Dunedin Writers Group event at Wiley House

 The DWG and Wiley House are proud to present an afternoon of authors reading excerpts from their 2023 anthology.

Sunday, March 3, 2-4 p.m.

Writers Beware of AI!

Recent online articles exposed how Sports Illustrated has been using artificial intelligence to write content for the magazine. But that's not all. They have also been creating "fake" writer profiles, including AI generated head shots.
See links below:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/sports-illustrated-gets-caught-simulating-writers-profiles-while-using-ai-for-its-magazine-content/ar-AA1kDjmu

https://futurism.com/sports-illustrated-ai-generated-writers

The Launch Party for the 2023 DWG Anthology was a huge success!

With over 50 in attendance, a celebration of the launch of The Best of Dunedin Writers Group 2023, was hosted at Cunei Brewery on Dec. 2. Ten members of the Dunedin Writers Group took to the microphone to share a little about themselves and read from their anthology submissions. Great beer and a sumptuous snack table contributed to a very enjoyable afternoon.

Click here to order a copy

DWG First Annual All-Members Meeting

On Wednesday night, October 25, 2023, the Dunedin Writers Group held its first all-members meeting. Part annual report, part town hall, the attendees numbered 27 in all.

Our treasurer, Rhonda, shared the DWG financial report.

The Steering Committee then gave updates on membership, our website and internet presence, plans for the anthology launch party, the DWG brochure revisions, events for 2023/24, plans for a third weekly meeting time, and new meeting protocols.

Jennifer, this year's editor, presented the anthology cover and pages from the table of contents. She also discussed the role of the editor.

Paul related a brief history of the origins of the Steering committee, its activities, and functions. 

Following these presentations was a question and answer session that was both informative and lively, with many of the members expressing suggestions, concerns, and appreciation.

Tampa Bay Magazine Book Reviews

Congratulations to Kathy Foley, J. Michael Miller, and Ron Roman for having their books reviewed in Tampa Bay Magazine! Kathy's The Devil Buys A Convent, appeared in the Sept/Oct 2022 issue. Mike's Five Paths Crossing, appeared in the March/April 2023 issue. Ron's The Purple Sink, appeared in the May/June 2023 issue.

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, Dunedin Writers Group members participated in

MythCon, an author reading event at the Dunedin History Museum

2023 began with Dunedin writers sharing their stories. The library hosted DWG readings in January and February. Then, there was Mythcon Day downtown Dunedin, with monsters and magic. This March day with folklore, legends, movies, myths, and tales would not have been complete without DWG's contributions. We gathered at the old train depot, refurbished to new life as the history museum.

Kathy Foley began DWG's storytelling with a historical tale, "His Bluff was Called," inspired by a circa 1900 Tampa Tribune article.

Dave Easby relayed a primate pirate's antics  in "The Mystery Monkey of Tampa," a story from his published collection, Mystery Monkeys and Unstable Discs.

Susan Adger kept us amused with "Moonshine, Muffins, and a Boat Named Helen," from her book Heavenly Days.

Left to right: Kathy Foley, Dave Easby, Susan Adger

In lyrical fashion, Alexis Langsner read "Home of His Soul," exploring Arthurian legends.

Tom McGann read from his The Riddle of Riddles Book: When is the riddle the answer. Young Will looks for the answer in this book, and is transported to the Realm of Reflection where the search, with no shortage of obstacles, begins.

Gail Lulek reflected on Dunedin's past by telling of "The Building on Douglas," the Publix grocery store replaced by today's library. We laughed through history repeating itself by the antics of children in the grocery, and grandchildren in the library.

Left to right: Alexis Langster, Tom McGann, Gail Lulek

Bervi Adams read a chapter from her book, Night Tastings: Part One: The Ingress.

John Whalen read his nostalgic "The Old Man and the Game," inspired by a Walt Whitman story, and coinciding with spring training at the nearby baseball stadiums.

Neil Bedeker, 16-year member of DWG, read "Storm Surge" about Hurricane Michael. This is a story from his new collection, Gulf Coast Tales.

Left to right: Bervi Adams, John Whalen, Neil Bedeker

On November 19, 2022, The Dunedin Writers Group participated in the Dunedin Library's LOCAL AUTHOR SHOWCASE

Reading Event: Local Authors Read Their Stories

WHAT?  Dunedin Writers Group Authors read their stories.
This event is open to the public and will take place at the Dunedin Public Library--in the meeting room just off the main entrance.

WHY? To give local authors a place to present their work, let the public know the great talent in the DWG and to offer sales of the new 2022 Anthology! Invite your family and friends! The more, the merrier!

WHEN? Saturday, February 18th, 1:00-3:00

WHERE? Dunedin Public Library

Members of  the Dunedin Writers Group will also have their own books on sale.

COME JOIN US!!Let's make this a fabulous event!!

Visit Us On Facebook 

A Recent Book by One of Our Members

Moonshine, Muffins, and a Boat Named Helen: Stories from a Small Florida Town in the 1930S

When an old church is torn down in the small Florida town of Toad Springs, a trunk full of stories written by the inhabitants in the 1930s is discovered in the attic.

