November brings to mind the annual Thanksgiving holiday, but did you know that every day is a celebration of some National Day and usually numerous ones daily. For example, we began this month on November 1 with not one but twelve National Days. They included National Brush Day, National Calzone Day, National Deep Fried Clams Day, National Vinegar Day, and my favorite, National Authors' Day.
Throughout the month you can celebrate National Housewive's Day, National Men Make Dinner Day, National Vanilla Cupcake Day, National Absurdity Day, and the list goes on and on. But today, and throughout the month, we'll celebrate FWA NE Florida Meeting Day, so let's get started.
- River City Writers group leader Kathy Bain continues her virtual meetings, bringing exceptional authors to Jax via Zoom. This month on Tuesday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. you may tune in for a presentation by author, vocalist, Delorean owner, and retired police officer Brian Paone. Brian speaks on "Beware of the Procrastination Demons," and you may join the Zoom meeting by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78702645782?pwd=ekRLbEpJOGtWbFUzNjZkbnNIRE5RZz09 Meeting ID: 787 0264 5782 Passcode: jUV40V
- After a successful "Halloween" meeting at the Old Jail in Green Cove Springs, the Clay County Writers return to the Orange Park Senior Center (414 Stowe Avenue in Orange Park) on Wednesday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. Group leader Melanie Pronia reports this will be a brainstorming session with updates of current writing projects by group members. You don't have to be a senior to attend—all are invited.
- Thinking of committing a little espionage? Then you might want to attend the Ancient City Writers meeting on Saturday, November 20, 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Main Library. Longtime CIA employee and prolific author Dr. Edward Mickolus will present "Spycraft for Thriller Writers" offering tips on how you can make your espionage thrillers more accurate and not get laughed at by intelligence professionals.
- It may not be a "National Day," but on Saturday, November 27, the Ponte Vedra Writers celebrate the return of the Annual Open Mic Day. This is the day when you take the stage and share your latest WIP or other work of fiction, nonfiction or poetry with your peers. Depending on the number of readers each person should have at least seven minutes to impress us with your talent. This will also be the last meeting of 2021 for us, so let's come together and celebrate the holidays. The Open Mic meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. If you're planning to be one of our speakers, please RSVP with an email to vicdig@mac.com.
- Head to the Story & Song Bookstore Bistro in Fernandina Beach for the November 30 meeting of the Amelia Island Writers. This will be a holiday-themed Open Mic session of sorts. Group leader Marla McDaniel tells us this is a time to share funny holiday stories, favorite memories, even embarrassing moments. Write it up in a 750-word piece—it can be any holiday and must be G-rated. Then read it to the group. Sounds like fun! The meeting runs from 3:00 to 5:00 on the 30th.
And now for the rest of the story...
- NE Florida Sisters in Crime meets this Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the SE Regional Branch Library on Deerwood Park Blvd. off Gate Parkway to hear from a member of the court on "The Effects of Technology on Trials." The group is for both crime writers and readers.
- Nate Hoffhelder continues his FWA blog posts on newsletters for writers with his latest on "How and When to Clean Up your Subscriber's List." Click here to read it.
- If you missed the Royal Palm Literary Awards virtual presentation, you can find all the winners here.
- The inexhaustible Edward Mickolus, whose motto is "Write like your life depends on it," has published the 19th in a series of chronologies of international and domestic terrorist attacks. Terrorist Attacks Worldwide 2019-2020 is available now from Amazon books.
- Gainesville's Hippodrome Theatre is accepting submissions for its 2022 playwright festival. Submissions of complete scripts must be received by December 3, 2021. Visit the website for Submission Guidelines.
- Delaware author John Riddle identifies himself as, among other things, a freelance author, ghostwriter, and donut eater. He's also the founder of I Love to Write Day each November 15, where writers across the nation reach out to share the joy of writing with others. Here's the link for more information.
- If I send this out in a timely manner and you're so motivated, you may join Rik Feeny's Zoom webinar tonight, Wednesday, November 3, with Jane Wood. She'll share her experiences of marketing and selling books to schools. Her presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. Click on this link to join the fun. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89767599938 Meeting ID: 897 6759 9938.
- The Masters Review is hosting its first Novel Excerpt contest. Excerpts of a max of 6,000 words must be from a previously unpublished work and from any point in the novel. The winner receives $3,000 and online publication. Of course, there's an entrance fee. Learn more here.
- Tickets are on sale for the Amelia Island Book Festival's VIP Gala featuring celebrity authors David Baldacci, Mary Alice Monroe, Jennifer Niven, and Jeanette Walls. Ticket information may be found on the website.
- Congratulations to Lezlee Peterzell-Bellanich, a part-time St. Augustine resident, on the upcoming publication of her book Saved By A Stranger: Life-Changing Journeys of Transplant Patients. Lezlee wrote this book while awaiting her husband's liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and interviewed other transplant patients. Her first book launch signing will be at the Marriott on the Mayo Clinic campus on Friday, November 12.
Since today is National Sandwich Day I have to hustle and send this post along before lunch.
Happy Days to you,
Vic
Vic DiGenti
FWA Regional Director
