Events, Festivals, Workshops, Contests
2019
2019 SHORT STORY CONTEST
2019 NOVUS ANNOS SHORT STORY CONTEST GUIDELINES
We’re pleased to announce our second annual short story competition for writers of fiction stories.
The rules governing the Contest 2019 are as follows: Eligibility: The contest is open to all members of the Space Coast Writers Guild and Brevard County residents 18 years old and above.
Submission Guidelines:
* Opens January 2, 2019
* Entries must be received no later than February 28, 2018
* The manuscript must be 2500 words or less
* The document must be Times New Roman 11, double spaced, with numbered pages and the title at the top of each page.
- Send story as a PDF file in an e-mail attachment to cfoley@scwg.org.
- Receipt and acceptability will be acknowledged.
- In a separate attachment, e-mail a cover page with your name, phone number, mailing
address, and e mail address. Title of the story and word count should also be on the cover page. None of this information should appear in the story pdf. If it does, the story will be immediately disqualified. - Entry fees: $10.00 per entry must be sent by personal check, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to Space Coast Writers Guild and mailed to Cindy Foley, 520 Heron Drive, Merritt Island, Fl. 32952. No entry will be accepted without receipt of required fee. SCWG members fee $5.00, non-members $10.00.
- Genre: general/literary fiction, romance, historical, mystery/suspense, horror, science based/alternative. No children’s stories, explicit inappropriate language or erotica will be accepted.
- Limited to TWO (2) entries per person with fee accompanying each submission.
- All work must be original work of submitting author and cannot have been published
anywhere prior to submission. Author retains copyright of submitted work. - All submissions are final. No changes or substitutions are allowed once your entry(s) is received.
A SCWG and BAS team of readers will complete the first round of selections. Using a 5 point scoring matrix, the entries will be judged on the following elements:
Structure, Organization, and Pacing
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Plot
Character Appeal and Development
Voice and Writing Style
The top 10 final selections will then be judged by a panel of four judges using the same elements.
Prizes
One First Place Winner will receive $250.00
The Second Place Winner will receive $175.00
The Third Place Winner will receive $100.00
Two Winners will receive Honorable Mention and A Certificate of Award
Indemnity:
By participating in this Contest, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsors, and their office bearers from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of action, or losses of any kind (including but not limited to lawyers’ fees) arising from your participation in the Contest, your violation of any term of these Contest rules, your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or any claim that your submission caused damage to a third party.
Force Majuere clause:
The Sponsors are not liable for failure to perform their obligations under these rules if such failure is as a result of Acts of God (including natural disasters), Acts of War, civil unrest, usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, prevention of statutes, or interruption or massive and sustained failure of electricity, internet, or telephone service.
Any extension/reduction of contest and/or the judging window will be at the sole discretion of the organizers, and it will be notified by e-mail and on the website if extended.
2018
AUTHORS IN THE BOX, DEC. 8, 2018, INDIAN RIVER MALL, VERO BEACH,
Contact Joanne Fisher at:
Fishertranslations@hotmail.com Check Joanne's books on Amazon, With All of Me Good Things Always Happen in Springtime Travelling Boomers Her Spanish Doll |
Congratulations Ms. Joanne Fisher and thank you for organizing and presenting another great opportunity for our local authors to exhibit and sell their books at the Indian River Mall. Brevard Authors Society is proud to assist you and support your enthusiasm for sharing the great ideas.
JoAnne Fisher is a published author with several books available on Amazon, Goodreads and Bookhub. She is a member of Brevard Authors Society, Space Coast Writers Guild, Florida Writers Association. An accomplished writer and editor, she is also a translator of Italian literature, and an eloquent speaker. |
BOOK FEST IN THE VILLAGE, NOV 3, 2018
Brevard Authors Society Presents:
BOOK FEST IN THE VILLAGE
Hosted by The Historic Cocoa Village Association
Saturday, November 3, 2018
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Invitation to all published authors of East Coast Florida
Event Location: Historic Cocoa Village, Cocoa, Florida, 32922
Number of exhibit spots: 75
Registration cut-off date at sellout,
Registration Fee
Through September 30, 2018: $30
Late and on-site registration after Sept. 30, 2018: $40
Exhibitor’s Spot: 5 ft. X 4 ft. area, designated and marked location reserved on ‘first come, first paid’ basis.
Assignment of exhibit spots by the Organizing Committee.
Assignment space will be available at check-in.
Display Gear: Provided by each exhibitor consisting of:
One 4 ft. X 2 ft. folding table One or two folding chairs Note! You may have one adult ‘helper’ at your table.
Sun umbrella (if needed), not bigger than 4 ft. diameter. Set-up Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Check-in time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Gazebo
Display Gear removal and exhibit spot cleanup time: 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PAYMENT: Please go to the Historic Cocoa Village Association website,
www.VisitCocoaVillage.com, and register.
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NOTE! ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING ON BREVARD AVENUE! AMPLE PARKING IS PROVIDED IN THE PARKING LOTS. Unloading and loading of your equipment is allowed in front of your display space for a few minutes. Cars must be removed from Brevard Avenue and parked in the parking lots.
