Month: January 2017

Harmony Stories Strike a Happy Note

Published on by Pearl S. Buck Writing Center3 Comments

By Anne K. Kaler

cindy-hti-book-signing
Cynthia L. Louden at recent book signing.

Pearl S. Buck and her daughter Carol must be smiling down from heaven these days with the recent publication of Stories from the Hearts of Harmony, which is subtitled as the “uplifting stories of harmony, hope and happiness from families of adults with developmental disabilities.”

Why, you ask?

Pearl’s only biological child, Grace Carol Buck, was a victim of a birth defect of a buildup of amino acid called phenylketonuria or PKU which prevent normal physical development.  Pearl’s book on her struggles recognizing and accepting Carol’s delayed development – The Child Who Never Grew – was a clarion call to the world of the dangers of PKU.  (Babies born today are routinely tested at birth for PKU which can now be treated if caught early enough.) Continue reading “Harmony Stories Strike a Happy Note” →

Spring Writing Conference 2017

Published on by Pearl S. Buck Writing Center1 Comment

By Cynthia L. Louden

The Pearl S. Buck Writing Center presents

“Ready! Set! WRITE!”

Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 9am – 3 pm

in the historical Barn Culture Center

Presenters:     Orlando R. Barone, op-ed writer, poet, author and educator
Jennifer Lin, noted TV journalist and author

Registration is $75 and includes an abbreviated Writers Tour of the Pearl S. Buck’s National Historic Landmark House. Presenters will also read from their works, and have books to sell. A panel of authors & editors will take questions and offer additional writing suggestions to interested participants. Bring your own bag lunch. Coffee, tea, water will be provided. A 10% Discount on Gift Shop purchases is also included. Register for the Spring Writing Conference at www.pearlsbuck.org/writing

Continue reading “Spring Writing Conference 2017” →

2017 Short Story Writing Contest

Published on by Pearl S. Buck Writing Center7 Comments

psb-portraitPearl S. Buck   ~ 1st American Woman to win BOTH the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes for Literature

 “In a mood of faith and hope my work goes on.
A ream of fresh paper lies on my desk waiting for the next book.
I am a writer and I take up my pen to write.” –  Pearl S. Buck

  Pearl S. Buck Writing Center Short Story Contest

                        Submissions will be accepted in three/3 age categories:

  • Grades 3-6 – word count not to exceed 1000 words
  • Grades 7-12 – word count not to exceed 1000 words
  • Adult – word count not to exceed 2,500 words.
  • A submission form must accompany all manuscripts
  • Submissions must be received by April 15, 2017
  • One winner in each age category will receive a $100 prize
  • Contest is open to ALL interested writers.  It is also open to PSB Writing Center members.  It is not available to PSBI Staff or PSBVA Writing Center Current Presenters.

Winners will be announced at Pearl S. Buck’s 125th Memorial Birthday, June 26, 2017

  • Contest winners will be asked to re-submit their stories for publication on Pearl Buck Writing Center’s Blog site or in the PSB Literary Journal
  •  Contest submissions must be emailed to clouden@pearlsbuck.org by April 15, 2017.
  • Judges: Local authors and Pearl Buck Volunteers

General rules:

  • All submissions must be sent by email only to clouden@pearlsbuck.org
  • Story must be original and not previously published.
  • Submission must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt font.
  • Author’s Name, address, email address, phone # must be on the upper left corner of the first page.
  • Word count printed on the upper right corner.
  • A submission form must accompany all manuscripts
  • All other pages must have author’s name on the upper left corner above the page number.

Contest sponsored by Pearl S. Buck Volunteer Association
and the Pearl S. Buck Writing Center              

            Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Rd. Perkasie, PA 18944  www.pearlsbuck.org

2017 Writing Center Calendar

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By Linda Donaldson

Our PSB Writing Center’s calendar of 2017 workshops, classes, discussion groups and Writers Guild meetings is now always available through the heading Calendar of Events appearing as a link at the top center of our blog. The calendar is organized by date.

To register and pay online for any program, visit PSBI website’s Writing Center page http://www.psbi.org/writingcenter and choose the programs you’re interested in. During inclement weather, we urge you to refer to http://www.psbi.org for cancellation information.

Following is a summary of 2017 calendar:

First, classes that offer something for everyone!

  • Creative Writing is Needed for ALL Writing – 8 classes
  • Writing as a Platform for Social Change – 7 classes
  • Writing Short Stories in a Year – 7 classes
  • Write a Novel in a Year – 6 classes
  • Journaling and How to use it in Your Other Writing – 8 classes

Dates for our 2017 Writers Guild Meetings: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 15.

Save These Dates!

  • Spring Writers Conference – Sat., April 8, 2017 at 9:00 am – 3 pm
    = Ready! Set! WRITE!

Plus two Susan Wagner Workshops!

  • Labyrinths & Wellness Writing Workshop – Sat., July 15, 2017 at 9:00am
  • Poetry Writing Workshop – Sat., October 21, 2017 at 9:00am

There are Discussion Groups of Pearl S. Buck’s works held each month from March through October. The Book Discussions are from 2:00 to 3:00pm on the 3rd Mondays of each month. The Short Story Discussions on the 2nd Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00am.

Welcome back to Anne Kaler, Sue Wagner, Anita Nolan, Sandra Cody and Orlando Barone as returning presenters. We look forward to Janet Ruth Falon’s new course: Journaling and How to use it in Your Other Writing.

We’re proud to offer such a comprehensive list of programs. Three cheers to Cindy Louden for coordinating these offerings!!!

 Now, more than ever, we have an abundance of reasons to Keep Writing!

 

2016 Wraps and 2017 Beckons

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By Linda Donaldson

Here is a much-delayed recap of our October 2016 meeting, followed by a call for submissions to our Spring Issue of the 2017 Pearl S. Buck Literary Journal.

We began our last 2016 meeting with an Authors’ Tour of the Pearl S. Buck residence led by Cindy Louden that highlighted both Buck’s libraries, her office, and Richard Walsh’s office. Continue reading “2016 Wraps and 2017 Beckons” →

What the Teacher Learned

Published on by Pearl S. Buck Writing Center6 Comments

by Linda C. Wisniewski

linda-wisniewski

I’ve been teaching memoir writing classes for adults for twelve years, and as time goes by, I have found it necessary to keep reading and learning, if only to stay one step ahead of my students. Some of them have been with me for three or four years, and I want to give them fresh, new material, so I have to create it from resources I access outside my own experience. My own writing teacher has been covering much of the same ground for the seven years I have studied with her, but each class and its accompanying handout offers more for me to practice and absorb, and I know she is still learning too. Continue reading “What the Teacher Learned” →