We are committed to uplifting our community during this time of crisis. Our stories, poems and images have amazing power to connect us during this time and we are grateful to our supporters and submitters. Although we are temporarily pausing all physical events, we are getting creative and finding new ways to empower the voices of our region.
Our submitters are one big reason why we have been so successful. Our readers are another. There is a hunger in our region for better representation than what is currently available from the media. We have opted for authenticity, diversity and honesty. In a literary world obsessed with superlatives, wanting to know who is better than whom, we instead have chosen to focus on what is real and uplift the voices in our area in truth.
A Panorama of Place at Clarion University Art Gallery Last night dozens of people crowded in the Clarion University Art Gallery for their first glimpse of Piercing the Veil: Appalachian…
Poets of all ages took the mic to share poems ranging from a variety of topics. Some were love poems, some explored painful experiences and some were a contemplation of everyday occurrences. Students cheered on their peers as they shared their work with each other.
by Jo Scheier Bugay All writing shares certain inalienable challenges. Regardless of our chosen genre, who among us hasn’t struggled with writer’s block, imposter syndrome, rejection woes, or an existential…
Finding the right beta reader can take some time and thought. Like any relationship, it can be complicated and there is the risk of feelings being hurt. It’s important to take the time to choose the right person and establish the right tone in moving forward. I can say from personal experience, I have benefited tremendously from my beta readers, not only their feedback, but their support in validating the work I am doing.
Publishing books is a big step, but it feels like the right directions for TWJ. We will continue to produce quarterly literary magazines, hold workshops and events, but now we have one more opportunity to offer our growing community of storytellers. And more books by more writers in the western PA Wilds is right in line with our mission to elevate and empower regional authorship.
Even in the digital age, books still make the best gift. They are thoughtful, personalized and wonderful keepsakes. If you’re looking for a last minute gift for someone in your life, check out these books by local authors, which are in no particular order.
Local Literary Event Series: Author David Taylor Historian and Writers Block Group participant David Taylor completed a 280-page book entitled The Way We Were: Brookville, Pennsylvania through the Camera’s Lens.…
Last month, Brockway writer, PJ Piccirillo came to the Rebecca M. Arthur’s Library in Brookville to talk about his latest book, The Indigo Scarf, which was recently published with Sunbury…