A lot of the copy in our newsletters and on our website is designed to promote our events; they feature interviews with faculty and agents. They’re chock full of great information (and terrific pull quotes!) but what we never want to lose sight of is that all of that–all the programming, all of the faculty–that’s all here for you.
So let’s celebrate *you.*
This past week we held MWW24, our annual summer conference in Muncie, IN. We asked attendees to write down recent writing successes, and were amazed at how many people are doing the thing. It’s amazing to see what you all are producing and the ways you are finding inspiration.
We’d like to share these successes with you. Read them over and ask yourself, “What are my successes?” There’s no success too small. Honestly? My most recent writing success was that I got a paragraph revised. But it was a big deal because I did it. Let’s keep pushing forward, all of us.
Send your success stories to midwestwritersworkshop@gmail.com and we’ll post it here on our website! Tell us about something exciting you’ve done with writing and/or publishing in the past year. Also, if you’d like, tell us how MWW has made an impact on your writing.
MWW Alumni
Amy Renshaw published her second historical mystery, Strong Temptations: A Sophie Strong Mystery, in April 2024. The book is set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “I love doing research there and around the state, as a longtime Wisconsinite. I appreciate all of the great content and encouragement from Midwest Writers Workshop!”
Summary of Strong Temptations: A Sophie Strong Mystery (Book 2)
Reporter Sophie Strong uncovers deadly secrets lurking in the aisles of a 1912 Milwaukee department store. Will she risk everything in her quest to expose a killer?
Sophie yearns for a thrilling undercover mission that rivals those of her idol, journalist Nellie Bly. Her dreams of adventure are dashed when her cautious editor assigns her to the seemingly mundane role of a shopgirl. But appearances can be deceiving. What starts as an ordinary job takes a sinister turn when a fellow employee meets a tragic end. Suddenly, Sophie and her coworkers fall under suspicion. Determined to prove their innocence and driven by insatiable curiosity, she embarks on her own covert investigation. Detective Jacob Zimmer urges her to leave the pursuit of criminals to the professionals, but she can’t resist plunging into the perilous web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives. Sophie explores the shadowy corners of one of the city’s most popular department stores, and each step closer to the truth lures her into more danger.
More info: amyrenshawauthor.com
Sandra McKay just finished a year and a half of research for her next historical novel, and found a much bigger story than what was recorded in history.
Stephen Terrell’s historical true crime book, The Madness of John Terrell: Revenge and Insantiy on Trial in the Heartland, is being released by Kent State University Press on October 22. He will speak about the nearly four years of research and writing that went into the book at 11 am on August 10 at the Indiana State Library as part of the State Library’s Summer Lecture Series (free event! Registration required).
MWW24 Attendees
Doris Aldritch Smith
“Children’s picture books with 12 year old excellent artist- Don’t Be Afraid”
Mary Ardery
“I continue sending out my poetry manuscript and getting finalist nods.”
“My grad school friend, Ashley, and I are here together–our first reunion post-COVID.”
Nancy Christie
“I released my second novel in my Midlife Moxie series: Finding Fran.”
Leslie Cradler
“I started submitting my adult fantasy novel to literary agents.”
“I get to meet all these awesome new people.”
Jennifer Criss
“I entered flash fiction contest and came in second in my section and was allowed to move on to round two. There were about 5600 participants narrowed down to 1300. Round 2 winners will be announced in August and will move on to the final round.”
Tammy Davis
“I wrote a creative nonfiction essay called ‘Broken Birds’ that placed in the top 10 of Women on Writing’s Q4 essay contest.”
“Coming to this conference has gotten me excited about writing again!”
Marydell Forbes
“I got a grant to attend this conference and work on my memoir in Cork, Ireland. The title of my project is “Put a Cork in It!”
“This is my third conference. I love it because it is inspiring and centered on the craft.”
Anne Hardman
“I recently started writing a book at thirteen years old to which I’ve never been more dedicated to”
“MWW has opened new opportunities for growth and learning.”
Lucinda Hoffman
“Published my first book in January. Second book in editing process.”
“Growing my craft. Loving it.”
Alicia Jaramillo
“I’ve been working on writing my college applications! Lol, also I’ve been writing poetry and lyrics-mostly because it’s what I’ve got time for.”
“This is my first time going! This community seems lovely =) I think it is inspiring me to continue exploring writing as a possible career!”
Jon Kaplan
“I am into my third year of daily journaling that sometimes morphs into the beginning of a story. I have revised a long short story I have been working on using feedback from my writing group.”
“Just being in a community of writers is empowering. So many best practices to learn from.”
Jay Kibble
“A piece about my transition process is going to be published in an upcoming anthology and I was asked to read at a reading at IndyReads.”
“MWW has reignited my passion and spark as a writer and I’ll be forever grateful to Leah and co.”
Jessica Lamping
“I had a short horror story published!”
Amanda Latz
“I’ve done some cross-training to expand and learn more.”
Allison Lay
“I graduated with my MFA in creative writing!”
Nancy Lee
“I’m homing in on finishing an essay about surviving a botched surgery.”
“I now have some great approaches on how to structure my memoir–along with some memories to guide my journey.”
Emily Loney
“This week I have managed to write 10,000 words towards the first draft of my manuscript.”
“I’m honored to have been given a scholarship so I could attend this year. Thank you!”
John Malnor
“Had a great discussion with Sandra–manuscript review! I won my first writing award for a short story in April.”
“One more chance to learn and meet people. Great people and stories to carry with me.”
Nichole Mathews/A.J. Nix
“Had a timeline to finish a novel by June to pitch in November, treated myself to a birthday writers conference…it ended up a pitch workshop. On a whim, attempted my first pitch and the agent gave me her card to send her pages when I was finished.”
“Support when I was really low about my writing. Especially encouragement from Matt Clemens.”
A.D. Nauman
“My second novel, Down the Steep, was published in Oct. 2023 by Regal House!”
Karen Novak
“I finished a novel–for about two weeks and realized I wanted to revise.”
“I’m new to MWW, I began This last year at agent fest. This is my first MWW conference. I’m enjoying myself very much!”
Jodi Perras
“Last year I came here with an idea for a short story and shared some early version of it in a workshop. Today it’s on the book sale table as part of the 8th edition of the UP reader.”
“Just love getting inspiration, technical training and meeting other authors.”
Cliff Protzman
“Matthew Clemens did an eval my second year. He walked in, slammed the manuscript on the table, and said “Cliff, it sucks.” After a pause he said, “The good news is, it doesn’t suck too bad.” I learned to accept suggestions and critique.”
Zachary Rowe
“I launched an author website.”
“It’s made me feel more a part of a community”
Jacqueline E. Tirey
“I am getting a poem published in an anthology!”
“This s my first year, and I already feel more connected to my writing life”
TJ Watson
“While I haven’t been writing anything new as of the last two weeks, I have been editing my MBK sequels.”
“It has been reenergized my drive being among my people and listening to amazing speakers.”
Pam Weis
“I got my first short story published!”
Allison Yoder
“I am thrilled to be writing children’s picture books and poetry. I am excited to share them as I’m an avid book lover, teacher, mom, grandma and, now, author!”
“I’m excited to be at my very first conference! I love all the support and encouragement!”
