Writers Table

Schedule for 2024-2025

• January: Barry Hampshire on AI
• See below for Topics
• February 8: Marlene Dotterer, David George, Linda Hartman, Jill Hedgecock, Lucinda Jackson, Gala Russ (See below for Topics)
• March 8: No Writers Table due to workshop
• April 12: Lori Armstrong, David George, Marlene Dotterer, Andrew Benzie, Lucinda Jackson (See below for Topics)
• May 10: Michael Barrington, Mark Clifford, Barry Hampshire, Jill Hedgecock, Bob O’Brien, John Schembra (See below for Topics)
• June 14: No Writers Table

TOPICS:
Adverbs with Barry Hampshire (11/9, 5/10)
We will look at this prickly topic and gain a better understanding of when they
should/can be used or alternatives.

Be a Bad Poet: Breaking Through Inhibitions to Bring Poetry Into Your Writing Life with Lori Armstrong (1/11, 4/12)
We’ll be doing creative and funny exercises in “bad poetry” and addressing the
insecurities that keep many of us from trying/pursuing poetry as an expressive
form.

Beta-Reading The Write Way with Linda Hartmann (1/11, 2/8, 4/12)

We’ll discuss what beta-reading is all about and how it adds amazing, surprising, and outstanding value to your final drafts and published works.

Create Your Profile on our Member Directory with Marlene Dotterer (11/9, 2/8, 4/12)
Step-by-Step guidance for anyone unsure of how to set up your profile, led by
webmaster Marlene Dotterer

Expanding Your Horizons Beyond Your Book with Lucinda Jackson (1/11, 2/8, 4/12)
This Writers Table will offer ideas on how to expand your own horizons beyond publishing your book. We will explore many avenues to extend your reach, collaborate with other authors, publish articles, appear on radio and podcasts, write magazine columns, join organizations, speak at diverse events, and much more.

Turn Life into Literature with Mark Clifford (5/10)
Autobiographical fiction writers create worlds between truth and fiction. Weave experiences into compelling narrative. Writers will deep dive into this exciting genre through sharing author bios, explore life, craft, and emotions. Enjoy the creative freedom to transform reality into litutainment! Get excited for this discussion, check out my Medium.com post “Turn Life into Literature.”

Real World Dangerous Police/Criminal Confrontations/Encounters—What You’ve Always Secretly Wanted to Know with Bob O’Brien (11/09, 5/10)
For crime, mystery, and police writers—I’m often asked what policing incidents
are “really” like.

Staying Relevant in Retirement through Writing with David George (1/11, 2/08, 4/12)
How do you stay relevant in retirement? Through your writing! Join David in
exploring all the ways to stay connected with the modern world through the
power of the written word.

Start Your Book Launch Plan Before Your Book is Done with Jill Hedgecock (1/11, 2/8, 5/10)
It may seem overwhelming to begin marketing when you are in the midst of editing to your manuscript or tweaking your book cover. But this is a critical step to maximizing the potential for a successful book launch. In this session, I will cover setting up Amazon ads, resources for mailing list management and
newsletter swaps, direct sale events, book blurbs, and social media options.

Ten Tips for Writing a Memoir with Michael Barrington (11/9, 5/10)
Let’s take a look at the difference between Memoir & Autobiography. I’ll review
the five basic principles of Memoir and offer ten tips to get you started.

To Hire an Editor or Not to Hire an Editor: What Kind of Editor You Need and When You Need Them with Gala Russ (11/09, 1/11, 2/08)
Gain clarity on different types of editorial services (developmental, copy, line editor, proofreader, book coach), learn how to assess your manuscript’s needs,
and leave empowered to make informed decisions for your self-publishing or traditional publishing journey

Key “Reader Magnets”: Cover Art and Title with John Schembra (5/10)
The importance of an eye-catching cover and title cannot be overlooked.

Our Next Writers Table

Meet our Writers Table Lineup for May

Writers Table is a standard feature of our monthly meetings (except workshops). It starts at 11:15 a.m.

Our May 10 Writers Table will be another “Choose Your Table” event with multiple tables/topics for you to choose from. Each of these presentations will be repeated later in the year (see dates in parentheses).

Michael Barrington

Ten Tips for Writing a Memoir with Michael Barrington

Let’s take a look at the difference between Memoir & Autobiography. I’ll review
the five basic principles of Memoir and offer ten tips to get you started.

Mark Clifford

Turn Life into Literature with Mark Clifford

Autobiographical fiction writers create worlds between truth and fiction. Weave experiences into compelling narrative. Writers will deep dive into this exciting genre through sharing author bios,
explore life, craft, and emotions. Enjoy the creative freedom to transform reality into litutainment! Get excited for this discussion, check out my Medium.com post “Turn Life into Literature.”

Barry Hampshire

Adverbs with Barry Hampshire

We will look at this prickly topic and gain a better understanding of when they should/can be used or alternatives.

Jill Hedgecock

Start Your Book Launch Plan Before Your Book is Done with Jill Hedgecock

It may seem overwhelming to begin marketing when you are in the midst of editing to your manuscript or tweaking your book cover. But this is a critical step to maximizing the potential for a successful book launch. In this session, I will cover setting up Amazon ads, resources for mailing list management and
newsletter swaps, direct sale events, book blurbs, and social media options.

Bob O’Brien

Real World Dangerous Police/Criminal Confrontations/Encounters—What You’ve Always Secretly Wanted to Know with Bob O’Brien

For crime, mystery, and police writers—I’m often asked what policing incidents
are “really” like.

John Schembra

Key “Reader Magnets”: Cover Art and Title with John Schembra

The importance of an eye-catching cover and title cannot be overlooked.