By Don Vaughan, http://www.donaldvaughan.com/ Is COVID-19 putting a damper on your writing? Could you use a creative charge about now? We have some great news! Write Now! 2020 is on again – as a virtual mini conference! And best of all, it’s free! The event will be held via Zoom on Saturday, May 2, 2020, and will feature three hour-long educational sessions with a 15-minute break in between. The fun begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Whether you’re new to [...]
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash Since it appears we may be socially distant for a while, it’s time to experiment with virtual meetings. The meeting originally scheduled for March 25 is back on, now via Zoom. Here’s how it works: Ideally you are at your computer with a webcam. You can also use your phone.At the appointed time, clink the Zoom link and join the meeting. (If you dial in on your phone, it's audio only.)You’ll be able to see all the other [...]
By Dara Lyon Warner (www.lyon-roars.com) Gather ‘round, ye ghosts and ghouls, To hear my tale of days long gone; When Witches danced beneath the Moon, And Druids waked the Sun at dawn. They called the God and Goddess fair; The Balefires burned high and bright. The Ancestors they summoned in, To join the Gathering through the night. The veil grows thin; we stand in Circle, Heart to heart and hand to hand, Embracing still the Ancient ways. Samhain has come again! What is it [...]
By Chanah Liora Wizenberg The Wake County Public Libraries Annual Book Sale was the first weekend in May—a bibliophile’s dream! As I entered the Expo Center at the Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C., where the sale was being held, I gasped. A sea of books was spread before me. There were tables and tables of books set in rows the length of the enormous room. The scent of freshly popped buttered popcorn and hot dogs permeated the air. For a split second my mouth watered and my stomach [...]
By Kristy Stevenson, kristystevenson.com I don’t make resolutions anymore, but with the New Year upon us I thought it was as good a time as any to START something. Something new, something neglected, something fun, something challenging … you get the idea. In 2017, I was grateful that my work went in a lot of different directions. This of course meant that some projects got sidelined in order to meet new deadlines. But I learned to juggle and diversify. Regular and repeat business is [...]
By Don Vaughan, Conference Director It’s hard to believe that the first Write Now! conference took place way back in 2008. Since then, TAF’s annual spring writing symposium has become a truly special event that local and regional writers look forward to each year. Write Now! 2018 will take place on Saturday, April 28 at The McKimmon Center on Gorman Street in Raleigh, and we promise a conference you’ll long remember. Our fiction guest of honor will be award-winning short-story writer [...]
By Mark Cantrell Our monthly meetings are a wonderful opportunity for TAF members to gather in person to share information and good news. Since the association’s founding in 2003, we have met at a variety of locations around the capital city - including book stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. Each time we’ve moved, it’s because our numbers have outgrown the venue. Our previous location has been good to us, but I’m happy to report that we’re on the move yet [...]
By Don Vaughan Did you see the TAF mention in today's issue of the The News & Observer? Their Book Beat column names our spring conference - Write Now! 2018, our fiction guest of honor Megan Mayhew Bergman, and nonfiction guest of honor Mike Sager. They also included a link back to our website with a nod that registration opens February 1. It'll be here before we know it!
By Alison Hill, the-eye.wales and Ms.Horror.com At TAF we talk about writing, we listen to talks by writing experts, and we advise each other on writing. And folks here do all types of writing – nonfiction writing, fiction writing, short writing, long writing, article writing, copywriting … we’re as versatile as Bubba Gump’s shrimp. But once in a while we lay down our mighty pens (or electronic devices) and do something completely different, like [...]
By Janice Leagra, janiceleagra.com and voxlaurus.com In October, Don and Nan Vaughan hosted a TAF barbecue at their Raleigh home. This event replaced the annual Christmas party this year, allowing for a less hectic holiday schedule for all. It was a fun-filled afternoon for TAF members and their families, with beautiful weather and a lovely breeze under the shade of the mighty oaks in the Vaughans' front yard. I was excited to attend and meet fellow TAF members' [...]