The Newsletter of RWG Write Away

July 2016
Vol. 69, Issue 12
Write Away
The Newsletter of RWG
Guildy Films and THE ROCKFORD REVIEW
On Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 1-3 at the Burpee Museum, please join us for
Guildy Films and the release of “Foyer”, the 2016 summer-fall edition of The
Rockford Review. We will screen two new short films that were written
by Gene Dameier and Fern Kuntz at the June Meeting. We will also hold a
writing contest. Burpee’s Address: 737 N. Main St., Rockford. Free to all
who write!
“SUMMER COLDS” Poetry Contest
Have you entered this contest yet? We have up to $100 in cash
prizes to give away, plus the winning poems will be published in the 2017 edition of
The Rockford Review and winners can share their work at the September meeting! RULES: Submit up to 3 poems, each 50 lines or less. Poems must express the
theme “Summer Colds.” Deadline: Aug. 15, 2016. Email to [email protected] or snail mail to RWG at PO Box 858-Rockford, IL 61105.
Winners will be announced in the September newsletter and on social media.
Guild to Celebrate 70th BIRTHDAY in 2017
Did you know the Guild is turning 70 in 2017? That is definitely cause for a celebration! In September, the RWG Board of Directors will unveil their intentions for the celebration as well as the blueprint for the entire 2016-2017 season! (Photo credit: Angel Cosme)
Tar Heel, Empire State, & Land of Lincoln REPRESENTED
Wow! After 69 years, we are thrilled to report that membership continues to
thrive in the RWG! While many members are from the Rockford region, the
Guild also has members from Canada (d.n. simmers), England (Michael Humfrey), and Mexico (Robert Joe Stout). Here is who has joined in 2016: Anne
Brown from Charlotte, NC; Bill Carr of Raleigh, NC; Andrew Eytalis of Rockford; E. P. Fisher, PsyD of Pine Bush, NY; Terence C. Gallagher of Bayside, NY;
Alan Jimenez of Rockford; Brian Leaf of Rockford; Anne Remington of
Rockford; William Rill of Chicago; and Luke Welch of Rochelle, Illinois. Welcome, New Members!
We look forward to reading your writing!
Coming Soon
A new Membership Directory is in the works. It will be distributed to all Guild members in August.!
Member Good News
Royce Adams of Santa Barbara, CA won the Grand Prize Short Story
Contest with Haunted Waters Press and was awarded $250 for his short
story The Summer Before Lucky Strike Green Went to War.
In 2014, Wayland Anderson bought a condemned house in Midtown Rockford. He has worked to restore the
Victorian home not just for a place to live, but as a place to create art and dance. From his home, he teaches
dance, choreographs for local events, and hosts special events. www.waylandandersonproject.com.
Marie Asner was part of a Passion Play in Overland Park, Kansas. She did various voices such as
“the crowd”, “a disciple” and “a voice from the Assembly.’” Asner said, “It was fun. Never a dull moment.”
Iowa writer Mike Bayles’s book The Harbor I Seek is a compelling book-long poem about homelessness.
For a copy, send $12 to PO Box 2129—Davenport, IA-52809-2129. He also had two poems published on
TheSongIs.blogspot.com and has poems forthcoming in Pancakes in Heaven and Westward Quarterly. He
also had a poem displayed during the ARTERY’s “Poetic Visions Project” at its Rock Island gallery.
Olivia Diamond of Whitefish, MT reports, “Excerpts from Be Thou A Man are included in Sweet Home
Chicago by Jennifer Kilgore-Caradec, a professor at the University of Caen, France. She has taught English in France since 1991 and has an M.A. from the University of Chicago. Available on Amazon.”
Charlotte Digregorio of Winnetka, IL is honored to have two exhibits of her haiku/haiku sequences that will
run through the first week of 2017. The first, from July 8—Sep 30, will be held in Schaumburg, IL at Meet
Chicago Northwest, (the Greater Woodfield Convention & Visitors Bureau). The second exhibit will be from
Oct 1, 2016—Jan 7, 2017 at Rolling Meadows (IL) Public Library in Rolling Meadows. She also recently
hosted a poetry program, sponsored by Highland Park Poetry, at Madame Zuzu’s Tea House in Highland
Park. The program featured a guest poet and an open mic. During the latter, she read some of her poems.
