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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T130000
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DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
CREATED:20251129T170028Z
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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;VALUE=DATE:20260411
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260413
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
CREATED:20260311T185036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T185421Z
UID:8225-1775865600-1776038399@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:NVWC @ Fredericksburg Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
DESCRIPTION:Visit the booth for the Northern Virginia Writers Club\, pick up signed copies of members’ books\, and learn more about the club.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/nvwc-fredericksburg-spring-arts-crafts-festival-2026/
LOCATION:Fredericksburg Convention Center\, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway\, Fredericksburg\, VA\, 22401\, United States
CATEGORIES:Festival
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T150000
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
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:20260417T110542
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;VALUE=DATE:20260606
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260608
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
CREATED:20260311T185316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T185349Z
UID:8227-1780704000-1780876799@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:NVWC @ Occoquan Riverfest
DESCRIPTION:Visit the booth for the Northern Virginia Writers Club\, pick up signed copies of members’ books\, and learn more about the club.
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/nvwc-occoquan-riverfest-2026/
LOCATION:Occoquan\, VA\, Occoquan\, VA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Festival
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260620T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260620T150000
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
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:20260718T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T150000
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
CREATED:20260216T154946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T155041Z
UID:8190-1784379600-1784386800@northernvirginiawriters.org
SUMMARY:July 2026 Meeting: Jessica Berg on High Concept Fiction
DESCRIPTION:High Concept Fiction: What It Actually Means & Why You Need to Know\nYou’ve heard agents and editors talk about “high concept\,” but what does that actually mean for you and for the genre you write? \nIn this presentation\, Jessica Berg\, literary agent and founder of Rosecliff Literary will demystify one of publishing’s most-used (and most-confusing) terms. We’ll look at what high concept really means\, how it functions differently across genres\, and why understanding whether your book has it changes how you approach all aspects of publishing\, no matter if you’re pursuing traditional or indie publication. \nYou’ll learn: \n\nThe clear definition of high concept (and what it’s not)\nHow to recognize it in your own work\nWhy it looks different in literary fiction vs. romance vs. thriller vs. SFF\nWhat to do if your book isn’t high concept – and why that’s okay\nHow this understanding shapes your query strategy\n\nThis session is for writers who: \n\nWant to understand industry language without the mystification\nAre preparing to query and need clarity on how to position their work\nWrite across genres and wonder how this term applies to different projects\nWant to make strategic decisions based on their book’s actual strength\n\n  \nJessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary\, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency\, strategy\, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients. \nIn addition to her agency role\, Jessica serves as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest\, where she writes and consults on topics related to querying\, craft\, comp titles\, and the business of authorship. She teaches globally on query letters\, positioning\, and sustainable author careers. Jessica serves on the board of the Historical Novel Society and is a chair for the National Women’s Book Association. \nShe lives online at @jessica__berg\, where she talks about querying\, writing life\, and the realities of publishing with transparency\, humor\, and a touch of glam. Connect with Rosecliff at @roseclifflit. \nFree download: How to Pitch Your Book in 30 Seconds at https://www.jessicaberg.me/the-30-second-book-pitch. \n 
URL:https://northernvirginiawriters.org/event/july-2026-meeting/
LOCATION:St. Paul’s Lutheran Church\, 7426 Idylwood Road\, Falls Church\, VA\, 22043\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T150000
DTSTAMP:20260417T110542
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:20260417T110542
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:20260417T110542
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:20260417T110542
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:20260417T110542
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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