2018 SHORT STORY AWARD PRESENTATIONS
On May 26, 2018, The Space Coast Writers Guild and The Brevard Authors Society presented the the awards for the best written short stories of 2018. The six recipients in order of awards are:
First Prize - THE TOBOGGAN
by Stephanie Passero
Second Prize - FROZEN COURAGE
by Steven Anthony Charles
Third Prize - FINAL RESPECTS
by Peggy Insula
Third Prize - THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
by Susan Kneeland
Fourth Place - MORE THEN SHE EXPECTED
by Valerie Buchanan
Fifth Place - FINGER PAINT
by Linda Zern
First Prize - THE TOBOGGAN
by Stephanie Passero
Second Prize - FROZEN COURAGE
by Steven Anthony Charles
Third Prize - FINAL RESPECTS
by Peggy Insula
Third Prize - THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
by Susan Kneeland
Fourth Place - MORE THEN SHE EXPECTED
by Valerie Buchanan
Fifth Place - FINGER PAINT
by Linda Zern
COCOA VILLAGE ARTS & CRAFT FAIR, MAY 12, 2018
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Our outing on May 12, 2018 at the Cocoa Village Arts & Craft Fair was very successful. Considering that one of our mystery authors sold thirty (30) books and some of us faired with ten or twelve, it makes our promotional and sales efforts for one day exhibit pretty good.
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INTERVIEW WITH MYSTERY WRITER, MR. JAMES R. NELSON
Mystery Novel Writer, Mr. James R. Nelson, author of nine published mystery books was interviewed on March 12, 2018, by Kathryn Flanagan, Manager of Communications for Brevard Authors Society. The interview introduces Mr. James R. Nelson as a creator of two mystery series, and three individual mystery novels, set in Michigan's beautiful and mystique Upper Peninsula, and in Florida. Enjoy the thrilling and exciting plots, the colorful characters, and the noir backgrounds presented skillfully by our local author.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH THIS ACCOMPLISHED WRITER. Copy the following URL and paste it into your internet html box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNOOC2H-3m0&t=4s
If you are not able to upload the above link, open the Youtube and type in the text box:
Mystery Author James R. Nelson Video Interview
FIRST BREVARD COUNTY SHORT STORY COMPETITION
the Space Coast Writers’ Guild & the Brevard Authors’ Society
“Novus Annos” Short Story Competition 2018
We’re looking for writers of fiction stories. Think you can write a winning story in 2500 words or less? Enter the Space Coast Writers’ Guild/Brevard Authors’ Society first annual Novus Annos Short Story Competition (Contest).
The rules governing the Contest 2018 are as follows:
Eligibility: The Contest is open to all Brevard County residents 18 years old or above.
Submission Guidelines:
Opens: January 2, 2018
Entries must be received no later than February 28, 2018.
Genre - general/literary fiction, romance, historical fiction, mystery/suspense, horror, and science based/alternative history. Children’s stories,explicit foul language and erotica will not be accepted.
Submissions must be sent in MS Word format (DOC., DOCX), Times New Roman 11, double spaced, with numbered pages and title at the top of each page.
Send as an e mail attachment to cfoley@scwg.org OR by USPS mail with your entry fee to Cindy Foley, 520 Heron Drive, Merritt Island, Florida 32952.
The US$10 entry fee must be sent by mail to Cindy Foley, 520 Heron Drive, Merritt Island, Fl. 32952. SCWG member discount $5. Please make checks or money order payable to the Space Coast Writers’ Guild. No entry will be accepted without receipt of the required fee.
Stories must be written in English, original, and unpublished up to the time the winners are declared. Stories must be not less than 1000 words and no more than 2500 words in length. Entries exceeding the word limits will be disqualified. Limited to one entry per person.
Cover page must accompany each entry and should include author’s name, contact information i.e. address, phone number, title of the story, and word count.
The author’s name should only appear on the cover page. No manuscripts will be returned.
All submissions are final. No changes or substitutions are allowed once your entry is received.
The top five winners will be notified by May 1, 2018. Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on May 26th at 10:00 AM, Central Public Library, Cocoa, FL.
SCWG & BAS Novus Annos Short Story Competition 2018
Judging
A SCWG and BAS team will complete the first round of selections. The top 10 final selections will then be judged by a Nea Mera Short Story Contest panel of four judges. Using a 5 point scoring matrix, the entries will be judged on the following elements: Quality of Narrative, Structure, Characterization, and Plot. Final decision will be based on the averaged total of the scores from the judges.
Prizes
One First Place Winner will receive
$250 and a Certificate of Award
Their short story published on the Space Coast Writers’ Guild (www.scwg.org) and Brevard Authors’ Society (www.brevardauthors.weebly.com) websites
Announcement in SCWG the Bulletin and in a press release to the Florida Today
The Second Place Winner will receive
$175 and a Certificate of Award
Their short story published on the Space Coast Writers’ Guild (www.scwg.org) and Brevard Authors’ Society (www.brevardauthors.weebly.com) websites
Announcement in SCWG the Bulletin and in a press release to the Florida Today
The Third Place Winner will receive
$100 and a Certificate of Award
Their short story published on the Space Coast Writers’ Guild (www.scwg.org) and Brevard Authors’ Society (www.brevardauthors.weebly.com) websites
Announcement in SCWG the Bulletin and in a press release to the Florida Today
Two Winners will receive Honorable Mention and a Certificate of Award
Their short story mentioned on the Space Coast Writers Guild (www.scwg.org) and Brevard Authors Society (www.brevardauthors.weebly.com) websites
Announcement in SCWG the Bulletin and in a press release to the Florida Today
Indemnity:
By participating in this Contest, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsors, and their office bearers from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of action, or losses of any kind (including but not limited to lawyers’ fees) arising from your participation in the Contest, your violation of any term of these Contest rules, your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or any claim that your submission caused damage to a third party.
