FWA River City Writers Group (Jacksonville)

March 13 and April 10 River City Writers Meetings 7 pm SE Library

2012-03-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

On March 13, 2012 I will be speaking on "Creating a Setting that Both Defines and Confines Your Characters". The setting you create adds realism and should always be viewed through your character's eyes and biases.

On April 10, award-winning author Rik Feeney will speak on "Sell Your Book in 30 Seconds: Elevator Speech Basics and Marketing Mechanics that Sell Books" at the SE Library at 7pm. Rik is a real pro, everytime I hear him talk I fill pages with notes of things I want to apply.

As always you are welcome to bring in 2 pages of any work in progess (double-spaced 12 pt please) for the group to critque.

FWA Meeting January 10, 2012 GOALS!!!!

2012-01-04T18:21:00.000-08:00

Let's all begin 2012 with BIG Goals. Bring in your work-in-progress (WIP) to our meeting and let's work together to set a completion date. We'll discuss how to get to a completion date, the revision process, and how to write a query letter. We''ll set short-term and long-term goals to help you finally complete your novel.

After our goals session, the group will also critique 2 double-spaced pages of your manuscript.

Come on, you know this is the year for you to finish that novel and get that query letter off to the publisher.

Happy writing, and see you on Tuesday.

November 13 Meeting - Author Jessie Harrell - Promoting Your Book

2011-11-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

On December 13, the River Cities Writers welcomes Author Jessie Harrell who will "wow" us with her tips on book promotion. Jessie's debut novel, Destined, has a launch date of November 17. She has laid out some unique plans to market her book including a blog tour.

Jessie Harrell is an appelate attorney, mom, serious blogger, and part of the UF gator nation. Her book, Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth.You can follow her on her blog - The Daily Harrell at: http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com/

You are welcome to come meet Jessie, and to bring 2 double-spaced pages of any work-in-progress for the group to critique.

See you on the 13th - happy writing

Gregg

November 15 FWA Meeting

2011-10-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Our speaker for November 8, 2011 will be local writer, blogger and fourth-degree black belt Melissa Kosciuszko. All writers need to be fierce marketers of their books and Melissa will speak to us on how she
designed and created her fantastic website. Her website is clean, has a clear message and also has links for local writing blogs and websites. Most importantly, Melissa lists several formats to enable readers to buy her book.

As usual, you are welcome to bring two double-spaced pages of any work-in-progress for the group to critique.

FWA Meeting Tuesday August 9, 2011 Nancy Murray is our Speaker

2011-08-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

For our meeting in August, the River City Writers welcome Author Nancy Murray. Nancy has written and published two books and is a strong marketer of her books, Gullah the Nawleens Cat, and her awardwinning book - The Night the Elephants Cried.

Nancy markets her books via standard books sales, her own website, a blog (where she dialogues with an elephant named Chang), bookm signings, and lastly her book trailer. Tuesday, She will be speaking on How to create you own book trailer.

As usual you are also welcome to bring two double-spaced pages of any work-in-progress for crititiques.

FWA River City Writers Meeting for July 12, 2011

2011-07-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

The River City Writers will meet on Tuesday July 12 at 7PM at the SE Regional Library at Gate Parkway and Deerwood Park Blvd. Mystery writer June Weltman is the guest speaker and will address the topic of "Gripping Suspense." One of a writer's greatest challenges, June says, is to create a growing sense of suspense that ensnares the reader. June is the author of the award-winning novel, The Mystery of the Missing Candlestick, which features a teenage detective. She's also a writing instructor, and will teach a course on writing mysteries for children and teens at UNF in September.

FWA June 14, 2011 Meeting - Rik Feeney Speaker!!!

2011-06-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

On June 14 2011, the FWA River City Writers welcomes author, publisher and sensational speaker Rick Feeney. Rick will be speaking on: Digital Books: Don’t get left behind!

