I’ll be appearing at the Pequot Library today, May 19 at 6pm, to talk about my memoir, Love’s Journey Home, with Randye Kaye, author of Happier Made Simple. We’ll be talking about our books, and life events we have in common. I’ll be revealing a special offer on the eBook version of the book…No need to register – just show up!
And if you happen to be in Bethel Connecticut on Saturday, May 21, I’ll be signing copies at Byrd’s Books – the fabulous indie bookstore at 11am. More info here.
If you can’t make either of those, I’ll be at the Norwalk Public Library on June 4 at 3pm, as a speaker in their Authors Speak series.
Those of you in Northern Connecticut will enjoy an evening in the company of humorous novelist Marilyn Simon Rothstein (Crazy to Leave You), and women’s fiction writer Kristan Higgins (Out of the Clear Blue Sky). Since both these writers have a sense of humor, I’m heading north myself to see them. They’re appearing at the Avon Public Library to launch their new books on May 24 at 7-8:30pm. Find out more here.
On Wednesday, May 25, from 10-11:30am EST the Westport Writers Workshop is offering an online class with Whitney Scharer, on how to turn fact into fiction. She is the author of the Age of Light, a novel about the photographer Lee Miller, and you’ll find out how to research your book and how much research to use in the novel itself, what the rules are about using real people in your books, and more. Register here. $50.
One of Connecticut’s most fun events for writers and readers, is the annual CrimeCONN, hosted on June 4, 8:30-4pm EST) as an in-person and a virtual event, by the Ferguson Library in Stamford. Whether you write crime fiction, or just love to read it, here’s a chance to meet some of your favorite authors, including Hank Phillippi Ryan, Chandra Prasad, Shari Randall, David Handler, Wendy Walker, and Tess Gerritsen. You’ll also be able to ask questions about forensics and crime in general from a team of crime-fighting experts (which I always find fascinating, if occasionally a little gruesome!). Early bird registration (before May 6) is $40, which includes a light lunch at the in-person event. After that date, the cost is $45, in person, $25 on Zoom.
The world’s bestselling author, James Patterson, comes to the Westport Library to discuss his highly anticipated memoir, James Patterson by James Patterson. He’ll be there on Tuesday, June 7 at 7pm. Attendance is free, or you can preorder a book to be picked up at the event for $29. Tickets here.
Jane Green, best-selling author of Sister Stardust, will emcee the Connecticut Press Club Awards ceremony on June 8, at 6:30 at the Old Post Tavern in Fairfield. Jane is the author of twenty-one novels, including eighteen New York Times bestsellers. Since many members of the Writers Rendezvous or WritersMic were winners in this year’s awards contest, I hope to see them there. Non-winners are welcome to attend too, to meet and mingle with fellow writers. Check here for tickets.
The Flash Fiction Challenge kicks off at 11:59pm EST on June 10. Organized by the NYC Midnight Movie Making Madness, it’s an international creative writing competition that asks participants to write original short stories of 1000 words max, based on genre, location, and object assignments – in 48 hours! Every entry receives useful feedback which makes the entry fee of $62 worthwhile, particularly if you get past the first two rounds, which everyone participates in. First Prize: $6000, and there are more prizes for the first ten winners. Register here.
Submissions for the 2022 CRAFT First Chapters Contest, for unpublished first chapters of book-length adult literary fiction (up to 5,000 words), will close on June 30, with the prizes to be awarded in December 2022. The top three entries will be selected by Guest Judge Maisy Card, and the winner will receive a $2,000 award. Runners-up will receive a $500 award and $300 award respectively for the second and third-place finalists. The top three stories will be published in CRAFT, each accompanied by an introduction by the guest judge and an author’s note (craft essay) by the three winning writers. Find out more and submit here.
Hope this gives you something to think about, events to attend, and places to submit!
Until next month, keep writing!
