Thanks to the intrepid crowd who braved wet weather – and the aftermath of a small, but efficient, tornado which tore through Connecticut leaving a trail of fallen trees and dark homes behind – to come into the warmth and bright lights of Barnes & Noble in Westport on Wednesday. We had lots to talk about – you can find the highlights below.
Up first, this Saturday morning, May 19, (but after the Royal Wedding…) Fairfield County Writers’ Studio is offering a master class by best-selling mystery author, publisher and all-around great guy Chris Knopf. Titled: The Secret Life of Successful Mysteries, it’s geared toward mystery writers, but all novelists will benefit from Chris’ expertise. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or thereabouts, $25 (public), $20 (FC Writers Studio Students, and Sisters in Crime members) Register here.
On Sunday, May 20, WestportWRITES Mini-Conference: Writers’ Recharge! takes place from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Westport Library. Novelist, book reviewer and writing teacher Rachel Basch (The Listener) will be talking about her writing life and her working process. And if you’re there, wish Cody a happy birthday…
Gotham Writers Workshop in New York is offering a series of one-day workshops on a range of subjects, beginning May 18. Subjects include Character, Blog Basics, Dialogue, Screenwriting, Video Game Writing, How to Get Published and more. Workshops cost $150.
On Monday, May 21, at 12 noon the Norwalk Public Library is hosting another in their series of Authors Speak lunches. This one is entitled Laugh Out Loud, and will feature Allia Zobel Nolan talking about her book: 40 Women humorists Celebrate Then and Now. Free, but confirm to: clahey@norwalkpubliclibrary.org or call (203) 899 2780 X 15133
Our friend Sally Allen author of Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, will be talking about summer reading options at a ‘Book-Lovers Author Lunch’ at Elm restaurant in New Canaan at noon on Tuesday, May 22. Sally will provide suggestions across book categories and themes and provide advice on curating new reading lists. The prix fixe lunch is $38.
Registration is now open for the Women’s National Book Association’s New York chapter’s Query Roulette 2018. Taking place on Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30-8:45pm, it’s a round-robin style event that matches one-on-one 10-minute meetings between authors and literary agents. Writers who need publishing advice, especially on the important query letter, can get it from up to ten agents in one night. Query sessions start at $33.00 each for WNBA-NYC members ($45.00 for non-members), with discounts for five or more sessions.  Find out more about the agents attending on the WNBA website.
On June 15, the Writing Center at Hunter College holds its one-day annual summer symposium featuring distinguished keynote speakers, Deborah Treismann, fiction editor of the New Yorker, and Jeffery Deaver. Other writers, editors, publishers and literary agents will participate on panels. $175 includes lunch.
CrimeCONN, a one-day mystery-lovers’ conference, takes place on Saturday, June 23 from 8:30-4pm at the Stamford Library. Panel discussions, interviews with celebrity authors, books signings etc, will feature those who solve crimes, write about crime, bring amazing stories from book to screen. James Benn (Solemn Graves), Jane Cleland (Antique Blues, Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot), Karen Olson (Vanished) are among the leading mystery writers you’ll get to meet. A great value for writers and mystery fans at $45 per person. Early Bird registration (before May 25) is $30 per person. Light breakfast and lunch included. Register here.
Beginning July 16, member Kristen Ball, (A Calf Named Brian Higgins) will be teaching a week-long course from noon to 12:30 on how to write a college essay at the Westport Writers’ Workshop. $450
This year’s Ridgefield Writers’ Conference is an evening event taking place on Friday, September 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m at the Ridgefield Library. This year’s theme is Inspiration and Imagination. To make the most of the author/editor seminar workshops, bring your writing project and questions. Registration is open and costs only $25.
http://ridgefieldwritersconference.blogspot.com/
Put yourself on the mailing list to stay up-to-date with the Saugatuck StoryFest, a wriers’ festival coming to Westport October 12-14. The lineup of authors, and events for writers will be amazing.
Finally, fans of Tom Wolfe will have been saddened by his death earlier this week. here’s a link to Alex McNab’s article about him on his 85th birthday, three years ago.
Until next month, keep writing!