| MWG HISTORY & STRATEGIC PLAN |
The MWG was established in November 2005 to fulfill the need for a statewide writers organization in Mississippi. On May 24, 2007 the
IRS granted the MWG its 501(c)(3) status and on November 20, 2007 the State of Mississippi issued its Certificate of Registration for a
Charitable Organization. A board of directors governs the day-to-day operations of the guild and oversees the promotion, advancement,
and support of its literary arts programs within the state. This board recognizes, appraises, and reviews its current guidelines and
programs, as well as all future programs within this strategic plan.
Motto: No Writer Without a Voice
Mission Statement: Advancing and Preserving Literary Arts in Mississippi
Promoting the Mission:
Literary Presentations:
1 – Literary Artists on Stage – (Advancing) a platform open to public and writers of all ages, published or non-published where they
share their work, regardless of genre or category.
2 - Songwriters in the Round - (Advancing) a platform open to the public and songwriters of all ages, published or non-published where
they share original songs of every genre.
Alternative Learning:
1 – Writer Workshops – Writing workshops are held throughout the year and throughout state covering a vast array of writing categories
and genres. All workshops are open to the public. MWG members receive discounts on all workshop fees.
2 – Annual Writers Conference - two-day conference with opening/closing speakers, six to eight expert facilitators for all-day writer
workshops, professional critiques and reviews on attendee’s work, and a platform for attendees to verbally share their work with
speakers and the public, on-site bookstore to sell speakers and attendees’ books.
Promoting literature in non-traditional ways:
1 - People’s Choice Awards – Partnered with Meridian Museum of Art by sponsoring writing competition in conjunction with the
People's Choice Art Awards
2 - Milken Educational Grant – Partnered with Lauderdale County Schools in conjunction with youth community service for Love’s
Kitchen, Meridian, MS. MWG facilitated journaling sessions with students during their work days.
3 - Partnered with Community Foundation of East Mississippi on a five-county student writing competition. A grant was provided
Mississippi Writers Guild to facilitate the writing competition and provide the writing awards.
4 - Partnered with Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA) in MTA's annual festival
5 - Partnered with Rock River Foundation in the Delta Blues Writing Competition for students of the Mississippi Delta. MWG provided a
$1,000.00 college scholarship to a student pursuing a career in a literary field.
A LOOK AHEAD
Strategic Plan 2008-2013
Productively Convey the Merits of Literary Arts
The Mississippi Writers Guild promotes diverse literary communities by focusing on the skills, the craft and the art of language and
communication. Further, the MWG is committed to strengthening cultural awareness and literacy through education, information, support,
networking, opportunity and recognition for all writers.
Continue to promote literary arts in Mississippi through the successful programs Literary Artists on Stage, People’s Choice Awards, and
MWG’s signature Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers.
Expand the literary arts arena through new programs such as Literary Kids on Stage, Senior Citizen Memoir Writing, and journaling with
special groups.
Strive to establish and build our own grant and scholarship programs in the literary arts. Create an MWG Annual Awards Program to
recognize successful Mississippi writers. Implement an annual writing competition to encourage and reward new writers.
Implementation of Prospective Literary Programs
Develop grant programs for classroom activities and continuing education for teachers in the area of writing. Provide literary
scholarships for students in secondary education and alternative education opportunities for adults.
Establish a Guild office that will be accessible on a daily basis to MWG members, the community, and other art organizations and
businesses. This office will provide the MWG the opportunity and facility to produce its own promotional literature, correspondence, and
to conduct meetings, workshops, and other programs relating to the literary arts. This office will also provide a centralized location for the
storage of guild records and for efficient administration.
Funding the Dream
CURRENT FUNDING:
Membership Dues – basic funding for guild endeavors
Writer Workshops, Spring Retreat, Annual Conference –educational/informational venues that produce income
Corporate Grants – Sam’s, Exxon grants
State and Federal Grants – MAC
Other Arts Organizations Grants -
PROSPECTIVE FUNDING:
Corporate Sponsors, Silver, Gold, Platinum Levels
Friends of the Guild -
Contributions for specific literary projects -
MWG, though a non-profit corporation, realizes the business aspect of its organization and strives to produce and reinvest profits from
all events and programs. MWG approaches businesses and other organizations for financial assistance in pursuing and accomplishing
its mission of Advancing and Preserving Literary Arts in Mississippi through its programs, events, and initiatives.
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