Great Falls writers gather for a bi-monthly meeting at the Great Falls Public Library.
“It’s helpful for people who are both starting out as writers and people who have already written or published something.”
— Joe Reynolds, retired lawyer
Next Great Falls Writers Group Meeting Will Focus on Publishing
For any writers living near Great Falls who have wondered what it takes to get their short stories or book ideas published, the next meeting of the Great Falls Writers Group may be able to help.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Writers Group will meet at Great Falls Public Library for a publishing workshop, complete with a panel of published writers and self-marketing experts.
One of the featured panelists will be Jennifer Abernethy, a social media marketing professional who authored the “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Social Media Marketing,” first published in 2009 and again in 2012.
“I’m excited to talk about branding and how they use social media to get their books out there in a much bigger way,” said Abernethy, who is also a Great Falls resident. Abernethy got her first book deal through marketing her own work via social media, and she hopes to share her knowledge of using websites like Twitter and Facebook as professional media tools.
Group founder and facilitator Kristin Clark Taylor encourages community members who are passionate about writing to come to the group’s upcoming meeting.
“When we come together, a miraculous creative energy is unleashed,” said Taylor. “You can feel it when you walk into the room,” said Taylor.
Her most recently published work, “The Forever Box,” came out in 2011; she has authored four other books, including a memoir of her time spent as a White House media director during the first Bush administration.
Taylor said that since she first started the group in September 2013, she has been very happy with the increasing turnout of writers coming to the twice-monthly meetings at the Great Falls Public Library. Though sharing work can be difficult for writers, she said that it is always a very open and positive experience for newcomers, especially with guidance from well-known visiting writers. Past speakers have included the widely published children’s author Henry Cole and columnist John Kelly from The Washington Post.
Joe Reynolds, a retired lawyer who lives in Great Falls, says that the mix of experienced and beginning writers in the group makes it a very worthwhile experience.
“It’s helpful for people who are both starting out as writers and people who have already written or published something,” said Reynolds.
The Great Falls Writers Group’s publishing workshop will be held in the large conference room of the Great Falls Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 11a.m.-1p.m.