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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220828T023000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220828T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20220626T175549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220626T175719Z
UID:26234-1661653800-1661702400@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:What We Learned From Our Mistakes
DESCRIPTION:WAG members will participate in a panel discussion about mistakes they have made and what they learned from them. It might be an error made during the writing process\, while critiquing another’s work\, in submitting work for publication\, in contracting with a traditional publisher\, in self-publishing\, or in promoting their works. \nAfter the panel discussion\, the audience will be invited to join in the discussion and ask questions. \nCome participate—or just listen and learn. Hearing about the mistakes of others might help you avoid the same mistakes! \nNote the date (last Sunday of the month). We could not meet on our normal second Sunday because meeting rooms in the library were unavailable. \nThis presentation may be accessed via Zoom at the link below. \nZoom link: \nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89973131287?pwd=UWc4WXRaaDl0OWVQWmgwbTBiNHdVQT09\n\nMeeting ID: 899 7313 1287\nPasscode: 316819\nOne tap mobile\n+19292056099\,\,89973131287#\,\,\,\,*316819# US (New York)\n+13017158592\,\,89973131287#\,\,\,\,*316819# US (Washington DC)\n\nDial by your location\n        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\nMeeting ID: 899 7313 1287\nPasscode: 316819\nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kM2Sacyxx\n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/what-we-learned-from-our-mistakes/
LOCATION:Millhopper Branch\, Alachua County Libraries\, 3145 NW 43rd St.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32606\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image-1-e1656264493852.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210912T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210912T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20210324T195145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210903T214406Z
UID:24085-1631457000-1631462400@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:WAG. Where We’ve Been. Where We Could Go
DESCRIPTION:Join us on Sunday\, September 12\, at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom for a conversation about the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) and what it offers its members and the community. The program will be moderated by Jess Elliott\, Skipper Hammond\, and Wendy Thornton. \nThornton\, an original founder of WAG and a past president\, will discuss WAG’s history and our community outreach. Next\, Elliott\, our current president\, will discuss WAG’s many member benefits\, which all members may not be aware of. Finally\, Hammond\, a former Critique Pod Coordinator\, will invite members to speak about what WAG means to them and what they want from WAG. \nHistory – Thornton will give a brief background on why and how WAG was formed\, how it has evolved\, and its community outreach by participation in\, or support of\, such programs as ArtSpeaks and 352Arts\, as well as through joint projects with other Gainesville organizations or institutions (e.g.\, Local Author Series with the public library\, Sunshine State Book Festival with Santa Fe College\, and the Matheson COVID book project with the Matheson History Museum). \nMember Benefits –  Elliott will discuss WAG’s many member benefits\, which include: a free copy of the Bacopa Literary Review\, published annually; membership in one or more critique pods in order to solicit feedback on one’s writing; bi-monthly receipt of the WAG Digest\, which includes writing tips\, contests\, etc.; use of a beta reader through our beta reader program; membership in WAG’s private Facebook group for interaction with other WAG members; participation in local book festivals when WAG erects its tent there; and discounts on WAG-sponsored events such as writing workshops. \nMembers may also take advantage of opportunities on WAG’s website. Their books can be listed there\, with a link to Amazon. If a member offers a service such as editing\, design\, etc.\, his or her service and contact information can be listed on the services page. We also invite members to submit blog posts for the website blog and to apply to serve on the speakers’ bureau. \nWhat Does WAG Mean to You and What Do You Want From It? –  Hammond will lead this important discussion. She will invite old-timers to share why they joined WAG\, what they have gotten out of it\, and what skills they might share with other members. She will also invite new members to speak up and answer questions like these: Why did you join WAG? What do you want from WAG? What are your goals? What has WAG done before that you’d like to see again? Are you willing to volunteer to make an event happen? How can we make things better in the future? What would you like to see? \nWe encourage all members to get involved and not just watch from the bleachers. Events don’t run themselves. WAG is an all-volunteer force and can use small and large help. Let’s get involved! Attend meetings and events! Meet other members! We all learn from one another. \nJOIN VIA ZOOM\nLink to Join this Zoom Meeting:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89973131287?pwd=UWc4WXRaaDl0OWVQWmgwbTBiNHdVQT09\nMeeting ID: 899 7313 1287\nPassword: 316819
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/wag-where-weve-been-where-we-could-go/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/questions_1616443776-e1616444426864.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210207T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210207T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20201112T224425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210130T200009Z
UID:23759-1612708200-1612713600@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Writing Screenplays - A Panel Discussion
