MWA-NY Panel On Series Writing a Hit At Hoboken Library
Our panel at the Hoboken Library was a hit with the audience. Panelists included Annamaria Alfieri, Tom Coffey, Peggy Ehrhart, Gerri Lewis, and moderator Mark McNease. The topic was Writing A Series: Getting It Started and Keeping It Going. Among the subjects discussed were continuity, outlining (or not), and where to begin.
MEET THE PANEL
Annamaria Alfieri writes the Vera and Tolliver stories, which are set in British East Africa and explore the evils of colonialism. It began with Strange Gods, 1911, The Idol of Mombasa , 1912, The Blasphemers 1913. The fourth book in the series, A Death on the Lord’s Day, was released in 2024. The Richmond Times-Dispatch praised the series as having “the flair of Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham, the cunning of Agatha Christie and Elspeth Huxley.”
Another Client Book Finished! Seven Summers a Cabana Boy, by A. Sacco
Another client book finished!
Seven Summers a Cabana Boy – A. Sacco
A. Sacco delves into the deep recesses of mind and memory to share anecdotes from the best job he ever had. Indelible memories and unforgettable characters—with all the mores and folkways—are chronologically recalled from events taking place more than 50 years ago.
A native New Yorker, A. Sacco worked for 32 years as a Sales Representative in the insurance and related financial services business. He also served as New York City Human Rights Commissioner for 8 years. He was a member of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Police and Community Relations. Retired, he now lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Featured Book: The ABCs of Storytelling: Reflections of a Story Coach, by Dr. Michael Williams
I had the great pleasure of taking a Guided Autobiography certification course with Dr. Michael Williams as a fellow student. He has subsequently published a truly wonderful, slim volume on the craft of being a professional storyteller. I loved this book! As a workshop instructor myself now and an author of fiction, I highly recommend it. However we choose to tell stories, this book will enhance our understanding of the craft, and enlighten us in the ways of communication through words and actions. I’ve added it to my must-read list for longtime, beginner, and aspiring writers, as well as those magical beings we call storytellers.
About The ABCs of Storytelling
The ABCs of Storytelling contains 26 reflections on the art of oral storytelling from Story Coach Michael Williams. Dr. Williams learned the traditional art of oral storytelling during his 30 years of living in Scotland where he was a member of the Scottish Storytelling Directory and a popular performer and workshop facilitator. In 2005, he exchanged his teaching career for a life as an itinerant storyteller and story coach, working with adults and young people. His reflections have been gathered from his experiences as both a performer and coach working with individuals, community groups, and corporate clients. His book offers the beginner and experienced storyteller a range of tips, techniques, and reflections on this traditional art. Dr. Williams’ reflections capture the spirit of telling stories “eye to eye, mind to mind, and heart to heart.”
Moderating a Mystery Writers of America-NY Panel on Writing a Series: Getting It Started and Keeping It Going (November 11, Hoboken, NJ)
MEET THE PANEL
Annamaria Alfieri writes the Vera and Tolliver stories, which are set in British East Africa and explore the evils of colonialism. It began with Strange Gods, 1911, The Idol of Mombasa , 1912, The Blasphemers 1913. The fourth book in the series, A Death on the Lord’s Day, was released in 2024. The Richmond Times-Dispatch praised the series as having “the flair of Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham, the cunning of Agatha Christie and Elspeth Huxley.”
Tom Coffey grew up on Staten Island. His first novel, The Serpent Club, was published in 1999 by Pocket Books and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. His second novel, Miami Twilight, came out two years later. In 2008, Toby Press published Blood Alley, which also earned a starred PW review. In 2015, the independent Oak Tree Press published Bright Morning Star.
In 2023, Coffey signed a three-book deal with Level Best Books. Public Morals is the first novel in The Devine Trilogy, which is named after the family at its center. The series examines the arc of law enforcement in New York from the 1980s to the present. The second book, Special Victim, will be released in late November.
Updated Workshop Schedule
Workshops are currently 2 hours via Zoom unless marked ‘in person’
All times are eastern (New Jersey) – 2 HoursHave a good holiday season everyone! Look for an updated workshop schedule in January.
