Letter from the PPW Executive Director

October 11, 2011

Greetings, Pikes Peak Writers Family!

Can you believe it is already October?  Where has the year gone?  Are you frantically working to complete the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year - both personally and as a writer?

Behind the scenes here at PPW, we have been working on many projects on your behalf.  From a distance we probably resemble a bunch of hummingbirds on double-shot espressos most days. In other words, we rarely sit and always have several projects on the burners working to bring you all we can to help you as writers.

This November PPW will reach the year mark since taking the unprecedented step of eliminating membership dues.  As a nonprofit, the community and some of our members wondered if this was too bold a move.  But, as a whole, the board led by our President, Chris Mandeville, and I agreed that we did not want a membership fee to stand in the way for anyone wanting to learn and grow as a writer. Our membership has swelled and many have contacted us to share their support of this step.

The Colorado Springs Independent has long been a supporter of PPW, and for the first time  this year PPW has been chosen to participate in the Indy Give! Campaign.  This honor has allowed us to meet many other nonprofit leaders and learn how to better serve the community we strive to touch.  The months of November and December will see the launch and fruition of this fund-raising drive. Watch for more info as it gets closer.

Also, PPW is pleased to be partnering with several local nonprofits to offer many free opportunities for writers and others.  This will include several 'write-ins' to mark our own version of National Novel Writing Month in November -- NaNoTRYMo.  These will take place at Celebration Place at the Citadel Mall in partnership with the Imagination Station.  All NaNoTRYMo and future Write Brains will be held in this fabulous venue.  In addition, we will be facilitating author book signings along the Front Range on November 12th and 13th, hosted by Barnes and Noble.

SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday, December 3rd, there will be a FREE family-friendly fun day at the Imagination Space (across from Celebration Space in the Citadel Mall).  We would love to see you , your family and your friends there. 

Please watch and check the website www.PikesPeakWriters.com for details on how you can find these events and how you can help us to reach writers locally, nationally, and internationally. Remember that a major reason to check the website is to see how WE can help you to learn, grow and connect as writers.

You are PPW.

Have a brilliant day,

Jodi Anderson

Executive Director, Pikes Peak Writers