There’s a place for you at Florida WritersCon. Whether you’ve just finished your first manuscript, are preparing to publish, or already have books on the shelves, every writer eventually reaches the same point: You know your next step is out there … you just need the inspiration, knowledge, or encouragement to get there! At Florida WritersCon 2026, you’ll be surrounded by fellow writers, bestselling authors, editors, publishing professionals, and industry experts who understand both the creative and business sides of … Read More »

Forget sitting in the back of a ballroom taking notes. Florida WritersCon 2026 is about rolling up your sleeves, practicing new skills, and connecting in-person. Throughout the weekend you’ll write, workshop, ask questions, receive feedback, meet other writers, and actively practice the craft alongside experienced authors and industry professionals. At Florida WritersCon 2026, you’ll have an opportunity to get hands-on with: 2-hour, hands-on craft workshops Master class with our keynote speaker, Shawn Welcome Introvert friendly networking (WritersConnect) Connections to industry … Read More »

I’ve shared thoughts about the ending of a novel before, but I just read a book for review that brought the topic back to mind. It had a (groan) epilogue. So if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to reflect about a very important issue in novelizing. Where do you stop the story? Conclusion. Full Stop. This is an important and challenging matter. If you were a general, wouldn’t you want to know what the objective of your campaign was? Only … Read More »

Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, injecting humor can add entertainment to your work, often providing welcome relief from tense situations. Plus, laughter is therapeutic. By injecting humor, you are improving the health of your readers! Several types of humor can be incorporated, and I often inject the self-effacing kind. People love to read about the misfortunes of others in a funny way, especially if the end result doesn’t cause serious injury. In writing a travel book for the University Press … Read More »

I’m no Grammar Girl, but I was lucky enough to have gone to grammar school back when they really did teach grammar. And I just read a book that abused English grammar so badly that it was about as much fun to read as having your teeth drilled. Guess what, folks? Without correct grammar, it’s impossible to say what you mean. So be patient while I rant a little. It never hurts to be made freshly aware of things you … Read More »

You might agree that when we are faced with a choice to make, we are likely to choose what we are accustomed to. The familiar and comfortable. The tried and true. If you do much reading, you may find that some authors tend to do the same. We choose a word or a phrase that first comes to mind. I just did it in the second line with “the tried and true.” We do this without considering that the first … Read More »