Around twenty of us gathered at Barnes & Noble in Westport this month, to chat, encourage and suggest writing solutions for each other. Poets, fiction and non-fiction writers including journalists – everyone had something constructive to offer. We are a great community!
And now, first things first. The Westport Library is presenting a performance of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues tomorrow night, Friday, February 21, to benefit the Center for Family Justice and the Rowan Center – both organizations are dedicated to helping people in crisis. Among the many women appearing, will be yours truly and Mitzy Sky, one of the Rendezvous members. If you can come, please do. The suggested donation of $20 will go to an excellent cause, and if that’s too much for your budget, come anyway. Sign up here.

Westport Writers Workshop is offering a series of write-ins – The Writing Room –  for those who need a little extra motivation to get going with their writing. Rotating instructors will provide timed prompts and be there to supervise, answer questions, and motivate. They will run on Tuesdays & Thursdays and the occasional Wednesday, from 1– 3pm. The next one is on February 25.  Cost $50 per session. Call the office to register up to 24 hours before (203-227-3250) or for more information email exec@westportwriters.org. Instructors include: Suzanne Farrell Smith, Douglas Moser,  Allison Dickens, and Liz Matthews, among others.
The Fairfield County Story Lab turns one year old in March, and to celebrate they’re offering everything all the events that are included with membership, for FREE. They’re doing it to encourage people to check out their wonderful writing space and all the events they have for members. Events include: First page Fridays,  writing sprints, brown bag bloggers and more.
Norwalk Public Library is holding its first Open Mic Night, “Ezra Lovecroft Presents, The Unexpected Poet,” on Friday, March 13, from 6-8pm. All poets from near and far are invited to share their poetry. If you’re not sure whether you want to read or not, just sit back, listen and enjoy. Beverages and snacks will be provided, courtesy of the library. Sign-up for reading begins at 5:45.
They’re also offering one-day Saturday Seminars that begin March 14, on topics like Writing Three-Dimensional Scenes, Poetry, Small Wonders, Learn to Outline, Writing Query Letters, Point of View, Writing First Chapters, Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow, and more. Blogging, Pitching Your Articles and Essays and the return of Scrivener! Stay tuned for more information and to register.
2020 marks Ray Bradbury’s 100^th birthday. As part of the WestportWRITES program at the Westport Library, the editors of local small-press-publisher Fairfield Scribes, will lead a short story writing workshop in his honor On March 15, from 2-5pm. Use inspiration by the legendary author of The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, to write your own story. Get one-on-one time with the editors and receive an invitation to submit your stories for this new anthology. Authors published in the anthology will have an opportunity to read excerpts at the annual Saugatuck StoryFest in September.
The Westport Writers Workshop is offering one-day Saturday Seminars that begin March 14, on topics like Writing Three-Dimensional Scenes, Poetry, Small Wonders, Learn to Outline, Writing Query Letters, Point of View, Writing First Chapters, Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow,  Blogging, Pitching Your Articles and Essays and the return of Scrivener.
We Rise Storytelling is hosting a live Storytelling event on March 26 at the Hub & Spoke in Black Rock. The theme of the month is “March,” however you interpret it. Come share your story or just listen. If you are interested in sharing a story within the theme of “March”, please email them ASAP with a quick synopsis of your story and a short bio at werisestorytelling@gmail.com. All stories are told live and preferably without notes. $10 suggested donation.
Member Alex McNab told me about an article about relatively painless query letters shared by writing guru Jane Friedman. It includes a link to a downloadable Excel spreadsheet template where you can track your agent/publisher submissions.
A lot more is going on in and around Fairfield County, and you can find details on the Writers’ Calendar page on this website. I update it regularly, and if you have events you’d like me to add, please send them to me in a word document that includes the date, time, place, and a link to somewhere people can get more information. In the meantime – keep writing!