President's message - July 2026

A Big Season: New Titles, a New Title, and a Very Big Anniversary

To the members, friends and fellow writers,
If you've ever wondered whether the writing life ever slows down, let me answer that for you: no. It does not. And after the last few months, I've stopped waiting for it to. Instead I've decided to lean in, take notes, and share the ride with you — because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the stuff happening to me is usually the stuff that ends up helping you. So pour yourself something warm (or pour yourself into a chair, whichever comes first) and let me catch you up.

NEW ROLE: Statewide President of the Arizona Professional Writers

APW 2026-2028 President Kathleen Osborne

I'll say it plainly because it still feels a little surreal to type: I've stepped into the role of statewide President of Arizona Professional Writers — while also continuing to serve as President of our local White Mountains Chapter of APW. Two hats, one very full calendar, and zero regrets. If you've been reading this newsletter for a while, you know how much this organization means to me — the mentorship, the fellowship, the number of good people who show up for one another's work. Taking the gavel (metaphorical; nobody handed me an actual gavel, and honestly, I'd probably lose it) is both an honor and a responsibility I don't take lightly.

What does it all mean for you? More good stuff. I want APW, at every level, to keep being the place where a brand-new writer with a shaky first draft feels just as welcome as the multi-book veteran. I want us to keep recognizing achievements, keep mentoring the folks coming up behind us, and keep having actual fun while we do it. If you've been on the fence about getting involved, consider this your personal nudge. Come sit with us. We save the good chairs for new people.

And we have a lot of plans for the next 12 months.

First, we are holding our first Webinar. It covers every part of writing. Even the title tells you what you will take away from it. “WRITE IT – PUBLISH IT – VOICE IT – SELL IT” It’s a let you know each step.

The speakers are incredible people I have met over the past several years and found to be well versed in their portion of the event. If you are sitting there saying to yourself, what do I need this for, I’ve done it all already…. And some of you have done it 30, 50, or more times. What I have found when I come to events like this there is a nugget I take away that improves what and how I am doing a certain part of each one of the areas.

I can tell you this ahead of opening the registration for it, if you are a member of APW you get a discount. Yes. Part of your membership includes discounts for conference and webinars. I’m just sayin’ you get a special bargain if you are a member. There is still time for you to sign up and get it today. (Shhhh, you also get opportunities like joining with others so you can take part in the Tucson Book Festival 3rd largest in our nation.

Now, mum’s the word on this… you are the first to know. (That was a joke by the way.) Seriously, tell your friends and put it on your social media, let everyone know. Our speakers are coming from Arizona, Nevada, and Washington…. When it comes to writing there is no we or them, it is all about helping one another. Grabbing the hand of the person next to you or trying their best to keep up by bringing them with you, saying, “come on, let’s go learn things, together.”

Registration will open between the end of July and the middle of August 2026. Cost of members of APW, $40.50, nonmembers $45.

Never Quit Learning. Great Leaders Follow This Philosophy.

Stepping into a bigger role means leveling up, and I've been doing exactly that through some training that's reshaped how I think about the work.

When was the last time you kept a World or Story Bible?

Did I just hear a ‘huh?’

I’m pretty sure I did. Don’t be afraid to ask that question… “What’s a story or world bible?”

Here's the thing I'll say even before the details are filled in: I'm a big believer that we never age out of being students. The day you decide you've learned enough about craft is the day the craft quietly stops loving you back. So, I keep signing up, keep taking notes, and keep bringing what I learn home to share. This training was no exception, and I can't wait to tell you more about it.

Life Plot Twist: I'm on the Radio Now

Here's the news I still can't quite believe I get to share — I wrote two songs, and they're currently playing on 25 stations.

The songs are "True Love Heals" and "Beyond Compare," released under my maiden name, Kathy McCreary. I wrote and produced them both, which means I've now added a couple of job titles I never saw coming. If you'd told the four-year-old me who fell in love with her first book that she'd grow up to be an author and have songs on the air, she'd have believed you instantly — kids have no idea what's supposed to be impossible. Somewhere along the way we forget that. This year, I remembered.

Writing a song turns out to be its own strange, wonderful discipline. A novel gives you three hundred pages to make your point; a song gives you three minutes and demands every single word earn its place. It made me a sharper writer, honestly — there's nothing like a melody to teach you what's essential and what's just taking up space. If you've ever thought about stretching into a form that scares you a little, let this be your sign. Go do the thing.

If either song finds its way to your local station, turn it up for me. And if you look up "Kathy Osborne" and give a listen, I'd love to know which one lands for you.

New Release: Wyoming Rodeo

And the words haven't stopped either — my newest novella, Wyoming Rodeo, is out as Book 4 in the Chasing the Rodeo series.

If the series is new to you, here's the fun of it: Chasing the Rodeo is a shared world, with each installment — some novels, some novellas — written by a different authors. It's a little like a rodeo lineup: same arena, same dust and grit, but every rider brings their own style to the ring. Wyoming Rodeo is mine, start to finish, and I'm proud to say I hold all the rights to it. There's something about rodeo season — the countdown, the nerves, the eight seconds that decide everything — that maps almost perfectly onto how it feels to release a book. You do all the training, you climb into the chute, and then you just hold on.

If you pick it up, do me the enormous favor every author quietly begs for and leave a review. Even one honest line moves us up the algorithm's ladder more than you'd believe. And if you loved a character, tell me — I read every message, and your favorites have a funny way of getting bigger parts in what comes next.

I'm MC'ing the White Mountains Writers Conference — July 31

Mark your calendar: on July 31, I'll be your MC for the White Mountains Writers Conference, up here in the cool pines of the White Mountains. If you've never made the drive to Show Low country in the summer, let me sell you on it — it's a solid twenty degrees kinder than the Valley, the coffee is hot, and the room is full of exactly the kind of people who light up when you say the word "manuscript."

This one is a White Mountains Chapter production, and being the MC means I get the best seat in the house: I get to watch a whole room of writers go from nervous to inspired over the course of a single day. Whether you're chasing your first byline or your fifteenth book, come. Registration is open, and you can reach the organizers at info@whitemountainsofapw.org.

This is where the Winners Shine

The judging is almost over for the entries in the Writing Contest. And the Writers Conference is where the winners are announcd.

The White Mountains Festival of Books — August 1

And because we clearly don't believe in resting, the very next day — August 1, in Show Low — is the White Mountains Festival of Books, another one our chapter is proud to host. Authors, readers, booths, conversations, and that particular magic that happens when a community turns out to celebrate the written word. If you're an author looking to connect with readers face to face, there are few better afternoons all year. If you're a reader, come find me. I will absolutely talk your ear off about barrel racers.

Save the Date: "Write It — Publish It — Voice It — Sell It" Webinar, October 3