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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260117T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260117T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20250803T124031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T170638Z
UID:7552-1768654800-1768662000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:January 2026: Annual Meeting & Officer Elections
DESCRIPTION:Cast your vote in our Officer elections for President\, Vice President (open)\, Treasurer\, and Secretary (open). We are currently seeking candidates for a one-year term. For more information about the role responsibilities or to nominate yourself\, please contact president@northernvirginiawriters.org. We also have a number of coordinator positions for collaboration\, website management\, critique groups\, and events. Please consider making a difference in your writing community.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/january-2026-annual-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:20260221T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251108T120150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T170620Z
UID:7833-1771678800-1771686000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:February 2026 Meeting: Allison K. Williams on Choosing Your Publishing Path
DESCRIPTION:Which Publishing Path Is Right for YOU?\nThe era of the gatekeepers is over. Authors have more options than ever for self\, hybrid\, independent\, university\, and small-press publishing\, and can choose their own path based on speed\, level of control\, amount of guidance\, and of course\, the time and money they want to invest. \nBut self-publishing can be tricky and time-consuming\, and hybrid presses expensive. Plus\, it’s hard to find the honest\, value-added publishing services among vanity presses and scammers\, especially for first books. For authors planning a series or multiple books\, it’s even more important to get a process\, editors\, designers\, and marketing support that serves your mission and your book. \nWe’ll discuss the pluses and perils of self-publishing\, hybrid presses\, and small publishers\, and most importantly\, how to know which path is right for you. \nAllison K. Williams is the author of Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro From Blank Page to Book. She has edited and coached fiction and nonfiction writers to publishing deals with Penguin Random House\, Knopf\, Mantle\, Spencer Hill\, and St. Martin’s Press as well as hybrid and independent presses\, and to the New York Times Bestseller List and the USA Today Bestseller List. As the creator and cohost of The Writers Bridge platform and publishing talks\, she’s guided writers through audience creation\, marketing strategies\, and querying (and signing with!) literary agents. She also hosts writing retreats around the world through Rebirth Your Book. \nAllison holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University and spent 20 years as a circus aerialist and acrobat before writing and editing full-time. \n__________ \n“Allison K. Williams is GOLDEN. She is so efficient\, clear and concise\, and such an enjoyable human being. Her generosity and knowledge are boundless!” Amber Jackson \n“I believe the cost of your class was one of the best investments I have ever made in my entire writing life. I value the treasure trove of information and resources you shared as well as the clarity\, organization\, and personal pizzazz of your presentation.” Ruth Sloven \n“I don’t have words to thank you for shifting me from inert and stuck to excited and empowered.” Sara Massagee
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/february-2026-meeting-allison-k-williams-on-choosing-your-publishing-path/
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:20260321T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T153000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251129T170028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T175126Z
UID:7954-1774098000-1774107000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:March 2026 Meeting: Short-Form Success—A Panel on Publishing in Magazines\, Journals\, & Anthologies
DESCRIPTION:Are you ready to submit your poetry\, short stories\, and essays but unsure how to navigate the world of literary markets? Publishing short works in magazines\, journals\, and anthologies is a vital step for any writer looking to build credentials\, find a readership\, and refine their craft. \nJoin us for an insightful panel discussion featuring three members of the writing community with deep and diverse experiences in the short-form publishing landscape. \nIn this dynamic session\, our panelists will share practical advice on: \n\nFinding the right market: How to efficiently research and target magazines and journals that match your genre and style.\nUnderstanding submission guidelines: Essential tips for crafting cover letters\, formatting manuscripts\, and avoiding common rejection pitfalls.\nLeveraging anthologies: Exploring the submission process for themed anthologies and what editors look for in these curated collections.\nTransitioning from hobbyist to professional: Strategies for building a portfolio of published works to advance your writing career.\n\nWhether you write genre fiction\, literary essays\, or poetry\, this panel will provide the actionable knowledge you need to take your short works from manuscript to publication. \n\nSpeaker Bios\nDarius Jones\nNVWC Board Member & Award-Winning Author \nDarius is a highly active member of the speculative fiction community and an NVWC Board Member. He specializes in Cosmic Horror\, Weird Fiction\, and Dark Fantasy. His short stories and poems have appeared in respected markets such as Strange Horizons\, The No Sleep Podcast\, and Star*Line Magazine. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA)\, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)\, and the Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA)\, giving him extensive insight into professional short-form genre publishing. His first book\, The Books of Hours\, a collection of 24 Dark Cosmic poems\, was published in 2025 by Alien Buddha Press. \nAllie Nelson\nNVWC Social Media Coordinator & Pushcart Prize-Nominated Author \nAllie is a multiple Pushcart Prize-nominated author and the NVWC Social Media Coordinator. Her work has appeared in a wide array of publications\, including The British Fantasy Society\, Apex Magazine\, ILLUMEN\, Eternal Haunted Summer\, and various others. Her writing has been translated internationally into Polish and Spanish\, curated by notable figures like Kevin J. Anderson\, and appeared in anthologies alongside authors such as Graham Masterson and Jane Yolen. \nHeidi Hess\nFlorida Writer\, Paranormal Author\, and Festival Organizer \nHeidi Hess is a paranormal fiction author and an organizer of the Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival. Her short stories have appeared in her own collections\, including Chronicles of Chaos and The Short End of Madness. As both a published author and a successful event organizer\, Heidi brings a valuable perspective on not only submitting to publications but also the process of creating and compiling original short-story anthologies.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/march-2026-meeting-short-form-success-a-panel-on-publishing-in-magazines-journals-anthologies/
