May 2026 Meeting Minutes

by | Jun 11, 2026 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

May 2026 Meeting Minutes

5/16/2026         1:06 PM

    1. Call to order – Carolyn started recording
      1. Meeting started at 1:06 pm
    2. Roll call
      1. In-person attendees: 26
      2. Online Attendees: 8
      3. Newcomer introductions:
        1. Alok Jain – technical books published (time management and Java programming), young adult fiction, working on writers’ platform
        2. Jed Goehring – autobiographical fiction
        3. Christina Nelson – beginner book writer, getting back into articles
        4. Rob Levenson – wrote for Bloomberg, now writing fiction – Robb Deigh brought him to meeting
        5. John Crownover – works in behavioral health and professionally writes curriculums and grant proposals working on a nonfiction self-help book for young adults.
    3. Triumphs and lessons learned
      1. Carolyn McBride – querying 3rd novel, contracted to write autobiography
      2. Bill Lewers – 1st book published
      3. Marissa Naggi – Attended Washington Writers Conference and pitched 4 agents that requested pages.
      4. Dennis Seiler – Published 2nd book of series, ¾ done with 3rd book
      5. Patricia DiVecchio – writing articles – looking for experience in getting published
    4. Approval of minutes from last meeting
      1. Marissa Naggi approved
      2. Isabelle Missud seconded
    5. Officer’s Reports
      1. President & Website Coordinator Carolyn McBride
        1. Tom Krepo – member (fantasy writer) passed away in recent months
        2. Position open for Event Coordinator for DayDrift bookstore –If interested, please reach out to Carolyn McBride or Lois Wren.
      2. Vice President & Community Manager Marissa Naggi
        1. In-person write-in 5/18 @ Commonwealth Brewery, Fairfax 6:30pm
        2. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 7:30am to 8:30am virtual write in – link to join is in newsletter under community manager links. There will eventually be an evening write in.
      3. Treasurer Evan Frulla-  absent – Carolyn McBride reported we have exceeded number of members to cover costs.
      4. Secretary Stacey Porcaro – no report
      5. Membership Chair and Board Member-at-Large Isabelle Missud – 160 members – growth slowed down but there is good retention.  New member growth slows in the spring and ramps up in the summer.  Hoping to grow to 180 members.
      6. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren (B&N), David Wessel (festivals), Kate Goggin (Daydrift), Patricia DiVecchio (snacks)
        1. Lois Wren – absent – (B&N) – Carolyn McBride reported adding Clarendon
        2. David Wessel (festivals) (absent) Carolyn McBride reported next event Occoquan Riverfest and shewill be setting up tents. You have been notified if you will be participating in the festival.
        3. Daydrift position – Open Event Coordinator for DayDrift bookstore
        4. Patricia DiVecchio – was thanked for providing snacks.
      7. Allie Nelson Social Media Coordinator– mentioned best to provide readers with what book is about, not just “buy my book” messages
      8. Lori Eaton Golden Nib Coordinator– Golden Nib registration now thru July 15 – categories: poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction – winners submitted to Virginia Writers Club for state-level judging; winners of Virginia Writers Club will be in their annual published journal
      9. Michelle McBeth (absent) – Carolyn McBride reported Michelle coordinates Teen Nib (at state level) writing team – registration thru May 30
    6. Old Business – no old business
    7. New Business
      1. Brian Nowak – posted in Newsletter – inviting members to Tails, Tales and Ales Saturday May 30th – Table Fee $25.00 – link is in Newsletter
      2. Member Atlas Creed featured in Jane Friedman’s paid newsletter The Bottom Line: “How Self-Published Authors Thrive on TikTok” 5/6/26
      3. Call for romance short stories set in Virginia for anthology from Shenandoah Valley publisher Whitaker Lyon by 7/31
      4. Eat Local Read Local @ Cascades Library 10/17 open for vendor requests until 8/25
    8. Business from the Floor – none
    9. Featured speaker: Member and Thriller author Jeffrey James Higgins on the business and craft of writing
    10. Adjournment – 1:32 pm