Digital books are the wave of the future. Even if you publish traditionally, the additional

markets available through digital books is enormous. Learn the basics so you can get

your books published digitally, in most cases within 24 hours (and for free!), on popular

e-readers like the Kindle, the Nook, the Sony E-reader, and online through Barnes and

Noble’s Pubit, Google Editions, and many more digital outlets. After this talk, you will be

able to publish a digital book today!

Books are not the only thing you can publish digitally. You can also publish short stories,

poems, recipes, white papers, short reports, and booklets. It’s a great way to support

and market your fiction writing. You can literally feed your fiction addiction by writing

non-fiction! Tomorrow there will be several new digitally published authors at this

conference. Will you be one of them?

Participants will learn:

1. How to prepare digital documents.

2. How to publish digital documents.

3. How to develop digital documents from one-page reports to multi-page books.

Rik Feeney – Brief Biography

Rik Feeney adapted his love of reading, writing, and gymnastics to become a published

author of more than 48 books, reports, and CD’s on the sport and business of

gymnastics as well as a book coach, author web page designer, and promotional expert

for aspiring authors.

Rik received a Bachelor of Arts in Writing & Literature from Vermont College of Norwich

University in 2003. He is currently a columnist for AllExperts.com answering questions in

two categories; Publishing and Self Publishing, and the sport of Gymnastics.

He currently works with authors and self-publishers as a book development and

marketing coach, providing insight and information to help new writers leap beyond the

mundane but financially treacherous concerns of publishing.

He is also the Orlando Florida Writer’s Association group leader hosting monthly

meetings at the University Club in Winter Park the first Wednesday of every month from

6:30 to 8:30 PM.

Rik Feeney has done several talks at writer’s conferences and seminars throughout the

Southeast and is finishing two new books, Writing for Fun, Fame, & Fortune, and

Publishing for Penny-Pinchers.

Rik Feeney has also been one of the Platinum Sponsors for the FWA State Conference

for the past three years under the business name IsThereABookInsideYou.com (which is

being re-named PublishingSuccessOnline.com this year).

My skill sets include desktop publishing, researching online, graphic design with

Photoshop, photography, writing non-fiction as well as fiction books, articles, reports,

brochures, and most of all buckets full of creativity to apply to any topic or project.

2011 Speaker Application: Rik Feeney 6

RIK FEENEY / Rik@PublishingSuccessOnline.com / 407-529-8539 / www.PublishingSuccessOnline.com

Testimonials for Rik Feeney’s talks

“Lots of good meat to chew on. [Rik]

answers more key questions than you

know you had.”

- J. Kent Bull / St. Augustine, FL

“Very informative. Spoken from

experience.”

- Walt Hogan, St. Augustine, FL

“You provided me with a great primer

on establishing a web site [for authors].

You also gave me numerous marketing

ideas originating with a web site; I look

forward to reading your marketing

book.”

- Robert Dickey, St. Augustine, FL

“Your delivery was on point, clear and

full of info. Glad I know you – I feel that

you are a great resource to our writer’s

group.”

- Charlotte Kramer, St. Augustine, FL

“Information on the media page was

very helpful. This was a topic I hadn’t

thought of that could be very useful to

the “marketing” of the book without my

presence.

- J. Bjork, St. Augustine, FL

“Very Informative. Good knowledge.”

- Cindy Fraher

“Very helpfrul & informative. Most

questions answered before they were

asked.”

- Hadessa Mullane, Palatka, FL

“I enjoyed the humor in the talk. The

content was very helpful.”

- Howard E. Johnson, St. Augustine, FL

“Rik takes all the complexities of the

publishing industry and simplifies them;

makes them easy to understand. Rik is

well organized & well versed in all

aspects of writing & publishing.”

- Jeff Swesky, Daytona Beach, FL

“The best use of 3-hours of my time on

a day off. Would recommend any

wannabe writer to attend.”

- Jack M.D. Owen, Palm Beach, FL

“Genuine information for aspiring

writers done in an entertaining way.

Concrete information that helps authors

in marketing their books. Outstanding!”

- Kim Miller, St. Augustine, FL

“Rik is the most powerful speaker in the

field of writing I have ever heard! When

I get ready to pay for a personal

consultation, he will be my man!”

