CCWC Authors Add Holiday Cheer to Writers Night Out, December 12, 2012

by Artistic Director on December 31, 2012

Merriment, inspiration and bonhomie abounded among the forty-two members who attended the Cape Cod Writers Center’s holiday party at Uno’s Chicago Grill on December 12th. Enhancing our usual social hour and buffet dinner, the party included a book sale, a free glass of wine and readings by CCWC members reflecting the holiday season.

CCWC Board President Kevin Symmons opened the evening, followed by Executive Director Nancy Rubin Stuart’s presentation of publicity tips from the nation’s largest book publicist.

Arlene Kay, author and former treasurer of the CCWC , then moderated the readings with her witty repartee and insistence that each writer fulfill the 5- minute time limit for a reading.

If there’s a literary Santa Claus, we’re sure he was pleased. Happy Holidays!

Thank You to the Authors at Yesterday’s Breakfast

by web editor on December 8, 2012

Thank you to authors Arlene Kay, Josh Delaney, and Kathryn Knight, pictures above, for a very entertaining Breakfast With The Authors yesterday morning at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa.

President Kevin Symmons moderated as the authors spoke about their experiences writing their books, publishing and then promoting their books. Each one then spoke about the books followed by questions from the audience.

Arlene Kay is the author of her second mystery, Die Laughing; Josh Delaney is the author of the historical novel based on Cape Cod, Pieces of Eight; and Kathryn Knight is the author of the paranormal novel Silver Lake.

Janet Gardner Launches New Literary Website

by web editor on November 29, 2012

Congratulations to CCWC Member Janet Gardner who has launched a new blog and website dedicated to the literary scene on the Cape and Islands. It’s called A Shelf Life, and you can see it at www.ashelflife.org. Please take a look at the site, read the blog, leave a comment, share news of the site’s launch by email or on social media. If you’d like to contact Janet, you may email her at janet@ashelflife.org.

Announcing Arlene Kay’s Latest Book ” Die Laughing”

by Artistic Director on November 26, 2012

The Cape Cod Writers Center is delighted to announce that on December 12, 2012 Mainly Murder Press will publish a paperback and ebook by Arlene Kay entitled Die Laughing.

Congratulations Arlene for your second book to hit the presses within a year. We are all so proud of you!

An Illuminating Writers Night Out November 14, 2012 with Christine Merser

by Artistic Director on November 19, 2012

Forty Cape Cod Writers Center members appeared at Uno’s Chicago Grill on Wednesday night, November 14, to hear marketing expert Christine Merser, founder of Blue Shoe Strategy, explain how writers could use social media efficiently. They were not disappointed. Almost unanimously attendees praised Mercer’s illuminating presentation.

Merser, a resident of Barnstable, counts among her clients the country of Albania, Barrack Obama, Classic Party Rentals, and the West Parish of Barnstable. Her blog, www.FreesiaLane.com, was voted one of the ten best blogs in 2009 and has a readership of hundreds of thousands of people — something every writer wishes to emulate!

Requests for Items for Sandy Victims

by web editor on November 19, 2012

HUGS FOR SANDY’S KIDS

A devastating fire erupted in Breezy Point, NY during Hurricane Sandy in which families lost everything.

Please consider making a “Holiday” donation to the office of Catholic Charities in Brooklyn, NY to help the youngest victims (ages 0—12 years) have a bright holiday this year. Member Sharon Tucker is organizing this non-denominational project and all donations are being distributed through St. Francis de Sales Parish near Breezy Point where the fire occurred.

Items Requested:

New (tags still on), Toys (including games, puzzles, stuffed animals), Books, Cuddle Blankets (fleece, knitted, crocheted)

Donations accepted up to Dec. 1, to be trucked to NY in time for the holidays.

Questions: please email Sharon Tucker at: tuck4ely@hotmail.com

Deb Naughton’s Stories Published Online

by web editor on November 19, 2012

Member Deb McNaughton has two new holiday stories published on capecodwomenonline.com. Check them out:

http://capewomenonline.com/index.html

Mystery Writers Panel this Saturday at Osterville Free Library

by web editor on November 14, 2012

Books By The Sea and The Osterville Free Library are co-sponsoring a Mystery Writers Panel on this Saturday at the Osterville Free Library this Saturday from 3 to 5 PM.

Renowned authors Hank Phillippi Ryan, Peter Abrahams a.k.a. Spencer Quinn, and Randall Peffer will be discussing their works, as well as what makes good mystery writing. They will also be signing their latest novels, which will be on sale and provided by Books By The Sea.

All are invited to attend. The Osterville Free Library is located at 43 Wianno Avenue, Osterville, MA. For more information, please call: Books By The Sea at 508-420-9400, or The Osterville Free Library at 508-428-5757.

Writers Night Out Wednesday, November 14!

by web editor on November 9, 2012

Please join us at Uno’s Restaurant in Hyannis for

“Using Social Media to Build Your Following”

You wrote your book, play, non-fiction article. It’s in print. But the times, they are a changin’ and it’s now your responsibility to build your readership. There are social media vehicles out there, and there is a readership base that is eager to read what you have written. Christine Merser, Founder of Blue Shoe Strategy, will walk you through those vehicles and talk about which ones provide the biggest return. Facebook? Twitter? Blogs? Which ones are right for you, and how to set up a plan to work them will be the topic for the evening.

Christine Merser has consulted for such diverse clients as the Country of Albania, Barack Obama, Classic Party Rentals, and the West Parish of Barnstable (where she is a member of the congregation). Social Media is her expertise, and her blog, www.FreesiaLane.com, was voted one of the ten best blogs in 2009, with a readership of hundreds of the thousands of people. She lives in Barnstable and travels often to New York and Los Angeles for Blue Shoe.

* * *

As always the meal will be buffet style and the fun begins at 5:30. The cost will be $20. Please note this includes soft drinks only; alcoholic drinks are extra.

Please contact Moira at our office writers@capecodwriterscenter.org or 508-420-0200 to let us know if you are planning to attend. Please do your best to reserve in advance. We’ll never turn you away but it makes for an easier time for the restaurant staff.

See you on the 14th!

Kevin Symmons

President

On a Special Note:

Let’s make it a true Thanksgiving: please bring a non-perishable food item on the 14th, and I will bring what we collect to one of the local food pantries. Last year they were so grateful to receive the food, as it has been difficult for food pantries to keep their shelves stocked.

Thank you so much for your help!

Moira

” A Great Way for Students to Learn” — Tomorrow’s Writers Today November 3, 2012 Workshop

by Artistic Director on November 3, 2012

Thirty talented Barnstable Public school students\, ages 12-17 appeared at the Barnstable Intermediate School on a brisk Saturday morning, November 3 to participate in the Cape Cod Writers’ Center’s Workshop. The day began with introductions by two author-teachers, James Kershner, author, former columnist for the Cape Cod Times and a professor at the Cape Cod Community College and Heidi John Schmidt, highly acclaimed novelist and author of the 2012 young adult novel, The Harbormaster’s Daughter.

Students had a chance to study with both teachers during the morning and afternoon sessions. Almost unanimously, they praised the program for the inspiring instruction, the acquisition of new skills and a chance to learn from professional writers.

Here’s what they wrote about the November 3rd program:

I found them ( the instructors) even more helpful than all my English teachers combined… the course was great !

I learned a lot today, more than I have known before.. I enjoyed this and want to come back again!

They really helped a lot with my writing and gave me a lot of ideas… I really enjoyed it and will definitely try again next year. I only wish it was longer.

I was inspired to start writing again after a slight hiatus.

They were both published authors so it was very impressive… I was looking for inspiration which I got!

It was a good program and I hope more people will join.

The instructor was smashing!

It was more fun than English class.

The teachers were both wonderful. They helped me get a clear perspective on what I need to work on as a writer.

I learned more than I could have possibly hoped to learn. ….I think the program was a great experience…there should be more time.

The 2012 Tomorrow’s Writers Today Program was funded by Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, the Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Founation, Inc. and the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Trust.

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →

Cape Cod Writers Center