An open call to those who would write!

If you own a pen and paper, or wouldn't be opposed to borrowing some, I've got the workshop for you!

Many of us, myself included, have often dreamed of (and sometimes started) writing the "Great American Novel," certain to be a New York Times Best Seller, if only we had the time or discipline to just sit down and write it!  Need a boost to help you get started?  Fear not, help is at hand. Dust off those spiral notebooks full of ideas and folders overflowing with half-completed manuscripts and join us for some fun an innovative ways to get those juices flowing.

The Lake Arts Council is forming two writing workshops - one for Middle & High school students and one for adults.  The groups will meet on alternating weeks at the Lake Arts Council's office at the Stone Crest Mall in Osage Beach.  The goal of these workshops is to support good writing habits, develop talent, compile an anthology of stories, written by Lake of the Ozarks residents and GET PUBLISHED.  Starting in 2013, we'll publish the anthology every year on Amazon and iTunes. Any proceeds from the sale of the anthology will be split among the writers. But best of all, there is no charge to participate.

If you can tell a story we'll help you become a published author. Elizabeth Simons, host of the workshops, is a professional editor, educator and has written a creative writing course, Dancing With Words, currently being utilized by the Center For Distance and Independence Study (MizzouOnline) for their middle school gifted students. Elizabeth will present a program on editing and preparing your manuscript for publicatrion at the next Writers Guild meeting on November 10.

Ages 13-18:
We strongly encourage student participation, because we guarantee the rewards are great. You'll have the opportunity to put on your college application/resume that you are a published writer.  You will be surrounded by peers who share similar interests and have joined this program because they want to be better writers and support their fellow writers' growth.  You will have fun, you will become a better writer, and you just might make a little money while you are at it. So take that first step by encouraging your parent or guardian to contact us for this unique opportunity.

Ages 18+:
You've kept a journal but you haven't told anyone about it, but now you think maybe you'd like to try your hand at putting some words out there for all the world to see. Or maybe you read a lot but you've never written anything but emails and texts to friends and family.  You find yourself polishing the words in those messages, and it hits you: Hey, maybe I could write something other people might want to read. If that's the case, grab your pen and notebook and join us. Please contact the Lake Arts Council at 964-6366 to sign up.  Everything written above paragraph applies to adults, except we don't need a note from your parents.  Don't talk/think/dream about writing... DO IT.  Surround yourself with others who share your goal and, together, we will make it happen. 

Once we have assembled a small group, we will work with you to determine the best day and time to meet.  We need only a handful of people for each workshop to get started.  If you have questions, please feel free call us, email us, or contact us by using the comments system below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

John Pylant
Executive Director
Lake Arts Council