Virtual Writing Retreat July 17th - 19th

Hello, Sockmonkeys!

After sharing the information about the Tacoma Library's Writing Workshop, I found a listing for the Evergreen Writing Oasis.  Just looking at the pictures I found initially, it looked like it might be based somewhere in our area, but, of course, it's actually a virtual writing retreat.

This is the message on their landing page:

"Welcome!

The Evergreen Writing Oasis is a virtual writing retreat where writers across the globe can come to relax, unwind, learn, and participate in panels and workshops from the comfort of their home. The retreat is held the weekend of July 17th-19th and will broadcast via YouTube."

All of the events that are listed are in Eastern time, so the Friday sessions will run between 12 noon and 6:30 p.m. Pacific, the Saturday sessions will run between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and the Sunday sessions will run between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  The topics for each session are listed on their Schedule page, but include: Writing Tips, Burnout/Fill the Well, Marketing, Outlining/Drafting, Diversity, Self and Developmental Editing, CPs (Critique Partners)/Beta Readers, and Author Platform. If you're interested in one or more of these topics, it might be worth it to check those sessions out.

Their site says the event is free (you don't even have to register) but they are selling merchandise to raise money to be donated to a charity that will be chosen at the end of the retreat by those who vote on it.  It is not required for participation.

Do you think you might attend (watch) one or more of these sessions? Are there any in particular you're most interested in? 

Please, if you see events like this, whether they're local or online, that you think other Sockmonkey writers might be interested in, share the link via the comments box on the side of this blog or send the information to PCSockmonkeyWriters@gmail.com so it can be posted!

Open Mic Poetry Reading Night at the Library Looking for Poets!

Hello Sockmonkeys!

I was contacted by one of the librarians at the Puyallup Public Library about an Open Mic Poetry Reading they are hoping to hold in April.  They wondered if I knew any writers in our area who might like to come and read some of their poetry at an event that would be attended by any at the library who were interested in listening.  This is part of National Poetry Month, which happens every April.

Since I only meet our writers during NaNoWriMo, when people are writing novels, I don't know how many of you also write poetry, but I let her know I would get the word out and see what sort of response I received.  Do you write poems?  Would you be willing to share them?  Wondering what's planned for this evening?

The details I currently have are as follows:

They are hoping to hold it Open Mic style.  There will be a maximum of 15 participants reading during the event.  The only requirements are that participants be at least 12 years old and that your content be kept PG (aka no obscene language, violence or other content that may not be appropriate for a library setting as there may be minors in attendance).  Each participant will be allotted 3 minutes to share their work.

They are planning to hold the reading on Tuesday, April 28th from 6 - 7 p.m.

If you're interested in participating as a volunteer reader and want to read some of your poetry, please contact me at PCsockmonkeywriters@gmail.com or use the Questions? Ideas? box in the sidebar (as long as you include a valid email where I can get back to you with the information).  I will send you the sign up information.

Whether you're sharing your poetry or not, I'm sure writers are also welcome to attend this night of local poetry, if they'd like to do so as part of National Poetry Month.

Any questions, please leave them in the comments, send them via the sidebar or email them to our gmail account.

How many Sockmonkey poets are there?  Let us hear from you, either way!

Author Swizzle, what is an Author Swizzle?

It is a new event being held by A Good Book Bookstore in Sumner on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

To quote the details on their Events page:

"Author Swizzle will be a quarterly evening for local authors to share and sell books.  There will be mingling.  There will be snacks.  There will be a Swizzle drink.  There will be laughter and congratulations.

Readers come swizzle with authors.  Writers, let us know you are coming.  Invite your friends and family, bring yourself, some books to sell, and a snack to share."

I remember a post in the group on the book of faces (I'm not going to type its actual name) a few months ago where a few of our authors were thinking of splitting the cost for setting up a table to sell their books in the Huckster's Room at Norwescon, so this event caught my eye.  I believe we have a number of both traditionally published and self-published authors in the group who are probably looking for ways to get the word out about their books - and hopefully sell a few in the process.  Am I right?

If you fit in either of those categories and have a work or two (or more) that you have copies of you would like to sell, this may be the event for you.  If you are in the area and have time in your schedule, I suggest you contact the bookstore as requested and let them know you are coming (information at the end of this post).  Since this is something they plan to hold quarterly, if you cannot set up at a table this time, perhaps a future Swizzle will make its way onto your calendar.

Don't have anything ready to sell?  That's okay.  Stop in as a reader.  Support a local author or two.  Get your purchases signed on the spot.  Have fun talking with writers and readers!  Bring a reader friend or two.

This promises to be a fun night and if any Sockmonkey Writers plan on setting up a table or attending as readers, please, comment and let us know!

A Good Book Bookstore is located at 1014 Main St., Sumner, WA 98390.  Their phone number is (253) 891-9692 and their website can be found here.

Post Images - A Good Book Sumner