Potluck-Style Christmas Party at Miami Ave Wine Bar in Indian Rocks Beach

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FWA ST. PETE!

We're very excited about our holiday celebration in December. We hope you'll be able to join us.
Here's everything you need to know, including what to bring (and what not to):

Potluck-Style Christmas Party at Miami Ave Wine Bar

When: Thurs, Dec 14th at 6 PM

Where: Miami Ave Wine Bar (LIKE them on FB)
311 1st Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 (parking and entrance around back)

Who to Bring: FWA and non-members welcome
Spouse or Significant Other- Yes
Friends Who Enjoy Writing- Yes
Children under 18- No (infants okay)

What to Bring:
-Side dish to share

-Cash for the cash-only bar (sodas and non-alcoholic options available)

-A book you're ready to hand off to someone else for the book exchange.

-Items for the Raffle (See "What to Bring" below)

NOTE: Please do not bring drinks
The owner of Miami Ave Wine Bar is not charging us to use her amazing venue, so please purchase beverages there WITH CASH (no credit card payments). Wine, hard liquor, mixed drinks, sodas, etc, will be available for purchase, and water will also be available for us.

What to Bring For the Silent Auction Raffle:

In preparation for next year's Silent Auction at the FWA Conference which promotes children's literacy in Florida, we're getting the baskets started. We will be holding a raffle for two $10 Starbucks gift cards plus a bunch of other fun stuff!

How to enter the raffle: Good items to donate would be books you've written, candles, "like new" books, new DVDs, wine stoppers, wine glasses or poolside wine glasses, wine openers, French presses, or coffee grinders, wine decanters or some things for an exercise or a cooking themed basket. Each donation receives one entry but EACH BOTTLE OF WINE DONATED WILL RECEIVE FOUR TICKETS! (A good place to get nice bottles that are still cost-effective is Trader Joe's).

Why: Win free stuff, eat good food, drink the best wine, and celebrate the holidays all while networking with local writers. Plus there is some great stuff at the Wine Bar and Art Gallery if you're looking for Christmas gifts.

Any questions? Need ideas for a side dish?

Feel free to email me at fwastpete@gmail.com

What's the Secret to Becoming a Best Seller?

For our Thursday, Nov 9th Meeting, author & owner of Soul Attitude Press John Rehg will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: The Untold, Amazing, Shocking! Secret Formula for Becoming a Bestselling Author Finally Revealed

Details: Scamming the Dream - how others promise you the moon as long as you pay them. Includes an open discussion about writing and publishing.

BIO:

JOHN REHG has been writing and rewriting since 2006, after taking 30 years off to pursue a career. He's still working, fitting in writing at odd times of day or night. After getting several short stories published in various anthologies, he started his own publishing business, Soul Attitude Press, to control the revenue on his stories as well as to help others realize their dream of holding their own book in their hands. He has published his own short fiction and non-fiction, and has helped others publish their stories. His novel is currently in its second revision, which he hopes to complete this year.

www.soulattitudepress.com

Seeking New Leader for FWA St. Pete

Looking to Volunteer? Become a Writers Group Leader!

A note from WGL Bria Burton:
It's been my privilege to serve FWA as a Writers Group Leader since January 2015. As of December 1st, I will be stepping down from the position. I'm hoping that someone else will be willing to step up!
Is that you? If you (or multiple people as co-leaders) are interested in becoming the St. Pete Writers Group Leader, please email me at fwastpete@gmail.com. Or if you simply have questions about what the position entails, feel free to email me as well. There are benefits, too, like receiving a discount at the Annual FWA Conference. I can help the new person (or people) smoothly transition into the role. So don't hesitate to contact me!

Talking Points - Writing Great Dialogue in June

For our Thursday, June 8th Meeting, author and musician
Ricko Donovan will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: Talking Points - Writing Great Dialogue

BIO: 

RICKO DONOVAN is an award-winning singer/songwriter who plays a variety of stringed instruments, a hammered dulcimer virtuoso, silent film composer, and a critically acclaimed novelist. His debut novel Sunnyville made Nashville Lifestyle Magazine’s 2014 Summer Reading List Picks. His second novel, The Broken Promised Land, begun in 1994, was completed and published in 2015.

