July 1st marks the one-year anniversary of the date that Redbird Studio founder, Judy Bridges, and I signed on the dotted line to make two great organizations from one. Judy would continue to teach Shut Up & Write! (and write her book by the same title), and facilitate writers’ retreats and events, while I took the helm in administrating Roundtable groups and workshop offerings at the studio.
At the time, I was excited (and a little nervous) but had no idea what a great year was in store for RedBird-RedOak and the writers who come through our doors.
In addition to our stellar Roundtable groups led by Robert Vaughan, Jeannee Sacken and myself, we offered a host of new opportunities to support writers:
Write ’til You’re Blue in the Face (my writing exercise group)
Saturday Sessions (an extended Roundtable-style group to accommodate longer pieces, led by Pam Parker)
Roundtable “West” (my facilitated writers’ group for those in Oconomowoc and the far west ‘burbs)
Open Studio Writing (a twice-monthly drop-in)
RedBird-RedOak On the Road (quarterly readings presented by Roundtable participants at Fixx Coffee House)
Special Topics (self- and e-publishing with Karen McQuestion, writing picture books with Katy J Vopal, and a panel on getting published co-hosted with Judy Bridges and Redbird Studio)
Phew!
It has been a pleasure to carry on and expand this special place for writers. I am deeply grateful for Judy’s support and the many dedicated writers, Roundtable leaders and teachers who share their talents with our unique writing community.
With much gratitude and excitement about the year to come,
Kim
