News and Notes

Norman Galaxy of Writers

Letter to Members and Friends from Judith Coker, President of Galaxy

 June 16, 2026

Dear Friends and Members of Galaxy,

Thanks for your interest in and support of Galaxy. Because our June meeting last Saturday was eventful and full of new ideas, I wanted to share some opportunities for you to engage with Galaxy in some new ways. We discussed and voted on five specific ideas our Board discussed in April that were also reviewed in an article by Mary Payne in the May WriteLine.

Dan Snell, our Vice-President-Elect, proposed Galaxy periodically incorporate a “round table discussion format” into our meeting series. The motion passed. We hope to hold such a style meeting in September or October, giving our attendees a chance to discuss their own projects and approaches to writing. If this benefits members, we will continue the practice as needed.

Mary Payne, Vice-President for Programs, proposed starting a monthly program to pair writing support partners. Being accountable to another writer is a good way to support steady progress and the pairing can be used as the monthly partners decide. Participation can occur as needed by members. Each month members would be newly paired by the President/Meeting Chair. The motion passed and this practice will commence at the July 2026 meeting. Please be present to participate.

Judith Coker, President, presented a discussion on the current status of our yearly contest (yearly winner lists available on our website). Participation the past few years, persons to chair the contest, and the availability of judges were discussed. A motion to suspend the contest for this year (2026) was made and passed, resulting in the formation of a committee to investigate how best to move forward with a contest. The committee will report back to us at the October 2026 meeting. If you would like to serve on this committee, please notify me by June 20th. At this time, we have a committee of 4-5 persons.

Dan Snell also proposed Galaxy produce an anthology of member writings in addition to or in lieu of an annual contest, giving members a chance to see their work in publication. Because this is a complex project, the motion to form a special committee to investigate this possibility was proposed. The motion passed and the Chair solicited members to work on this project. If you would like to serve on this committee, please notify me by June 20th. At this time, the committee has two members. 

Finally, Mary Payne presented current practices and desired changes in our Critique-a-Thons. We have held these every one or two months at the Norman West Library on Saturday mornings as time and space permitted. Mary proposed we find a place to have our Critique-a-Thon monthly on a regular basis. The motion to do so was made and passed. We will let you know the outcome.

Galaxy, Norman’s longest-running writers’ group, welcomes your input. We want to support your creative life and adapt to the changing needs in our community. It has been both a pleasure and a challenge to be this year’s President, and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, July 11th, at the Well. You can reach me at judithcoker77@gmail.com

Warm regards—write on!

Judith Coker