Another great get-together on Wednesday. The advantage of holding a hybrid meeting (in-person and on Zoom) is that we have participants who come from across the country and sometimes even from abroad, like Alison McBain in Canada. This week we covered a number of author events, a couple of open mics, and some writing workshops and webinars. AI still seems to be a hot topic!

It’s beach reading season, and to celebrate, the Norwalk Public Library is hosting authors of summer books this Sunday, June 22, and July 18 from 2-4pm. I’ll be there with member Bette Bono and five other authors. Autobiographical poet Mary Keating will be there on July 18 with five other writers. Come along and say hello – it will be cooler inside than outside!

If you are looking for an open mic where you can read your work, there’s one hosted every Thursday by Bethel CT Pride & the eclectic and welcoming coffee shop, Molten Java, in Bethel, CT. Play music, recite poetry, tell a story, or show off another talent! Keep in mind this is an all-ages event in a public venue, so they ask you to make good choices about appropriate material…. The next one is held today, Thursday, June 19, from 7-9 pm.

If that doesn’t work, this Friday, June 20, at 5pm, Milford’s Poet Laureate, Elaine Jeanette Nadal, is hosting a Summer Sounds Open Mic at Chimichurri Restaurant,  2 Schooner Ln, Milford, CT. If you’re interested in singing, playing an instrument, or sharing poetry, contact Elaine at elainejeannettenadal@yahoo.com.

The New Canaan Library here in Connecticut is running a six-week Writing Workshop Intensive starting Tuesday, June 24. The workshop encourages participants to submit a complete, critique-ready work on their first day. The workshop focuses on analyzing strengths and weaknesses in plot, character development, pacing, readability, and narrative cohesion. This intensive group critique process enhances writer engagement with their existing work. All genres are welcome. At each class meeting, participants will submit an excerpt of their novel, poetry chapbook, collection of short stories, or essays to be critiqued the following week by their fellow classmates.  By the end of the series, attendees will be well informed about their writing, what is working in their work, and what is not.  It’s currently waitlisted, but register here if you’re interested. People often drop out. Free.

More information to come on Monday!