July 2026 Meeting Minutes

by | Aug 3, 2026 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

July 2026 Meeting Minutes

7/18/2026         1:01 PM

    1. Call to order
      1. Construction notice – old church being torn down – lower driveway may be unavailable during construction. Please use the upper/hill entrance.
    2. Roll call
      1. In-person attendees: 30
      2. Online Attendees: 17
      3. Newcomer introductions
        1. Tim Karney – fiction, mystery
        2. Reid Porter – sci-fi short stories
        3. Regina Galvin – accountability, political intrigue
        4. David Book – problem solving articles – general publications
      4. Triumphs and lessons learned
        1. Susan Picerno – Sold 10 books at book signing
        2. Lois Wren – Clarendon Barnes and Noble now on list for signings. Reported that we are no longer doing signings at DayDrift in Alexandria. Recommend having books ready if you get a call as there have been some quick turn-around openings/requests for authors.
        3. Hank Rausch – US Submarines deep dive Cascade Library, Loudoun this week
        4. Stacey Porcaro – Editing business Rock-Solid Revisions celebrating 1 year anniversary on July 29th
        5. Carolyn McBride – Got full ask from agent – outcome pending
        6. Gaea Honeycutt – Ran a crowdfunding campaign for her first romance novel raising 54% of goal.
        7. Audrey Lattanze – Received 5-star review on comic book, Fate of the Zodiacs
        8. Anita Nahal – Poetry collection published by Kelsey, there was a short film made from one of her poems that won awards in Canada, Venezuela and India.
      5. Distribute raffle tickets for VWC Symposium pass. Held August 1st at Randolph-Macon College in Richmond.  All day event, workshop includes speakers from the club.
    3. Approval of minutes from last meeting
      1. Isabelle Missud approved
      2. Paula Weiss seconded
    4. Officer’s Reports
      1. President & Website Coordinator Carolyn McBride
        1. Call for Treasurer – Jason Maddux presented requirements of role, please reach out to Carolyn or Board members if interested – Michael Cohen volunteered
        2. Call for writers for 20-year anthology – 2027 is NVWC 20th anniversary – please see newsletter and reach out to Carolyn McBride if interested in contributing stories. Carolyn McBride will reach out to form anthology committee.  Allie Nelson and Audrey Lattanze volunteered for committee.
        3. Update on Bylaws Review Committee – Three members appointed (Tom Dewitt, Gaea Honeycutt and Anita Nahal) to ensure clubs bylaws are in compliance with nonprofit federal regulations. Findings will be reported to president and board prior to January annual meeting.
        4. Planning for Summer Social (held at this location) combined with August 15 meeting. Officers/coordinators will consult on summer social planning and it will be announced in next newsletter.
      2. Vice President & Community Manager Marissa Naggi
        1. Reported that there are Tuesday and Thursday morning Virtual Write-In’s 7:30-8:30 and Monday night Write-Ins at Commonwealth Brewing Company in Fairfax – please RSVP on Facebook. Requested all members please fill out profile in Writers Room on NVWC website.
      3. Treasurer (open)
        1. Jason Maddux reported on cash/cashflow, provided a copy of board meeting minutes and treasurer spreadsheet at meeting for anyone interested. In regard to anthology reported that the club holds a budget surplus and reserves – Michelle McBeth advised looking for other avenues for funding so that we don’t deplete reserves.
          1. Discussion on funding for 20-year anthology. We can reach out for corporate sponsorships.  We can research and draft grant proposals – (ArtsFairfax Grants – annual – can cover multiple activities over a year range from $1,000 to $25,000).  Carolyn McBride pointed out risk of waiting on grant deadlines and missing the publication window.  Michelle McBeth said it would be between $1K-$3K for an outside editor with a total cost of between $2K-$4K dollars.  Isabelle Missud asked if we can do inhouse.  Carolyn McBride will reach out to members who expressed interest to participate in anthology planning committee.  As club is larger may need to limit submissions.  15th year anthology was done inexpensively due to volunteer editing and member cover-design.  Lori Eaton and Audrey Lattanze willing to join group of artists for cover.
      4. Secretary Stacey Porcaro – Nothing to report.
      5. Membership Chair and Board Member-at-Large Isabelle Missud
        1. 8 new members 180 members, doing well.
      6. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren (B&N), David Wessel (festivals), Daydrift (OPEN), Patricia DiVecchio (snacks)
        1. Lois Wren reported on B&N signings, spoke with David Wessel (absent) and was asked to remind members about the Burke Festival September 27th and 28th. Carolyn McBride thanked Lois for bringing snacks in Patricia DiVecchio’s absence.
      7. Social Media Coordinator Allie Nelson reported that Commonwealth Brewery Write-Ins have been going well.  Stated that she is willing to meet one and one (available in Centreville and Fairfax) with authors for mentorship on querying, small presses, etc.  Regarding the NVWC Social she can post on Facebook or send email for ideas from members.  Requested that authors continue to post signings and pictures on Facebook.
      8. Golden Nib Coordinator Lori Eaton reported that submissions for the chapter are closed and administrative judging is ongoing. Results will be sent to all authors with submissions by the end of August with final Virginia-level announcement expected in December.
        1. Allie Nelson suggested highlighting NVWC Golden Nib winning authors in anthology
    5. Old Business – no old business
    6. New Business – Carolyn McBride posts author opportunities (signings, festivals, etc.) on Facebook and in newsletter
      1. VWC Symposium raffle drawing – Gaea Honeycutt – winner
      2. Leesylvania State Park’s Fall Festival October 24, 2026, 11 am-3 pm – Carolyn McBride has a table and can provide link if anyone is interested
    7. Business from the Floor
      1. Allie Nelson
        1. Started Paranoid Robot Press with friends – a dark/cult/Lovecraftian speculative fiction press that is now open for submissions – (paranoidrobot.press). Allie will post more information on Facebook.
        2. Social Media engagement has increased significantly. Members are encouraged to post signings, etc.
    8. Featured speaker: Literary agent Jessica Berg on understanding industry lingo and positioning – no recording due to internet instability.  Slides will be circulated in next newsletter and will be posted in the Writers Room
    9. Adjournment – 3:01pm