Author Shares Stories and Anti-Bullying Message with Community

Jaimie Engle to talk about bullying during “Arrive in Style” Back to School Expo at the Melbourne Square Mall

Melbourne, Florida, April 30, 2017: Words have power! Authors use them to build incredible worlds that take their readers to the past, the future, or strange places of their own invention. These same words have the power to destroy people when used to harass, gossip, or bully others.

Over the past several years, award-winning author Jaimie Engle has used her love of storytelling to tackle difficult issues, such as bullying, and to promote literacy among youth. Engle has been invited to speak on bullying at the “Arrive in Style” Back to School Expo held at the Melbourne Square Mall, where she will be tackling this topic with kids through awareness and education.

“Bullying is not going away any time soon,” shares Engle, who has authored a fantasy adventure novel with bullying as the main theme. “Being in a position to empower kids to use their voice to counter bullying has become my mission and opened the door for opportunities to meet with students across the state. Having the Melbourne Square Mall as a platform opens up the floodgates to reach even more kids in Brevard with my message.”

Engle works with students in Brevard, Orange, and Lake counties through her Ambassador Program that focuses on the power of words in life and literature as it relates to bullying.

“Palm Bay Elementary School enjoyed a family night with author Jaimie Engle,” shares Terri Rollins, Literacy Coach at Palm Bay Elementary School. “Jaimie has a natural way of drawing students and families into her love of writing. She demonstrated how words “build” others up. We enjoyed her time with us and expect to see her back to provide some writing workshops in the future.”

The 2017 "Arrive in Style" Back to School Expo will be held on August 5th from 10am - 3pm at the Melbourne Square Mall located at 1700 W. New Haven Avenue in Melbourne, FL 32904. Bring a new or gently used book to be donated to Brevard Public Schools and receive a special gift!

Expo activities will include:

·         Fashion Show by Turner Talent

·         Fashion and Beauty tips

·         Distracted Driving Simulator

·         Free Eye Screenings

·         Arrive in Style contest

·         Special deals and savings from Melbourne Square retailers

·         Anti-Bullying presentation by Jaimie Engle of The Write Engle

·         and much more!

For more information visit the mall website at https://melbournesquare.com/ and to learn more about the author and her anti-bullying Ambassador Program, visit www.theWRITEengle.com.

Author Bio:

Like stepping into a living dream, Jaimie Engle writes visually stunning fiction where magic turns ordinary into extraordinary. She loves weaving lore into her stories and taking her readers on wondrous adventures. Engle is a cosplayer, podcaster, entrepreneur, and speaker at schools, conferences, and colleges across Florida. theWRITEengle.com.

Monthly Meeting of the Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America

AUGUST 2017 Monthly Meetings of FMWA

DATE: August 19, 2017 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

GUEST SPEAKERS:  Michael L Joy, Deborah Sharp, and Diane A.S. Stuckart

PROGRAM:  The Art of the Critique: Editing for Yourself and Others

Wondering if a critique group is for you? Been told that your 500 page opus needs to be cut by at least 100 pages, but you have no clue where to start? Tempted to enter a writing contest, but you’re not sure what that entails, or what you’ll get out of it? Then join our panel that includes a former US Today reporter turned popular cozy mystery author; a NYT bestselling author of cat mysteries; and a creative writing professor as they dissect and explain the art of the critique. The publishing landscape has changed, and being a great storyteller is no longer enough. The burden is now on the new author to submit a manuscript as close to print-ready as possible. Distinguish yourself from the amateur scribe -- learn the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of editing that give a manuscript that professional shine.

Speakers:  A former USA Today reporter, Deborah Sharp traded sad news for funny fiction with her Southern-fried Mace Bauer Mysteries. Think Janet Evanovich, if Stephanie Plum had a couple cousins named Bubba. Deborah learned to self-edit as a defense against the chainsaw tendencies of her newsroom bosses. As an author, she rode horseback across Florida for research, and chatted with Al Roker on the Today show. The horse was less scary. Deborah lives with her husband, Kerry Sanders, in south Florida, where she spends her time chasing iguanas from the hibiscus. Mama Gets Trashed is the fifth book in her series. Visit online at www.DeborahSharp.com .

Diane A.S. Stuckart is the NYT bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (written as Ali Brandon), as well as the upcoming Tarot Cat Mystery series from Midnight Ink. With a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, Diane began her writing career by reaching the finals of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award contest. Her finalist manuscript sold to a major New York publisher soon after—that is, after she cut 100 pages from it. Over the years, Diane has judged numerous writing contests, including twice chairing the Freddie Award for Writing Excellence competition sponsored by the MWA Florida Chapter. She’s currently FMWA Chapter Vice-President. Visit her website www.dianestuckart.com .

With an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine, Michael L. Joy is an adjunct professor at Florida SouthWestern State College in Ft. Myers. There, he whips would-be writers into shape, and only rarely makes his students cry. Michael has been in and around critique groups for years and has seen the good, bad, and ugly of them. Currently a member of the MWA Florida Chapter Board, he’s also Co-chair of SleuthFest 2018.

DATE:  SATURDAY, August 19, 2017

TIME: 11:30: Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation

PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487; Get Directions Here

COST:  $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. To guarantee a spot, prepayment by August 16 is strongly urged.

RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT:   To reserve and pay online: go to website link www.mwaflorida.org and click on the “Monthly Meeting” tab under “Events”. Once you reach the page, click on the “Register for Monthly Meeting Here” link. Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.

To reserve and pay via mail: Step 1–Email Harriet at harriet@ottenheimer.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot.  In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number. Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.” Step 3–Mail your payment to Harriet Ottenheimer, at 2301 S. Ocean Dr., #2005, Hollywood, FL 33019.

Please make your reservation by August 16 so that we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only if space allows.

Next Meeting Date: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Spiritual Memoir Inspirational Writing Workshop with Patricia Charpentier

Ted Geltner book signing...

Luke Geltner, 9, keeps his father, Ted Geltner (left), company during a book signing reception Tuesday evening, July 18, following the author’s presentation, “Hemingway & Harry’s Way” at the Custom House Museum in Key West, Florida. Geltner, whose “Blood, Bone and Marrow: A Biography of Harry Crews,” was chosen by Publishers Weekly as one of the best books of 2016, shared insights and anecdotes about Harry Crews’ devotion to Hemingway, first as an aspiring writer, later as a teacher of the craft, and foremost as a risk-taking novelist. The author’s presentation and book signing officially kicked off the 37th Hemingway Days festival, an event celebrated annually on the island that Hemingway called home through the 1930’s.

Self-Publishing Like a Boss: A Comprehensive Workshop with Laura Perez and Valerie Willis

Here is the info for an upcoming writers workshop:

• Event name: Self-Publishing Like a Boss: A Comprehensive Workshop with Laura Perez and Valerie Willis
• Dates/Times: July 23, 2017 from 10 Am - 4 PM
• Location: Writer's Atelier (336 Grove Ave. Suite B, Winter Park, Fl 32789)
• Price: $75
• Contact info: racquel@racquelhenry.com
• Short description: Learn the skills you need to publish your own book from experienced authors, LE Perez and Valerie Willis in a day-long workshop. Lunch is included and $20 discount with social media mention. Advance registration required. More details here: http://writersatelier.com/upcoming-workshops/

Florida Romance Writers Monthly Meeting - August 12th, 10am-12:30pm.

Guest Speaker: Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic
Creative Marketing Strategies 

Tigertail Lake Recreational Center
580 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004
​DATE: June 10, 2017
​TIME: 10:00am to 12:30pm
​​ 

Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic has spent years in both inbound and outbound marketing with Whole Foods Market. He is an experienced digital marketer with local e-commerce organizations in South Florida.

He currently works as a senior photographer and digital media manager with Greenland Ventures in Boca Raton. He holds a Marketing Director position for the non-profit, Gia Allemand Foundation. In addition, he is the co-founder and executive director of the startup non-profit, NOPI, the owner of BZI Photography, and a freelance photographer and videographer for numerous companies throughout Florida, New York and Colorado.

For more information check Florida Romance Writers website at www.frwriters.org.

RESERVATIONS FOR FRW MEMBERS SHOULD BE MADE IN ADVANCE VIA E-MAIL to Janet Little atjanetfrankslittle@gmail.com. Members may pay by check at the door.

Non-members are welcome to attend up to two meetings per year and are required to make advance reservations.

