Carolina Piedmont
Writers Guild
We write stuff.
BREAKING NEWS (as of April 10th)
SUBMIT (March 16 to August 15): The open submissions window [details] for County Lines is now … open! It runs from March 16, 2024, to August 15, 2024.
MINI-RETREAT (May 29): Every 5th Wednesday, from 10am to 1pm, we hold an informal mini-retreat at Fall's Lake [details].
RETREAT & POTLUCK (June 29th): A summer retreat & potluck [details] at Tandem Farms (Kittrell).
Keep abreast of other upcoming guild events via our events page.
CONGRATULATIONS! Winners have been selected for The Carolina Prize. Donna Campbell Smith for prose, Brian James for poetry, and Todd Warner for cover art. Cheers to all!
Welcome, Writers!
The Guild supports, encourages, and mentors writers of all forms, genres, perspectives, and levels of expertise. New writers and writers-to-be are always welcome. For the latest news on meetings, events, local contests, and other opportunities for writers, or to just talk about writing, join us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter/communiqué!
The Guild publishes a yearly literary journal, County Lines. Two routes exist for journal publication: first, an entry window for the Carolina Prize for Writing and then an open submissions reading window for County Lines immediately following. The Carolina Prize is competitive (reading window now open!), and winners receive a cash prize. The general, non-contest, open submissions reading window opens when The Carolina Prize reading window closes. Finish that short story, poem, or art piece and submit it for publication.
General Meetings
A schedule of general Guild meetings is TBD currently, but we do meet for other reasons as well. In fact …
Events, Meetings, Write-ins, & Retreats
Please refer to the events page to learn more. Follow us on Facebook.
Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild? What's in a name?
"But, weren't you guys the Franklin County something or other?" For years, we had been the Franklin County Writers Guild and closely tied to the Franklin County Arts Council. Unfortunately, the Arts Council folded and set us adrift. As sad as this news was, we carried on. We were reborn! Reborn as the Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild. We're the same people, same goals, same journal … Come and participate. We are a swell bunch of folks.
April 25, 2023: Carolina Prize Winners Announced!
The winners and runners-up for the Carolina Prize have been chosen. They are:
First place Carolina Prize Winners:
First place for prose: "Requiem for a Fir Tree" by Renee Skudra
First place for poetry: "Turning the Corner" by Kathryn Ewers Bundy
First place for cover Art: "Good Morning Sunrise" - Judy Spruill
Winners receive $100, publication in the journal, plus two copies of the journal.
Honorable Mentions:
"Kept From Us" Teresa McClamb Blackmon
"Consider the Box Turtle" Leslie Brown
"A Pink Umbrella and an Empty Chair" Donna Campbell Smith
"Growing Up" Teresa McClamb Blackmon
"When Pigs Fly" Mary Alice Dixon
Honorable mentions receive publication in the journal, plus one complimentary copy.
Fifth Wednesday
Mini-Retreats
Mini-Retreats
If a month has a fifth Wednesday, we'll meet at the park! Check the Write-ins and Retreats page for more information.
Location (usually)
Location (usually)
Park: Beaverdam Access, Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Entrance: 14600 Creedmoor Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Drive to: Shelter 23 (pavilion)