The Writers Guild at Bloomington was formed in October 2010 by five writers: James Dorr, Michelle Henderson, Antonia Mathew, Patsy Rahn, and Eric Rensberger, who met to form the guild as an organization, originally to represent writers at meetings of the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, of which it is a member. It has since grown beyond that initial goal into a vibrant, active volunteer organization of writers.

The Writers Guild at Bloomington quickly grew, incorporating in November, 2011, and becoming a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation in 2013.

The Writers Guild at Bloomington is Volunteer run with a three person board elected annually. The Board Members are: chairperson, secretary and treasurer. A list of current and past Board Members is listed below.

Within its initial first years the WG created a website, began presenting reading series and workshops, and began collaborating with other local art groups and organizations to produce events. It was invited to “have a poet” at the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts which turned into the annual inclusion of the Writers Guild’s Spoken Word Stage with dozens of performers reading and performing their original works, as well as a team of writers offering Poetry On Demand, a favorite with the festival visitors.

The Writers Guild continues to grow, both in membership (currently at over 350 members) and in the number of organizations inviting us to participate in their projects, and the number of activities and events we continue to participate in or create.

In 2016 the WG began to also function as a supporting organization for other art projects related to literature, and to develop relationships with radio producers, such as the Books Unbound series. This type of involvement with local artists and organizations providing programming of value to the public, is something we very much enjoy, and hope to continue to develop.

List of Board Members

Board Members 2024
April Ridge, Chair
Hiromi Yoshida, Secretary
Erin Strole, Treasurer

Board Members 2023
Joan Hawkins, Chair
Kyle Quass, Secretary
Tony Brewer, Treasurer

Board Members 2022
Joan Hawkins, Chair
Kyle Quass, Secretary
Tony Brewer, Treasurer

Board Members 2021
Joan Hawkins, Chair
Kyle Quass, Secretary
Tony Brewer, Treasurer

Board Members 2020
Joan Hawkins, Chair
Kyle Quass, Secretary
Tony Brewer, Treasurer

Board Members 2019
Joan Hawkins, Chair
Kyle Quass, Secretary
Tony Brewer, Treasurer

Board Members 2018
Tony Brewer, chairperson
Shayne Laughter, secretary
Joan Hawkins, treasurer

Board Members 2017
Tony Brewer, chairperson
Shayne Laughter, secretary
Annette Oppenlander, treasurer

Board Members 2016
Tony Brewer, chairperson
Shayne Laughter, secretary
Annette Oppenlander, treasurer

Board Members 2015
Tony Brewer, chairperson
Michelle Fay Deschenes, secretary and treasurer until she moved
Then Stephanie Haines, secretary
Annette Oppenlander, Treasurer

Board Members 2014
Tony Brewer, chairperson
Michelle Fay Deschenes, secretary and treasurer

Board Members 2013
Patsy Rahn, chairperson
Michelle Fay Deschenes, secretary and treasurer

Board Members 2012
Patsy Rahn, chairperson
Eric Rensberger, secretary and treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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