Website: www.rickodonovan.com

14 Ways to Find More Writing Time in May

For our Thursday, May 11th Meeting, authors of Now SC Press Liza Garcia and Shirley Jump will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: 14 Ways to Find More Writing Time

BIO: 

LIZA GARCIA of Now SC Press is a C-level executive mom who has supported her employees, her former husband, and her children fully with the technology company she founded in Seattle for more than fifteen years. She has two published books and recently completed a nationwide book signing tour for Barnes & Noble and speaks regularly to business professionals.

SHIRLEY JUMP is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She's published more than 60 books in 24 languages. For author news and a booklist, visit www.shirleyjump.com. She's also a mother of two who competes in triathlons.

Website: www.nowscpress.com

Journey to Publication with Cheryl Hollon in April

For our Thursday, April 13th Meeting, author Cheryl Hollon will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: My Journey to Publication

BIO: CHERYL HOLLON writes full time after leaving an engineering career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India. Fulfilling a lifetime dream, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind the house, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass artworks. Cheryl is an officer of the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. A mystery conference addict, she regularly attends SleuthFest in Florida, Malice Domestic in DC, Thrillerfest in NYC, and Magna Cum Murder in Indianapolis, IN. You will also find her at Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon, wherever they are being held. Cheryl and her husband live in St. Petersburg, FL in a 1920’s Craftsman Bungalow.

Website: www.cherylhollon.com

Live Critique at FWA St. Pete February Meeting

For our Thursday, February 9th Meeting, writers are welcome to join us for a Live Critique Session. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: One Page Critique
Moderator: Bria Burton

What to bring: A singe page of your novel, short story, or other writing (double-spaced, up to 250 words)
Who can participate: First-come first-serve, members and non-members

What will the critique look like:

• After the author reads their page, the critique will open up to the audience
• Audience will be encouraged to provide positive feedback and constructive criticism in combination
• Author will not be allowed to talk during the critique (a buzzer will be on hand--if the author talks, they will get buzzed)
• The critique will be timed for each author. At four minutes, the timer will announce that the critique is over and the next author will be allowed to read their First Page

Does everyone have to read?

• No. But the audience will be encouraged to provide feedback, even those who choose not to read their work to the group.

Crafting Characters in January

For our Thursday, January 12th Meeting, author and former CIA agent T.J. Waters will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6:00 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: Creating a Cast of Characters Your Readers Can't Resist

BIO

Author T.J. WATERS resides in St Petersburg with his wife and their two children. He previously worked as a Senior Consultant in Intelligence Operations for U.S. Special Operations Command. Prior to that he was a Sr. Counterintelligence Analyst for U.S. Central Command, served undercover for the Central Intelligence Agency, and was Vice President for an intelligence consulting firm. He enjoyed a successful private sector career before his government service, including with Celotex Corporation, Lexis-Nexis, and BASF. Waters spent five years as an adjunct professor in the Intelligence Management and Analysis program at Eckerd College. When he's not working, he enjoys volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.

T.J.'s website: www.tjwaters.com

Potluck-Style Christmas Party at Miami Ave Wine Bar in Indian Rocks Beach

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FWA ST. PETE!

I'm very excited about our holiday celebration this week. I hope you'll be able to join us.

Here's everything you need to know, including what to bring (and what not to):

Potluck-Style Christmas Party at Miami Ave Wine Bar

When: Thurs, Dec 8th at 6 PM

Where: Miami Ave Wine Bar (LIKE them on FB)

311 1st Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 (parking and entrance around back)

Who to Bring: FWA and non-members welcome

Spouse or Significant Other- Yes

Friends Who Enjoy Writing- Yes

Children under 18- No

What to Bring: 

-Side dish to share

-A book you're ready to hand off to someone else for the book exchange.

-Donation items to enter the raffle like a bottle of wine (see DETAILS below).

NOTE: Please do not bring drinks

The owner of Miami Ave Wine Bar is not charging us to use her amazing venue, so please purchase beverages there. Wine, hard liquor, mixed drinks, sodas, etc will be available for purchase, and water will also be available for us.

Why: Win free stuff, eat good food, drink the best wine, and celebrate the holidays all while networking with local writers. Plus there is some great stuff at the Wine Bar, Book Nook, and Art Gallery if you're looking for Christmas gifts.

DETAILS:

We will be holding a raffle for two $10 Starbucks gift cards!

