Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Lisa Rabey – Telling Your Story: Intro to Websites, Newsletters, and Blogs
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Telling Your Story: Intro to Websites, Newsletters, and Blogs
Building your online presence is scary. Most of us are familiar with social media, but having a website? Getting a newsletter? Even starting a blog? There are too many options, and it can be overwhelming. Telling Your Story will introduce you to the world of websites, newsletters, and blogs in easy-to-understand terms and relatable examples.
Takeaways
. Introduction to websites, newsletters, and blogs, and whether or not you need them (Yes, yes, and maybe!)
. Defining your voice and audience
· Creating a content strategy and calendar
· What kind of content to post, when, and where
· Maintenance of your website, newsletter, and blogs
Presenter: Lisa Rabey
Lisa Rabey is the chief Nerd Girl in Nerd Girl Industries. She lives in N. Michigan with her husband (whom she sometimes likes) and her persnickety pug (who sometimes likes her). She watches trashy TV, reads heaving bosom books, and loves to bake. Lisa is a librarian, writer, researcher, and instructor. Her favorite Elizabeth Bennett is Keira Knightley. She can be found at https://lisarabey.com
Nerd Girl Industries empowers people to manage their online presence via consultation, workshops, and one-on-one instruction. You can find more about NGI at https://nerdgirl.net
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Anna Grace – Breaking into Category Romance
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Breaking into Category Romance
Do you dream of having your romance in print with a major publisher like Harlequin, Entangled, or Tule? Breaking into Category Romance is a one-hour course on how to craft a romance novel acquiring editors will be thrilled to add to their line. Discover the dos and don’ts of category romance, and how it can be a good entry point for authors who aspire to a traditionally-published, or self-published career. We’ll examine the guidelines for writing category romance, and dive into the presenter’s five-step plan to publishing success!
Presenter: Anna Grace
Award-winning author Anna Grace writes fun, heartfelt romance novels that have been described as “having the feel-good vibes of a Hallmark film, with the emotional complexity of book club fiction.” Anna’s Oregon roots, love of family and community shine through in her multiple series with Harlequin Heartwarming. Whether exploring the west with her husband in their remodeled sprinter van or wandering new city streets in search of an art museum, Anna loves to travel.
You can find her on social media where she’s busy stamping likes on images of cappuccino, novels, and other people’s dogs. @AnnaGraceAuthor, anna-grace-author.com
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Barbara Longley – Your Brain on Story
Time: noon
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Your Brain on Story
A neuro-biological look at how our brains react to stories, and how to incorporate that knowledge into our writing.
Presenter: Barbara Longley
Barbara Longley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Human Relations and holds a Master’s in Ed./SLD from the University of Minnesota. When the integration district where she taught dissolved in 2015, she transitioned into writing full-time. Ms. Longley is listed on RWA’s Honor Roll of Bestselling Authors, and her books have garnered many awards, including a Maggie, the Holt Medallion, a National Readers’ Choice, two Heart of Excellence awards, a Bookseller’s Best award, and the Diamond Award from Montlake Romance for reaching more than a million readers.
Ms. Longley creates memorable heroes and heroines who grow into their strength and go on to save the day.
Learn more at https://www.barbaralongley.com
Saturday, June 20, 2026
OMG! I’m Psychic! My Incredible Journey from Clueless to Clairvoyant (The Secret Life of a Bestselling Author)
Time: 11:30 am – AGM – followed by presentation at noon (presentation is 90 minutes)
Venue: Zoom
Topic: OMG! I’m Psychic! The Incredible Journey from Clueless to Clairvoyant (The Secret Life of a Bestselling Author – 90 minutes)
(The identity of our speaker will be revealed at the meeting. Due to the sensitive nature of this workshop, this presentation will not be recorded. Thank you for your indulgence.)
“I’d like to develop my intuition someday.” That’s what our Guest Speaker thought before she realized that Intuition could open the door to psychic visions! Born into a Christian family, she had trouble accepting her “unsanctioned talent,” until one day, an Angelic Voice shouted in her head and saved her from assault. In this frank, often funny, sometimes poignant discussion of Psychic Development, our speaker will share how she made the journey from Clueless to Clairvoyant. You’ll learn, first-hand, what it’s like to talk to Guardian Angels; heal with crystals; see auras; communicate with pets; read Tarot Cards; glimpse past lives; and send telepathic messages to family and friends. (Who knew?! Telepathy is real!) Bring your questions, because this talk promises to be entertaining and inspirational.
