We are celebrating a huge milestone this year, our big twentieth anniversary. Two decades of writers reaching out to other writers and helping them on their journeys, wherever they made lead. Let’s take some time to look at our own journey, from humble beginnings to the well-known statewide organization we are today. And even some exciting special events happening just for this special year!
How It All Began
There were already many writers organizations out there in the year 2001, but none for writers of all kinds in Florida, published or not. Glenda Ivey knew what needed to be done. She worked with Vickie Taylor, Weslynn McCallister, and others to incorporate the Florida Writers Association. She wanted to make sure her organization would help with all aspects of writers’ careers, from writing to publishing to marketing. The team organized the state into regions and got hands-on in local communities. Writers networked and word spread, the organization growing every year. We still uphold those founding values of helping all writers—any genre, any level, published or unpublished.
Our new website welcomes everyone into the FWA family: “The Florida Writers Association embraces the diversity of its membership and faculty from across the State of Florida, the nation, and the globe. We celebrate our differences and are united in our shared love for the written and spoken word.”
Fun Surprises This Year
We kicked off the anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of our redesigned logo last year and have been enjoying all the fancy bells and whistles of our new website that launched in January. But we’re only getting started! This year we have more surprises in store including an action-packed conference with a whole new level of value never offered before, and during that October weekend we’ll share a fun and fresh achievement program designed by Alison Nissen and Herb Sennet.
We also want to reminisce on all the writing, friendship, and fun from the last twenty years. Share your pictures and memories on social media, tag us, and use #fwabig20. Our social media volunteers will be watching and will repost your pictures on our FWA accounts. We want to see and hear about all the fun times you’ve had with us.
Looking Into the Future
As we look toward the years to come, we continue to strive for excellence. We want to keep offering the programs our members enjoy such as the Royal Palm Literary Awards and Collection competitions. We want to grow sustainably and endeavor to meet our members changing needs. We also want to try new initiatives and inspire our members to do the same. Twenty years from now, we want another generation of FWA folks to keep carrying on the tradition of writers helping writers.
Celebrate With Us
In honor of this big year, we designed a shirt and 15 oz mug with our anniversary logo on it, the words “writers helping writers” encircling the number twenty. You can get the shirt and mug here in our Etsy shop. All proceeds from merchandise go towards bringing you more FWA programs and events.
Show us your mug shot! If you share a picture of yourself with your FWA mug in our Facebook group, you may be chosen to be featured in the next issue of the Florida Writer magazine!