In preparation for next year's Silent Auction at the FWA Conference, we're getting the baskets started.

How to enter the raffle: bring donations for FWA's Silent Auction baskets to promote children's literacy in Florida. Good items to donate would be books you've written, candles, "like new" books, new DVDs, wine stoppers, wine glasses or poolside wine glasses, wine openers, French presses, or coffee grinders, wine decanters or some things for an exercise or a cooking themed basket. Each donation receives one entry but EACH BOTTLE OF WINE DONATED WILL RECEIVE FOUR TICKETS! (A good place to get nice bottles that are still cost-effective is Trader Joe's).

Any questions? Need ideas for a side dish?

Feel free to email me! I look forward to seeing you Thursday!

fwastpete@gmail.com

FWA St. Pete November 10th Meeting with Author Bonnie Paull

For our Nov. 10th Meeting, author and professor Bonnie Paull will be speaking. As usual, we'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.


Topic~ Curiosity Kills Cats, Not Writers: How to Find Inspiration and Interesting Subjects to Write About

BIO:

Bonnie E. Paull is a professor emeritus in English from the College of Alameda in California. In addition to her 40 years as a classroom teacher, she has been a dean of students, consultant, writer, researcher, and public speaker. During her years as a teacher, Ms. Paull wrote and published articles, poems, and books, reflecting her teaching experiences and her study of the history of education. Her concern for the declining quality of education, particularly in the basics, led her to establishing an award winning program for students called “The Little Red Schoolhouse for Adults.” Here her college students were able to study and learn their missing basics. Now, in her retirement, Ms. Paull has more time to devote to research, writing, and to studying music, another passion. “As much as I love good fiction, my interest as a writer is in telling real stories of real people who by their courage and persistence overcame obstacles and achieved their goals in life. They inspire us to reach for the stars.” Her most recent book, Lincoln’s Springfield Neighborhood, published by The History Press, reflects this interest.

Visit Bonnie's website: www.bonniepaullwriter.com

FWA St. Pete May 12th Meeting

For our May 12th Meeting, author Brigitte Moore will be speaking. As usual, we'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

May 12th~ A Writer's Journey from Post-War Germany to America

BIO

BRIGITTE MOORE was born and reared in Germany. She worked twenty-five years for a small Import/Export company in Long Island, NY. Apprenticing as clerk, she worked her way up to Vice President of Sales and Product Development. In this capacity she travelled across the United States, in Europe and the Far East. Now retired, she lives in Florida where she enjoys reading, writing, and Tai Chi. She has been a Hospice Volunteer for nineteen years. Brigitte is the proud grandmother of two grandsons, who inspired her memoir, Finding Home.

Her website: www.brigittedmoore.wordpress.com

Mini-Conference and Multi-Genre Author Book Signing

Writer's Nest Mini-Conference

Where: Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs

350 Northlake Blvd., Altamonte Springs, Florida, 32701-5297
Telephone: 407-830-1985

When: April 30th from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost: $89 for FWA members

$109 for non-FWA members

$54.50 for non-member guest**

To Register: www.floridawriters.net/conferences/mini-conferences/writers-nest

All-Day Workshops

• The Role of the Male Character in Today’s Stories, Larry J. Leech II & Joanne Lewis
• Short Stories, John Hope
• Creating a Fictional World, Kate Maier

Morning Workshops

• Writing for Children, Jaimie M. Engle
• Business Tools for Every Writer, W. Terry Whalin

Afternoon Workshops

• Poetry, Peter Meinke
• Writing for the Inspirational Market, Carol J. Post

Faculty who teach half-day workshops are available for 15-minute appointments when not teaching. Appointments are $25. All-day faculty will not be available for appointments.

** Available to members only. Bring a guest who isn’t a member of FWA, and your friend gets in at half the non-member price. You must include your non-member guest when you register for the mini-conference in order to qualify for this special pricing

Includes continental breakfast, lunch and snacks

FWA Multi-Genre Book Signing Event (the day after Mini-Conference)

Where: Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs

350 Northlake Blvd., Altamonte Springs, Florida, 32701-5297
Telephone: 407-830-1985

When: May 1st from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost: General admission is free

More details on the website: www.floridawriters.net/conferences/multi-genre-book-signing

Readers, come and learn about different authors, and purchase signed books. You may discover a few you have never read as well as some of your favorites.

