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I write nonfiction for my work as a trainer, author and consultant specializing in persuasion, consensus building, and related communication skills.I write fiction for fun. So much fun, in fact, that I incorporate fiction in my nonfiction books with situations and dialogues demonstrating use of the communication skills taught in the books.
As for the fun, in 2005, my short story Duet for Flute and Phantom won first place for genre fiction in the Writer's Digest Annual Competition. I combined Duet with several other unusual love (or lack thereof) stories, each followed by study notes on how the characters communicated well, or could have done better, in Love on the Rocks with a Twist.
I had been building toward a topic very dear to my heart, Women Can Renew the World IF… and So Can You. Here again, you'll find realistic fictional examples and practice exercises.
The Man In the Mirror—an Independent Spirit in a Regimented World recounts my father's experiences in the Navy in World War II. Practice in fiction writing enabled me to engage the reader in his story.
I entered last year's WIVLA paired visual and literary works exhibit with Chris Rogers. I wrote Sophie Saves the Day, featuring a doggie protagonist who can think like a human and understand human speech. Chris painted the darling artwork. I enjoyed writing that story so much that I am now working on a complete book of pure fiction about Sophie the Marvelous Maltipoo.
I have no idea what's next on the horizon for me, but whatever it is, I intend to make it joyous.
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Who will WiVLA highlight next?
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Each month, a WiVLA member is highlighted in the Newsletter. This is a fun way for us to get to know each other.
Contact the Literary Art Chair or the Visual Art Chair, if you would like your time in the spotlight.
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Jamie has had several recent successes:
Her Joyful Dance carving won 1st place for miscellaneous category at Houston Area Wood Carvers 2025 Fall Show and Competition on October 18th.
Her Just Bent, Not Broken? relief carving won 1st Place for Relief carvings at Houston Area Wood Carvers 2025 Fall Show and competition on October 18th, as well.
This carving was also accepted into the show Still Resisting from Old Walls Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It will be on display from November 7th-21st at Old Walls Gallery, 820 Kent Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Jamie's joyful dance carving and ghost dance photograph were part of the Hardy and Nance Studios Sound and Vision show Saturday November 15th.
Her courage to stand piece was in the pop up online exhibition from Women's Caucus for Art "fall of freedom expression" in November.
Jamie's first wood carving that she made in 2015 will be in the From the manger to the hearth a creche festival. The Festival and silent auction is December 13th and 14th from 9am-3pm at Christ the King Lutheran church 2353 Rice Blvd at Greenbriar, Houston TX 77005. The auction closes December 18th. Her piece will be on display but will not be fore sale at the auction.
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Kathi has had several recent successes:
- A prose poem, The Women Rallied as Time Slipped Away, was accepted by White Wall Review in February for its Metamorphosis-themed Issue 54. It was published online on November 7th.
- A poem, Listening to Lou Reed Sing 'I Hear Her Call My Name' with Moe Tucker on the Drums, is included in UNBROKEN: a public poetry anthology, and available for order.
- Poetry South accepted her poem, Pluto Moved Into Aquarius, for its Issue 17.
- A prose poem, In Times of the Most Extreme Makeovers, was accepted by Milk & Cake Press for their Dead of Winter Anthology. The anthology will be published on February 2, 2026, and will be available on their website.
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Susan's piece, George’s Guitar, was accepted for the Houston’s 41st Annual Juried Visual Arts Alliance Member Exhibition by Juror Michael Golden showing at Sabine Street Studios thru January 10th.
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Liz's painting, Own Your Voice, was accepted into the Houston’s 41st Annual Juried Visual Arts Alliance Member Exhibition with Juror Michael Golden showing at Sabine Street Studios thru January 10th.
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Pat won a Blue Ribbon in the Houston Art Society’s Fall Show for her watercolor painting Parking Lot Lunch.
