June 2026 Meeting Minutes

by | Jul 12, 2026 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

June 2026 Meeting Minutes

6/20/2026         1:05 PM

    1. Call to order – Carolyn started recording
      1. Meeting started at 1:05 pm
    2. Roll call
      1. In-person attendees: 31
      2. Online Attendees: 5
      3. Newcomer introductions
        1. Ed Heartney – short stories on variety of subjects
        2. Audrey Lattanze – published writer of two anthologies
        3. Jenn Ma – mystery novel
        4. Kelly Borukhovich – fantasy and speculative fiction
        5. David Book – column on problem solving in Washington Post
        6. Will Palmer – science fiction, humor articles
      4. Triumphs and lessons learned
        1. Carolyn McBride – hired developmental editor for 3rd manuscript, did virtual pitch session with agents, launched first Substackg and moved newsletter, got marketing grant from another writers club
        2. Melody Kramer – My Turtle Journal, a weekly and daily journal – launched in San Diego
        3. Michelle McBeth – First portal fantasy went to editor
        4. Toby Dorr – Killing Lisa released last week, already sold out on Amazon
        5. Bob Costello – Shroud of Darkness just self-published and is on Amazon
    3. Approval of minutes from last meeting
      1. Marissa Naggi – approved
      2. Allister Nelson – seconded
    4. Officer’s Reports
      1. President & Website Coordinator Carolyn McBride
        1. Position re-opened for Treasurer. If interested reach out to Carolyn McBride or board member
        2. Position open for DayDrift Coordinator – partnership ends this month. If interested reach out to Carolyn McBride or Lois Wren
      2. Vice President & Community Manager Marissa Naggi
        1. In-person write-in every Monday 6:30pm @ Commonwealth Brewery, Fairfax
        2. Virtual Write-Ins every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:30 – 8:30 – link to join is in the newsletter under Community Manager links
        3. Please update your profile on the Writers Room so you show up on the website
      3. Treasurer Evan Frulla – no update
        1. Carolyn McBride reported that there are currently 170 members, cashflow is good
      4. Secretary Stacey Porcaro – reiterated need for Treasurer, please volunteer or recommend someone
        1. Carolyn McBride stated that we can do more if we have a treasurer giving oversight to our finances – more festivals, book signings or even grants or scholarships, etc.
      5. Membership Chair and Board Member-at-Large Isabelle Missud – absent
      6. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren (B&N), David Wessel (festivals), Daydrift (OPEN), Patricia DiVecchio (snacks)
        1. Lois Wren – Clarendon has opened. Still working with Tysons for author signings, Springfield is doing well, every other week – please take tablecloth to your signings, Clarendon has August dates available, Georgetown – will nudge again for non-fiction signings.  Lois mentioned that if you haven’t heard back from her to reach out again as she was having email problems.
        2. Dave Wessel – absent – Lois Wren reported that NVWC has been rejected for Art on the Avenue. Dave and Lois put in applications under their names so still might get accepted.  Next Festival on radar is the Burke Festival in September but won’t hear back until July if accepted.  If anyone hears of any other festivals, please let Lois or Dave know.
      7. Social Media Coordinator Allie Nelson – The Facebook group has a lot of new members, the August social is coming up, you are welcome to post when you have signings (including pictures); if know of anyone interested in joining club, please send to Allie for information on the kinds of benefits the club provides.
      8. Golden Nib Coordinator Lori Eaton – absent
        1. Golden Nib submission due July 15th for our submissions, we make choices in each category and send to the Virginia Writers Club and if you win can end up in the anthology (cash prizes).
      9. Michelle McBeth– submissions closed for Teen Nib, submissions with judges and waiting to hear back.
    5. Old Business
      1. Golden Nib have to be member of Virginia Writers Club to move beyond NVWC
    6. New Business
      1. Virginia Writers Symposium – registration open for summer symposium 8/1 9 am – 5 pm Randolph Macon College. There is a scholarship to cover fee.  All interested members please contact Carolyn McBride.
      2. Printed Bookshop – Rosalyn Silvester had tent at Riverfest and has small shop in Nokesville. Most of her business is done through bookshop.org. If local authors have their books listed on bookshop.org, she will add them to her Local Authors page and maybe put one copy in her store. She handles a lot of book orders.
      3. Swords, Brooms and Magical Beasts – fantasy event 8/9 taking over town of Occoquan, great for fantasy authors – if can’t get in this year, get on @lainemindinventions list for future events
      4. School and Office Annex, Lake Ridge – Rose Zeher’s son recently bought the store and is planning to offer book signings and turn it into a hub for local authors (would be really good for children’s and YA authors); contact schoolandofficeannex@gmail.com (Carolyn McBride gave her club info too)
      5. River and Roots – Fredericksburg bookshop that hosts local artists and authors
      6. InkFest – vendor applications for event at Lynchburg Academy Center of the Arts 8/15 10 am – 2pm
      7. Jeffrey Higgins hosting JD Barker at Elaine’s on 8/15 12-3 pm and suggested we host summer social and membership drive there, given that it falls on the same day as our August meeting.
    7. Business from the Floor
      • Historical Fiction – Rick Hodges would like to make connections, please reach out personally or through the Writer’s Room newsfeed.
      • Patricia DiVecchio – inquired if anyone has published through Hay House to please let her know.
    8. Featured speaker: Author and book coach Andromeda Romano-Lax on writing and marketing suspenseful fiction
    9. Adjournment – 3:05pm