Force Majuere clause:
The Sponsors are not liable for failure to perform their obligations under these rules if such failure is as a result of Acts of God (including natural disasters), Acts of War, civil unrest, usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, prevention of statutes, or interruption or massive and sustained failure of electricity, internet, or telephone service.
Any extension/reduction of contest and/or the judging window will be at the sole discretion of the organisers, and will be notified by e mail and on the website if extended.
2017
WINTER IN FLORIDA
Two brave Polar Bears on this cold winter day, displayed their books and enjoyed the Sunday morning at the Cozy Cafe Restaurant. They even sold a few books and after two hours, packed up and went back to Alaska.
Cocoa Village Craft Fair, Dec 2nd and Dec 3rd, 2017, BREVARD AUTHORS SOCIETY EXHIBIT
We just survived the second Cocoa Village Craft Fair Exhibit and we can proudly say we sold lots of books. A lot of interest in the Indie Books published by local authors. The six of our society members enjoyed the exposure and shared many happy moments with the book lovers. Here are some pictures from Dec. 2nd and 3rd, of the Brevard Authors Society writers at the Cocoa Village Fair.
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AWARD PRESENTATIONS - THE BEST POETS OF BREVARD COUNTY , SEPTEMBER, 30, 2017
SCENES FROM THE POETRY AWARDS
The 2017 Winning Poems
First Prize
MIDNIGHT IN ORLANDO 2016
Only hours ago you told her to be careful,
To call you if anything happened.
Anything meant booze,
Anything meant eager boys,
Anything meant running out of gas,
Running out of money, running out of wisdom.
You didn't spend the last eighteen years in a fog.
You knew exactly the day would come you had to let her go.
Her mother sleeps soundly in the next room,
Confident that you have done a good job as parents.
You will not sleep but pretend to sleep
Until you hear the squeak of the door,
You hear metal studs of a leather jacket hit the floor again.
Hear the click of her night-light.
She is home where she belongs,
Dreaming again, dreaming music from a local band,
Dreaming whispers that bring a smile to her lips.
You try to sing the same songs,
Try to like her kind of music,
Almost intelligible now.
Her friends speak a language you almost understand.
You blink away your hunger for sleep and wait until you know she is safe again,
The walls of her bedroom wrapping her in safety.
Tonight you hear a different kind of music in the distance.
Deafening. Strident.
The wail of sirens comes from everywhere,
North to south, from Paris, from Brussels,
Comes from everywhere young people congregate.
You open the door, stare into the dark sky
And leave the door ajar so she won't have to bother with keys.
You put a sudden dread on mute by watching television.
The news electrifies your entire body.
You cannot relax, cannot breathe.
Sweat beads on your forehead.
The wah-uh wah-uh wah-uh of sirens goes from street to street
While you sit by the phone and wait.
You read Aesop's fables again,
Re-attach her training wheels,
Once again show her how to make music on a toy piano.
You are attending her first recital
When the discord from outdoors moves even closer.
The wail of sirens pierces your ears,
Its wah-uh wah-uh wha-uh bursts rudely through your front door.
The timbers of your house quake with the sound,
Louder and louder until you are surrounded and swallowed by sound.
All of Orlando explodes with the sound,
Its sidewalks riddled with empty shells.
Your wife rushes from her sleep,
A question in her startled eyes.
You nod. It's true.
She slumps into your arms,
Her tears pooling at your feet.
Oh, no, she sobs.
No no no, you say.
No no, eighteen times, one for each year.
No no no no,
Each no growing weaker
As young strangers light candles
And place fresh flowers at your door.
-- by Mary May Burruss
Second Prize
POSTAGE DUE
POSTAGE DUE
I found the letter in my box.
The postmark showed it had been sent
some weeks before.
Somehow the writer had forgot
(or maybe he never knew)
the postal service changed the rate.
His stamp, now old,
might not
ever reach the addressee
(that would be me).
And yet it did, and as I said,
weeks late
with postage due.
So now I stared
and didn't understand --
here was this script --
words written by a hand
I knew so well,
a hand that once held mine
when he was small,
now writing here of college plans,
what choices he might make;
a note so full of life
and energy,
I felt my heart would break.
My tears began to fall
the more I read
because it reached me
after he was dead.
- Peggy Downey Ball
Third Prize
WAITING
The elasticity of boredom stretches into impatience
Your cranial container aches with the rumbling of neutral cognition
Your surrounding world drags its feet and smirks at you and your human heartbeats wasted
The world becomes a silent waiting room without windows
and a door with a key marked "do not open until the waiting is over"
Feet and fingers tap and you notice they are yours
They have waited before and know their job
They have patience
You are the problem
not the room
not the world
Just you
Just you
Just you
- Norman A. Davis
4 - Honorable Mention
THE RESCUE
While late to work alone I drove
and passed a misplaced blur.
It wasn't 'til a mile away
my brain told me 'twas fur.
I thought not of the consequence
and veered my car around.
I parked and stumbled in high heels
across the roadside ground.
