Be inspired to finally write that book you've always wanted to!
November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a 30-day whirlwind when aspiring novelists challenge themselves to write a 50,000 word, first draft of a novel. During the Kick-Off event, you'll learn how to best prepare for tackling this creative endeavor. Gain inspiration and tips from our panel of NH authors:
Dan Szczesny is a long-time journalist, author and speaker. A native of Buffallo, NY, Dan now lives in NH, and has written travel memoirs (The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie, Mosquito Rain), fiction (Sing and Other Stories), and poetry. The Nepal Chronicals, about a month-long trek to Everest Base Camp and marriage in Kathmandu, won the 2016 New Hampshire State Library award for Outstanding Work of Non-Fiction. Dan is also the editor of Murder Ink, a series of New England based Pulp-Fiction anthologies set in or around the newsroom. His most recent book, The White Mountain, was named best non-fiction book by the 2019 NH Reader's Choice Awards.
Linda Reilly holds a degree in Criminal Justice, and worked for years solving the mysteries of real estate closings and title examinations, is the prolific author of many cozy mysteries, including the Cat Lady Mysteries (Claws of Action, Claws for Celebration, Claws of Death and Escape Claws), the Deep Fried Mysteries (A Frying Shame, Out of the Dying Pan and Fillet of Murder), the Apple Mariani Mysteries (Some Enchanted Murder), which was named a finalist for the 2014 Silver Falchion Award in the category Best First Novel: Cozy, Traditional and Historical and Free Reads (Sammy the Sleuth), originally published in the October 2002 issue of Woman's World Magazine. Linda is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and calls Merrimack, NH home. We are thrilled to welcome her back to "NaNoWriMo."
M. Allyson Szabo is an author, interfaith minister, mom, aunt and chief cook and bottle washer. She does her best to defy labels, crush stereotypes and further her post-graduate study of sarcasm as a superpower. Her non-fiction work includes Longing for Wisdom: The Message of the Maxims (2013) about the Dephic Maxims and Greek thought, and an online Medieval cookbook; her fiction work includes Blood Stone (Taylor, Mage, Volume 1), 2018 and the follow up, Blood Water (Taylor, Mage, Volume 2). Allyson is a pro at NaNoWriMo and has been filming a series of NaNoWriMo prep videos on YouTube.
We'll also have plenty of door prizes and refreshments.
Thank you to the Friends of the Merrimack Public Library for sponsoring this event and supporting local writers!