Previous Speakers
2010 ~12
2010 | Jan | Feb | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Nov |
2011 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
2012 | Jan | Feb |
See Lessons Learned page for more infomation on past speakers.
Upcoming Speakers page lists future speakers.
February Speaker: Dr. S. R. Maxeiner, Jr.
See lessons learned for handouts.
The first minute Bob retired from professional life in Minnesota he decamped to southwest Florida, where he has recamped ever since. After many happy years in Sanibel, he and Tricia retracted to a condo lifestyle in Fort Myers. (Tricia is his wife – did you wonder?)
His writing “career” began in Florida, thrived in the weekly meetings of Group One of the Sanibel Writers, and has led to a decent archive of materials. His 2001 novel TRANSPLANT was followed by two books of stories: INNOCENTIA, 2003, and TOO MANY QUESTIONS, 2005. These are followed by unbooked short stories, assorted poems, and several plays whose exposure has ranged from full production down to repose in a dusty book case. But if there is life in the cloud, much of this material still breathes at his web site: www.bobmaxeiner.com.
Topic: Strong Writing
In years of mutual criticism with and by writing friends, I am struck with how easy it is to be lazy. Writing is fun. Writing is virtuous. Writing is nothing at all, unless the writer breathes meaning into it, an idea that catches a reader and moves him. Writing like that is hard work. If it’s to be successful, it must be what I call “strong writing." I intend to show what makes it strong, and to underline a dozen or more pits of slop that will always suck it down.
February 18, 2012, 10 am
January Workshop: Pat Nease
See lessons learned for handouts from her workshop.
Pat Nease is a popular Florida story teller and humorist and three-time Florida Champion Liar.
Topic: What's So Funny?
This exploratory, tickle-your-funny-bones, participatory workshop examined the benefits of humor as well as specific strategies for adding humor to stories, story-telling, and just about anything you're presenting.
www.patnease.com
November Speaker: Sid Simon
See lessons learned for handout and website.
Simon’s thirteenth book is his book of poems about people growing old in a mythical Condo in Florida. The first twelve were important contributions to his work as an internationally known pioneer in Psychological Education. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and conducted highly acclaimed workshops all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Simon began writing poems, short stories and plays as a member of The Sanibel Writers’ Group. He has read regularly at Writers’ Reads, and at the Open Mics
on the Island. His poems have appeared in THE SAN-CAP REVIEW, THE MANGROVE REVIEW, and in both newspapers on this Island where so many of the poems in this book took their flights.
He is also a Theater Critic for the SANIBEL ISLANDER, an active member of Art Poems since it’s beginnings, and for the past ten years, the Chairperson and Master of Ceremonies of FIRST FRIDAYS STORIES FOR GROWNUPS at the Sanibel Library. Simon even found time to perform in A.R. Gurney’s Play, LOVE LETTERS at BIG ARTS ON SANIBEL and two of his short plays were presented with The Write To Act group in Fort Myers, Florida.
Forever a teacher, Dr. Simon is still busy working to link his many professional and personal experiences into new theories for helping people live more full, and less fragmented lives. Stepping stones in that effort led to his books NEGATIVE CRITICISM and FORGIVENESS and to one of his more recent books, GETTING UNSTUCK. It was that book that took Sidney to a spot on the Oprah Winfrey Show!
Dr. Simon has also appeared with his son, John Simon, on the Donahue Show where the topic was Fathers and Sons. He got there because of the work John and he have done leading Fathers and Sons Workshops. Sid has also conducted Fathers and Daughters workshops with his daughter, Julianna. He claims it is part of his commitment to be a lifetime learner, and part of the passion that has made these poems on growing older in a mythical Florida Condo so vital, vibrant and real.
Topic: Using Story Telling to Enliven Writing.
I write "Story Poems." My hope is the story behind the poem grips the readers and sometimes confronts them in their own set of mirrors. I am also involved in STORIES FOR GROWNUPS on Sanibel Island. Stories trigger other stories and the creative well is enriched. I'll try to let you in on some of my strategies where stories have made the difference in the writing. And in that process, you'll tell me about how you have used stories.
October Speaker: Suzanne Barr
See lessons learned for Suzanne's handout.
