Details - 2021 Meeting Workshops
Members can see this page for a monthly event schedule and the Zoom link for all meetings.
September 18, 2021
Kim Hornsby
Turning a Book Into a Movie Script
Have you ever thought about adapting your book to a screenplay but didn't know how to begin? Hollywood loves adaptations and these days, having a book behind your script is a big selling tool to producers looking for a script. Get the basics of writing a screenplay with USA Today Bestselling Author, Kim Hornsby, who has adapted 10 novels into award-winning and optioned for film scripts. As an author, it’s easier than you think because you already have a fully fleshed out story and characters!
If you love movies and think your story would make a great film, this is a fun talk on how to get started and why.
Kim Hornsby is a USA Today Bestselling Author, as well as an 30x Awarded Screenwriter with projects in development for film. Having shared space on the bestseller list with J.D. Robb, Stephen King and Nicolas Sparks, Ms. Hornsby has fifteen published novels, most of which are adapted to screenplays and scripts. Writing Christmas Romances and Spooky Suspense, Kim’s numerous projects are being considered at Netflix, the CW, Hallmark, Lifetime, and Amazon Studios.
A former Maui scuba diving instructor, Kim now writes at a desk overlooking a tree-lined lake in the Seattle area with two hairy rescue dogs as footwarmers.
Kim Hornsby
Turning a Book Into a Movie Script
Have you ever thought about adapting your book to a screenplay but didn't know how to begin? Hollywood loves adaptations and these days, having a book behind your script is a big selling tool to producers looking for a script. Get the basics of writing a screenplay with USA Today Bestselling Author, Kim Hornsby, who has adapted 10 novels into award-winning and optioned for film scripts. As an author, it’s easier than you think because you already have a fully fleshed out story and characters!
If you love movies and think your story would make a great film, this is a fun talk on how to get started and why.
Kim Hornsby is a USA Today Bestselling Author, as well as an 30x Awarded Screenwriter with projects in development for film. Having shared space on the bestseller list with J.D. Robb, Stephen King and Nicolas Sparks, Ms. Hornsby has fifteen published novels, most of which are adapted to screenplays and scripts. Writing Christmas Romances and Spooky Suspense, Kim’s numerous projects are being considered at Netflix, the CW, Hallmark, Lifetime, and Amazon Studios.
A former Maui scuba diving instructor, Kim now writes at a desk overlooking a tree-lined lake in the Seattle area with two hairy rescue dogs as footwarmers.
Future Workshops
October 16, 2021
Molly O'Keefe
Writing Sex and Intimacy
Intimacy in storytelling isn’t always about sex. Or sexual tension. It is in romance or women’s fiction, or any story dealing with people - the magic that makes us believe relationships are real. This interactive workshop will help create realistic and intimate relationships. We will also discuss what creates believable and exciting sex and sexual tension.
Molly O'Keefe
Writing Sex and Intimacy
Intimacy in storytelling isn’t always about sex. Or sexual tension. It is in romance or women’s fiction, or any story dealing with people - the magic that makes us believe relationships are real. This interactive workshop will help create realistic and intimate relationships. We will also discuss what creates believable and exciting sex and sexual tension.
November 20, 2021
Abigail Owen
Organizing Your Writing Life
Are you overwhelmed by everything you have to remember as an author? Social media and marketing a constant struggle? Do you have handouts and notes from workshops and never use them but would like to someday? Even your email inbox is crazy? This workshop will give you tried and true methods for staying on top of your email, craft notes, social media, and marketing as an author. We’ll primarily focus on Gmail & Microsoft OneNote as tools to help you get organized (including an overview on how to use OneNote). Materials can easily be translated to other email and note-taking methods.
Bonus: These methods and tips can also be helpful in your personal and professional lives aside from writing!
This workshop is delivered as quick-hitting tips & tricks with the help of real-time, practical examples. Attendees are encouraged to take away 2-10 tips that work with where they are in their business and personal styles.
