We're inching closer and closer to the annual Florida Writers Conference, October 18 - 21. All of you who are members of the Procrastinator's Association need to make your move to the conference website and register now to participate in this outstanding conference experience. Don't miss out on three days of illuminating workshops and panels, pitch sessions with editors, publishers, and agents, and the opportunity to meet New York Times bestselling authors Linda Fairstein and Heather Graham. Not to mention the day-long Celebrity Workshp with Chuck Sambuchino, and the Royal Palm Literary Awards Banquet.
And after you complete your registration, read on to see what we have in store for NE Florida writers in September.
- The River City Writers return to the SE Branch Library on Tuesday, September 11 at 7PM. Group leader Gregg Golson has more information.
- The Ancient City Chapter of the Florida Writers Association will meet on Saturday, September 15 at 10AM at St. Augustine's Main Library. Michael Ray King will explore two areas of concern for writers: First, how to create a powerful first draft; and secondly, boosting your marketing skills by becoming a better public speaker. King is an award-winning author, book coach, publisher, and founder of the Inspired Mic. Note that access to the Main Library has changed to U. S. 1 only.
- Fresh from summer vacation, the Clay County Writers gather once more at the Clay County Public Library to hear Elaine Smith discuss "Life Upon the Wicked Stage: What Playwriters Need to Know." Elaine is the founder and artistic director of the Clamour Theatre Company, as well as a playwrite, actor, and director. The meeting begins at 6:15PM.
- G. W. "Bill" Reynolds is the guest speaker at the Thursday, September 20 meeting of Writers by the Sea, assembling at 6PM at the Amelia Island Museum of History in Fernandina Beach. Bill is a familiar face on the First Coast, a prolific author, cooperative publisher, and former owner of Books Plus. Bill will show how he pulls readers into his story with his presentation, "Enthuse Your Readers with Your Story."
- Del Kiernan-Lewis returns to the Ponte Vedra Library to motivate the Ponte Vedra Writers into becoming better marketers of their books. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at 10:30AM, and will cover many of the basics of book marketing, as well as use of social media. Del is the publisher and editor of San Marco Press and works with authors as an editor, social media marketing advisor, and consultant to independent publishing.
In other news ...
- Cheryl Roman is stepping down after six years as leader of the Serivilous Panerians critique group. Rod Sullivan is taking over as the group leader and they are seeking new members. They meet at the Regency Panera on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5:00 to 7:00PM. If you're interested, please contact Rod at rodsullivan@me.com. Cheri has recently joined the FWA Board and launched two new books, all of which will keep her busy.
- The NE Florida chapter of Sisters in Crime will meet on the second Saturday, instead of its usual first Saturday of the month meeting. On September 8 at 10AM, the group will hear from JSO Detective Bart Smith discussing Hazardous Devices. They meet at the SE Regional Library on Deerwood Park Blvd.
- The Florida Heritage Book Festival has added an extra day to their September event, starting on Thursday, September 13 with Janice Hardy's full day workshop, "How to Turn Your Idea into a Novel." The next day is the writer conference, featuring workshops and talks by Laura Lee Smith, Jeff Klinkenberg, James O'Born, Robert McComber, and others. That evening's Legends Reception will honor Tim Dorsey. Each of those events will take place at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort. Saturday, September 15 is the Festival marketplace and free book festival at the Flagler College Student Center. For information on all of this and more, please click here.
I'll leave you with a quote by an obscure writer I recently discovered:
"I’ve always thought of reading and writing as addictive behavior. Once they’ve hooked you, they’ll never let you go." ~ Parker Francis
Cheers.
Vic
Vic DiGenti
FWA Regional Director
