Showtime: Giving a Successful Reading
Friday 3 January 2025, 7:00 pm ET
First Fridays
Maryland Writers’ Association
Online via Zoom
Giving a reading is perhaps the most stressful and most rewarding part of
being a writer. The connection with the audience and the rush from their
reaction to your work buoys the spirit of the most jaded writer. Yet many, if
not most, writers lack the performance skills to present a compelling reading.
We will look at how to select and order the selections for a reading, go over
basic oral interpretation techniques, and practice by reading pieces provided.
Participants are also encouraged to bring their own work to practice reading.
All meetings are open to the public and free to MWA members and first-time
guests. All others may pay $5.00. Annual dues to MWA are $50.00 and include
other benefits on top of monthly attendance at all chapter meetings. More
information and registration link coming soon.
Creative Writing Workshops
Feeling out of touch? Finding it hard to get started? Join me online for these hour-long workshops, appropriate for beginning or experienced writers. Using exercises and guided writing sprints, we will explore techniques used in creative writing and practice applying them. These are stand-alone workshops, but will build on each other. Let’s flex our writing muscles!
Here’s the schedule for January:
- 7 January – Transforming Experience into Stories
- 14 January – Start Your Story Engine
- 21 January – Get to Know Your Characters
- 28 January – Creating a Character Arc
The workshops are by donation ($10 per workshop is suggested). You are welcome to attend whether you donate or not. To register and get the Zoom link for the class, contact me.
Nonfiction Book Submission Package
Led by Barbara Morrison for the Odyssey Program, Johns Hopkins University
Online via Zoom
January 28, February 4 & 11, 2025, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
You need to create a submission package if you want your book to be published by a traditional publisher. Although agents and editors have individual submission requirements, there are certain elements of the package that are required or recommended for all nonfiction books. Moreover, these elements are recommended even if you choose to self-publish. This course will give you the tools to create your submission package, including query letters, competitive analysis, marketing plan, and a nonfiction book proposal. Register here: https://events.jhu.edu/form/odysseybarbaramorrisonspring25
ONGOING EVENTS
Poetry Discussion Group
First Saturday of every month
12 – 2 p.m.
ONLINE
Free
Each month we read and discuss the work of a poet. Open to all. No experience or preparation necessary. Copies of the poems are available. These casual discussions are a great way to expand your knowledge of and appreciation for poetry. Come and help us choose next month’s poet.
On 2 November we will be reading and discussing a selection of humorous poems, since we’ll all be needing a break by that time.
For more information and a link to join, contact me.