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:20260418T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20250818T182112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T182130Z
UID:7684-1776517200-1776524400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:April 2026 Meeting: ML Brei on AI & Authors
DESCRIPTION:At the April 2026 monthly meeting\, ML Brei\, a computer scientist and author of Conversing with AI: A Handbook for Writers will lead a workshop on AI & Authors. As an author\, educator\, and prompt engineering consultant\, she is passionate about empowering others at the intersection of language and technology. \nAre you curious about how AI\, like ChatGPT or Claude\, can support your writing process? \nWe are writers—lovers of language and the art of storytelling. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the writing process\, many of us are asking: What is the right way for writers to use AI? \nJoin us for an engaging workshop that explores how writers can ethically and effectively use AI as a creative assistant\, not a replacement. \nML Brei is the founder of Meripoint Books LLC\, an independent press dedicated to thoughtful\, purpose-driven literature. Her diverse portfolio includes fiction\, nonfiction\, and educational materials\, with titles such as Conversing with AI: A Handbook for Writers\, A Different Type of Soul (2022) and The Christian Symbols of the Twelve Days of Christmas (2022). Known for her practical wisdom and visionary insight\, ML Brei helps writers\, military personnel\, and educators harness the power of AI through structured prompting and ethical guidance.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/april-2026-meeting-ml-brie-ai-authors/
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:20260516T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251216T183557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251226T204052Z
UID:8071-1778936400-1778943600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:May 2026 Meeting: Jeffrey James Higgins on the Craft & Business of Writing
DESCRIPTION:The Craft & Business of Writing\nNVWC member Jeffrey James Higgins will provide an overview of what a writer needs to know about writing and publishing in 2026. The session will cover learning craft\, writing practice and process\, digital tools\, dictation\, common craft mistakes\, editing iterations\, critiquing\, querying agents and publishers\, current pathways to publication\, marketing\, and the business of writing. \nJeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers\, short stories\, creative nonfiction\, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber\, fought the Taliban in combat\, and chased terrorists across five continents. Jeffrey received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. He’s been interviewed by CNN\, Fox News\, and The New York Times\, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified\, National Geographic’s Narco Wars\, and ABC News. Jeffrey’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author with six published thrillers\, including a selection for one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. Library Journal selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025. Jeffrey owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria\, VA\, where he counsels writers\, interviews authors\, and hosts a podcast. He’s an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/may-2026-meeting-jeffrey-james-higgins-on-the-craft-business-of-writing/
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:20260620T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260620T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251202T012357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T012941Z
UID:8042-1781960400-1781967600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:June 2026 Meeting: The Art of Writing & Marketing Suspense (& Much More) by Andromeda Romano-Lax
DESCRIPTION:Yes\, I Do Think You Should Write a Suspense Novel\nWhy it’s harder than many think\, and why writing (or just reading!) genre fiction can teach you important craft lessons\nThrillers and mysteries are strong sellers\, but that doesn’t necessarily mean crime fiction is an easy genre to crash. As the author of literary and historical novels who successfully broke into the world of psychological suspense five years ago and became a Barnes & Noble “Our Monthly Pick” author in the process\, I’ll discuss some myths and facts about the writing\, revision\, and marketing of thrillers\, mysteries\, and suspense. I’ll also touch on horror\, an adjacent category that is currently hotter than it’s been in decades. \nLet’s say you’re not planning to write crime fiction\, only read it. I’ll address how paying attention to crime and horror as a reader can teach important craft lessons that apply to all forms of writing\, even literary novels and memoirs. \nBorn in Chicago and now a resident of Vancouver Island\, Canada\, Andromeda Romano-Lax worked as a freelance journalist and travel writer before turning to fiction. Her first novel\, The Spanish Bow\, was translated into eleven languages and chosen as a New York Times Editors’ Choice\, BookSense pick\, and one of Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year. Her next four novels\, The Detour\, Behave (an Indie Next Pick)\, Plum Rains (winner of the Sunburst Award)\, and Annie and the Wolves (A Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of the Year) reflect her diverse interest in the arts\, history\, science\, and technology\, as well as her love of travel and her time spent living abroad. \nStarting with The Deepest Lake (a Barnes & Noble Monthly Pick and Amazon Book of the Month) and continuing with her next novel\, What Boys Learn (January 2026)\, Andromeda has swerved into the world of suspense fiction\, although she continues to write historical and speculative fiction as well.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/june-2026-meeting-the-art-of-writing-marketing-suspense-much-more-by-andromeda-romano-lax/
