Thanks for following my blog, and for letting me know that you find it useful. Hope you find Part 2 helpful, too. You can read Part 1 by following the link at the bottom of the page.
On Wednesday, May 15, at 6pm, the CT Press Club will be hosting its awards evening at the Delamar Hotel in Southport, CT. Congratulations to the many winners who are part of the Rendezvous family, including Ann Lineberger, Kate Mayer, Catherine Onyemelukwe, Lauren Busser, Gina Zammit, MarLou Newkirk and Alison McBain. Looking forward to seeing you at the event. 🙂
Armando Lucas Correa, author of the international bestseller The German Girl will discuss his new novel, The Daughter’s Tale, on Friday, May 17 at 7pm at The Fairfield University Bookstore. RSVP: FairfieldUBookstoreEvents@gmail.com
Hartford’s first annual Literary Festival is happening May 18, from 9:30-all day. Members Liz (Zeb) Appel, Elizabeth Chatsworth, and Alison McBain will be among the featured authors. The festival offers workshops, panel discussions, open mic, vending, book sales, local authors and live storytellers.
Also on May 18, from 8:30-4:30, the latest CrimeCONN event takes place at the Ferguson Library in Stamford. The keynote speaker for this one-day mystery lovers’ conference is Peter Blauner, author of Sunrise Highway. Our panelists include a ballistics and firearms specialist, and prosecutors and defense attorneys from the world of white collar crime. Also, a panel on the craft of writing with some of the most admired instructors in the country. $50 per person. $45 per person for MWA members.
And a reminder that in May, the third Tuesday, (May 21) which is when he hold our WritersMic for writers, falls the week AFTER the third Wednesday (May 15), when we hold the Writers’ Rendezvous. Hope you can make both the get-togethers.
Looking to inspire the writer within? The second annual Fairfield University Summer Conference for Writers takes place from July 19-23, on scenic Enders Island, off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut. Taught by award-winning faculty from Fairfield University’s low-residency MFA, the conference costs: $550 (icludes welcome dinner and lunch daily, but not  accommodations. Apply at the link above before May 31.
I recently came across Coursera, which provides free online courses in many subjects. Since it was started at Stanford University, there are a lot of science courses, of course, but there are 287 (not a typo!) courses in writing.  Many of the creative writing ones are from Wesleyan University, which has a renowned School of Writing. Worth a look if you can’t afford, or can’t get to, face-to-face classes.
Finally, here is a selection of practical articles for authors:
Dave Chesson has a website: Kindlepreneur, that gives you a free step-by-step guide to self-publishing. If you have any intention of doing so, it’s a great resource.
Most of my readers know how to write a pitch for a non-fiction book or memoir, but in case you need a reminder, here’s an article from Nieman Storyboard, a publication of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard.
And here’s a comprehensive article on book signing; from the website One Author to Another. It tells you how to plan them, what to take, even suggestions for what to say in the signature.
The question of pitching comes up again and again as one of the main challenges facing writers who want to make the leap from concept to publication. Whether you’re a reporter or a freelancer trying to land a magazine assignment or book contract, a successful pitch will make or break it. Read the article at: https://niemanstoryboard.org/stories/hitting-home-runs-with-story-pitches/.
Enjoy the spring! And don’t forget to check the Writers’ Calendar page for more events for writers.