Multi-award-winning paranormal romance author Abigail Owen loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! A hybrid author blending traditional and indie publishing, Abigail also writes steamy contemporary rom coms and cowboys as Kadie Scott, and sweet contemporary and Amish romance as Kristen McKanagh. Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texas girl, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their angelic (mostly) kids, who are growing up way too fast, and 2 adorable fur babies.
Abigail Owen
Organizing Your Writing Life
Are you overwhelmed by everything you have to remember as an author? Social media and marketing a constant struggle? Do you have handouts and notes from workshops and never use them but would like to someday? Even your email inbox is crazy? This workshop will give you tried and true methods for staying on top of your email, craft notes, social media, and marketing as an author. We’ll primarily focus on Gmail & Microsoft OneNote as tools to help you get organized (including an overview on how to use OneNote). Materials can easily be translated to other email and note-taking methods.
Bonus: These methods and tips can also be helpful in your personal and professional lives aside from writing!
This workshop is delivered as quick-hitting tips & tricks with the help of real-time, practical examples. Attendees are encouraged to take away 2-10 tips that work with where they are in their business and personal styles.
Multi-award-winning paranormal romance author Abigail Owen loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! A hybrid author blending traditional and indie publishing, Abigail also writes steamy contemporary rom coms and cowboys as Kadie Scott, and sweet contemporary and Amish romance as Kristen McKanagh. Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texas girl, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their angelic (mostly) kids, who are growing up way too fast, and 2 adorable fur babies.
December 18
End of Year Party
End of Year Party
Past Workshops
August 21, 2021
Lesley Sagba, The Seymour Agency
How to Decide if a Literary Agent is Right for You and How to Find the Right One
What does an agent offer in light of indie, hybrid and self-publishing? In this workshop, I will outline what a literary agent does, how to decide if you’d like one and if you do want an agent, then how to find the right one, and then I will go into details of the multiple routes of publication (self, hybrid, traditional) and how agents can help.
Lesley has worked as an editorial assistant and freelancer for multiple publishing houses such as Entangled, Jolly Fish Press and Flux Books, as well as Sourcebooks. She's also been working for The Seymour Agency since 2014.
Starting out as an eager intern, she worked her way up to being a literary assistant, and in the fall of 2017, Lesley became an agent with The Seymour Agency. Lesley is a member of AAR.
Lesley loves intricate and vivid world-building and character-driven plots. She is acquiring young adult and adult fiction. She is always down to read dark and twisty suspense or thriller featuring strong, female protagonists. She also loves a classic happily-ever-after romance or curling up with a good cozy mystery. She also has her eye out for book club fiction and women's fiction. For non-fiction, Lesley would love to see more self-help, lifestyle, true crime, and pop culture submissions in her inbox. Always open to diversity, Lesley is actively looking for marginalized authors to bring into the literary world.
Lesley Sagba, The Seymour Agency
How to Decide if a Literary Agent is Right for You and How to Find the Right One
What does an agent offer in light of indie, hybrid and self-publishing? In this workshop, I will outline what a literary agent does, how to decide if you’d like one and if you do want an agent, then how to find the right one, and then I will go into details of the multiple routes of publication (self, hybrid, traditional) and how agents can help.
Lesley has worked as an editorial assistant and freelancer for multiple publishing houses such as Entangled, Jolly Fish Press and Flux Books, as well as Sourcebooks. She's also been working for The Seymour Agency since 2014.
Starting out as an eager intern, she worked her way up to being a literary assistant, and in the fall of 2017, Lesley became an agent with The Seymour Agency. Lesley is a member of AAR.
Lesley loves intricate and vivid world-building and character-driven plots. She is acquiring young adult and adult fiction. She is always down to read dark and twisty suspense or thriller featuring strong, female protagonists. She also loves a classic happily-ever-after romance or curling up with a good cozy mystery. She also has her eye out for book club fiction and women's fiction. For non-fiction, Lesley would love to see more self-help, lifestyle, true crime, and pop culture submissions in her inbox. Always open to diversity, Lesley is actively looking for marginalized authors to bring into the literary world.
July 17, 2021
Diversity Workshop with your friends!
We're meeting at our usual time, 10 a.m., online to watch some learning materials on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and talk. Bring your morning beverage of choice; see you there!