The cost of the meetings is $10.00 for FRW members and $15.00 for non members by CHECK or PAYPAL. If paying by PayPal, please bring the receipt/confirmation number to the meeting. Checks made out to Florida Romance Writers are mailed to: c/o Tina Stitzer, 12600 SW 5th CT, # L 207, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027-6734

FLORIDA ROMANCE WRITERS PRESENTS: How to Make Your Book a Page Turner with Alison McMahon

FLORIDA ROMANCE WRITERS PRESENTS: How to Make Your Book a Page Turner with Alison McMahon

SESSION 1 (September 9, 2017, 1-4 pm): Characters, Character Traits, Character Arc

SESSION 2 (October 14, 2017, 1-4 pm): Deep Point of View and Psychic distance

SESSION 3 (November 11, 2017, 1-4 pm): Rhythm and Pacing (Hooks, Cliffhangers, and Motivation Reaction Units).

Head on over to http://www.frwriters.org/events/special-events/  for payment info.

Presenter: Alison McMahon, Ph.D. is the president of Homunculus Productions which produces industrial, educational, and documentary films. She is an award-winning author of mysteries, nonfiction, and YA novels as well as short stories. www.alisonmcmahon. com

Some writers are born with more talent than others, but all writers have to learn our craft. Our challenge is to find out what elements of craft we need to know starting out. This course will show you the techniques that make your book a page-turner: hooks, cliffhangers, motivation-reaction units, deep point of view (POV), and rhythm and pacing. Homework each week will include finding examples of different techniques in published works, and submitting examples from your own works in progress. Each class sessions will take place after the FRW monthly meeting. There will be a break for a brown bag lunch. 

Fee: $15 per session for non-members or $50 for the series. For members, $10 for one meeting or $30 for the series. Lunch is provided for members who attend the regular meeting and stay for the class.

Janet Franks Little

Events at Murder on the Beach Bookstore August 2017

Events at Murder on the Beach Bookstore
August 2017

Booksignings and Events
-------------------------------
Friday August 4 at 7 pm.  George Bernstein will speak and sign The Prom Dress Killer $14.95
Friday August 18 at 7 pm.  Elaine Viets will speak and sign Fire and Ashes $15.95.

Writers Workshops in August
----------------------------------
Saturday August 5, 10 am - Noon
The Who: of What, When, and Where.An in-depth look at character development. $25 per person. Instructor: Charles Todd

Saturday August 12, 10 am - Noon
The 12 Commandments of Editing.  Step-by-step through an efficient editing process. $25 per person. Instructor: Prudy Taylor Board

Saturday August 19,  10 am - Noon
Writing the World.  Travel writing, how to do it and sell it.  $25 per person.  Instructor: Tom Swick.

Saturday August 26, 10 am - Noon
The Ins and Outs of the Agent Biz.  How to get and agent and keep one. $25 per person. Instructor: Michael Meeske.

Book Clubs
-----------------
Tue August 15 at 6:30 pm.  The Tuesday Murder Club will discuss Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell 15.00.
Sun August 20 at 3 pm.  The Sunday Sleuths Book Club will discuss The One Man by Andrew Gross 9.99.

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Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore
Pineapple Grove
273 NE 2nd Avenue
Delray Beach, FL  33444
Phone: 561-279-7790
murdermb@gate.net
www.murderonthebeach.com

Spiritual Memoir Workshop with Patricia Charpentier

July Meeting ... Southwest Florida meeting of the Florida MWA

The next Southwest Florida meeting of the Florida MWA will be this Saturday July 8th. I will be doing a presentation called “From Buddies to Brides, relationships as Subplot”, based on my Master’s thesis. A relationship subplot is rife with opportunities to incorporate suspense and conflict. In this workshop, I’ll explain how to use the tropes and beats you need to create relationship subplots your readers will care about and emotionally invest in.
All meetings start at 1pm. We meet in room 108 of the L-building at Florida SouthWestern State College - adjacent to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. I will put up signs inside. Check the Lee Campus map here for more details <http://www.fsw.edu/about/maps>
You are allowed to park in Lot 7 next to the L-building (usually reserved for faculty) on Saturday, even if there is an event going on at BB Mann.
You do not have to be an MWA member to attend this meeting - although MWA membership materials will be available - invite your fiction writing friends.
We will meet for lunch before each meeting at 11:30 at Jason's Deli - 13550 Reflection Parkway, Fort Myers. It's off Cypress Lake Drive near the FSW campus.
Contact me with questions: author.mljoy@hotmail.com