The Hilton Head Island Writers\u2019 Network aims to support, inspire, and mentor writers in both the business and the craft of writing. \u00a0Its members write in all genres, including fiction, nonfiction, memoir, children\u2019s literature, and poetry. They range in experience from the aspiring neophyte to the multi-published author.<\/p>\n
The organization came into existence in 1999 when new Hilton Head resident, Jo Williams, ran an ad in The Island Packet<\/em> newspaper seeking people interested in establishing a critique group. \u00a0Eighteen people responded. \u00a0As the membership grew rapidly, the group helped launch the careers of several founding members who gained contracts with commercial publishing houses. \u00a0Notable alumnae of IWN are Kathryn Wall<\/a>, the author of eleven Bay Tanner mysteries; Vicky Hunnings<\/a>, who has three mysteries published by Avalon Press; and Jo Williams, whose novel The Song My Soul Remembers, was published by Coastal Villages Press. \u00a0Many additional members have experienced the satisfaction of seeing their work in print through various print-on-demand and self-publishing venues.<\/p>\n Through the years IWN has hosted several one-day workshops and a three-day writers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hilton Head Island: Unpacked & Staying<\/a> was IWN\u2019s first venture into anthology publication. \u00a0IWN has since published three more books.<\/p>\n Follow the link to see and buy all of IWN’s four anthologies<\/a>.<\/p>\n