President's message - June 2026
Results are in for the annual Election held in April
Executive Board of Directors are:
Kathleen Osborne --President
Jacque Hillman -- Vice President
Paula Winskye - 2nd Vice President and Membership
Deborah Barber -- Treasurer
Nancy Marshaall -- Secretary.
Help build a speaker and teacher database
APW brochure
NFPW Conference Announcement
Book Festivals and other events
I’d like to introduce myself to you, my name is Kathleen Osborne, some of you haven’t met me so here is a little bit about me:
I’m married, have two kids, five grands and 4 greats. I grew up in north Indiana.
My background is statistical analysis including reports that went to congress.
I’m retired from the Air Force.
My husband and I moved to Arizona ten years ago and love it.
I started writing fiction six years ago.
I write and publish anthologies with a variety of genres — Science Fiction, Romance, and True Mate Aliens.
Then, three years ago, I became a member of APW.
I became the President of White Mountains Chapter of APW and with the team there, we are conducting our third Writers Conference and Festival of Books, and our second writing contest.
This year I was elected as the President of the Arizona Professional Writers.
Lol, I am still getting used to writing the words President of APW next to my name.
It’s not because I don’t want the job. I do. But the title is bigger than I
thought it would be when I said ‘yes’ — and I have spent the last little while learning the weight of it.
Some of you who have stepped into a new role know exactly what I mean.
Instead of opening this year with a list of plans and policies, I want to tell you what I hope APW will feel like under my watch. Because the plans will come. How an organization feels takes more care.
I want us to feel comfortable. Exuding that sense that all of us — no matter our background — are working toward one common goal. Growth.
Currently, we are small but mighty. Our hearts are bigger than we are. I am one of those people who keep my eyes up on the prize before me, not down or back. As one, none of us move unless our gaze is set on that prize.
Our prize: more members than ever before. And we, you and I, are the ones who will create the momentum to make it happen.
Please, I am not suggesting it will happen overnight or even within the next two years. But we can lay the groundwork for the future.
We are incredibly good at welcoming new people.
I would like us to attend more activities. Let people get to know us and see the warmth of our members. That welcoming spirit can’t help but make us grow.
And most of all — I want APW to feel like you. Each of our members are dynamic and creative. We as a group manifest that same spirit. My hope is that the warm flames by the fire and the cool drink of being around like-minded people will draw people to join us.
This is my vision for this year.
Tell me what you want it to be.
I will be listening.
— Kathleen
Calling All Speakers and Teachers — Help us build a speaker and instructor database for APW.
We know Arizona Professional Writers is full of talented people — and a lot of you do more than write. Some of you teach workshops. Some of you speak at conferences, libraries, schools, and community events. Some of you have been doing it for years and just never thought to mention it.
We’d like to change that.
We’re building a speaker and instructor database — a resource we can share with organizations, event planners, schools, and groups who are looking for knowledgeable, experienced speakers and teachers. If you’ve ever (led a class,) given a talk, run a panel, or taught a workshop on anything related to writing, publishing, communications, or the creative life, we want to know about it.
Here’s what we need from you: a short bio, less than 100 words, how you’d like to be contacted, a photo, and a brief description of the topics you’re available to speak on or teach. That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just enough so when someone asks, “Do you know anyone who can talk about self-publishing?” or “We need a workshop presenter for our writers’ group,” we can point them straight to you. Send your information Paula Winskye and we’ll take it from there.
Help Us Tell Our Story
We’re building a membership handout — and we want your input
We’re putting together a brochure for potential members, we can take to
events, leave at libraries, and share at book fairs.
It sounds simple until you sit down to write it. We want it to be clear,
welcoming, and honest about what APW offers. Not a sales pitch. Not a wall
of text. Just a good, solid explanation of who we are and why someone
might want to join us.
And that’s where you come in. If there’s something you think should
absolutely be on that handout — something that would have mattered to
you when you were deciding whether to join, or something you wish more
people knew about this organization — we want to hear it.
What made you join? What keeps you here? What would you tell a stranger
at a book fair who asked, “What is this group, anyway?”
Send your thoughts, suggestions, or even a rough draft to
Kathleen@kathleen-osborne.com. There are no wrong answers here. If it
matters to you, it probably matters to someone else, too.
Send your ideas to Kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
NFPW 2026 Conference Announcement
Ink, Influence, Innovation: Communicating at 250
The National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) has announced its 2026
Communications Conference, themed “Ink, Influence, Innovation:
Communicating at 250.” The conference will take place September 24–26
at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland.
As the nation prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, this conference will explore the enduring
power of words and the future of media. In a historic first, Maryland will
host the NFPW national conference for the first time in the organization’s
89-year history.
Founded in 1937, NFPW is a nonprofit supporting communications
professionals and students across journalism, public relations, marketing,
photography, design, and digital media. The conference is open to members
and non-members alike.
The conference will feature speakers and panels on artificial intelligence
and emerging digital business models, journalists transitioning to long
form and creative writing, and online safety and advocacy in an evolving
media landscape.
For registration details and hotel information, visit NFPW’s official
conference page at nfpw.org.
Learn more and register at nfpw.org
Payson Book Festival
July 18th, 2026
FREE to the public!
It starts at 9 am and ends at 2:30 pm.
Located: Mazatzal Casino Event Center Ballroom
Vendor and author spots are sold out.