Why go to this signing?

• 50 authors for you to meet and learn about their books
• “Author Bingo” allows you to mingle and get the chance to win a prize
• VIP readers can attend a brunch with all the authors
• 4 hours of fun to buy books and support Indie authors
• So many genres represented, from children’s to romance and everything in between

What are you waiting for? Add it to your calendar now!

General admission is absolutely free.

But if you want more perks, become a VIP Reader, and enjoy a brunch with the authors, get into the signing early, and grab some raffle tickets for cool prizes!

Join our Facebook page so you can see the excitement build!

General Admission is Free! Enjoy meeting the authors from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

While general admission is free, we would appreciate it if you’d click here to email and let us know you’re coming.

VIP Reader

Fee: $50 Includes:

• Brunch with the authors from 10:00 AM – Noon
• Early admission to the book signing room, 12:30 PM (30 minutes before the general public)
• Two raffle tickets for prizes awarded throughout the day

FWA St. Pete April Meeting

For our April 14th Meeting, Nancy Howe, the Publisher of Tampa Bay Newswire and CEO of KnowHowe, will be speaking. As usual, we'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

April 14th~ Creative Ways For Freelancers to Expand Their Customer Base

BIO

NANCY HOWE has spent the vast majority of her life in Pinellas County and began her publishing career at the St. Petersburg Times while attending USF, majoring in archaeology.  She moved on to become the Managing Editor of Art & Design News (an international graphic arts magazine), and then to Maddux Business Report in 1990 – starting out as circulation director, moving to associate publisher and then publisher for the past 14 years. When the Maddux Business Report closed in 2010, Nancy continued on as publisher of the daily NewsWire, changed the name to Tampa Bay Newswire and founded KnowHowe, a full-service writing company that offers a varied menu from blogs, to press releases, editing, web copy, ebooks and everything in between. Current client industries include not-for-profits, legal and court reporting, commercial and residential real estate, manufacturing and service industries. KnowHowe is also the publisher of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce’s publications, ‘Burg Life and St. Petersburg’s Official Visitors Guide.

Her website: www.knowhowe.biz

February FWA Meeting

For our February 11th meeting, Arch Deal will be presenting. As usual, we'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: Lessons From Skydiving

BIO:

ARCH DEAL was a long-time news anchor on WFLA-TV (Tampa, FL). Arch was also a professional pilot and a skydiver who survived a 3000-foot fall when both parachutes failed.  He returned professionally as one of 35 athletes for a national company, skydiving around the world.  Therefore, he became the CORPORATE FALL GUY (the title of his book) who added more than 5,000 more jumps, working with greats like Lite All-Star Celebrities like:  Bob Eucker, John Madden, Larry Csonka, Boog Powell, Corky Carroll, Rodney Dangerfield and others. He has made many motivational speeches, trying to inspire others to never give up.

www.corporatefallguy.com/

November FWA St. Pete Meeting

For our Nov. 12th meeting, award-winning author Ken Pelham will be presenting. As usual, we'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 6 PM. Networking/mingling begins at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Writing in the Fictional Point of View

At the 2015 Royal Palm Literary Banquet, Ken won Published Book of the Year for his non-fiction book, Out of Sight, Out of Mind. He'll be sharing his insights and expertise on point of view.

BIO

KEN PELHAM lives and writes in Maitland, Florida. His debut thriller, Brigands Key, won first place in the Florida Writers Association's Royal Palm Literary Awards and was published in hardcover in 2012 by Cengage/Five Star Mystery. The ebook edition was released in 2013. His BK prequel, Place of Fear, also a first place winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award, hit the electronic shelves as an ebook in 2013, and the wood shelves in softcover in 2014. Short stories by Ken, available for e-readers on Amazon.com, include: "Tales of Old Brigands Key," three short stories about the sordid and unseemly past of little Brigands Key; "Treacherous Bastards: Stories of Suspense, Deceit, and Skullduggery," three stories in the Hitchcock tradition, including one about Brigands Key; "A Double Shot of Fright: Two Stories of Horror," two chilling short stories guaranteed to cause loss of sleep.

Ken has penned two nonfiction books on the craft of writing: Out of Sight, Out of Mind: A Writer’s Guide to Mastering Viewpoint, and Great Danger: A Writer’s Guide to Building Suspense.

