West Regional Library, 1425 Chaffee Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32221
When: Sign in begins at 10:00 AM unless otherwise posted.
* OUR MEETINGS *
We LOVE visitors! Unless otherwise stated, our meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month at the West Regional Branch Library in Jacksonville, Florida. The address is 1425 Chaffee Rd S, Jacksonville, Fl 32221.
Our Membership Dues is only $50 annually which includes all the workshops or you can pay $10 for any individual workshops throughout the year on Zoom. The public is welcome to come to the in-person workshops for Free for 2 learning sessions after which we ask that you pay the annual fee to join. To Pay for a Zoom Session CLICK HERE. Once payment is received you will receive an email with the Zoom link to attend the meeting you have selected.
Typically, we have a business meeting where you’ll learn about what we’re doing, followed by two workshops. When in person, we usually have lunch together at a nearby restaurant afterward. Romance writers know how to combine business and fun!
9:45AM log in to socialize and catch up with your fellow writers
10:00AM meeting called to order
10:40AM Meeting ends if it hasn’t already adjourned
10:40 5-minute break
10:45 First workshop (approx. 50 min)
5-minute break in there somewhere
Second workshop (approx. 50 min)
MEMBERS: If you need the Zoom link to attend, email the chapter president: president@firstcoastromancewriters.com You will be provided with a link to log onto the meeting. You can log in virtually for social time at 10:00AM, and our business meeting will begin promptly at 10:15AM.
Next Meetings…
Linnea Sinclair
From 10:45 until 12:45
At West Library Branch and on Zoom
LINNEA SINCLAIR BIO
Winner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA®, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair is a name synonymous with high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels. Her books have claimed spots in the Locus Top Ten and received starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly. Romantic Times Book Review magazine consistently gives Sinclair’s books 4-1/2 stars (their highest rating). Starlog magazine calls Sinclair “one of the reigning queens of science fiction romance.” Her previous careers include news reporting and private investigation. Since 2000, she’s taught seminars in the craft of writing for all levels of writers via on-line writing sites and at writing conventions nationwide.
Sinclair resides in Pensacola, Florida with her husband, Robert Bernadino, and their thoroughly spoiled cats. Readers can find her perched on the third barstool from the left in her Intergalactic Bar and Grille at
https://www.linneasinclair.com
HEAD GAMES: WRITING DEEP THIRD POV FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT
Reading is a vicarious experience, right? That means as a writer you need to immerse the reader into the heart, mind and skin of the character, and there’s no better way to do that than Deep Third Point Of View. Deep Third is often likened to First Person POV for its emotional intensity and intimacy factor. But it’s also a sure way to keep readers (and agents and editors!) turning pages. Award-winning Bantam Dell author Linnea Sinclair will take you on a journey through the flavors of Third Person, explain why Deep Third works, show you how and when to use Deep Third, how to know when Deep is Too Deep, and share tips and tricks to keep readers sobbing, giggling, gasping and grabbing... for more of your stories!
DEAL A STORY: A WRITING CARD GAME
Linnea Sinclair will lead this popular writing card game, which spurs creativity, is a lot of fun, and incorporates Deep Third techniques learned in her Head Games workshop. Attendees will be divided into groups and dealt cards involving character, plot, flaw, villain, genre, etc. Each group will pick a “scribe" and then the group will cooperatively create "back cover copy" for their “book." When the allotted time is up, each group’s “scribe" will read the back cover copy and everyone will vote for the best.
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Kari Lemor
From 10:45 until 12:45
At West Library Branch and on Zoom
Author Kari Lemor
Kari Lemor has always been a voracious reader. One of those kids who had the book under the covers or under the desk at school. Even now she has been known to stay up until the wee hours finishing a good book. Romance has always been her favorite, stories of people fighting through conflict to reach their happily ever after.
Writing wasn't something she enjoyed when young and only in the last few years began putting the stories that ran rampant in her head, down on paper.