WHITE MOUNTAINS CHAPTER APW
Writers’ Conference
830am – 33opm July 31st, 2026
Arts Alliance of the White Mountains
250 N Penrod, Show Low AZ 85901
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: James A Owen
Three Top Speakers: Eva Eldridge, Jacque Hillman, Beth A Freely
Registration still Open
www. Wmfestivalbooks.org
Information: Info@whitemoutainsofapw.org
White Mountains Festival of Books
9 am to 3 pm August 1st, 2026
Elks Lodge, 805 Whipple St, Show Low 85901
Registration Open
White Mountains Writer’s Contest is closed.
Winners Announced at the Writers Conference
Speaker at White Mountains Open Meeting
Jacque Hillman
Tuesday, June 23rd, 6pm local
Share Your Word – Open Mic Night
Friday, 5-7 pm, June 12th, 2026
Art Alliance of the White Mountains
250 N Penrod, Show Low AZ 85901
$10 donations requested to cover expenses.
For more information, contact me.
Please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues.
Calling All Speakers and Teachers
Help us build a speaker and instructor database for APW
We know Arizona Professional Writers is full of talented people — and a lot
of you do more than write. Some of you teach workshops. Some of you
speak at conferences, libraries, schools, and community events. Some of
you have been doing it for years and just never thought to mention it.
We’d like to change that.
We’re building a speaker and instructor database — a resource we can share
with organizations, event planners, schools, and groups who are looking for
knowledgeable, experienced speakers and teachers. If you’ve ever (led a
class,) given a talk, run a panel, or taught a workshop on anything related to
writing, publishing, communications, or the creative life, we want to know
about it.
Here’s what we need from you: a short bio, less than 100 words, how you’d
like to be
contacted, a photo, and a brief description of the topics you’re available to
speak on or teach.
That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just enough so when someone asks, “Do you know
anyone who can talk about self-publishing?” or “We need a workshop
presenter for our writers’ group,” we can point them straight to you.
Send your information to Author.Winskye@gmail.com and we’ll take it
from there.
Help Us Tell Our Story
We’re building a membership handout — and we want your input
We’re putting together a brochure for potential members, we can take to
events, leave at libraries, and share at book fairs.
It sounds simple until you sit down to write it. We want it to be clear,
welcoming, and honest about what APW offers. Not a sales pitch. Not a wall
of text. Just a good, solid explanation of who we are and why someone
might want to join us.
And that’s where you come in. If there’s something you think should
absolutely be on that handout — something that would have mattered to
you when you were deciding whether to join, or something you wish more
people knew about this organization — we want to hear it.
What made you join? What keeps you here? What would you tell a stranger
at a book fair who asked, “What is this group, anyway?”
Send your thoughts, suggestions, or even a rough draft to
Kathleen@kathleen-osborne.com. There are no wrong answers here. If it
matters to you, it probably matters to someone else, too.
Send your ideas to Kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
NFPW 2026 Conference Announcement
Ink, Influence, Innovation: Communicating at 250
The National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) has announced its 2026
Communications Conference, themed “Ink, Influence, Innovation:
Communicating at 250.” The conference will take place September 24–26
at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland.
As the nation prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, this conference will explore the enduring
power of words and the future of media. In a historic first, Maryland will
host the NFPW national conference for the first time in the organization’s
89-year history.
Founded in 1937, NFPW is a nonprofit supporting communications
professionals and students across journalism, public relations, marketing,
photography, design, and digital media. The conference is open to members
and non-members alike.
The conference will feature speakers and panels on artificial intelligence
and emerging digital business models, journalists transitioning to long
form and creative writing, and online safety and advocacy in an evolving
media landscape.
For registration details and hotel information, visit NFPW’s official
conference page at nfpw.org.
Learn more and register at nfpw.org
Please feel free to share this newsletter with your
friends and colleagues.
Payson Book Festival
July 18th, 2026
To the public the cost is…… FREE!
It starts at 9 am and ends at 230pm.
Located at the Mazatzal Casino Event Center
Payson Book Festival is Sold Out.
No vendor spots available.
WHITE MOUNTAINS CHAPTER APW
Writers’ Conference
830am – 33opm July 31st, 2026
Arts Alliance of the White Mountains
250 N Penrod, Show Low AZ 85901
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
James A Owen
Three Top Speakers:
Eva Eldridge, Jacque Hillman, Beth A Freely
Registration still Open
www. Wmfestivalbooks.org
Information : Info@whitemoutainsofapw.org
Or kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
White Mountains Festival of Books
9 am to 3 pm August 1st, 2026
Elks Lodge, 805 Whipple St, Show Low 85901
Registration Open
Information : Info@whitemoutainsofapw.org
Or kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
White Mountains Writer’s Contest
Closed.
Winners Announced at the Writers Conference
Speaker at White Mountains Open Meeting
Jacque Hillman
Tuesday, June 23rd, 6pm local
Zoom meeting contact
kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
for more information.
Share Your Word – Open Mic Night
Friday, 5-7 pm, June 12th, 2026
Art Alliance of the White Mountains
250 N Penrod, Show Low AZ 85901
$10 donations requested to cover expenses.
For more information contact me.
Kathleen@whitemountainsofapw.org
Or info@whitemountainsofapw.org
Please feel free to share this newsletter with your
friends and colleagues.