- Dorothy G. Loop, St. Augustine, FL

“Very informative & helpful. Presented

in an interesting manner.”

- Frank J. Realin, Weymouth, MA

“Very good. Broke down the publishing

industry into 3 easy-to-understand

chunks.”

- Robert Lee, Satsung, FL

“Very informational…Loaded! Visual

presentation…straight to the point.

Thanks!”

- Gearge W. Prow

“Very informative. Presented clearly

with humor.”

- A. McDevitt, St. Augustine, FL

FWA Meeting May 10, 2011

2011-04-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

The River City Writers welcome Dr. Lorraine Haataia to our May 10, 2011 meeting.

Are you a writer on a mission to publish? Have you ever been frustrated that you set a writing goal and didn’t stick to it? On Tuesday, May 10, Dr. Lorraine Haataia is going to give a presentation about setting writing goals. Her 2011 New Year’s Resolution was to write 1,000 words a day, every day, including holidays! Why did she set this goal? Because last year she spent more days thinking about writing than she cares to admit.

Lorraine has worked with writing deadlines her whole life. As a Professor of English, she has helped countless students get past writer’s block and learn to appreciate the high value of communicating quickly through the written word. In addition to teaching writing, Lorraine has also written in every corporate position she has held in the fields of construction, marketing and logistics. She has been held to deadlines for company intranet content, marketing copy and web copy. She has also had deadlines on Standard Operating Procedures and other documentation required for corporate quality and environmental audits. In addition, Lorraine has also published business articles and she is working earnestly on her second book.

It’s important to set goals with deadlines because it helps you to know whether you’re on schedule to complete your bigger goals on time. Whether you’re a fiction or nonfiction writer, Lorraine is going to present simple guidelines you can follow to get your work done on time.

Lorraine Haataia, PhD, is the Founder of First Coast Christian Writers and served as the President for the first two years, from 2008 through 2009. She earned her PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Florida. In addition to her doctorate, Lorraine holds a BA and MA in English as well as three associate’s degrees in the areas of interior design, construction project management, and business administration. So now you know one of Lorraine’s weaknesses as a writer—she loves to learn and do research! If she’s not careful, she can spend the entire day doing research without getting to the real work of writing.

In this session Lorraine will share her strategies and resources for making time to write every day.

Want to know the results of Dr. Lorraine’s New Year’s Resolution? Come to the meeting on May 10 and hear her amazing story.

Want to learn more about Lorraine? Check out her website, blogs and social networks at:

Her website:
www.DrLorraine.net

Her blog & Twitter account for people interested in green design & living:
http://drlorraine.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/DoctorLorraine

Her blog & Twitter account for writers:
http://lorrainehaataia.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/LorraineHaataia

And her social networks at:
www.Linkedin.com/in/DoctorLorraine
www.Facebook.com/DoctorLorraine

As usual, we also welcome all writers to bring 2 double-spaced pages of any work in progress for critiques.

Happy writing,

Gregg
gtgolson@comcast.net

April12, 2011 FWA Meeting

2011-04-08T03:43:00.000-07:00

At the SE Library on April 12, 2011 (at 7 pm) we will meet to work on Log-Lines. The best way to sell your novel, screenplay, or short story is to have a great log-line or elevator speech. Gregg will review some of the log-lines from the best movies and books of all-time, then lead you through an exercise to create the log-line for your tale. As usual you are welcome to bring 2 double-spaced pages of any work-in-progress for the group to critique. Happy Writing Gregg Golson gtgolson@comcast.net

FWA Meeting for March 8, 2011

2011-02-27T14:20:00.000-08:00

For our March meeting, the River City Writers group welcomes Dr. Gigi Morales David. She will be speaking on Writing for Children: A Call to Create!

Dr. David has been an educator for over 20 years and is a professor in the Department of Childhood Education at the University of North Florida. She is the author of several children's books including:

Just Mollie and Me

The Little Red Envelope

A series titled The Ferret Friendship Tales.

