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EVENTS FOR BOSTON AREA WRITERS

• Four Wednesdays − May 7, June 4, June 18, 2008: Writing for Publication walk-in workshops
• Monday, May 12, 2008: Open Steering Committee meeting
• Sunday, May 18, 2008: Koffee Klatch: Self-publishing and small presses
• May 28-30, 2008: 8th Annual Copyright Symposium − Copyright Monopoly: Playing the innovation game − in Metro Washington, D.C.
• June 16-26, 2008: Joiner Center writing workshop
• November 14-16 2008: New England Crime Bake 2008

Our Steering Committee meets on the second Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at 180 Tremont Street, Boston − an Emerson College facility. Come and learn what's going on in the governance of your Union. Chances are you'll find a few members who are interested in post-meeting food and drink at one of the many nearby watering holes.

WHEN: Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm, May 7, June 4, June 18
WHERE: Boston Public Library, Main Branch, Copley Square

The NWU and the Boston Public Library are co-sponsoring this free pilot program, open to writers interested in writing for publication and/or in offering feedback to others. Writers may appear with or without written materials to be read aloud. Bring a pen and paper for the 2-minute writing "warm-up" exercises. You may drop in for a single session, or come for all three. For more information on programs, including the exact location at the BPL, email workshop host Wayne Soini.

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Boston Chapter Co-chair Charles Coe will host an informal get-together at 8 Appleton Road, Cambridge, on Sunday, May 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. We'll talk about self-published books and/or books published by small, nopublicity publishers. Those with an interest in the topic − whether or not they've already self-published or used a small press − are very welcome. It will be a chance to share challenges, marketing ideas and cautionary tales. For more info, email Charles.

The writing workshop will take place June 16-26, 2008, at the William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. This past summer the workshop celebrated 20 years of existence. Held the last two weeks of June, the workshop reflected yet again the values and vision of the Center, which was founded in the wake of the American War in Vietnam.

The workshop faculty have produced some of the most significant literature to emerge from the Vietnam experience as well as other areas afflicted by war. These include poets/ veterans Bruce Weigl and novelist Larry Heinemann; non-fiction writer Lady Borton (who has lived for 35 years in Vietnam); poet Fred Marchant was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps as an conscientious objector; poet/translator Martha Collins, who has been teaching a translation class, which has focused on works in Vietnamese. Novelist Demetria Martinez once faced a potential 25 years in prison for writing about Americans aiding Central American refugees. Poet MacDara Woods brings a perspective to teaching shaped by his experiences of living through "the troubles" in Ireland.

One of the high points of the writing workshop is always a visit by Vietnamese writers--their participation in Martha's class, and in panels. Bruce Weigl, Lady Borton and myself also work on translations as part of the Center's commitment to build bridges with our former "enemies." This year we had a first-ever panel of veterans of the Gulf War and the Iraq War--moderated by Vietnam veteran Larry Heinemann. As for the 2008 workshop, we very much anticipate participation by poet Afaa Michael Weaver.

This letter is an invitation for you to consider being part of the workshop community in 2008. Students write about a variety of topics. The Joiner Center does do not in any way wish to limit what anyone writes: We are open to the surprises that writing produces, and how that helps us to grow as individuals who, as Grace Paley always said, can be "useful" in a troubled world.

To apply, send a letter of interest (the sooner the better) with a writing sample. Include an indication of what genre you wish to work in. Address applications and inquiries about the workshop to T. Michael Sullivan, William Joiner Center, University of Massachusetts. Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125-3393. You can contact him at Michael.Sullivan@umb.edu or at 617-287-5850.