DESCRIPTION:When you walk out of a movie theater—remember doing that?—do you ever wish you could write a script? Well\, you can. On Sunday\, February 7\, at 2:30 p.m.\, Wendy Thornton will lead a panel discussion about screenwriting with Gary Gordon\, Shamrock McShane\, and Tom Miller. The program will be held via Zoom (see link at the end of this article.) \nThe four panelists will discuss the basics that answer questions like these: How do you get started? What are the formats that you must follow? How do you structure a movie plot? \nThey will touch on the beginning\, middle\, end\, plot points\, character creation\, character arc\, genre\, and the seeming conflict between creating a tight outline\, yet keeping it loose enough for creative ideas along the way. They will also discuss the use of screenplay software and how to enter various contests. \nWriting scripts is an enjoyable variation of the classic act of writing. Before you know it\, you’ll be envisioning your characters on the silver screen. \nWendy Thornton will begin the discussion. She is working on a screenplay and is the author of several books including Sounding the Depths\, Dear Oprah Or How I Beat Cancer and Learned to Love Daytime TV\, and a  mystery\, Bear-Trapped: In a Trashy Hollywood Novel. Her stories and essays have been published in a variety of journals and books including Riverteeth\, Epiphany\, and MacGuffin. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize\, has been Editor’s Pick on Salon.com multiple times\, and has received numerous awards. Her works have been published in England\, Ireland\, Scotland\, Australia\, and India. And somehow\, Thornton still finds time to teach writing at Santa Fe College in Gainesville\, Florida. \nGary Gordon is an author\, songwriter\, screenwriter\, travel writer\, comedy writer\, and playwright\, who says he probably spends “too much time on Facebook.” He spent over twenty years in Los Angeles\, California\, learning the craft of screenwriting and working on several works-for-hire. After returning to Gainesville he participated\, before COVID\, in the WAG Screenwriting pod and taught screenwriting at Santa Fe College. \nShamrock McShane\, writer\, teacher\, and actor\, is a 1986 graduate of the University of Florida’s Creative Writing Program. He is the author of the novel Rock Beauty and the nonfiction novel Hall of Fools. As a screenwriter\, he collaborated with his son\, director Mike McShane\, on films including The Votive Pit\, You Are Not Frank Sinatra\, and It’s All Good. A Shakespearean-trained actor as well as a prize-wining playwright\, his acting credits include playing Mercutio\, Macbeth\, and Prospero\, as well as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. \nTom Miller is a playwright\, screenwriter\, performance artist\, musician\, director\, sound designer\, and actor. He hosts an avant-garde variety show\, The Tom Miller Show\, a staple of entertainment in Gainesville\, Florida\, since 1984. In its current form\, the show is known as the Reverend Angeldust’s Tabernacle of Hedonism. Miller says it is the “longest-running variety show in the United States.” Miller holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Florida and an MFA in Screenwriting from the David Lynch MFA Screenwriter’s Program at Maharishi International University of Management in Fairfield\, Iowa. For more information\, check out his website\, https://filmfreeway.com/TomMiller \n\nLink to Join this Zoom Meeting:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89973131287?pwd=UWc4WXRaaDl0OWVQWmgwbTBiNHdVQT09\nMeeting ID: 899 7313 1287\nPassword: 316819 \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/writing-screenplays/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion,Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Wendy-thornton.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200913T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200913T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20200803T142213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200809T183800Z
UID:23368-1600007400-1600012800@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Using Zoom for Meetings\, Programs\, and Social Events
DESCRIPTION:Are you getting the most out of Zoom meetings\, programs\, and social events during the Covid-19 pandemic? \nAt 2:30 p.m. on Sunday\, September 13\, Jim Harper will lead a panel discussion via Zoom about Zoom. He and his panel will share tips and tricks aimed at producing a more effective and efficient event. \nSo\, join us on the second Sunday in September to learn more about Zoom such as lighting your space\, muting the audio\, and avoiding three-hour Zoom meetings. \n\nClick on this link to Join this Zoom Meeting:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89973131287?pwd=UWc4WXRaaDl0OWVQWmgwbTBiNHdVQT09\nMeeting ID: 899 7313 1287\nPassword: 316819
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/using-zoom-for-meetings-programs-and-social-events/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Zoom_meeting_1596464320-e1596997379578.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191207T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191207T150000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20191123T223334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191123T223334Z
UID:22853-1575723600-1575730800@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Marketing Coalition Meeting: Promoting Your Book with Author Readings
DESCRIPTION:Book reading events are an effective way to introduce your work\, sell books\, and win new fans. The WAG Marketing Coalition meeting for December will follow up on Nancy Quatrano’s November WAG presentation on public speaking with a panel discussion specifically focused on author readings. A panel of authors who have had successful readings will discuss where to find reading opportunities\, how to promote your reading\, what you should include in a reading\, and how to prepare. \nWAG Marketing Coalition meets December 7\, 2019\, 1:00–3:00 PM at the Partnership Library Branch\, 912 NE 16th Ave\, Gainesville\, FL. \nMembers of the Marketing Coalition meet monthly to discuss and share successful marketing ideas and strategies for their books. If you are a WAG member interested in promoting your book(s)\, we invite you to attend to see what the Marketing Coalition is all about.