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Holli is a self-proclaimed "social introvert." Due to many family and personal reasons, she has been hunkered down since Covid working in her backyard art studio behind her fence in Spring Branch. After many years of only selling online, she found the perfect people and spot to share a studio with at Winter Street Studios #B135. Stop by and say hi to Holli to welcome her to the new digs!
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Deborah newest book, Douglass Houghton Michigan's Pioneer Geologist, Doctor and Teacher is available for preorder. It is a biography written for middle grades (4-8).
"Deborah K Frontiera paints the life of Douglass Houghton in an engaging and masterful way, filling the pages with glimpses into what life would have looked like for one of Michigan's greatest pioneers."
Her publisher at Modern History Press has also asked her to be a series editor for more books to come on Michigan pioneers after a search revealed that there are very few biographies of important Michigan people published for that age range, especially famous women (and men) in the Upper Peninsula.
She looks forward to the challenge and to designing a section at the end of each with discussion questions and projects for teachers and home-schooling parents to use. Her background as a retired teacher will be a big help in that area.
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Rona's piece A Good Woman Who Can Find? is in the juried exhibit Proverbs, Adages, and Maxims at the Bernard Heller Art Museum, Manhattan N,Y. The exhibit runs until June 24 2026.
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A. M. Schaer invites you to see her sculptures and one of a kind hand built functional ceramics at the 2025 Bayou City Clay Crawl, Sunday, December 7th, 2025 11AM - 4PM at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards Street, Houston, TX 77007.
Her piece, pictured above, was accepted into the Houston’s 41st Annual Juried Visual Arts Alliance Member Exhibition with Juror Michael Golden showing at Sabine Street Studios thru January 10th.
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Gwen will have two of her kaleidoscope photographs, Aurora Borealis Rose and Amethyst in Bloom in the Patterns issue of Synkroniciti.
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Donna has had several recent successes:
Donna has 7 pieces in a solo exhibit City Rhythms, Italian Dreams at The Oliver, a Sawyer Yards residential complex, on the 7th floor art gallery.
She has 5 pieces of art featuring photographs from Italy, France, Greece, and the Czech Republic in the Step into the Light a tenant exhibit At Sabine Street Studios, until December 6th.
She will be participating in Sabine Street Studios artists’ exhibition with the theme Zuzu's Petals, a reference to the classic 1946 movie It's a Wonderful Life. The exhibit will include her new mixed media artwork based on her recent trip to Monet’s Garden in France.
Donna received a third place ribbon for her Fantasy Foliage mixed media resin art in the accomplished artist category at Houston Art Society’s Fall Show.
And you can see a YouTube in studio video interview with Donna for Small Art Talk by Diana Clark.
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Melody has had several recent successes:
Melody was awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place by judge Susan Sheets in the Houston Art Society Fall Art Show.
Her Spring Wishes I was accepted into the Houston’s 41st Annual Juried Visual Arts Alliance Member Exhibition with Juror Michael Golden showing at Sabine Street Studios thru January 10th.
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Deborah Ellington's painted glass piece, The Beginning, was accepted into into the Houston’s 41st Annual Juried Visual Arts Alliance Member Exhibition with Juror Michael Golden showing at Sabine Street Studios thru January 10th.
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Laura Pena has a new poem Amass Grief accepted by Synkroniciti for their Pattern edition.
Laura's translation into Spanish of Margo Stutt Toombs' poem How to Tend a Wall and the accompanying short film is premiering at Fotogenia Festival 2025 in Mexico City.
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Synkroniciti is Open
for Written and Visual Art Submissions
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Synkroniciti is a quarterly online arts journal. They accept work in a variety of media across the visual, literary and performing arts spectrum.
Audacity may be interpreted as insolence, imprudence or unconventionality, even rudeness. While it implies a degree of cheekiness, it also connotes fearlessness and intrepid daring. The act of expressing oneself with authenticity is audacious, especially when it reveals uniqueness and nonconformity.
