GFWG at the Chronicle Book Fair

Kay Hafner and I manned the fort at the 14th annual Chronicle Book Fair, aka Autumn Leaves (does anyone actually call it that?), this past Saturday at the Queensbury Hotel. New member Sandy Buxton and longtime member Zachary Richards took their turns, especially while Kay was moderating the Sisters in Crime panel.

The breakdown: We received interest from several local writers, two with great possibilities -- one a professional freelancer from Saratoa and the other a grad student seeking his MFA from SUNY Plattsburgh (and if he joins us that will give us two such qualified writers/editors. Not bad for a little group from Glens Falls!).

While all our members' books were on display, my book, For Our Sins, and Ruth Lamb's At the End of the Road: Reflections on Life in an Adirondack Valley, received the most interest from passersby, but great praise was heaped on Zack's Frostie the Deadman. I routinely received the question, "Is your book available at the library?" Aaaagggghhhh! But for the record, yes it is, at both Crandall and Saratoga.

Lee Merrett was set up across the way from us with ALL, seeking members and selling thier irregularly published collection, The Apple Tree. She also participated in the 5-minute readings held throughout the day.

I usually use the Book Fair to network, but did very little of that this year. It has become so overwhelmingly geocentric, that is, all Adirondack all the time, that it gives me little in common with most of the attendees. My next book will be Jesus in the Adirondacks. I thought you were supposed to write what you know but read what you don't. I wonder if all book fairs are so locally focused?

Oh, well, to each his own. The Book Fair seemed to be a big success, and the GFWG will be there next year. Hopefully you will too!

--Briggs

Third Thursday Art Walk seeking writers to read their work

The Glens Falls Third Thursday Art Walk is seeking writers to read their work during the monthly walks. Literature, encompassing all genres, created by local writers, will be considered. Published and not yet published writers are encouraged to apply.

Writers must be available to read excerpts from longer pieces, short stories, prose and poetry during one of the Third Thursday Art Walk receptions (5-8 pm, May – October).

If your work is accepted, you will be paired with an appropriate participating venue. A local bookstore will make published materials available for the public to purchase. If materials are not available through a distributor, you may be asked to provide copies to be made available during your readings.

This is an ongoing event and we are booking in advance. Please contact glensfallsartwalk @ yahoo.com for an application or more info.

Basic information

WHAT ARE THE GLENS FALLS WRITERS GROUPS?
The Glens Falls Writers Groups [GFWG] are two groups of area writers who meet regularly to share their work. We welcome writers of any level and of any genre: novels, short stories, plays, poems, journalism, memoirs and essays. Some of our members are prolific, others aren't. Some have had work published, others haven’t. There is no requirement to submit work. The group is simply a forum for anyone who writes, whether for publication, for personal reasons or for any other reason.


WHEN DO THE GROUPS MEET?
The groups both meet at the LARAC building, located between Glens Falls City Hall and Crandall Library. The GFWG comprises two groups: one that meets in the morning and one that meets in the evening. The morning group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 10 AM; the evening group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 PM. Meetings typically last two hours.

Critiques are done in a constructive, supportive way. Some meetings may include discussions on various writing topics, such as creative non-fiction and query letters. At the end, anyone who wishes may submit something for critique at the following meeting. We do, however, that you not submit anything for critique until after your second meeting so you get a feel for how the groups operate.


WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AM AND PM GROUPS?
Nothing, except when they meet. Anyone is free to be a part of both, however they are two distinct collaborations. In other words, if you submit something to the morning group, it won't be critiqued by the evening group or vice versa.


WHAT IF I WRITE FOR CHILDREN OR YOUNG ADULTS?
While all genres are welcome at the regular meetings, there is a separate group that meets solely to focus on critiquing and discussing writing for children and/or young adults. However, the C/YA group is temporarily on hiatus at the moment. Contact gfwriters@yahoo.com if you'd like to be notified when it restarts.


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BE A MEMBER?
Although the GFWG charges no dues, we do ask everyone to donate $2 for each meeting attended to re-imburse LARAC for use of their space.


JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!
If you have an account on the social networking site, join the GFWG page on Facebook by clicking here and then 'Join group'. You can choose to be reminded automatically of meetings and other news and events may be posted there.


WHAT'S HAPPENING?
You can find our online calendar of meetings and events at calendar.yahoo.com/gfwriters.


FOR MORE INFO
Contact gfwriters @ yahoo.com