For more than a decade Suzanne Barr has been a ghostwriter for a New York Times Best Selling author. She’s written more than twenty novels, all bestsellers. Under her own name, she’s written Fatal Kiss, the true story of Sylvia White, a North Carolina woman who murdered her step son. This story was featured on The Discovery Channel’s program, The New Detectives. Suzanne also published a suspense novel, Sight Unseen with Five Star/Centage Gale. Currently she is working a Christmas anthology for Kensington Publishing.
Topic: Ghost Writing
September Speaker: Linda Fasulo
See lessons learned for Linda's handout.
Linda is president of the Friends of the Library for Collier county and an on-air book reviewer and critic for WGCU radio.
Topic: "Confessions of a Rabid Reader" - What does a book reviewer look for?
Linda also talked about libraries and the ways in which both libraries and Friends groups can aid writers in promoting their works.
August Speaker: Marty Ambrose
See lessons learned for Marty's handout.
Professor Marty Ambrose has worked at Edison State College for more than two decades as a professor of English, Communications Chair, and now as Assessment Coordinator. She continues to teach English and creative writing. In her spare time, she writes and publishes The Mango Bay Mystery Series with Avalon Books.
Professor Ambrose has always liked to read cozy mysteries from the first time she bought one of Agatha Christie’s classic Miss Marple books. Now she writes her own cozy series for Avalon Books. The Mango Bay Mystery Series is set on a fictional island in Southwest Florida, like the one where Professor Ambrose lives, and features amateur sleuth, Mallie Monroe. The first book, PERIL IN PARADISE, was published in 2009; and the second book in the series, ISLAND INTRIGUE, came out in February, 2010. The third book, MURDER IN THE MANGROVES, was published in February, 2011; and the forth book, KILLER KOOL, will be published Fall, 2011.
Right now, Professor Ambrose is working on book #5 in the mystery series, TROPICAL TROUBLE.
Topic: Writing the Traditional Mystery
Creating an amateur sleuth, plotting a traditional mystery, and devising a "community" of characters for a series.
July Speaker: Tim Jacobs
Tim Jacobs has been writing poetry, short stories, articles, and books for over 25 years. His work has been published in such publications as Kracked Mirror Mysteries, Lighthouse Digest, The Connecticut Nutmegger, Gulf & Main Magazine, and Patriots of the American Revolution. He's also written for such newspapers as The Beacon, The Source, The Valley Courier and Guilford Courier.
His books include: Goodspeed's Folly: The Life of William Henry Goodspeed and his Opera House, Milestones & Memories: The History of the St. George Catholic Community Church, The Basics of Research, Writing and Self Publishing and his latest release is H. E. Heitman: An Early Entrepreneur of Fort Myers, Florida.
Tim is a six year member of GCWA and is also the editor for Patriots of the American Revolution magazine. Check out www.patriotsar.com for more information.
Please visit www.tmjacobs.com to learn more about Tim, his writing, upcoming lectures, current projects, and much more.
Topic: Research
Tim will be speaking on the Basics of Conducting Research. The lecture will include techniques on conducting research, short cuts, keeping a bibliography, using original sources, direct quotes, how to contact people and organizations, and much more.
June Speaker: Sandra Yeyati
Sandra Yeyati is the Marketing Director for Whitehall Printing Co. in Naples.
Topic: How to go from a Finished Manuscript to a Published Book.
Getting a finished book in your hands from A to Z - All of the steps needed: PDFs, Format, Layout, Artwork, Numbering, etc.
May Speaker: S. Alison Chabonais
Alison Chabonais has been a freelance writer for 20 years and a frequent magazine columnist. She is now the National Editor for Natural Awakenings Magazine, now publishing online and in 67 U.S. markets, with a monthly print circulation of 2.5 million. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer in 1994 and then an editor in 2003, she served as vice president with Burson-Marsteller, a leader in global public relations. Alison is a past president of GCWA.
Topic: An editors view of her favorite contributors.
What does an editor look for? Are unsolicited works ever published? etc.
April Speaker: Lorraine A. Vail
See lessons learned for Lorraine's poetry and presentation.
