We had a great meeting yesterday, with attendees from Canada and Germany (via Zoom). I love that we’re so international! We covered a lot of topics, including book launch timetables, voice-to-text software, writing webinars, and more.

The  5th Annual Get Published Summit takes place from February 19-23, and offers you presentations from industry experts discussing everything from book launches to writing children’s books and romance novels, improving productivity, generating long-term sales with Amazon Ads, creating the best book cover for your book, and much more. The format is unusual, in that all sessions will be released on demand, which means you can watch on your timetable. Register here Free

We Rise Storytelling is on the road and partnering with Bethel’s storytelling community, Hat Town Story Hour. They’ll be at Molten Java coffee shop in Bethel on Sunday, February 25, at 2pm. The storytelling event is on the theme of Between Worlds. Come to share or to listen. If you’re interested in telling a story, email them at werisestorytelling@gmail.com. Whether you speak or not, attending these events provides great examples for writers in the features that make a story work. Stories are told, not read. Free.

The Connecticut Press Club is offering an in-person talk by New York media law attorney Ryan Fox. He’ll give you the scoop on privacy, copyright, publicity, fair use, libel, publishing, defamation, negotiation and more. Whether you are writing fiction, a memoir, a screenplay, or a news story, you should understand the language and laws designed to protect you and others in your work. And once you have a deal in hand, you should know whether it’s in your best interest. The talk followed by a Q&A will be held at the Fairfield County Story Lab on Tuesday, February 27, at 7 p.m. Info about this and other events, and registration here

Aline Weiller, the book marketing and publicity expert is also a successful stand-up comedian. She recently published her collection of humorous and hopeful personal essays, FUN – Essays on a Life Embraced. A book launch for FUN will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 pm at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, CT. She’ll will be interviewed by her editor and award-winning writer, Marcelle Soviero, followed by a reading, Q&A, and book signing. The event will also include light refreshments, trivia, goody bags, and a gift basket door prize.

I and four other Connecticut fiction writers have been selected to present our books at the prestigious indie bookstore, RJ Julia’s Wesleyan store in Middletown, CT on March 6. Other authors include Jo Anne Burgh, (State vs Clause and Becoming Mrs. Claus), Russ Capasso (Host), Vanessa Kelman (Searching for Home) and Gabrielle Kerins (Pretty Girls’ Playbook). More info here and click here to register (not essential, but it’s nice for us to know someone’s coming!)

Every professional author needs their own website, and the best time to start is when you’re not under pressure to get one up in time for an important event or book launch. Writers Digest University is offering a webinar on March 7 from 1-3pm ET titled Have Your Website Up & Running in 24 Hours or Less. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. In this live two-hour intensive webinar, digital media and publishing expert Jane Friedman will teach you how to use WordPress to get a basic website up and running in a day or less—often in one evening. Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. $99. Register here.

The Connecticut Romance Writers Association is holding its next meeting on Saturday March 9 at 10am on Zoom. The CTRWA allows guests to attend too, and since this month’s topic is about book reviews and reviewing platforms (e.g. Goodreads), authors in other genres may find it helpful. This presentation, given by YA fantasy author and book marketing expert Dana Claire, offers insights into maximizing your book’s visibility and garnering impactful reviews amidst a sea of titles. Uncover strategies to engage the right reviewers, craft compelling listings, and navigate feedback effectively. Attendance is free, and guests may request the Zoom link at ConnecticutRWA@gmail.com

On March 14, at 6:30pm ET, CAPA (the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Assn) will feature Kyle McCord, Acquisitions Director of hybrid publisher Atmosphere Press as its speaker in its free monthly Zoom meeting. This is your chance to ask all the questions you might have about hybrid publishing. You don’t have to be a member of CAPA to attend. Contact me for the Zoom link

The Wilton, CT, Library has announced its inaugural Cornerstone Writer-in-Residence Program. The program supports an emerging or mid-list writer with a stipend of $30,000 and office space for 12 months as they complete one manuscript with the intent to publish. In exchange, the writer will be expected to facilitate a series of library programs for all ages, and offer outreach visits to Wilton schools within the 12-month residence. For more information please contact Caroline Mandler, Executive Director & Selection Committee Chair (cmandler@wiltonlibrary.org). More info and application here. Deadline April 30.

More news on Monday!