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February 3, 2017 | THE WRITERS CIRCLE
News, Events and More

STAY RESOLVED!
As we tiptoe into the second month of 2017, many of us are finding it difficult to follow through on our writerly resolutions.

There are probably many reasons for this - work, family, maybe even our current political turmoil. No matter what your views, the daily barrage of eye-popping news can be a terrible distraction from our writing.

We urge you not to succumb! The world needs your creativity now more than ever. It is through our self-expression that we can discover a safe corner for our own well-being - and possibly shed some light on this suddenly darkened world.
ON THE BLOG: Recalling NaNoRiMo, and Resolve to Write, Part 1 in Montclair, Part 2 in Summit
Here are THREE blog posts to keep you at your writing, no matter what.

First, long-time TWC student Chet Ensign shares his experience taking the NaNoRiMo challege. To further his novel, he spent the month of November focusing on his book and actually hit the magic 50,000 word goal! Check out his blog contribution, My First NaNoWriMo.

And we're happy to share some great responses to our annual Resolve to Write workshops. We held them in three locations this January - South Orange, Summit, and Montclair. TWC Instructor Steph Auteri shares her thoughts on the Montclair session in her recap, Resolve to Write 2017 – Starting the new year off WRITE – Part 1, while our Outreach & Development Coordinator, Mally Becker, shared what happened at the Summit event in Resolve to Write 2017 – Starting the new year off WRITE – Part 2.
COMMUNITY Publications and Literary Achievements

We're thrilled to announce lots of wonderful news by our writers!

Congratulations to our AUTHOR-INSTRUCTORS:

Help us celebrate TWC Instructor Laurie Lico Albanese's forecoming novel, STOLEN BEAUTY, the story of Adele Bloch-Bauer and Gustav Klimt's famous painting, brought to life against the setting of fin-de-siècle Vienna and the rise of the Nazi regime. The official lauch date is February 5, and Laurie's new website lists both local and more distant opportunities to hear her speak about this exciting new novel!

TWC Instructor Beniilde Little's essay is one of 16 included in THE MEANING OF MICHELLE: 16 Writers on the Iconic First Lady and How Her Journey Inspires Our Own.

Powell's Bookstore calls the collection a "charming series of 16 essays about Michelle Obama deftly assembled by editor Chambers ( Mama’s Girl) finds inspiration in various facets of the 46th First Lady of the United States as her time in that role draws to a close."
TWC Instructor Steph Auteri's article, A parent’s guide to working from home, was recently published on Headspace. In the article, Steph writes, "Trying to excel in my career while simultaneously raising my daughter sometimes makes me feel as if I am failing at both." We know exactly how she feels!

In addition to admitting the struggle, Steph offers some great tips to stay above water while parenting and working.
Sarah Lyman Kravitz, who teaches our Less Stress College Essay classes, wrote an extremely touching piece that appeared on the Open to Hope website, Managing Grief Through the Holidays.
And our blogging instructor, Stacey Gill, published One Woman’s Journey To The DC Women’s March Raised Over $100,000 For Charity for the website, Scary Mommy. It's the inspiring story of 31-year-old Alison Mariella Desir who ran from 240 miles from New York to Washington, DC, to attend the Women’s March with the goal of raising money for Planned Parenthood along the way.

Bravo to all of our wonderful, talented instructors!

And now our STUDENTS:

We are celebrating two South Orange Young Storymakers' terrific literary accomplishments. First, Sanji S. won third place in Division 1 (5th and 6th graders) of the Summit Elks Lodge Essay Contest, "Why Is It Important to Vote." And Jarrett J. wrote about his experience at Willow Lake Day Camp and got it published on the website that his mother manages, Macaroni Kid. Check out My Son's Own Review of Willow Lake Day Camp. (Even the president of Macaroni Kid National was impressed!)

Novel Continuum student Holly Rizzuto Palker published an article in Newsday, My Journey Between Christmas and Hanukah.

One of Judith's private clients, Suzanne Trauth, recently received a two-book contract from
Kensington Books. She tells us that the acknowledgements page will include a nod to The Writers Circle.


Long ago South Orange Adult Writers Circle student Laurie Levine's novel, NOW I KNOW IT'S NOT MY FAULT, is now available on Amazon. Laurie tells us that she is working with literary publicist Claire McKinney, who spoke at TWC's Speaker Series event, What Is a Brand and Where Can I Get One?, for her publicity. We're excited to see them working together!


Long-time
TWC student Joanne De Simone has two exciting items in the world. First, The Huffington Post published A Letter to My Son Before His Eighteenth Birthday, and one of Joanne's essays will appear in the upcoming anthology, Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disability.

Congratulations to all our amazing students!

LOCAL EVENTS and COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Auditions for Listen to Your Mother are
are Feb 11-13!.They would like to hear from anyone with a story to tell about motherhood - your own, your mom's or someone you know and (hopefully) love! TWC has had two students celebrate their mothering experiences in the last two "Listen to Your Mother" shows in South Orange. Let's make it three years in a row!

TWC Co-Director Michelle Cameron will present Getting Past Writers' Block at the West Orange Public Library on Sunday, February 12 from 2:00-3:30 PM. This free workshop will offer creative and unusual prompts and exercises to get your writing muscles pumped! Join Michelle for a great afternoon.

And check out this interesting competition that came across our desks: The Next Great Travel Writer 2017. They're looking for "travel savvy short stories (up to 1,000 words) that... tell about a travel experience unlike any other." There's prize money involved, plus a chance to win a one-hour session with a Penguin editor!

Finally, for our younger students:
BLUE MARBLE REVIEW is an online literary journal published quarterly and showcasing the creative work of young writers ages 13-20. They are looking for poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, personal essays, as well as art and photography. The goal of their journal is to assemble in each issue, a broad range of voices, perspectives, and life experiences. Find them at: www.bluemarblereview.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

THIS SUNDAY!
Self-Published to Bestseller!

Sunday, February 5, 2017
at MONDO-Summit

Is self-publishing a good option for you? NY Times Bestseller, self-published author
Eva Lesko Natiello discusses the pros, cons, and how to make self-publication a viable option.

Register today!

Sunday, March 12, 2017, 3:00-6:00 pm
St. Lukes Church, Montclair

One way to effect change in this challenging world is to use writing as a tool for advocacy. Op-eds, reaction pieces, and calls to action can all draw attention to subjects you feel passionate about, and amplify the important work of others. If you’re looking for new ways to make a difference with your writing, join us.

Advance Registration is strongly recommended.

Register today!

SUMMER CREATIVE WRITING INTENSIVES - REGISTRATION is OPEN! Now celebrating our fifth year - and our third at Drew University!

Calling all Teens!

If you love to write, The Writers Circle's Summer Intensives are the perfect place to hone your craft in a generous, creative environment.

Join us for one, two, or all three weeks!

Week 1: July 24-28
Week 2: July 31-August 4
Week 3: August 7-11

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Register before March 1 and save $50!

Great Author-Instructors | Guest Speakers & Special Events

Register today!

Whatever is distracting you from focusing on your writing, push back! Don't let the chaos in! Lock your office door or go to a Wifi-less spot and hunker down. We plan to follow our own advice and use the coming months to stimulate even greater heights in our own writing.

Good writing, everyone!

-- Judith & Michelle
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