A pair of eye looked up in pain
and I beheld their plea.
They drew me in and stole my heart
and begged 'please rescue me.'
Some passers walking by in twos
cane gathering round the pup
and cried with mortifying shock
when she failed to stand up.
Her struggles showed a mangled form
a mass of bleeding wound.
I could not leave her by the road
nor let it be her tomb.
My dignity does not allow
neglect of others' strife;
not even when the plight I faced
was simply one dog's life.
How could the world's best friend have known
that while she freely ran
her heedless antics as she played
would be hindered by man.
Dominion He gave us of things
from sea and land and air,
o'er cattle and o'er every
creeping thing that creepeth there.
And yet with building and paved roads
we block a Godly way
where eagles fly and whales swim deep
and puppies romp and play.
She only whined a little when
examined by a vet
"A sorry mess -- she surely is,
but there's life in her yet."
He mended this and bandaged that;
stitched up her tattered skin.
Then while she convalesced, I prayed
if I should take her in.
Work filled my days, with family grown
my time held spacious gaps,
and I'd become an island in
a lonely sea, perhaps.
An answer quickly came to me.
A bold resounding voice
declared the deed already done
was clearly not my choice.
She came with me that very day
and settled in my home;
and ever since that one day passed
I have not felt alone.
The things that happen in our lives
are weighed down by much thought
But only God knows why he does
some things for lessons taught.
One mangled pup along the road
No longer running free
Now lives inside a fenced-in yard
And, in fact, rescued me.
-- by Cindy Foley
5 - Honorable Mention
MELANIE SUE
A Saturday eve, a year to the day,
there came the men in blue.
"Open the door and throw out the gun
and give us your Melanie Sue."
"I'll give you me life, me heart, me home,
I'll give ya the animals too.
But don't be takin' the love of me life,
me daughter, Melanie Sue."
"You can't hold out, we have you, Ray,
there's no more you can do.
Think of your wife and how it 'tis,
then send her with Melanie Sue."
"I'll ask her boys, and hear her word.
She's right here by my shoes.
And there she lies in a puddle of blood.
As will me Melanie Sue."
"Damn your heart, Ray, damn your life,
she'll not be killed by you.
As sure as God will judge your soul,
we'll save sweet Melanie Sue."
"There is no God," Ray cried with ire.
"Nor love, nor hope, nor due.
For if there were, He'd let me be,
and also Melanie Sue."
So, that was all the guards could take.
They planned and schemed anew.
They'd storm the house with all the men,
and save dear Melanie Sue.
Ray fired his gun with sure intent,
as guards charged two by two.
He'd kill them all, he said he would,
than give up Melanie Sue.
The smoke not clear, the air still thick.
House fogged in deadly hue.
There lay the corpse of the cretin Ray.
But where was Melanie Sue?
--John White
6 - Honorable Mention
DROUGHT
Dust on the road, angrily disturbed,
Snatches at the passer-by
And raises up in silent protest at his passing.
The horse weakly switches flies
And slowly moves to a shadeless tree.
The man on the porch looks out at his fields
And sees no border between crops and weeds.
Thunder in the distance,
A darkening sky.
And flies come to settle on the screen.
The man sweats.
Tonight, he hopes.
Tis time it must.
And, in the morning he awakes,
Looks out at his fields.
Looks out
At dust.
--John Piowaty
7 - Honorable Mention
WADING THROUGH THE WATERS
Each step I take through shallow waters
brings me closer to the meaning of life's journey.
Unsteady at first, I find a foothold,
sinking into sand;
Slowly I wade through the ebb and flow,
as tiny ripples lap at my ankles.
I walk on beaches drenched in sunshine and salt,
gazing on the horizon ablaze in heaven's hues,
a palette of gold, pink and red.
God has blessed us as we wade through waters,
calm or turbulent;
There is always a rainbow to cling to,
a moon to sing to,
a sun to greet us each morning.
My faith runs deeper than all the oceans,
finding the real meaning of life,
Love.
-- by Donna Puglisi
8 - Honorable Mention
A NIGHT AT THE OFFICE
At the end of the day
With the people away,
Your office is not really quiet.
If you'd just listen in
You would hear quite a din.
But don't take my word for it -- try it!
One night I forgot
(I do that a lot)
To turn off my antique cassette.
In the morning I found
I'd recorded the sound
Of things even I can't forget.
My stapler spoke first
And it mumbled and cursed
And claimed it was never respected.
The trashcan replied
It was tempted to hide
And remain out of sight undetected.
"They don't understand,
Said an old rubber band
To the monitor sitting nearby.
"They take us for granted!"
The monitor chanted
And flickered its screen with a sigh.
The phone joined the chorus:
"They simply ignore us
No matter how much we do."
"We never get credit."
(All of them said it,
Including a bottle of glue.)
A small paper clip
And adhesive tape strip
Suggested revenge -- just a token.
When all had agreed,
A strike was decreed
And each appeared suddenly broken.
Imagine my shock
When even my clock
Refused to perform the next day.
I was lucky to spot
The tape of the plot
And glad the cassette let it play.
The recorder, it seemed,
Thought me somewhat esteemed
And decided to save me some pain.
When to their surprise
I thanked all my supplies,
They started to work once again.
"Don't take us for granted!"
The monitor chanted.
I nodded and said that it's true.
