Events for authors seem to be winding down for a while, probably because here in the US, Thanksgiving is kicking off what we call the Holiday season, which includes Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year. Maybe because of that, we had more members than usual at the Rendezvous yesterday – perhaps hoping to get a little inspiration before the rush really starts! (Check out my events here.)

A number of people wanted help with how to create a website, and there are a lot of options, including Substack, so I’ll be devoting Monday’s post to that topic.

First, Factory Underground in Norwalk, CT, is holding its last open mic of the year this Thursday, November 20 at 6:30pm and they are offering some exclusive discounts for attendees. You can take an additional 25% off their gift cards, which can be loaded up and used for any of our school and artist services.

I’ll be in conversation with author Sharon Dukett, author of the eco-thriller The Shutdown List, at Bank Square Books in Mystic this Friday, November 21, at 6pm. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello. It’s a great indie bookstore, and we need to support them! More information here.

Jane Cleland’s free information-packed webinar, “Mastering Plot Twists,” is happening online this Saturday, November 22, at 1 p.m. ET. Learn how, by integrating plot twists, plot reversals, and moments of heightened danger (TRDs) at tactically sound moments, your stories will captivate readers with their page-turning unpredictability. There’s still time to register, and you can sign up here to load the reservation page and reserve your virtual seat. She’ll send you the link the day before the event and again on the morning of the 22nd. If you have trouble signing up, contact Jon at jon@janecleland.com to ensure you get on the list.

I’ll be signing books along with Christopher Shaw Myers at Black Rock Books in Black Rock, CT, on November 29. Chris will be there from 1-2pm, and I’ll take over from 2-3pm.

Member Marty Kivell is appearing at the Stamford Historical Society in Connecticut, on Sunday, December 7, at 1 pm, to talk about his article, published by Connecticut Explored magazine, on Stamford’s “Miller Excitement,” about a scandalous,  violent divorce case in 1842-3 that split the town into two hostile camps.  Free Complimentary copies of the magazine will be available.

Our friends at Authors Publish don’t just offer lists of places to submit your manuscripts via their newsletter – they also hold webinar classes on various writing topics, like Revise Your Novel (starts in January 2026). And they’re currently offering a free book on how to publish your creative writing, in exchange for your signing up for their newsletter. Submit, Publish, Repeat is the definitive guide to publishing your short stories, poetry, and nonfiction in literary journals. It contains 207 pages of tools, strategies, and resources for getting published, finding readers, and establishing your reputation.

Hotch Potch Literature and Art is a journal with an unusual premise. The prompt they give for their submissions is art of some kind, and they ask writers to submit a 100-word Drabble (microfiction) or up to 750-word flash fiction using either of the images as inspiration. The first image is The Defender, and the second is Vampires, both by Emma Tumanyan, an amazing Armenian painter. Interpretation of the image is up to the writer, but please show the editors some connection to the prompt, however tenuous. Submissions are open now through January 20, 2026. More details here.

MEMBER SUCCESSES

Tony Sanches came first in the Stamford Library’s Spooky Writing Contest. Here’s what they said, “You truly captured the eerie spirit of the season!”

Gabi Coatsworth is one of five finalists in the Atmosphere Press Book of the Year Award.

Member Marty Kivell won the 2025 Creative World Award for Original Half-Hour Television Pilot – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Lying. And his article The Miller Excitement will be published in the next quarterly edition of Connecticut Explored magazine.

Larry Terhaar is finalizing publication of his fourth novel and is offering a free short story to readers.  As Long As Forever Lasts is a Sailing Adventure with a dose of romance. It’s about a 45-minute read, and he’d appreciate your feedback. Download here

Wayne Lysobey had his poem, Oyster Offering, published by Northeast Coastal Magazine.

More about websites on Monday!