You are welcome to bring 2 pages (double-spaced, please) for the group to critique.

February 8, 2011 Meeting

2011-02-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

We will be meeting on Tuesday February 8, 2011 at 7 pm at the SE library. You are welcome to bring 2 to 4 double spaced pages of any work-in-progress for critiques.

In March, our speaker will be Dr. Gigi David. She is a great writer and also a wonderful professor at UNF. We should have the subject of her talk (on the craft of writing) within the next week.

Happy Writing!!!

Gregg Golson

FWA December 14th Meeting

2010-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Swanson will be our speaker in December. Jennifer, the author of the award-winning Penny and Rio series of children’s books, will speak on the important topic of chapter and story arcs. As writers, we all want our readers to keep wanting to turn to the next page, then the next, and next…

In addition to writing children’s books, Jennifer leads a local critique group. Jennifer is a Naval Academy graduate, and has her MS in Education. She has taught as a middle school science instructor for John Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth.

After our speaker, we will have our two page critiques. You are welcome to bring two double-spaced pages of any work in progress for the group to critique.

FWA Meeting November 8, 2010

2010-11-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

For our November meeting, we welcome a wonderful local author, Belinda Hulin. She is a five-time cookbook author and a veteran magazine and newspaper writer and editor. Her latest book, almost makes my Louisiana mouth water - Roux Memories: A Cajun-Creole Love Story with Recipes.

Brenda has written her memoir cookbook, capturing the oral history and traditions that food represents, and the process of drawing that history from family and friends. Her talk: "Your Table, Your History: Writing Your Cookbook" will let you know how you can write your best by writing from your own history.

For a preview - you are welcome to visit Belinda's website at: http://www.belindahulin.com/

As usual, after we hear from Belinda, we will hold critiques of any two pages of any double-spaced pages of your work-in-progress.

October 12 FWA Meeting

2010-10-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

For our meeting on October 12, we will be discussing Query Letters. We all write to be published. Even after we polish our manuscript, we need a strong query letter to get in the door.

I'll bring a couple of my query letters, then let you (the group) help write two query letters. First, you'll help write a query for a yound unpublished Southern author - trying to sell her yarn about the trial of a black-man, told from a child's view. Next, you'll help write the query for a British author, also unpublished, who is trying to sell an extremely long novel about a young wizard.

After our talk on query letters, we'll have our usual critiques. You are welcome to bring in 2 double-spaced pages of any work in progress.

See you Tuesday.

NO Meeting in August 2010

2010-08-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

We will not be meeting in August since the SE Library is hosting early voting.

We'll see you in September and happy writing...

Best,

Gregg Folson

April 13 FWA Meeting

2010-04-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

At our next meeting on Tuesday April 13 (at 7 pm at the Southeast Library) we will welcome local author Paul May to speak on "Writing For Children as a Full-Time Career”

His presentation will cover process, craft, revision, and marketing, including finding a unique voice and original ideas, showing, not telling, writing realistic dialogue, point of view, and trying to maintain your sanity as a freelance writer. He’ll also discuss his experience breaking into the field and finding an agent.

Paul R. May (www.paulrmay.com) has been working as a fulltime freelance writer for the past eight years. He has published dozens of stories, essays, scripts and articles for educational publishers; short stories for children and adults in print anthologies and online magazines; and freelance parenting, family life, people profile, small business, special interest, review, and feature stories in Florida newspapers and magazines (several articles published internationally). Most recently, he has been hard at work revising two young adult novels that are being marketed to trade publishers in New York. He is currently represented by literary agent George Nicholson (Sterling Lord Literistic, NY) for novel-length fiction.
Writing For Children as a Full-Time Career”

After Paul's talk, we will continue our critiques. You are welcome to bring two double-spaced lines of any work in progress manuscipt.

