SCWA / The Quill / March 2025
A Newsletter of the South Carolina Writers Association
March 2025
Message from the President
PRAYING FOR DAYLIGHT
March already! My treks to work are starting to happen in twilight instead of what looks like dead of night. I like March because it shows we have made it through winter and spring is coming.
I was talking to a young supervisor who is on third shift along with two seasoned guys. The guys don’t like third, but I lived for third. Thursday nights were wild but Monday lacked the action. February is hardest on third because it feels like there is nothing moving and you never see the sun.
When you feel like the dark and dead will never end, March brings back your light. The nights shorten and twilight starts to share your end of shift. Finally, life comes back and Thursday nights are fun again.
All this to say that our writing world can get through this eternal darkness. There are times when we feel there is no light in our writing careers. However, we charge on one word at a time.
We start praying for daylight, and as we write that scene, querying that article, publishing our work, we travel the darkest of nights. Slowly we start seeing twilight and finally the morning itself.
Despite how hard it is on third is in February, March brings back the light and work begins again easier. Keep writing, folks. I have faith in your endeavors and know morning with the luck of the Irish is coming.
May the muse be ever in your favor.
PS: An update to last year’s marathon article I completed a half marathon. I’m getting closer!
Ash Smith
President
president@myscwa.org
(Editor’s note: Ash Smith works for the Police Services Division of the City of Spartanburg Department of Public Safety.)
SCWA Board of Directors
STATEMENT REGARDING BOOK BANNING
The South Carolina Writers Association believes in the writer’s right to write and the reader’s right to read. We stand against book banning and censorship because they limit those freedoms.
South Carolina Writers Association Board of Directors
Statement approved February 2025
WE WANT YOU
Love SCWA? Want to see us grow? We are an organization run by volunteers who are members just like you. We are members who want to give back and help move SCWA forward.
We have an awesome team that works hard on all our events and things we get as members. Each committee needs team members to help bring SCWA to its fullest potential.
We need advisors to serve on committees. An advisor is the support and strength of our organization. Help us plan and execute our conference, come work with members and be liaisons. Great at finances? We need you. Have workshops you want us to do? Come on.
Being an advisor is a great way to help without having to give up lots of writing time. The more hands we have the greater we can grow. Think you want to be on the board but aren’t ready yet? Be an advisor and work with our Board.
Want to give back? Be an advisor. See things you’d like to see grow? Join us and be an advisor. We want you to have more with SCWA and the best way for that is to come help us. Join other members like you who serve as board members and as our amazing Chapter Leaders who tirelessly keep our chapters going.
We want you! To help give us our all for SCWA! Come join us. For more information, contact Laura Corbin at administrator@myscwa.org.
Events & Education
AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX:
ALAN ROTH: ‘HOW TO GET YOUR BOOK TO SCREEN’
Alan Roth, fellow, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will present the March 20 Author's Toolbox.
Roth will speak on "How to Get Your Book to the Screen."
This presentation will focus on the steps an author needs to follow to adapt their book for the screen, including the actual creation of the screenplay and how to market the project to producers and networks. The discussion will cover creative considerations and an insider look at how things actually work in the industry.
When: Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom, link provided upon registration
Cost: Free to members (registration required for Zoom link) | $25 for non-members
Author's Toolbox events will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. each third Thursday of the month via Zoom; link provided upon registration.
REGISTER AT AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX: ALAN ROTH
About Alan Roth
Alan Roth graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey with degrees in history and English literature, then attended graduate school at Emerson College in Boston, where he received an MFA in creative writing. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves as an adjunct professor of screenwriting at Fairleigh Dickinson’s School of the Arts. He is a winner of the coveted Nicholl Fellowship Academy Award for best original screenplay (Jersey City Story) and works with producers on developing projects for both film and TV.
UPCOMING AUTHOR’S TOOLBOX SESSIONS
Make plans to attend these other Author’s Toolbox virtual events. All events are held from 7 to 8 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. (Schedule, speakers and topics subject to change.)
SCWA members are free (registration required to receive Zoom link information); nonmembers, $25.
April 17 - Ed Madden ( topic TBD)
May 15 - Dustin and Sadie Whitehead, What Directors Look for in a Screenplay
June 19 - Baker Rogers, LGBTQ Voices in Literature
July 17 - Renee Fountain, Platform Building for Introverts
VIEW AND REGISTER FOR SCWA EVENTS. Check back frequently for updates.
