|
Amanda T. Silva is a multidisciplinary artist and progressive political strategist. At her core, she is an organizer born and raised by a strong Sri Lankan community in New York. As a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she believes in opening doors for others and centering those most impacted in order to achieve collective liberation.
As an artist, she uses painting, mixed media collage, sculpture, and performance to tell a story of self, ancestry, protection, and triumph. Her work is rooted in spectacle, perception, and the exchange of shared experience between the artist and the observer. You can find her at Sabine Street Studios #123. Her studio space is open to artists for daily rentals through her business, Collective Liberation Studio.
Amanda’s career spans different sectors. Beginning in international development, she lived in Sri Lanka, Australia, and served as part of the first 20 placements in West Java in Peace Corps Indonesia. You can find an oral history of her Peace Corps service preserved in the National Archives as part of the JFK Presidential Library.
She called Washington, DC home for 17 years. After the 2016 presidential election, Amanda shifted from international relations into progressive politics. In 2017, she helped national movements with organizing and march logistics. She is a trained facilitator for DEI, de-escalation, and bystander intervention training.
Her professional background in digital strategy took her from Planned Parenthood Federation of America to Biden for President, Harris for President, and she served as a senior staff member in the Democratic National Committee. She helped launch Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential re-election campaign from her labor bed before giving birth to her first-born, which in many ways informed her path back into the arts. Her family moved to Houston in 2025, and she is grateful to have found community here.
Website: https://amandatsilva.com/
|
|
|
Who will WiVLA highlight next?
|
|
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 at literary@wivla.org or the Visual Art Chair at visual@wivla.org if you would like your time in the spotlight.
|
|
|
Jamie Frontiera's "Inside the clock of Musee D'orsey" was accepted into the MVA Gallery Black and White Show in Bethelehem, PA
She was nominated for Best of the Net 2026 for "the Courage to stand" from Synkroniciti magazine
Also, at the recent Houston Area Wood Carvers Annual Fall Show and Competition, her "Worlds Colliding Peace" took both 1st place for open chip carving, and tied for the People's Choice award (photo attached). Her dragonfly cabinet knob also took 1st in the miniature carving category
|
|
|
Maryanne Keeling is pleased to announce a shared exhibit with Jenny Wilde titled “Beyond the Lens” hanging through Nov 17, at the Cloister Gallery, 1117 Texas Ave, Houston.
They each have approximately 20 pieces hanging and would love for all those interested to view the exhibit, open 11am – 2pm daily.
|
|
|
Virginia M. Mohlere is happy to report that her debut novella, A House of Perfect Safety, was released this month by Dancing Star Press!
Press link: https://dancingstarpress.com/product/a-house-of-perfect-safety/
Book description: A House of Perfect Safety is by author Virginia M. Mohlere.
A fae novella of care-taking and justice seeking, with a magical house, a binding Pact, and a sincere love of trees.
Synopsis:
For centuries of seasons, Warden has served the Pact at Ash House. For any creature of the Twilight Lands who shows up on the doorstep of her House with a need, she stitches wounds, cures poisons, provides safety and rest, assuming the form demanded of her by each of her varied visitors. When a guest arrives whose mind is so locked away that she does not know what form to take, what injuries he has suffered, nor how to help him, it will stretch her skills — and the Pact — to the limit.
Should the Pact be broken, it could be the end of the Twilight itself.
|
|
Gwynne Ross has won first place from Art Doll Magazine and the International Art Dolls Registry (IADR) for her art doll, "Cynthia."
Inspired by Cynthia Erivo's stunning appearance in a divine white gown at the Academy Awards, the sculpture is crafted from papier-mâché, paper clay, polymer clay, and wood. A highlight of the piece is its cascade of handcrafted flowers made entirely from painted coffee filters.
"Cynthia" is also proudly featured on the cover of the current issue of Art Doll Magazine, an international online publication.
|
|
|
Katherine McDaniel is thrilled to be part of a project at the University of Houston with the cello and piano duo martha & monica exploring the relationship between Music and Language. “Music as Language, Language as Music” is a multidisciplinary project led by cello and piano duo martha&monica – cellist/composer Monica Scott and pianist Hadley McCarroll – and the poet/singer Katherine McDaniel. This project brings composition and creative writing students together to explore communication through each other’s discipline, and the connections between creation, performance and the audience.