Website: www.kenpelham.com

Great Sept meeting, a peek at October

At our September meeting last Thursday, author Ford Easton spoke about Targeting Your Audience. He had a wonderful presentation where he went through some of the steps he took to create his book, Stock Car Racing in the 50's, a self-published non-fiction work that has sold over 2,000 copies so far. His niche market has helped him be able to reach the people who want to buy his book. His passion came out during his talk as he shed a few tears while sharing some of the feedback he has received from readers who are overjoyed with the final product. This passion project, a labor of love, as he called it, was built on a lot of hard work and smart choices. While he shared what he learned with us, many people commented on how much they got out of his talk.

Next month on October 8th, author and FWA St. Pete Group Leader Bria Burton will be speaking about the craft of writing. Her topic: Writing and Running: Improving Craft Through Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Stay tuned for more details.

A Q&A about the FWA St. Pete Critique Groups

After two very successful Critique Group Interest Meetings, one fiction critique group filled up and one non-fiction critique group filled up.

Q: What does this mean for those who are still interested in joining a critique group but couldn't make those meetings?

A: We need more groups!

Q: How do more groups form?

A: We need people willing to lead!

Q: What does leading a critique group involve?

A: More than anything, a willingness to facilitate, which involves making sure things stay on track at meetings and keeping the people in the group updated on group procedure. A critique group leader must be an FWA member. The first responsibilities are to arrange a meeting time, place, and duration. Other decisions must be made as well, such as how critiques will be done (electronically or printouts) and how much writing will be critiqued at a time (word count limits, page count limits, etc.).

Q: If I've never led a critique group before, how can I possibly be qualified?

A: If you're an FWA members who is willing to volunteer in this capacity, you are qualified.

Q: I feel inadequate to lead a critique group, but I want to be in one. What do I do?

A: There are other critique groups in the St. Pete area (Pinellas Writers, St. Pete Writers Club) so be sure to check those out. But also, think about volunteering to start a new group because maybe there are many people wanting a critique group who are too afraid to lead, but if you're willing to lead, they'll step up and join your group!

Q: I might be willing to lead a new critique group. Is it scary?

A: Not at all! Most writers who want to be in a critique group are serious about improving their writing skills just like you. The hardest part is just figuring out all those initial details (meeting time/place/etc) and once that's established, it's all about the writing and the critiquing.

Q: That's the part that scares me: the critiquing. What if people get upset about critiques that are sent, and I'm stuck in the middle as the leader?

A: I have a lot of experience leading a critique group, including problem-solving, so I'd be happy to share my insights with you. The first rule I recommend for every critique group is to make sure the group participants make positive comments, not just critical ones. Positive comments go a long way to making a person feel like the critique is not a personal attack. That said, it's not the purpose of a critique group to make people feel good about their writing. The purpose is to help writers improve their craft with feedback from fellow writers. Comments should always be constructive, not harsh or demeaning. When these rules for the group are stated up front, it's usually enough to prevent the scenario mentioned in the question.

Q: I have more questions. Who can I ask?

A: Contact me (Bria) by emailing fwastpete@gmail.com

FWA Webinar Series: Mastering Viewpoint with Ken Pelham

Each month, the FWA will be hosting a webinar. Coming up, Mastering Viewpoint with Ken Pelham.

KEN PELHAM is a member of International Thriller Writers and Florida Writers Association, and a frequent lecturer on viewpoint. His suspense novels, Brigands Key and Place of Fear, are first-place winners of the Royal Palm Literary Award.

Participants will learn:

*The viewpoint types (and subtypes) out there, and options available to you

*How to select the right point of view for your story

*How to avoid, spot, and fix errors in viewpoint.

When

Saturday, September 12, 2015
Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM EDT

Location

You will need a computer with internet access and speakers for audio
Login information for the event will be sent to all registered participants two weeks before the webinar. For further information, contact us.

Fee

$10 for FWA members. $15 for non-FWA members
This event is capped at 100 attendees

For more info, and to sign-up visit: https://floridawriters.net/conferences/webinars/mastering-viewpoint/

New Critique Groups Now Forming

At Critique Group Interest Meeting Part 1 held Aug 13th, we had a great discussion, decisions were made, and one critique group called SPwrites (St. Pete Writes, pronounced sprites) was filled up! There are also more writers who have mentioned a desire to find a critique group.