Lorraine A. Vail has received the 2009 Literary Artist of the Year Award from the Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers and was a Pushcart Prize nominee. The nominated poem is recorded along with her interview on the Library of Congress website (2010). She is the recipient of two Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grants in poetry and in December 2009, one of her poems was selected for the International Museum of Women’s website. Gulf Coast Writers and FGCU Sanibel Writers Conference have awarded her First Place in their poetry contests. Her poems are published in numerous journals in the US and Canada. Lorraine is the creator of the collaborative ArtPoems Project (2007-2011). She is the author of Between Land and Sea, Near Water, Paradise Found, and Fire in the Grass (2010). She happily calls Sanibel Island home.
Topic: Poetry and the Creative Process (April is National Poetry Month)
To celebrate Poetry Month Lorraine's talk focused on Poetry and the Creative Process, the ArtPoems Program, a collaboration with poets and artists, and publishing poetry.
Listen to Lorraine recite her Pushcart Prize Poem here.
March Speaker: Tom DeMarchi
Tom DeMarchi is an English instructor at FGCU an the Director of the Sanibel Writers Conference.
http://www.fgcu.edu/CAS/909.asp
Topic: Update on the Sanibel Writer's Conference
February Speaker: Christine Lemmon
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Christine Lemmon is the author of three women’s fiction
novels (Sanibel Scribbles, Portion of the Sea, and Sand in My
Eyes) as well as the gift book, Whisper from the Ocean. The novels
that she and her husband have together self-published consistently top Sanibel’s
bestseller list and have sold tens of thousands of copies. Her third novel, Sand in My Eyes was a 2010 Indie Excellence finalist in the fiction
category.
Lemmon lives on Sanibel Island with her husband and three
children and only writes early in the morning or late at night while her
children are sleeping. She is working on her fourth novel (for which she plans
to seek a major publisher).
For more information visit:
www.christinelemmon.com
Topic: Intimate aspects of writing, creativity and inspiration.
As guest speaker for the month of February, Christine will
share the intimate aspects of writing, creativity and inspiration, as well as
the crucial publishing lessons she has learned throughout her passionate
journey—a journey that has taken her from the early days of selling her first
novel out of the trunk of her car to the present day in which all four of her
books are placed at major chains, gift shops, high-end resorts and the Fort
Myers airport.
January Panel Discussion: Richard Georgian, Kyle Miller, Ken Feeley, Tom Nelson, Jan Nieman, Mary Beth Lundgren, and Lori Ruhl.
Topic: The Financial Side of Being an Author
See Lessons Learned for notes and handouts from the Panel Discussion.
November Speakers: Dr. Molly Barrow and Jeff Schlesinger
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Dr. Molly Barrow holds a Ph.D. in clinical
psychology and is an authority on relationship and psychological topics. Dr.
Barrow is a member of the American Psychological Association, Screen Actors
Guild, and Authors Guild. She has a radio show on Progressive Radio Network,
is a columnist for Menstuff.org and is the author of Matchlines for
Singles, Matchline for Couples, the self-esteem building books for
children Malia & Teacup Awesome African Adventure and Malia
& Teacup Out on a Limb. Dr. Barrow is a featured author in Children
& Libraries Journal (ALSC) and is a contributor to the All-in One
Marriage Prep, 75 Experts Share Tips & Wisdom to Help You Get Ready
Now. She has appeared as an expert in the film, My Suicide, documentaries Ready to Explode and KTLA Impact, NBC News, PBS In
Focus, WBZT Talk Radio, and in O, The Oprah Magazine, Psychology Today,
Newsday, New York Times, CNN, Women's Health and Women's
World.
Web
sites: http://www.drmollybarrow.com, http://maliaandteacup.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/drmollybarrow
Archived Radio Shows: http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-dr-molly-barrow-show http://barrow.progressiveradionetwork.org/
Jeff Schlesinger is Owner/Publisher of Barringer Publishing and previously owner of Schlesinger Advertising and Marketing, both in Naples, Florida. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from Rutgers University. (more)
Topic: Publishing Options for Authors - Mainstream, Cooperative, Self Publishing, eBooks and Beyond
September Speaker: Dr. Brad Busbee
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Dr. Busbee joined the Florida Gulf Coast University English faculty in 2006, after holding a post-doctoral position at the University of California, Davis (2005-06), a visiting lectureship at Johannes Gutenberg Universität in Mainz, Germany (2004-05), and a Fulbright Fellowship to Denmark (2003-04), where he conducted research on medieval Scandinavian manuscripts. At FGCU, he teaches the history of the English language and early medieval languages and literatures, particularly Old and Middle English and Old Norse literature. His publications and presentations cover a variety of topics, ranging from studies of Old English travel literature, modern translations of medieval European literature and Native American ritual, and modern uses of medieval literature and its themes in nationalist rhetoric.
Topic: The beginnings of English Poetry
In this presentation I will discuss two poems from the earliest period of medieval English literature—the very first poem written in the English language, known as “Caedmon’s Hymn,” and a portion of the most influential Old English poem, Beowulf—and I will discuss selections of poetry from later medieval England—namely, the opening lines of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and the “Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales. My main purpose is to demonstrate how English poetry changed from what was primarily an oral form to what became “literature,” in the form of printed texts. Along the way, I hope to introduce the themes and contexts and rules that the first English poets followed and to demonstrate the changing sounds of poetry between the eighth and fourteenth centuries.
August Speaker: Felice Gerwitz
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Felice Gerwitz redefined her life many times and currently is an Author Consultant as well as a publisher and owner of Media Angels, Inc. Beginning in the educational field gave her the credentials to write award winning curriculum for the homeschool world. In 2007 she penned a book that would soon re-brand her work and take her squarely into the role of consultant for aspiring authors. Felice enjoys her weekly broadcast on Monday 3:30 EST http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com where she interviews top authors in their field. Always an educator Felice shares her expertise as well as asking her guests to share their knowledge of the writing and publishing world in this informational show for aspiring authors. Felice is continuing her quest for authors for the Information in a Nutshell series and will re-launch her flagship book alongside the newest book in the series, written by a CPA on Taxes and Accounting for authors. You can find information about Felice on her website http://www.InformationInANutshell.com
Topic: Book Marketing for the New-Internet Crazed Age
The old rules of book marketing are out and the new are in, or so the Internet Marketing gurus would lead you to believe. After joining several costly webinars, joining monthly membership group and testing the market Felice found they are correct to a degree. In this educational seminar you will learn how all the pieces must be available for internet marketing to work. Felice is currently ghost writing a book for an author with a vast internet following and marketing know-how. She will share her fast-track education with you and explain why our hit-and-miss marketing techniques don't work, and what will give positive results.
July Speaker: Robert Macomber
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Robert N. Macomber is an internationally recognized award-winning novelist, lecturer, and television commentator. Guest author at many regional and international book festivals, Mr. Macomber is the creator of the acclaimed Honor Series of naval novels, with readers around the world. Each year Mr. Macomber travels approximately 15,000 miles by sea around the globe giving maritime lectures and researching his novels. On March 1st, 2010, the eagerly awaited eighth novel in the Honor Series—The Darkest Shade of Honor—was released to bookstores. When not on lecture, research, or book tour journeys, Mr. Macomber lives in Matlacha, FL. More bio [word doc]
For more information about Mr. Macomber’s life and work, visit www.robertmacomber.com. Email him at macomber@robertmacomber.com.
Topic: Self-editing and critical reading of your manuscript:
Making it Perfect, or at least Better
Join award-winning novelist Robert N. Macomber for an informal
discussion of one of the most difficult tasks a writer faces---how to edit
one's own work. He'll explain his methods to better
the product prior to an editor seeing it, most of which he learned
the hard way while writing well over a million published words in
nine novels and numerous magazine pieces. Some of them may surprise
you.
June Speaker: Edward Livingston
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Ed Livingston is the founder of the Livingston Firm and is a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney with more than 30 years of experience in patent law and other areas of intellectual property law, including trademarks/servicemarks, trade dress, trade secrets, copyrights, franchising and litigation. Ed is also Board Certified by the Florida Bar in intellectual property law.Topic: Intellectual Property (the contract)
Mr. Livingston, along with Erica Loeffler, will speak about copyright law and copyright protection as it relates to authors, publishing contracts and agreements, publishing yourself through so-called vanity or subsidy houses, writing for screenplays, and copyright and trademark issues related to books and characters, as well as entertaining legal questions from the members. See handout.
