The 12 charter members came together once a month offering
fellowship, inspiration, and encouragement as they planned their first
writer's conference.
Held on June 9, 1990, in cooperation with Southeast Missouri State
University, the first workshop featured seminars conducted by eight
published authors as well as one agent and one editor from New York.
The staff of New York publishing professionals was tripled in 1991, and
the following year the Guild made the decision to serve as sole sponsor of
the event.
By 1996 the one-day workshop had grown into a four-day conference with a
reputation of being one of the finest of its kind in the country.
The Guild is proud to note that nearly one-third of its members are
published, and many attribute their success to the professional information
they received from active participation in monthly meetings and from the
contacts they made through the Heartland Writers Conference.
At monthly meetings, members have the opportunity to attend a program
that focuses on essential aspects of the writer's craft and career. The
voices of both professional and novice writers blend in an open, democratic
forum that allows the solitary scribe to engage in social and professional
exchanges.
Members from throughout the heartland come together to learn, to share
their experiences and knowledge, and to participate in spirited shop talk.
Whether you're just beginning to write or are a seasoned professional
with numerous publications to your credit, we believe you'll find value in
belonging to the Heartland Writers Guild.
The purpose of the Heartland Writers Guild is to promote and support the
concept of professionalism in published and unpublished authors, and to aid
all members toward the goal of successfully marketing what they write.
Backgrounds of members are diverse, ranging from novices to published
novelists.