The office depends
On mechanical friends:
At least we can give them their due.
-- Frank Merceret
CELEBRATION OF AN ANNIVERSARY AND TWO BIRTHDAYS
Four members of the Cocoa Beach Writers Workshop celebrated today in the circle of close friends, the 67th Wedding Anniversary, the 101st birthday, and the 39th birthday, at the Merritt Island Olive Garden Restaurant. Howard and Rhoda Bernbaum were married sixty-seven years ago. Rhoda was only twenty years old and her father had to give his blessings and sign the approval before Howard could take his bride away; they sailed happily ever after in Howard's twenty-six foot sailboat. Edward Kydd, another mariner who sailed the ocean from Canada to the south seas, celebrated his 101st birthday and he revealed his secret for healthy longevity: Keep misbehaving and you'll live a long life. The youngest member of the four celebrated her "39th" birthday and you'll recognize her with her zany hat and a charming smile. That's our Janet Corso who rightfully claimed the honors of the "39th" birthday. May God bless you all with many more happy anniversaries and birthdays.
Janet Corso at 39
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Shelly Wallace, Ed Kydd and Ed's daughter Karen
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Cindy Foley, Howard and Rhoda Bernbaum
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The celebrities and guests
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Mike and Mary May
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Ed Kydd, Howard & Rhoda
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Janet and Mike
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Ed, Janet, Howard and Rhoda
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Ed, Howard, Rhoda,
Janet (standing)
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The Delicious Anniversary Cake
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The cake and Celebrities
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Gene, Mike, Cindy, Helen, Janet, Shelley, Donna (standing),
Mary May, Ed, Howard & Rhoda
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Gene, Mike, Cindy, Helen, Janet, Shelley, Donna (standing), Mary May, Ed, Howard & Rhoda
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Gene, Mike, Cindy, Helen, Janet, Shelley, Donna (standing), Mary May, Ed, Howard & Rhoda
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Shelley wrote a wonderful poem in honor of her parent's anniversary
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DO IT YOURSELF BOOK COVER DESIGN WITH CANVA PROGRAM
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March 4th MYSTERY FORUM
FEBRUARY 11th, ROMANCE FORUM
On Saturday, february 11th, Cocoa Beach Library under the auspices of Brevard Authors Society, presented the Romance Writers Forum. The event MC, Mrs. Jane Beskow, introduced the authors and conducted a very engaging presentation about the creative writing in this type of genre, the search for publishers and the road to self publishing.
FEBRUARY 4th WRITERS FORUM
The 2017 series of writers' events began with the first forum of local authors on Feb 4th at the Brevard Public Library in Cocoa. The Brevard Authors Society Director Cindy Foley, in cooperation with the Head of Reference Librarian, Ms. Jan Ericson, had organized and staged a very captivating presentation of authors bringing to the forum inspirational and motivational subjects. The featured authors were: Mrs. Betty Jackson, Mr. Ken R. Miller, Ms. Ashley McGrath, Mr. Kit Adams.
The scenes from the event are shown below.
The scenes from the event are shown below.
Monday, February 13th, Fantasy and Adventure Forum at the One Senior Place, Viera, FL
Saturday, February 4th, Writers Forum at Central Librarry 10 am
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BREVARD AUTHORS SOCIETY presents another event in the series of Writers Forums at the Central Library on Saturday, February 4th, at 10 am. Society Director Cindy Foley has organzied the panel of authors and selected the variety of genre with unique subjects.
The Artisan, historical fiction novel wins 2nd prize RPL Award for 2016
On October 23, 2016, The Artisan, by Gene Luke Vlahovic, won the 2nd prize award presented by the Royal Palm Literary of Florida Writers Association for the best unpublished historical fiction novel of 2016. This is the first novel written in English language by Gene Luke Vlahovic.
Second Place, 2016 RPLA, and only the beginning
Chris Coward
Oct 23, 2016
To: Gene Luke Vlahovic
4800 Yuma Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Dear RPLA winner,
Hooray! Write it, shout it, post it—you’re an RPLA winner! Congratulations!
Please feel free to let your local media know. Attached is the official RPLA media release, which has places where you can insert your information. You can send it to whatever media you like. Past experience has shown that local newspapers and local magazines are most receptive—they ‘re usually glad to announce the achievements of local folks. You can find contact information in the mastheads of the magazines (with or near the table of contents) and in various logical places in newspapers, usually in the Style section.
Also attached is your winner’s badge, which you may send with the release, post on your website, or use in your email signature line.
Over the next 30 days or so, FWA will be posting photos on the FWF/FWA Flickr site. Check back frequently and feel free to download whatever photos you wish. They are yours to enjoy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/floridawritersfoundation/sets/. Also over the next 30 days, we’ll be sending out the rubrics so you can see exactly what you did right—and maybe get a few pointers for the future.
Check out the website (floridawriters.net) for the complete list of winners.
On behalf of RPLA and FWA, heartfelt joy and congratulations for your achievement. You do all writers proud.
Yours in the love of writing,
The RPLA administrators: Chris Coward, Su Gerheim, Chrissy Jackson, Jill Yamnitz, and Mary Lois Sanders
Chris Coward
Florida Writers Association
Board of Directors, RPLA Chairperson
Oxford Writers Group Leader
15th Annual Florida Writers Conference
October 20-23, 2016 Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs
Carpe Diem: conquer the world, one book at a time!
Floridawriters.net
Second Place, 2016 RPLA, and only the beginning
Chris Coward
Oct 23, 2016
To: Gene Luke Vlahovic
4800 Yuma Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Dear RPLA winner,
Hooray! Write it, shout it, post it—you’re an RPLA winner! Congratulations!
Please feel free to let your local media know. Attached is the official RPLA media release, which has places where you can insert your information. You can send it to whatever media you like. Past experience has shown that local newspapers and local magazines are most receptive—they ‘re usually glad to announce the achievements of local folks. You can find contact information in the mastheads of the magazines (with or near the table of contents) and in various logical places in newspapers, usually in the Style section.
Also attached is your winner’s badge, which you may send with the release, post on your website, or use in your email signature line.
Over the next 30 days or so, FWA will be posting photos on the FWF/FWA Flickr site. Check back frequently and feel free to download whatever photos you wish. They are yours to enjoy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/floridawritersfoundation/sets/. Also over the next 30 days, we’ll be sending out the rubrics so you can see exactly what you did right—and maybe get a few pointers for the future.
Check out the website (floridawriters.net) for the complete list of winners.
On behalf of RPLA and FWA, heartfelt joy and congratulations for your achievement. You do all writers proud.
Yours in the love of writing,
The RPLA administrators: Chris Coward, Su Gerheim, Chrissy Jackson, Jill Yamnitz, and Mary Lois Sanders
Chris Coward
Florida Writers Association
Board of Directors, RPLA Chairperson
Oxford Writers Group Leader
15th Annual Florida Writers Conference
October 20-23, 2016 Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs
Carpe Diem: conquer the world, one book at a time!
Floridawriters.net
The Artisan, 2016 RPLA award-winning historical fiction, presented on October 23, to our author, Gene Luke Vlahovic, by the Florida Writers Association is invited to the Dear Lucky Agent contest for review and evaluation by Ms. Elise Erickson, of Harold Ober Associates Agency, New York. The contest is for an unpublished historical fiction novel as announced in the following url: http://tinyurl.com/zodcsgo
Dec 19, 2016 Writers Forum - Authors Around the Corner at One Senior Place, Viera, FL
What a wonderful morning, what a wonderful forum! The special Holiday Season event had introduced the five exceptional local authors representing the Brevard Authors Society with the formidable subjects of history. We are proud to display on our website and Facebook the guest authors and their remarkable stories of the past.
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The order of appearance:
Cindy Foley - The Truth Lies Fay Picardi - Simonetta Joyce Good Henderson - Victoria's Promise Janet Ashworth - Swift Currents of Change Ruth Rodgers - Reparation, Patchwork Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/brevardauthorssociety/ Join us! It's free and you can be one of our panel guests. Fill out the Contact page to become a member. Next Events: February 4th, Variety Genre, Central Brevard Library, Director Cindy Foley February 11th, Romance, Cocoa Beach Library, MC Jane Beskow February 13th, Fantasy, Adventure, One Senior Place, Director Brianna Sequeira |
Dec 19, 2016 Writers Forum - One Senior Place, Viera, FL
Monday, December 19th, ONE SENIOR PLACE in Viera is hosting the HISTORICAL FICTION PANEL of five local authors who will intrigue your curiosity with their fictional or real characters. The Truth Lies, award-winning novel by Cindy Foley skillfully weaves the chronicles of the Florida cattle ranchers. The beautiful story of Simonneta, the object of desire of Lorenzo Medici and Sandro Boticcelli, written by Fay Picardi follows the presentation. Joyce Goode Henderson brings to the panel her novel Victoria's Promise about army nurse Karin Armstrong who tries to escape painful memories and the trauma of her wartime experiences in Vietnam. Janet Ashworth's novel Swift Currents of Change depicts the antebellum period through the eyes of adolescent Martha Mae who keenly observed the racial prejudice in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, while Ruth Rodgers will discuss her two novels, Reparation and Patchwork, published by the Florida Historical Society.
Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn more about the art of writing beautiful and memorable stories of historical events, chronicles, and memories. One Senior Place, Viera, Monday, Dec 19th, at 10 am.
Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn more about the art of writing beautiful and memorable stories of historical events, chronicles, and memories. One Senior Place, Viera, Monday, Dec 19th, at 10 am.
Pictures from Dec. 3rd Event - CB Library Writers Forum
Peggy Insula
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Shelley Wallace-Aitch Embee
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M.J. Fifield
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Gordon England
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Karlene Conroy |
Cocoa Beach Library Audience
Book signing by author Peggy Insula
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Book signing by author M.J. Fifield
Book signing by author Karlene Conroy
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MARY MAY BURRUSS RETIRES
A Tribute to Mary May Burruss
The long time leader of the Cocoa Beach Library Writers Workshop, Mary May Burruss has retired from her role of the group mentor. Past and present members of this popular group have expressed their admiration and gratitude in the pages of the commemoration book - Thank You Mary May -presented to her at the luncheon on November 22, 2016.
Well loved and respected by her protégés Mary May Burruss leaves the legacy of criterion, wisdom and balance behind her many years of guidance and encouragement. Members of the Cocoa Beach Writers Workshop will continue to express love and admiration for Mary May with hope that she would come and revisit the group in the future.
The long time leader of the Cocoa Beach Library Writers Workshop, Mary May Burruss has retired from her role of the group mentor. Past and present members of this popular group have expressed their admiration and gratitude in the pages of the commemoration book - Thank You Mary May -presented to her at the luncheon on November 22, 2016.
Well loved and respected by her protégés Mary May Burruss leaves the legacy of criterion, wisdom and balance behind her many years of guidance and encouragement. Members of the Cocoa Beach Writers Workshop will continue to express love and admiration for Mary May with hope that she would come and revisit the group in the future.
DEC 3RD Event Authors' Profiles - Trifold Flyer
December 3rd, 2016, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor arrive at the Cocoa Beach Library
NOVEMBER 2016 EVENTS
The Truth Lies ... a Florida Saga by Cindy Foley wins Don Argo Award presented by the Space Coast Writers Guild for 2016 Florida Fiction
Brevard Authors Society is proud to share the congratulations for a well deserved award and recognition of the writing accomplishments of our own Cindy Foley, director and coordinator of BAS Writers Forums, Treasurer of the Space Coast Writers Guild, and a member of the few prestigious writers workshops in the Brevard County , Florida.
November 14, 2016 ONE SENIOR PLACE, VIERA presents MILITARY AUTHORS
November 13, 2016 FRANKLIN T. DEGROODT LIBRARY presents MYSTERY WRITERS FORUM
November 5, 2016 COCOA BEACH LIBRARY introduces SCI-FI WRITERS
October 2016, Events
CENTRAL LIBRARY, COCOA presents WRITERS FORUM, October 22, 2016
ONE SENIOR PLACE - ROMANCE AUTHORS AROUND THE CORNER - OCTOBER 10TH
WRITERS FORUM - CHILDREN BOOKS
Saturday, October 15th, 2016, 10 am to 12:30 pm
Cocoa Beach Library
Saturday, October 15th, 2016, 10 am to 12:30 pm
Cocoa Beach Library
SEPTEMBER 2016, EVENTS
Historical Fiction Writers Forum - Cocoa Beach Library
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016, 10 am to 12:30 pm
Cocoa Beach Library
Mystery Writers Forum - One Senior Place, Viera
Monday September 12th, 2016 from 10 am to 12:30 pm
One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road
Viera, FL 32940
The first Mystery Writers Forum at the One Senior Place in Viera, FL, attracted number of local mystery buffs who enjoyed the presentations of the five guests authors, members of the Brevard Authors Society. Some scenes from this event are pictured below.
Historical Fiction Writers Forum - Franklin T. DeGroodt Library
6475 Minton Road, SW Palm Bay, FL 32908
First Writers Forum at Cocoa Beach Library, May 7, 2016
On May 7th, 2016 Brevard Authors Society and Cocoa Beach Beach Library presented the first MYSTERY WRITERS FORUM introducing five local renown authors. The event was coordinated by Mrs. Nicolle Anderson, CB Library Adult Program Librarian and Mr. Gene Luke Vlahovic, Brevard Authors Society founder and organizer. The Mystery Writers Forum was hosted by Mrs. Jane Beskow and attended by numerous CB Library friends and book lovers.
The five mystery authors used easy methods with efficient conveyance of their literary works to the public. The secret of their success was attributed to their determination, research and development process, plot and superlative storytelling. In an informal presentation authors outlined the mystery craftsmanship along the lines of most successful publications encouraging book lovers in their support of local authors.
Ms. Anna Flowers opened the forum with the introduction of her True Crime novels and the profile of her career as a reporter and author. Her books Blind Fury and Bound to Die published by Kensignton Publishers accumulated considerable recognition and respect that placed Ms. Anna Flowers' name in the annals of mystery writers worldwide.
Mr. Marshall Frank introduced his published books as fiction novels based on the personal experiences beginning from his childhood growing up around mafia characters including his step father - bookie, later as a Miami policeman, Miami police captain, investigator of many homicides and related crimes that served as the main source of information for his crime novels and mystery stories.
Mrs. Pegi Insula talked about her family as the main source of material for her novels and stories. Novel Murder Runs in My Family is one of the best written crime novels in this group of writers.
Mr. Bruce Buckingham introduced his first novel The Last Snowman in Paris. In a humorous presentation of his new novel Mr. Buckingham spoke of his writing career as a speech writer for US Congressman Nelson, and as a spokesman for NASA. He developed several ideas for his own fiction stories but it took him, as he said "half of his lifetime to put it in his book."
Mrs. Kay Williamson has written several novels in the mystery genre. She is an avid artist, musician and a writer, and together with her beloved husband Don they entertain lonely hearts of folks in nursing homes, VA Hospitals and senior centers playing lively sing-along music and tell corny jokes.
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Mystery Author Radio Interview
Mystery author, James R. Nelson, was interviewed by a popular radio host, John Harper, of WMEL 1060 AM station on April 1st, 2016.
Copy the following URL and open it in Google or other engine: https://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/153d37e9e0871efb?projector=1
Copy the following URL and open it in Google or other engine: https://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/153d37e9e0871efb?projector=1
April Featured Author
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Joseph Richardson - award winning author
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Author Charles Todd, guest speaker at the annual Friends of the Cocoa Beach Public Library, was the featured author at The International Palms Resort on Saturday, March 12, 2016. The following video insert covers his distinguished road to success as part of the mother and son duo, Charles and Caroline Todd, best known for their novels set in post World War I England featuring Inspector Ian Rutledge, a shell shocked veteran struggling to restore the pieces of his Scotland Yard career.
