September 2025 Meeting Minutes

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

September 2025 Meeting Minutes

9/20/25         1:00 PM

  1. Networking
  2. Call to order
    1. Meeting commenced at 1:15 PM
  3. Roll call
    1. In-person attendees: 19
    2. Online attendees: 5
  4. Newcomer introductions
    1. Brandon completed manuscript for a novel
    2. Jennifer S completed YA sci-fi novel
    3. Anna writing non-fiction of kitchen design
  5. Triumphs and failures
    1. Audiobook went live for Modern political campaigns book
    2. Substack page started
    3. Publisher for second novel
    4. First place winner in fiction category at Novelcon
    5. Book placed in library on the Queen Mary II
    6. Foreign Service journal piece
  6. Approval of minutes from last meeting
    1. n/a due to August member social
  7. Officer’s Reports
    1. President Carolyn McBride
      1. Holiday Social – will be similar to August social
        1. Jane Friedman will give a state of the industry talk
      2. Writer’s Room portal is live to members
        1. Archived material available on site
      3. Vice President Casie White
        1. Call for new vice president for next year
      4. Treasurer AJ George
        1. YTD net assets $5,697
      5. Secretary Kevin Connor
        1. Nothing to report
      6. Membership Chair Isabelle Missud
        1. Grand total of 159 members
      7. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren, David Wessel, Jennifer Milder, Patricia DiVecchio
        1. Dave Wessel
          1. Fair Oaks Mall event held
          2. October 11-12 Fredericksburg Arts and Crafts show
            1. Room for 1 more
          3. Marissa – Jump on and Write
            1. Monday nights, Wednesday and Friday mornings
          4. Elaine’s monthly NVWC book club
            1. 9/24 – Caroline Crocker; 10/29 – Bryan Nowak
            2. Contact Jennifer to be scheduled for 2026
          5. Isabelle: book signing opportunities for children’s or YA books
        2. Website Coordinators: Carolyn McBride, Rotty Mendez (nonmember)
          1. Writers Room ready for members
            1. link to request login in newsletter
            2. complete profiles so we can identify genre panels for B&N
            3. post your new releases and book news
            4. ask questions and share resources in forums
          2. Social Media Coordinator Allie Nelson
            1. Brainstorm & Brews at Elaine’s for NVWC Book Clubs
          3. Golden Nib Coordinator Suzanne Davenport
            1. 4 NVWC winners move on to state competition
              1. Fiction – 1st place Ben East, 2nd place Jeff Williams, 3rd place Roger Hammons
              2. Nonfiction – Ben East
  8. Old Business
    1. None
  9. New Business
    1. None
  10. Upcoming writing resources/contests
    1. Sterling – Tales, Tales and Ales 12PM-5PM
      1. Need tent and table, $25 donation
    2. Tables available 11/8 Hanover Book Fest, Mechanicsville: http://www.hanoverbookfestival.com/
    3. 11/8 Rappahannock Writers Conference, Germanna Community College, Fredericksburg: https://www.librarypoint.org/rappahannock-writers-conference/
    4. VWC Annual Meeting 11/15 Richmond Maggiano’s
  11. Business from the Floor
    1. None
  12. 15-minute networking (if time permits)
  13. Featured speaker: Maggie Smith on Demystifying Book Marketing
  14.  Adjournment
    1. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM