The Writers’ Corner – Word Up Next

Word Up Next

Word Up Next is a listing of writers’ events in the North Shore.  All recurring writing meet-ups and Open Mics are listed at the bottom.  Want to add something to the calendar?  Email ellorelizabeth@gmail.com. 

November

Saturday, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 10 am – 4 pm
National Novel Writing Month: First Day Frenzy
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St, South Hamilton

Come write in!  Get cracking on your book and stay strong with supportive write-ins.  Every November writers from all around the world try to power through a first draft and reach ‘The End’ by Nov. 30.  It’s all about silencing the inner critic and getting the idea out of your head and into a workable first draft.  Come when you can, leave when you like.  Learn More

Sunday, November 3th, 10, 17 & 24, 1:00–5:00 PM 
NaNoWriMo Write-In
Fogg RoomMain Library, 32 Essex Street, Beverly

We’re excited to be hosting NaNoWriMo Write-Ins this November! Bring your laptop, notebook, or scribe to the Fogg Room and get those creative juices flowing with your fellow writers. Julia Mohler, the NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison for the North Shore, will be on hand to provide encouragement and general information on NaNo, along with optional timed writing sprints.

Check out www.nanowrimo.org to join virtual write-ins, track your word count, find writing tips, and interact with fellow NaNoWriMo participants. Free and open to writers of all ages. Questions? Contact Ona at ridenour@noblenet.org.

Wednesday, November 6, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Nadine Boughton and Scott Withiam
Gloucester Writers Center, 126 E. Main St, Gloucester

Nadine Boughton, M.A., is a writer/poet, collage artist, coach and teacher. Her writing has been published in literary journals, trade books and presented in a number of venues. She studied writing and voice with teachers in the oral tradition, including David Whyte. Nadine’s visual art is represented by the Matthew Swift Gallery in Gloucester and is exhibited, collected and published internationally. She is a creativity coach in private practice. Nadine holds an M.A. in Expressive Therapy from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. 
 
Scott Withiam’s new book of poems, Doors Out of the Underworld, will be published by MadHat Press in early October 2019. Withiam has been a recipient of the Ploughshares Cohen Award, and the Two Rivers Review Chapbook and Drunken Boat Pan-Literary prizes. His first book, Arson & Prophets, came out with Ashland Poetry Press. Recent poems have been published by Agni, Antioch Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Diagram, Indiana Review, Ploughshares, Plume, and elsewhere. Learn More

Wednesday, November 6th, 13th & 20th, 6:00–8:30 PM 
NaNoWriMo Write-In
Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St, Newburyport

National Novel Writing Month began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November. Now, each year on November 1st, hundreds of thousands of people around the world begin to write, determined to end the month with a brand-new novel. You may know this mass creative explosion as NaNoWriMo! Here at the library, we have partnered with NaNoWriMo to be a registered write-in spot for those working on their novel or other literary works! Swing by the library on Wednesday evenings in November to work on whatever project you need motivation to finish. There will be coffee, tea, and snacks, but please feel free to bring your own! A quiet work space will be set-up in our Program Room, staffed by a mobile librarian for reference questions and editing assistance. Anyone participating can also print up to 50 pages of their work for free. Let us help you reach your writing goals during NaNoWriMo! This is a drop-in program and no registration required.

Thursday, November 7, 7-9 pm
One Book Keynote Speaker: Author David Sheff
Ipswich Performing Arts Center, 134 High St., Ipswich

The Ipswich Reads…One Book program’s featured title is Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey through His Son’s Addiction, by David Sheff, and we are pleased to announce that Mr. Sheff will visit Ipswich as our keynote speaker for this series.

About the author:
David Sheff’s books include Game Over, China Dawn, and All We Are Saying. His many articles and interviews have appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired, Fortune, and elsewhere. His piece for the New York Times Magazine, “My Addicted Son,” won an award from the American Psychological Association for Outstanding Contribution to Advancing the Understanding of Addiction, and led to his writing Beautiful Boy, which also served as the basis for the 2018 film. Sheff’s struggle with his son’s battle with drug addiction and guiding him toward recovery prompted him to become a prominent voice amid the U.S. opioid epidemic, advocating for the prevention and treatment of addiction. Sheff and his family live in Inverness, California. Copies of Beautiful Boy will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Learn More

Monday, November 11, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fireside Chat Series: Janice Petrie
Beauport Hotel, 55 Commercial St, Gloucester

Join us by the fire and engage in lively discussion with local authors, historians, speakers and more!

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Please visit the Eventbrite link to register and reserve your seat. For additional questions, please e-mail concierge@beauporthotel.com. Learn More

Friday, November 15, 7-9 pm
SCBWI Discussion of Querying
Tavern on the Green, 18 Washington St, Salem

Come join this newly formed local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators – for writers of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels. This group is a little bit critique group, a little bit educational forum, a little bit socializing. For more information contact pmcyran@gmail.com

December

Monday, December 2, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fireside Chat Series: James Masciarelli
Beauport Hotel, 55 Commercial St, Gloucester

Join us by the fire and engage in a lively discussion with local authors, historians, speakers and more!