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/marketing-coalition-meeting-promoting-your-book-with-author-readings/
LOCATION:The Library Partnership: A Neighborhood Resource Center\, 912 NE 16th Avenue\, Gainesville\, Fl
CATEGORIES:Meeting,Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/marketing_meeting_1494328911-e1494346525388.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190714T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190714T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20190501T161551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190705T214937Z
UID:22143-1563114600-1563120000@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Create Your Legacy: E-Publishing
DESCRIPTION:Four authors with recently published e-books will discuss the approaches\, research\, and writing techniques used to successfully prepare and conserve their own stories and those of their families.\nMost of us share a strong core value regarding the importance of better understanding our roots and family histories. Those who come after us will want to know about us. Times are changing more rapidly than ever\, and unless we capture and share the stories that relate the history and lifestyles of our generation and those before us\, they will be lost forever. \nThe four authors—Nick West\, Ginny Brinkley\, Faith Connors\, and Tracy Connors—invite you to join them for a panel discussion and informal “workshop” colloquy to explore the how-to’s and why’s of legacy e-publishing. The authors will talk for about fifteen minutes each about their personal e-publishing experiences. Then\, the four will assemble as a panel to answer\, individually or collectively\, any questions posed. Feel free to submit your questions in advance to the WAG Program Coordinator\, Kimberley Mullins. The panel will also welcome questions from attendees on any aspect of legacy publishing and/or e-publication. \nFaith R. Connors\, a retired Associate Professor\, University of Maryland (UM)\, directed and managed community service clubs and educational youth programs for UM’s Cooperative Extension Service. She attended the University of Oslo’s International Summer School\, and completed other graduate level studies at Bowie State University\, the University of Maryland\, and Hood College. Her work has been published in British Business Today\, All Hands Magazine (U.S. Navy’s flagship publication)\, and the Longman Dictionary of Mass Media and Communication. She is the author of three books\, Love Midgie\, Flavors of the Fjords\, and Clark’s Hill Cat. \nGinny Brinkley has been writing almost her entire life. As a young girl growing up in Virginia\, she composed stories about her dog and cat\, illustrating them with photos from her Brownie Hawkeye camera. Her sci-fi novel\, EarthQuest\, was begun by her “mad scientist” uncle\, and completed by Brinkley and a fellow writing group member after her uncle became incapacitated. Her most recent book is Goddess: A Child of the Sixties\, which looks back on her life and the excitement of her first love against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and the iconic music of the 1960s. \nNick West\, a Gainesville native\, attended Gainesville High School and the University of Florida. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and\, together with his family\, has owned and operated a landscape business in the area for over forty years. He began his writing career in 2010 when his first novel\, The Great Southern Circus\, was published. His other print books include The Long Road Home\, The Sandspur Special\, and To Light A New Fire. He recently published an e-book of historic fiction\, The Great Southern Circus: From the Big Top to Gettysburg\, which incorporates\, expands\, and updates The Great Southern Circus and its sequel\, The Long Road Home.\n \nCaptain Tracy D. Connors\, USN (Retired)\, graduated from the University of Florida (BA) and the University of Rhode Island (MA)\, followed by graduate study in public communications at the University of Maryland and human resource development at Bowie State University. In 2013\, he was awarded a Ph.D. with distinction in Human Services at Capella University. Connors has published two major military history works: Baited Trap\, the Ambush of Mission 1890 and Truckbusters from Dogpatch\, the Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War. He served as editor of Leading at the Strategic Level\, published by the National Defense University. He published the first volunteer resource management handbook in 1995 and has published eight major handbooks for nonprofit organization management. \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/create-your-legacy-e-publishing/
LOCATION:Millhopper Library\, Meeting Room A\, 3145 NW 43rd St\,\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32606\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Panel Discussion,Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/person_reading_1556724125.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180304T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180304T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20180108T113100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180313T203723Z
UID:9090-1520173800-1520179200@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Tips for Submitting Written Work to Contests
DESCRIPTION:Award winners Richard Gartee\, Roz Miller\, and Darlene Marshall shared with WAG members and guests their experiences in submitting their works to contests. The panelists focused first on the benefits. \nGartee\, whose third novel\, Ragtime Dudes in a Thin Place\, won the first place 2016 Royal Palm Literary Award (RPLA) for unpublished\, book-length fiction\, stated that the benefit of entering a contest depends on what you’re writing. If you are writing poems or short stories\, having your work published in a journal can bring recognition. For writers of novels\, winning a contest can help you build a platform to boost sales. \nThe RPLA contest\, sponsored by the Florida Writers Association (FWA) is judged blindly. According to FWA’s website\, each judge receives a rubric designed for a particular genre. Judges for book-length fiction\, for example\, look at: \n\ncharacters\nsetting\nplot\nstory flow\ndialogue\ncreativity\nmechanics\nappropriate genre\noverall impression\n\nAn added benefit of some contests\, such as the RPLA\, is that the judges provide comments to authors when the contest is over. This feedback is more objective than you might receive from someone you know in a critique pod or from a beta reader you know. \nMarshall\, who has won nine awards for her seven romance novels\, said\, “The feedback\, the acclaim\, and the award on a shelf are all good reasons to enter contests. Winning a contest helps separate you from the herd. And don’t be modest. Contest winners should use the phrase ‘award-winning-author’ when they market their books.” \n“Winning or even just being a finalist translates into sales\,” Gartee said. He noticed that some of the authors at the recent Amelia Island Book Festival had award stickers on their books. “I bought the book of a person who won an RPLA contest I entered\,” he said. \nMiller said that some contests will provide stickers to award winners for them to place on the front covers of their books. “One of WAG’s recent speakers\, author M. W. Gordon\, who won the 2014 RPLA Award for Published Book of the Year\, even changed his cover design to incorporate the award sticker. Now\, potential customers shopping on Amazon see that his book won an award.” \nThe RPLA and many other contests accept unpublished works\, Gartee reminded the audience. So\, if you enter a manuscript and learn that you’re a finalist\, notify your agent immediately. Being a finalist boosts your chances of getting published\, even if you don’t win. And if you win\, notify the agent again. \nThe three panelists also offered suggestions for making sure a contest is legitimate. \n“The RPLA is a prestigious award\,” Marshall said\, “especially in the state of Florida.” But recognize that not all contests and awards are created equal. Before entering\, learn how the contest is conducted. Read the rules and ask yourself what’s the purpose of the contest. \n“I once entered a contest\,” Gartee said\, “thinking I would win a place in an anthology—and I won! But then I quickly realized the catch. To be published\, I would have to fork over $60 for the published anthology.” \nKeep in mind that there are many scam contests out there. Read the guidelines and fine print. Be suspicious of the legitimacy of the contest: \n\nIf entry fees seem unreasonable ($100 is unreasonable even if cash awards are offered)\nIf the guidelines state that all entries will be published\nIf a publishing contract is guaranteed\nIf the contract says the publisher owns all rights to the work\nIf you are asked to grant exclusivity\, which takes your work off the market for a time\nIf there are lots of winners\, because that dilutes the win\n\nPay attention and look for contests that are talked about. You’ll learn which ones will do you the most good. Also keep in mind that not all contests give you feedback\, which can be extremely valuable. Miller noted that author Rebecca Heflin said\, “If not for a contest\, I would not be published; the feedback I received made me a better writer.” \n“Look at the timing of contests\,” Gartee said. “Some stagger their fees based on when you submit\, so If you submit early\, you save money. Staggered submissions help the judges—gives them more time to read all entries.” \nMarshall\, who serves as a judge for several competitions\, said it’s helpful to know who the judges are; the Hugo Award\, for example\, is judged by readers\, not other authors. Most contests have certain qualities the judges are looking for in the work. Judges are usually asked to rate the work on a scale of one to ten. \n“I’ve been judging books about six years\,” she said\, “and in one of the contests\, I’m to judge five qualities: structure\, voice\, accuracy\, originality\, and craft. Some contests even ask me to break the score down further—5.5\, for example. In the Romance Writers of American contest\, I must judge for competency\, story\, whether it is believable\, and if the book has a happy ending (romance novels must end with the protagonists together). \nMiller reminded the audience to keep submitting—that who wins a contest can be subjective\, since it all depends on the judge’s perspective. “We artists sometimes bite our tongues when we see which painting won a prize.” She also promised a list of 2018 Writing Contests (and here it is!). \n\nMarshall writes award winning historical romance\, mostly about pirates\, privateers\, smugglers\, and the occasional possum. Her book\, The Bride and the Buccaneer\, won the First Coast Romance Writers Award for historical romance\, and The Pirate’s Secret Baby received the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence. \n\nGartee is a novelist\, poet\, and author of seven college textbooks. In addition to his novels\, he has had five collections of his poetry published as well as numerous chap books. His third novel\, Ragtime Dudes In a Thin Place won the first place 2016 Royal Palm Literary Award for unpublished book-length fiction. \n\nMiller is an artist\, speaker\, freelance writer\, short story writer and playwright. Her nomination for the Spirit of Gainesville Award commended her commitment to helping others promote their work and grow in their development. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/contest-journal-submissions/
LOCATION:Millhopper Library\, Meeting Room A\, 3145 NW 43rd St\,\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32606\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_2002-1-e1520436298674.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160910T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160910T163000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20160831T174320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220306T164426Z
UID:5320-1473501600-1473525000@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Local Author Showcase
DESCRIPTION:The Alachua County Library invited WAG authors to participate in their “Local Author Showcase” held at the Headquarters Library in downtown Gainesville. WAG members Stephen Smitherman and Sandra Gail Lambert were among the five authors who spoke about their books during in the morning session\, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. WAG members Hugh E. (Eddie) Suggs\, Susie Baxter\, Terri Depue\, Sandra “Lee” Phillips\, and Richard Gartee made up most of the roster in the afternoon session\, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. A book signing followed each session.
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/local-author-showcase/
LOCATION:FL
CATEGORIES:Book Sale,Book Signing,Panel Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://writersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LASflier-768x994-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160519T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160519T200000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20160426T033115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160627T030812Z
UID:4213-1463680800-1463688000@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Scribes of the Sunshine State
DESCRIPTION:The Matheson History Museum and the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) teamed up to present the second “Scribes of the Sunshine State” program. Four distinguished authors — Mary Wood Bridgman\, Jack E. Davis\, Kate Dupes Hawk\, and Darlene Marshall — shared how Florida inspired their writing. See their bios below. \nThis program was held in conjunction with the museum’s April – June\, 2016\, exhibition: “Liquid Gold: The Rise and Fall of Florida Citrus.” \nWAG furnished refreshments\, and a book signing followed the program. \nMary Wood Bridgman\, a lawyer and former corporate executive\, resides on the shores of Kingsley Lake in Clay County. Her professional writing has appeared in national\, regional\, and local publications\, from Chicken Soup for the Soul to The Bradford County Telegraph. Mary has won honors from Writer’s Digest\, the Florida Writers’ Association\, and the Sandhills Writers’ Conference. She has taught writing courses at the University of North Florida and has frequently contributed to public radio (WJCT 89.9 FM in Jacksonville). She currently contributes to Our Town magazine and serves as Managing Editor for Bacopa Literary Review\, published annually by WAG. \nJack E. Davis has taught history at the university level for nearly two decades. In 2002-2003\, he taught on a Fulbright award at the University of Jordan in Amman. He is now a professor of history at the University of Florida\, where his work focuses on U.S. environmental history. Davis prefers to write for an intellectually curious reader rather than an academic audience. His Race Against Time: Culture and Separation in Natchez Since 1930 won the Charles S. Sydnor Prize for the outstanding book in southern history for 2001. An Everglades Providence: Marjory Stoneman Douglas and the American Environmental Century\, Davis’s latest book\, received the gold medal for best nonfiction in the Florida Book Awards. Two Charlie Awards — first place for best feature writing and for best in-depth reporting — from the Florida Magazine Association recognized his 2011 article on the Gulf of Mexico\, the subject of his next book. \nKate Dupes Hawk wrote Florida and the Mariel Boatlift of 1980\, which won the 2015 Stetson Kennedy Award from the Florida Historical Society. The 1980 Mariel Boatlift was a profound episode in twentieth-century American history\, impacting not just Florida\, but the entire country. During the first twenty days of the boatlift\, with little support from the federal government\, the state of Florida coordinated and responded to the sudden arrival in Key West of more than thirty thousand Cuban refugees\, the first wave of immigrants who became known as “Marielitos.” Hawk has also developed three museums for the Florida National Guard Historical Foundation and was awarded the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service medal for her work on the Camp Blanding\, Florida\, Museum of World War II. \nDarlene Marshall writes award-winning stories of romance and adventure\, featuring pirates\, privateers\, smugglers and the occasional possum. She lives in North Florida and loves being a writer because her work wardrobe is shorts\, sandals and tropical shirts with flamingos. The best days are when she puts the convertible top down and cruises over to the beach to do research.The Pirate’s Secret Baby won the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers and the Readers’ Choice Award from New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA). Castaway Dreams won the Aspen Gold Reader’s Choice Award\, and Florida-set The Bride and The Buccaneer received the First Coast Romance Writers Beacon Award for best historical. Her books are available in print\, ebook format\, Kindle editions\, and also in German and Estonian editions.
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/scribes-of-the-sunshine-state/
LOCATION:Matheson History Museum\, 513 E University Avenue\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160515T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160515T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20160426T041320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160627T110108Z
UID:4217-1463322600-1463328000@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Outlining the Book or Novel You Want to Write
DESCRIPTION:Three published authors\, Darlene Marshall\, Wendy Thornton\, and Larry Brasington\, discussed their outlining and writing styles. A book signing followed the program and Q&A. \n\nDarlene Marshall writes award-winning stories of romance and adventure\, featuring pirates\, privateers\, smugglers and the occasional possum. She lives in North Florida and loves being a writer because her work wardrobe is shorts\, sandals and tropical shirts with flamingos. The best days are when she puts the convertible top down and cruises over to the beach to do research. The Pirate’s Secret Baby won the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers and the Readers’ Choice Award from New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA). Castaway Dreams won the Aspen Gold Reader’s Choice Award\, and Florida-set The Bride and The Buccaneer received the First Coast Romance Writers Beacon Award for best historical. Her books are available in print\, ebook format\, Kindle editions\, and in German and Estonian editions. \n\nWendy Thornton is a freelance writer and editor who has been published inRiverteeth\, Epiphany\, MacGuffin and many other literary journals and books. Her memoir\, Dear Oprah Or How I Beat Cancer and Learned to Love Daytime TV\, was published in July 2013 and is available on Amazon and Kindle. Her mystery\,Bear-Trapped: In a Trashy Hollywood Novel\, was published in February 2015 and is available on Amazon and Kindle. She has won many awards for her work including most recently\, second prize in New York’s Literal Latte essay contest. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize\, and has been Editor’s Pick on Salon.com multiple times. Her work is published in England\, Scotland\, Australia\, and India. \n\nLarry Brasington likes to write stories with lots of action and strong story line. He most enjoys his Shane Ireland\, Elf Detective series set in a world in which a quarter of the human race has mutated. He first published stories in 1972: “Temple in the Swamp” and “The Valley\,” an H. P. Lovecraft-like tale. Many of his short stories have been featured in www.powdermonkey.biz\, an online magazine for gamers. His latest book is Saving Sonya\, a fantasy novel. Among his other novels are Alien Madness\, Brandenburgers: Invasion of Russia (alternative history of World War 2)\, Nell’s Tavern (an alien invasion on a backwater planet)\, and Beyond the Wall (historical novel 169 AD); all are available on Amazon\, Barnes and Noble online\, or Smashwords.
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/outlining-the-book-or-novel-you-want-to-write/
LOCATION:Millhopper Library\, Meeting Room A\, 3145 NW 43rd St\,\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32606\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160124
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160125
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20151212T191516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160701T175533Z
UID:3597-1453593600-1453679999@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:WAG Gets HIPP
DESCRIPTION:The Hippodrome Theater invited the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) to host a panel discussion on January 24\, immediately following the matinee performance of Collected Stories\, a play\, by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies\, \n\n“This is probably Margulies’ best play to date…” -- NY Post \n\n“Fluid and lively\, the play is thick with ideas\, like a \n stockpot of good stew.” -- Village Voice \n\nThis play is a riveting and emotionally charged exploration of the intersection of friendship and creative freedom: In a walk-up apartment in Greenwich Village\, a distinguished professor of creative writing reluctantly agrees to mentor an ambitious student\, and over the course of six years\, the two women are led to question\, Who owns the story of your life? \nFollowing the matinee performance on January 24\, four WAG members — Larry Brasington\, Richard Gartee\, Kimberley Mullins\, and Wendy Thornton (see bios below) — discussed with audience members where they get ideas and to what extent the stories around them influence what they put on the page. \nBy way of thanks for WAG’s participation in this event\, the Hippodrome offered all WAG members substantially discounted tickets to the play. A number of WAG members attended and joined in the panel discussion. \nLarry Brasington’s Temple in the Swamp\, an H. P. Lovecraft-like tale\, published in 1968. To date Brasington has published five novels: Alien Madness (science fiction)\, Unholy War: the Brandenburgers—Russia 41 (alternative history)\, Beyond the Wall (historical adventure)\, Nell’s Tavern (science fiction)\, and Saving Sonya (fantasy). In addition he has a series of fantasy mystery stories in the noir-tradition. Brasington has been a judge for the Florida Writers Association Mystery contest\, and he is actively involved with the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. \nRichard Gartee is a poet\, novelist\, and full-time author. He has had seven college textbooks and five collections of his poetry published. His first novel\, Lancelot’s Grail\, was published in 2013\, and he has since completed two more novels that await publication. Gartee is a member of Writers Alliance of Gainesville\, and Florida Writers Association. \nKimberley E. Mullins is a Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor in Gainesville\, FL. Her first poetry piece\, “My One Last Cent\,” was published in Amistad in 2007. She has published a book of poetry\, Thinking Aloud: Dimensions of free-verse\, and a fiction novel\, The Friends and Family Connection: Get Unplugged. Her novel In the Company of Strangers released in early 2016. She was a winner of the NanoWrimo 2015 completing just over 50\,000 words in 30 days. In addition to writing poetry\, Mullins has participated in spoken-word venues in Urban Grind\, Atlanta\, GA; Busboys and Poets in Washington\, D.C.; and at the Thomas Center\, Gainesville\, FL. \nWendy Thornton is a freelance writer and editor published in Riverteeth\, Epiphany\, MacGuffin and many other literary journals and books. Her memoir\, Dear Oprah Or How I Beat Cancer and Learned to Love Daytime TV\, was published in July 2013. Her mystery novel\, Bear-Trapped: In a Trashy Hollywood Novel\, was published in February\, 2015. Thornton has won many awards for her work including most recently\, second prize in New York’s Literal Latte essay contest. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize\, has been Editor’s Pick on Salon.com\, and is published in England\, Scotland\, Australia and India. \n  \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/wag-gets-hipp/
LOCATION:The Hippodrome State Theater\, 25 SE 2nd Place\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32601
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T200000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20150925T163339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170926T191100Z
UID:3329-1447180200-1447185600@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Community Outreach: Becoming a Writer
DESCRIPTION:(By Susie Baxter)\nWAG members Art Crummer and Karen Porter presented a program entitled “Becoming a Writer” to a small group of emerging writers at the High Springs Branch of the Alachua County Library on November 10. \nCrummer\, past president of the Writers Alliance and an award-winning musician\, said he interwove real life anecdotes with fictional events to create Wrestling God\, The All True Misadventures of an Elkin\, N.C. Boy\, the first novel of his trilogy Fixing Things. He discussed how he created a unique voice for each character through word choice and the importance of editing to eliminate unnecessary words. \nPorter\, author of several children’s books\, explained how she and her daughter work together on the books\, including the artwork\, and how the concept came about for What to do When You Get the Bejeebers Scared Out of You. One day while driving\, Porter exclaimed that another driver almost scared the bejeebers out of her. Her young daughter replied\, “Mommie\, what’s a bejeeber?” and the idea for the book was born. \nFollowing their talks\, the authors answered audience questions\, which focused on e-book publishing\, blogging\, and establishing a platform. \nIf you are interested in participating in community outreach programs such as this\, contact the WAG president or a member of the WAG Board. \n  \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/becoming-a-writer/
LOCATION:FL
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151011T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151011T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20150408T074842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170926T191405Z
UID:454-1444573800-1444573800@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:National Novel Writing Month
