Mark your calendars! The 2011 NETWO Spring Conference will be April 29 and 30 at the Camp Shiloh retreat, the same place as the last few years. 2011 will be our 25th spring conference so we're assembling an impressive faculty. Plan on being there.

NETWO is setting up an on-line critique group. This will allow writers to get written critiques on their work, and to help others by critiquing the work of others. The rules it will work under are simple.

• The writer will query the group to see who feels qualified/interested in the piece and can devote the time necessary for a thorough critique. The writer should state the genre and the approximate length of the work. If a large number reply, then the writer can choose however many people he wants to see his work. The key element is communication.
• If you accept a piece to critique and circumstances arise which are going to delay your review, by all means let the writer know immediately so that he can go to someone else.
• Make comments within the work using different color font. At the end, make general comments concerning story line, characters, etc. If you do not want to use this method, then use something else....we are not going to make this a show stopper.
• Please make your critique within seven days or notify the writer that you will delayed.
• No particular style will be used (i.e. Chicago, AP, etc).

If you want to participate, send your name and e-mail address to Paul Paris at: pnp3421@aol.com.

Here are some of the NETWO members holding book signings:

• Gay Ingram, Twist of Fate, Winnsboro Center for the Arts, July 16th and 17th
• Ken Swinford, In This Earth and in Heaven, Hastings Book Store, Mt. Pleasant, July 24th
• Frank Carden, The Prostitutes of Post Office Street, Way OUt West Texas Book Festival, July 29-31
• Gay Ingram, Troubled Times, interview on www.tantalk.com and WTAM-AM and KLRG-AM, August 3

At the June meeting, NETWO members elected the following slate of officers for the period of July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011:

President - Ted Rankin
Vice-President - Skip Hughes
Secretary - Joy Chitsey
Treasurer - Bryan Freeman
With Pen in Hand newsletter editor - Floy Smith
2011 NETWO Conference Director - Jim Callan
2011 NETWO Conference Coordinator - Pattie Ball

One of the highlights of the Awards Banquet at the end of the 24th annual NETWO writers' conference was the announcement of the winners of the short story contest. And the winners are:

• The Vieux Carre, by Gregory Love (Award of $150)
• Through Mary's Eyes, by Angelica Bailey (Award of $100)
• My Father's House, by Susan A. Royal (Award of $50)
• Did I Tell You?, by Leonard D. Reese III (Award of $25)

In addition, five stories were awarded Honorable Mention certificates. In alphabetical order by author's last name, they are:

• The Adopted Colonel, by Jackie Brown
• The Ring, by Mike Clifton
• Room Twelve at Sunset Motel, by Gay Ingram
• Miracles, More of Less, by Steve Sabatka
• Shorty, by Karen S. Swensson

Congratulations to all winners, and also to all who entered. You deserve a pat on the back for entering. And remember, 2011 isn't that far away. Start polishing a short story for next year's contest.

Click HERE to see various awards and publications for NETWO members.

The 24th annual Writers Roundup was held on Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24 at beautiful Camp Shiloh.

For some pictures from the conference, click here.

A Treasure Box,
NETWO's 2008 anthology, is here,
and everybody is talking about what a beautiful, well-produced book it is. And, as award-wnning author Jory Sherman says, if you write, you can learn from this book. If you haven't gotten yours yet, order one on-line by clicking here or, pick one up at the next NETWO meeting. Not only will you be supporting your writers group, but you will read some terrific stories and poems, and learn more about the creative process.

And remember, these make terrific gifts. It is a beautiful book, it's interesting, and it encourages reading - something all writers should do.

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The Northeast Texas Writers' Organization is a group of northeast Texas area persons interested in the craft of creative writing, or the support of that endeavor. We accept all members, regardless of age or persuasion, in the belief that variety enhances learning. Included in the group are writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, scripts, and journalism. Under fiction, many different genres are represented for both adult and children. In non-fiction, the interests range from medical and technical writing to memoirs, from religious to nostalgia. Any phase of the writing craft is welcomed. Many of the members of NETWO have been published, but many have not been - yet.

The purpose of the Northeast Writers' Organization is to promote literary pursuits in this area. Some of the activities include critique sessions, lectures, book signings, publishing, and writers' workshops and conferences.

Members are encouraged to submit items for our newsletter, With Pen in Hand, including their opinions concerning programs we have had or should schedule, short works of most any kind, brief bios, notices of writing contests and conferences, and just about any news of interest to our members.

The Northeast Texas Writers' organization meets on the second Thursday of each month, except December. Click HERE for detailed information on the next meeting.
A short business meeting begins at 5:30 pm. A program follows the business meeting. This may consist of a critique session, a speaker, a tutorial, or a workshop.

NETWO is always looking for new members. If you have an interest in writing, come visit a meeting and see how friendly and helpful NETWO members can be. Click HERE for information on the next meeting. For more information, call Galand at 903-572-0580 or 903-563-1352.