2025 Conference–Time’s Running Out
There is still time to make reservations for this year's conference in Kansas City, September 25-28. For this year, we have three registration options:
Full conference–$275
Half conference–$205
Awards banquet only–$145
Rates for non-members are $25 higher than the prices listed above. However, as an added incentive to join MWSA as a full member, those registering for full or half conference attendance will become full members (a 50% discount on the regular cost of a one-year membership).
To learn more about this year’s conference or to register for both the conference and the hotel, visit the conference page on our website:
https://www.mwsadispatches.com/events/2025-conference
If you've been to prior conferences, you know they are easy-going affairs. We need volunteers to help work the registration table, serve as timekeepers, and assist with other tasks. If you would like to volunteer, you can let us know via the volunteer form on our conference page (link above) or email the conference organizers at events@mwsa.co.
If you’ve never joined us for a conference in the past and would like to get a feel for what you can expect, you might want to have a look at our past conferences. On each conference’s page, you’ll find photos of the "action" and the agenda of activities during each of our prior member get-togethers. Here’s a link to our past conferences page:
https://www.mwsadispatches.com/events-past-and-future#conferences
We're looking forward to another successful and enjoyable conference this year.
Kansas City, here we come!
It’s Buckaroo Auction Time Again!
MWSA’s Buckaroo Auction at our Annual Conference is a way for us to recognize our volunteers by providing “Buckaroos” for their services performed for the organization throughout the year. Below is a list of Buckaroo earnings for work performed.
We are currently seeking items members may want to donate (services, books, electronics, or unique items) in addition to the “secret items” we have already secured. Please let the Buckaroo Auction Chair know via email at vp@mwsa.co. Thank you in advance for your help!
Speaking of Donations
Are you aware that you or organizations you are involved with can make tax-deductible donations to MWSA at any time to help military, veterans, and their families tell their stories? MWSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and donations can be made via our website at our new donation page: https://www.mwsadispatches.com/donation
MWSA Anthology Making the News
Thank you to our MWSA members who have been sharing the word about the 2025 anthology, Reflections: Service to our Country. News of our story has been shared on Penny Rafferty Hamilton’s Substack, the e-Quipsblog, the SouthWest Writers website, the Anadrako Daily Newspaper News, and has shown up in websites in Denmark, France, and New Zealand. And that is just what we are aware of!
We currently have a 5-star review rating on Amazon but could certainly use our members’ support. If you can find time to pen a sentence or two to help fellow writers and our organization, please drop a review here: https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0FBS26BXK/.
As a reminder, MWSA published this anthology as the Military Writers Society of America imprint, so all profits go toward continuing MWSA’s programs to help tell veterans and their families' stories.
Dispatches Magazine
The fall issue of Dispatches will be published after our annual conference. As usual, we’ll focus this issue on our season's medal winners and a wrap-up of the conference. We ask that conference attendees submit photos via the Dispatches submission form on the Dispatches Submissions web page or here: Submit Files - Dropbox.
Editor Wanted
Our Vice President, Val Ormond, stepped in to fill the void when our last Dispatches resigned, and she agreed to take on the duty for one year. That year is up in September! If any of our members may want to take on this duty, please reach out to Val at vp@mwsa.co for details. She is retired Navy, so the passdown will be thorough with checklists and all.
Benefit Spotlight
MWSA Member Resource Directory
If you haven’t checked it out yet, now’s a great time to take a look at our Member Resource Directory. It’s a growing collection of services and resources offered by members for members. Whether you’re looking for an editor, cover designer, marketer, or just someone who understands the publishing world, we’ve got listings that can help you take your writing to the next level.
Sometimes it’s even better to give than receive. If you offer services yourself, you can add your name to the list. It’s a great way to connect with fellow MWSA members and support each other’s creative journeys.
Here’s what you can do:
Browse the directory for help with your next project
Submit your own listing if you’ve got a service to offer
Come back periodically to see if we’ve updated anything
This is just one of the ways we’re working to make MWSA more useful and connected for all of us. Take a look and see how you might benefit—or contribute!
Check it out here:
mwsadispatches.com/member-resource-directory
Friendly Reminders
MWSA’s Writers Education Series
MWSA will host the fourth installment of our Writing Your Story educational webinars on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern, 4:00 PM Central, 3:00 PM Mountain, and 2:00 PM Pacific. This edition will be presented by Jim Tritten and is titled: Plot and Story Arc.
Visit our Writers Education page to see more details, get the Zoom link to join our session, watch our prior sessions, and/or see what’s on tap for future episodes: