Community

Written by Kimberly Johnson

While it’s true, as the bumper sticker proclaims, that WRITERS DO IT ALONE, many of us find it more satisfying and ultimately more rewarding to do it connected with and surrounded by other writers.

Though writing is a solitary craft, for many writers in groups like the Hampton Roads Writers, a nonprofit writers’ organization established in 2008, it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Only other writers can truly understand the driving force that compels us to create with words.  

Are you one of the 81% of the American population who, according to a New York Times survey “feels they have a book in them and should write it”?

For most writers, the creation of a book—one that is loved by more than friends and family, one that a publisher also loves and wants to buy—is only a dream.

The reality eventually discovered by all too many writers is that writing well is extremely hard work. If it were easy, we'd all write best-selling, prize-winning books.
Writers who regularly attend workshops, classes, literary conferences, and other networking events with writing professionals become better writers and attain more publication successes.

Hampton Roads Writers is the solution you’ve been looking for and it might also be the wellspring from which the book inside you is able to flow onto paper and then into a publisher’s hands.

For more information about Hampton Roads Writers and how you can become a member, visit: hamptonroadswriters.org .

Hampton Roads Second Annual Writers’ Conference
September 24-25, 2010

HRW’s Second Annual Writers’ Conference, on September 24 - 25 at the Doubletree Hotel in Virginia Beach could be the jumpstart you need to set you on the path to writing better and increasing your chances of seeing your work in print. The conference features an exciting line-up of presenters headlined by award-winning author Jill McCorkle, on Friday, September 24th and Virginia Beach author Benjamin Herson, on September 25th. 
 
Writers anxious to publish have five minutes to impress Katharine Sands of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency or June Clark of Fine Print Literary Agency during the One-on-One Literary Agent Pitch Sessions.

Writers wishing an oral critique of their novel’s first pages may participate in First-Pages Critique Sessions, where panelists will toast or roast the work. Deadline for submission of first pages is August 20.

Register now at $110 for the two-day conference.  Price increases after August 20.

Lunch—$10 a day—must be ordered at time of registration; no outside food is allowed on the premises.
 
Visit hamptonroadswriters.org or call 757-589-0796 for conference details and to obtain a registration form.


CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
 
Getting Down to Basics—Presenter: Judi McCoy, author of 17 novels
So You’d like to Write a Children’s Book—Presenter: Kim Norman, author of several children’s books

Author Panel Discussion—Participants: Judi McCoy, Kim Norman, Nathan Richardson, Jill McCorkle

Riveting Writing: How to Pitch, Publish, and Platform—Presenter: Katharine Sands, agent with Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency

Finding a Story—Presenter: Jill McCorkle, novelist, writing professor and award-winning author of 8 books

The Craft of Creating a Poem—Presenter: Nathan Richardson, award-winning poet
Legal Issues Every Writer Should Know—Presenter: Jeff Kleinman, literary agent and intellectual property attorney with Folio Literary Management.

Plotting the Mystery—Presenter: Jennifer Stanley, mystery writer of Hope Street Series, Supper Club Series, and Collectibles Series
Buy This Book! A role-playing workshop—Presenters: Jeff Kleinman and Benjamin Herson

Before You Send it Out—Presenter: Marcela Landres, independent professional book editor, former editor at Simon and Schuster

Author/Agent Panel Discussion—Participants: Jeff Kleinman, Benjamin Herson, Jennifer (J.B.) Stanley, Katherine Sands

Building Your Platform—Presenter: June Clark, literary agent at Fine Print Literary Management

Hampton Roads Writers
2010-2011 TRAVELING PEN Series of Workshops

Each 2-hour workshop is $13 for HRW members, $15 for non-members. Send your name, address, email, and phone number along with payment (check or money order) to:

Hampton Roads Writers
P.O. Box 7607
Norfolk, VA 23509-0607

Saturday, August 28, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Mary D. Pretlow Library, 111 W. Ocean View Ave, Norfolk. Check-in begins at 10:15. Creating Memorable Characters -- Instructor—Judi McCoy, author of 17 published novels.

Saturday, November 6, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, Hampton Main Library, 4207 Victoria Blvd, Hampton. Check-in begins at 9:15. Plotting the Mystery -- Instructor—Maria Hudgins, author of the Dotsy Lamb Travel Mysteries.

Saturday, January 15, 2011, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, Greenbrier Library, 1214 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake. Check-in begins at 9:15. Our Voices, Our Time: An Introductory Poetry Workshop -- Instructor--Synnika Lofton is a poet/recording artist who has recorded more than thirty albums of poetry

THURSDAY, February 17, 2011, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Mary D. Pretlow Library, 111 W. Ocean View Ave, Norfolk. Check-in begins at 6:15 PM. Five Must-Do Steps to Self-Editing—Instructor—Judi McCoy, author of 17 published novels.

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS UNDER DEVELOPMENT