The first residency at UH takes place from October 27 through November 2nd. On November 2, 2026 at 7:30 at Dudley Recital Hall on the UH Campus, martha and monica and Katherine McDaniel are putting on a concert of music, poetry and hybrid work. It’s free to the public and will be exciting. Katherine is performing “Stripsody,” a musical composition by Cathy Berberian based on on-air radio and natural sounds, and several of her own poems ranging from semi-traditional to sound poetry, as well as Monica Scott’s Vienna, Autumn 1938 with martha and monica. You can find out more at the link below:
"Music as Language, Language as Music" with martha & monica & Katherine McDaniel - KGMCA – MSM | University of Houston
|
|
Kathi Crawford has had her third chapbook, put a match to it, accepted by Finishing Line Press to be published in 2027. She’s excited to share that the cover art for the chapbook will be Dystopian Oasis by artist Carissa Barcus, which was created as part of their WiVLA collaboration project in response to Kathi’s prose poem “It Was a Peculiar Patch of Sand” which is included in the collection.
You can order her previous chapbooks running with the beasts and consider the light from Finishing Line Press (https://finishinglinepress.com/product/running-with-the-beasts-by-kathi-crawford/) or reach out to Kathi directly at kathi.crawford@gmail.com to reserve a signed copy.
Kathi’s collage art titled “Going Up” was accepted by The Spotlong Review Issue XIV (https://www.thespotlongreview.org/) and will be published November 2nd.
|
|
|
|
Margo Stutts Toombs has a flash piece, "The Red Curse," in Blood Dance, a publication by the Ekphrastic Review. Copies of the book are available at Amazon.
|
|
Synkroniciti is Open
for Written and Visual Art Submissions
|
|
The sacred and the profane are often treated as opposites: the divine and the mundane, the holy and the corrupted, the elevated and the earthly. Yet they frequently occupy the same space. Moments of transcendence emerge from ordinary lives. Rituals arise from daily habits. Beauty and degradation, reverence and desire, devotion and doubt exist side by side and intertwined with one another.
Synkroniciti invites literary, visual, and performing artists to explore the tensions and intersections between the sacred and the profane. We welcome both literal and metaphorical interpretations of the theme.
We are interested in work that embraces complexity and searches for meaning in unexpected places, valuing questions as much as answers.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
ALH Winter classes are opening for registration
|
|
Check out their upcoming events at WAS-H!
|
|
|
Location: WAS-H at 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006.
|
|
|
WAL offers classes, workshops and interest groups
|
|
|
CAL offers classes, workshops, group excursions and a variety of benefits for members.
|
|
|
WHEN: Classes start throughout the year
WHERE: Houston Center for Photography 1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
COST: Varies per class
|
|
|
Monthly Open Mic Poetry Reading
|
|
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.)
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.
|
|
Houston Independent Authors
|
|
|
|
Houston Independent Authors holds their Writers Lunch series bimonthly. November's topics have yet to be announced, but you can find past recorded Writers Lunch workshops at https://www.youtube.com/@tomeworksedits
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
The Ekphrastic Review is an online journal devoted entirely to writing inspired by visual art. Our objective is to promote ekphrastic writing, promote art appreciation, and experience how the two strengthen each other and bring enrichment to every facet of life. We want to inspire more ekphrastic writing and promote the best in ekphrasis far and wide.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
- Gemini Ink's writing classes are open to everyone. We provide a warm, supportive writing community for writers of all levels. Gemini Ink offers excellent, fair-cost workshops by published writers year-round.
|
|
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).
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
* Collaboration Catalogs Available! *
|
|
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 in-person, but they are available for purchase on Amazon here!)
|
|
|
Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting events, such as field trips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date(s)
- WiVLA Book Club: Last Saturdays of the month
- Blackout Poetry Group (Online): First Fridays of the month
- Haunted Holidays: November 13th, 6 pm
- November Member Meeting: November 17th, 6 pm
- November Book Club: November 21st, 2 pm
- Member outing to Smither Park: November 22nd, 12 pm
|
|
|
WiVLA Needs Your Expertise
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
