FWA Southwest Florida Writers Group

March FWA at the Marina on the 14th

2009-03-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

All,

Unfortunately, due to it being “season” we have been unable to secure an appropriate meeting place for our March meeting, which normally would have been for this coming Saturday the 7th. [Ken, we even tried the Perkins you suggested in Bonita, but they don’t reserve their private room in Season, or so they told us.] That’s the bad news. The good news is that we are going to reschedule our meeting this month for a week later, on Saturday, March 14, 2009, from 1:00 to 3:00 – and take the occasion to do something very different in terms of our meeting place and lunch.

Specifically, we will be meeting on the 14th at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral. You can get directions at www.tarponpoint.com. It’s very beautiful, right on the water, lots of boats, the works. If you’re heading west on Cape Coral Parkway, just come down to Pelican Blvd., turn left and take it down to El Dorado, keep going straight as it turns into Rose Garden and the entrance to the Marina will be on your left about a mile down at Silver King Blvd. You can’t miss it, they’re building an 18 story resort hotel there.

We will be reserving the main Clubhouse at the Marine (very nice!) – not the one up by the sales office. Just follow Silver King past the high-rises to where it ends at the marina. This is a gated community so you will need to check in at the gate, notify them that you are attending the FWA meeting, and they will direct you to the Marina. Parking is available at the harbormaster’s building. After you park, just walk along the dock to the entrance to the Tarpon Landings Towers by the big swimming pool (i.e. by the 3 high-rise condos). The Clubhouse is the only large building between pool and docks. We’ll be inside.

For our lunch we are going to order a sandwich tray from Jason’s Deli.

So if you are able to attend, please RSVP as soon as you can to joanna@archebooks.com and let Joanna know if you can make it, and she can tell you about the sandwiches and such. There is a fee that Tarpon Point is going to charge us for using the Clubhouse, plus the cost of the sandwiches and drinks, and if you can chip in $10 that should go a long way to covering all the expenses (which is typically less than lunch where we’ve dined in the past). If there’s any deficit Archebooks Publishing will cover the difference. If you can’t chip in, don’t sweat it, come on and enjoy a good time with fellow writers. Who knows, if this works out OK, this may actually be a more economical and useful venue than we’ve had before.

This month we are going to begin a new series of writing challenges, as we did several months back, which gives each of you (if you wish to participate), the opportunity to share some of your writing and receive critique from fellow writers, both published and unpublished.

For those that wish to participate, the challenge for this coming meeting is: A 1,000 word or less (i.e. approximately 4 pages double-spaced), i.e. a very short story or “scene” entitled, “Wedding Day” – and it must have a twist ending. Have fun with it! J

I hope to see all of you there!!

Bob

February FWA Meeting - 2/7/09

2009-02-03T08:45:00.001-08:00

All,

It’s time again for our monthly FWA writer’s group meeting. We’ll be meeting again a The English Pub in Naples, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for late lunch and discussion. Website and directions below.

www.naplesenglishpub.com2408 Linwood Ave # 3Naples, FL 34112(239) 775-3727

Our special guest of honor will be one of our members, Henry Herman, talking about the debut of his first novel, Beginnings, a science-fiction story. So come have a pint, maybe some fish and chips or Shepherd’s pie, and learn more about writing and publishing.

See you there!!
Bob

January FWA Meeting

2009-01-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

All,

As we discussed at our last meeting, we didn’t meet this past weekend, due to the New Year’s holiday, but will be meeting this coming Saturday the 10th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in Ft. Myers, at the French Connection restaurant. All of their contact and address info can be found at: http://www.frenchconnectioncafe.com/

Let’s start off the new year to achieve our writing goals and resolutions!

See you there!

Bob Gelinas

December FWA Meeting - Christmas Party!

2008-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

All,

We will be meeting on Saturday, December 6, 2008 in Naples at the English Pub on Lynnwood once again, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

This will be our annual Holiday Party (with presents for everyone!). Come share some holiday cheer with your fellow FWA writers for our last gathering of 2008!

See you all there!
Bob

November FWA Meeting

2008-10-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

All,

Our monthly meeting is coming up this Saturday, the 1st of November, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for late lunch and discussion in Ft. Myers. We will once again be at the French Connection Café in downtown Ft. Myers. Their website is www.frenchconnectioncafe.com

The French Connection Cafe : 2282 First Street - Fort Myers, Florida - 33901 : Telephone: (239) 332-4443

Please note that we will be meeting UPSTAIRS in a private meeting room. Come and regale us with your Halloween Tales from the night before! J

See you all then,

Bob Gelinas

October FWA Meeting - This Saturday!

