In support of the North Carolina Writers’ Network “Nobody Writes Alone†campaign, we’ve asked beloved authors to weigh-in on what the North Carolina Writers’ Network means to them.
“The spirit of writing thrives at the North Carolina Writers’ Network. They are a wellspring; a powerful tool for writers in North Carolina, both emerging and established. The NCWN can boast that they started a creative revolution in our state as a supportive community of informal networking, providing unique opportunities for aspiring writers to interact with and learn from all the gatekeepers (agents, editors, and professional writers of all genres).
“For over thirty years, I have been actively engaged with the North Carolina Writers’ Network. In addition to being a consumer of their ongoing services, I’ve served as a board member, helped develop and co-ordinate program initiatives (Black Writers Speak, Prison Writing Program, NC Literary Hall of Fame, various contests), and served as faculty for many of the annual NCWN conferences.
“Through my engagements as teacher, mentor, editor, I have been privileged to witness writers strengthen their craft and be mentored by highly regarded literary professionals throughout the years. The mission of the NCWN continues to be an invaluable tool in the pursuit of literary goals. It provides a clear framework for fostering both the business and the craft of being a successful author.
“This organization has a strong presence across the state of North Carolina and throughout our region as a trailblazer for overhauling old ideas and brainstorming new ones relative to moving this rich agenda of cultivating and celebrating the unique diverse voices of our state.
“The North Carolina Writers’ Network is one of the most beneficial investments of time, money, and energy I’ve ever made.”
—Jaki Shelton Green, Mebane
Jaki Shelton Green was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2014, was the 2009 NC Piedmont Laureate, and in 2003 received the North Carolina Award for Literature for her fine poetry and “inveterate championing of the underdog.” Her poetry collections and chapbooks include Feeding the Light, breath of the song, Dead on Arrival, Conjure Blues, and singing a tree into dance. Her poetry has appeared in The Crucible, The African-American Review, Obsidian, Ms., and Essence. She lives in Mebane.
To read the first testimonial, from NC Literary Hall of Fame inductee Lee Smith, click here.
You can make your gift online with a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover; over the phone by calling 336-293-8844 or 919-308-3228; or by mailing your check to:
NCWN
P.O. Box 21591
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
Your contribution, in any amount, will help keep the Network as vibrant and accessible as the literary culture we promote.