I attended the Appalachian Writer’s Conference held at the Historic Boone Tavern in Berea, KY the first week of September, had a wonderful time, and started seeing one of my dreams come true. I entered the memoir category of the conference’s writing competition, the Appy Inkwell Awards, and won first place for my teaching memoir, Lessons: A Teaching Life. Martin Sisters Publishing will begin working with me on editing in January 2025 and the book should be published before the end of the year.
I started writing the memoir after my 88-year-old mother suggested that I should write a book about my teaching. It became the first writing project of my first year of retirement. I wanted to finish it. That was the goal. However, when the opportunity came to enter the contest, I concentrated my efforts on revision, just like I told my students all of those years, and it paid off!
I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I’m looking forward to it. I want to have a book worthy of my first teacher’s faith in me. This one’s for you, Mom!
During this flurry of activity, I’ve been working on the newest edition of Teach. Write. See the cover art to the left. I’m excited about this edition, which will include over 50 writers–most of them teacher/writers like me. It looks like I will meet my publication goal of October 1.
Submissions for the 2025 spring/summer edition will open October 1. I look forward to reading your work then. You can find complete submission guidelines here.
Congratulations, Katie! You must be so excited. Job well done!
Brian G. Smith