2008-10-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

All,

This month we will be meeting in Naples, this Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, once again at the Naples English Pub. It is located at: 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples, FL 34112-4735

You can look up directions at: http://www.naplesenglishpub.com

Our special guest this month is Tom Williams, Author of Lost and Found, a treasure hunting adventure set in Florida and in Europe. A sample copy of the first couple of chapter is attached. Tom will be talking about his book and what his life is like now that he’s a published author. Come meet him and get a signed copy.

See you there!

Bob Gelinas

September FWA Meeting - 9/6/2008

2008-09-03T10:49:00.001-07:00

All,

This month’s meeting will be held this Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in downtown Ft. Myers, at the French Connection Café. Jane Kennedy Sutton will be talking the release of her new novel, The Ride. Come join us for late lunch, discussion, and fun.

The French Connection is located at 2282 First Street - Fort Myers, Florida - 33901 : Telephone: (239) 332-4443

See you there!

Robert E. (Bob) Gelinas
Publisher, ArcheBooks Publishing
www.archebooks.com
robert.gelinas@archebooks.com

FWA Meeting for August 2008

2008-07-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

All,

We will be meeting on August 2, 2008, in Naples, FL, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at The English Pub. It is located at 2408 Linwood Ave. Their number (in case you get lost) is (239) 774-2408.

Free books available to all who come (while they last!). Hardcover editions – new, greater than $25 value!! OK, it’s a small bribe, but you’ll have a fun time regardless. This is our second visit to this Pub, and it was great last time. We’ll be in the private room in the back.

See you there!
Bob

FWA Meeting for July - This Saturday the 12th!

2008-07-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

All,

Our monthly meeting will be this coming Saturday, July 12, 2008, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in Cape Coral. This month we will be meeting at the Iguana Mia on Cape Coral Parkway. After their renovations, they now have a private meeting room that should be great. There is plenty of parking behind the restaurant.

So come prepared for chips & salsa, margaritas, inexpensive lunch, and the usual friendly discussion of “Writers helping Writers!” J

Tina Murray can show off and tell you about her newly released novel, A CHANCE TO SAY YES. Don’t miss it.

See you all there!

Bob

FWA Meeting for July - Postponed one week

2008-07-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

All,

Due to the Fourth of July Holiday this Saturday and people potentially travelling, like last year, we are going to postpone our monthly meeting for July one week to Saturday the 12th.

Complete details of where and directions will be coming soon. We’ll be back up in Lee county this month.

Hope to see you all there!

Bob

FWA Meeting for June 2008

2008-06-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

All,

Well, we have Cheryl Rushing to thank for FINALLY helping us find a place to meet in Naples! J (Let’s hope it’s any good!)

So, this Saturday, June 7th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, we will be meeting at THE ENGLISH PUB, in Naples.

2408 Linwood Ave, Naples, FL 34112
(239) 775-3727
naplesenglishpub.com‎

There number is above, so call them if you get lost. If you’re coming down 41, just follow it around the big left turn, go past Goodlette-Frank and past the bay. After that, it’s just a left on Commercial and a right on Linwood Ave.

“Glyness” will be serving us that day – (doesn’t that name sound positively Elizabethan?) Prepare for a British treat!

Should be fun! I’ll see you there.

Bob

FWA Meeting for May 2008

2008-04-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

All,

We will be meeting this coming Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Brew Babies in Cape Coral, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for late lunch and discussion. It is located at 1520 Lafayette St. (239) 542-2224.

This week’s topic will be on Queries: Do’s and Don’ts. I’m going to bring a batch of them for you to look at and see what shows up in my mailbox every day (even though our submission requirements explicitly state that we accept electronic submissions only). Bonus Question: Which rule of querying has been violated by the writers sending me these queries, simply by their mere existence?

Hope to see you all then!

FWA Meeting for March

2008-02-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

All,

Our regular monthly Florida Writers Association meeting for the Southwest Region is coming up this Saturday, March 1, 2008 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, in Cape Coral, at Brew Babies . Brew Babies is located at 1520 Lafayette St. It’s one block south of Cape Coral Parkway, just off Del Prado. Join us for late lunch, discussion and fun.

Still working on lining up a speaker – so for now it’ll be a surprise! Bring a friend.

See you there,
Bob

February FWA Meeting 2-2-08

2008-01-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

All,

Surprise, surprise – at long last we going to meet down in Naples for our February meeting. Sorry, Collier County folks, it’s taken a while to find a place that we hope is suitable after the closures of both our old Silver Spoon Café and the Duval Street Seafood Co. in Bonita Springs.

So, this coming Saturday, February 2nd, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, we will be meeting at Uno Chicago Grill, in their private sun room for late lunch off the menu and discussion. It is located at 2380 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL 34109 (239) 566-7866. FYI, Cheryl Rushing found this place for us, so as usual, if it sucks it was all her idea, if you love it, then of course it was mine.

