EPIC members win big at Write on the Sound Writers Conference!

EPIC members James Backstrom, Vanessa Arpin and Susan Frederick won awards for their writing at the recent 2019 Write on the Sound (WOTS) Writers Conference held in Edmonds, Washington. James was awarded 2nd Place for Poetry, Vanessa was awarded Honorable Mention for Non-Fiction, and Susan was awarded 1st Place for Poetry and Honorable Mention for Non-Fiction.
August 31, 2019

Dear EPIC Members and Friends,
 
Thanks for supporting EPIC Group Writers this year. It made all the difference in our goal to create a vibrant and supportive writers’ community for all writers – from beginners to published authors. Our members published more books and won more awards this year and we celebrated two firsts – one member was a finalist for the Washington Book Award, and our poetry group participated in the Edmonds Arts Festival. We hope to expand this list of successes in the coming membership year as we work to provide value to you.
 
Earlier this year, we changed our membership year from January through December because we generally do not have activities in the summer and almost no new members. As a result, our membership year now runs from September (when our activities resume) through August.  Because of this change, it’s now time to either join or renew your EPIC membership. The membership fee is still only $25.00, and you can pay online using PayPal or your credit card, or by mailing a check to EPIC Group Writers, PO Box 1622, Edmonds, WA 98020. To join or renew, CLICK HERE. (Please note: if you joined EPIC in June, July or August 2019, you are already enrolled for the 2019-20 year!)
 
Here are some of the exciting projects we’re planning for the remainder of 2019 and into 2020:
  • Sponsoring EPIC’s annual Writing Contest for adults and youth, judged by EPIC Board Committee members and professional writers
  • Hosting Open Mic events, member-only socials, and workshops
  • Curating a display in Edmonds Library showcasing local authors’ published works
  • Sponsoring member-led writing groups in Edmonds, including several general writing groups, along with poetry and travel writing – all free!
  • Increasing EPIC’s visibility through our support of Edmonds community events
  • Hosting events for NaNoWriMo in November in coordination with the Edmonds Library
  • Partnering with Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference (WOTS) on Open Mic Night and other events
  • Expanding our relationships with young writers through events coordinated with the schools
  • Mystery writers panel in cooperation with the Edmonds Friends of the Library
All these plans are possible only with your membership and participation, so please CLICK HERE to join or renew today.  On behalf of the board, I thank you!
 
Judith Works
President
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Book Launch

Kizzie Jones will be at Artworks on November 3, 2019 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm for the launch of her new book A Tall Tale About Dachsunds in Costumes.
 EPIC Board President Judith Works honored for her memoir 
​Coins in the Fountain
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The British-based book review site, Trip Fiction, has just put up a board on Pinterest titled "Among the top travel books (ever?) to transport the reader to locale. Coins in the Fountain is included in such august company as Paul Theroux and Jack Kerouac. Earlier, it was listed as a top 10 book about Rome.
Congratulations to author and EPIC member Sarah Cannon!
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Sarah Cannon's moving memoir, The Shame of Losing is a 2019 Washington State Book Award Finalist! On her Instagram post, Sarah wrote, "This Washingtonian thanks the librarians and booksellers from Bellingham to Spokane who recognize the importance of literature and the lasting influence it can have on readers."

The winners will be announced on Saturday, October 12, 7:00pm at Seattle Public Library’s Central Library, in a ceremony that is free and open to the public.
Congratulations, Sarah!

Congratulations to EPIC board member Paddy Eger for her latest win!

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Paddy Eger has received a silver medal from the 2019 Independent Publishers Book Awards for her historical novel Tasman-An Innocent Convict’s Struggle for Freedom in the Australia/New Zealand regional fiction category.
Read the full story here.
Winners of the 2019 EPIC Writing Contest

Adult Author Prose

First Place: Flawed Gods by Natalie Leif
Second Place: 1500 by Kipling Knox
Honorable Mention: The Exchange by Pat Power
Honorable Mention: Mark by Mary Pan

Adult Author Poetry

First Place: After the Snow by James Backstrom
Second Place: 12 Years by Natalie Leif
Honorable Mention: Near Paulina Peak by Chris Cantu
Honorable Mention: The Lost Girl by Regina Sadono

Student Author Prose

First Place: The Baker and the King by Emma Howlett
Second Place: Silent Enemy by Kathryn Pinto
Honorable Mention: A Familiar Face by Andy Haider

Student Author Poetry

First Place: Bottled Beach by Michael Skripalsh
Second Place: Another Scrapped Idea for a Poem by Devin Kyle
Honorable Mention: Glasses by Jasmine Boerner
Honorable Mention: Sunflower Daydream by Anonymous
Read the prose and poetry winners here.
Join a Free Writers' Group
Need some writing inspiration or just a reason to write? Want to get to know other writers? Love to be part of a group learning experience? EPIC offers free writing groups each week!
​Click here for more information about each group.
EPIC Membership
EPIC Membership 
​Why join EPIC? Read more about joining EPIC and membership details. Membership Click here.
Book Events & Signings
Here, there and everywhere...Authors are busy people, especially EPIC authors. Find out who has just been published. Click here.
Annual Writing Contest
Each year EPIC is proud to sponsor its Annual Writing Contest for Adults and Student Authors (grades 8 through 12) in Prose and Poetry categories. Check back for more information about EPIC's 2020 Writing Contest.
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