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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Northern Virginia Writers Club
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251018T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251018T150000
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LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T151840Z
UID:6784-1760792400-1760799600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:October 2025 Meeting: Laura DiFranco on Building a Platform
DESCRIPTION:Three Powerful Ways to Build a Platform for Your Business \nLaura DiFranco of Brave Healer Publishing will discuss how to use storytelling to sell books and build business and brand. As a business owner\, we reach prospective clients and readers in many ways. Your platform as an author or business owner is two things: Your email list subscribers and your social media followers. Participants will enjoy a workshop-style presentation to address three of the most powerful strategies to add email list subscribers\, social platform numbers\, and raving fans who want what you have to offer: \n\nYour email opt-in or call to action\nYour social content (how to build know-love-trust)\nYour speaking strategy (move your audience into action)\n\n. . . and how the right strategy will help you grow your platform. \nLaura Di Franco is the CEO of Brave Healer Productions\, a 14-time award-winning publisher for holistic health\, wellness\, and business professionals with a mission to help the world experience what’s possible. She\, like you\, started with zero people on her email list. She’s excited to share how she got past the 10\,000 mark over the last few years.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/october-2025/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T150000
DTSTAMP:20250727T150822Z
CREATED:20250727T150323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250727T150822Z
UID:7546-1758373200-1758380400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:September 2025 Meeting: Maggie Smith on Demystifying Book Marketing
DESCRIPTION:Beyond the Manuscript: Demystifying Book Marketing \nMarketing a book is one of the most misunderstood—and frequently frustrating—parts of the publishing journey. This practical\, insightful workshop explores what happens after you’ve written the book\, diving into the strategies and systems that will help you find your readers. Designed for authors at all stages\, the session breaks down the essential components of a successful marketing plan with clarity and realism. \nTopics include setting achievable goals\, formulating a practical budget\, and assembling a team to support your efforts—from agents to fellow writers to book designers and publicists. We’ll explore how to locate your ideal readers and turn casual browsers into engaged fans\, and what it really means to develop an author “brand” in today’s crowded market. You’ll learn the basics of crafting a compelling tagline\, building a website and newsletter\, and using those tools to grow a loyal mailing list. \nThe session also walks through a 6-month marketing timeline\, offering concrete tactics for each time period leading up to (and beyond) your launch. We’ll examine the murky world of advertising—what platforms are worth your time and money\, how to measure ROI\, and when to walk away. Whether you’re traditionally published\, indie-publishing\, or hybrid\, this workshop offers actionable guidance\, honest insights\, and a roadmap to transform book marketing from overwhelming to empowering. \nIn a career that’s included work as a journalist\, a psychologist\, and the founder of a national art consulting company\, Maggie Smith added novelist to her resume with the publication of her debut\, Truth and Other Lies\, in March 2022. A women’s fiction novel set in Chicago\, it won NIEA’s Juror Grand Prize\, the Star Award for Debut Fiction from Women’s Fiction Writers Association\, Foreword INDIES General Fiction Book of the Year\, and was selected for the Women’s Book Association Great Group Reads. \nHer second novel\, Blindspot\, released in May 2024\, is a psychological suspense that was named First Place Winner in the Mystery/Suspense category by Pencraft Book Awards\, a finalist for CWA’s Book of the Year award for Indie Fiction\, and is currently a finalist for the 2024 Silver Falchion Award for General Fiction by Killer Nashville. \nHer next book-length project\, Once Upon A Family\, is a suspenseful family drama set in the wine country north of Santa Barbara and revolves around the kidnapping of a soon-to-be-bride and the reckoning her stepmother must face when a devastating ransom demand tests her values. \nIn addition to her writing\, Maggie hosts the weekly podcast Hear Us Roar (285+ episodes on Apple Podcasts) and is Managing Editor for Chicago Writer’s Association Write City E-Zine. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/september-2025-meeting-maggie-smith/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250816T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250816T150000
DTSTAMP:20250626T154140Z
CREATED:20250219T185947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T154140Z
UID:6598-1755349200-1755356400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:August 2025: Member Social
DESCRIPTION:In lieu of a family picnic this year\, we will be holding a member mixer in our new digs at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The meeting will be largely unstructured\, with no featured speaker\, to allow ample time for networking and sharing our experiences in writing and publishing. More details coming soon regarding food and drinks.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/august-2025-picnic/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250719T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250719T150000
DTSTAMP:20250509T220749Z
CREATED:20250312T202438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T220749Z
UID:6780-1752930000-1752937200@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:July 2025 Meeting: Scott Frost on Treading the Self-Publishing Abyss
DESCRIPTION:Member Scott Frost will share his experiences and comprehensive guide to independent publishing: https://bit.ly/selfpubabyss. Scott Frost is an award-winning author who self-published his debut Sci-Fi novel Empyreax: The Rise of Cà Rá in 2025. He created a free no-strings guide for new authors to navigate the daunting steps of self-publishing. It has been viewed over 13\,000 times\, and he continues to receive appreciation from many authors who have used the guide. He currently lives in Fairfax\, Virginia\, and is about to publish a collection of shorts while busy at work on Empyreax Books Two and Three. Join his newsletter at https://www.scottfrost.com.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/july-2025-meeting-scott-frost/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250621T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250621T150000
DTSTAMP:20250509T220757Z
CREATED:20250314T214739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T220757Z
UID:6812-1750510800-1750518000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:June 2025 Meeting: Mary Catherine Jones on Audiobooks from Microphone to Marketplace
DESCRIPTION:Audiobooks have enjoyed double-digit growth for the last 12 years with no sign of slowing down. Many independently published authors don’t know where to begin when it comes to creating an audiobook. Members will learn the basics of audiobook production\, including: \n\nNarration: Author Voice or Professional Narrator?\nRecording Options\nDistribution Options\nUsing Your Audiobook Assets\n\nMary Catherine Jones will also include options for those wanting to bootstrap the process! Finally\, she’ll touch on adapting your book for audio (how to handle quotes\, charts\, graphs\, footnotes\, and dialogue)\, plus plenty of time for questions. \nMary Catherine Jones is the owner and executive producer of The Audiobook Experience at Voice Over Vermont\, an award-winning boutique audiobook recording and production studio. She delights in working with authors to bring their stories into the world\, either using their voices or finding the perfect narrator for their audiobook. A speaker at the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit\, her company has produced many award-winning titles\, including club president Carolyn McBride’s audiobooks. \n  \n 
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/june-2025-meeting/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T150000
DTSTAMP:20250509T220632Z
CREATED:20250219T185609Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T220632Z
UID:6596-1747486800-1747494000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:May 2025 Meeting: Toward Authentic Expression - Liberate the Writer in You with Rosslyn Chay
DESCRIPTION:“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”\n—Maya Angelou \nWhat does it take to write? \nPen and paper\, and a willingness to sit with ourselves including all that is happening with us. \nYour imaginations and ideas; your criticisms and praises; your dreams and declarations; your rambles and stutters\, and more\, are all welcome. \nWill you allow yourself to write them? Will you allow what is within to be seen by you? \nIt is the act of writing that births the writer\, not the other way round.  \nDiscover your blocks\, clear away any thoughts that are limiting your flow\, and let the frozen stories in you come to life. \nRosslyn will guide members through exercises to help writers release their (preconceived) notions about writing. Begin again by putting pen to paper. \nRosslyn Chay is many things\, relaxing and expanding as a Poet\, Author\, Healer\, Integral Coach\, Knitter\, Designer\, and (omg)\, so much more! A series of punctuations: she is a still point; a living question; a radiant…pulsating…being…of light…. At her core\, she is an Inquirer—an eternal mystery unfolding\, ripening into her ongoing question of Who and What sits as the intersection point. \nAuthor of The Weight of My Soul: Uncovering My Significance\, and her weekly newsletter\, The Dandelion Notes. Through writing\, she invites you on an adventure with her to discover and truly know: You…are…so…much…more…. For more information\, visit https://www.thespacetobe.co/. \n  \n 
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/may-2025-meeting/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T150000
DTSTAMP:20250509T220824Z
CREATED:20250117T013101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T220824Z
UID:6291-1745672400-1745679600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:April 2025 Meeting: Readings by 2024 Golden Nib Winners
DESCRIPTION:Learn about the Golden Nib awards and hear from some of NVWC’s 2024 Golden Nib winners\, who will read their works and discuss their inspiration and writing journey. \nNVWC\nFiction\n1st place – “Bloom” by Roger Hammons\n2nd place – “Daytona Beach” by Kay Summers\n3rd place – “The Rock Snake” by Craig Lipman \nPoetry\n1st place – “Less of Me” by Kay Summers\n2nd place – “EAT CAKE” by Kevin Connor\n3rd place – “Extasie” by Philip Stephens \nVirginia Writers Club (state level)\nFiction\n3rd place: “Bloom” by Roger Hammons \nNon-Fiction\n1st place – “If the Tree Could Speak” by Caroline Crocker
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/april-2025-meeting/
