Writers’ Morning Out was founded in 2010 by Al Manning, Regional Rep Emeritus, ( & The Resident Curmudgeon). Throughout its history, WMO has met monthly to serve writers from Chatham and Lee Counties, NC. Ahead of each meeting attendees enjoy lunch and camaraderie at various restaurants in Pittsboro, NC.

In 2020, Writers Morning Out expanded to include writers from Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Stanly Counties and beyond.

Past programs such topics as Flash Fiction, Beginnings and Endings, Use of Backstory, Self-editing, Marketing, and Small Press Publishing. In addition, we have several annual events—Poetry Zoo in which we take a close look at two or three poems, Ultra-Flash Fiction Contest in which the three-hundred or less word entries must contain only one-syllable words, Holiday Open Mic, in which members may read theirs or someone’s short work or poem, and the ever-popular Slush Pile, in which a panel of editors and agents decide whether they would continue to read a second page or reject the manuscript outright.

During the pandemic we have met online and added two other monthly events:  Writers Discuss Writing, in which attendees can discuss whatever might be on their minds, and Writers Discuss Craft, in which Tracy Crow presents various elements of craft.

Currently, WMO is headed by Carol Phillips, Regional Rep for Chatham and Lee counties. Helping her are Tracy Crow, Regional Rep for Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Stanly counties, plus, Tom Dow, Al Manning, Caren Stuart, Jody Savage, Judith Stanton.

Special thanks to Dolly Dozier Sickles for our lovely graphic. And to Graham Bird, whose generosity, expertise, and patience enabled this website to be created.