May Speakers: Gwyn Ramsey and Ginny Crane
GWYN RAMSEY was born and raised in Jennings, Missouri. The library became her favorite haunt and reading her most cherished passion. She attended the Florissant Valley Community College, pursuing a career in computer applications.
A former executive secretary for the Army, Gwyn resides in Florida with her husband. When not writing and time allows, she enjoys researching genealogy and tap dancing. Gwyn is the author of the series, Journey to Tracer’s Point (2008) and Winds of Change (2009). She would love to receive your email at gwynramsey@yahoo.com or visit her blog at www.gwynramsey.blogspot.com .
Books by Gwyn Ramsey
BOUND FOR TEXAS - To be released 2010
WINDS OF CHANGE - Released - April 2009
JOURNEY TO TRACER'S POINT - Released July 2008 @ http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/SDGwynRamsey.html
VIRGINIA CZAJA, writing as VIRGINIA CRANE, grew up in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She and her husband moved to the Southwest Coast of Florida to experience a slower-paced lifestyle and pursue her love of reading which evolved into writing.
Virginia is a member of Romance Writers of America, T.A.R.A. (Tampa Area Romance Authors) and Women Writing the West. Her book, Emeralds on Wednesday was published by Treble Heart Books. Her next novel, Gently Generous is due out this summer. She and has participated in writer’s workshops, seminars and classes. She has served as a judge in their First Impressions Contest for several years.
Because of the difficulty in pronouncing her eastern European name, Czaja (chi-ya), she has opted to use the pseudonym, Virginia Crane.
Topic: Pounding the Pavement
Gwyn Ramsey and Ginny Crane, two Western writers, will walk us through the process of selling a book, from editing to marketing.
April Speaker: Doug MacGregor
See Lessons Learned for notes on the meeting and handouts.
Our April 17 speaker was the News-Press editorial cartoonist Doug MacGregor. His topic was creative thinking. Doug has been a cartoonist for 30 years. He got his professional start drawing editorial cartoons for The Norwich Bulletin in eastern Connecticut in 1980. He moved to Florida in 1988 and has been with the News-Press ever since. His most recent endeavor is a book called Get Creative…Turn on the Bright Side of Your Brain.
Doug is also a children's book author and illustrator. He has self-published five children's books. When Doug is not at his drawing board he is out playing music. He sings and plays harmonica in the popular local blues band, Cracker Blues. Doug does freelance cartoon work and also likes to make small iMovies to share his thoughts with the world.
Topic: Creative Thinking
You can learn more by visiting his Web site www.dougcreates.com.
You can contact Doug at mactoons@comcast.net.
February Speaker: Charles Sobachek
Charles Sobczak is a Writer Self Publisher. Their new book out this year is Chain of Fools. They have sold over 50,000
Topic: How to Market Yourself and Your Product in the Mediasphere
A multitude of ways for mall press authors to increase visibility for both themselves and their books. This can be done through a combination of press releases, Web sites, printed media and personal contacts. For authors who may be considering self-publishing as opposed to the traditional agent/publisher arrangement. We will follow up with a question and answer session. Charles finds there to be the most interesting parts of presentations, especially when it involves fellow writers.Contact 239 472 8162 or email writerealtor1@earthlink.net
January Speaker: Dianna Collier
Dianna Collier is a Literary Agent at Collier Associates, which was founded January 1, 1976. She has been involved with the agency since the 1980’s, and she became the primary agent and manager. Collier Associates is headquartered in Palm Beach. Collier Associates is a small, long established agency with many clients acquired over a period of years. They are still interested in seeing material presented in a new and exciting way.
Topic: Query Letters and Publishing
Ms. Collier will discuss query letters in particular and publishing in general. This is one of her favorite topics. Ms. Collier suggests members submit query letters in advance, which can be discussed during her talk. She will continue with tales of publishing and those that got away. Send query letter sample to Dianna Collier at cabooks@att.net with subject GCWA – meeting January 16.