I hope to see you all there,

Bob Gelinas

January FWA Meeting

2008-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

All,

I am pleased to announce that our next meeting of the Florida Writers Association, Southwest Region, will be at Brew Babies in Cape Coral (where we held our Christmas party last month), this Saturday, January 5th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It is located on 1520 Lafayette St., just one block south of Cape Coral Parkway, just off Del Prado.

This month we are pleased to welcome Robin "Roblimo" Miller, who will be doing a presentation for us on book trailers and how to get them to work for us (You-Tube isn't the only way) and what works in TV/radio interviews. Miller is an editor of slash.com and attends techie conferences around the word. It should be very informative and fun.

I hope to see you all there!

November FWA Meeting

2007-10-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

All,

Well, once again, we'll be meeting this Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Leapin' Lizard Bar and Grill in Cape Coral, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM for late lunch, discussion, and our regular writing challenge.

This month's challenge was 800-1000 word scene with the theme of "First Kiss." The challenge was that if you are female, you have to write your scene from a male perspective, and if you're male, you have to write from a female perspective. Harder than it sounds! :)

Hope to see you all there! Lots of announcements prior to the big annual convention in Orlando in November. Still time to register. Check the FWA website www.floridawriters.net

Bob Gelinas

October FWA Meeting - This Saturday 10-6

2007-10-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

All,

After making lots of calls in and around Naples this month, I regret to report that I haven’t been able to find a suitable restaurant with a meeting room down there that can accommodate us yet. Any help in that department from you Collier County folks is greatly appreciated.

Consequently, I’ve made reservations once again at Leapin’ Lizard in Cape Coral, who is delighted to have us back. For first-timers, The Lizard is on Cape Coral Parkway, just over the Cape Coral bridge from Ft. Myers, before you get to Del Prado Blvd., on your right.

We’ll be three from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, this Saturday, 10/6 for late lunch off the menu and our meeting and discussion.

This month’s writing challenge (voluntary), was an 800 – 1000 word scene, told first-person of main character in jeopardy, and having to figure out how to extract themselves from said jeopardy.

Hope to see you all there,
Bob

FWA Spetember Meeting - New Date New Place

2007-08-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

All,

When calling the Duval Street Seafood Company today to confirm our reservation, I was disappointed to discover that they have closed operations – at least until next December. So we won’t be meeting there this weekend.

Therefore, due to this turn of events and the fact that this weekend is the Labor Day holiday, and some folks may be taking time off and traveling, we are moving our September meeting to Saturday, September the 8th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Our meeting will be held in Cape Coral at Leapin’ Lizards Bar and Grill on Cape Coral Parkway, just over the Cape Coral bridge from Ft. Myers in Lee Country.

Our writing challenge for our next meeting was “The O’Henry Twist.” This is an 800-1000 word scene, with a twist ending, designed to fool your reader.

Invite a friend, and join us for late lunch as the Lizard!

July FWA Meeting - Holiday Schedule

2007-07-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

With the 4th of July Holiday this week and many people vacationing and out of town, our July meeting will be on Saturday, the 14th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

We will once again be meeting at the Duval Street Seafood Company, in the Banana Room, which is located in Bonita Springs, on Hwy 41 (Tamiami Trail), just south of Coconut Point shopping center.

This month’s writing assignment/challenge (which is 100% voluntary) is for an 800 – 1000 word scene, featuring Humor, Horror, or both. It must also feature at least 4 distinct characters.

I look forward to seeing you all then. Please invite a friend!

Bob Gelinas

Monthly Meeting Info for Saturday June 2, 2007

2007-05-31T05:01:00.001-07:00

Once again we'll be meeting at the Duval Street Seafood Company in Bonita Springs, which is on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail), just south of the new Coconut Point Shopping Center. We'll meet from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, for late lunch, our writing exercise, and this month a discussion of Audio Books.

See you there!
Bob Gelinas

May 5th Meeting Information

2007-04-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

All,

We will be meeting this Saturday, May 5th, in Bonita Springs at the Deval St. Seafood Company at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It is located on Highway-41, Tamiami Trail, just south of the Cocanut Point Shopping Center (east side of the road). Look for the "Banana Room" in the back!

Our special presenter will be Sandy Lender, speaking on the topic of "Blogging for the 21st Century Author," sharing in-depth tips and tricks on how to generate buzz about your work.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best,

Bob Gelinas
publisher@archebooks.com

Professional Novelist Workshop

2007-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

For everyone in FWA, I wanted to throw out a plug/notice for my next upcoming novelist workshop, May 19th and 20th, in Cape Coral, FL. It's 2-days of intense training in the publishing business (not the craft of writing, but what it takes to make it in the business).

In a nutshell, the workshop covers:

Saturday morning is devoted to covering what comprises commercially viable material. What sells, what doesn't, and how to find out. Key elements that publishers and editors look for. Show-stoppers, etc.