For good or ill, audacity requires courage and willingness to take chances. We are seeking work that illustrates challenges to conventional thinking and resistance to hostile circumstances, exploring the connections between risk-taking and autonomy.
What does it mean to be fearless, to subvert expectations, or simply take up space?
Submissions for their Audacity issue are now open. Contests will be held in poetry ($75), flash fiction ($75) and for the cover ($100).
Theme: Audacity
Deadline: 1/15/2026
Fee: $3 per submission
Submissions should be emailed to magazine@synkroniciti.com
Want to know now what they look for in a submission? Check out this interview with editor Katherine McDaniel by Jim Harrington over at Six Questions For Katherine McDaniel, Founder/Editor, Synkroniciti Magazine
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Fresh Arts is seeking proposals from Houston-based artists, creatives, collectives, and curators for the 6th iteration of the Space Taking Artist Residency (STAR) program. Apply now to become our next Artist Resident and join an impressive roster of diverse Houston artists kicking traditions and taking space.
This residency provides artists of any discipline with the dedicated space to bring their big ideas for creative public programming to life. Artists also receive the mentorship, funding, and resources needed to do so successfully.
This year, two individual artists or artist teams will be selected. Each selected resident will have a nine-week mentor-guided development phase, followed by eight weeks of access to a 2,500 sq. ft. gallery space at Winter Street Studios. Residents are expected to activate the space through exhibitions, performances, community-based programs, or other engaging activations relating to their proposed project theme or concept. Each resident will receive a $3,600 honorarium to offset production costs, along with additional stipends available to help with the creation of promotional assets.
The two available residency periods are April-May and July-August. Applicants may indicate their preferred residency period in their application.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 5, 2025
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December Show registration
Theme: Light & Wonder - Celebrations Around the World
Deadline: Wed., Dec 3 @ 3 pm
Judging: Saturday, Dec 6
Reception: Sunday, Dec 7
Cost: $10 per entry, up to 3 entries allowed.
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"Material Matters" is a Juried art show to be held at Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands, Texas, just North of Houston between February.
The Deadline to apply is Friday, January 9th 11:59 PM.
"Material Matters" strives to explore the dynamic nature of mixed media, bringing together artists from across mediums and disciplines to weave together a cohesive show celebrating materials. This group show will serve as a tribute to innovative methods that push boundaries of what art can be, and the stories that can be found within the materials themselves.
The Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, FEBRUARY 7TH from 6-8 p.m. with a presentation by the Juror at 7 p.m.
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Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Hudson Prize for an unpublished collection of poems or prose (short stories or essays). Novels are not eligible for this prize.
The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes awarded on publication.
Black Lawrence Press accepts submissions and payment of the entry fee ($30) exclusively through our online submission manager, Submittable. We are not able to accept submissions via email or postal mail.
Entries are read blind by senior Black Lawrence Press editors and a rotating panel of former Hudson Prize winners.
Entry Period: February 1 - March 31
Early Bird Period: January 1 - January 31
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Lone Star Literary Life is your digital hub for all things Texas books. We celebrate local authors, indie bookstores, and literary events—connecting the community with compassion and a commitment to uncensored reading.
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Writing Contests, Grants & Awards
The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
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Literary Magazines
Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff and listed in the Literary Magazines database. Here you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, and contact information—everything you need to determine which publications match your vision for your writing and your writing life.
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According to their website, "Duotrope is an established, award-winning resource for writers and artists. We help you save time finding publishers or literary agents, so you can focus on creating. Our publication and agent listings are up to date and full of information you won't find elsewhere. We also offer submission trackers, custom searches, deadline calendars, statistical reports, and extensive interviews."
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According to their website, "For writers, getting your work published and recognized is a step toward realizing your goals as an author. However, finding the right contests or publications can be a challenging and time consuming. Authors now have the opportunity to find and submit their writing to magazines, publishers, and contests through a website called Submittable."
