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April 2021 Message from the President “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” ― Margaret Atwood    A former boss used to say, “Just get going. You’ll figure out the best turns along the way.”  I remind myself of that and the words of Margaret Atwood when I need a nudge. Hopefully, they will help you if you’re procrastinating.   One thing you shouldn’t procrastinate about is registering for the SCWA Virtual Conference April 16 to 18.    I also want to update you on projects your board of directors is working on, including our new SCWA Growth Through Diversity initiative and our Partnership Project. Read more of the Message from the President.   Events & Education 2021 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Time is running out. Register soon for your chance to learn about craft topics from nationally recognized authors, hear from editors about polishing your work, get the inside scoop from agents about the publishing industry, and network with other writers across the state. It's a stellar line-up, and you don't even have to leave your couch. Find out more at myscwa.org/ann_conf_2021. ICYMI: WRITING CONVERSATIONS The Writing Conversations Series is underway and we’ve already done NINE great sessions this year. Did you miss them? Check out some of the descriptions below and click the link to access the video recording. To get them all, login to myscwa.org and go to "Recorded Events" under "Members Only."   Derek Berry, Lowcountry poet, talked about Writing as Play. Click here to view. Barbara Evers, Greenville I Chapter lead and YA novelist, talked about The Perfect Pitch. Click here to view. Amy Collins, bestselling author and Literary Agent, led an Agent Q&A. Click here to view.   The Writing Conversations Series is made possible by support from the SC Humanities.   Publications CONGRATULATIONS TO CATFISH STEW AUTHORS AND FELLOWSHIP FINALISTS AND WINNERS Membership News WINNER OF FREE SCWA MEMBERSHIP Members who renewed their SCWA membership by April 1 were entered into a drawing to have their membership amount refunded, thus earning them a free year of membership. Included in the drawing were members who renewed by midnight April 1. Our winner is Patty Wain Smith of Surfside, S.C. Congratulations, Patty! You can learn more about Patty at her author website at pattywainsmith.com. Thank you to the 194 members who have renewed their memberships so far! We appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm for our organization. RENEWING YOUR SCWA MEMBERSHIP It's not too late if you haven't renewed your membership by our April 1 target date. We encourage you to renew as soon as possible, however, to avoid a lapse in services. Go to your Profile Page and click "Update Your Member Profile" to renew. After May 1. you will lose access to members-only areas of the SCWA website and may lose other benefits of membership. Please renew today! SCWA NEARING ITS MEMBERSHIP GOAL For the past two years, the SCWA has been working toward a goal of reaching 400 active members. As of April 1, we reached 390. It's almost time to celebrate! We need your help first if we are to achieve our goal of 400 members. There are two immediate things you can do:   1. Be sure to renew as soon as possible if you've not done so already.  2. Encourage a friend to join today! Questions or suggestions about SCWA membership? Email scwamembership@gmail.com. Not a SCWA member? JOIN HERE Not ready to join? Subscribe to The Quill newsletter and updates.