You'll meet Midge and Smitty Mallet, who end up in Toad Springs after being led astray by one of the Tennessee binder boys, Chuck Barber and his plans to get rich starting up a "game of chance," and Ginger Perkins who, after being jealous for years of her best friend's successful singing career, learns to be careful what you ask for.

Laugh along with these heartwarming and hilarious down-home tales from another era in the sequel to Seashells, Gator Bones, and the Church of Everlasting Liability!

DWG 2020 Anthology

This is the second consecutive year that the DWG has published an anthology, which includes short stories and book excerpts, both fiction and nonfiction. The anthology is available on Amazon.

• Introduction, by Dave Easby
• Three, by Jon Michael Miller
• Lamb Fries, by Dave Easby
• The Underlying Thing, by Alexis Langsner
• Four Short Stories about My Dad, by Ellen Sollinger Walker
• Art, by Thomas McGann
• Eleven Moons: The Bridge of Dreams, by Helen Dibble Gochis
• Media Madness, by Joe Wisinski
• How Sami Harami Got His Name, by Carol Siyahi Hicks
• Hope is (Still) the Thing With Feathers, by Jennifer Sloane
• How To Solve a Jigsaw Puzzle, by Patricia Pollack
• Cow Therapy, by Rhonda Rineker
• Island Encounter, by D. N. Bedeker
• Am I Fat?, by David Foote
• The Piano Lessons, by Barbara Schrefer
• Twisted Virtue, by Michael Marra
• The Problem: The Pain of Feeling Stuck, by Margrit Goodhand
• Stumblebum, by Sol Gumpricht
• Save-A-Lot or Sis Drinks One Too Many Kratoms, by Shira Picult
• Pack Your Bags; We’re Going to Florida, by John Whelan
• (Don’t!) Do It Yourself, by Kevin Corrigan
• Getting Away, by Bill Roberts
• Shiny Air, by Jennifer Shovan
• The Tale of Anton Ekels Begins, by Kip Koelsch
• In Closing, by Jon Michael Miller

DWG 2019 Anthology

This anthology, which is available on Amazon, presents pieces by 24 members. Each entry was critiqued at DWG meetings. Representing all our present members who wished to enter, the collection contains a fascinating variety of subject matter, settings, genres, and skill levels —a great read!

 Each book listed in this pamphlet is available on Amazon in print or eBook.

• The New Kingdom, by Mary T. Dresser
• Norah's Children Trilogy, by Ann O’Farrell
• My Blood is Royal, by Joyce Milne D’Auria
• I Didn't Kill the Third Girl, by David A. Foote
• They Tore Down the Russel Hotel, by Dave Easby 
• Mystery Monkeys & Unstable Discs, by Dave Easby
• Love and War at Kent State, by Jon Michael Miller
• Truth Under Trump, by Jon Michael Miller
• Roz: The Story of a Jamaican Lolita, by Jon Michael Miller 
• The Outlaw Island, by D. N. Bedeker
• Hot Pursuit in Florida, by D. N. Bedeker
• Dark Hearts, White City, by D. N. Bedeker
• The Cassidy Posse, by D. N. Bedeker 
• Ghost, by Michael Marra
• Chance, by Thomas McGann
• Riddle of Riddles, by Thomas McGann
• Glassey's Mountain, by Bill Roberts
• Stanley, by Bill Roberts
• Murder on Bibber's Island, by Bill Roberts
• Anamec, by Helen Gochis
• Katerina, by Helen Gochis
• God Meets Zeus, by Helen Gochis
• Half An Amish Man, by Margrit Goodhand
• Nel Mezzo Triology, by Jennifer A. Sloane
• Delphis Rising, by Kip Koelsch 
• Wendall's Lullaby, by Kip Koelsch
• Gifts from the Garden, by Carol Syahi Hicks
• Just Where They Wanted To Be, by Ellen Sollinger Walker

DWG Meeting Guidelines

•  First-time visitors give a short bio. They do not read unless time permits.
•  Members read written materials intended and/or revised for publication.
•  Pornography and erotica are not appropriate for reading in the public library venue.
•  The reading time is usually ten minutes but may be shortened due to the number of readers.
•  Late arrivals read last if time permits.
•  Unless asked a direct question, readers do not respond to critiques.
•  If time runs out, those who didn’t get to read will go first the following week.
•  The facilitator alternates among members week-to-week and has the option of reading first.
•  Edited re-readings are welcome, once.

How to give/receive critiques

• Your critique should help the writer to improve the piece – what works and what doesn’t. Honesty is the best policy.
• Don’t offer your personal anecdotes. Comment on writing issues only. Be brief.
• Irrelevant discussion will be cut off.
• Unless asked a direct question, writers don’t respond or defend their work.
• If you are not open to suggestions for revision, do not present your piece. If it is already exactly the way you want it, there is nothing to improve.
• Critiques should be genuine attempts to improve the work. They should never be cutting, nasty, ridiculing or snobby.
• If the critique completely misses the point or is flat wrong, don’t respond. Just mentally dispense with the comment.
• Remember, it’s your piece. Never blame someone for suggestions they provided. You’re the one responsible for revisions.