[stylist] Joining the NFB Writers' Division

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Kyle

 

I'm the current president of the Writers' division. Good to see you pop up
on STYLIST, our mailing list. We have a bunch of people here who also write
poetry and fiction and have books out there or on the way. (Are you
publishing your own work? If so, through who?)

 

About the contest --- last year's first place winner "The Telling ?Stone"
did not have any characters who were blind --- the second and third place
winners did. But for real, the contest for fiction, or non-fiction, or for
poetry and stories for youth written by adults do not have to be blindness
related. We just look for "the  best story." 

 

And for joining the Division --- being a member of STYLIST doesn't make you
a member of the Writers' Division. I'll paste in below information about
being and becoming a member. (There is no requirement to be a member of the
division, to be a member of this mailing grou. Yeah, I think anyone on this
list should become a member of the Division, to --- give us that sort of
support as well as whatever is contributed on STYLIST. We are proud of each
and every one of our membership.)

 

**Here is the info about being and becoming a member:

 

*About Joining the Division

 

All writers are welcome to join the NFB Writers' Division. Though the
Division is primarily made up of blind/visually impaired writers, writing in
all genres, we also do have sighted members who have a particular interest
in blindness-related issues.

 

The purpose of this organization shall be to advance the interests and
expand the opportunities of blind writers, to share the spirit and
techniques of writing and publishing, and to promote the welfare of blind
persons through writing. 

 

We have two mailing lists for communicating on a daily basis. The main list
for writing related discussions is called STYLIST. Member's posts will ask
questions and get advice on all phases of writing. The second list is called
Writers' Chat. It is for off topic types of discussions; getting into life
and philosophical types of things, which may lead up to writing. You can
join at the NFB web site called- www.nfbnet.org Once on that site, follow
the links to where you can join NFB mailing lists and on that page you can
choose the Writers' division's STYLIST or Writers' chat. It is easy both to
get on and to later get off.

 

Another great feature of the Division is our web site. This is an "anytime"
resource where you can find much information about us, the NFB, writing and
more-  <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 

 

Yet another great resource is our monthly telephone meetings. There we meet
and talk, getting to know one another, share knowledge about writing,
support one another and more. (You call into a long distance number and the
conference room is free.) Most months we have a guest speaker to talk and/or
teach us something about writing. We usually meet on the last Sunday of the
month. A notice goes out to members and to STYLIST as a reminder. 

 

The Division also hosts an annual writing contest for poetry, short fiction
and for creative non-fiction. There is both a section for youth and adults.
You can read more about it on our web site (url above).

 

We also publish a quarterly magazine called, "SLATE & STYLE." Within its
pages we feature poetry, short stories and "how to do" articles about
writing. All members receive a copy in their choice of format (Braille,
print or Email).

 

Another great gathering of members for the purpose of learning about our
craft and for the conducting of Division business is our annual workshop and
business meeting. These two events take place at the NFB's national
conventions. In 2012 convention will be held in Dallas, Texas. The workshop
is always interesting and dealing with writing; it can be a guest speaker
such as a publisher or published author or interactive lecture on writing
skills. 

 

To join the Division, send a check or money order for $10.00 (U.S. currency)
made out to the --- NFB Writers' Division, and send it to our membership
chair, Lori Stayer, 2704 Beach Drive, Merrick NY 11566. Or, a second option
is PayPal from our Division's Website. Include your name, address, phone
number, email address, and preferred format for Slate & Style (Braille,
print or email). The cost of the magazine is included in annual dues, but
donations are welcome. 



Finally, please be informed, that with your membership to the Writers'
Division, that if you are not presently a member of a local chapter or state
affiliate, or another Division of the NFB, then by your membership with us,
you are now an official member of the NFB. This then makes you eligible to
receive a copy of the NFB's flag-ship magazine, "the Braille Monitor. And to
start receiving your monthly copy of the Monitor, just let me know what
format you wish to receive- Braille, print, or Email. 

 

 

Robert Leslie Newman

President, NFB Writers' Division

Division Website

 <http://www.nfb-writers-division.net/> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net

Chair, Newsletter Publication committee

Personal Website-

 <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info/> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info