Fiction Writing Essentials
Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
Guided AutobiographyNEW! 5 Week Guided Autobiography Workshop ($125)
Every Wednesday in April
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGISTEROne Thing or Another Podcast #70: Author Nev March Pursues Her Passion with Fourth Novel in Historical Mystery Series
I’m delighted to chat with author and fellow Mystery Writers of America (NY) board member Nev March. After a successful business career, Nev picked up her passion where she’d left off: writing superb historical fiction steeped in the sounds, sights and sensations of old Bombay. Join us for a conversation about her books, her writing, and her plans for the future.
Author Nev March is the first Indian-born writer to win Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America’s Award for Best First Crime Fiction. Her debut novel Murder in Old Bombay was an Edgar and Anthony finalist.
After a long career in business analysis, in 2015 Nev returned to her passion, writing fiction and now teaches fun courses on creative writing at Rutgers University, Osher Institute. A Parsee Zoroastrian herself, she lives in New Jersey with her family. She volunteers with local non profit Shine and Inspire and the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York, ZAGNY. She is President of the NY chapter board of the Mystery Writers of America. She also writes screenplays for TV and film.
Nev’s books deal with issues of identity, race and moral boundaries. Her sequel, Peril at the Exposition is set at the 1893 World’s Fair, during a time of conflict that planted the seeds of today’s red-blue political divide. In Captain Jim and Lady Diana’s third adventure The Spanish Diplomat’s Secret they face a strange, otherworldly foe who causes Jim to question the nature of justice.
Nev is presently writing book #4: Diana’s brother Adi is accused of murder! Nothing less would drive Captain Jim and Diana back to the rigid social hierarchy of Bombay.
Nev is seeking representation from an agency a strong screen rights team and connections to film/TV production
Comments, questions or suggestions? Contact Mark AT YourWritePath.com
Your Write Path Podcast: An Interview with Steve Dolainski, Guided Autobiography Instructor
I’ve been friends with Steve Dolainski for over a decade. We co-edited and published Outer Voices, Inner Lives: LGBTQ Writers Over 50, an anthology that became a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2014. I finally met Steve in person a year ago when we were visiting my sister in Ojai, California, and he told me about recently becoming a certified Guided Autobiography instructor. I was hooked by the description and what Guided Autobiography has to offer, and earlier this year I took the instructor’s training to became certified myself.
Enjoy this 15-minute interview recorded yesterday. It will be part of my weekly co-hosted Twist Podcast, but it stands alone very well.
GAB Gazette Features Guided Autobiography Instructor Steve Dolainski
Featured Guided Autobiography instructor Steve Dolainski, who introduced me to GAB. My own workshops and courses start this spring.
https://birrencenter.substack.com/p/featured-gabber-stephen-dolainski?utm_medium=email
“Stephen Dolainski was drawn to GAB after learning about it through friends in Oregon in 2022.
“I did some research on GAB and, as a long-time adult educator and writer/editor, I was intrigued with the concept and the methodology. I immediately knew that GAB was something for me to explore,” he said.
After taking the the training in November 2022, he wanted to work with LGBTQ seniors.
“When I received certification, I contacted the Los Angeles LGBT Center and proposed forming a GAB class,” he said. “In 2023, we offered three GAB 1 classes and one GAB 2 class. More classes will be offered in 2024.”
Stephen loves teaching GAB and talks about how it how much it benefits writers by sharing their truth.”
Coming in November! Your Write Path Podcast, Interviews On All Things Writing
Yes, I’ll be back doing interviews, but these will focus on all things writing: fiction, journaling, storytelling, life legacy writing, wordsmithing. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile, and it seems like a natural offering for Your Write Path and everything I’m doing here. My first interview with be with author (and friend) Bruce W. Bishop. Keep reading for my recent post about his new book. Bruce specializes in historical fiction. In keeping with the thrust of this podcast, I’ll talking with Bruce about this mysterious thing called writing, where it comes from for him, how he manifests it, and the ways it enriches his life. Listen up!
Featured Book: Grow up, Rory Rafferty: A Novel, by Bruce W. Bishop (Releases Oct. 31)
I discovered author Bruce W. Bishop’s terrific historical fiction a few years ago, including Unconventional Daughters, Uncommon Sons, and Undeniable Relations: A Novel, all books in his Families Storytelling series. His research is as impeccable as his writing, and he has the gift of bringing readers into a book’s world so completely you may find yourself startled to be back in your own when you turn the final page. I also had the great pleasure of meeting Bruce when I was on a cruise that stopped in Halifax. He’s as delightful in person as he is talented with a keyboard.