WWA Press

A WWA member recently brought my attention to the fact that the WWA web site had old information on it, regarding the WWA Press. My old, non-functional e-mail was listed, and some members were getting irritated because I never answered them. This has since been cleared up by the web master. But just in case, please remember: If a page or e-mail contains "WRWA," it is outdated and should be brought to the attention of the web master.

The WWA Press' e-mail is: pubprs@wiwrite.org

There is another reason, or excuse, if you prefer, that I might not respond to you as quickly as I should. I have set a goal of premiering three projects at the Spring 2013 WWA conference in Oshkosh. This is my goal, and not a deadline that anyone else has imposed on me.

I am not happy with the lack of progress that I've made since I was appointed WWA Press Manager. I have been slow to respond to members who have been good enough to send submissions. But I have assembled a small crew, a Press Review Board, that is currently helping me out. As WWA continues to progress, and as the WWA Press grows, I look forward to the day when we have an entire virtual office of people in touch on a daily basis, processing all of the high-quality submissions from our growing WWA Press membership, as we publish more and more books.

One thing that has taken up much of my time is my learning of Photoshop and InDesign. I have taken classes and purchased instructional books at my own expense, to learn how to work with these desktop publishing programs. I am happy with how my pace of learning has picked up in recent months, with this software, and with the field of book design and typography.

As I learn all these skills, I am constantly thinking of how I can share this knowledge with WWA members. Any ideas out there?

If you plan to attend the Fall conference in Wisconsin Rapids, please talk to me. Remind me how long you've been waiting to hear from me.

At the Fall conference, I will have teasers for at least one project. Maybe a second. Ideally, for all three! I say "teasers," because some aspects of these projects are being kept under wraps until their debut in Spring 2013. For example, it should be common knowledge by now that one project is a "Wisconsin's Got Talent" type anthology -- but that is not its actual title. (The real title is a confidential!)

As for that anthology, NO! It's not too late to submit. It won't be too late until it's sent to the printer. And if your submission is too late, we'll consider it for "Anthology II." (Or should I maybe say "III"? Hm, maybe that's giving too much away...)

While I'm trying to get you as excited about future WWA Press projects as I am, please, please do not forget the one WWA Press item that has been published: Robert Gard, Windmill Man, by our own WWA President, LaMoine MacLaughlin. As I like to say about this book:

It's been 20 years since his death

Now, celebrate his life

By buying a book published on the centennial of his birth!

(Note to LaMoine: This is not meant as an attempt at poetry!)

Thanks, everyone, and I hope to see you at the Fall conference,

Rodney Schroeter

Manager, WWA Press

PO Box 334

Random Lake WI 53075-0334

Real e-mail: pubprs@wiwrite.org

A Call for Submissions to WWA Press Anthology

The Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Association Press has published its first book: Robert Gard: The Windmill Man, compiled and edited by LaMoine MacLaughlin.

What’s next for the Press? One project, being assembled right now, is an anthology. Others will be...?? Read on!

The Anthology

This project’s code name is Wisconsin’s Got Talent. That won’t be the final title (I despise cheap imitation), but it indicates the project’s essence.

What genre are we looking for? Any and all. “Genre” is not an operating term for this project. (“Excellence,” however, is.) Toss aside your preconceptions. Tear free from the straight-jacket of the term “genre.” We’re looking for short to medium-length pieces that you consider your most highly-polished, brilliantly-sparkling gems.

If the piece you submit is a past winner (or runner-up, or even no-show) in a past WWA contest, please indicate so in your submission.

“Can my work be previously published?” Yes, as long as you own the publication rights. You'll be asked to sign a statement to that effect.

Other projects

Do you have a book project? We’d like to hear about it.

Illustrators! We want you!

No, we’re not forgetting what the 2nd “W” of WWA stands for. And the word “illustrator” is not... quite... exactly what we need.

Many future projects will need professional-level graphics to match the professional-level writing. We’re looking, not so much for “illustrators,” as we are searching for “graphic collaborators.” When the written work needs accompanying visuals, we believe that the author and artist need to work collaboratively, so that words and pictures complement each other.

(Publication of comics, or "graphic narratives," or whatever high-falutin’ term you prefer, is a distinct possibility on the horizon.)

Send us samples of your art (copies only, please; do not send originals!).

Readers -- we need readers!

Because we’re anticipating a flood of high-quality submissions, we need a crew of readers to help identify the very best candidate pieces for the WWA Press. Can you help? Please contact us.

How to submit

For the anthology: Short to medium-length pieces may be submitted for immediate consideration.

What’s the deadline?” If you are reading this, we have not yet reached that deadline. Submit your work when it’s been polished to submittable perfection. Worst case scenario: It will be considered for “Anthology II — the Sequel.”

Ready to submit something? Other questions?

Click here for complete submission guidelines.