A rather somber meeting for July 1
The July 1, 2009, meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group (Florida Writers Association) will be a planning meeting with several important decisions on the table.
First of all, I am forcing myself to step down as group leader. Primarily, I am finding myself involved in too many floundering but promising business opportunities; I am also helping to organize and reinvigorate a few other organizations, as well. With those adventures taking up ten to twelve hours a day seven days a week, I no longer feel I have the appropriate amount of time to devote to this group. Under the right circumstances, I am willing to stay involved (if the new leadership so desires), but bring all your options, resolutions, solutions, and other ideas to be discussed.
Related to that order of business is the direction that we want the group to take. As those of you who have been around for a while know, our group has traditionally been more of a “presentation” and sharing and networking sort of group more than it has been a discussion-oriented or critique-type group. A couple of variations for possible new efforts are floating among some of the regular members, however, so bring your suggestions for that discussion, too. Your influence is important in determining how relevant and useful the group will be to your needs.
The last item on the agenda will be a discussion about shopping for and securing a future meeting site.
Anyone who cannot make the meeting is invited to e-mail their comments and opportunities to me at the address below. I’ll be sure to present them in your stead. I hope most of you can make the meeting, though.
That Wednesday meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the University Club of Winter Park, which is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. As always, our meetings are free and open to the public. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader, at ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
June 3: Best Web sites for writers
Those of you who made our May meeting know that our speaker was ill that evening and caused you to enjoy an open discussion, courtesy of member Rik Feeney and yours truly. Those of you who didn’t make the meeting know now!
Regardless of your attendance record, though, promising to make our June 3 meeting this Wednesday is our scheduled May speaker and his topic, Writer’s Digest list of “Best Websites for 2009.” Member Christophe Couallier will be leading the presentation and discussion, based on the list and contents of the magazine’s May/June 2009 issue.
Writer’s Digest publishes this list annually to enlighten writers about the best tools and resources on the Internet. “From word challenges to critique groups to hot markets, the annual list of best writing Web sites is a one-stop shop for all the free resources you’ll need to find success,” Christophe says. Since we could not possibly cover all 101 Web sites during our presentation, Christophe will highlight his personal favorites. Then, following his presentation, he will add a few sites that are not featured by the magazine and invite you to announce your own best Web sites nominations to add. “Bring your notepads—It promises to be a fun meeting!”
As always, that Wednesday meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the University Club of Winter Park, which is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. Our meetings are always free and open to the public. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader, at ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
Short Notice: Meeting this Wednesday, May 6
Sorry for the short notice, but with a part-time gig I’m working on this month, I’ve had trouble making arrangements. Nonetheless, we do have a meeting scheduled, and it will focus on the recent Writer’s Digest list of “Best Websites for 2009.” Member Christophe Couallier has graciously volunteered to lead the meeting in my absence and will also lead the presentation and discussion. Writer’s Digest publishes an annual list of the best tools and resources that are available on the Internet for writers.
Again, my apologies for the short notice, but I hope you can still show up and support Christophe while learning about online resources.
As always, our Wednesday meetings are free and open to the public and take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the University Club of Winter Park, which is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader, at ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
Free AWA writing workshops begin April 14
Geoff and Janna Benge, members of our local group, are offering a series of free writing workshops on Tuesdays from April 14 through May 5. The workshops will be held from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Office Gallery and Art Studio in downtown Orlando. The Office Gallery and Art Studio is a working art studio, a great environment for writing.
Geoff and Janna have more than one hundred forty books in their portfolio and more than twenty-three years of experience in the publishing industry—evidence of the passion for writing that drives them to help others find their writing voices. Janna is also a certified instructor in the Amherst Writers and Artists’ (AWA) methodology.
The Benge’s own Silver Fern Writer’s Workshops, in conjunction with Apartment E, will be running the workshops. The workshops are free and open to all, though a donation box will be available for those who would like to donate towards the cost of running the workshop.
As added incentive—if any were needed—anyone who wishes may head over to Will’s Pub at 1042 N. Mills Avenue for additional conversation.
For a printable flyer, visit http://www.the-freelance-editor.com/BengeFlyer,Apr09.pdf For directions and parking information visit: SilverFernWriters.com or apartmentE.com. For more information, e-mail Geoff or Janna at inquiries@silverfernwriters.com
Meeting Reminder: April 1, 6:30 PM
This month’s meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group, Florida Writers Association, will feature local historian and author Fred Hitt, who will share his ideas and techniques for researching and writing historical fiction. Fred is the author of the recently completed, award-winning Timucua Trilogy.
