Mission
The Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) promotes, encourages, and supports aspiring and experienced regional writers. This goal is accomplished via WAG monthly meetings, public readings, ongoing small critique groups, a literary review, writers’ contests, and collaborations with schools and civic organizations to foster creative expression through the written word.
Our Story
The Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) began as an attempt by two writers to bring variety to the writing scene in Gainesville, Florida. Wendy Thornton, the first president of the organization, credits author Kal Rosenberg with the vision that resulted in the creation of the group. WAG’s Articles of Incorporation were submitted by Rosenberg to the State of Florida, where they were filed by the Secretary of State on November 19, 2008.
WAG’s first public meeting was held on January 25, 2009, at the Tower Road branch of the Alachua County Library. Within the first year, WAG expanded to about fifty members, and meetings moved to the Millhopper branch of the library.
WAG’s status as a 501(c)3 federal nonprofit organization became effective on May 15, 2011.
In recent years WAG has developed a cadre of volunteers who lead critique pods, plan for invited speakers for monthly meetings, handle finances, manage membership functions, write press releases, keep records, judge contests, publish a literary journal, contribute to the website and newsletter, coordinate pod activities, organize book sales, provide an overall vision for the group, and lead or participate in a variety of other functions.
However, the core of the Writers Alliance is our members. Today we are a thriving group of more than 200 individuals who write in many diverse genres and subject areas. As a community, we are building relationships with each other to help us foster our love of literature and creative expression.
WAG sponsors monthly programs, normally at the Alachua County Library’s Millhopper Branch, 3145 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606.
WAG programs, which are free and open to the public, are usually held at 2:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. But check the 2024 program schedule as this occasionally changes.
Since the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible.
Bylaws
Click here to read WAG’s Bylaws.
How to Contact WAG
- Email contact: You may send an email to any member of the WAG Board listed below. Click on the highlighted name, and the email address will show up in another window. Type your message and hit send. Caution: If the address shows up in an email application you do not use — Microsoft Outlook, for example — simply copy the address and paste it into the email application you use before typing your message and sending it.
- U.S. Mail contact: Writers Alliance of Gainesville, P.O. Box 358396, Gainesville, FL 32635-8396
WAG Executive Committee (elected volunteers)
President: Jenifer Dearinger
Vice President: Penny Church-Pupke
Secretary: Dori Karl
Treasurer: Ginny Brinkley
Immediate Past President: Jess Elliott
WAG Board Members (volunteers)
Bacopa Literary Review Editor in Chief: J. N. Fishhawk
Beta Reader Coordinator: Leo Hines
Blog Editor: Volunteer needed. Position is OPEN.
Critique Pod Coordinator: Julia Lednicky
Facebook Administrator: Connie Morrison
MailChimp Emails: Volunteer needed. Position is OPEN.
MailChimp Email List: Deborah Holt
Membership Coordinator: Pat Caren
Mentoring Program: Kassandra Lamb
Nominating Committee: Penny Church-Pupke
Programs: Susie Baxter and Michelle Dunlap
Publicity Coordinator: Michael Urban
Speakers Bureau: Charlee Allden
Sunshine State Book Festival: Pat Caren
WAG Digest Editor: Wendy Thornton
Website: Susie Baxter (events, etc.) and Connie Morrison (bookstore, etc.)
If you can help in the administration and maintenance of this vital writer’s organization, please contact President Jenifer Dearinger or any of the above members to discuss your interests.