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According to their website, "CaFÉ strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply. CaFÉ has an open call for everyone, from competitions to public art calls, to art contests and more. Artists can create an artist portfolio for free and apply to various call listings. CaFÉ also hosts its own call for entry."
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According to their website, "Since established in 2003, Smarter Entry has evolved to become one of the most comprehensive competition and call for entry management systems. Used by art groups and organizations of all sizes, this intuitive, affordable web-based software makes it easy for organizations to run regional to worldwide events. Smarter Entry is a perfect choice for sculpture and other 3D media, as well as photography and painting competitions."
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According to their website, "For the Artist, Maker and (Forever) Inspired. Artists Network is with you every step of your art journey. Artists Network produces anywhere from three to five major events for visual art enthusiasts each year. We plan and produce different art-making getaways and retreats, art competitions, pop-up learn-ins, Paint Alongs, art talks and tours, and more in locations worldwide."
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Check out all the classes at ALH!
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Weave Some Magic
with Cynthia Reid
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Learn the art of paper weaving by working with different types of papers (commercial and handmade), using strips, warp and weft, and cutting windows. Options are unlimited for combining papers to achieve colorful and textural creations. Most supplies are provided, including a curated packet of varied and beautiful papers.
Dates: January 17 and 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Member – $175.00, Non Member – $215.00
Location: 127 Simonton Street Conroe, Texas
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WHEN: Classes start throughout December.
WHERE: Houston Center for Photography 1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
COST: Varies per class
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Monthly Open Mic Poetry Reading
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Inprint First Fridays Reading Series & Open Mic
First Fridays will present a monthly featured presenter, a poet of distinction and accomplishment, followed by one of Houston's premier and most attentive open mic forums.
First Fridays take place every first Friday of the month, 12 times a year, at Inprint House, 1520 West Main Street, 77006. We throw the doors open at 7:30 PM; the featured readers share wisdom and words with us at 8:00 PM, and then the open mic gets rolling at 8:30 PM, whether you're ready or not.
(Sign up to read when you arrive.)
Writespace Last Friday Readings and Socials
Featured readers, member readers, and an open mic for YOU to participate! Join us in the South gallery of Sabine Street Studios with local literary and craft vendors, 7 PM til we run out of words (Sign up to read when you arrive.)
Brazos Bookstore Friday Night Poetry Open Mic Night
Sign-ups for readers will be taken at the door starting at 6 PM and drawn from a hat starting at 6:15 PM. The rules are simple: 5 minutes or three pieces, whichever comes first! If there is spare time, we happily invite poets with more material to try out to come back and share it with us!
The reading is free and open to all: young, old, first timers, veterans, and you!
Public Poetry Second Saturday Reading Series with the Houston Public Library. Poetry comes alive the first Saturday of each month at 2 PM with readings performed by a creative mix of artists. Participants are invited to read a piece for Open Mic during featured poets intermission. Poetry readings alternate between Zoom and in-person events at various Houston libraries.
FRIENDSWOOD POETS First Saturday Readings at the Friendswood Library 11 AM. Community Room Friendswood Library 416 S Friendswood Dr, Friendswood TX.
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WRITESPACE is Houston's writing center. Founded in April of 2014, we are a grassroots literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. At WRITESPACE, we support writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres.
We offer weekly writing workshops, manuscript consultations, write-ins, open mics, socials, and more. In the spring of each year, we host a national literary festival, Writefest.
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- Writespace Lecture: How to Write Cozy Mysteries (Zoom)
- Holiday Sights, Sounds, and Scents: Writing from the Power of the Senses
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The Houston Writers Guild is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization working to create a community of writers of all skill levels. Together we strive to improve our writing craft and help each other build successful careers through education, collaborative marketing efforts, and camaraderie.
The Guild offers a myriad of programs for both published and unpublished writers. It creates opportunities to build careers through networking, as well as, opportunities for author book sales throughout the Greater Houston area and neighboring communities. The Guild is also a place for hobbyist authors to enjoy writing in a relaxed and fun environment.