Saturday afternoon is focused on how to sell to the publishing industry, learning how the business really works, what the various options are, all about literary agents, and most importantly, how to prepare a compelling book proposal that sells a project.

All day Sunday is dedicated to Marketing and Promotion after a title is released. This really opens up the whole concept of Audience Development. All the latest technologies and strategies are discussed, as well as what doesn't work and is a waste of time and money. This gets down into the nuts and bolts of very practical elements in executing a marketing plan (like what to remember to have in the trunk of your car in preparation for a book signing, how to pitch a news organization, etc).

One of the key deliverables of the workshop is that each student is encouraged to submit a formal book proposal after the workshop for a free critique (by me). ArcheBooks is, of course, under no obligation to publish anything submitted, but practically speaking, if something truly wonderful is discovered (I'm not stupid), in the three years we've been offering this training, contracts have changed hands. In fact, to date, nine books have been acquired from students of this workshop, six of which have already been released (and the majority of those authors are FWA members!). And I'm very pleased to note that of my authors who have attended this training (it's free to all of my existing authors, and several come often for refresher), they are my most prolific and best selling ones. The strategies, methods, and techniques taught really do work, and have been proven many times over to do so.

If you're interested chekc out full details at: http://www.archebooks.com/SuptDocs/Workshop.htm

Hope to see you there!
Bob

New Meeting Location to Try!

2007-03-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

All,

For April, specifically on the 7th (first Saturday) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM we will be trying a new meeting location. We have reservations at the Duval Street Seafood Company on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) in Bonita Springs. Their phone number is (239) 949-8513, in case you have any trouble finding it.

We will be in the Banana Room, for a late lunch and our monthly meeting.

I hope to see you all there!

Bob Gelinas

SWF Writers Group Meeting March 3, 2007

2007-02-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

We've found a "temporary" place to meet in Collier County for our meeting coming up this Saturday, March 3, 2007. We'll be in Naples this time, at Brio's Restaurant at the Waterside Shops on Tamiami Trail. This is near the intersection of Pine Ridge and Hwy-41, in the same shopping center as Barnes & Noble.

We'll be meeting from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with a late lunch off the menu and then our discussion and writing challenges.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Bob

Novelist Helps Writers Become Pitch Perfect

2007-02-13T07:37:00.000-08:00

The Pine Island Writers will hold a seminar on Sat., Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Art Association Building at Matlacha Station, 4577 Pine Island Rd. The speaker will be Fort Myers novelist Sara Williams. Williams will explain how to pitch a writing project to an editor.

The pitch answers that ubiquitous question, what is your story about? Williams will share techniques for developing perfect pitch—writer-style at her mini seminar, "Pitch to the Pros."
Williams invites writers to bring their pitches to the session and try them out for the audience. Whether fiction, non-fiction, short story or a movie script, “developing a successful pitch makes a critical difference in selling and promoting,” Williams said.

Williams is the author of two novels. Her first novel, The Don Juan Con, was optioned by famous movie producer Robert Evans for Paramount Studio. Her second novel, The Serenoa Scandal, is set in Florida’s tropical wild west, where hog hunting and politics are vicious sports.

The cost for this seminar is $10 for members or $15 for nonmembers. For more information, please contact Yve Malbon at 239.283.4476.

Meeeting Location Change for Saturday 1/6

2007-01-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

All,

Unfortunately, the Silver Spoon Cafe in Naples just closed it business, as of yesterday. Sorry for the late notice, but we are now meeting this Saturday, January 6, 2007, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Dwyer's Irish Pub in Ft. Myers. Late lunch and then discussion. Don't eat before you get there -- they give us a room for free if we're eating.

Dwyer's is located on Hwy 41, Tamiami Trail, just south of the Bell Tower Shops (Daniels Parkway), east side, immediately south of Barnes & Noble, across the street from the BMW and Mercedes dealers.

Please pass the word to anyone who you know might wish to attend.

Hope to see you all there!

Bob Gelinas

December Writers Group Meeting

2006-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting will be help at Leapin' Lizard Bar & Grille in Cape Coral, FL on Saturday, December 2, 2006, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Leapin' Lizard is located on Cape Coral Parkway between the Cape Coral Bridge and Del Prado Blvd.

This month's writing challenge is to write an 800 - 1,000 word scene, highlighting the emotional impact of: SUSPENSE (can be supernatural or natural). The writing challenge is voluntary, and those participating are welcome to read your work for group feedback.

Host: Bob Gelinas, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, ArcheBooks Puplishing, www.archebooks.com.

Welcome to the Southwest Florida Writers Group

2006-11-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

The Southwest Florida Writers Group serves members of the Florida Writers Association www.floridawriters.net, in the counties of Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Monrow.

We meet every first Saturday of each month, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, alternating between Lee and Collier Counties. Check this block for exact locations to be announced.

In this blog will be announcements of group activity, meeting updates, and other helpful information for writers.