First—my regular readers know that I’m always encouraging them to submit their writing to publications and contests. And voila! The Connecticut Press Club Awards were announced last week and featured several of our members.

Libby Waterford came third in the novel section for her book, Take it All.

Richard Seltzer got an honorable mention for his novel, We First Met in Ithaca, or was it Eden?

Mitzy Sky won four awards in total—second place for an individual poem, honorable mention for her book of poems Top of the Zinc Roof, First Place for an advertising campaign and second place for a special interest video.

Lisa Bernard won a first and third place for her blog posts.

Diane Lowman took first place in the autobiography/memoir section for her book The Undiscovered Country – Seeing Myself through Shakespeare’s Eyes. And third place for an essay—A Good Bra is Hard to Find.

Laurie Newkirk got an honorable mention for a specialty article, Mindset Wellness – Demystifying CBD.

Gina Ryan won an honorable mention for her editing of The Covid Chronicles, an anthology she produced with Mary-Lou Weisman.

I came first for my novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Over, and also for the excerpt from my next memoir, published in the Connecticut Literary Anthology, Sent Away.

Congratulations to all the winners! Remember, you could be one too. Next year’s awards will be for work published this year – so start submitting!

Now for a slew of upcoming events for writers:

This Sunday, March 24, the Connecticut Press Club will be hosting Rose Horowitz, journalist, producer, and social media expert, at the Fairfield County Story Lab from 11-12:30 to talk about How and why to livestream your book-promoting events. Among other things, you can use live streaming to host a virtual book launch party, where you can read excerpts from your book, invite guest speakers, and interact with your audience. You can also use it to cross-promote your book with other authors, influencers, or media outlets in your niche. Register for this live event here. Free for Story Lab members—includes bagels and prosecco. $10 for guests.

Authors from the CT chapter of Romance Writers of America will be featured at the opening of a brand-new Barnes & Noble in Meriden, CT on Sunday March 24 from 12-6pm. Members Libby Waterford and Gail Ingis will be among the eleven authors reading and signing books. So, whether you go to connect with other writers/authors, to ask questions about writing and publishing, or to find out more about romance, don’t miss it.

Also on Sunday, if you fancy a beer with your books, head over to Rule of 3 in East Hampton, CT, where the brewery is hosting an authors’ fair. Member Gail Howard (White Wife, Blue Baby) will be among those selling and signing their books from 1-4pm.

Meet CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota when I talk to her about her memoir Combat Love, launching at The Westport Library (CT) on March 27 at 7pm. Combat Love is her story of growing up longing for stability and attachment—as the foundation of her family crumbled. Find out how a local punk rock band named Shrapnel played into her teen years (and beyond) and how she survived near-misses and misadventures at clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, coupled with the sex, drugs, and punk rock of 1980s New Jersey. More information and registration here.

The Book Doctors, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, are offering a free Zoom webinar at 8pm on March 27 on Taking Your Memoir From Idea Through Publication. They’ll be discussing the state of the memoir marketplace and what it takes to break through. David and Arielle will be joined by Laura Schenone, editor, ghostwriter, and author of two memoirs. In addition to learning about what makes for a marketable memoir, they’ll be happy to answer questions. Space is limited, so sign up here.

Jason Cicci, playwright and screenwriter, will be teaching a seven-week class at the Fairfield County Story Lab in Fairfield CT, beginning April 3.   Five-Minute Fix: Writing the Short Film Script, explores the creative process with acclaimed actors, producers and storytellers. The goal of this interactive, hands-on workshop is to have written a script for a five-minute film, producible by iPhone or by Hollywood. You will learn what it takes to craft a movie-worthy script. You’ll create a logline, dive into dialogue, create conflict and character arcs, nail down your three acts and plot points, figure out stage directions and learn how to format it all on the page. Register here.

I’ll have more for you on Monday!