Meetings

• December 19, 2009
  
  • 1:45-2:30 Self-publishing panel of speakers.
• January 16, 2010
  
  • 1:45-2:30 Susan Rebecca White and Alan Deutschman, spouses who work in very different genres, talk about the two-writer household and learning from other writers who are completely different from oneself.
    
  • 3:00-3:45 Thriller superstar Steve Berry returns with Q&A on the craft and business of writing.
• February 20, 2010
  • 1:45-2:30 Amanda Gable, author of The Confederate General Rides North, on the craft of fiction
  • 3:00-3:45 Dr. John Evans teaches writing as a healing modality
• March 20, 2010
  • 1:45-2:30 Wendy Wax, author of The Accidental Bestseller, speaks about The Realities of a Writing Career
  • 3:00-3:45 Jack McDevitt, science fiction author, on How to Ensure Your Work Gets Rejected: how new writers go wrong.
• April 17, 2010
  • 1:45-2:30 Shannon Clute presents "Podcasting Basics: New Media and Your Writing Career."
  • 3:00-3:45 Richard Krevolin, screenwriter, playwright and author, on the power of story.
• May 15, 2010
  • Atlanta Writers Conference at Westin Atlanta Airport
  • (no regular meeting this month)
• June 19, 2010
  • Annual club picnic at Hammond Park in Sandy Springs
  • (no regular meeting this month)

Guest Speakers 2008-2009

• August 16, 2008
  1:45-2:30 Natasha Trethewey, Pulitzer Prize winner, on with a reading and a talk about her writing life.
  3:00-3:45 Karin Slaughter, international best-selling author of mystery & suspense, on using actual settings and social issues to drive your writing.
• September 20, 2008
  1:45-2:30 Gregg Loomis, author of four thrillers, on overcoming the flaws and biases of the publishing industry.
  3:00-3:45 Doug Crandell, author of two humorous mainstream novels, on how to start a writing project and maintain your creative momentum.
  
• October 18, 2008
  1:45-2:30 Dr. David Bottoms, Poet Laureate of Georgia an UGA professor, reading his work and answering questions about the craft of poetry and its publication.
  3:00-3:45 Dr. William Rawlings Jr., mystery writer and physician, on how to find time to write even if you spend 16 hours a day saving lives.
• November 15, 2008
  1:45-2:30 Joshua Corin compares and contrasts his process as a novelist vs. playwright vs. screenwriter
  3:00-3:45 Karen Spears Zacharias, essayist and journalist, on writing nonfiction.
• December 20, 2008
  1:45-2:30 Jackie Lee Miles and Julie L. Cannon, authors of Southern novels, on the five things that make a good story great.
  3:00-3:45 Laurel Snyder on writing and publishing books for children.
• January 17, 2009
  12:00-1:15  Author and educator Brian Corrigan to present a free writing workshop with all-new material
  1:45-2:30  Stephen Corey, poet, essayist, and editor of The Georgia Review, to speak about building your writing résumé
  3:00-3:45  Steve Berry, internationally best-selling thriller writer, will answer your questions about the craft of writing and the publishing industry
• February 21, 2009
  1:45-2:30  Bestselling essayist and columnist Hollis Gillespie on writing the memoir
  3:00-3:45  Fiction author Jack Riggs on the writer's journey from first published novel to the second one and beyond
• March 21, 2009
  1:45-2:30  Neil Shulman, MD, author or co-author of over 20 books (including Doc Hollywood) and children's stories, on The Real Doc Hollywood: Unlocking the mysteries of getting a book published in New York and a movie made in Hollywood.
  3:00-3:45  Jacqueline Hackett, literary agent, on how to get an agent.
• April 18, 2009
  12:00 - 1:00 David Fulmer presents his long-awaited Sex and Violence Workshop, free to all AWC members
  1:45-2:30 Robyn Freedman Spizman, author of numerous nonfiction books ranging from writing to gift-giving, will talk about options for getting published and promoting yourself.
  3:00-3:45 Daniel Black, author and educator, on the Revival of Southern Rural Literature
• June 20, 2009
  12:00 - 1:00 Lauretta Hannon, Cracker Queen author, presents a free workshop: "Marketing: Will It Make You or Break You?"
  1:45 - 2:30 Philip Lee Williams, novelist, poet, essayist, composer, and UGA creative writing professor, on writing about people on the fringes of society.
• July 18, 2009
  10:00 - 3:00 George Singleton Short-Story Workshop
• August 15, 2009
  1:45 - 2:30 Marc Fitten, author of Valeria's Last Stand, on having a book published for the first time--now what?
  3:00 - 3:45 Don O'Briant, author most recently of Newcomer's Guide to Georgia, on how he went from being a book review editor to writing books: a look at the publishing business from two different sides.
• September 19, 2009
  12:30 - 2:30 Mark Victor Hansen, creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, on two new series he's launching for those wishing to get published.
  3:00 - 3:45 Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, on getting your foot in the door.
• October 17, 2009
  1:45 - 2:30 Jessica Handler, essayist and author of the memoir Invisible Sisters, will discuss the use of journals, family documents, and public records in crafting memoir.
  3:00 - 3:45 Nashville singer-songwriter Tralena Walker and country lyricist Tom Webster on the secrets of songwriting that can improve any writer's work.
• November 21, 2009
  1:45-2:30 Danny Schnitzlein, picture-book author, discusses the do's and don'ts of writing for children.
  3:00-3:45 Romance Writers Roundtable.

Guest Speakers 2007-2008

• September 15, 2007 -- novelist, essayist, and educator Sheri Joseph on writing craft plus the Atlanta Magazine panel on freelance writing for commercial magazines
• October 20, 2007 -- Memoirist Carol O'Dell on establishing your marketing platform and developing virtual book tours, plus essayist Jackie K. Cooper and novelist Augusta Trobaugh discuss becoming "accidental authors"
• November 17, 2007 -- Diane Coulter Thomas, novelist, on using business writing to build authorial skills plus professional editor and screenplay doctor Ann Kempner Fisher on effective manuscript editing
• December 15, 2007 -- International bestselling author (and wife of Pat Conroy) Cassandra King plus Tasha Alexander, historical mystery writer and author of the novelization "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
• January 19, 2008 -- Novelist, essayist, poet, composer, and UGA creative writing professor Philip Lee Williams on why he relates to and writes about people at the margins of society, plus screenwriter, Filmpark pioneer, and Spielberg protégé Michael Lucker talks about turning your stories into scripts.
• February 16, 2008 -- Thoroughly Southern series author Patricia Sprinkle on balancing a career of non-fiction and fiction writing, plus Emory professor and non-fiction and fiction author Nathan McCall on character creation and "getting out of your skin."
• March 15, 2008 -- Mitchell Graham, fantasy writer and champion fencing master, on the writing rules for genres plus creative writing instructor and first-time novelist Renee Dodd
• April 19, 2008 -- Karen White, prolific author of grit lit, on the craft and business of writing women's fiction plus Melinda Long on writing children's books.
• May 17, 2008 -- Man Martin, first-time novelist and educator on techniques for writing humor in fiction plus Tina Ansa, international best-selling author, on the lessons of working with large publishers and running her own small press.

Guest Speakers 2006-2007

• September 16, 2006 Booksellers Roundtable—advice on how to maximize your sales
• October 21, 2006 Darnell Arnoult, poet and novelist
• November 14, 2006 Teleclass with Robyn Spizman
• November 18, 2006 Jack Riggs, award-winning novelist and educator plus Steven Wallace, Random House sales VP
• December 16, 2006 Joe Bathanti, novelist and poet plus Children's/Young Adult Author Panel
• January 20, 2007 Robyn Freedman Spizman, author/TV and radio personality plus Walter Sorrells, author of a thousand pen-names
• February 17, 2007 Mike Kavanaugh, specialist on personal finances for authors plus Milam McGraw Propst, historical fiction author
• March 17, 2007 Terry Kay, beloved award-winning novelist plus Poetry/Literary Journal Panel
• April 21, 2007 Spoken Magazine - members share their work plus Deidre Knight, literary agent and romance author
• May 19, 2007 David Fulmer, best-selling suspense novelist and educator on the craft of writing plus Joshilyn Jackson, critically acclaimed southern author and blogger extraordinaire
• June 16, 2007 Annual Picnic with Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe
• July 21, 2007 AWC Workshop - to be announced
• August 18, 2007 AWC Workshop - The Craft of Poetry, led by Dana Wildsmith

Guest Speakers 2005-2006

• September 17, 2005 - Patrice Dickey. Founder of PD Communications, Creativity and Leadership Development, Evening at Emory - Get the Life You Love. www.artofchange.org
• October 15, 2005 - James Moore. author of highly acclaimed horror novels Serenity Falls I & II, Possessions, Rabid Growth, Blood Red. www.jimshorror.com
• November 19, 2005 - Jedwin Smith. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter and editor, author of Fatal Treasure and Our Brother's Keeper.
• December 17, 2005 - Shelia P. Moses. 2004 National Book Award Finalist, Young People's Literature. Author, The Legend of Buddy Bush; co-author, Dick Gregory's autobiography, Callus on My Soul. shelia@mosesbooks.com
• January 21, 2006 - Peter Bowerman. Author of The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less. www.wellfedwriter.com
• February 18, 2006 - Laurie Abkemeier. Nonfiction agent with Defiore and Company. Previously Senior Editor with Hyperion. www.defioreandco.com
• March 18, 2006 - Spoken Magazine. Members read selected juried work.
• April 15, 2006 - Cecil Murphey. Former AWC President, best-selling author of over 100 books. www.cecilmurphey.com
• May 20, 2006 - Dana Wildsmith. Poet, writing teacher, and essayist. - www.danawildsmith.com