[stylist] New member

Sat May 19 20:03:52 UTC 2012

Osman

Welcome to STYLIST, the listserv of the NFB Writers' Division. Here we share
information, our talent and more. And hey, want to become a member of the
Writers' Division? ($10.00 per year). (

Below find the text of a short document that I often send to someone who is
curious of what it takes to join and what they may can expect the 
*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 NFB 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.net

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.

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of The Crowd
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 12:35 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] New member

Welcome to the list and to our country. I can't imagine what that was like. 
I admire your parents for being strong enough to find a safe home for you.

Write on,
Atty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Osman Koroma " <osman36d at gmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 11:57 AM
Subject: [stylist] New member

Hello all,
My name is Osman Koroma. I'm a new member of the NFB Chapter in
Kalamazoo MI and the NFB. I am attending college in Kalamazoo and
studying Creative Writing. Let me tell you a little bit about myself
and why I want to be an author. Some of this is very graphic.
   I woke up early one morning the sky was still dark.  The sound of
gun shots was ringing all over the city.  My parents, my brother and I
ran outside.  People were running all over the street.  The city was
full with the sound of gunfire and you could barely hear the screams
of people.   The sounds of screams were mixed with the voices calling
for family members, some of the people were shouting out their last
words.  Bullets were flying everywhere.  We started to run for our
lives.  I was on my mother's back and my elder brother was on my
dad's.  Bullets were flying all around us.  The ground was filling
with blood.  My parents slipped on the red ground.  Dead bodies and
half dead bodies lay all over the streets.  Blood spray could be seen
covering us and others people's faces.  My parents kept running trying
to find us safe place for our family.  My family and I ran over dead
bodies.   We ran through pools of blood.  Flies were already zooming
over the dead bodies. Growing up in this intense community convinced
me to become an author. I was a refugee for 15 years and I lived in 12
different refugee's camp and 2 different country. I didn't have proper
education in the refugee camp. At the age of 15, I was in the fourth
grade which is like the second to first grade in the United States. I
moved in the United States in 2005. I am looking forward to having you
guys as friends/family. I am sorry if this was to graphic.

-- 

Sincerely,
Osman Koroma

President of the Koroma Hope Foundation
269-350-1973

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