SCWA PRESENTS SUMMER SERIES 2025
For 10 weeks this summer, your SCWA will host Summer Series 2025, lunchtime sessions to sharpen our skills, advance our writing, and give our members a chance to share what they know. The registration link will be available soon. All sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants and all SCWA members.
We’re looking for faculty! If you have knowledge on a special topic and would like to lead a session SIGN UP HERE.
The Events & Education Committee will review all sign-ups and alert you as to your date. Sign-ups end May 2, so get that idea polished up and submitted ASAP! Committee selections will be based on topic variety, date availability and speaker credentials. Everyone is welcome to apply!
Membership
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED
SCWA wants to know what you think, so we are extending the deadline to respond to our Membership Survey to midnight Wednesday, March 12.
Results of the survey will be used to better understand our membership, to help us design services and programs to meet member needs, and to develop and serve a diverse organization. The survey results will be aggregated and discussed with SCWA’s board of directors for planning purposes, but all individual information is strictly anonymous and confidential.
Members received original email for the survey as well as a follow-up email with the link to the survey. If you need the link, please contact Laura Corbin at administrator@myscwa.org.
Getting your feedback is extremely important, and we appreciate your participation.
SCWA PILOTS NEW MASTERMIND GROUP ON SELF-PUBLISHING
SCWA is excited to announce the launch of a pilot Mastermind group, facilitated by independent authors Raegan Teller and Dakota McElhinny. This group will meet online for six months, twice each month, for a total of 12 sessions. Each session will run approximately 60 to 90 minutes and consist of a facilitated discussion on a different, agreed-upon topic each time (e.g. marketing, newsletters, etc.). Participation is limited to 10 SCWA members.
The Mastermind group is not a workshop or critique circle. Instead, it’s designed to:
Foster a dedicated, small-group environment where members can network, learn and share experiences related to self-publishing.
Provide regular accountability and support, helping participants stay motivated, tackle challenges, and grow together.
Gather structured feedback to refine and potentially continue the Mastermind concept beyond this pilot phase.
We ask that participants commit to attending each meeting or notify facilitators if they need to miss a session.
MORE INFORMATION & HOW TO JOIN
(Note: The link above is available ONLY to SCWA members; you must be logged into your SCWA account to access it.)
Don’t miss this chance to dive deeper into self-publishing and build a small support network of like-minded writers.
Dakota McElhinny
VP/Membership
membership@myscwa.org
Raegan Teller
Advisor/Membership
HOW TO START A NEW SCWA CHAPTER
If you're an SCWA member, you know that critique group chapters are a cornerstone of our association. These groups provide invaluable support, feedback, and community for writers at all levels. A list of our current chapters is available at South Carolina Writers Association - Local and Virtual Chapters.
What if you’re interested in starting a new chapter? The process is easier than you might think!
How to Propose a New Chapter
To get started, simply visit the SCWA website and fill out the New Chapter Proposal form. Please note that this form is accessible only to members, so you’ll need to be logged in to complete it.
The form asks a few key questions, including:
Why you believe the new chapter is needed.
Whether it will meet in person or virtually.
Who will join—you’ll need at least three interested members.
Once you submit the form, the Membership team will review your request, follow up if any additional information is needed, and then submit it to the board of directors for approval. It’s that simple!
Support for Chapter Leaders
Because SCWA chapters play such a vital role in our community, we encourage you to consider starting one if you see a need. The Membership team is here to support you and answer any questions you may have about leading a chapter. You also may want to co-lead a chapter, sharing leadership responsibilities with another member.
Keep in mind that genre-specific chapters (sci-fi, mystery, romance, poetry, etc.) typically meet virtually to reach a broader audience. In contrast, multi-genre chapters can choose to meet either in person or online, depending on member preference.
Consider Starting a New-Member Chapter
If you're looking for a great way to support fellow writers, and you have some experience with participating in a chapter, consider starting a New-Member Chapter! This type of chapter would welcome new SCWA members who may not yet be familiar with how critique groups work. It would serve as a friendly, low-pressure environment where members can get comfortable with the process before transitioning into an established chapter.
A New-Member Chapter would be virtual in order to serve new members across the state and beyond and would provide guidance, encouragement, and an introduction to SCWA’s critique group format. If you think this would be a valuable addition to our community, we encourage you to submit a New Chapter Proposal through the SCWA website!
Questions?
For more information, contact Dakota McElhinny, VP/Membership at membership@myscwa.org.
ALL LOVE HERE
The SCWA is excited to announce that the Virtual: Romance Chapter will be starting back up. We want to thank Bettie Williams, a long-time SCWA member, former board member and experienced chapter leader, for her willingness to step up and lead. We know the love in this chapter will continue to thrive in a variety of colorful ways.
