When submitting a piece of writing to an agent or publisher, the first sentence of your cover letter has to hook them, else it goes in the recycle bin. How do you captivate an audience given only one line? What will the reader gain from reading your work? Will they learn someone’s dark secrets? Go on an adventure? Learn the ways of the universe? How to cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey? Choose your words wisely, and don’t rush the process.

Member J. is reading the book titled “Several Short Sentences About Writing” by Verlyn Klinkenborg (she recommends it). Which got us talking about chronology in writing. A professor had told her that her memoir must be in chronological order. Klinkborg says that storytelling (whether oral or written) is associative, so you tell the parts that are relevant at the time. We seemed to agree that you need to tell the story in a way that works for you and your story, not necessarily chronologically. Flashbacks are a classic storytelling tool that use association rather than chronology to advance the narrative.

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13155290-several-short-sentences-about-writing

Three members who have been absent for a while all returned today! T.L. used today’s meeting as a quiet escape to work on his poetry, but soon will return to Scotland. T.P. returned from Cape Cod with a whole town full of characters and settings in mind for his short stories. G.V. was able to get away from a very busy time at work to start a new outline of his fantasy novel.

J. told us about an article in Writer’s Digest that describes the progression of the narrator from “innocent” to “experienced” as their story progresses. J. noted that it seems to be something we do instinctually, and is worth keeping in mind as you write, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, including poetry. I recall the narrator in Poe’s “The Raven,” who starts the poem with an innocent view of the bird that quickly turns dark.

The right to be literate. This includes the right to be taught to read regardless of socioeconomic status or disability. The right to read content that is appropriate for the reader.

There is a free literature festival in Baltimore on Saturday, 10AM-6PM. A news article said authors could get feedback on their work for $10, but there isn’t any specific information on the festival’s website. You can register for the festival on the website linked below (again, that’s free).

Blurb about the festival from their website:

” The CityLit Festival brings multiple sessions offering panels, readings, informational discussions, and craft intensives by a wide variety of writers, editors, and publishing professionals.  Related books will be on sale, and a Literary Marketplace provides exhibit space to the area’s diverse community of small presses, self-published authors, literary journals, and organizations serving writers and readers alike.”

Festival Website:  https://citylitproject.salsalabs.org/citylitfestivalbearingwitness/index.html

Politics and Prose (DC) Author events, retreats, book clubs (virtual and in person), trips, walking tours, classes (virtual and in person)

Busboys and Poets (Locations in DC, N VA, Columbia MD) Cafe with open mic poetry nights, performances, guest speakers, space to rent.

The Ivy Bookshop and Bird in Hand Bookstore and Cafe (Baltimore) Events including workshops, music, book signings, and more, event space.

Park Books (two locations: Severna Park and Sykesville) Storytime, author events, book clubs, and more!

The annual AWP Convention and Bookfair will take place from Wednesday, March 4 through Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Take a look at the calendar of events to find events that match your interests. Note there are also virtual, pre-recorded events that will be available to view for the duration of the convention. Some of the pre-recorded events are listed as “on demand” with a V in their title.

https://conference.awpwriter.org/Conference_Schedule_Events.cfm

Greetings fellow writers! With 2026 just 3 days away, I wanted to take the time to share a few things with you. During the holiday season, many of us found it difficult to attend writing group regularly. Family obligations, travel, illness, etc. kept us from coming. But, with the start of the new year, I hope we can all find the time to renew our focus on our writing. Personally, I am tasking myself with being here at 9:15 instead of rolling in later. I feel that I am more serious about my writing and use my time better when I make that effort.

Our first meeting of 2026 will be on Wednesday, January 7. I invite you to share your writing-related New Years resolutions and goals during our normal discussion time at 10:00. I’ve included a couple links below with ideas to get you started. It may be helpful to think of a goal first, then a resolution that can help you reach that goal. 

I hope to see you all with fresh energy and conviction next week!

Your Fearless Leader,

Kathleen

https://cpl.org/podcast-episode/new-years-resolutions-for-writers/

https://www.writersdigest.com/there-are-no-rules/5-new-years-resolutions-for-writers

Member T., who moved to Scotland with his family over a year ago, surprised us with a visit with his little one, Lulu. He told us about a book of verse about nature by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris called “Lost Words.” The book was published in 2017 and since has become a sensation, including a musical adaptation that brings together literature, song, and art. The book was conceived when a children’s’ dictionary removed several nature words because they were deemed unused and irrelevant.