Writer Resources: A Guide To Groups And Resources For Writers In Montclair

Writers have a multitude of resources at their fingertips in Montclair. They include the following. Please comment or email me at Shelley@patch.com if you have more to add. Thanks for your help.

— Montclair Editors & Writers was founded in 2001 by Pamela Redmond Satran in collaboration with a dozen other writers and editors — including author Paula Span, sportswriter Harvey Araton, business editor Mark Fortune, short story writer Alice Elliott Dark, novelists Benilde Little and Christina Baker Kline, memoirist Dana Jennings, magazine editor Gail Belsky, and dramatist Roselee Blooston — to bring together all the writers and editors of different types in and around Montclair. The group now numbers nearly 800 members, including editors and writers for most of the major newspapers, magazines, news services, publishing houses, and Web sites, along with students and writing beginners, agents, book publicists, poets, teachers, radio, television, and multi-media professionals. Everyone is welcome to be part of MEWS; there are no dues or membership qualifications. For more information, go here.

— Writing Workshop Seeks New Members. Meets alternate Thursdays at Boonton Holmes Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Members workshop one another's writing, giving support and critique. All serious writers welcome, regardless of genre. By "serious," we mean anyone who is dedicated to writing and will make a commitment to be a steady member of the group. For more information, contact emily.r.rosenbaum@gmail.com or 973-588-7326.

— Fine Grind Coffee Bar. With the last remnants of summer come new and sharpened No. 2 pencils, crackling notebooks, and a plethora of writers' events and workshops at The Fine Grind Coffee Bar in Little Falls. Save some (or ALL) of these dates in your calendar now! Don't forget to try all of the new coffee and menu specials (a great way to start the fall…)

Sunday, Sept. 12 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Book signing with Paranormal authors, Mickey Flagg and Linda Parisi. Books on sale at the event — discover super sexy vampires and supernatural beings with noble blood!

Saturday, Sept. 18 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Henry David Sterry will present "Helping Talented Writers Get Successfully Published." From picking the right idea, to perfecting your pitch, to finding an agent and/or publisher (or self-publishing), and using social media, the murky world of the book business will be illuminated.

Monday, Sept. 20 "Ranting" with the Write Group — It's a conspiracy. They've been plotting to make my life miserable for years. You're probably in on it. The injustice of it all enrages me. I vow to rant until I exorcise the evil and gain the upper hand. Team Ranting is led by Joe Del Priore with Eveline Speedie and Josie Zeman.

Tuesday, Sept. 21 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Write Grouper Ed Charlton will present "5 Ways to Sabotage Your Book" and will be targeted at writers preparing for publication and/or self-publishing. This free seminar promises to be enlightening and hilarious!

Saturday, Sept. 25 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Book singing with local author Joe Del Prioro. Local author Joe Del Priore will be selling and signing his collection of stories. Come and see what inspires this prolific writer!

Tuesday, Sept. 28 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Poetry workshop with Marcia Ivans. Using prompts, this no-frills poet will concentrate on the transitions and triumphs of all our lives as she leads the writer to greater self knowledge and clarity.

The Fine Grind Coffee Bar
101 Newark-Pompton Turnpike (Route 23)
Little Falls, NJ 07424
(just minutes from Costco and Willowbrook Mall!)
973.837.0199
www.thefinegrindcoffeebar.com