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

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!

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 Aug 11th Meeting at 5:30 PM with Barbara Harrington

For our Thursday, August 11th Meeting, screenwriter and producer Barbara Harrington will be speaking. We'll meet at the Main Branch St. Pete Library at 5:30 PM. This is earlier than our usual start time. Networking/mingling begins at 5:15 PM. This meeting is open to the public.

Topic: From Novel to Cocoon to Screenwriting

BIO: BARBARA HARRINGTON is a novelist, a screenwriter, and a producer. She worked as Assistant Casting Director in several feature films with Beverly McDermitt (Cocoon, Absence Of Malice, Stick) and still cast for Indie Productions. She has conducted many writing/publishing workshops, and formed FSAC, the Florida Screenwriters & Actors Connection about 15 years ago. She had a short lived radio show, Take One Talk. She's earned several awards, such as the Florida State Group Merit Award for the filming production of the International Association Of Personnel. For fun, she went on Safari in Africa and was almost thrown in jail by Idi Amin.

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

March FWA St. Pete Meeting

For our March 10th meeting, author and Soul Attitude Press publisher John Rehg 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: Dump Your Word Processor!
Other Tools to Help You Write More Effectively

A demonstration of free tools available to fit your writing style, making you more productive in producing your masterpiece. John Rehg, president, CEO, owner, and head honcho of Soul Attitude Press, will show you several writing tools (all free) that might fit your writing style better than the standard word processor.

He will also answer all questions regarding self publishing, during the 
presentation.


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, 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

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/

January FWA St. Pete Meeting

For our Jan. 14th meeting, radio host Patzi Gil 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: Dreams You Don't Even Dream Can Come True
(How reading five thousand books turned into a career)

BIO

PATZI GIL is the host of a talk radio program called Joy on Paper – a program for writers and those who dream of writing. Patzi has interviewed some of the most prestigious writers and bestselling authors in the world, including Sue Grafton, Brad Meltzer, Robin Cook, Eloisa James, Douglas Brunt, and Ann B. Ross. During the past few months she has formed a close working relationship with many major publicists and agents. Three of her film scripts have been optioned by Hollywood and have appeared in the Hollywood Reporter. She also wrote the screenplay for The All American Boys based on Apollo 7 Astronaut, Walt Cunningham’s book. In addition to her work on Joy on Paper, she is developing two television projects: History? It’s Food (http://www.historyitsfood.com/) and Forgotten F-105 Warriors ( http://www.forgottenf- 105warriors.com/). Patzi is a proud Yooper – which means she was born in Michigan’s Northern Peninsula. She is married and the proud mother of two sons.

Website: www.radio-joyonpaper.com

Christmas Party with FWA St. Pete Writers Group

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

FWA St. Pete Writers Group Annual Christmas Party

When: Thursday, Dec. 10th at 6:00 PM
Where: Macaroni Grill (address: 2302 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Pete, FL 33710, ph: 727-343-0050)
What to bring: For the book swap, bring books that you've read and are ready to pass on to someone else. Any books left over will be donated.
What to expect: prizes, great food, and a good time!
Note: Each person will be responsible for their own meal

Reminder: This party will replace our usual library meeting, so take note that there is no library meeting in December.

PLEASE RSVP: If you plan to attend the Christmas party, please let Bria know by sending a note to this email fwastpete@gmail.com

Your RSVP will help her give a more accurate count as we get closer to the date.