I’ve always thought that living here in Connecticut, we’re blessed with almost unlimited resources for writers. Nowadays, with so many meetings and events held on Zoom and similar platforms, distance is no bar to attending whatever you want. I’ve been making the most of this, joining write-in meetings with writers in California, Texas, The Carolinas, and even Canada and Europe. Much safer than actually traveling there. And I’ve made new friends along the way.
All the events listed here are via Zoom, and if I know the link I’ve included it.. If I don’t, I’ve shown you where to get it. The next Zoom event I’m running is a write-in on Mondays from 10-11:30am EST. Join us and write for two 45-minute sessions, It’s amazing how much writing gets done!
Next Tuesday evening, July 21, it’s time for WritersMic, our open mic session, from 7-9pm. You can come to read, or to listen. Contact me for the link if you’d like to be there. Or sign up at Meetup, which will provide the link immediately.
The Connecticut Chapter of the Romance Writers Association (CTRWA) is hosting a writers’ hang out via Zoom this evening, July 16 from 7-8pm. All fiction writers welcome.  The link is highlighted above.
The Westport Library has a couple of author events worth checking out. On July 19 at 2pm, bestselling thriller writers Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke will discuss their new twisty thriller How to Save a Life. The conversation will be moderated by the always wonderful Wendy Walker, so this one’s not to be missed. Register here.
And on July 27, at 7pm you can join (via Zoom) two top fantasy writers—S. A. Chakraborty (The Empire of Gold) and Jennifer Armentrout (From Blood and Ash)—to discuss their new releases and the fantasy genre in general. Register here.
Member Lauren Busser told us about some interesting workshops and lectures from Pandemic University. They’re very inexpensive, and if you can’t watch them at the time, you can watch the recording later. Among them are Demystifying the Publication Process (July 22) and Writing Topical Satire – Fast (August 6). And she recommends : Austin Bat Cave, a writing community in Austin TX, which offers a series of short seminars on many different writing topics.
The Westport Writers Workshop offers a number of courses year-round, but I think their 2-3-hour workshops are a great way to see whether you might enjoy a full series of classes with them. They have some interesting ones scheduled, and they tend to fill fast, so register soon if you’re interested. Character Study with Allison Dickens is scheduled for Wednesday, July 22 | from 7-9pm; Learn to Outline: How to Write a Novel and Not Lose Your Mind is taught by novelist Jessica Speart on Saturday, September 26 from 10am-1pm; learn about High Concepts and Tropes from member Libby Waterford, on Saturday, October 3 from 10-12noon. More on their website. Libby’s latest novel, Can’t Help Falling in Love, by the way, launched on July 14. Congratulations, Libby!
On July 29 at 7pm, Byrd’s Books of Bethel is hosting a discussion of her latest novel, The Wedding Thief, with author Mary Simses. For more information or to register, click here.
Member Elizabeth Chatsworth told us about a series of pitching days that happen regularly on Twitter. The next one takes place on July 29, and is for writers of fantasy or science fiction novels who are looking for an agent.  You pitch in a single tweet, giving it the hashtag #SFFpit. Agents looking for speculative fiction check out the pitches, and contact you if they like your ‘elevator pitch.’  All age categories (PB, MG, YA, NA, and adult) are welcome.
The Fairfield Public Library is running a writing contest this month. They’re looking for unpublished personal stories of 750 words or less on the topic: Where you will be in the near or distant future. Submissions are due: by 5pm on Friday, July 31. They suggest you think about what kinds of technological advancements and innovations may in our future, how our day-to-day living might change and how those things can impact your own future story. Children can submit in their appropriate age categories as can adults. All entries must be submitted as a PDF attachment to writingcontest@fplct.org. Entries must be anonymous, identified by only the title, not the author’s name. Include a separate cover sheet with the author’s name, contact information, age category, word count, and title of the piece. Winners will be notified by August 7 and will have the chance to share their work at the virtual reception on August 12.  Anyone can register for the August 12 reception.  Prior to the event, registrants will be sent the Zoom login information.
Part Two will follow on Monday – in the meantime, keep writing!