After many months of living under a dark cloud, sunlight has finally burst through bringing with it fresh hopes and promises of normalcy. Most of our libraries have opened the doors to their meeting rooms, and life is returning to normal. So, let's see what the immediate future has in store for NE Florida writers.
- Change has become a way of life in the past year, and it continues with the Clay County Writers. Melanie Pronia has accepted the group leader position in place of the departing Paula Hilton. Thanks to Paula who had a brief tenure at the helm before everything was shut down last March, and thanks to Melanie for stepping up. She is the author of six novels and has moved quickly by first securing a new meeting venue and scheduling her first meeting. The group will meet for an introductory session on Wednesday, June 16 at 6:15 p.m. at the Orange Park Senior Center, 414 Stowe Avenue. Contact Melanie for more information about the meetings. Her email address is melanie@melaniespronia.com.
- St. Augustine's Ancient City Writers will hold its first in-person meeting at the Main Library on Saturday, July 17. Rik Feeney will address "Media Kits That Work." More info next month.
- The River City Writers group will kick off its in-person meetings in September. Watch this space for more news.
- Some of you have been regular participants in the Zoom sessions I've presented for the past year, and all are invited for my last scheduled virtual meeting on Saturday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m. Award-winning author Nancy Cohen will show us how easy it is to turn our books into audiobooks using the Amazon ACX program. Audiobook sales are booming and you can be among authors streaming their books out to thousands of eager listeners. Nancy, who will be part of the faculty at this year's Florida Writers Conference, is the author of the Bad Hair cozy mystery series. She's written 16 books in that series, as well as fantasy romances and nonfiction. Use the following link to participate in the June 26 meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83582105785?pwd=R3BORFpiYk9ibCtvVXpqVDFDM3ZYdz09 Meeting ID: 835 8210 5785Passcode: 183545
- Amelia Island Writers group meets Tuesday, June 29, 3-5 pm, at the Story and Song Bookstore in Amelia Park. Award-winning historical fiction authors Nancy Blanton and JR Sharp discuss "Methods in Research." They write historically with confidence backed by meticulous attention to detail. This program is applicable to any genre, as we strive to be accurate in our settings, backstory, and with our characters.
And in other news ...
- If you want to write modern romance that makes the readers blush, you might want to join Rik Feeney's Orlando Area Zoom meeting tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. Author AJ Robinson will discuss the different levels of erotic and power exchange and which are right for you, as well as what to avoid. Use this link to join the Zoom meeting: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85364073400?pwd%3DYzNlRTlzQzE2TndPZkUyZTY2dmJmQT09&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2Q6zn8sXU9Zyyc2x0S4ftB
- Also tomorrow night, FAPA, the Florida Authors & Publishers Association, presents "Designing Your Book Like A Pro" with publisher/designer Ginger Marks and designer/artist Elizabeth Babski. Email FAPA President Pat Stanford at pat.stanford@myfapa.org if you wish to attend.
- And speaking of FAPA, they will hold their annual conference, FAPACon 2021, next month, July 30-31 at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. Steve Berry is a keynoter, and the FAPA Book Awards dinner will be that Saturday evening. Click here for details.
- Kudos to prolific author Edward Mickolus on the publication of his 43rd book, I Matter Too! Finding Meaning in Your Life at Any Age. This is volume two in the series he co-authored with Harlan Rector.
- FWA's Florida Writers Conference is back, celebrating FWA's 20th Anniversary with 75 workshops and panels, eight agents, and new offerings like a poetry slam, a First Night Meet the Agents Panel, Elevator Pitch Training, and more. Visit the site for more information and registration details.
Vic
Vic DiGenti
FWA Regional Director