Now that her kids are all grown and have moved out, she uses her spare time to create character driven stories of love and hope. She lives with her husband and they split their time between a small town in New England and beautiful St. Augustine. Being near the ocean is her dream location.
Accurate Portrayal of People with Disabilities
In this workshop, writers will learn about the multitude of disabilities that are under-represented in today’s literature. They will discern correct wording and determine the proper course of action when gathering information. They will delve into the technical realities and legal and educational standpoints regarding disabilities.
Planning a Series
In this workshop you’ll learn the key steps to planning a series which includes types of series, branding, naming a series, tools needed to organize your information, as well as figuring out how to get past the struggles you’ll face.
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Danica Winters
At On Zoom ONLY
Author Danica Winters
https://authordanicawinters.com/
Danica Winters is a Publishers Weekly, Walmart, and Amazon bestselling author who has won multiple awards for writing books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. She is also the co-owner of Self-Publishing Services, a women-owned and run business. SPS is a company that she loves, as she feels that she gets to help other authors grow creatively and enhance their discoverability in the ever-changing publishing market. SPS has worked with many NYT and USA Bestselling authors, and they are constantly growing.
When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
Danica Winters is represented by the amazing Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
Creating a Sustainable Author Business Model
In this 45-minute course, we will discuss what it takes to control and advance your author business over the course of decades and changing buyer behavior. Taking a deep look into small business setup and marketing, Danica will help take your short-term outlook to long-term profitability.
(Craft Course) Romance Trivia: Cracking the Synopsis
In this 45-minute course, we will get our hands dirty and play the wicked game of whodunit (or in this case, who wrote it). From a few rounds of Name that Book, we will discuss why synopses are important to pansters and plotters, how to boil the story down, where to cut, and what we can effectively use them to create.
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Ciara Knight
At West Library Branch and on Zoom
Author Ciara Knight
"From Southern Grace to Western Embrace" – Ciara Knight, a celebrated USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author, is often likened to the heartwarming essence of Hallmark movies. Her enchanting narratives have captured the hearts of over a million readers, transporting them from the serene Southern landscapes to the bold spirit of the West, all while exploring the depths of love and companionship.
Beyond her talent for crafting engaging stories, Ciara is a dedicated mentor and coach, utilizing her extensive experience as both an author and former acquisitions editor. With a fervent commitment to empowering emerging writers, Ciara imparts her wisdom and industry insights, assisting them in navigating the publishing landscape. Through her teaching and personalized coaching, she equips fellow authors to refine their craft, reach their highest potential, and discover their unique voices in the vibrant world of literature.
Crafting Core Magnetism in Storytelling
Are you ready to take your storytelling to the next level? Join us for an enlightening 50-minute course, "Crafting Core Magnetism in Storytelling," where you'll unlock the key to creating stories that resonate deeply with your audience. In this compact yet comprehensive course, you'll dive into the heart of what makes a narrative truly captivating. We'll begin with an insightful introduction to the concept of Core Magnetism – the essence that makes a story not just good, but unforgettable. You'll learn how to weave tales that appeal to a broad audience, tapping into the widely relatable aspects that give stories their lasting impact.
Whether you're a budding writer or a seasoned author, "Crafting Core Magnetism in Storytelling" offers valuable lessons to enrich your narrative skills. By the end of our session, you'll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to create stories that not only engage but also endure in the hearts and minds of your readers.
Unlock the Future of Writing: Embrace AI in Your Authorial Journey
Are you an author looking to navigate the rapidly evolving world of digital storytelling? Dive into my comprehensive course designed to demystify the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the literary arena. This engaging 50-minute session is tailored for both seasoned writers and aspiring novelists eager to harness AI's transformative potential.
Whether you're crafting your debut novel or looking to innovate your established authorial brand, this course is your gateway to embracing AI in your creative process. Sign up today and be part of the vanguard in the AI-driven literary future!
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Laurie Cooper
At On Zoom ONLY
Laurie Cooper
Connect at www.Pub-Craft.com.
