Our meeting yesterday included an interesting mix of writers, from beginners to those with several books published. One of the most interesting discussions we had was about AI—but there’s almost too much to write about that, so I may summarize it in the Monday post. In the meantime, this one includes information about various activities and events for writers, in-person memoir workshops in Connecticut, and a couple of live online panels about the various ways of indie publishing.

Tonight, Thursday, March 20, I’ll be one of two authors reading from my work and answering questions as part of the Sleeping Giant Reading series, which takes place at Best Video Cultural Center in Hamden, CT. The venue is unusual, and it features a bar and coffee shop. After the reading, there’s a writers’ happy hour, where you can mingle with other writers – always fun. If you’re in the area, check it out. Free.

The inaugural Jackie Robinson Essay Contest was launched recently. Open to Westport and Fairfield County residents aged 60 and over, the essay contest asks those who enter to answer the following question in 800 words or less: “Jackie Robinson stands as an icon of equality and civil rights. What does that say about the power of his legacy, of the place of sports in our culture, and about our modern-day society?” Entries can be submitted online. Deadline Monday, March 24, and the winners will be announced on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15. Submitted essays will be collected into a book — and an accompanying ebook — distributed by Meryl Moss Media. The winners will also receive Jackie Robinson memorabilia, a chance to be featured by the Jackie Robinson Museum, and tickets to a New York Mets home game in late April/early May.

Beginning on March 29, join me at the Ferguson Public Library in Stamford, Connecticut for three ninety-minute workshops designed for those who want to start a memoir, those who’ve started and become stuck, and those feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of writing their story. Over three sessions, you’ll learn the best ways to get your memories on the page, why writing badly is a great way to get started, and what to include and exclude. Bring your questions, some paper, and your favorite writing instrument. Suitable for beginners and experienced writers. Register here for all three classes. Free.

Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer, or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors. Enter the 33rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards for your chance to win $10,000 in cash, a feature about you in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference! Deadline April 1.  More information here.

The Fairfield County Writers Studio is offering a couple of classes that start in early April. Writing the Interconnected Novel will be taught live on Zoom by Phaye Poliakoff-Chen and begins April 2. In these book-length collections of interrelated short stories, each story can stand on its own individually but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Writing Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror is taught by Nina Kiriki Hoffman and begins April 23.

Join me and four other writers of romantic novels at the Yale Bookstore on April 5 from 1-3pm. We’ll be reading from our books, personalizing and signing them, and generally having a good time! Drop in any time, for a chance to network with published authors and find out what it takes to write romance.

The Westport Writers Workshop is offering a range of memoir-writing classes, most starting at the beginning of April. They include: Intro to Memoir with Victoria Buitron, From Family to the Page with Barbara Josselsohn, and Intermediate to Advanced Memoir with Christine Pakkala.

On April 9 at 7pm ET, the Westport Writers’ Workshop is hosting an online panel of writers who’ll be talking and answering questions about the various indie ways to get published. Join four writers (including me!) to discuss the different non-traditional (indie) publishing options: self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and publishing with small presses. We’ll be discussing our strategies, choices, and what we’ve learned from our unique experiences. Bring your questions! More information here.  Other panelists include: member Libby Waterford – Moderator (indie/self-publishing), member Heather Frimmer – hybrid/traditional, and Suzanne Farrell Smith – small press. $35

More to come on Monday – in the meantime, happy writing!