October 17, 2026
Most Authors Hate Marketing, But You Won’t!
At our October 19th meeting, Keith Newhouse enthusiastically presented his discoveries of which marketing tools work for extroverts or introverts in order for authors to enjoy and benefit from their marketing efforts.
Keith’s methods were a relief for many authors who suffer guilt over not doing their marketing the same way as others. Understanding we all have methods that can be fun for us, as well as successful, was a welcome relief.
We had a full house on with 43 members attending, five visitors and one new member. Many went to lunch at Christoff’s after the meeting. Don’t miss our November 21st meeting. Visit GulfCoastWriters.org for more information and directions.
September 19, 2026
If you were in the room for Joni Fisher’s thrilling workshop on how to write suspense and thrillers that keep readers turning the page, then you already know — she didn’t just talk about writing thrillers, she showed us how to build suspense readers can’t escape. Here are a few key takeaways:
Anticipation is the real thrill: Borrowing from Hitchcock (“There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it”), Joni walked us through the mechanics that keep pages turning: ticking clocks, cliffhanger endings, dramatic irony, and scenes that get shorter and sharper as the climax approaches. Suspense isn’t an accident — it’s engineered.
Research is what makes a thriller believable: Even if you’re not a Navy SEAL or a lawyer like some of the genre’s biggest names, Joni gave us a roadmap: research your topic, interview an expert, do the fieldwork. That authenticity is what lets readers trust you enough to feel the suspense instead of questioning it.
The real tension lives inside your character: The external threat matters, but Joni emphasized that a hero’s internal wound — tied directly to the plot — is what makes readers care whether they survive it. Combine that with dialogue that says one thing and means another, and you’ve got a story that’s thrilling on every level.
Big thanks to Joni for a presentation packed with tools that writers can put to use immediately!
You guys showed up in person and online this month with a grand total of 53 in attendance, thirteen of which were on Zoom! Way to go, Zoomers! And big thanks to Dallas Adams for stepping up to take over that function for us!
We also were thrilled to have NINE new members/first-time visitors with us this month! Shout out and welcome to: Lisa Thompson, Michael Andoscia, Barbara Busenbark, Lois Freiwald, Sarah Dicks, Rita Giddens, Katrina Ramos-Wall, Sandi Keyes and Chebl Zoghbi!
August 15, 2026
A highlight of the August meeting was hearing the winners of the 2026 GCWA Writing Contest share their work. Winners participated both in person and through Zoom.
We also recognized members who received honors in the 2026 Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) Book Awards, which included: Lori Joan Swick — Gold, The Sculpture and the Saint; Patti Walsh — Silver, Chick Stories; Sharman McKinney Fairbanks — Silver, Made to Last Forever; and Julie Moore — Bronze, I Am Their Voice. Also, Nancy Koucky’s Book Designs received three honors: Gold for Soul Collector, Silver for The Harbormaster, and Bronze for Fear Knocked, It Was Alzheimer’s.
Two members introduced recently published books. Lenea Howe presented her children’s book, Cold Feet in Snowtown and Jack Head introduced The Wheel. Charley Valera brought especially exciting news as his nonfiction book, My Father’s War, has been adapted into a documentary and will soon be available on streaming platforms. The morning began with Andrew Conlyn, who read an excerpt from his new book featured in the GCWA Newsletter’s Petit Passage. GCWA also welcomed visitor John Rutherford and new member Laura Coy.
July 18, 2026
Another great meeting for our writer-enthusiast community. The GCWA welcomed three new members to the group: George Cook, Karyn Friedman-Everham and John Benedict. Our membership is growing and we welcome everyone to join our meetings to better hone their writing craft.
The July meeting featured speaker Nancy Kouckey, owner of NRK Designs, who spoke about the basic elements of book formatting and structure to help everyone present the best version of their story and book to the world.
June 27, 2026
What a program! Former GCWA president Mary Charles shared her memoir-writing journey with us — sparked by a scrapbook her parents gave her, now fueling a memoir about her late husband “Red,” a colorful Norwegian journalist.