Award-winning speaker, Laurie Cooper, launched her online business, Pub-Craft: Marketing for Books and Brands, in October 2013. She helps fiction authors go from struggling, feeling invisible and not knowing what to do next, to finding and connecting with their ideal readers. In her first year of business, Laurie went from 1 to over 200 clients and helped 100+ authors hit the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Lists. While she works as a marketing coach with authors from around the world, Laurie calls Ottawa, Canada her home. Learn more about Laurie and her course, "The Visible Author Method".
Author Newsletters: The why, how, and “Wow”
The WHY: What is the purpose of an author newsletter?
The HOW: How do you increase your ideal subscribers?
The WOW: How do you connect with your ideal readers through your newsletter?
How to Cross-Promote with Other Fiction Authors
This workshop teaches authors the benefits of cross-promotion as well as how to cross-promote and the online options available. Attendees will be able to make informed options from cross-promotion tools available to them, understand the benefits of cross-promotion, and know where/how to begin connecting with other authors for cross-promotion arrangements.
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Shirley Jump
At West Library Branch and on Zoom
Shirley Jump
www.WritingCompellingFiction.com
Shirley Jump, author of Writing Compelling Fiction, is an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful books that readers can’t down.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website above, On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellingFiction, she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages. If you have a writing question you’d like to see answered, email her at: Shirley@WritingCompellingFiction.com.
POWERFUL DIALOGUE
Want your book to be more powerful? Do you want your characters to do more than just talk on the page? Join multi-published, best-selling author Shirley Jump for an interactive workshop on making your dialogue leap off the page and actually work for your novel, not against it. Learn how dialogue can increase tension in a plot, show your characters (without telling) and ramp up the emotion on every page.
5 Secrets of Compelling Novels
What sets a compelling novel apart from a so-so novel? How do you create a book that grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the last page? Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump, who has published 85 books in 24 countries, for this workshop on the 5 common elements that compelling novels have—and how you can apply those elements to your own book.
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Jenna Grinstead
At On Zoom ONLY
Author Jenna Grinstead
https://www.jennagrinstead.com/
Jenna Grinstead is a whimsical Midwesterner with a penchant for magic and a deep desire for a world where the weird and different are embraced and celebrated. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she studied journalism. She found a way to turn her imagination and creativity into a career in marketing, while writing young adult and middle grade fiction. She often conducts workshops and speaks on writing, world-building, social media and marketing. Jenna is a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Central Ohio Fiction Writers. Her young adult romance manuscripts have won several regional writing awards, including
The Maggie, The Stiletto and The Indiana Golden Opportunity.
When she's not plotting her next story you can find her devouring novels and mint chocolate chip ice cream in her house with California Poppies painted across the garage.She is represented by Analieze Cervantes with Rees Literary Agency.
Writing Across Generations
As writers we know that every character has their own unique set of aspirations, goals and personality. But those exist within a larger context. Every generation has its own set of expectations, shaping experiences, relationship with technology and ways of interacting that are norms among that cohort.
Marketers study these to hone messages to sell products and services. As authors we can use this information to shape realistic conflicts and build authentic multi-generational relationships among our characters.
We’ll cover each of the generations living today—what experiences shaped them, what makes them unique, how their values conflict with other generations. Join an experienced marketer and fiction writer in this interactive journey to improve how you write across generations.
The Power of Facebook Groups
In this interactive workshop we'll discuss the power of Facebook Groups for your writing. We'll discuss what groups are, how to form them, look at examples of authors who are using them to research their books, improve their craft, connect with other authors, connect with fans, and, most importantly, to sell books.
You'll have the opportunity to learn the secrets to how to find groups, interact in existing groups to promote your author brand, create a group, nurture a group and grow a group into a community that aligns with your goals. Whether you're a published author looking for tips on how to sell via Facebook Groups or a newbie seeking to understand how groups can help you in your writing, this workshop is for you!
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