Kelly Epperson’s services include editing, book coaching, ghostwriting, business to business writing, & more. Referrals are thanked with money. [email protected] or www.kellyepperson.com.
Matthew Flamm, Ph. D, is a Philosophy professor at Rockford University but most Guild members
know him for his music. He is the founder of soapflossers and These House Rituals and has performed with
wife Jennifer Rea, Ph. D at many a meeting and gala.
Dixon Hearne of Sterlington, LA has two new books: Delta Flats: stories in the Key of Blues and
Hope (Amphorae Publishing Group); and Plainspeak: New and Selected Poems, will be published later this
year by Kelsay Books/Aldrich Press as a perfect-bound volume. He also has new poems in Avalon Literary
Review, San Pedro River Review, Calliope Magazine, and Down the Dark River (anthology, Louisiana
Literature Press).
Washington state poet Sally Hewitt had a poem published in Whatcom Watch.
Bill Hudson has a poem in the Dubuque Area Writers Guild annual anthology and read it at the Dubuque Guild’s annual Arts Festival on May 20.
Mark Hudson placed four times in the Galaxy of Verse Poetry Contest. He also won a prize in the
Arizona Poetry Contest for his poem “Cortez.” His poem “Radioactive Water” has been accepted for a
poetry book about nuclear waste.
Weaverville, North Carolina writer Connie Kallback’s creative nonfiction piece titled, "Rescue at Notre
Dame," appears in issue #25, the spring edition, of the Lowestoft Chronicle in England. You can read it at
http://www.lowestoftchronicle.com/issues/issue25/conniekallback.html
This month, Connie Kuntz is the Video Artist for a three-week art camp in Rockford called RAAC Camp. She
will teach young artists aged 5-13 how to develop, storyboard, and shoot their own films. Their films will be
screened at the end of the camp to their family and friends.
Neligh, NE writer Marie Krohn’s latest novel Christmas in Elm Grove has been published.
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Member Good News
Marina, California writer Jennifer Lagier has a new poem/photo published
online by Dead Snakes (http://deadsnakes.blogspot.com/2016/06/jenniferlagier-poem-photo_24.html), and has had new work accepted for
publication by In Between Hangovers, GFT Press and Nature Writing.
Brian Leaf writes for the Rockford Register Star and you can follow him on Twitter @b_leaf.
Gene McCormick’s poetry collection, Big City Nighttime Stories (103 pp, $16) is available on Amazon or
directly from the him at [email protected]. He is also launching the Gene McCormick Signature Collection of
custom designed women’s wear, a joint online venture with VIDA Voices. “The line of limited edition casual
women’s tops and tee’s is custom designed using my original artwork. New pieces will be added regularly.” To
access the collection, visit www.shopvida.com/collections/voices/gene-mccormick.
Wilda Morris has been accepted for a two week Writing Residency at the Noepe Center for Literary
Arts on Martha’s Vineyard in October. She also won first place in the Barbara Stevens Memorial Award as
well as two honorable mentions. Wilda is the contest chair for the Stevens Manuscript Contest for the Federation.
Frank Nappi’s delightful novel Welcome to the Show is available for purchase on Amazon. Visit
www.franknappi.com or read the review in the 2016 winter-spring edition of The Rockford Review.
Barry North of Hahnville, LA has poems in Lascaux Poetry Review and Sixfold Fiction and Poetry.
Medford, Oregon writer Walt Polzin is the author of Badman A Western Novel. Email him at
[email protected] for details. Also, Mr. Polzin had a short story accepted by Storyteller Magazine.
Richard Pulfer of Byron, IL recently received a Silver Honorable Mention for the Writers of the Future
competition! Judges included Brandon Sanderson, Orscon Scott Card, and David Farland.
Learn more about singer/songwriter/guitarist Ron Rawhoof at www.ronrawhoof.com.
Nancy Ann Schaefer of Bridgton, Maine had a poem published in The Conway Daily Sun (NH) and another in the Blue Heron Review.
Canadian poet d.n. simmers has a new poem on Whispers, one though Saturday Night, an email distribution
system, and others accepted by Fine Lines, Amulet, Dreamland, and Nomad’s Choir Poetry Journal.
