Members of the KAC 7th District gathered at the Clarion Inn in Garden City for their Spring Meeting on Saturday, April 8, 2017. Those present included (from left in photo): Pauline Fecht of Leoti; John Sanders, Dist. Vice-President, Colby; Mildred Horlacher, Dist. President, Colby; speaker for the day Jan Hurst of McPherson; Marjorie Brown, Dist. Secretary (whose husband, James Brown, also attended from Colby; Sheryl Brenn, Dist. Treasurer, Levant; and Jerry Fanning, Dist. Historian, Plains.
While waiting for lunch, Horlacher asked each to tell what they were presently working on. Fanning is working on a non-fiction novel about the second “Wounded Knee Event.” Brenn told of the recent contest she had entered and the one she also wanted to enter. Fecht said one of her stories appeared in a magazine and she was surprised to see it there since it had been entered in a different magazine’s contest. Sanders is working on getting his wife’s final novel finished so it can be published. John’s wife, Nancy LarsonSanders, wrote five novels that were published before her recent death. Brown is working on family histories for her grandchildren.
After lunch the business meeting was called to order by Horlacher. Members paid their $5 district dues to help build their finances so they can continue to pay prizes for contest and meeting expenses. Treasurer Brenn reported that very few have paid their district dues other than those who attend the meetings. She reminded those present that the state membership renewals and dues are now always due on Dec. 31 for the following year.
Horlacher announced that, due to medical problems, she could no longer continue as president for Dist. 7. After a discussion, Brown moved that vice president John Sanders take over as presiding president for the remainder of 2017 at which time new officers will be elected. Brenn seconded the motion and Sanders agreed to the terms.
A writing contest for the Fall District 7 meeting to be held in Colby was discussed. Because the State Convention theme contest for 2017 will be “Follow the Mysteries of Kansas,” the District 7 contest title will be, “Follow the Mysteries of Western Kansas.” Those who enter the District 7 contest can enter the same piece in the state contest. The District 7 contest entries will follow the state rules for prose and poetry entries. Those entering the contest can submit their prose or poetry entry by August 15, 2017, to Sheryl Brennat, 892 County Road O, Levant, KS 67743-9200, or by email to [email protected]. The entry can be typed or hand written. You do not have to be a KAC member to enter, and an entry fee is $2.00 must accompany each entry. You must be 18 or older to enter. Money prizes for each category will be $20 first, $10 second, and $5 for third. For more information contact Brenn at 785-586-2384. Awards will be presented at the September Dist. 7 meeting in Colby.
The Colby librarian has mentioned that she might be able to get a special speaker for the Dist. 7 fall meeting, but we have no information on that at the present time.
After the business meeting and lunch were over, Jan Hurst of the Author’s Voice Publishing of McPherson, gave a presentation on “Self-Publishing.” She discussed each method: Traditional, Subsidy, Self, and Assistance. She works with the Assistance method. She says she assists writer with the preparation of their work for printing but the actual printing is done by the Mennonite Press. She also does editing. Her price is according to how much assistance is desired. She can help with getting copyrights and ISBN numbers if the writer wants her to, and she also helps choosing fonts and placement of photos, chapter headings, and anything else the writer needs assistance with.
After the program a short read-around was held before the group adjourned. The next 7th Dist. meeting will be held in Colby on Sept. 9 at the Pioneer Memorial Library.
--Marjorie Brown, Dist. 7 Secretary
While waiting for lunch, Horlacher asked each to tell what they were presently working on. Fanning is working on a non-fiction novel about the second “Wounded Knee Event.” Brenn told of the recent contest she had entered and the one she also wanted to enter. Fecht said one of her stories appeared in a magazine and she was surprised to see it there since it had been entered in a different magazine’s contest. Sanders is working on getting his wife’s final novel finished so it can be published. John’s wife, Nancy LarsonSanders, wrote five novels that were published before her recent death. Brown is working on family histories for her grandchildren.
After lunch the business meeting was called to order by Horlacher. Members paid their $5 district dues to help build their finances so they can continue to pay prizes for contest and meeting expenses. Treasurer Brenn reported that very few have paid their district dues other than those who attend the meetings. She reminded those present that the state membership renewals and dues are now always due on Dec. 31 for the following year.
Horlacher announced that, due to medical problems, she could no longer continue as president for Dist. 7. After a discussion, Brown moved that vice president John Sanders take over as presiding president for the remainder of 2017 at which time new officers will be elected. Brenn seconded the motion and Sanders agreed to the terms.
A writing contest for the Fall District 7 meeting to be held in Colby was discussed. Because the State Convention theme contest for 2017 will be “Follow the Mysteries of Kansas,” the District 7 contest title will be, “Follow the Mysteries of Western Kansas.” Those who enter the District 7 contest can enter the same piece in the state contest. The District 7 contest entries will follow the state rules for prose and poetry entries. Those entering the contest can submit their prose or poetry entry by August 15, 2017, to Sheryl Brennat, 892 County Road O, Levant, KS 67743-9200, or by email to [email protected]. The entry can be typed or hand written. You do not have to be a KAC member to enter, and an entry fee is $2.00 must accompany each entry. You must be 18 or older to enter. Money prizes for each category will be $20 first, $10 second, and $5 for third. For more information contact Brenn at 785-586-2384. Awards will be presented at the September Dist. 7 meeting in Colby.
The Colby librarian has mentioned that she might be able to get a special speaker for the Dist. 7 fall meeting, but we have no information on that at the present time.
After the business meeting and lunch were over, Jan Hurst of the Author’s Voice Publishing of McPherson, gave a presentation on “Self-Publishing.” She discussed each method: Traditional, Subsidy, Self, and Assistance. She works with the Assistance method. She says she assists writer with the preparation of their work for printing but the actual printing is done by the Mennonite Press. She also does editing. Her price is according to how much assistance is desired. She can help with getting copyrights and ISBN numbers if the writer wants her to, and she also helps choosing fonts and placement of photos, chapter headings, and anything else the writer needs assistance with.
After the program a short read-around was held before the group adjourned. The next 7th Dist. meeting will be held in Colby on Sept. 9 at the Pioneer Memorial Library.
--Marjorie Brown, Dist. 7 Secretary