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.
Now here we are again, planning for another full year of extremely local literary excitement. So much has changed and grown since we began. What has not changed is our passion for regional voices. We will continue to publish quarterly in 2020, as well as provide our quarterly Workshops and other events. However, we have a mind for growth and are working on some very exciting opportunities and literary initiatives in the next year.
While Through the Woods offers a large assortment of local antiques dated all the way from the late 1800s to a few 1990s collectibles, several vendors are local people looking to sell their handmade goods. The store offers Sam Hill Coffee Company, Simple Goods’ lavender neck and body pillows, Susy Bee’s handmade soaps, Wicks and Knits handmade candles, Farm Fresh Stitches needlepoint, Flaherty’s Maple Products, and The Watershed Journal literary magazine featuring local artists, photographers, writers and poets.
Visitors to Fusion Atelier are always sure to find something interesting happening at this creative space, which partners with many community organizations and individuals to support regional art and culture. Both Hoffman and Stein say they are often inspired by the exchange of ideas, experiences and stories that happen around them.
Submitters, supporters and followers of The Watershed Journal (TWJ) may have also heard of the group of writers called The Writer’s Block Party (WBP), a social group for writers that is sponsored by the Journal. It might be confusing when TWJ writers talk about being WBP writers (oh the joys of acronyms!).
When we started The Watershed Journal, we had the idea to develop a model for the magazine that would be based on inclusivity. Everyone gets in. Our only restriction is to select local writers, photographers and storytellers so that they can best represent the feel of this region. But we aren’t looking to filter out submissions until we get to the best. We want everyone’s story.