Island Writers Network

Hilton Head Island Writers and Their Books

About IWN

Written By: Admin

The Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network aims to support, inspire, and mentor writers in both the business and the craft of writing.  Its members write in all genres, including fiction, nonfiction, memoir, children’s literature, and poetry. They range in experience from the aspiring neophyte to the multi-published author.

The organization came into existence in 1999 when new Hilton Head resident, Jo Williams, ran an ad in The Island Packet newspaper seeking people interested in establishing a critique group.  Eighteen people responded.  As the membership grew rapidly, the group helped launch the careers of several founding members who gained contracts with commercial publishing houses.  Notable alumnae of IWN are Kathryn Wall, the author of eleven Bay Tanner mysteries; Vicky Hunnings, who has three mysteries published by Avalon Press; and Jo Williams, whose novel The Song My Soul Remembers, was published by Coastal Villages Press.  Many additional members have experienced the satisfaction of seeing their work in print through various print-on-demand and self-publishing venues.

Through the years IWN has hosted several one-day workshops and a three-day writers’ conference at Palm Key in 2005. Meeting programs have included local writers and poets, journalists, editors, book reviewers, and noted authors like John Jakes, John Maxim, CJ Lyons, and Sandra Brown.

Members have served as volunteers in local schools and community literacy projects, taught workshops, participated in book festivals, and been guest speakers at events such as BRAVO, Beaufort County’s month long celebration of the arts.

Hilton Head Island: Unpacked & Staying was IWN’s first venture into anthology publication.  IWN has since published three more books.

Follow the link to see and buy all of IWN’s four anthologies.

The group meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Library on Hilton Head Island.

3 Comments

    • Sansing McPherson says:

      Carole –
      IWN is open to anyone with an interest in writing, regardless of genre or experience. We meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Library, 2nd floor of 852 Wm Hilton Parkway. Visitors are always welcome. There is usually a writing or publishing-based program.

      Open Mic is held the third Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Library. Visitors welcome here also. You may come just to listen, but you are encouraged to bring something you have written to read aloud for 5 to 7 minutes. Rehears ahead to know where the time limit falls. Friendly critiquing will occur.

      At this writing, our next regular meeting is Monday, April 4.
      Our next Open Mic is Monday, March 21.

      Feel free contact me with further questions.
      Sansing McPherson, IWN Secretary

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