Critique Group
Writer's Room - several offerings
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Inprint envisions Houston, Texas as a city where the literary arts are a defining resource. Thousands of Houstonians, recognizing the value and impact of the written word, join in Inprint programs to write, read, and support the literary arts. The community is enriched by some of the nation’s top emerging writers, who study at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program and teach at Inprint and various local community centers, schools, and universities.
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The WRITER'S LEAGUE of TEXAS (WLT) is the largest literary arts organization in Texas, a statewide nonprofit offering programs and services to writers at all stages of their writing careers, from just getting started to publication and beyond.
Founded in 1981, the organization’s mission is to provide a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; to help writers improve their craft and understand the business of publishing; to promote the interests of writers from diverse cultural, economic, sexual identity and orientation, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; and to elevate the art and enterprise of writing, including supporting and growing the Texas literary community at large.
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- “Your World as Character: Creating Worlds That Feel Expansive, Unique, and Lived In” with Ehigbor Okosun
- “Write the Perfect Ending: How to Leave Readers Satisfied and Wanting More” with Samantha M Clark
- “Writing Towards the Unsayable in Poetry” with Saúl Hernández
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WOW! is a global magazine designed to support women's creativity, energy, blood, sweat, and tears throughout all stages of the writing process. We envision Wow! being a favorite watering hole for professionals, the up-and-coming, and the recipients of our labors--the avid readers.
Our concept is unique, as it fills in the missing gap between writing websites and women's magazines. We are dedicated to raising the overall standards within the writing community, and devote an active profile within writing industry associations, organizations and websites.
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- Get to “The End”in Style: A Prose Workshop with Guadalupe Garcia McCall
- Poetry as Praise with Amanda Johnston, writer, visual artist, and the 61st Poet Laureate of Texas.
- Writing in the Land with Emmy Pérez
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The International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG) is dedicated to building a worldwide community where storytelling connects, inspires, and uplifts voices across cultures. We celebrate the richness of diverse traditions, histories, and perspectives, recognizing that every writer contributes to the shared human experience.
All IWWG workshops are listed in ET (Eastern Time).
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TWO SYLVIAS PRESS is an independent press located in the Seattle area. We publish poetry, memoir, essays, books on the craft of writing, and creativity tools, such as The Poet Tarot, The Daily Poet, Everything is Writable, PR for Poets, Demystifying the Manuscript, and the bestselling resource for poets, The Weekly Muse.
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* Collaboration Catalogs Available! *
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You can purchase copies of the REFLECTION catalog from the 2022 Collaboration for $5.
Stop by Studio 320 at Silver Street Studios to purchase additional copies of either catalog. Silver Street Studios is located in the Main Yard of Sawyer Yards. Call ahead at 713-851-0134 to ensure that she’ll be in the studio when you arrive.
(We are sold out of ENTANGLED catalogs!)
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Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting events, such as field trips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities.
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Save the Date(s)
- WiVLA Book Club: Last Saturdays of the month
- Blackout Poetry Group (Online): First Fridays of the month
- Circle of Five Jan Members Meeting
- The World Inside You®: Professional Development for Artists and Writers multi-session workshop Saturdays in January
- Demo and workshop with Houston House of Glass Jan 24th
- Tour of Ann Leis' amazing Dewees Cochran doll collection, followed by a Tea party Jan 31st
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WiVLA Needs Your Expertise
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Do you have special skills, talents or knowledge to share with other WiVLA members? Now is a good time to volunteer ~
- Serve on a committee
- Speak at a monthly meeting
- Lead a workshop.
- Be creative
Don't be shy. We have a lot to learn from each other.
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We'd love to celebrate your good news. If you are interested in sharing, please send your items to newsletter@wivla.org. The deadline for inclusion in the next month's newsletter is the 20th. Thank you.
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