News
2027 Awards Season
We’ve revamped the review and awards section of our website to prepare for our next season. We’ve had to make several changes due to the exponential growth in demand for our program. The highlights:
● A shortened submission window: January 15 to March 15
● Season capped at 100 books total and one book per author
● Submission fee: $75
Remember, we can always use more volunteer reviewers. This allows us to spread out the reading, evaluating, and scoring workload. By reviewing with MWSA, you’re not only helping your fellow author, but you’re also sharpening your own skills as a writer.
https://www.mwsadispatches.com/mwsa-reviewer-signup
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. The Buckaroo Auction is a fun event and a chance to get to know (and bid against) fellow MWSA members and guests.
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 if you have a donation item via email at vp@mwsa.co by Aug. 31. Thank you in advance for your help!
Collaboration with Veterans Breakfast Club Partner
MWSA Ambassadors will host a new virtual Write Your Story workshop series for the Veterans Breakfast Club in September and October 2026. This series is similar to our one-day in-person workshops we hold in connection with our annual conferences and are open to military, veterans, and families. We tailor Write Your Story for newer writers, but all levels are welcome.
For additional information, see https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/event/write-your-story-a-veterans-writing-workshop-series/.
Friendly Reminders
Conference
Writers spend a lot of time alone. The MWSA Conference is where we come together.
Join the Military Writers Society of America in Orlando, Florida, October 22–24, 2026, for three days of:
✓ Author connections
✓ Writing and publishing discussions
✓ Presentations and panels
✓ Friendship and inspiration
✓ The annual MWSA Awards Banquet
Whether you write fiction, memoir, history, poetry, or nonfiction—come spend a weekend with people who understand the stories you’re trying to tell.
MWSA 2026 General Membership Conference
Rosen Plaza Hotel — Orlando, FL
October 22–24, 2026
Register today:
mwsadispatches.com/events/2026-conference
In Case You Missed It - Congratulations to MWSA Writer of the Year Rosalie Spielman!
The Military Writers Society of America is proud to announce that Rosalie Spielman has been selected as our 2026 Mike Mullins Memorial Writer of the Year — the highest honor our organization bestows.
Rosalie has been a standout presence in the MWSA community for years. Her series of cozy murder mysteries has earned multiple MWSA awards, and her consistent excellence, warmth, and dedication to the craft are an inspiration to all of us. It is truly fitting that we recognize her body of work with this distinction.
The award will be formally presented during MWSA's Annual Membership Conference and Awards Banquet, October 22–24, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. We hope you will join us in celebrating Rosalie's achievement in person!
Click here for our press release announcing Rosalie’s selection.
Last Call - Candidates Sought for MWSA Board of Directors
MWSA will be holding elections for the upcoming board of directors this fall. Board members serve two-year terms, and we are particularly seeking volunteers for the following two positions: Treasurer and Secretary.
Our strongest need is for someone to run for our Treasurer’s position. Our current treasurer has held the position for a decade and deserves a break. As expected, our accounts are held in a bank, and transactions are tracked by a software accounting program. The entire Board assists in budget development. So, as you can see, the workload is easily manageable. We just need a responsible person to run for the position.
If you would like to run for the MWSA Secretary or Treasurer position, please see these documents for more details, and contact info@mwsa.co. The Nominating Committee will reach out to you to discuss.
Benefit Spotlight
In case you haven’t found this valuable resource, visit the Tips and Tricks section of our website. This section of our website has about 50 articles on topics ranging from grammar to technical recommendations. https://www.mwsadispatches.com/tips-tricks-1
Want to know how to save notes on your Kindle reader or app? How to get a security review of your manuscript? Well, there's a lot there.
If you’ve got any tips and/or tricks to share with your fellow MWSA members, please let us know. Just email us at info@mwsa.co.