Midwest Writers Workshop, Inc. Mission Statement:

The mission of MWW is to nurture aspiring and accomplished writers to improve their craft and achieve their writing and publishing goals in an inclusive community that welcomes and uplifts all voices.

Midwest Writers – The Beginning

The late Dorothy Hamilton, a successful children’s writer and encourager of other writers from the Muncie area, was instrumental in founding the first Midwest Writers Workshop in 1973. The following is an account, in Dorothy’s own words, of how the MWW tradition began.

The Beginning of the Midwest Writers Workshop by Dorothy Hamilton

On April 10, 1973, I spoke to a class in Religious Journalism at Ball State University at the request of Dr. Earl Conn. A few days later, I called him to express gratitude for an honorarium and added this thought, ‘Why can’t we have a writers conference at Ball State?”

Earl said, “I think that’s a fine idea, Dorothy. Do you care if I take the ball and run with it?”

Since I didn’t know where to begin, I was relieved to have someone take an interest in the idea, which was only a dream to me. On May 12th the move was given another spurt of energy. Dr. Dick Renner came with Beverly [his wife] to an autograph party at a Muncie bookstore. He suggested I choose people from the community and he and Earl Conn would ask individuals from the university to serve on a planning committee.

In retrospect, it is clear that this venture was a co-operative effort between area Residents and Ball State from the beginning. This combination and the dedication and sincerity of the purpose of the committee members have proved to be a sound basis for growth. The committee met for the first time June 6, 1973, in Dick Renner’s office. No one thought that we could have a conference in 1973. There was too much to do and to learn.

We met frequently during the rest of that year until August of 1973. Early in our deliberations, we set the goal which we’ve kept in mind during all of our effort making. We hoped to have our gathering of writers be a place where they could receive as much help and encouragement as possible, not merely a showcase for established writers. Out of this purpose came the name MIDWEST WRITERS WORKSHOP, suggested by Earl Conn.

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Midwest Writers Workshop was formed in the belief that aspiring writers had specific needs for knowledge and inspiration to help them become published authors. MWW seeks to fulfill these needs and remain a leading source for aspiring writers. Through our summer workshop and special events throughout the year, MWW is especially focused on providing quality instruction and networking support among writers. From 1973 through 2017, Midwest Writers was proudly associated with Ball State University and its Departments of English and Journalism. In 2017 MWW officially became a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Midwest Writers continues to be relevant and innovative, offering more value and better serving the writing community through our outreach and effectiveness and use of resources. We have continually and successfully reached out to new audiences, while maintaining loyal participants who attend year after year because they have developed friendships and know they will receive new information to improve their writing. We are also proud of our ability to provide these important services to writers at an affordable cost.

By focusing on its strengths, its participants, and the ongoing concerns of what writers need, Midwest Writers Workshop strives to develop significant programs and events, while maintaining a sense of professionalism and dedication to quality.

Objectives

• Goal #1 Provide instruction for persons interested in writing for publication.
• Goal #2 Provide needed information to past, present, and future workshop participants.
• Goal #3 Provide ongoing encouragement to writers.

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REMEMBERING EARL CONN

In late August 2009, Earl went in the hospital for aortic valve replacement surgery. The surgery went well and for a few days he was up and getting about. Then complications began with his lungs, first fluid, then one collapsed, and finally he was put on a ventilator. He was sedated and failing and his family decided to take him off the ventilator on September 20.

He had no self-pity about his worsening condition, no fear, but a calm belief in his final destination, a joyous reunion with his wife Christina. But Earl’s death was too sudden for all of us to grasp.

Earl was instrumental in founding the first Midwest Writers Workshop in 1973 at the suggestion of the late Dorothy Hamilton, a successful children’s writer and encourager of other writers from the Muncie area.  Throughout the following years, he missed only a handful of monthly committee planning meetings, and was a “fixture” at every MWW, typically the one introducing faculty at the Workshop’s opening reception. In other words, he’s been our one constant in the past 36 years.

If you’ve attended just one of our Midwest Writers, or come back for more, you’ve met Earl. You probably didn’t know of his significant achievements. Humble and modest about his accomplishments, when introduced as Dr. Earl Conn, he’d quickly smile and say, “Just call me Earl.” He retired after 35 years at Ball State University where he served as chair of the Department of Journalism and became the first Dean of the newly created College of Communication, Information, and Media. He was an educator, administrator, editor, reporter, and prolific writer.

But Earl never really retired; he kept writing and publishing articles, and he kept his hand in organizing one of the best writers’ workshops in the nation.  An early riser, his days were full. If my phone rang before eight in the morning, I knew it was usually Earl. Even as an octogenarian, he had no diminished stamina, but was hard-working, completing his travel writing assignments, planning another book, making note of potential MWW faculty members. So like Earl, prior to his surgery, he had worked ahead on his travel columns and wrote three weeks’ worth; his last one appeared in the Sunday he died, September 20th. Irony. God.

Year after year, workshop after workshop, Earl made new friends and welcomed old ones.  It seemed appropriate that Earl was a Quaker or Friend, as his vocation was friendship – from university presidents to youngsters, he had friends everywhere.  A magnet for people, especially writers, he had a remarkable approach to friendship that demonstrated the Quaker sense of really listening to others. He was generous with praise and encouragement, toasting small triumphs and gently pushing you on to your next goal.  His words were considered and measured, yet, he was never one to “mince words” and expressed his opinions, even strong and controversial ones, openly.

And then there was his personal presence, his tallness, his deep resonating voice and laugh, his ready smile. He was witty and sometimes downright hilarious, quick with a joke or odd observation. He was loyal, thoughtful.  And so much warmth.  And mostly his abundant kindness.

I have to admit that I’ve lost some enthusiasm for planning next summer’s workshop without Earl. I may have been the MWW director for the last several years, but Earl was always our leader, mentor, guide, shepherd. His phone number was on my speed dial and I referred to his wisdom on all things MWW, and life-things as well. When workshop decisions had to be made, my first thought was usually “W.W.E.D.”

Oh, he’d dish out advice and suggestions as I asked for them. But he also let me find my own sense of leadership. He was always ready for any task and was often my legs for “go-fer” trips to the printer or the Ball State mailroom. His last email to me was typical Earl, offering to help read and summarize the evaluations participants had written after the July workshop.

We all have an Earl story. Many of us more than one. You may not even have known Earl Conn, but if you’re reading this, you, too have an Earl story because the Midwest Writers legacy is part of Earl’s story. But for those of us blessed with memories of Earl, I hope you’re nodding right now and agreeing with me, “Yes, what a great guy. I am honored.”

Jama Kehoe Bigger, September 2009