What a program! Former GCWA president Mary Charles shared her memoir-writing journey with us — sparked by a scrapbook her parents gave her, now fueling a memoir about her late husband “Red,” a colorful Norwegian journalist.
Mary put us to work too: 10 minutes to recall life memories, then craft one into a short story. The verdict? We all have a story worth telling.
May 16,2026
Anne Jacob and Robert Jacob did not disappoint. Both were dynamic speakers who covered every point they set out to address. They explained the different types of publishers, what each one means, and which ones writers should avoid. They also shared valuable insight into how FAPA evaluates submitted books for awards.
Anne Jacob holds a Master of Arts in Education with double National Board Certification. After retiring from a successful teaching career, Anne launched her author-friendly editing service, Popin Edits.
Robert Jacob, Chief Warrant Officer 5 USMC Retired, is the author of three award-winning books on pirate history. He has been interviewed on multiple podcasts and television shows, participated in hundreds of in-person history events, and inducted into the International Pirate Hall of Fame.
April 18, 2026
Poetry Slam
What a fun time we had celebrating Poetry Month with GCWA’s very first Poetry Slam. The poems were amazing, and our members’ talent truly shone. Every reader brought something special to the stage, making it clear we have an incredible community of poets and writers.
Our winners are:
- Amy Pontius – 1st
- Cornelia DeDona – 2nd
- Geneva Kelly – 3rd
March 21, 2026
“Riding the Wind: How to Survive and Thrive in a
Constantly Changing Publishing World”
WOW! Marty is an incredible speaker and has a wealth of knowledge. She successfully held our attention from start to finish. A writer’s life is like no other; it is consumed with an imaginary world of characters, plots, and themes. However, if you want to sustain a long-term career, you have to maintain a dual focus on the craft of writing and the business of publishing.
Marty Ambrose is an award-winning, multi-published author of nine novels, including her recent historical mystery, The Lost Dresses of Italy, published by Alcove Press, which recently won a gold medal for historical fiction with the Florida Writers Association.
February 21, 2026
Cracking the Code About Book Awards
What a fantastic meeting we had! Carol Abrahamsom delivered an engaging presentation, Cracking the Code About Book Awards, sharing valuable insights on how to apply and clearing up common myths that often surround the process.
We were thrilled to welcome many new members and visitors—it truly was an energizing afternoon for everyone.
And yes… we now have snacks!
January 18, 2026
Lee County Librarians Share Their Hard Work
Bibi Cruz, Adult Programming Coordinator and Senior Librarian, and Kristen Marshall, Electronic Resources Librarian, shared resources from the Lee County Library System.
It was an eye-opener to hear about the support they provide for writers, such as:
- Digital tools
- Writer-focused resources
- Availability of Ebooks and audio books
- Online author series classes
- 27th Annual Reading Festival
- Evening with the authors
November 1, 2025
What a Celebration! GCWA’s 30th Anniversary Luncheon
We did it! The Gulf Coast Writers Association’s 30th Anniversary Luncheon was unforgettable. Laughter and inspiration filled the room as people from all walks of the literary realm came together to honor three decades of writers helping writers.
Our keynote speaker, Robert N. Macomber, captivated everyone with his insight into the writing world, his humor to light up the room, and his wisdom. His stories reminded us why we write — and why community matters.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the volunteers whose time, talent, and dedication made this milestone event possible. Every detail reflected the care and commitment that define GCWA.
It was more than a luncheon — it was a moment to celebrate who we are, how far we’ve come, and the bright future ahead.
Here’s to the next chapter of GCWA!
October 18, 2025
Dr. Joanna Salapska-Gellari
What an incredible time with Dr. Joanna Salapska-Gellari, our October guest speaker!
Her depth of knowledge in the use of AI and its practical applications for writers made for an engaging and informative session. We’re grateful for her time, insight, and the valuable tools she shared with our members.
September 20, 2025
Our Annual Writing Contest Celebration
The first, second, and third place winners in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry shared their award-winning pieces with us. It was a wonderful evening filled with powerful voices, heartfelt stories, and an inspiring reminder of the talent within our writing community.
