Business

1. Welcome and introductions
2. HWA News
   1. HWA sponsors Creepaway Camp 2026.
      1. June 29 – July 3, 2026 in Colorado Springs, CO
   2. HWA announces final ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards®.
      1. Past guest speaker Wendy Wagner was nominated for Superior Achievement in Novel with Girl in the Creek (Tor Nightfire.)
   3. HWA Scholarship from Hell applications open March 15 through April 15, 2026.
      1. “receive domestic coach airfare (contiguous 48 states) to and from the StokerCon venue, $50 for luggage reimbursement, a three night stay at the convention, free registration to StokerCon, and as many workshops as you’d like to attend!”
   4. Monday, March 16 was the last day to apply for Local Author Fair at Beaverton City Library on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
   5. Carol Gyzander stepped down as Chapter Program Manager Chair and Michael Williams is the new Chair.
   6. Funding for chapters continues through the next fiscal year (ending March 2027.)
   7. Richard is submitting monthly chapter updates to the HWA Newsletter and meeting minutes to an online HWA repository.
   8. HWA Oregon members should update their Wild Apricot profile to make Oregon their chapter.
      1. Also fill out the ACA questionnaire.
3. Upcoming March & April Chapter Events
   1. Next book club meeting: Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. on Google Meet to discuss Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
   2. April book: Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall
   3. Quarterly Writing Workshop: Sunday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m. on Google Meet
   4. Next chapter meeting: Sunday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. on Google Meet with Associate Agent Valentina Sainato (JABberwocky)
   5. Book Club meeting: Sunday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall
   6. Renaissance Fair – Saturday, 06/20/2026 in Canby, OR
   7. Organizing next reading and looking at venues in Portland

Member News & Announcements

1. H. A. Spector joined a comedy improv class.
2. Dan Finnegan reached 40K words in his novel.
3. Several members had flash fiction recently published in Weird Fiction Quarterly: Artificial Intelligence.

Guest Speaker FZ Boda

• Bio: “FZ Boda (they/he) is the founder and editor-in-chief of Moonstruck Books. With almost 30 years of experience in publishing, journalism, and editorial, Fozzie has worked on both sides of the indie-traditional fence. Fozzie has read slush for more than a dozen indie literary mags, collaged countless riot grrl zines, launched a few magazines and newspapers, and edited for Big 4 imprints. Moonstruck Books represents Fozzie’s belief that publishing and book-making is an art unto itself, and that publishers should work hand in hand with authors to create meaningful work that demolishes cultural norms.“
• FZ Boda answered pre-submitted questions and provided an insightful presentation about indie publishing. They provided suggestions for anyone trying to break into publishing. For example, they suggested volunteering to read slush for journals and magazines to learn more about how you can improve your own submissions. Along with an overview of indie and traditional publishing while pointing out differences, similarities, and realities, Fozzie shared their experience launching an indie press in the Pacific Northwest. Finally, they provided several recommendations, including the books A People’s Guide to Publishing: Updated and Expanded by Joe Biel and Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving by Courtney Maum, and a call for indie authors to empower themselves, ask embarrassing questions, and seek advice from mentors.