Followers

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Write on time

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There's no time like the present to get your writing life in order. With the final quarter of 2009 ahead of us, there's still time to complete whatever project you're working or start a new one. To send out those query letters and to sign up for the annual FWA Conference.

One of the Keynote Speakers this year is James O. Born, pictured, the award-winning mystery writer who recently published his first SF novel. It should be interesting to hear how he juggles the two genres and why he decided to write a science-fiction novel. Born, a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), will also do a workshop on Backstory and how to use it effectively. Click here for a listing of the complete Conference Workshop Schedule. Remember you have to be a member to attend, so take the time to join or renew that membership and then sign up because it's chock-full of high level workshops and sessions.



There's also a full slate of editors, agents and publishers waiting for your pitch. Visit the website for complete details and registration information.


FWA Meetings for October:

  • First Coast Christian Writers meet every Thursday night at 6:45 p.m. at Christ's Church on Greenland Road. This week's speaker is April Broussard a social media consultant, speaker, and workshop facilitator. The group also conducts writing critiques after the speaker.
  • The River City Writers meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the SE Regional Library at 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. Contact group leader Gregg Golson, gtgolson@comcast.net, for more information on this month's meeting, Tuesday, October 13.
  • St. Augustine's Ancient City Writers chapter has an intriguing program set for Saturday, October 17 at 10:15 a.m. at the Main Library at 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. If you're already published or about to be published you might want to learn more about "The Business of Being a Writer." This panel discussion will look at various aspects of preparing yourself, promoting yourself, and selling books.
  • Moving north to the Amelia Island Writers, group leader Maggie de Vries reports that author Pat Van Dorn, When Evils Converge, will be the speaker. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Florida House Inn in Fernandina Beach. Contact Maggie at maggie1948@yahoo.com for details.
  • Have you ever wondered what it's like to write with a collaborator? And what if your co-author was your spouse? Is this double the pleasure or double the trouble? Marie and Mac Vernon are a writing couple (apparently still married) who have co-authored two true crime books, Deadly Lust and Deadly Crime. They'll share the pros and cons of the co-author relationship at the next Ponte Vedra Writers meeting, Saturday, October 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Library. Note that the meeting falls on the last Saturday this month because of the FWA Conference on the 24th.
Other area meetings:
  • The Florida First Coast Sisters in Crime chapter meets this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the SE Regional Library. Guest speaker is Richard Orsini, a Board Certified, court qualified, Forensic Document Examiner. Orsini has worked over 700 cases in 41 states and foreign countries. They'll also be taking nominations for new officers for 2010. Contact Pam Wells, Wellspmw@aol.com, for details.
  • The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) is meeting on Saturday, October 17 from 1-3, at the Southeast Regional Library. Local author Jennifer Swanson will speak on Securing an Online Presence. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janet Walter at jgwalter@comcast.net.
  • North Florida Writers meet at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10 at the Webb-Wesconnett Library on 103rd Street. Contact Howard Denson, hd3nson@hotmail.com, for more info.
On the horizon, look for a joint meeting of the Ancient City Writers and Ponte Vedra Writers in December on the 19th in St. Augustine. This will be a combined holiday celebration of writing. More to follow.

Until next time,

Vic

Victor DiGenti
FWA Regional Director