SO...

Critique Group Interest Meeting Part 2

When: Wednesday, August 19th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Where: Tyrone Panera (2420 66th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33710)

Who: All writers are welcome to attend

If you were unable to attend Part 1, join us next week on Weds for Part 2. This meeting will be similar to Part 1 in that I'll be explaining how critique groups can be run (there are so many possibilities) and for those interested in forming new groups, we can arrange dates, times, and meeting places so that anyone who'd like to check out the new groups can know where to go.

New Critique Groups Forming

A new non-fiction group in St. Pete:

Nani Freeman has offered to lead a non-fiction group (memoir preferred) in the St. Pete area. She will be attending the Critique Group Interest Meeting Part 2, so if anyone is interested in finding out more, please join us at that meeting.

If you're unable to attend the meeting but are interested in Nani's critique group, contact her at freeman62101@yahoo.com so she can get your information, including times/dates/places that will work for you to meet.

A new group in North Pinellas:

Marylou Hess will be leading a new group in North Pinellas (she lives in Tarpon Springs, but is willing to have the meetings in other areas like Eastlake). Her group will have a format where writers exchange a larger number of pages (25-50) and a month is given for critique. Fiction welcome in these genres: cozy mystery, mainstream fiction, women's fiction, Christian fiction, mysteries, character-driven stories. In her words, this is an ideal group for "55+ writers North of Gulf to Bay who read and write in these genres."

Weekday hours will likely be set for these meetings, but she does have some flexibility.

Interested in joining Marylou's critique group? Contact her at writer@marylouihess.com

Active Critique Groups Currently Accepting New Participants

FWA critique groups:

Tarpon Springs Fiction Writers

Agenda: read and round-table critique

Meets every Wednesday except holidays 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Tarpon Springs Library, 138 East Lemon Street. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Contact: David Edmonds, dedmond2@tampabay.rr.com

Oldsmar Omnivore Authors 

Agenda: critique (with query letter/synopsis training)

Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, 5:30 - 8 PM

Oldsmar Public Library, 400 St. Petersburg Dr. E, Oldsmar, FL 34677

Contact: Molli Nickell, getpublishednow.biz@gmail.com

(note: if the group is full, guests are welcome to attend in "audit" mode)

Other local writing groups:

Pinellas Writers

Agenda: round-table critique (all genres welcome, fiction and non)

Meets every Saturday from 9:30 AM - Noon

Largo Community Center, 400 Alt Keene Rd, Largo, FL 33771

Group website with contact page: http://pinawor.info/

St. Petersburg Writers Club

Agenda: critique (all genres welcome, fiction and non)

Meets 1st and 3rd Thurs of the month, 6:30 PM - library closing

West Community Library at St. Pete College (Multipurpose Room), 6700 8th Ave N, St. Pete, FL 33710

Contact: Elenora Sabin, arucadienterprises@erosesabin.com, 727-345-3376

Questions? Interested in starting a critique group in your area? Feel free to contact me at fwastpete@gmail.com

Great August meeting, a peek at September

For the August FWA St. Pete meeting, John Rehg revealed how a writer can self-publish at minimal or even no cost. He presented on a variety of different free programs that writers can utilize to create their story layout and book cover. He explained that the free cost of creating a book at CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing really doesn't have a catch. It's up to the author how many books to buy from CreateSpace that they intend to sell themselves, but they don't have to spend a lot of money if they prefer to let customers find their book on Amazon's website. In the case of KDP, it's all digital so there is zero cost until a book is sold with a high royalty payout. He also pointed out the importance of goals. For writers who want a book in hand, but aren't trying to make a living as a writer, CreateSpace is a great tool. Not to mention gift ideas! The personalized touch of a book that you created can be the ideal gift for family and friends, whether it's a short family vacation compilation or a story you wrote for the family.

Visit www.soulattitudepress.com to visit John's publishing website where he has a free download of the handout that was given to participants at the meeting.

On September 10th, Ford Easton will be presenting. His topic is "Targeting Your Audience" and is the perfect follow-up to John Rehg's meeting. He'll specifically be talking about targeting your audience with a book title and correct mix of text, stories, and pictures while operating on a low/limited budget.