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:20260815T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251202T021938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T022229Z
UID:8049-1786798800-1786806000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:August 2026 Meeting: Summer Social
DESCRIPTION:Back by popular demand\, our Summer Social will be largely unstructured\, with no featured speaker\, to allow ample time for networking and sharing our experiences in writing and publishing. If you’re published\, bring a book for the raffle.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/august-2026-summer-social/
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:20260919T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20251129T162644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T170606Z
UID:7950-1789822800-1789830000@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:September 2026 Meeting: The Writers' Rx with Dr. Jasmine Sandoval
DESCRIPTION:From Pulse to Prose\nDiscover how to harness the body’s most visceral reactions and turn them into powerful storytelling tools. In this session\, you’ll learn to translate racing pulses\, constricted breaths\, trembling hands\, and subtle somatic cues into gripping narrative beats that drive tension and emotion. We’ll break down how the human body naturally responds to fear\, desire\, conflict\, and revelation—and how to mirror those sensations on the page with precision. By the end\, you’ll know how to craft scenes so physically immersive that readers don’t just follow your characters… they feel them. \nWorkshop Activity: “Visceral Revision Lab”\nOPTIONAL: Writers will bring a short scene (150–300 words) from their work in progress—preferably a moment involving tension\, emotion\, or internal conflict. In small groups or paired breakout sessions\, they will identify the character’s dominant emotional state\, then rewrite 3-5 lines of the scene using visceral body reactions instead of abstract emotion words. Participants will focus on replacing “telling” phrases (fear\, anger\, shock\, excitement) with pulse changes\, breath shifts\, autonomic responses\, muscle tension\, micro-movements\, and sensory cues. \nAfter revising\, volunteers will share their before-and-after versions to see how the added somatic detail heightens immersion\, tension\, and emotional authenticity. \nWith over 25 years in the medical field and 15 years as a registered nurse\, Dr. Jasmine Sandoval brings a unique blend of expertise and storytelling to every stage and page. She is the author of The Writer’s Rx\, a guide for writers who want to master the art of immersive storytelling. Writing under the pen name J.C. Sang\, she explores fiction that delves into resilience and human connection.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/september-2026-meeting-the-writers-rx-with-dr-jasmine-sandoval/
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:20261017T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20260225T222508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T222537Z
UID:8207-1792242000-1792249200@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:October 2026 Meeting: Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion
DESCRIPTION:Learn to promote yourself and your work with confidence\nWhen you’re reluctant to broadcast your accomplishments and capabilities\, your ideal readers\, as well as editors and influencers\, never get the chance to find out about you and your work. Learn to identify when fear\, resistance\, and your inner critic are getting in your way; which fears are causing you the most trouble; how to develop antidotes to your fear; and quick fixes to manage your inner saboteurs. Discover how to transform your relationship with marketing – and with your desired audience – so you can promote yourself and your written work confidently. \nC.J. Hayden is the bestselling author of Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals\, Consultants\, and Coaches. Since 1992\, she’s been a business coach and writing mentor\, helping self-employed professionals and creatives thrive. C.J. has taught for John F. Kennedy University\, Mills College\, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is the author of 8 books and hundreds of published articles and blog posts. Her newest book is Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/october-2026-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:20261114T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20260311T184301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T184301Z
UID:8220-1794661200-1794668400@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:November 2026 Meeting: Writing History vs. Writing Historical Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Writing History vs. Writing Historical Fiction\nNVWC member David K. Wessel is a retired U.S. diplomat who served at embassies in Central America and Europe and is the former Mayor of Duck\, NC. His recent publications include an article for American Historical Association’s Perspectives magazine and his first novel\, Choosing Sides\, which explores how ordinary people living in Germany between the two world wars responded to the loss of their democracy\, a subject he has studied for some fifty years. In this presentation\, David will share the perspective he has gained on the differences – and similarities – between writing history and writing historical fiction. \n 
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/november-2026-meeting/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261212T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261212T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T092958
CREATED:20231107T192807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T022205Z
UID:4153-1797080400-1797087600@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:December 2026 Meeting: Holiday Social
DESCRIPTION:Join your fellow writers for some socializing. A favorite event every year\, as it’s no business and all fun and getting to know your fellow writers!
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/december-2026/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
CATEGORIES:Meetings
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