LOCATION:Mary Riley Styles Public Library\, 120 N Virginia Ave\, Falls Church\, VA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250322T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250322T150000
DTSTAMP:20250219T174748Z
CREATED:20250211T203448Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T174748Z
UID:6520-1742648400-1742655600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:March 2025 Meeting: Toby Dorr on Expanding Your Reach as an Author
DESCRIPTION:Beyond the Book: Expanding Your Reach as an Author\nYour book is written—but your journey as an author is just beginning. \nIn this engaging session\, NVWC member Toby Dorr will explore the many ways to expand the reach of your book beyond traditional sales. From guest spots on podcasts to leveraging Substack\, from creating social media stories to developing courses and workbooks\, you’ll discover a toolkit of strategies to build your audience\, share your message\, and maximize your book’s impact. \nWhether launching your first book or looking to breathe new life into an existing one\, this session will help you unlock new opportunities and think beyond the page. \nJoin us and learn how to turn your book into a lasting movement\, message\, or mission. \nToby Dorr is a transformational speaker\, author\, and advocate who inspires individuals to embrace their full potential\, no matter their past. With a powerful story of resilience\, courage\, and reinvention\, Toby has overcome the unthinkable—serving time in prison for a felony conviction—and emerged with a message of hope\, healing\, and fierce grace. \nThrough her speaking engagements\, Toby empowers audiences to rise above their circumstances\, break free from shame\, and reclaim their stories. As the founder of Fierce Grace Movement and the author of “Living With Conviction”\, Toby encourages others to move forward in life with strength\, authenticity\, and empowered self-discovery. \nWhether she’s sharing her personal journey or leading workshops on leadership\, resilience\, or personal transformation\, Toby’s message is clear: It’s never too late to rewrite your story\, to step into your own fierceness\, and to live fully.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/march-2025-meeting/
LOCATION:Dolley Madison Library\, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.\, McLean\, VA\, 22101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231118T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231118T150000
DTSTAMP:20231105T162211Z
CREATED:20230616T234340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231105T162211Z
UID:3476-1700312400-1700319600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:November Meeting
DESCRIPTION:VP Jason Maddux will be publishing his first book -an anthology of sci-fi stories- in this meeting. If you’re curious about how KDP and self-publishing works\, you won’t want to miss this!
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/november-meeting/
LOCATION:Sherwood Regional Library\, 2501 Sherwood Hall Ln\, Alexandria\, VA\, 22306
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231021T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231021T150000
DTSTAMP:20231020T234523Z
CREATED:20230616T234059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231020T234523Z
UID:3474-1697893200-1697900400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:October Meeting
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/october-meeting/
LOCATION:Reston Library\, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr\, Reston\, 20190\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230916T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230916T150000
DTSTAMP:20230807T051641Z
CREATED:20230616T233731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230807T051641Z
UID:3472-1694869200-1694876400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:September Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Tara Campbell will give a talk on craft.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/september-meeting/
LOCATION:Faith Lutheran Church Undercroft Meeting Room\, 3313 Arlington Blvd\, Arlington\, VA\, 22201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230826T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230826T150000
DTSTAMP:20230807T051205Z
CREATED:20230616T230828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230807T051205Z
UID:3461-1693054800-1693062000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:August Meeting: Art Taylor on Pro Prose
DESCRIPTION:PRO PROSE: TIPS FOR TIGHTENING YOURSWith an eye toward economy\, efficiency\, and focus\, we’ll explore various ways to keep your prose tight and taut. How can you use and balance the five elements of scene-building? How do you keep the emphasis on the right place in your sentences? How might you be misusing dialogue tags? What does the word “filtering” mean—and why should you avoid it?
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/august-meeting-book-formatting/
LOCATION:Faith Lutheran Church Undercroft Meeting Room\, 3313 Arlington Blvd\, Arlington\, VA\, 22201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230624T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230624T150000
DTSTAMP:20230520T194352Z
CREATED:20230520T194352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230520T194352Z
UID:3341-1687611600-1687618800@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:June Meeting: Reimagining Our Inherited Stories
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/june-meeting-reimagining-our-inherited-stories/
LOCATION:Faith Lutheran Church Undercroft Meeting Room\, 3313 Arlington Blvd\, Arlington\, VA\, 22201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
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