In June of 2017 the WhipCity Wordsmiths came into being with a simple email asking a few authors friends if they'd be interested in joining a writer's group in Westfield. I had been persuaded over a period of seven or eight months to start a writer's group, but I have never really been a fan of the sit around the table and write to prompts and then gently critique one another's work type groups. I cannot really write well under time constraints and to prompts that don't inspire me. So, I did a lot of thinking and decided I wanted a writer's group that was more a social and support group for authors and writers at all levels of the craft. I wanted to gather a group of creative people with a passion for writing, with a desire to write, and also a desire to support and assist their fellow writers by being mentors, beta readers, advisors, critics, and part of a group that meets monthly (except for July and August) and holds lively, mainly spontaneous conversations on the subject of writing.
This month marks the second anniversary of the founding of the WhipCity Wordsmiths. Members have come and gone, but t my surprise, we still number 55 members on the book. Our meetings can see anywhere from six or seven members in attendance to over twenty members gathered together. I am not much of a speaker so I have been relieved that members have jumped right in, opening up topics for discussion, sharing stories and information. The two hours we book at Blue Umbrella Books fly by. We're comfortable enough now with one another that no one is offended if they're cut off mid-sentence so someone else can say something they feel is important. Conversation tides ebb and flow. We laugh a lot. We hg one another. We completely understand one another and the journey we've all embarked upon by placing that first one on a piece of paper and creating something from it.
No one understands a writer/author and the creative process better than anther writer. It's invigorating to gather together with like-minded souls and talk or just listen. I know my creative battery sometimes runs low, but I always feel energized, recharged after spending time with other authors and writers.
We will be celebrating our two year anniversary on June 29th at 3PM at Blue Umbrella Books. I know it's later than last year's one-year party and that many of you are already busy with summer activities, but if you can join us we'll have cake and do some planning as we begin year three. Bring your ideas. Someone suggested we do some writing in the group. I'd like to hear what our personal favorite bit of writing is- something brief to share with the group.
We are wordsmiths. Rock on, Writers and Authors!!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019
May Meeting
The May 2019 meeting of the WhipCity Wordsmiths has been set for Saturday, May 18th, at 3PM at Blue Umbrella Books. We tried out a new seating arrangement with an assortment of chairs arranged in a long oval with open floor space between them. Didn't feel so formal as being seated around twelve feet of table!!
Join us if you can!
We welcomed new member Christine Blacke at the April meeting, James Holman wore a The Black Squirrel sweatshirt! That made me smile.
A suggestion was made to do a bit of writing at the next meeting...so bring a notebook and a pen!
Join us if you can!
We welcomed new member Christine Blacke at the April meeting, James Holman wore a The Black Squirrel sweatshirt! That made me smile.
A suggestion was made to do a bit of writing at the next meeting...so bring a notebook and a pen!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Checking Stats
Just looked at the page stats. There have been 185 visits to the Book Gallery and 356 author biography visits!
April 20th Meeting
The WhipCity Wordsmiths will meet at Blue Umbrella Books on Saturday, April 20th at 3PM. Come if you can. I know it's Easter weekend so understand if you cannot make it.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
March Meeting Notes
The March meeting was preceded by a program led by author and co-founder Kelly Buffum. She ran a program at the bookstore on how to format ones finished manuscript for self publication to a print on demand platform such as KDP and also for uploading as an ebook (for platforms like Kindle ebooks or Nook). Five Wordsmiths and one guest attended the program.
Following the program the WhipCity Wordsmiths met with 19 persons in attendance-Susan, Kelly, new Wordsmith James L. Holman, Sue F., Iris, Glen, Geri, Andrew, Avis, Tanya, Ayden, Heidi, Mimi, Judith F., Carrie, Shawn, Claudia, Rhonda, and Russell.
The meeting began with refreshments since Susan and Kelly had been involved in ArtWalk from 11AM-1PM, had eaten lunch on the fly, attended the program from 1:30PM to 3PM, and needed to take a quick break prior to the meeting.
Susan called the meeting to order, thanking everyone for showing up on a beautiful sunny Saturday, and introducing James Holman, our guest who was made a Wordsmith before the end of the meeting. James has a dance career background, and was involved in off Broadway theater. He's written a book about healing from the loss of his partner that he had a prototype copy of in hardcover that had a striking cover he'd designed.
The second order of business was to congratulate our youngest author, Ayden, on his decision to try his hand at oil painting. Susan was so impressed with his very first 8x10 canvas that she purchased the scenic landscape of a gray mountain with evergreens and grassland in front of it and white clouds rolling across a bright blue sky. It was pointed out that many authors also have a second creative outlet and often it is art. Ayden's mother, Tanya, was commended for allowing her son to express his creativity, and for encouraging him in his crafts and supporting him wholeheartedly. Too often parents ignore who their child is and force them into participating in sports and other activities because of some misconception that children need to be involved in sports, or gymnastics, r some other physical activity. While exercise s a good thing, suppressing a child's desire to write, draw, or otherwise be creative is not good. Susan was also like Tanya in raising Kelly, not parking her in front of the TV, but rather encouraging her to be creative and herself.
Next Susan gave some revised and updated information to the authors in attendance who have signed up to participate in Artculture2019 on May 4th, with an opening night reception on Friday evening from 5-8 on May 3rd.
Because James was new to the group, a round of introductions and brief bios were made which took some time with so many in attendance, but it was also good because Claudia, who is still fairly new to the group had the opportunity to meet us all.
We, as a group, talked about self-publication. Shawn is doing very well promoting his The Kitty Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him book which is now known internationally. The process of buying ones own ISBN numbers from Bowker was reviewed and discussed. Those who had attended the program prior to the meeting felt more confident about going forth with their book projects. Book layout was also touched upon with endorsements page (if an author has gotten remarks and reviews back from ARC readers), title page, copyright page, dedication, other titles by author, acknowledgements, table of contents (if there is one), forward, prologue, epilogue, and about the author page placement.
Glen spoke about his new mystery Seaside Secrets which Susan had read in February and reviewed, giving it a well earned 5-star rating. Glen has the sequel available as an ebook at this time. He is a prolific mystery writer well worth looking into as he has several series in print.
Many Wordsmiths have been following The Artist's Way. Mimi is beginning an Artist's Way group on March 31st in Huntington.
Susan's third book in the Black King/White Queen series, White Bishop Among the Pawns is now in print. Kelly just published Empathic Touch (the sequel to Parapsychology) and another novel, Hawkists for which Wordsmith Melissa Volker designed the cover. Claudia Turner's novel The Scions of Atlantis was recently published. This follows her novel Scars and Stripes Forever.
Edible goodies were provided by Rhonda Boulette- mini cupcakes, frosted brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. Susan provided bottled water.
The meeting, as usual was lively and energizing with everyone having an opportunity to contribute. James entertained us with stories from his career in dance and theater.
The March edition of Ghost Stories Live! will be Saturday, March 23rd, at 6PM with special guest reader Bram Stoker Award winning horror author Tom Deady. Tom is a recent new member of WhipCity Wordsmiths and will be at Articulture2019 in May. Susan and Kelly will also have new ghost stories that evening as they are permanent cast members of GSL! hosted by Pugsley the Fiendish ghost and Wordsmith and Blue Umbrella Proprietor Russell Atwood.
The meeting concluded around 4:20PM with some members needing to leave and others staying behind to chat further together.
The next meeting is Saturday, April 20th, at 3PM, same location!
Following the program the WhipCity Wordsmiths met with 19 persons in attendance-Susan, Kelly, new Wordsmith James L. Holman, Sue F., Iris, Glen, Geri, Andrew, Avis, Tanya, Ayden, Heidi, Mimi, Judith F., Carrie, Shawn, Claudia, Rhonda, and Russell.
The meeting began with refreshments since Susan and Kelly had been involved in ArtWalk from 11AM-1PM, had eaten lunch on the fly, attended the program from 1:30PM to 3PM, and needed to take a quick break prior to the meeting.
Susan called the meeting to order, thanking everyone for showing up on a beautiful sunny Saturday, and introducing James Holman, our guest who was made a Wordsmith before the end of the meeting. James has a dance career background, and was involved in off Broadway theater. He's written a book about healing from the loss of his partner that he had a prototype copy of in hardcover that had a striking cover he'd designed.
The second order of business was to congratulate our youngest author, Ayden, on his decision to try his hand at oil painting. Susan was so impressed with his very first 8x10 canvas that she purchased the scenic landscape of a gray mountain with evergreens and grassland in front of it and white clouds rolling across a bright blue sky. It was pointed out that many authors also have a second creative outlet and often it is art. Ayden's mother, Tanya, was commended for allowing her son to express his creativity, and for encouraging him in his crafts and supporting him wholeheartedly. Too often parents ignore who their child is and force them into participating in sports and other activities because of some misconception that children need to be involved in sports, or gymnastics, r some other physical activity. While exercise s a good thing, suppressing a child's desire to write, draw, or otherwise be creative is not good. Susan was also like Tanya in raising Kelly, not parking her in front of the TV, but rather encouraging her to be creative and herself.
Next Susan gave some revised and updated information to the authors in attendance who have signed up to participate in Artculture2019 on May 4th, with an opening night reception on Friday evening from 5-8 on May 3rd.
Because James was new to the group, a round of introductions and brief bios were made which took some time with so many in attendance, but it was also good because Claudia, who is still fairly new to the group had the opportunity to meet us all.
We, as a group, talked about self-publication. Shawn is doing very well promoting his The Kitty Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him book which is now known internationally. The process of buying ones own ISBN numbers from Bowker was reviewed and discussed. Those who had attended the program prior to the meeting felt more confident about going forth with their book projects. Book layout was also touched upon with endorsements page (if an author has gotten remarks and reviews back from ARC readers), title page, copyright page, dedication, other titles by author, acknowledgements, table of contents (if there is one), forward, prologue, epilogue, and about the author page placement.
Glen spoke about his new mystery Seaside Secrets which Susan had read in February and reviewed, giving it a well earned 5-star rating. Glen has the sequel available as an ebook at this time. He is a prolific mystery writer well worth looking into as he has several series in print.
Many Wordsmiths have been following The Artist's Way. Mimi is beginning an Artist's Way group on March 31st in Huntington.
Susan's third book in the Black King/White Queen series, White Bishop Among the Pawns is now in print. Kelly just published Empathic Touch (the sequel to Parapsychology) and another novel, Hawkists for which Wordsmith Melissa Volker designed the cover. Claudia Turner's novel The Scions of Atlantis was recently published. This follows her novel Scars and Stripes Forever.
Edible goodies were provided by Rhonda Boulette- mini cupcakes, frosted brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. Susan provided bottled water.
The meeting, as usual was lively and energizing with everyone having an opportunity to contribute. James entertained us with stories from his career in dance and theater.
The March edition of Ghost Stories Live! will be Saturday, March 23rd, at 6PM with special guest reader Bram Stoker Award winning horror author Tom Deady. Tom is a recent new member of WhipCity Wordsmiths and will be at Articulture2019 in May. Susan and Kelly will also have new ghost stories that evening as they are permanent cast members of GSL! hosted by Pugsley the Fiendish ghost and Wordsmith and Blue Umbrella Proprietor Russell Atwood.
The meeting concluded around 4:20PM with some members needing to leave and others staying behind to chat further together.
The next meeting is Saturday, April 20th, at 3PM, same location!
April 2019 Meeting Date
The WhipCity Wordsmiths will meet again on Saturday, April 20th, 2019 at Blue Umbrella Books, 2 Main Street, Westfield, MA at 3PM.
Monday, March 11, 2019
March Meeting
The March meeting of the WhipCity Wordsmiths will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 3PM at Blue Umbrella Books, 2 Main Street, Westfield, MA. Wordsmith Kelly Buffum will be speaking on How To Format One's Book for Self Publication and as an ebook at 1:30PM at Blue Umbrella. The program has a $10 registration fee payable to Blue Umbrella.
And if you're interested, author me is now also artist me since taking up pen & ink again and keeping myself busy drawing wildlife and birds during the fall and winter in between the proofreading and editing and publishing of White Bishop Among the Pawns, and helping Kelly proofread and edit her two recently published novels Empathic Touch and Hawkists. It's been a busy 6.5 months here at the kitchen table to say the least!
Just a few other things. My art is for sale in Blue Umbrella Books and also in my etsy shop BicycleCityArtworks.
There will be a new Ghost Stories Live! ghost story reading event at Blue Umbrella on Saturday March 23rd with Bram Stoker Award winning horror author and Wordsmith Tom Deady making his first appearance with Russell and cast.
I read Glen Ebisch's new mystery novel Seaside Secrets while down with a head cold and loved it! I posted a review on Amazon...and want to read the second book in the series NOW! But, I'll be patient.
I bought books by Wordsmiths Claudia Turner (her new novel The Scions of Atlantis) and Wordsmiths Sean Sweeney (several of his older works and a mystery novella) and Jacquie Sears (her art book and famous Holyoke residents) that I'm looking forward to reading.
Our Book Gallery keeps on growing and growing!
And finally...our youngest Wordsmith, Ayden Rogalski, has taken up the paintbrush as another creative outlet. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase his very first painting. If you attend the meeting on Saturday I'll be finalizing the purchase and you'll be able to see his brushwork! Oh, and did I mention his new book on Homesteading will be out soon and he's working on writing a mystery?
See you Saturday!
And if you're interested, author me is now also artist me since taking up pen & ink again and keeping myself busy drawing wildlife and birds during the fall and winter in between the proofreading and editing and publishing of White Bishop Among the Pawns, and helping Kelly proofread and edit her two recently published novels Empathic Touch and Hawkists. It's been a busy 6.5 months here at the kitchen table to say the least!
Just a few other things. My art is for sale in Blue Umbrella Books and also in my etsy shop BicycleCityArtworks.
There will be a new Ghost Stories Live! ghost story reading event at Blue Umbrella on Saturday March 23rd with Bram Stoker Award winning horror author and Wordsmith Tom Deady making his first appearance with Russell and cast.
I read Glen Ebisch's new mystery novel Seaside Secrets while down with a head cold and loved it! I posted a review on Amazon...and want to read the second book in the series NOW! But, I'll be patient.
I bought books by Wordsmiths Claudia Turner (her new novel The Scions of Atlantis) and Wordsmiths Sean Sweeney (several of his older works and a mystery novella) and Jacquie Sears (her art book and famous Holyoke residents) that I'm looking forward to reading.
Our Book Gallery keeps on growing and growing!
And finally...our youngest Wordsmith, Ayden Rogalski, has taken up the paintbrush as another creative outlet. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase his very first painting. If you attend the meeting on Saturday I'll be finalizing the purchase and you'll be able to see his brushwork! Oh, and did I mention his new book on Homesteading will be out soon and he's working on writing a mystery?
See you Saturday!
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