Throughout the year, GCWA stayed highly visible in the community. Sixteen of our authors represented the association at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, a major event in downtown Fort Myers attended by more than 12,000 people. Their presence not only promoted local authors but strengthened GCWA’s reputation as a vibrant, active organization.

Our annual Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry Writing Contest opened to global submissions in March under the leadership of Claudia Geagan. Hundreds of applicants—from seasoned writers to emerging voices—entered their work. Nine dedicated GCWA members volunteered to judge the contest, ensuring fairness, professionalism, and thoughtful evaluation. The contest concluded on July 7th with three cash winners in each category, and the next round opened on November 1st with entries already rolling in.

Another one of our biggest accomplishments was the launch of our new GCWA website in September. Built under the volunteer creative direction of our website manager, Laura Fuller, and a dedicated volunteer GCWA committee, the site features a modern design, a fresh logo, and our new tagline: Where Writers Belong. The website is now a dynamic hub for events, membership, resources, and author showcases—and it will continue to grow in 2026.

This year also marked GCWA’s 30th anniversary, a milestone we celebrated with intention. A dedicated GCWA volunteer committee organized a special event featuring award-winning author and speaker Robert Macomber. The luncheon was a tremendous success, and in a meaningful gesture, Robert accepted a lifetime membership with GCWA.

GCWA also expanded its reach through new partnerships. In September, we formed a liaison with FGCU Academy, opening opportunities for our members to teach community-based writing classes. Several members have already applied to serve as instructors, offering GCWA both visibility and a pathway to recruit new members.

We continued to build relationships with local businesses, including Paradise Vintage Market, which now offers space for local authors to showcase and sell their books. Looking ahead, we have secured a GCWA Author Day with Annette’s Beach Book Nook on Fort Myers Beach, scheduled for March 19th, 2026.

Our monthly programs were consistently strong thanks to speaker coordinators Claudia Volkman and Charlie Valera. They brought us seminars on research, editing, book signings, mystery writing, trademark issues, publishing income, marketing strategies, and even the evolving role of AI. As they pass the baton to Lori Swick, we look forward to an exciting slate of speakers already planned for 2026.

GCWA also saw changes within our leadership. We thanked Michael Cole for his faithful service as treasurer and welcomed Mary Beth Leopold into the role.

After our Communications Director, Sheryl Stillman, resigned, the executive committee reorganized the Communications team into specialized roles for press releases, social media, and the Gazette newsletter. We are actively looking for volunteers in these areas. If you are interested, please get in touch with technical@gulfcoastwriters.org

Engagement across our digital platforms increased significantly. Our Facebook page thrived with posts, comments, and shared content from members. We encourage everyone to continue interacting—every heart and comment helps bring new writers into our community, so we can help and connect with them.

Additionally, improvements to our hybrid meetings included the purchase of new audio equipment to ensure Zoom attendees have a quality experience.

Membership also grew. Since January 1st, 2025, we have welcomed 64 new members, bringing our total membership to more than 150 writers, authors, poets, editors, and storytellers. This growth speaks volumes about the energy and connection within GCWA.

As a volunteer-run 501(c)(3), GCWA relies on the generosity and participation of its members. This year, we added the ability to donate directly through our website to support upcoming programs, equipment, and outreach efforts. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes an impact.

We closed the year by reflecting on our accomplishments and gathering in small groups to brainstorm ideas for 2026. The creativity and enthusiasm shared in that meeting showed exactly why GCWA thrives: our members care deeply about writing, community, and lifting one another up.

Thank you for your time, your talent, and your dedication. With your participation, GCWA continues to grow into a community that truly embodies our promise: