Monthly Meetings

Meetings feature guest speakers, open mic readings, workshopping, and more. Past speakers have included writers of mainstream fiction, romance, science fiction, historical fiction, poetry, plays, nonfiction books and articles, screenplays, advertising, and children's books. Accountants, editors, publishers, attorneys, agents, and computer experts have also addressed the group. MWA's relaxed, informal meetings give you the opportunity to ask questions of speakers, chat with MWA members, and share news and tips.

Meetings are free to members and first-time guests. Nonmembers who have already attended once are asked to pay $5.00 at the door.

Interested in being a speaker? Like more information about our meetings? Contact us!

Board Meetings

The MWA Board holds regular business meetings on the third Sunday of every other month, August through June, at 3-5pm, at Ukazoo Books in Towson. In June there will also be an annual membership meeting at a location to be announced 30 days in advance; in election years (even years) the annual meeting will be combined with an election All. Board Meetings are open to members. Email president@marylandwriters.org for more information.

Wednesday, January 18, 2011, 6:30pm

The Annapolis/Anne Arundel County Chapter Maryland Writers' Association will host

Baltimore Sun columnist Susan Reimer

will speak at the meeting of the Annapolis Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association in Room 205 at Maryland Hall,located at 801 Chase Street in Annapolis, MD

The title of her talk is "Life of a Newspaper Journalist".

The meeting is open to the public and free to MWA members and first-time guests. Others pay $5 or join MWA; dues are $40 annually.

For more information, visit: http://annapolismwa.wordpress.com.

Wednesday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm

At MWA Carroll County Chapter's next meeting...

Topic: 'Pitching, Querying, and Proposing: How Authors Go from Shy to Sold' by Ally Peltier

You’ve experienced the satisfaction of working hard to learn a craft and producing a quality piece of writing—but now what? If you ever want anyone to read your work outside of your immediate circle of family and friends, you’ll need to get published. Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process. Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. You’ll also get tips that will make your pitches, queries, and proposals more effective for best results.

With thirteen years of experience to share, MWA member Ally E. Peltier is an editor, writer, and publishing consultant who has worked with small and large book publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books for the Touchstone and Fireside imprints. Ally loves using her insider knowledge to help writers reach their publishing goals by improving their writing skills, polishing their manuscripts, and learning to navigate the publishing world. Whether you're hoping for a contract or publishing your own book, Ally offers tips, advice, and news that will help you achieve publishing success at www.allypeltier.com.

Place: Fairhaven (7200 Third Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784)

Contact: Regina Sokas, President, Carroll County Chapter at reginasokas@rocketmail.com.

Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7-9:00 pm

MWA Howard County is holding an OPEN MIC night!

Hello fellow writers,

We're gearing up for 2012 with our first meeting. Come bring a chapter or less to read from published or unpublished works, poems or short stories. The topic can be anything that sets your heart ablaze. We'll have a door prize and fun.

By the way, the survey results said you wanted to keep Thursday night meetings and door prizes. We also have planned a great year based on the survey results!

If any of you write Christian romances, please contact me (President Louise Harris) off list. I have a proposition for you.

When: January 19, 2012

Where: Sunrise Senior Living
6500 Freetown Road
Columbia, MD

Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday, November 28, 7:00-9:00

Guess what's happening at the MWA’s Baltimore Chapter meeting...

"To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish, That is the Question."

Join author and publisher Cathy Wiley as she presents the pros and cons of self-publishing. Should you wait for New York to call, or should you self-publish? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Wiley joined the small press that contracted to print her first book Dead to Writes– which sold over 32K copies in the first year — so she’s not quite self-published, and not quite traditionally published. With this unique experience, she offers an unbiased review of the joys and hardships of self-publishing.

Where: Towson Arts Collective studio, 410/406 York Road, in Towson. Look for the TAC sign (with a MWAB sign) on the street and follow the stairs down. Parking is available near the Library and on the street; there should be no charge after 6:00 p.m.

See you all there!

Gary Lester
President, MWAB
(410) 753-2952 (MWA Voicemail)

RETURNING ATTENDEES WHO DO NOT BELONG TO MWA MUST PAY A $5/MTG FEE, BUT DUES ARE ONLY $40/YEAR: JOIN US AT http://www.marylandwriters.org/application.html.