DESCRIPTION:by Connie Morrison\nA panel of three NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) winners held a packed audience captive as they shared their former participation in this 30-day\, 50\,000-word novel-writing challenge. The National Novel Writing Month takes place internationally every November\, encouraging writing and creativity around the world. Winners are those who complete their novels in the one month. \nGail Carr\, a youth services librarian at Headquarters Library in Gainesville and a three-year winner of NaNoWriMo\, took off last year for time to become a grandmother. Her supportive husband Archie\, her first grandchild\, and a Chihuahua named Pedro keep her busy now\, but not too busy to write. \nShe feels creating is crucial to her life. Others – 325\,142 of them last year – share that view as that number signed up for the challenge; 58\,917 hit their goal of writing a 50\,000-word draft novel in 30 days. \nGail told how published authors offer frequent pep talks delivered to the participant’s NaNoMail inbox throughout November. She came prepared with pompoms and got the audience cheering as she shared some past gems. This year Diana Gabaldon\, Charlaine Harris\, N. K. Jemisin\, Gene Luen Yang and Stephanie Perkins\, all well-known authors of diverse genres\, will offer their encouragement throughout the month of writing. \nAdditionally last year\, 803 volunteer liaisons on six continents gave their time and encouragement\, and 849 book stores\, libraries\, and community centers opened their doors to NaNoWriMo writers. \nGail admitted that as a slow\, careful\, technical writer she had not enjoyed writing. Then she met Jennifer\, who encouraged her to join NaNoWriMo\, and learned to write fast and carefree\, with no editing and no agonizing. She experienced a burst in her self-confidence helped by the pep talks. \nJennifer Kinser\, a Tower Road librarian and graduate of Florida State\, is this year’s local NaNoWriMo municipal liaison (ML). She gets encouragement from her 22-year-old tuxedo cat named Sylvester. In 2010\, she joined the challenge on a whim after being encouraged by a friend. She was working and going to grad school\, but the energy of others brought her to the finish line. She emphasized that not reaching the 50\,000-word goal would not be the end of the world. Just writing makes you a winner. \nJennifer gave us a NaNoWriMo website tour from sign-up to forum participation and beyond. She encouraged everyone to create an account and look at the site\, getting familiar with it ahead of time. Individual writing is usually done on personal software\, then copied and pasted to the NaNoWriMo site for word counts. Writing can be in any genre\, but only new writing should be used toward the 50\,000 word count. \nThe writing schedule is 1\,667 words per day to reach the 50\,000 word mark.  Typos don’t matter. The NaNoWriMo site can lead you through the challenge – it’s a warehouse of information. Under the heading “Regions/Local Volunteers\,” you can find and contact your municipal liaison (Jennifer) whose job it is to set up write-ins and meet-ups for encouragement. Most first timers are especially interested in the “NaNo Prep” page\, found under “Inspiration.” \nWinning is hitting the 50\,000 words\, but by creating an account\, which is free\, you are not required to do anything else. At the least\, you can get acquainted with the site\, and any writing you do is more than you would have done\, a plus in itself. \nAudience members wondered: Why November? The answer was that November includes holidays – the long Thanksgiving Day weekend plus Veterans’ Day. It all started in 1999. The audience got to hear the NaNoWriMo song presented in a YouTube video\, \nHannah E. O’Neal\, age fifteen and ready to write her fourth novel\, hit the 50\,000-targeted word count her first year\, even though writers seventeen and under can be winners at 10-30\,000 words. After finishing\, Hannah took advantage of a NaNoWriMo coupon from Createspace for two free published copies of her novel. The coupon was time sensitive and gave her the needed incentive. She encourages everyone to give it a try. \nAudience members inquired about the writers’ schedules. During the month of November\, Gail stated she did not do dishes\, leaving the table immediately after dinner to write for however long it took to reach the daily word count of 1\,667. If necessary\, she devoted more time on weekends\, and she declared she always felt energized while writing. \nJennifer\, as liaison\, has write-ins planned for three branches. The information can be found on the library events page for November. Meet-ups are also planned\, at Perkins Restaurant (tentatively) and other places to be announced. \nIn answer to an audience question\, Gail shared what she wrote about the three years she has done NaNoWriMo. In 2011\, she did no planning and wrote personally about child abuse and bullying. It was cathartic for her. In 2012\, she planned ahead with an outline\, writing about the library’s role as a social service agency. She hasn’t shared those manuscripts. In 2013\, she tried fiction\, futuristic sci-fi on the theme of bullying and slavery\, using a short outline. She confided this manuscript was aging like a nice cheese on the shelf. \nHannah admitted that at first she was a pantser – a seat-of-the-pants writer – with two characters as protagonists\, finally coming up with an antagonist as she was writing. Interaction dictated her scenes. Later she began to outline. \nEveryone was again encouraged to register\, even if in November. The experience would be invaluable. Someone questioned about the organization asking for donations on the NaNoWriMo site. All three panelists emphatically declared the site was free with donations made only by those who felt compelled and able. They insisted that sharing the NaNoWriMo information was just as important as a donation. \nGail reminded the audience that local authors are encouraged to donate their books to Alachua County Libraries so they may be made available to patrons. A special sticker indicating the author is local is applied to the spine. Headquarters has its own local author section. Please contact the library if you are interested in having your book on the shelf. \nAnd if you don’t have a book\, sign up for NaNoWriMo and write one. \n 
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/national-novel-writing-month/
LOCATION:FL