February 9, 2010 Meeting

2010-02-04T04:27:00.000-08:00

Group Leader Gregg Golson will be speaking on The Best of the SCBWI Miami Conference. Several local writers attended this great "meat and bones" conference with a focus on craft. Gregg had the opportunity to attend a novel intensive with Award winning author Kathleen Duey and Agent Jennifer Rofe'. Kathleen Duey, author of over 90 published books, delivered a tour de force on her writing method and how she creates authentic charcters. Ms. Rofe' brought a boatload of moxie, and a surprising helping of her ideas on how to hook an agent's attention.

After Gregg's talk, we will critique up to two double-spaced pages of any work in progress. If you are interested in longer critiques please include your email address so we can assign you to a fun critique group.

We look fortward to seeing you at the Southeast Library off Gate Parkway on February 10, 2010 at 7 pm.

If you have any questions please email me at gtgolson@comcast .net

happy writing

Gregg

December FWA Meeting - Conference Highlights

2009-11-18T06:18:00.000-08:00

The December meeting will be held on the 8th at 7pm. Gregg Golson and other local attendees will be bring you the best of the 2009 FWA Conference. The FWA Conference was a blast for all attendees. The conference was a weekend of great speakers, networking opportunities, and a boatload of information to help hone any writer's craft.

In addition Gregg Golson will host an interactive talk on how to Bring Your Fiction Writing to Life. The last forty five minutes will be reserved for group critiques. You are welcome to bring 2 pages of double spaced of your work in progress.

We have a real treat planned in January 2010. The husband and wife duo, Hank and Jan Racer will be our speakers. The Racers will speak on Coop-Publishing and how their collaboration has resulted in their success.

For more information please contact Gregg Golson: gtgolson@comcast.net

2009-10-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

The speaker for our November meeting on the 10th is Author-Illustrator-Musician-Encourager Chris Rumble.

School visits are a great way to market your book. Whether you are a pro at school visits, or a novice, Chris will bring a boat load of ideas and tricks of the trade to our November meeting.

The last 45 minutes of our meeting will be for 2 page critiques. Please bring 2 double spaced pages if you would like to participate.

As young, quirky child plagued with a speech impediment, Chris Rumble dreamed of growing up to be a cartoonist or a singer. Through a series of mind-boggling events that converged during his mid-twenties, Chris was enabled to overcome the stuttering that had for so long held him back. Since then, he has spent his days seeking to encourage young people, to convince them of their immense value, beauty and potential.

Today, as a school-visiting author-illustrator, his childhood dreams of cartooning and singing and the deeper dream of speaking fluently have all materialized to open doors for him to inspire hundreds of thousands of young people across the nation on a scale that he never could have imagined.

Chris’s most popular program is his one-of-a-kind READING PEP RALLY. With guitar in hand, he uses live music, live cartooning, character education, audience participation and loads of laughter to get students FIRED UP about reading and their own potential! Chris performs sing-alongs, the tunes of which your students will recognize. I'm a Believer becomes I'm a Big Reader. Twist and Shout becomes Read and Shout!, etc. They will join right in! Download music samples at chrisrumble.com!

Kids love his highly-illustrated Adventures of Uncle Stinky series (especially designed for reluctant readers!). Chris has taken his “ALL-IN-ONE” author event to over 500 schools and libraries coast to coast in the last six years

October Meeting - Tradtonal Publishing

2009-10-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is October 13, 2009.

We are thrilled to have award-winning author Robyn Gioia speak on Traditional Publishing. Robyn, the author of America's REAL First Thanksgiving, will speak from 7 to 8 pm. Since the critiques of first pages were popular last month, from 8 until 8:45 pm we will break into small groups for critiques. Please bring 4 copies of any two pages (double spaced) from a work in progress.

Robyn teaches full time in Ponte Vedra, a community bordering St. Augustine, Florida, America's oldest city. It was the city's historical lure that enticed her to begin a nonfiction series for middle grade students. Her mission is to bring learning to life for her students. To bring it home so to speak so the child internalizes what’s being taught. She loves the journey as much as the kids.

Robyn has been active in children's literature since joining an eclectic group of writers during a three year stay in England. Since being introduced to the world of words, she has been penning tales and works ever since. St. Augustine, Florida Robyn has judged several national writing contests.

She has spoken at different national and local venues on a variety of children’s subjects ranging from an inside look at the popular Harry Potter Series to writing nonfiction. . She is currently a reviewer for "School Library Journal" where she enters the imaginary worlds created by rising and notable authors.

As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and former Board Member of the Florida Writer's Association, she belongs to a core group of writers dedicated to advancing children’s writing.

If you have any questions about the FWA October neeting please contact Gregg Golson at 379-9839 or at gtgolson@comcast.net

September 8 Meeting

2009-08-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

On September 8, after you've rested from your long weekend, come attend our meeting on Tuesday and hear award-winning author Cic DiGenti speak on the all important first page.

GREAT BEGINNINGS: THAT ALL-IMPORTANT FIRST PAGE
Let’s face it, we have short attention spans. If the author doesn’t catch and hold the reader’s attention with the first line, first paragraph and first page, they might look for another book. Author Vic DiGenti leads us through a fast-paced, upbeat session looking at the keys to Great Beginnings, and tells us why it’s so important to grab the reader in the beginning. Bring copies of your own first page for feedback from the group.

Victor DiGenti spent more than thirty-five years working in public broadcasting as a director, public affairs producer, head of a two-station corporate communications department, and was responsible for special events, including producing the acclaimed Jacksonville Jazz Festival for eight years. During that time, he won national, regional and local awards, produced documentaries, and was a freelance writer. Prior to that, he attended the University of Florida, worked at a CBS affiliate, and as an announcer with a top 40 radio station.

After his retirement, Vic turned to his first love—writing. He found inspiration in his household of feline critters and wrote three adventure/fantasies with a feline protagonist. His first two novels —Windrusher and Windrusher and the Cave of Tho-hoth (Ocean Publishing)— have won multiple awards and attracted readers of all ages. His third in the series, Windrusher and the Trail of Fire, was released in August of 2008.

Vic is a regional director of the Florida Writers Association,President of the Friends of the Library–Ponte Vedra Beach, and a member of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. His unpublished manuscript, Matanzas Bay, a mystery/suspense novel set in St. Augustine, Florida, won the 2007 Josiah W. Bancroft, Sr. Award

River City Writers' Group

2009-08-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the River City Writers’ Group of the Florida Writers Association, serving the Duval County area.

We are a group of published and unpublished writers, who get together each month to learn about current trends and share information on the writing craft. The FWA recognizes that you may want to explore your talents through different formats and that's why we are not a genre-specific writers' organization and offer monthly meetings that reflect a variety of interests.

You do not need to be a FWA member to begin attending our monthly meetings, but after you've come to a few you are encouraged to sign up and enjoy the many discounts and benefits of membership in this energetic organization. And you are welcome to visit any of the statewide FWA local groups at any time.

Our monthly guest speakers offer you experience and advice from diverse backgrounds and insight into successful publication strategies for your own writing project. (See our current calendar of upcoming speaker topics below.)

If you have any questions, please contact our group leader Gregg T Golson: gtgolson@comcast.net We look forward to meeting you soon!

When: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00-8:45 pm

Where: Southeast Branch Public Library

The Southeast Branch Public Library is located at 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd, on the southwest corner of J. T. Butler and Gate Parkway (Costco exit). When going south on Gate Parkway, you'll turn right onto Deerwood Park Blvd, which runs west to Southside Blvd.

We meet in conference room "A," in the alcove to your right as you enter the building. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted for the busy after-work crowd.

Writing Conferences

Florida Writers Association Chart Your Course 8th Annual Statewide Conference - details forthcoming http://www.floridawriters.net/2008_FWA_Conference.html

Area Writing Organizations

First Coast Christian Writers meets Thursday evenings from 6:45-8:45 PM in room 204 at Christ's Church at 6045 Greenland Road. Contact Chapter President Lorraine Haatia at http://firstcoastchristianwriters.blogspot.com/

First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW) at the West Regional Library: 1425 Chaffee Road. 11:00 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. See the FCRW website for upcoming meetings/speakers: http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/workshops.htm

Florida Sisters in Crime (SinC) meets at 10:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month at the Southeast Regional Library; 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd http://www.geocities.com/flasinc/ The SinC Writers' Critique Group meets immediately following the monthly meeting at 12:00 p.m. If you plan to attend the Critique Group, please email flasinc@yahoo.com 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Florida Writers Association (FWA) Amelia Island meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Florida House Inn, 31 S. Fourth Street, Fernandina Beach. Contact Group Leader Maggie de Vries at maggie1948@yahoo.com for details about their next meeting.

FWA Ancient City meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10:00 a.m. at the Downtown St. Augustine Library. Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry critique groups meet at 11:45, immediately following the monthly meeting. For more details: http://fwaancientcity.blogspot.com/

FWA Ponte Vedra Beach meets at 10:30 a.m. of the fourth Saturday of the month at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library. Contact FWA Regional Director Vic DiGenti for more information: http://www.fwapontevedra.blogspot.com/

Jane Austen Society/North Florida Region meets at noon on the first Saturday of the month at Café Carmon, 1986 San Marco Blvd. For more information, contact Regional Coordinator Kadesh L Minter buffyversed@yahoo.com or JASNA North Florida http://www.jasna-nfla.org/

North Florida Writers Group 2:00 p.m. at the Webb Westconnett Library, 6887 103rd St. A Writers’ Critique group follows the monthly meeting. For more info: http://northfloridawriters.org/

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Jacksonville meets irregularly on the third Saturday of every month from 1-3 p.m. at the Southeast Regional Library, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. For more information about upcoming meeting, contact Janet Walter at jgwalter@comcast.net or http://home.comcast.net/~floridaec12/scbwijax.html

Open Mic Nights for Poets

Deadpaper - Local poets and writers read their work at 7 p.m. on the last Friday of every month at Chamblin Uptown, 215 Laura St. http://www.deadpaper.org/info.htm

Open Sesame - Spoken word and music is presented at 8:30 p.m. every other Thursday at Uncommon Grounds, 2000 Hendricks Ave. Admission is free. 398-3776.

Poetspeak - Poetspeak features spoken-word at 9 p.m. on the first and third Monday of every month at Backstreets Coffeehouse, 61 Spanish St., St. Augustine. Admission is $2. 827-0990.

Soul Release - Spoken word is staged at 8 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of every month at 9th and Main, 1850 N. Main St. 353-6002.

The Cypher - holds open-mic poetry sets at 8:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday of the month at Cafe 331 at 331 W. Forsyth St. 354-9163

Unheard Words - Open-mic poetry is held from 8-11 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Tamerry's Sports Club, 10696 Lem Turner Road. Admission is $3 for students, $5 for general audiences. Poets are admitted free. 722-1647.

Great Links

AddAll.com

Free book search compares prices, shipping, and availability among dozens of top book sellers in seconds: http://www.addall.com/

The Association of Authors’ Representatives
Here’s a helpful link for finding a legitimate agent for your manuscript: http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=9693&orgId=aar

Florida Writers Association statewide groups and events: http://www.floridawriters.net/

Glimmer Train Press quarterly journal, Writers Ask newsletter, and year-round writing competitions: http://www.glimmertrain.com/

Jacksonville Public Library
Upcoming Events, Book Clubs, etc. http://jpl.coj.net/welcome.html

OneLook® Dictionary search: http://onelook.com/

Poets and Writers magazine offers a reliable listing of writing competitions and industry insights: http://www.pw.org/grants?apage =*&

Query Letter Know How
Here’s an agent’s web link that provides information on writing an effective query letter and tips about how to get an agent to represent you: http://www.nelsonagency.com/faq.html#6

UNF Irish Studies For more information about events or the Irish Studies program: http://www.unf.edu/coas/irishstudies/events.html

Wordsmith.org
Build your vocabulary, one word, one day at a time using this free word-a-day email service: http://wordsmith.org/awad/index.html