Brevard Author Radio Interview
On March 4th, 2016 at 1:45 p.m. Cindy Foley launched the first Brevard Author Interview as a guest of WMEL 1060 AM. Cindy represented Brevard Authors Society opening the new door for introduction and promotion of local authors on the monthly basis organized and arranged by the BA Society . If you are interested to become a guest on the Overload Hour Show hosted by Mr. John Harper and WMEL 1060 AM, please, register using the website contact form and advise that you would like to be put on the list of authors for the radio interview. The Overload Hour will schedule each month one guest from Brevard Authors Society and we will inform each applicant, in order of registration, the date and month of interview. Upon confirmation, BA Society will provide guidelines and requirements for the radio interview.
Book Festivals
Terry McMillan , Author of Waiting to Exhale, signing her books at UCF Book Festival
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James O. Born, Author of Mystery novels, Scent of Murder, presenting a class on how to write a mystery novel at UCF Book Festival
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Local authors have several opportunities to display and promote their published books in the nearby book festivals.
UCF Annual Book Festival offers relatively low cost display spots on university grounds and interior space along with national star power and keynote speakers. Free Admission to the Book Fest and keynote presentations with advance reservation.
The Florida Heritage Book Festival showcases Florida’s rich and diverse literary legacy with author presentations which promise to delight book lovers and provide inspiration for aspiring authors. The Festival Marketplace offers opportunities for published authors and other vendors to interact with readers and buyers throughout Saturday’s Book Festival.
September 24 thru 26 in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida
Authors for Authors Book Fair is scheduled for March 19, 2016 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Suntree/Viera Public Library, 902 Jordan Blass Drive, Melbourne, FL. This by-annual event primarily caters to the pool of local authors.
Brevard Authors Society Book Expo is scheduled in the Summer of 2016. Further details will be posted on this website.
New Smyrna Beach Book Festival runs from October 3 - 4, 2016. Author sessions begin at 11:00am on Saturday and 12 pm on Sunday at the
Workshops
Brevard Authors can attend local workshops covering an array of literary subjects.
Cocoa Beach Writers Workshop meets every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon at Cocoa Beach Library
Space Coast Fiction Writers meet every Thursday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at Central Library in Cocoa
Screenwriters of Brevard meet every last wednesday of the month from 6 pm at Off Center Art Gallery, 559 W. Eau Gallie, Melbourne, FL
Surfside Playwright Group meets every 3rd Saturday of the month at 3 pm at Central Library in Cocoa
Word Weavers meet every second Sunday from 2 pm to 4:30 pm at Central Library in Cocoa. Contact: EveyMiracle@gmail.com
Scribblers of Brevard meet every second and fourth Saturday from 10 am to 11:45 pm at Eau Gallie Public Library
Space Coast Authors of Romance meet 4th Saturday of every month from 12 pm to 4 pm at West Melbourne Library
The 2016 Florida Writing Workshops: March 25 (Tampa) and March 26 (Fort Lauderdale)
The staff behind the organization and instruction of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop are excited to announce The 2016 Florida Writing Workshops — two separate yet identical full-day “How to Get Published” writers conferences in Florida. First on Friday, March 25, there is the Tampa Bay Writing Conference; and then on Saturday, March 26, there is the Fort Lauderdale Writers Conference just north of Miami.
This writing events are wonderful opportunities to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the events (100 per each). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2016 Florida Writing Workshops!
Cocoa Beach Writers Workshop meets every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon at Cocoa Beach Library
Space Coast Fiction Writers meet every Thursday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at Central Library in Cocoa
Screenwriters of Brevard meet every last wednesday of the month from 6 pm at Off Center Art Gallery, 559 W. Eau Gallie, Melbourne, FL
Surfside Playwright Group meets every 3rd Saturday of the month at 3 pm at Central Library in Cocoa
Word Weavers meet every second Sunday from 2 pm to 4:30 pm at Central Library in Cocoa. Contact: EveyMiracle@gmail.com
Scribblers of Brevard meet every second and fourth Saturday from 10 am to 11:45 pm at Eau Gallie Public Library
Space Coast Authors of Romance meet 4th Saturday of every month from 12 pm to 4 pm at West Melbourne Library
The 2016 Florida Writing Workshops: March 25 (Tampa) and March 26 (Fort Lauderdale)
The staff behind the organization and instruction of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop are excited to announce The 2016 Florida Writing Workshops — two separate yet identical full-day “How to Get Published” writers conferences in Florida. First on Friday, March 25, there is the Tampa Bay Writing Conference; and then on Saturday, March 26, there is the Fort Lauderdale Writers Conference just north of Miami.
This writing events are wonderful opportunities to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the events (100 per each). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2016 Florida Writing Workshops!
Contests
ORLANDO _ The 2016 Florida Book Festival has issued a call for entries to its program celebrating the best books of the winter.
Our grand prize for the 2016 Florida Book Festival winner is a $1000 cash appearance fee and a flight to Florida for our gala awards ceremony in January, 2016, exact date TBD.
Our grand prize for the 2016 Florida Book Festival winner is a $1000 cash appearance fee and a flight to Florida for our gala awards ceremony in January, 2016, exact date TBD.
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