Diversity Workshop with your friends!
We're meeting at our usual time, 10 a.m., online to watch some learning materials on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and talk. Bring your morning beverage of choice; see you there!
June 19, 2021
Evan Gow, Founder
StoryOrigin
Evan Gow, the indie developer of StoryOrigin, will be walking through the basics of building a mailing list: what it takes to get started, howto find your audience, and entice them into subscribing to your newsletter. If you've thought about building a mailing list or you've already got one, but it's just a handful of people,this presentation will show you the steps to grow it to 1,000+ subscribers as many authors have already done using the same set of tools and tactics.
Evan Gow, Founder
StoryOrigin
Evan Gow, the indie developer of StoryOrigin, will be walking through the basics of building a mailing list: what it takes to get started, howto find your audience, and entice them into subscribing to your newsletter. If you've thought about building a mailing list or you've already got one, but it's just a handful of people,this presentation will show you the steps to grow it to 1,000+ subscribers as many authors have already done using the same set of tools and tactics.
May 15, 2021
Alex Dawson, Professor at Rutgers
Write Hard (Or Go Home!)
15 Rules for Writing
Rutgers University creative writing instructor (and lifelong motorcyclist), Alex Dawson, shares fifteen riding/writing rules that will change (and maybe save) your writing life.
Alex Dawson is full time faculty at Rutgers University, where he teaches creative writing and curates/hosts "Inside the Writers House," a weekly video chat with authors from all over the world. He also helms an international, fantasy fiction workshop and adventure retreat in which students explore the real world as they build an invented one. Dawson was the owner of The Raconteur, a now-defunct bookshop/performance venue hailed by The New York Times, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and The Star Ledger. The shop's motorized offshoot, a rat rod book mobile called The Rac-On-Tour, is set to hit the highway this summer. Dawson's forthcoming memoir, Room to Swing an Axe, about growing up in 80's Alabama, has been called "a Johnny Cash song directed by Steven Spielberg," and his novel, Welcome to White Hart, has been called "Charlotte's Web meets Winter's Bone." Both books are due out this year. Dawson has been a bouncer and a bartender in some of the roughest joints in NJ and has ridden a motorcycle for almost forty years.
Alex Dawson, Professor at Rutgers
Write Hard (Or Go Home!)
15 Rules for Writing
Rutgers University creative writing instructor (and lifelong motorcyclist), Alex Dawson, shares fifteen riding/writing rules that will change (and maybe save) your writing life.
Alex Dawson is full time faculty at Rutgers University, where he teaches creative writing and curates/hosts "Inside the Writers House," a weekly video chat with authors from all over the world. He also helms an international, fantasy fiction workshop and adventure retreat in which students explore the real world as they build an invented one. Dawson was the owner of The Raconteur, a now-defunct bookshop/performance venue hailed by The New York Times, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and The Star Ledger. The shop's motorized offshoot, a rat rod book mobile called The Rac-On-Tour, is set to hit the highway this summer. Dawson's forthcoming memoir, Room to Swing an Axe, about growing up in 80's Alabama, has been called "a Johnny Cash song directed by Steven Spielberg," and his novel, Welcome to White Hart, has been called "Charlotte's Web meets Winter's Bone." Both books are due out this year. Dawson has been a bouncer and a bartender in some of the roughest joints in NJ and has ridden a motorcycle for almost forty years.
April 17, 2021
Zara West
Using the Arts
Have fun singing, dancing, and drawing while creating original takes on your plot, characters, and setting. In this hands-on workshop, we will learn about the power of the arts to unleash our creative flow. Based on brain research and many years of teaching and working in the arts, this workshop will leave us uplifted and with a toolbox of fun ways to break out of writer’s block.
Please bring the following: Blank paper for sketching-white typing or the empty backs of paper to be recycled, a few index cards, drawing/Coloring materials-such as markers, colored pencils, crayons, and scissors.
Zara West holds a doctorate from Binghamton University and has published two textbooks on teaching the arts to young children: Growing Artists and Bringing Art into the Elementary Classroom. Her dissertation on Addressing Racism through Children’s Literature was named the most distinguished dissertation in 2005.
Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and have received awards from Women on Writing, Stone Thread Publishing, Tryst Literary Magazine, and Winning Writers. Her first historical fiction novel longlisted for the Mslexia Award. She has published the award-winning romantic thriller series The Skin Quartet. She is currently in the process of writing a historical fiction series about nineteenth-century women who never should have been forgotten and a writing craft series, Write for Success.
An accomplished artist by training and passion, she brings a love of art to every book she writes. A fan of handcrafted and ethically produced clothing, Zara's original clothing designs and artistic creations have been sold in numerous venues including Bloomingdales, Putumayo, and the Museum of American Folk Art under the Smiling Shepherd label.
Zara West
Using the Arts
Have fun singing, dancing, and drawing while creating original takes on your plot, characters, and setting. In this hands-on workshop, we will learn about the power of the arts to unleash our creative flow. Based on brain research and many years of teaching and working in the arts, this workshop will leave us uplifted and with a toolbox of fun ways to break out of writer’s block.
Please bring the following: Blank paper for sketching-white typing or the empty backs of paper to be recycled, a few index cards, drawing/Coloring materials-such as markers, colored pencils, crayons, and scissors.
Zara West holds a doctorate from Binghamton University and has published two textbooks on teaching the arts to young children: Growing Artists and Bringing Art into the Elementary Classroom. Her dissertation on Addressing Racism through Children’s Literature was named the most distinguished dissertation in 2005.
Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and have received awards from Women on Writing, Stone Thread Publishing, Tryst Literary Magazine, and Winning Writers. Her first historical fiction novel longlisted for the Mslexia Award. She has published the award-winning romantic thriller series The Skin Quartet. She is currently in the process of writing a historical fiction series about nineteenth-century women who never should have been forgotten and a writing craft series, Write for Success.
An accomplished artist by training and passion, she brings a love of art to every book she writes. A fan of handcrafted and ethically produced clothing, Zara's original clothing designs and artistic creations have been sold in numerous venues including Bloomingdales, Putumayo, and the Museum of American Folk Art under the Smiling Shepherd label.
March 20, 2021
Judith Lynne
The Science of Dialogue
This interactive, fun workshop will describe practical applications of linguistics for legal and investigative purposes, and how we can apply some of that knowledge to our creative endeavors. This workshop is intended to help spark new ideas on constructing dialogue, and perhaps giving our characters distinctive speech habits of their own.
Judith Lynne has other hats under which she is a Ph.D. with a long teaching background and an M.A. in forensic linguistics, about which she has given numerous invited presentations. A lifetime writer of short stories, screenplays, and novels, she is the author of the Lords and Undefeated Ladies series of Regency romances. She is launching Cloaks and Countesses in 2021, a superhero/Regency romance mashup full of excitement and forever love.
Judith Lynne
The Science of Dialogue
This interactive, fun workshop will describe practical applications of linguistics for legal and investigative purposes, and how we can apply some of that knowledge to our creative endeavors. This workshop is intended to help spark new ideas on constructing dialogue, and perhaps giving our characters distinctive speech habits of their own.
Judith Lynne has other hats under which she is a Ph.D. with a long teaching background and an M.A. in forensic linguistics, about which she has given numerous invited presentations. A lifetime writer of short stories, screenplays, and novels, she is the author of the Lords and Undefeated Ladies series of Regency romances. She is launching Cloaks and Countesses in 2021, a superhero/Regency romance mashup full of excitement and forever love.
February 20, 2021
Sue Toth
Why Do I Need An Editor Anyway?
You’ve written a great book. You love your story, and you’re sure your audience will, too. It’s ready to go just the way you’ve written it…right?
Not so fast! Before you release any book, it needs to have an experienced editor read it. But why, you ask? You’re probably thinking an editor will just tear your book apart, make all kinds of changes, and it won’t even sound like your book anymore, right?
Not exactly. You do need an editor. In this session, fiction editor Sue Toth will give you the inside scoop on editors, including:
Sue Toth is an accomplished editor with more than 20 years of experience in working with fiction writers to help them make their books the ones readers can’t put down. She specializes in developmental and copy editing.
