September 2022 News: Resources and Opportunities for CWG Members

September 2022 News: Resources and Opportunities for CWG Members

As the days in my part of the world grow shorter and the nighttime temperatures cooler, I’m mourning the end of summer. If it could stay another month, that would suit me just fine. Still, the advent of autumn brings with it a dose of nostalgia. I think many writers appreciate memories of breaking open new textbooks, sharpening #2 pencils, and replenishing stationery supplies. A new school year is a little like a blank page, waiting to be filled.

I’m reminded of the excitement I felt in third grade as a couple friends and I filled our own blank pages with a a short mystery we wrote and illustrated. “Chrissy Cygococo and the Case of the Missing Jewelry Box” remains, mercifully, unpublished. It was, however, immediately adapted as a play and performed for Mrs. Mehalcik’s class at St. Luke School.

Do you remember the excitement you felt when you completed a creative project? Maybe writing. Maybe something else. Maybe it was many, many moons ago. Maybe it was last week. Whenever it was, I hope that this season brings you the satisfaction of using your God-given talents and skills to create. If in the process, you sniff a rubber eraser or an old book, for old time’s sake, I won’t tell.

Searching for a little creative boost? We’ve got something to get the creative juices going, below.

Speaking of creative juices, thank you to everyone who responded to our poll regarding conference and retreat options for 2023. Votes for a conference tied to the Association of Catholic Publishers meeting in late May in the Chicago area narrowly exceeded votes for the retreat options.

So, look for more in the coming months on the May 2023 conference and news about a retreat later in 2023.

Thank you to the many members who logged in and renewed last month! If you haven’t yet done so, please do.

In a couple of weeks, we’ll be sending out the member and clergy discount codes for the Catholic Writers Conference Online in February 2023. (See below.) Codes will be shared with active members only, so please be sure your membership is up to date!

Log in at CatholicWritersGuild.org to check your membership status.

By renewing your membership, not only do you benefit, but you support the Guild’s goals as we seek to offer more and better opportunities for you, such as awards, retreats, conferences, and an upgraded website.

Renew your membership at this link.

Conference registration

Volunteer Corner

Our blog is a place where Catholic Writers Guild members can publish their articles and showcase their writing. We are looking for volunteer editors to edit one or more article per month or to join our substitute editor team.

Substitute editors are available to consider covering for regularly scheduled editors when needed. If you are interested in being one of our editors, or writing for the blog, please contact blog@catholicwritersguild.com.

Thank you!

Opportunities

---

Seal of Approval

The Seal of Approval application opens for the 1st quarter on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Noon EDT. Once open, you can access the Seal of Approval Application Form for 24 hours. Reminder: If your book has received an Imprimatur, it is ineligible for the Seal of Approval but receives all benefits associated with the Seal. More information on the Seal of Approval process.

Application dates for 2023:

• Mon., January 16
• Fri., April 14
• Fri., July 14
• Fri., September 15

You may notice that the dates have shifted from the beginning of the month to the middle. This was done to avoid regular conflicts with New Year’s, 4th of July, and Labor Day.