The first meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20. If you are interested in attending, please contact Bettie at Pemberley18@aol.com.
KEEPING THE LIGHT
The SCWA wants to recognize Kathleen Fair, as she has stepped down as the chapter leader of Surfside after seven years. Her dedication, initiative and vision have long been the staple points and cornerstone of the Surfside chapter.
The following are quotes from those who have worked with her and Surfside chapter members:
“I first got to know Kathleen when she was in my workshops and was easily the best student. It was clear to me that she would be a good teacher. She had the patience and the writing knowledge to be a good leader. Ironically, I became one of her students and spent at least 15 years learning how much I didn’t know. Her insights and feedback further cemented my desire to write even more than usual. I always appreciated her time, effort and guidance. I wouldn’t be where I am as a writer if it wasn’t for her. Thank you.” - R. Lutman
“Kathleen was so incredibly welcoming as a chapter leader. I was so fearful of joining a group where other people would read and discuss your work that it would have taken nothing to have me giving up and never looking back! Instead, Kathleen took the time to explain how everything worked and make me immediately feel like a valued member of the long-standing group. On top of carrying all of the weight of organization and leadership, her feedback is always sharp and right on the nose. We have been so lucky to have her and I am so grateful to have her as a part of my writing community!” - Madison Noster
“I thank Kathleen for group leadership and encouragement. Her critique is honest; her clarification always improves my writing style and presentation.” - Nikki Latham
“I could say a lot of positive things about Kathleen’s leadership through the years, but one particular time stands out to me. I joined the group in January 2019. During that first year, I admired her leadership during our in-person meetings at the library in Surfside. In 2020 when everything was closed, Kathleen made the decision to continue our meetings using Zoom. This was new to most of the people in the group and there were things to learn along the way. Kathleen worked hard to keep the group together. We all recognized that we needed this time together as we struggled through the feelings of isolation during the pandemic, especially the members who lived alone. We continued on as a professional writing group, but also provided support to each other. Without Kathleen’s perseverance and leadership, this would have never happened.” Annette Nerone
“Dear Kathleen, I just want to say that I’m very grateful for your stewardship and guidance for so many years for the Surfside writers group. Personally, my own writing improved significantly because of your critiques. For sure, sometimes I was a little overwhelmed by your comments but I knew that they pushed me to learn and grow as a writer and I appreciated them. As my family obligations are now taking a lot of my time, I may not be able to join the group as much as I would like but I hope you will continue to participate and enjoy the company of fellow writers even if you’re not in charge. (This is a long sentence, I know.) Lol! Thank you very much Kathleen!” - Camille Sabbagh
“When I moved to South Carolina, I found the SCWA Surfside chapter not too long after. From the first day, Kathleen welcomed me with warmth and kindness, and I’m grateful for our friendship which has since developed. Kathleen’s organization of the SCWA Surfside chapter over the past seven years, maintaining regular meetings while also participating in in-person events, has shown a level of dedication that is second to none. I hope this new chapter will allow you to spend more time doing the things you love, especially writing.” - Becky Muth
“As a former SCWA Board member and current board advisor to Membership, I worked with Kathleen Fair for several years,” says Raegan Teller. “I’d like to thank her for her outstanding dedication as the Surfside Chapter leader. Her commitment to building a vibrant community of writers embodies SCWA’s mission and should inspire others to step up and lead.”
We thank you for your time and years of leadership, Kathleen, and we wish you best in all your future endeavors!
NEW WAVES FOR SURFSIDE
The SCWA wants to recognize Becky Muth, as she is taking over as the new chapter leader for Surfside. She came highly recommended by her peers. Her knowledge, passion and creativity make it evident that the future of Surfside will remain under strong and friendly leadership.
We thank you for embracing this new opportunity, Becky, and we wish you and the Surfside crew much success!
FUNNIES OF THE MONTH
Pirate Ship Captain: I am desperate. Can someone tell me how to write the number 2 in Roman numerals?
Crew: I I Captain.
I started writing poetry recently.
POETR
I think it’s coming along nicely.
I can’t remember how to write 1, 1000, 51, 6 and 500 in Roman numerals.
IM LIVID.
Dakota McElhinny
VP/Membership
The South Carolina Writers Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary organization, receives support from the South Carolina Arts Commission and our members, furthering our mission to offer a supportive environment for people to become better writers. SCWA is grateful for this support. Donate to help SCWA to enhance our ability to provide quality programs and services to writers in South Carolina and the region.