That meeting is this Wednesday, April 1, at the University Club of Winter Park; the meeting is free and open to the public. The University Club is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader—ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
Researching and writing historical fiction, with local author Fred Hitt
Local historian and author Fred Hitt will be featured at the April 1 (and this is no April Fool’s Day joke), 2009, meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group (Florida Writers Association).
Author of the award-winning historical novels Wekiva Winter and Beyond the River of the Sun, Fred has only recently completed the Timucua Trilogy—three books about Florida’s seventeenth-century native population—with The Last Timucuan. (For information on the trilogy, visit Fred’s Web site, www.marehootie.com.) The focus of his presentation will be on researching and writing historical fiction. “It’s what I do best,” he says, “besides talking about it.”
Fred will likely be joined by his wife, award-winning wildlife artist Linda Silsby Hitt, who painted the covers and illustrations for his books.
As always, that Wednesday meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the University Club of Winter Park, which is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. Our meetings are free and open to the public. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader, at ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
Meeting Reminder: March 4, 6:30 PM
Remember to attend this month’s meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group, Florida Writers Association, for Christophe Couallier’s introduction to the social networking site LinkedIn and a demonstration of how it can be used to expand your writing career.
Remember, too, just for this month, use the “invisible” door on the north side of the library—to the left and around the corner from our usual entrance. Another group is using the main hall and has asked not to be disturbed. If the door is closed, just knock and someone will let you in. Thank you for cooperating.
That meeting is this Wednesday, March 4, at the University Club of Winter Park; the meeting is free and open to the public. The University Club is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader—ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
Using LinkedIn to promote your products and services
Writers need to manage their professional careers just like bankers do. And one of the social networking tools most often used by professionals is LinkedIn. Join us at the next meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group (Florida Writers Association) to learn how to use LinkedIn to expand your writing career. That meeting will take place this coming Wednesday, March 4, 2009, with member and occasional speaker Christophe Couallier presenting information and demonstrating with a live connection.
Remember, just for this month, use the “invisible” door on the north side of the library—to the left and around the corner from our usual entrance. Another group is using the main hall and has asked not to be disturbed. If the door is closed, just knock and someone will let you in. Thank you for cooperating.
Most creative professionals use MySpace and/or Facebook to promote their talents and products. However, LinkedIn can have just as much or more value, especially on the business side of writing—where networking, branding, and research enter the picture—and it is more customizable and “respectable.”
Because the LinkedIn community is made up largely of professionals and business executives, you’ll find individuals and groups with higher ethical standards, greater interest in helping others, and better reputations, with less abuse, than some other social networking sites, where your profile can be uncontrollably linked to video-obsessed kids, love-sick teens, and overexposed perverts!
As always, that Wednesday meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the University Club of Winter Park, which is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader—ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
HS student completes writing senior project: Congrats!
“Adopted” member Jessica Lehrer, who has attended a couple of our meetings in the last few months, just announced that the performance of her senior project is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 7:30 PM, in the Oviedo High School auditorium. For her project, Jessica wrote and is directing a play, “Legally Frosted,” in memory of classmate Robert Locke. A minimum donation of $2 is requested with all proceeds benefiting the Robert Locke Scholarship.
Congratulations, Jessica!
Additional shows may be scheduled. Contact Oviedo High School at 407-320-4050 to see about other performances, to ask for directions (the school is located at 601 King Street in Oviedo; ZIP, 32765), and to seek any information you might need to show your support.
Meeting Reminder: February 4, 6:30 PM
The next monthly meeting of the Orlando Area Writers Group, Florida Writers Association, is coming up quickly, so don’t forget it! Our speaker is member Rik Feeney, and his ever-popular topic is marketing: “Using Your Book as Your Primary Marketing Tool.”
During the talk, Rik will discuss cover design, interior layout and design, gathering blurbs, testimonials, and reviews, and incorporating something you may not know about—a call for action. All the key factors for motivating a sale and positioning for future sales will be on the table. And, yes, he will address questions specific to your own books.
The meeting is this Wednesday, February 4, at the University Club of Winter Park; the meeting is free and open to the public. The University Club is located at 841 Park Avenue North, on the northwest corner of Park and Webster Avenue. For additional information, visit the group blog at www.fwa-orlando.org or contact Stephen Evans, group leader—ImYourEditor@hotmail.com or 407-898-4299.
