Even though I am still on my self-imposed hiatus (See May at Writual) I am going to keep sending out my monthly round up of all things writing—classes (mine or otherwise), workshops, events and new books or interesting writers. Please feel free to make suggestions for books or authors you have discovered or have long enjoyed.
For example, on a quick trip to Maine, I was looking around for a book to listen to on the 5-hour drive. My discerning reader’s criteria was simple: I had to be able to finish it during the trip. So, it had to be either 5 hours (the drive up) or 10 hours (up and back). I came across Neil Gaiman’s book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. It was 6 hours—it would do.
Of course you can’t swing a dead cat in the literary world without hitting a reference to Neil Gaiman. I think Gabi Coatsworth (see below) has interviewed him before. (She’ll correct me if I’m wrong.) So of course I was familiar with him, but I’d never read his work. I’d start with this one, and I began listening to it as soon as I got out of Waterbury.
It turns out it I didn’t finish it on the trip up (I had some phone calls to make) so I was able to listen to it on the way home, too. Which was fine because I loved it! On the version I listened to—on the Libby app—there was an interview with the author at the end and I loved that, too! Hearing the author talk about the book—and the world and the characters and the story—I was still kind of immersed in was wonderful and eased me back into my real world. In addition to sharing any of the books you’re reading right now—share with me the Neil Gaiman books you like. I think I’d like to read more!
Writing Groups & Classes
Currently, the Saturday AM Writing group is meeting regularly from 10-11:30am 3 Saturdays a month. If you’re interested in the Sat. AM group, click this button:
I continue to hold the Writing Through Grief workshop in Southbury, CT. It’s open to new members, too, if you’re in the area and would like to join us. More info at the link below—
If you’d like to be on the list to be notified when anything else comes up, email me and I’ll include you on the list. I don’t send out too many emails, so your inbox is relatively safe from me. :)
Other Writing Opportunities & Events & Writers
On June 13th you can hear Gabi Coatsworth in conversation with cozy mystery writer Valerie Taylor. It’s sponsored by CAPA, but the event is open to everyone. Click here for the Zoom link. Do it now—it’s coming up!
Jane Friedman - writing expert, guru, speaker & teacher. If you haven’t checked out Jane’s site, please take a minute to do so. She is my go-to resource for all things of the business of writing, but she also offers classes, too, whether her own or featuring other facilitators. Here’s the link to check out her upcoming offerings. https://janefriedman.com/online-classes/
She Writes - when I first began writing I sought out an online writing community and SheWrites.com was it. It has had many looks over the years, but it has just been revamped and is full of articles, essays and experts for writers. Take a look! https://shewrites.com/
Maddie Dawson - I recently had the privilege of attending a book launch for Maddie Dawson’s new book, Let’s Pretend This Will Work at the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio. It was a lovely afternoon during which Maddie was interviewed by Marilyn Simon Rothstein and then she read to us from her book. I gave the copy I bought to a friend, so I can’t take a picture of the book cover for you, so I’ll share one of the pics I took at the launch. If you’re on social media, you can follow Maddie Dawson on Instagram, too. Just click on her picture . . .
Katrina Anne Willis - is a writer who came out as gay years ago and has the courage and the talent to write about her experience with it. In recognition of Pride Month, I want to share her work and amplify her voice. It seems unbelievable that people still have trouble accepting “love is love”, but the LGBTQI+ community needs all the support they can get. This is her Substack link- subscribe and share!
So, there was a lot here after all…I hope you’ll follow the links, read the books, share your favorites and let me know what you think—about anything. I’m just going to pop the link for my book, True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver right here so you can take a peek at that. The publication date is Sept. 17th but it’s available for pre-order now. And I’ll (hopefully) be doing some events around the book, too. If you know of a group that might be interested, please let me know.
Thanks—all of you—for your support & love. I appreciate all of it and couldn’t do it without you.
xo
Cindy
I just finished the *Taken* series by Erin Bowman and now I’m starting *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* by Suzanne Collins. I’ve not read any Neil Gaiman… yet.
Thanks for the shout-out Cindy! I haven’t interviewed Neil Gaiman, but I love his books and he’s a very encouraging person. He gave a talk at the Westport Library last year and was inspiring!