​About Us - The People of Marco Island Writers

joanne.tailelle@gmail.com

Betsy Perdichizzi

Assist. Treasurer    

​​​​​​​​Jennie Weckelman

Secretary & Newsletter Editor

Our Beginning

​The Founding of Marco Island Writers was in the spring of 2011. As a Marco Island resident and writer Gwen was involved in writing her first book. She felt the need for some direction and encouragement from other experienced writers. Knowing that the island has a creative heartbeat, she decided to try to form a small group of writers. Gwen distributed flyers to area businesses and the library and asked editors of local newspapers to include the information in their clubs and organizations listings announcing the formation of the monthly Marco Writers Networking Group. With approval from the local library, a meeting room was reserved and two people attended the first monthly meeting held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. More marketing of the group and word of mouth led to two different people attending the July, 2011 meeting. In the meantime, the publicity was seen around town and Gwen started getting phone calls of interest and email contacts. She started an email distribution list notifying "members" of upcoming meetings and speakers. On a rainy third meeting night in August, 2011, nine people attended and extra chairs were gathered for the diverse, enthusiastic writers. A special guest speaker, a New York Bestselling author was scheduled for September 14th in a larger room at the library and the group was on its way, with a request by members for a longer meeting time. The October meeting was held at the group's new home, the Fifth Third Bank community room on Elkcam. The group continued to grow to sixty members on the list and thirty attending monthly through "season" and the group held its one year anniversary in June 2012. 

Our Anthology, we endeavor to produce one book every two years to showcase our members' work.

Dr. Dolores Burton,

Young Writers Chair​

Ruth Johaningsmeir

Webmaster

​Rich Goldhaber, 

Farmer's Market Chair

Paulene Hayton

Treasurer


Gwen DeCrow, Founder / Past President, ​Retired

Joanne Tailele 

Past President 

Dr. ​​Michael Meguid

VP & Anthology Chair

New President

and Volunteers Wanted

We are committed to making MIW the best networking and resource for all our local writers. Our main focus is to network with other writers and authors, support each other in our writing endeavors, and grow in our craft. Meetings are typically broken into two segments. The first, brief part is club business & announcements. The second part can be a speaker, workshop or both. Speakers might be local authors, publicists, lawyers, or editors. Sometimes we do Flash Fiction​from a prompt, authors may read their work, or we break into small groups to discuss topics or critiques.


​We encourage writers of all genres and skill levels to join us. Whether they only have a  bright idea for the next great American novel,  or if already a published author, we believe each will find a home here among other writers that share the passion for the written word. Together, we can work through the ever-changing maze of our craft. From the creative stages of writing to the grueling part of the editing, re-writes (and re-writes), and publication, we are here for you all the way. Come and join us. Annual Membership $57.00 per year, $55 if you pay by check. Family memberships are $85.00.  Please contact marcoislandwriters@gmail.com for details ​or download the application here. Half-year memberships are available after June 1st.

  • Members' published books are featured on this website. Go direct to The Little Bookshop Library.
  • Every two years or so we solicit offerings from our members for the Anthology, a unique collection of beginning through experienced authors.
  • Members also enjoy entry to all meetings plus free or discounted fees to all special events. 
  • MIW is a member of the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce,
  • All of our members enjoy Reciprocity with Gulf Coast and Pine Island Writers for their events and meetings.
  • MIW publishes a newsletter once a month to Members, free,
  • A streamlined version is sent to nearly 200 guests & visitors.
  • First time visitors are always FREE at our meetings. Returning guests & visitors must pay $10.00 at the door for speaker/workshop meetings.
  • We look forward to growing as an organization and giving back to the community through our books and sponsorship of students with an interest in writing.