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Please visit the Eventbrite link to register and reserve your seat. For additional questions, please e-mail concierge@beauporthotel.com. Learn More

Saturday, December 10, 7- 8 pm
National Novel Writing Month: First Day Frenzy
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St, South Hamilton

Join us for the concluding speaker for our 11th Annual National Novel Writing Month events.  So you’ve finished, started, or thought really hard about your first draft. Now what?  Ms. Russell’s a local NaNoWriMo veteran who has published two books of her series ‘The Harper Sisters’. Is self-publishing for you? Hear from someone who’s been there and done it – bring your questions, and get ready to take that next step towards self publishing.  Free and open to the public, bring along a friend. Learn More

Saturday, December 10, 7-8:30 pm
An Evening with Hank Phillippi Ryan: An Inside Look At Fiction, Journalism, and the Mysteries of Both
Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St, Newburyport

“An Inside Look at Fiction, Journalism, and the Mysteries of Both!” How does an Emmy winning reporter become a best-selling author of fast-paced murder mysteries? And how does a just-the-facts journalist add mystery fiction to her resume – and juggle being a reporter, an author, a wife and a grandmother? Hank has managed to mix the worlds of fact and fiction – in an amazing career from radio reporter to Rolling Stone Magazine to undercover investigations at Boston’s WHDH-TV.

She’ll discuss the obstacles and challenges of a newbie in 1971, as well as the risks and rewards of an experienced senior reporter. The craziness, the fun, the stress – and how she ended up where she is at age 69. She’ll also reveal how she made a major career move at mid-life. Now an author of 11 novels, national reviews have called her “a superb and gifted storyteller.” Hank’s novels have been named Library Journal Best Thrillers of 2014, 2015 and 2016, and she has won major awards – five Agathas, three Anthonys, two Macavitys, the Daphne, and Mary Higgins Clark Award.

Hank’s current book is the acclaimed standalone psychological suspense thriller The Murder List – and she’ll reveal give a behind-the-scenes look at how she concocted her twisty and controversial developed the plot.

How can you follow your dreams? A highly sought-after inspirational speaker, Hank will have the scoop on mysteries, journalism, the mystery of television, and the mysteries of both. And who knows – it may change the plot of your life!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, winning 36 EMMYs. National bestseller of 11 thrillers, Ryan’s won five Agathas and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Her novels are Library Journal’s Best of 2014, 2015 and 2016; Trust Me is a 2018 Agatha Nominee. Her newest book is The Murder List. Learn More

Friday, December 13, 7-9 pm
SCBWI Social Sharing Your Goals for the Year
Tavern on the Green, 18 Washington St, Salem

Come join this newly formed local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators – for writers of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels. This group is a little bit critique group, a little bit educational forum, a little bit socializing. For more information contact pmcyran@gmail.com

Recurring Meet-Ups & Open Mics

Below is a listing of writing groups and writing meet-ups happening in the area.  We do our best to keep this up-to-date but please click the link to confirm weekly meeting times with the group’s web page.   Want to add your group?  Email ellorelizabeth@gmail.com.

Amesbury Library Writers’ Group
Dates/Times: Monthly on the 1st Wednesday at 6:30 pm
Location: Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St, Amesbury

The Amesbury Library Writers’ Group is an open group of writers who are currently working on writing projects. The purpose of the group is to meet to read and critique the writings of each group member. Each member is to be actively and regularly engaged in submitting their own work in progress for review, regularly reading the submissions of other members of the group, and regularly meeting in person to discuss their writings and the writings of the other group members. Writers in all genres are welcome to attend.

The group will meet the first Wednesday of every month. This group is open to anyone who would like to participate and an individual must attend two consecutive meetings of the group to have their work critiqued. This group will be run and facilitated by volunteeers

The library hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there will be a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Stephen Wagner, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event. 
For More Info 

Amesbury Poetry Open Mic
Date/Time: Last Tuesday of the Month 6-7 pm
Location: Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St, Amesbury

The library hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there will be a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Stephen Wagner, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event.  Learn More

Beverly Farms Library Memoir Writing Group
Dates/Times: First Saturday of the month, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Beverly Farms Branch Library, 24 Vine St, Beverly

Have you always wanted to start your story? Are you in the middle of a memoir? Join the library’s new writing group on the first Saturdays of each month for support and critique. Bring copies of your work to share with the group. All are welcome. Learn More

Ipswich Poetry Group
Dates/Times: 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 6:30 PM
Location: Ipswich Library, Collins Room, 25 N Main St, Ipswich

The Ipswich Poetry Group meets to share poems in progress and give and receive feedback. All are welcome! Email ipswichpoetrygroup@gmail.com with questions or call Sarah at 617-584-7025.   For more info

