A message from member Sandee Taylor:

Today I had the opportunity to pass out the literary awards to Circle Benton Elementary students. The awards assembly was the culmination of their 25th annual writing and art contest for 4th-6th grades. Such a privilege to shake the young authors’ hands and give them words of encouragement as I handed them their certificates. Each student receives a book and they have a wonderful time signing them at the end of the event. I served as the judge for the 4th grade poetry. Their theme this year was “Time Machine.” Pictured with me and the time machine which lived in their cafeteria for several weeks are Erika and Jason Kirk (coordinators for the event), Rob Leis (principal and KAC member), and Alex Kessler. Alex was the art judge and passed out the art awards. He won the art contest the first and second years of the contest. I served as principal of Benton Elementary during those years.

Member Linzi Garcia coordinated a five-week writing program with fifth-grade students as a board member of House of Morrow. Member Kevin Rabas was one of the classroom guests.

House of Morrow is excited to announce the inaugural launch of the Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas Literacy Program with the fifth-grade students at Walnut Elementary School!
 
Program Description:
House of Morrow is a local arts fund within the Emporia Community Foundation. It focuses on providing programs and services, primarily focused on the arts, to Emporia youth. House of Morrow Board Member Linzi Garcia, as well as specially invited local guest authors and artists, are currently leading a creative writing program designed to engage the fifth-grade students at Walnut Elementary in the art of creative writing using language in conventional and experimental ways, including with poetry, music, and visual art. This program emphasizes nurturing creativity, enhancing writing skills, fostering self-expression, and promoting personal and peer acceptance. 
                                   
Each student has been gifted a notebook and custom pen, provided by local printer, Chester Press, to use during this program and beyond.
 
Classroom guests included Poet Laureate of Kansas Emeritus Kevin Rabas, artist Deon Morrow, and theatre teacher Kacie Hastings.
 
At the end of this five-week program, an anthology of the students’ creative works from this time will be published by local book publisher, Meadowlark Press. This means each student will be a published author! Chester Press will print the book and partner with a Wichita company to bind it.
 
House of Morrow and Walnut Elementary will also host a book launch and reading event to celebrate the students’ creation. The event is free and open to the public. More details to come. Copies of the book will be gifted to students. The books will also be available for purchase, serving as a fundraiser for Walnut Elementary School and House of Morrow.
 
Funding this program is made possible in part by the United Way United for Racial Equity Grant. The grant, as well as House of Morrow funds, cover the cost of notebooks, pens, guest speaker compensation, book printing, and event supplies. House of Morrow extends a hearty thank you to United Way and to everyone who has donated to House of Morrow.
 
  
House of Morrow Mission:
Our goal is to assist underserved communities in Emporia through the cultivation of public art and services. We aim to positively impact the community by creating innovative programs for the youth and providing them with tools to make a difference in their lives. We strive to empower those in need and foster a sense of community through public service and art projects. Working together will create a better future for Emporia and its residents.
 
 
Linzi Garcia Bio:
Linzi Garcia lives in Emporia, where she serves as the publicist and poetry editor for Meadowlark Press and as a board member for House of Morrow. While earning her MA in creative writing from Emporia State University, she worked as the graduate assistant to Poet Laureate of Kansas Emeritus Kevin Rabas and as an editorial assistant with Bluestem Press and Flint Hills Review. During that time, she also worked as a composition professor at the university and a reporter for The Emporia Gazette. Linzi has facilitated over 50 community writing workshops and poetry readings across Kansas. She is the author of Thank You (Spartan Press, 2018) and co-author of Live a Great Story (Analog Submission Press, 2019) and While Away: Travel Poems (Spartan Press, 2022). Linzi is a recipient of a 2023 NextGen Under 30 Kansas Award in the arts category.
 
 
Deon Morrow Bio:
Deon Morrow, a passionate advocate for education, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our literacy program. As an integral part of our school community, Deon is committed to creating an environment where students not only excel academically but also discover the joy of reading. With a background in educational leadership, Deon understands the importance of instilling a love for learning in our students. Deon is also a recipient of a 2024 NextGen Under 30 Kansas Award in the arts category.

For the past three years, Sandee Taylor has judged 4th grade poetry for the annual writing and art contest at Circle Benton Elementary. This is the 24th consecutive year for this contest. It is open to 3rd through 6th grades. She enjoyed helping principal Rob Leis and art judge Alex Kessler pass out awards. She spoke a few minutes encouraging the students write and enter contests. Organizers Erika and Jason Kirk are sitting at the table.

Member Roger Heineken, of Emporia, gave his third program for the residents of Sunflower Care Homes. He talked about the development of the William Allen White Bust and Memorial in Peter Pan Park. 

Mike and Monica Graves visited the residents at Sunflower Care Homes in Emporia. Monica sang with the residents and Mike read from his upcoming book, Human Shadow, as well as an essay in 105 Meadowlark Reader.
The residents received hats from Mike as part of the activity.

Writers in the Community is a Kansas Authors Club program that highlights member educational and outreach efforts in our communities.

a note from D5 member, Gretchen Eick:

D7 President, Frank Powers, read two of his stories to Quinter 3rd graders in January. Frank's two great-granddaughters are students there. Frank reports that the event was fun, with lots of questions from students after.

Writers in the Community is a Kansas Authors Club program that highlights member educational and outreach efforts in our communities.
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​8/24/21 D5: D5 President, Connie White, spoke to the River City Ladies Club on 8/24. giving them a short history of Kansas Authors Club. She talked about her writing experience and offered to help them record their memoirs for their families or for publishing.
 
 The ladies were very receptive and we had a great Q&A session. Several lingered for more conversation, and I sold eight books! I'm going to Facebook to broadcast my willingness to present to other civic clubs or school classrooms to encourage hesitant wannabe writers.

Learn more about KAC Writers in the Community by clicking here.

​Writing Retreat in the Paola Community Garden
September 15 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
1201 Industrial Drive, Paola, KS 66071
 
Are you looking for inspiration? Do you need a few quiet minutes to yourself? Bring your lawn chair and a notebook to the Paola Community Garden on September 15 from 6-7 p.m. for a writing retreat. We will begin our evening with writing prompts to inspire you. Then participants will have space and time to write in the garden. We will finish the evening with an opportunity to share our writing with the group (this is optional). This event is hosted by District 2 member, Beth Gulley. For more information email Beth. or see the Facebook event link.

This link will take you to the recent presentation about Brian Daldorph’s teaching of poetry in the Douglas County Jail for the past 20 years. 

There is a wonderful recording of Antonio Sanchez-Day also, with shared memories by additional members of the group. 

Brian is a District 2 member of Kansas Authors Club, as was Antonio.

The Raven Bookstore in Lawrence hosted the event. 

Brian’s book, Words Is a Powerful Thing, can be purchased at The Raven Bookstore and wherever you buy books. 

Kerry Moyer, District 2 member, was a guest speaker for Riverside Elementary School's Reading Across America Event (March 1) Of the event, Kerry says, "Getting to talk about writing and poetry with kids was a lot of fun!"