American Pen Women Reach Out to Islanders

 — from Sara Williams —

What’s the Story?

It’s a round-table discussion of the craft of writing and the business of publishing. Two American Pen Women authors, Iowa-based Joyce Daniels and Sara Williams of Deer Harbor, will lead the discussion. This event is to be held Friday, June 19th from 10 a.m. to noon in the conference room of the Orcas Island Public Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound.

Both authors are members of the National League of American Pen Women, one of the oldest arts groups in America, founded in 1897. American Pen Women are professionals in their various arts and crafts and support each other’s creative endeavors. They also promote and enrich the arts scene in their local communities. Past members have included Eleanor Roosevelt and Eudora Welty.

Novelist Sara Williams’ nomination was recently approved by the national organization, based in Washington D.C. “I am both humbled and amazed to be invited into such a creative and high energy group,” Williams said. “Inspiration can’t be taught but technique must be learned. I was helped along by groups such as the writers round table here on Orcas, and classes offered by professional authors in organizations such as Mystery Writers of America. Eventually I was able to hone my technique and gain the courage to move my manuscripts out of the closet and into the hands of an agent and eventually find a publisher.”

One of Williams Pen colleagues, JD Daniels–novelist, poet, editor, teacher, and Doctor of Arts from Drake University–arrives in Seattle this month. “Joyce does it all,” Williams said. “I lured her up to Orcas by promising her a tour of this spectacular island. It’s not often that such a well-rounded professional offers to drop by for a chat,” Williams said. “Joyce and I share a love of the regional mystery which thrives on the unique characters we tease out of the charming haunts we love, whether they be in the rowdy fishing village of Matlacha, Florida in JD’s first Jessie Murphy mystery, Through Pelican Eyes, or here in the San Juan Islands where Millie McCall’s Full Moon Poker Night is a fictional version of an old Orcas Island tale.”

“What’s the Story?” is free to all interested readers and writers, but space is limited. To reserve a seat call 360-376-6655 or email: swnovelist@gmail.com.