President’s Letter – February 2026
In the past month, I’ve found great solace through the currency of community. I’ve skied, played music, and shared the Wurtz Cabin with old friends I’ve had since we worked together at Lake McDonald Lodge in 2008. At a Tell Us Something concert in Missoula, I was one of 750 people who took three breaths together. It changed everything. At the Whitefish Library, Glenn and Barbara Schiffman led a dozen writers in an exercise with poetic prompts. I remembered why I like being a writer. Because it’s life. Noticed. Vulnerable. And better shared.
What’s on my heart these days is the power of listening and the strength of community. Thank you to all who have introduced themselves to me this January, and to those tried and true, who are still showing up to be writers helping writers. It’s no small thing.
Here’s what we hope for you to know this month:
36th Flathead River Writers Conference September 25-27
Shira Marin has announced the conference title: Thresholds and Frontiers: Writing the Next Best Story. She has a terrific line up for us with keynote speakers Michael Punke and Peter Stark. The Friday workshop will be led by Robert Patrone and is called: Developing the “Internal Narrative” in Memoir Writing.
Check them out:
For more conference details look for announcements on our website.
Our 2026 Team Plan
We have had our first board meeting and are off to a good start. Our focus for 2026 is on boosting engagement and funding. Here are some ways you can be part of it.
– Become a member
– Talk to us
– If you have any reflections of how we can meet more writer’s needs, send me an email or talk to me in person at an AotF gathering.
– Volunteer- We have two immediate needs for helping hands
– Postcard Designer – We need assistance asap to put together our promotional mailer for our most exciting 2026 conference. If you know your way around Canva or a similar design program, this could be of great help.
– Fundraising Committee *New* – We are forming a group with gusto to build relationships throughout the Flathead Valley and raise funds. Our first meeting will be held later this month.
It is meant to be, above all, fun. Oh, and we need to make some money. A few ideas are floating around for one or two fundraiser events this year (sketch comedy night with collaborative writing table, storytelling concert, writing contest, etc.).
Commitment would involve an email thread, monthly meetings, and a bit of boots on the ground such as poster hanging and reaching out for sponsorship. No more than five hours a month of you time.
If you are motivated by community engagement, laughter, and collaboration your services would be much appreciated.
If interested, please send an email to moc.l1770250720iamto1770250720h@sie1770250720darap1770250720_alya1770250720hs1770250720
It’s important to us that members know they are appreciated. We are listening to requests that have already been made. Board members Craig Naylor and Carl Stevens are securing grants and scheming class offerings for advanced writers. Shira Marin has been drudging gracefully to secure sponsorship to offer a lower conference price to our members and absorb cost increases that are affecting our organization. We will have more on those topics in the near future.
Student Writing Contest
Please encourage any young writers in your life to consider entering our student writing contest. This year, we have added a middle school category in addition to high school.
Cash prizes are awarded in three different categories to students grades 5-8 and 9-12.
The deadline for submissions is February 27th.
Submission forms and guidelines are available on our website. Any questions, please email moc.l1770250720iamg@1770250720rolya1770250720ntgia1770250720rc1770250720.
Member’s Happenings
This is a new offering for our members this year. We now have a community bulletin board on our website. It can be found under the “Schedule” tab as the only item on a drop down menu entitled “Member’s Happenings.”
If you are a member and wish to promote any events, victories, or awards in your current writing life please send details and a photo to me (moc.l1770250720iamto1770250720h@sie1770250720darap1770250720_alya1770250720hs1770250720) by the 25th of each proceeding month. For example, if you have a March happening, send me your information by February 25th.
We want to show up and celebrate you!
Thursday, February 12th Meet and Greet on Zoom at 6pm
Our second Thursday this month will be a Zoom meeting to address common questions that have been arising. We will begin with Steve Hruza, our entrusted technology guru, who will run through the changes that have been made to our membership registrations and website. I will then share more details on our team plan for the year, upcoming conference, and open up to a meet and greet. Please come willing to ask any questions and share your writing goals and genres.
That’s all for now, friends. I will leave you with words passed on for inspiration by Glenn Schiffman.
“You sing, I listen. Both are necessary.“
-Mary Oliver
Gratitude,
Shayla Paradeis