Tis the season

It's happened again. The twelfth month of the year crept through the back door while I wasn't looking. With the holidays rushing in, let's get right to it and unwrap the December meeting packages. Take notes, please, because there may be a test at the end of the class period.

• River City Writers meet on the second Tuesday of the month, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the SE Branch Library. Gregg Golson is the keeper of the details.
• On Saturday, December 16 the Ancient City Writers will host their annual holiday party with a panel of local members discussing issues of interest to writers. This will be followed by a raffle and holiday refreshments. All are encouraged to bring business cards and other promo materials to share. The party starts at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Main Library.
• Due to some scheduling mishap involving the fact the library is closed on our reguar meeting date, the Ponte Vedra Writers meeting will also be held on Saturday, December 16, 10:30 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Library. We will repeat the popular Open Mic program and offer holiday refreshments. If you have a page or two from one of your writing projects, complete or not, you are welcome to take the stage and share it with the crew. We promise no rude remarks will be heard, only lots of enthusiastic support, but I'd appreciate advance warning if you wish to participate or bring a goodie to share. Email me now. 
• We're assuming the Clay County Writers will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 20 at 6:15 p.m. at the Orange Park Library. Maureen Jung will know for sure.
• Writers by the Sea is in the holiday spirit with a coffee house type meeting on Thursday, December 21 at the Amelia Island Museum of History. Any writer who wishes to read one of their works can sign up at the door. And group leader Nadine Vaughan says if you feel adventurous, you may dress up as your character. The fun starts at 6:00 p.m., especially if your character is a dragon.

And in other legitimate news:

• Because of a demand for print issues of FWA's official magazine, The Florida Writer, members will now be able to subscribe to a print edition. A full-color PDF version will still be emailed to all members free of charge, but starting with the February 2018 issue, a grayscale print version will be availble for a charge. The annual subscription for all six issues costs $44, plus tax and shipping. A single issue will cost you $7.00 plus tax and shipping. Check the most recent issue for details or click here. 
• The Florida Authors and Publishers Association has opened submissions for its 2018 FAPA President's Book Awards. The awards cover 43 categories and the early bird deadline is February 28, 2018. Click here for details.
• The Florida Book Awards are open for submissions through January 13. The website has all the details.

Here's wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday of your choosing. 

Vic

Vic DiGenti

FWA Executive Vice President