Summer of '14 — Passing Quickly

I can certainly see the truth in the old cliche about time passing more swiftly as you age. Seems like summer began only days ago, and here we are with August on the doorstep,  and kids preparing to reenter the classrooms. I guess that makes me officially old.

Not to worry, we can attend the following FWA writers groups to take our minds off the swift passage of time. Enjoy!

• If you hear a high-pitched hum emanating from Fernandina Beach's Marina Seafood Restaurant around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, then you'll know the Amelia Island Writers group is in session and listening to Bill Reynolds. Bill owns High Pitched Hum Publishing, and will talk about his publishing business and answer any question. Contact Maggie deVries, maggie1948@yahoo.com, for details.
• River City Writers meet on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. inside the SE Branch Library off Gate Parkway. Gregg Golson and Melissa Koscluszko lead the group. Contact Gregg for more information: gtgolson@comcast.net.
• Rik Feeney makes a return visit to the Ancient City Writers meeting on Saturday, August 16 to talk about audio books and how to add them to your product line. The meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Main Library. Rik is a book coach, speaker and author of more than 60 books, reports and CDs.
• Orange Park-based writer Dan Briggs joins his fellow writers at the Clay County Writers group on Wednesday, August 20, to present a talk titled, "Confessions of a Writer: Comparing Notes with Colleagues." Because of early voting, the meeting venue has been moved to Vino Java Brew House, 636 Kingsley Avenue, at 6:15 p.m. Maureen Jung has more details. Contact her at mjung@wordspringconsulting.com.
• You'll want to hear how a nice girl like Linda Foley became entangled in a life of crime. Or
  
  should we say Dr. Linda Foley. Linda is a forensic psychologist who used her years of on-the-job experiences to write her first mystery, A Taste of Vengeance, featuring, what else?—a forensic psychologist. She will explain how forensic psychology can assist in investigations. Linda is the guest speaker at the Ponte Vedra Writers meeting on Saturday, August 23 at the Ponte Vedra Library. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. And because of early voting, the meeting room will shift to the smaller PGA TOUR Conference Room, so come early to get a good seat. 

And thanks to Kimberly Smith for filling in for group leader DiGenti, who will be attending the Killer Nashville Conference.

• Kimberly will be busy as her Jax Youth Writers group returns to the SE Branch Library. They'll meet from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on August 21st. She's also added an extra meeting date per month. Beginning next month they will meet the first and third Thursdays, with the first Thursday devoted to group projects and critique sessions. The third Thursday meeting will feature a speaker and writing exercise. Thanks to Amy Maughan for stepping forward to assist Kimberly. For more information, contact Kimberly at kmsmithwrites@gmail.com.
• Jim Weinsier's Nassau Youth Writers group continues to move forward with special projects and an abundance of enthusiasm. They meet on the first and third Tuesdays at the Peck Center in Fernandina Beach. Contact Jim at jimmyfw@bellsouth.net, for time and details.
• And finally, visit the First Coast Christian Writers each Thursday at their meeting place at the Webb-Wesconett Library at 6:45 p.m. They are an affiliate of FWA.

In other news:

• Florida Sisters in Crime is celebrating a "Decade of Crime" with two special workshops and luncheon at the UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center on Saturday, August 2nd. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author CJ Lyons is the guest of honor, and presents a workshop titled, "Kills, Chills & Thrills," from 10:00 a.m. to noon. After lunch there will be a workshop on marketing and selling your books. Reservations are no long being accepted, but find out more about Florida Sisters in Crime here.
• Here's the good news: you still have time to take advantage of the early bird discount for the September 25-26 Florida Heritage Book Festival Writers Conference. The bad news? The discount flies away at midnight tonight. The conference includes Thursday's critique sessions led by Elizabeth Sims and Laura Lee Smith, and Friday's workshops by outstanding pros like John Dufresne, Sims, and Anne Dalton. Friday's conference includes the keynote luncheon with bestselling author Lisa Black. Also check out the Literary Legends Banquet on Friday night where Robin Cook will be honored, along with crime writer John D. MacDonald. If you're independently published, you might be interested in the Festival Marketplace, but hurry, only a few tables remain. Except for the banquet, it all takes place at Flagler College in the heart of St. Augustine.
• The Stars of Florida Writers converge at the FWA Annual Conference, October 23 - 26 at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary. Register today to take advantage of the early bird pricing, and attend Thursday evening workshops free of charge. There are agents and publishers galore. Great workshops. Critique opportunities, and the Royal Palm Literary Legends Awards dinner. More info and registration here.

Time's a fleeting, so it's time to get back to work. Enjoy one final word about time. 

Vic DiGenti

FWA Regional Director