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. It is helpful if you have a free Zoom account prior to attending any of the ZOOM sessions as they can be viewed on your smartphone, tablet as well as through your laptop/computer. You can log in virtually for social time at 9:45am, and our business meeting will begin promptly at 10:15am.
Meetings Below
Don’t forget to share the upcoming workshops with your friends, family and fellow authors out there. We have a Facebook and a Twitter (X) button below each one that will allow you to share quickly and easily!
Susie Baxter
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32221
Susie Baxter
Susie Baxter teaches memoir writing in the Community Education program at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. She is the author of Pumping Sunshine: A Memoir of My Rural Childhood, which won gold in the Royal Palm Literary Award contest for memoir in 2018. Her other books are C.G. & Ethel: A Family History; Write Your Memoir: One Story at a Time; and I, Susanette…, a coming-of-age memoir. For more information, see https://susiehbaxter.comWorkshop: Historical and Memoir Writing with Accuracy
Susie Baxter believes that every person has a story to tell, and she wants to help you tell your story whether the goal is to discover yourself, leave a historical record for your family, or create a bestseller.
In this workshop, you will receive prompts, handouts, exercises, and other tools aimed at helping you create a compelling memoir by writing about one experience at a time. She will discuss the use of pictures, letters, and other memorabilia to help you tell your story and the importance of your voice as you write past fear, dig deep, and show vulnerabilities. “The goal,” Susie says, “is to make your book read—not like a history book with boring dates, names, and places but—like a novel that readers will not want to put down.”
The workshop will also answer questions like these: Why write a memoir? How to begin? What if my memory is patchy and imperfect? How can I improve my storytelling skills? When does dialog work and not work? How do I structure my stories? How do I keep my reader turning the pages? When and how to show and tell? When and how to protect my work? When do I share my work with others? How best to obtain constructive feedback? How long will it take to write the book? How will I find the time? How do I avoid hurting others? How can I get my memoir published?
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Writers Workshops - YA Author Michaele Stoughton and Legendary Film Producer - Peter Anthony Andrews
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At Hybrid session On Zoom - and at the library
Michaele Stoughton
M. L. Stoughton has been a wedding DJ, a balloon-toting clown, a travel agent and a dental assistant. Married with two grown daughters, a super spoiled pup, and three kitty overlords, she lives in upstate New York and loves all things paranormal. Michaele is a hybrid author with seven titles. Her first novel, Pleasantwick, won a gold medal in the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Awards and was chosen as the “Official Selection” for Young Adult Fantasy in the 2017 New Apple Summer E-book Awards. Publishing as Michele Lindsey, her first release, Yetta’s Yearning remained in Amazon’s top #100 for American Historical Romance for five months, launching her “Sunsets and Saddles” series.
Workshop: -
Is This Book YA or Adult?
Learn what makes a book YA versus adult fiction. Hint: it's not just the age of the protagonist. We'll discuss the key components and nuances of the different age categories, from middle grade and young adult to new adult and adult. This presentation can be beneficial to both writers and readers.
The Legendary Film Producer - Peter Anthony Andrews
Mr. Andrews is a legendary executive in film and television, with over 40 years of experience. He held leadership roles at NBC, Columbia Pictures, and MGM, where he oversaw hit shows like Little House on the Prairie, Columbo, and CHiPs. A former writer/producer for Harry Belafonte Enterprises, he also consulted on the acclaimed film Glory. He founded the Warner Brothers Women and Minority Writers Workshop and taught at Yale and USC. Educated at Penn’s Wharton School and Yale Drama, he now leads PACO GLOBAL, developing indie films, TV series, animation, and a new sports streaming platform.
SECOND WORKSHOP - An Hour With A Film & Television Producer
An hour long session with Peter Anthony Andrews speaking about what it takes to get your book made into a movie. The ins and outs of finding a producer, getting your story converted over to a screenplay and which studios are producing which genres these days. Come with your questions and enjoy a great Q&A session during the second half of our Writer's Workshop session.
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Writers Workshop with Author Susan Smith
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32221
Susan E. Smith
Susan E. Smith is a USA Today bestselling author known for her vivid imagination and heartfelt storytelling. A lifelong dreamer, Susan began writing early, inspired by starry skies and distant worlds. Her stories blend strong heroines, emotionally intelligent heroes, and immersive world-building that transports readers across time and space. Susan believes in writing for joy, allowing her characters to guide their journeys. When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, camping, traveling, and spending time with family. Her workshops reflect her passion for storytelling, encouraging writers to embrace creativity, courage, and the magic of their own inner voices.
Email: sesmithfl@gmail.com
Website: https://sesmithfl.com/
From Author to Authorpreneur: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Stories!
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Stories! As an author, you're not just writing books—you’re building worlds that captivate readers and keep them coming back for more. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to transform your passion for storytelling into a thriving business. From creating audiobooks to launching Kickstarter campaigns and offering subscription boxes, you’ll discover exciting ways to grow your income and engage with your audience on a deeper level. Join me on this creative journey, and learn how to step into the role of an Authorpreneur—taking your stories, and your career, to the next level!
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