In response to a call for David R. Collins Writers’ Conference success stories to celebrate the 10th year at St. Ambrose University, MWC longtime member, friend, and volunteer, Sal Marici, submitted the following:
I have been an attendee at the David R Collins Writers’ Conference for seven years. I always take the poetry workshop and have taken classes on essays and collage. Besides the excellent teachings from great instructors like Rebeca Wee, Matthew Guenette, Erin M. Bertram, Stephen Frech and the others, it is a great event to network. This is where I met Steve Semken of Ice Cube Press, who after hearing me read at the conference’s open mike asked me to send him some of my poetry. Two years later, Ice Cube Press published my chapbook titled Mortals, Nature, and Spirits. Then another two years later, Ice Cube Press published my first full length poetry book, Swish Swirl & Sniff. Both books have blurbs from poets who taught at the conference. Since then event organizers invited me to participate on writer panels and perform poetry readings. Through the encouragement of others, I’ve taught workshops and the magazine Toasted Cheese asked me to write a book review
We have a wide array of workshops, free events, and networking opportunities available at the 2015 conference. Click here to read the details and faculty bios. Already convinced? Click here to register.