2022 Conference page for more details about our next general membership conference in New Orleans.
Oct
1
to Oct 2
Quarterly Deadline for Dispatches Magazine Submissions
Click to visit our Dispatches page
From the MWSA Dispatches editorial staff
MWSA Dispatches is looking for member submissions.
We have many opportunities available for you as a member in good standing, from Author Interviews, to Poetry submissions, to Book Profiles (three books—first come-first served—will be showcased in the Dispatches every quarter).*
If you’d like to write a feature article or have further questions, please email our Dispatches editorial staff.
* Members may also submit one book per year for a listing in our online library. This member benefit is free of charge. Your online listing will enjoy expanded distribution, as we’ll also post to our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Click here for details and to submit your book—for the website and Dispatches magazine.
Deadlines for each issue occur on the first day of January, April, July, and October.
Oct
1
4:00 PM16:00
Writers Education Zoom: Writing the Short Story by Jim Tritten (Date & time TBD)
Standby for further details
Sep
18
11:00 AM11:00
2021 Conference Virtual/Online
General Membership Conference Zoom
Due to the cancellation of our conference in New London, CT, we'll be hosting our general membership conference via Zoom session again this year.
Please join us this Saturday, September 18, at 11:00 AM Central Time (9 Pacific, 10 Mountain, and 12 Eastern).
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84600288448?pwd=RVhpbWlEWmw3Ylg2MkoxeTFPMzFhZz09
Are you new to Zoom or planning on joining us via telephone?
Visit our "How to Zoom with MWSA Page!"
Meeting ID: 846 0028 8448 | Passcode: 442307
Virtual Awards Banquet Video
We'll be announcing our 2021 season individual book medal and special recognition award winners via "live Facebook video premiere" at 8:00 PM Eastern (7 Central, 6 Mountain, and 5 Pacific) -- also this Saturday, September 18.
To watch the video live at that time, visit the "Events" section of our MWSA Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MWSA.MembersPublic/events
If you miss the live presentation, you can watch the video any time by visiting the "Videos" section of our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MWSA.MembersPublic/videos
Shortly after the video airs, you'll be able to see all this year's winners (and get more details) on our 2021 season page.
Good luck to all our 2021 season finalists, and hope to see everyone online for both the conference and the virtual awards ceremony.
Aug
7
5:00 PM17:00
Announcement of 2021 Season Finalists
Click on image to watch video
MWSA will announce our 2021 awards finalists via Facebook Video Premiere on Saturday, August 7, at 5 PM Eastern (4 Central, 3 Mountain, 2 Pacific).
Click on the image to the right or the button below to go to our MWSA Facebook page and watch the video.
MWSA finalists can expect to receive an email notification with further details and recommendations shortly after the time mentioned above.
Good luck to all our 2021 season authors!
Jul
11
5:00 PM17:00
Writers Education Zoom: Get Your Book Right Before the World Judges You (Part 4) by Dawn Brotherton
Presenter, Dawn Brotherton
Get Your Book Right Before the World Judges You: What Agents, Publishers, and Reviewers Are Looking For
Part 4 — Style
New and unknown authors have discovered that the book publishing industry can be hard to break into. If an author chooses to self-publish, it can be difficult to know where to start with the editing, layout, and design, whether doing it for themselves or hiring someone else to do it. This presentation gives authors additional information on what is expected in the visual and technical areas of award-winning books. The next presentation in the series will delve into content and style. Industry standards change over time, so even if you think you know what is acceptable, this workshop is for you!
Dawn Brotherton is an award-winning author and featured speaker at writing and publishing seminars. She teaches for the College of William and Mary Osher Lifelong Learning and writes for Williamsburg Next Door Neighbor magazine. A retired Air Force colonel and softball coach, Dawn writes mystery, romance, middle grade fiction, children's picture books, and nonfiction books.
She completed her first novel in 2010. When she realized how hard it was to attract the attention of publishing houses and how much money they received from her hard work, she decided to go it on her own. She set up Blue Dragon Publishing, LLC, and took on other authors. The focus of Blue Dragon Publishing is to help a writer’s dream become a reality. Dawn’s focus is mentoring people through the process and helping them reach their goals.
Time: 11 July at 4PM CENTRAL time.
Click on the link below or paste it into your browser.
https://zoom.us/j/2245629439?pwd=Sk92UXVZNzBpK1Z3NWd1TWtPcUM3UT09
Presentation Video & Documents
Jul
1
to Jul 2
Quarterly Deadline for Dispatches Magazine Submissions
Click to visit our Dispatches page
From the MWSA Dispatches editorial staff
MWSA Dispatches is looking for member submissions.
We have many opportunities available for you as a member in good standing, from Author Interviews, to Poetry submissions, to Book Profiles (three books—first come-first served—will be showcased in the Dispatches every quarter).*
If you’d like to write a feature article or have further questions, please email our Dispatches editorial staff.
* Members may also submit one book per year for a listing in our online library. This member benefit is free of charge. Your online listing will enjoy expanded distribution, as we’ll also post to our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Click here for details and to submit your book—for the website and Dispatches magazine.
Deadlines for each issue occur on the first day of January, April, July, and October.
Jun
15
12:00 AM00:00
2021 Awards Season Submission Window Closes
MWSA Review & Awards 2021 Season will kick off on January 15 and run until June 15.
We normally announce our awards finalists in mid-August each year.
Visit our Review and Awards page for more information.