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20150614T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20150614T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20150408T072738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160507T180549Z
UID:445-1434292200-1434292200@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:WAG Enters the 21st Century
DESCRIPTION:by Ann~Marie Magné\nWhen the scheduled guest speaker for WAG’s June program had to cancel at the last minute\, WAG Board Members Susie Baxter\, Robin Ingle\, Sharon Ketts\, and Jani Sherrard filled the time slot with an informative program on WAG’s beautiful new website\, WAG’s newly energized Facebook page\, and our annual journal\, Bacopa Literary Review. \nSusie stated that WAG hired Raghu Designs to create a sophisticated website to represent the dynamic organization WAG has become. Robin said the developer gave WAG more bang for the buck than anticipated. \nSusie began her presentation of the website on the home page. The “Join WAG” button is right there for easy clicking\, and the WAG member login is easily accessible here. Also front and center is a list of upcoming programs and guest speakers. \nBold-faced entries and menu items on the left side of website pages link to more information: the history of WAG\, what’s new\, membership benefits\, books written by members\, issues of the WAG Digest\, and lots more. A logged-on member will see a “members only” menu link to an expanded list of interesting pages. \nA rolling display of testimonials appears in the right-hand column. Members are encouraged to send their thoughts to the webmaster so she can post them to entice nonmembers to join this wonderful organization. \nA new benefit of the website is the ease of joining WAG or renewing membership. Dues can be paid using PayPal. New members may opt to print the membership form and take it to a meeting\, or click-click-click themselves into membership! \nWebmaster Robin Ingle said that all WAG members should have received their website user names and passwords. When logging in the first time\, a member enters the assigned user name and password. After that\, a member may use his/her email address to log in and may change to a new password. \nSusie mentioned that WAG’s current bylaws and the proposed revised bylaws are posted for members to review on the announcement page in the “members-only” section. Please read them. The revised bylaws will be voted on at the July meeting. \nMembers may have their work—books and blogs—listed and the books sold on WAG’s website. Each week a book is featured\, chosen systematically. All purchases made through Amazon give WAG a four percent kickback. “If you continue shopping on Amazon after first accessing it through the WAG website\,” Susie explained\, “WAG also will get a kickback when you buy a new toaster!” Because WAG is a nonprofit\, all those kickbacks go to worthy causes. So begin your Amazon shopping through WAG’s website! \nRobin remarked that social icons are displayed at the bottom of all pages. Use them. She is tweeting all WAG members’ books on Twitter. \nAnother advantage for members is the members’ forum. Here’s a place to express your ideas\, plus make suggestions and comments. The forum is viewed only by fellow members. Participate and help it grow. \nSharon Ketts encouraged everyone to check out WAG’s Facebook page\, to click “like” when you see something of interest\, to comment\, and to share the posts. The number of followers has increased dramatically now that posts are being made daily. \nJani Sherrod stated that the Bacopa Literary Review\, WAG’s annual journal\, is one of the few print literary journals still available. The purpose of Bacopa is to promote local and world-wide writers by publishing their works and offering rewards in the contest. The genres for the contest are poetry\, fiction\, and creative nonfiction. Poetry receives the most submissions by far. \nJani explained the reason for having two submission periods for each issue. The first is for general publication. The later period is for the contest. Bacopa established the two categories because many published authors don’t want to pay to enter contests. \nContest judging is blind. The genre judges do not know the names of authors. One person tracks the authors and forwards submissions to the genre judges\, who categorize them as “print\,” “maybe\,” and “no.” Diversity and originality are sought. The pieces marked “print” and “maybe” are then reviewed by all judges\, and the final decision is left to the genre judge. \nThis year’s contest deadline of June 30 is approaching fast. Creative nonfiction has the fewest submissions\, so if this is your specialty\, here’s a golden opportunity. Members are entitled to one free submission; entries thereafter cost $11. The fee offsets prize money for first second and third place in each category. \nWAG is here for you!  Visit the website\, the Facebook page\, and submit to Bacopa!
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/how-to-craft-your-character-arc-and-develop-your-protagonist/
LOCATION:FL
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20141109T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20141109T153000
DTSTAMP:20260514T215659
CREATED:20150311T224912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160507T180651Z
UID:184-1415543400-1415547000@writersalliance.org
SUMMARY:Presentation by Editors and Writers of Bacopa Literary Review 2014
DESCRIPTION:Once again the editors of the Bacopa literary review\, the annual printed work of the Writers Alliance of Gainesville\, presented the master work of poetry\, short fiction and nonfiction. Winners of contests in each category were announced\, and selections were read by writers and editors. This was a not-to-be-missed meeting as WAG celebrated great submissions from around the world. \nBacopa Literary Review 2014\, the fifth annual volume of poetry\, creative nonfiction and fiction by authors from around the globe\, is published by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville\, with contests and general submissions from authors anywhere with an internet connection. \nContest winners (receiving cash awards and publication) were announced and other selected submissions from Bacopa 2014 were read at the launch Nov 9. \nThe beautiful print copies are free to WAG members (pick up at any monthy meeting).
URL:https://writersalliance.org/event/old-program-one/
LOCATION:FL
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussion
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