SOLA is excited to be hosting RWA President, LaQuette, for her workshop titled “Critical Lens”.

Writing outside of your personal, generational, or cultural experience can be a treacherous road to travel for today’s author.  Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to create problematic or harmful content when you’re unaware of what you don’t know. Learn how to use literary theory and criticism to view your work through an alternative lens.  By using literary frameworks, you can gain insight into alternative perspectives that can help you identify and eliminate problematic and harmful content before you publish.

LaQuette writes savvy, sensational, & sexy romance featuring unapologetically diverse & bold characters who celebrate their right to appear on the page. A native of Brooklyn, NY and current President of RWA, she crafts emotionally epic, fantastical tales deeply pigmented by reality’s paintbrush.  Find her on Facebook, Twitter, her website: LaQuette.com, Instagram & via email at LaQuette@LaQuette.com.

LaQuette’s qualifications include:

·      M.A. in English Literature

·      B.A. in Creative Writing

·      Advanced Certificate English Education grades 6-12

·      College Professor for a decade teaching literature, research writing, business writing, & creative writing.

This virtual workshop is great for writers at any stage of their career so join us for an amazing workshop.

SOLA members may attend for free. If you would like to join SOLA, you must be a member in good standing with RWA and pay SOLA dues ($40) before May 13^th.

$50 for non-members.

Email devon.o.alexander@gmail.com for details on how to attend.

Join us from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

On June 4th, RWA will be releasing a proposal for new amendment bylaws. All voting-eligible members will receive a ballot via email. Please cast your vote to help pave the future of RWA. A preview of the new bylaws is available on RWA’s website.

Join us from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

We will be showing a webinar presentation
from RWA University:

Self-Editing Tips for Romance Authors
by Jeanne De Vitat

*Due to the continued request for social distancing during the Coronavirus outbreak, the April SOLA meeting will be canceled. We will keep you updated for the May meeting. 

New Treasurer Needed

Our treasurer Liah Penn has resigned from her position, and SOLA is looking for a volunteer to fill the vacancy. Please email President Devon Alexander if you are interested.

Looking for something to do while cooped up at home?

Check out NaNoWriMo’s #StayHomeWriMo campaign and sign up for their daily newsletter. NaNoWriMo has been sending out a daily message with suggestions to keep up your mental, creative, social, and physical well-being while we continue to fight the coronavirus with social distancing. A perfect virtual care package for writers everywhere!

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the March 21st  SOLA meeting will be canceled. We will keep you updated about the April meeting. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

*Please note that the meeting room has changed. We will meet in the East Bank Regional Library’s upstairs A/V room at 10:00 AM.

SOLA Membership Dues:
SOLA will be collecting dues via a secure PayPal link through our website. The membership fee is $40.00 and is due by the end of February. Please remember that you must be a member of good standing with RWA in order to be a member of SOLA.

*Please attend this Saturday’s meeting to discuss the future of SOLA. All members past and present are encouraged to come.

The business meeting will begin at 12:15.

The East Bank Regional Library
will also be presenting two lecturers:

9:30 a.m. The Art of the Audiobook 
with Michael Ziants

11:00 a.m. Creating Characters With Depth 
with Stephen Rea

 For more information, see the library’s calendar.

SOLA will host the annual Christmas party at the East Bank Regional Library on December 14th from 10:00am-12:00pm.

*Special Notes:

1. We will begin with a short business meeting to introduce the new board and discuss ideas for the new year.

2. Please bring a small Christmas ornament (no more than $10) for the traditional Sadistic Santa gift exchange!

3. Food and drinks will be provided. Come join the fun!

*Please note that a brief SOLA meeting will be held to elect the 2020-2021 board. Cast your vote!

Come join other writers this Saturday for two exciting lectures presented by the East Bank Regional Library:

9:30-11:00 The Ghost Rider Creative Writing Experience
with Steve Scaffidi

11:15-12:30 The Power of Story
with Laura Anne Ewald

 For more information, see the library’s calendar.