May 20, 2023 Program: Speed Networking

Ever feel alone in your writing world? That writing is a profession or hobby that is meant to be done alone? Well, it’s not. Critique groups are a great way to get inspiration and to grow in your skills as a writer.

Join us Saturday May 20th at 10:00 AM in the Edward Davis Room of the Chase Tower to see that you are not alone. As a writing community we all may be working on different projects, but we can come together and be encouraged. There are others who write like you or who you can trust to give you advice and can brainstorm with. See you there!

March 18, 2023 Program – Writing Workshop

We are so excited about this upcoming workshop! No matter what genre you write, creating captivating characters and worlds is what gets readers hooked. FREE FOR GUESTS! Join us Saturday March 18th at 10am at the Amarillo Downtown Central Library. Can’t wait to see everyone!

September 17, 2022 Program: Blue Handle Publishing Panel

Blue Handle Publishing was launched in June 2020 when author/founder Charles D’Amico signed local Amazon bestselling author Andrew J Brandt. D’Amico then hired a team of publishing professionals, and together they have signed fiction and nonfiction book deals with an award-winning playwright, an NFL coach, an international rock star, and several talented writers with incredible stories to share.

Charles D’Amico is the founder and president of Blue Handle Publishing. He also writes the award-winning Neil Baggio suspense series and standalone coming-of-age story One Golden Day.
Madison David is the vice president of Blue Handle Publishing. The Amarillo native served in the marketing and sales departments for Workman Publishing (Water for Elephants, What to Expect When You’re Expecting) in New York before being hired by Blue Handle.
Ricky Treon is the Editorial Director for Blue Handle Publishing. Ricky worked in the newspaper industry for more than a decade as a reporter and editor before becoming an award-winning author of four novels, including Let the Guilty Pary and Divided States.

July 16, 2022 Program: Story Structure

After three decades of various careers, Troy Lambert fulfilled his dream of writing full-time and making a living at it. He currently has written over two-dozen books, is a freelance writer, content strategist, ghostwriter, publisher, and occasional editor. He will be joining us live from Boise, Idaho to share with us some helpful tips on story structure and plotting.

May 21st, 2022 Program: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em — Just Make the Readers Care

New York Times Bestseller Linda Broday will be joining us for an amazing session Saturday May 21st at 10:00 at the Sharpened Iron Studio.

“I can’t wait to see everyone on May 21st! We’ll have us some good times. I’ll be back home. The title of the first half of my presentation will be Love ‘Em or Hate ‘EM–But Make the Reader Care. I’ll give some tips of ways to do this. What triggers emotion in me are animals, babies, and little children trying to be grown up. It works every time. I cannot watch ASPCA commercials on TV. I just can’t. They really get to me. I’ll find out what your triggers are. I hope to see everyone there at Sharpened Iron.” ~ Linda Broday

March 19th 2022 Program Critique Group Panel

Lone Star Women of Letters Critique Groups Panel Donna Rosson, Kristine Brorman, and Kim Black bring their experience of forming, maintaining, and meeting as a critique group. They will talk about the who, what, when, how, and why they meet. They’ll discuss what makes a great group and what to avoid.

We’ll have a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to connect with other writers to form other critique groups within our organization.

10:00am Saturday March 19th at Sharpening Iron Studio

January 15, 2022, Program: Tex Thompson

At last! After all those hundreds of hours spent slaving away at the keyboard, your first draft is finally done. Now you can sit back and bask in the glory of your beautiful, shining… unpublishable mess.

Never fear! This fast-and-furious revisionary rumble will fire you up to pummel your plot, pulverize your prose, and kill your darlings with bloodthirsty red-penthusiasm. No fear – no shame – no surrender!

Mark Your Calendar for Giving Tuesday

ThePanhandleGives.org

#ThePanhandleGives #GivingTuesday

November 22-30, 2021

You don’t have to live in the Texas Panhandle to support the over 100 years old Texas High Plains Writers (THPW).

#ThePanhandleGives is nine days of enhanced charitable giving to support diverse nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle.

From November 22 through November 30, go to ThePanhandleGives.org, find Texas High Plains Writers, and donate.  Help THPW raise over $250 by making a donation so it will qualify to receive Amplification dollars from the Amarillo Area Foundation.  Amplification dollars are a percentage of the funds raised during The Panhandle Gives campaign. 

What that means is the more funds THPW raises through The Panhandle Gives, the more funds THPW will receive from the Amarillo Area Foundation beyond the amount donated to THPW.

Mark your calendar today to donate from November 22 through November 30.

November 20 Program, Kenja Purkey

Kenja Purkey

Featured in PR Week and Accent West magazines, Kenja Purkey is a media, marketing, and advertising professional with more than 30 years of experience. She is a former news anchor, congressional media representative, and has 20 years of general marketing and advertising experience in both the government and private sector. In addition to being the Marketing Director for The People’s Federal Credit Union, she is a professional speaker specializing in general marketing, social media, and generational media consumption habits.

Our meeting and program will be held at 1314 S. Polk in Amarillo, in the Sharpened Iron Studios.

RegistrationMeet & Greet9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Business Meeting10:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Program10:15 – 12:15 Open to the Public. Guests are always welcome!

Click “How to Join” for details about dues and member benefits.