A bestselling, award-winning Romance author, our guest speaker leads a Secret Life as a professional psychic. When we say, “Secret Life,” we mean that she does not advertise her Divination Talent. Nevertheless, through the magic of the Internet, people find her! They request her intuitive guidance about Love, Family, and Career. Sometimes, they want her to teach them how to communicate with Guardian Angels, develop their innate self-healing skills, work with crystals, or interpret Tarot Cards. Her corporate clients include the cast and crew of “Fear the Walking Dead” (television series;) the Office of a State Senator; and many national brands, such as Samsung, AT&T, Whole Foods, and Kendra Scott.
July/August – no programs
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Lisa Rabey – Don’t Call Me Crazy: Creating Believable Characters with Mental Illness
Time: noon
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Don’t Call Me Crazy: Creating Believable Characters with Mental Illness
One in five people in the United States has or will have a mental illness in their lifetime, with anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression leading the charge. Yet, characters with mental illness are surprisingly underrepresented in fiction. And if a character is written with a mental illness, they are often portrayed as a caricature of the illness or treated as a plot device. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the various types of common mental illnesses, how to research reliable information about the condition, and how to portray the character with compassion.
Takeaways
· You’ll learn about common mental illnesses, their symptoms, and attributes
· How to find peer-reviewed and reliable information to write your characters
· Understanding the brain of someone with a mental illness
· Learn how to stay away from creating caricature characters
· Debunking myths about mental illness
Presenter: Lisa Rabey
Lisa Rabey is the chief Nerd Girl in Nerd Girl Industries. She lives in N. Michigan with her husband (whom she sometimes likes) and her persnickety pug (who sometimes likes her). She watches trashy TV, reads heaving bosom books, and loves to bake. Lisa is a librarian, writer, researcher, and instructor. Her favorite Elizabeth Bennett is Keira Knightley. She can be found at https://lisarabey.com
Nerd Girl Industries empowers people to manage their online presence via consultation, workshops, and one-on-one instruction. You can find more about NGI at https://nerdgirl.net
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Marlies Sargent – Alpha and Beta Reader Process
Time: noon
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Alpha and Beta Reader Process
Ready to get some eyes on your manuscript but not sure where to start?
Working with alpha and beta readers can provide you with valuable revision feedback. In this workshop, you’ll get an overview of working with alpha and beta readers and how to gain beneficial feedback from the process.
Topics we’ll look at:
· The difference between alpha and beta readers
· What questions can help you get the best feedback possible
· Ways to interpret, manage, and incorporate alpha and beta reader feedback
Marlies Sargent (she/her) is a fiction editor living in Calgary. Marlies is passionate about helping authors feel confident in their writing and learning new skills along the way. She uses her 10 years of previous teaching experience to work one-on-one with authors through their writing journey. When she’s not reading or editing, Marlies can be found walking her dog, playing soccer, and making cheesy postcards for her nephews.
Learn more at https://workingwords.ca
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Marlies Sargent – First Chapter Review
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic: First Chapter Review
Process: Reading and making notes on chapters using a feedback checklist before the Workshop.
Does your first chapter hook the reader by jumping into the action and providing a glimpse into the character’s current chaos, and by establishing a clear tone and showcasing your voice?
A first chapter review provides individual feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement in your first chapter.
This workshop will be a hands-on, guided discussion of first chapters using specific feedback from participants. Each participant will make notes on different story elements and first chapter must-haves (based on specific criteria given out prior to the workshop) to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback in a group discussion.
Marlies Sargent (she/her) is a fiction editor living in Calgary. Marlies is passionate about helping authors feel confident in their writing and learning new skills along the way. She uses her 10 years of previous teaching experience to work one-on-one with authors through their writing journey. When she’s not reading or editing, Marlies can be found walking her dog, playing soccer, and making cheesy postcards for her nephews.
Learn more at https://workingwords.ca
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Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
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Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
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