North Shore Poets’ Forum Meetings
Dates/Times: 3rd Saturday of the month at 11 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St, Beverly

Members are asked to bring a little bit of food or a beverage to share (cookies, little sandwiches, cheese, whatever). Each meeting will feature a presentation on a poet, movement or form that should be of general interest to members. After the program, members are encouraged to bring an original poem and six to 10 copies for members to offer gentle critique.   For More Info

Open Mic
Dates/Times: 1st Monday of the month, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: Gloucester Writer’s Center, 126 East Main St, Gloucester  

Read for five minutes. Bring your words. Get heard.   For More Info

Powow River Poets Reading Series
Dates/Times: Bimonthly, 2nd Saturday at 3 pm; next up Nov. 10
Location: Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St, Newburyport

The bimonthly series, is free and open to the public, and includes an Open Mic. Poetry enthusiasts are urged to attend. The Open Mic is limited to ten poets, so come early to the library to sign up. The time limit is one poem or two minutes, whichever is shorter, so please time your reading when you rehearse.   For More Info

ReachArts First Friday Open Mic
Dates/Times: 1st Fridays at 7:00 pm
Location: ReachArts, 89 Burrill St, Swampscott

Featuring a kaleidoscopic line-up of poets, musicians, storytellers, and oddballs, ReachArts in Swampscott hosts a First Friday Open Mic that has gained a loyal local following. Each month, hosts Larry Power and Lee Eric Freedom invite newbies, seasoned performers, and all others (15 years or older) who wants to come to come and have way too much fun with a mic in hand.

Readers & Writers Guild
Dates/Times: 3rd Friday of select months at 7:30 pm
Location: Christ Church, 149 Asbury Street, South Hamilton

Our Readers & Writers Guild meets to hear a featured reader as well as share open mic time, peruse attendee’s books for sale, and enjoy pot luck refreshments.  Check website for upcoming dates. All are welcome!  For More Info

River Bards Fall Poetry Series & Open Mic
Dates/Times: First Friday of the month at 7 pm
Location: Battle Grounds Coffee Company, Haverhill

Creative Haverhill’s River Bards present Fall Poetry Series and Open Mic nights at Battle Grounds Coffee Company! Each event will begin with a featured poet, followed by the open mic portion of the evening. Participants should limit their readings to 3-5 minutes. Sign ups are first come, first served on the night of the event. Food and drink are available for purchase!  For More Info

Salem State Veteran Writers Workshop 
First Tuesday of the month
Location alternates monthly between Salem State and Salem VFW Post 1524

A monthly writing workshop that provides military veterans and civilians an open forum in which to explore writing among peers. Writing prompts will be given, followed by workshopping and conversation. Our location alternates monthly between Salem State and Salem VFW Post 1524.    For More Info

Salem Writer’s Group
Date/Time:  1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm
Location: Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem

All are welcome to bring work-in-progress to share with the group for feedback. The group is facilitated by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University.     For more info 

Speak Up Open Mic
Date/Time: Wednesdays at 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Location: Walnut Street Cafe, 157 Walnut St, Lynn

One of the most beloved and highest attended poetry circles on the North Shore, the Walnut Street Café in Lynn regularly draws a crowd of poets, storytellers, comedians, local eccentrics, community activists, and overall creative people. Anybody is welcome to attend, whether to read or perform (all skill levels welcome) or listen.

Winter Street Writer’s
Date/Time: Last Tuesday of the Month 9:30 – 11 am
Location: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St, Beverly

We are a Beverly-based writing group.
For inquiries, please contact winterstreetwriters5@gmail.com

Witch City Writers’ Workshop
Dates/Times: 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm
Location: Varies between Beverly Library and the Cummings Center

Join our workshop! Please review submissions before you attend and be ready to offer feedback (written feedback is always welcome). Please also review the workshop guidelines in the drop-off folder. You are welcome to bring food/drink (no alcohol).  Please bring a $2 cash contribution to workshop meetings to participate. If you prefer, you can bring $30 cash for a full year of no-fee workshops.      For More Info

Writer’s Open Studio
Dates/Times:  Every Tuesday at 8:40 am – 11:30 am
Location: Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem

Weekly Writing Studios at the Salem Athenaeum.  The building will be open from 9:45-12:00 every Tuesday (unless announced otherwise). Feel free to come by and write in a quiet peaceful setting. Come for as long as you’d like–for 20 minutes or all three hours.         For More Info 

Zumi’s Open-Mic Poetry
Date/Times: Every 3rd Saturday 6-8 pm
Zumi’s Espresso, 40 Market St, Ipswich

Celebrate poetry, coffee and community at our legendarily friendly open-mic! Bring a poem to share, tell a story, or sing a song. Listeners and creative types of all stripes welcome! Contact Sarah Vickery at Ipswichpoetrygroup@gmail.com.