Paul Smith’s flash fiction A Cloudburst w as accepted by Spelk Fiction. His poem Sally
Sells What She Sells Offshore is published (online) in New Verse New s. His flash fiction, “The Earth Will Inherit the Meek” is up on Yellow Mama’s website: http://
blackpetalsks.tripod.com/yellowmama/id1469.html
Robert Stowe and Terry Stolz graduated from St. Louis University in the w inter w ith
Masters of Science in Written Communication degrees. Their ceremony was this summer!
Rob Tomaro of Beloit, W I signed a contract w ith Etopia P ress I nternational w ho w ill
be publishing the first novel in his YA-historical-Vampire-thriller series: Dark Whisper! He is also the music director for the Beloit Janesville Orchestra which will be performing a traditional,
patriotic pops concert July 3 and 4 in Janesville, WI.
Learn more about Richard Vargas, his books, and The Mas Tequila Review at
www.richardvargaspoet.com. Stay tuned for details about his next poetry event in Rockford.
Learn more about Kurt Vonnegut and J.T. Whitehead at www.vonnegutlibrary.org. Whitehead
was nominated for the National Book Award for his poetry collection The Table of the Elements
and is the editor of So It Goes.
Send your Good News for this newsletter to Connie at [email protected]. Share
your Good News for the Email Blasts by sending it to Wilda at [email protected].
Notes from the Father’s Day Meeting
by Recording Secretary Jennifer Rea, Ph. D
This guild meeting was set aside to honor fathers of every shape, size, and form. From Atticus
Finch to Mr. Drew to Wilbur the Pig, fathers were discussed, remembered, and honored. We
also were privileged to view two independent films conceived from poems created at the May
guild meeting.
Present! Connie Kuntz, Jesse Kuntz, Jocelyn Kuntz, Angelo Kuntz, Fern Kuntz, Sam Kuntz,
Jennifer A. Rea, Ph.D, Robert Stowe, Tim Hughes, Gene Dameier, Alan Jimenez, Marcela Montes, Patricia Kenyon, Andy Fulrath, Mike Bayles, Cindy Guentherman
Opening: Connie – opening with the spring prose contest – 11 submissions
AND THE WINNER IS: Cindy Guentherman and she read her wonderful passage about
a spring break ‘incident’!!!!
AND THE WINNER IS: Mike Bayles and he also shared his amazing prose piece with
the group.
Board updates came next – no gala this year but we are planning a spectacular, amazing, fun,
engaging celebration for the 70th anniversary of the guild (1947-2017).
Introductions of board members!! Especially to our new members.
Summer Colds poetry contest needs more entries. So far we have 11 entries and are aiming for 100 – So your poems can be about summer colds or being cold in the summer, or being
treated coldly in the summer…you can interpret the word ‘cold’ in anyway you want – be creative and let the summer juices flow…The last day for submissions is August 15th!!!
Film introduction and discussion of the philosophy behind the independent films. These
films are dark, interpretive, driven by imagery and music with cinematography that is avant
guard, interesting, and not necessarily traditional.
Pond - by Sam Kuntz – A film and poem with imagery/words of the circle of life – particularly liked the image of the tadpole at the end – we all study tadpoles in school as we
learn about the life-cycle…nicely done.
Good Quality Work – Gene Dameier – a dark rendering of Gene’s poem to comment upon the prevailing issues of dehumanization, displacement, and violence.
Dads in Literature presentation - great dads! Atticus Finch, Mr. Drew, Darth Vader, and Wilber
the Pig, to name but a few of the literary dads highlighted in Connie Kuntz’s presentation.
Writing Challenge: Poem about a father figure/father – describing him physically, with one
memorable quote, and he has to be both villainous and adorable!!!!
Winners: Gene Dameier and Fern Kuntz. These poems will be turned into films that will
be highlighted at the July guild meeting!!! Can’t wait to see them.
Thanks all for a fun time! -Jennifer Rea, Ph. D
July 2016
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Good Luck to all
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the Guild Pets!
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before “Summer
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17 Guild Meeting
31 “The Rockford
Review” Mailing
complete
Executive Board of Rockford Writers’ Guild:
President /Editor
Connie Kuntz
[email protected]
Treasurer
David Ross
[email protected]
Vice President of Events
James Marshall, Ph. D
[email protected]
Youth Director
Lori Marshall
[email protected]
Webmaster/Cover Artist
Jesse Kuntz
[email protected]
Secretary
Jennifer Rea, Ph. D
[email protected]
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GUILDY PLEASURES
“Pets & Fireworks”
Big-Bang-Boom!
cat at window
looks into dark skies
bursts of light
colored stars in its eyes
-Mike Bayles
Honey was a Siamese kitty,
Who hated big-bang-boom.
Fireworks on the 4th of July
Sent her flying room-to-room!
-Kandie Bott
We sit on the porch,
Watching bright lights in the sky.
Ow! My ears! Hide me!
-Eunice Fisher
fireworks;
the dog adds a howl
to every boom
–Cindy Guentherman
Pets and Fireworks
Topeka, my cat, stops, looks, and listens.
Something is happening!
It is big, bright, and noisy.
The night sky lights up with sparkling lights announcing the 4th of July.
Time to go hide!
-John Casey Kalkirtz
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GUILDY PLEASURES
“Pets & Fireworks”
Trembling ball of yellow fur,
cramped in a corner, beneath our bed;
eyes tucked in behind your paws,
you wait for the dreaded, endless fireworks finale.
Then you can return to your cat kingdom, free and brave.
–Dan Kenney
Heart of Fireworks
Fish suck in food
Fireworks shoot out color
Dogs run under bed for safety
-Fern Kuntz, age 7
Pawlateral Damage
Whistle, BOOM! Crack, crack, crackalacka, Crack! I
swear the world is ending...No turning back!
My human can’t help me...I’ll use him as a shield!
It hurts my ears so much, OUCH!
Alas, I just peed on the couch. -Jesse Kuntz
Run away from door
Hiding under nearest bed
Big boom shakes the night
–Sam Kuntz, age 9
Fireworks go off
Dogs bark and run under bed
Other pets not scared
-Jocelyn Kuntz, age 11
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GUILDY PLEASURES
“Pets & Fireworks”
Explosions after dark.
Three terrified dogs
quiver and moan.
-Jennifer Lagier
Pets are
a celebration
unto themselves.
-Gene McCormick
Bang, a flash, a start
Ms. Mary’s gruff whuff echoes
Watchdog warns in vain
–Rev. Dr. Bill Olewiler
my cat's eyes
bright as Roman candles
in the night
-Wilda Morris
Sparky’s Melody
Our dog, Sparky, loved fireworks!
We called his reaction, Sparky’s Melody.
The fireworks would ignite and Sparky
began his howling melody on the 4th of July.
Sparky is long gone, but as we welcome the 4th,
we remember Sparky’s melody and smile.
-Cathy Lou Pearson
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GUILDY PLEASURES
“Pets & Fireworks”
Ruff Ruff That Noisy Day
I’m watching my master running around
Oh no another holiday, food is good, the beer is not for me.
Sniff Sniff what is this? Red, white, and blue
It can’ t be that noisy day,
Here I go under the bed.
Till all the noise goes away.
Pets and fireworks
Simply put
An oxymoron
-Connie Ross
-BIL RIL JR
We once had a dog who answered to Champaign
and the animal thought fireworks were a pain
He had to withstand every Independence Day
Until so he fixed the problem by passing away
Greg Stanmar
Fireworks Pets
They are around the campfire
waiting for a meal
eyes wide as the flames rise
tail doing a dancing reveal
in the mouth and quiet once more
-d.n. simmers
High on the rooftop, on the 4th of July
Lying back and listening to Dido.
But when the rockets red glare
Screeched above in the air,
I was joined by my flying Fido!
-Larry Wahler
Oh, no. What’s that Bang, Crash, Boom?
Glad I can get under the bed in this room!
-Mary Lou Yankaitis
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Join the Guild! (Or Renew!)
Membership Levels:
Adult: $35 (1-yr) $65 (2-yr) $95 (3-yr)
Your membership with RWG
expires at the
end of
__________.
Family or Couple: $50 (1-yr) $90 (2-yr) $130 (3-yr)
Youth/Student $15 (1-yr)
Library $25 (1-yr)
Name:____________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________
Email:____________________________________________________________
Phone:___________________________________________________________
Complete form and send check or money order to Rockford Writers’ Guild—PO
Box 858—Rockford, IL 61105. Or join online at www.rockfordwritersguild.org.
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
PO Box 858—Rockford, IL—61105
www.rockfordwritersguild.org