Sue Toth
Why Do I Need An Editor Anyway?
You’ve written a great book. You love your story, and you’re sure your audience will, too. It’s ready to go just the way you’ve written it…right?
Not so fast! Before you release any book, it needs to have an experienced editor read it. But why, you ask? You’re probably thinking an editor will just tear your book apart, make all kinds of changes, and it won’t even sound like your book anymore, right?
Not exactly. You do need an editor. In this session, fiction editor Sue Toth will give you the inside scoop on editors, including:
- Why you need one
- What the author/editor relationship should look like
- The different types of editing and which one you need
- Where and how to find the best editor for you
Sue Toth is an accomplished editor with more than 20 years of experience in working with fiction writers to help them make their books the ones readers can’t put down. She specializes in developmental and copy editing.
January 16, 2021
Suzanne Lynn Cheesman
Increase Your Radio and TV Interview Chances
You’ve poured your heart and soul into writing your book, now you’re ready to share it with the world! Now comes the hard part: Getting people to notice and read it.
After spending over twenty years in media, I’ve learned a lot about how to help people break through the crowd to tell the world about their book. I help authors walk through the process of how to become known by building their brand so they have another tool in their marketing toolbox that will help them get attention on multiple platforms and mediums including TV and Radio.
With so much time on our hands with Covid-19, a lot of people are writing books…so, I started a company this year that specializes in helping authors sell more books.
What makes us different than other book marketing companies is that we provide authors with a radio interview and a video interview so that they can talk directly to their audience-heart to heart-about their book.
The video interview is like a mini-infomercial that can be used on your website, shared on social media and even used on Amazon bookseller! So few people are using video to sell their books…but video is the most powerful tool there is, because video gives you a chance to tell your readers what motivated you to write the book and why they will find your book compelling and worth their time to read it. Think of this video as a virtual book signing, so get ready for lots of great information about how you can give your book wings.
Suzanne Lynn has been in radio for the last 25 years, in New Jersey, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Florida as well as having hosted her own nationally syndicated show. Last year, she started a digital media company, Triangle Media, that helps to Give Books Wings by helping authors create branded interview style videos so they can sell more books. She currently hosts the Triangle Spotlight radio show on WQBQ 1410-AM, a Central Florida radio station that has a coverage area of 500,000 people, every Monday noon - 1:00pm. On this show, you can hear authors from around the country and around the world share their heart behind the writing of their books.
Suzanne Lynn Cheesman
Increase Your Radio and TV Interview Chances
You’ve poured your heart and soul into writing your book, now you’re ready to share it with the world! Now comes the hard part: Getting people to notice and read it.
After spending over twenty years in media, I’ve learned a lot about how to help people break through the crowd to tell the world about their book. I help authors walk through the process of how to become known by building their brand so they have another tool in their marketing toolbox that will help them get attention on multiple platforms and mediums including TV and Radio.
With so much time on our hands with Covid-19, a lot of people are writing books…so, I started a company this year that specializes in helping authors sell more books.
What makes us different than other book marketing companies is that we provide authors with a radio interview and a video interview so that they can talk directly to their audience-heart to heart-about their book.
The video interview is like a mini-infomercial that can be used on your website, shared on social media and even used on Amazon bookseller! So few people are using video to sell their books…but video is the most powerful tool there is, because video gives you a chance to tell your readers what motivated you to write the book and why they will find your book compelling and worth their time to read it. Think of this video as a virtual book signing, so get ready for lots of great information about how you can give your book wings.
Suzanne Lynn has been in radio for the last 25 years, in New Jersey, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Florida as well as having hosted her own nationally syndicated show. Last year, she started a digital media company, Triangle Media, that helps to Give Books Wings by helping authors create branded interview style videos so they can sell more books. She currently hosts the Triangle Spotlight radio show on WQBQ 1410-AM, a Central Florida radio station that has a coverage area of 500,000 people, every Monday noon - 1:00pm. On this show, you can hear authors from around the country and around the world share their heart behind the writing of their books.
