Writing events and classes really ramp up in the Fall. Here’s a selection.

Susan Hood will be launching her new book, Harboring Hope, at the Pequot Library in Southport, CT on September 21 at 7pm . Come celebrate the 80th anniversary of one of the most inspiring events of WWII—Denmark’s successful evacuation of its Jewish citizens ahead of a Nazi roundup in 1943. The novel tells the true story of a young woman and a boat named Gerda III (now at Mystic) who were part of a “small Dunkirk” spiriting Jewish friends and neighbors to safety in Sweden. More than 90% of Danish Jews survived. Registration is required. Free.

The Letter Review Prize is open for submissions until August 31. All entries are considered for publication and for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies and there are cash prizes for the winners in four categories: Fiction manuscripts including novels, short story collections, nonfiction and poetry collections: first 5,000 words. Nonfiction open to memoir, journalism, essay (including personal essay), fictocriticism, creative nonfiction, travel, nature, opinion, and more. 5,000 words max. Short Fiction: 5,000 words max.

Wilson’s Tales of the Borders 100 Words Challenge competition is open for submissions until September 2. For stories of exactly 100 words in length. Free to enter. £50 top prize. The winning entry is performed at the Wilson Literary Dinner, used in PR, and published in the next Wilson’s Tales Revival Edition, with a selection of shortlisted entries.

Popular Romance Fiction: the “Literature of Hope” (registration required) is a free, in-person conference that will take place at Yale University on September 8-9. Events include: A How to Write a Romance Novel workshop led by bestselling writers Adriana Herrera and Sarah MacLean, a documentary screening of Love Between the Covers (2015) with director talk-back with documentarian Laurie Kahn and authors Eloisa James, Beverly Jenkins, and Radclyffe, discussion panels, a Beinecke Library exhibition on Black historical romance, a romance spotlight at the Elm City LITFest, book signings, a concluding keynote conversation between Roxane Gay and Beverly Jenkins, and more! Full program and registration here.

Sherry Thomas is known for her classic romances, her fantasy books, and her Lady Sherlock mystery series, and she’s joining the Connecticut Romance Writers Association (CTRWA) on September 9 for a one-hour session on pacing in fiction. Learn just how important pacing is in creating a story that keeps a reader turning pages way past their bedtime. While CTRWA members can attend for free, non-members are welcome for just $10. Register here to receive a Zoom link once we receive payment. If you do not receive your link please email Grace at connecticutrwa@gmail.com

Writers Digest University offers a range of courses for writers, which you can browse on their website. One of interest to those with books already published is Effective Book Marketing for Any Author presented by writing guru Jane Friedman. This takes place online on September 28 from 1-2:30pm ET. Learn to develop a strategy and approach that’s appropriate for your strengths and current abilities. Find out more and register here. $89.

Finally – enter a contest and do a bit of good too. All the entry fees in Trio Uganda’s Trio International Poetry Competition go to supporting literacy and education in Uganda. The contest is open for entries until September 30. 40 lines max. £5 entry fee. £1,000 top prize. All poems – winning or otherwise – will be considered for publication in the next edition of Red Poets.

Booksie’s Dawn of AI Short Story Contest is open for entries until October 15. For stories themed around AI – check their website for prompts. 1,500 words max. $5.99 entry fee. $300 top prize. You have to be a Booksie member to participate, but the basic membership is free.

Beginning October 18, Gotham Writers Workshop is offering two four-week online courses devoted exclusively to getting your work published. They include Nonfiction Book Proposal – Most nonfiction books are sold on the basis of a book proposal—a detailed outline and marketing plan for a book. This course shows you how to make one. Hit Send: Publishing Short Nonfiction – This course focuses on publishing short-form nonfiction (articles, essays, reviews, recipes, etc.) in magazines, newspapers, and websites. They also offer the following One-on-One services to polish and prepare your work: Agent/Editor Evaluation, Agent Evaluation Quickie,  Nonfiction Book Proposal, Query Letter Coaching, and Proofreading.

Writers in the Wild, runs luxury women-only retreats for writers, and the next one takes place in the Catskills near Cooperstown, NY from October 20-24. It’s held on a large private estate, and the price includes accommodations, meals, a couple of excursions and plenty of time and space to write.

Finally, the Authors of the Flash Fiction Writing Challenges is an active Facebook group that offers monthly writing challenges. It’s open to anyone, so if you’d like to join and get involved, please do.

Happy writing!