We had a lively meeting today, and covered a number of subjects – too many to fit into one post! So there’s more to come on Monday. But check out the events and contests happening before the end of July…

On Thursday, July 24, at 6:30pm, one of our members, Chris Myers, will be at Black Rock Books in Black Rock, CT, to talk about his book, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film, Jaws. Christopher Shaw Myers, is the author of Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of Jaws and Beyond. Come for Jaws, stay for the Shaws! He’s a great presenter!

Book marketing expert Rob Eager is offering “Author Summer School” for those interested in marketing their book. He is particularly noted for his grasp of Amazon marketing. There are three courses: Book Marketing for Beginners ($99), How to Sell Books on a Shoestring Budget ($299), and Mastering Amazon for Authors ($399). He offers the first class free, so that you can see whether it’s what you need, so you have nothing to lose. The course started on July 14 and ends on July 24, but since you can watch the July 14 one without paying, if you decide to join, you have time to do so without missing anything.

 The Norwalk Public Library in Connecticut is running a series of summer author programs featuring 6-8 authors at a time, talking about their work and signing books. Member Libby Waterford was part of this on June 8, and I was there with member Bette Bono and others on June 22. The next Hot, Fun Summer AuthorSpeak takes place this Friday, July 25, from 12-2pm, and includes a free lunch. It will feature authors  Vance Alexander, Marian Edvardsen, Wendy Haller, Regina Kyle, and Judy Ricketts-White.    More information and registration here.

The Pequot Library in Southport, CT, holds its annual summer book sale between Friday, July 25, and Tuesday, July 29. Books are reduced in price each day, so that a hardback that costs $4 on Friday will cost only $1 on Monday. On their last day, Tuesday, you can fill a bag for $5! They sell collectibles as well, and those interested in a closer look can check out the online catalog here. The collectibles will be on display for in-person viewing at the library on Wednesday, July 16, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. The sale of these exclusive items will start online at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. As for music, you can buy vinyl, CDs, and DVDs too. There’s a reason why this is the biggest book sale in New England!

Storied Stuff, publishers of anthologies and an online journal, are looking for more entries for their Summer Writing Contest before the deadline of July 25.  You can check out the kind of thing they’re looking for here. Word limit 500. Winners will be published in their next anthology. Submission guidelines here.

Hybrid publisher Orenaug Mountain Publishing invites you to contribute a poem, work of short prose (500 words, maximum), or work of visual art to our next anthology, which will be titled Tough Kids.  What does it mean to be tough? In what ways can kids be tough?  How do we honor that toughness?  Deadline July 31.  Entry form and submission guidelines here.  They publish poetry chapbooks too, and run a reading event every month for poets in Southbury, CT.

More to come on Monday!