San Diego Memoir Showcase Free This Year
We interview San Diego Memoir Writers Association President Laura Engel
San Diego Memoir Writers Association launched its first Memoir Showcase six years ago. A major success in the San Diego writing community, the annual event starts with a contest. Writers submit five pages of a memoir scene in late May and the top 10 winners work with editors and writing coaches to polish their pieces. Next, professional actors perform the scenes on stage. We spoke to SDMWA president Laura Engel about how Covid-19 has impacted them this year.
Showcase: What happens to the works after presentation?
Engel: The top 30 scenes are then published in our annual Shaking the Tree anthology. This year for the first time we are streaming the show instead of a live onstage performance. It is usually scheduled for late October or November but this year, owing to Covid complications, 7:00 p.m. on December 5th. See our face book page for updates (https://www.facebook.com/sandiegomemoirshowcase).
Showcase: What other activities do you offer?
Engel: SDMWA has monthly meetings and we have workshops and classes throughout the year. We are also a fiscal partner for the fabulous San Diego Writers Festival (https://www.sdwf.com).
Showcase: Can members of the general public submit to the competition? How?
Engel: Yes, each year we announce a theme for the Showcase submissions in May. Check out https://www.sdmwa.org.
Showcase: How has Covid changed the way you do shows and meeting?
Engel: We began holding our monthly meetings on Zoom as well as workshops in April of this year in order to provide a safe way for our writing community to stay connected. Thankfully, we have thrived in this environment.
Showcase: Once you give the show virtually, will it remain accessible online at a later date?
Engel: Yes, it will be videoed.
Showcase: In general, what advice do you have for people who journal?
Engel: I am a firm believer in journaling and know it propelled me into writing my own memoir.
Showcase: How about a next step if they want to turn this writing into a memoir?
Engel: We provide classes at SDMWA and recommend Marni Freedman’s certificate class, Memoir 101. There are several R&C groups that are offshoots at SDMWA and they provide more support and help for writing and publishing your memoir.
Showcase: Do you have speakers available for Zoom-format meetings of other groups?
Engel: Yes, we are always available to speak about SDMWA and Memoir Writing.
Showcase: Anything we left out?
Engel: We welcome interested visiting writers and memoirists of all levels to our meetings. Please check out our website for information. First Saturday of each month. Next meeting: November 7th at 2:30 p.m. Zoom meetings are free but we are a donation-based non-profit. Our goal is to provide members education on not just the craft of writing memoir but also the business of writing memoir.
If you are interested in a Zoom meeting invite, please email me, laurae@cox.net
Showcase: Thanks.
Engel: My pleasure! Thank you so much for the opportunity to Showcase our Memoir Showcase!