Our monthly meeting introduced us to four new members from Connecticut and Florida – which is why the meeting is on Zoom as well as in-person! We had a lot to talk about including some successes (two requests from agents for full manuscripts), and some questions about editing software, author events, the importance of the first page of your manuscript, and more. Check out the writing opportunities below.

This Saturday, August 24, from 9-4, some of the Writers Rendezvous members will be among the 40 Connecticut authors appearing at the Norwalk Senior Center as part of the annual flea market and art show. Pop in and see them – it’s great opportunity to network with other writers!

According to author and writing teacher Cindy Eastman, many of our fondest recollections feature a special meal or dish that is central to that memory—and she’s running a food memoir workshop on Saturday, August 31, from 1:00- 3:00 PM at the Woodbury CT Library to help you get those memories on paper. More information and registration here.

The Booklife Fiction Prize for self or indie-published novels is now open for submissions. It offers a first prize of $5,000 and a profile in Publishers Weekly—and each entry receives a publishable critique from a PW Reviewer. Deadline: August 31. The contest is open to submissions in the following categories: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; and Middle-Grade & YA Fiction. The entry fee of $119 includes the publishable critique/review, which makes it worth doing just for that. Full submission details here. P.S. If you’re an indie nonfiction writer, the next BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest begins in October.

Authors Publish has issued a list of ten manuscript publishers open to direct (unagented) submissions through August 31.

On September 14, from 10-4pm, join me and five other Connecticut authors of genre fiction at the Manchester Public Library in CT for an Author Fair, where we’ll be hanging out and signing, and looking forward to meeting readers, new and old. You’ll be able to meet mystery writer Katie Tietjen, YA/NA fantasy author Ciar Pfeffer, Karen McDermott, who writes romantic fantasy, Emily Wakeman Cyr, author of ‘beach reads with humor and heart’ and YA crime novelist Joseph Durette. I’ll be moderating a panel discussion from 1-2 where we’ll be chatting about our books, writing and publishing, and answering questions from the audience. There’ll be nineteen other Connecticut authors too with panels featuring children’s books, nonfiction, and romance – Join us for a day full of fantastic meet & greet opportunities with writers and readers alike. Full details here. Free

Head to Byrd’s Books in Bethel for a casual in-person Writing Workshop with award-winning author Nora Raleigh Baskin on assorted Sundays at 4:00pm. This two-hour prompt-writing workshop is designed for all ability levels. $25.00 per person. The upcoming dates are: September 15, October 13, November 17, and December 15.  Full details and registration here.

Join me on Thursday, September 19 at 6:30pm for a fun meet-the-author evening as I interview local award-winning author, stand-up comedian, and PR guru AlineWeiller about her new release, FUN: Essays on a Life Embraced. We’ll be at the Westport Book Shop across the green from the Library, chatting and enjoying some wine and cheese. There’s a chance to win a bookish gift basket too!

Self-publishing curious? Get a top-level view of what it takes to self-publish today combined with detailed insights from member Libby Waterford  and Leigh Stein, an experienced indie author. On September 25, from 8-10pm ET they’re offering a Zoom workshop on the subject. Whether you’re hoping to publish a novel, a memoir, or a non-fiction title, learning about self-publishing can clarify your path to publication. They’ll cover practical topics like knowing when your project is ready to publish, working with editors and designers, how to package, format, and distribute your book, and how marketing fits into the picture, and what all of this costs in dollars and time. More info and registration here.

The Darling Axe is a provider of editing services to writers – they also run a contest called the First Page Challenge. If you want a reader to buy your book or an agent to offer you representation, you need a stunning first page for your book. That’s what this contest is about—you can submit the first page of fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts. The judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: How likely am I to turn this page and keep reading? First place: $700 CAD, Second place: $200 CAD, Third place: $100 CAD. All three finalists win publication on the Chopping Blog and receive complimentary access to one of our self-paced courses.  Entry $5 CAD • Deadline: September 30.

More to come on Monday!