South Jersey Writers' Group Open Mic Night - September 30th

South Jersey Writers' Group Open Mic Night - June 24th

SJWG Open-Mic Night - April 8th

SJWG Open Mic Night - September 25th

Another Outing for Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey

                                                        
                                            

                                                            


Here we go again and hopefully there will be no snowstorms to hamper our adventure.

                                                  
Come visit the authors from the South Jersey Writer's Group at the Maple Shade Library on Wednesday, February 6th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for our book signing and discussion panel for the very popular short story anthology Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey.
                                                               

We'll have a grand old time and you'll get to hear about our adventures in getting this book published and as an extra treat, we will do a few select readings from the book. Books will cost 10.00 to purchase

So don't be shy, come on out and visit us at the Maple Shade Library at 200 Stiles Ave. 08052

                          

An Interview with the Charismatic John Farquhar

                                                                      

                                                                   

Author John Farquhar is a member of the South Jersey Writers Group and one of the very talented writers in our anthology. His stories are so funny that I can see them winding up as a sitcom on T.V.
 

Story: Bad Day for Santa

 

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is John Farquhar. I was born in England, of Irish parents, and my surname is Scottish in origin. It took me 10 years to learn how to spell my surname, but it has become much more mainstream since the advent of the great Lord Farquhart in Shrek 1, who is one of my heroes. I was educated at Liverpool University, and St. John’s College, Oxford. I teach languages and literature at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and Temple University in Philadelphia.

What got you interested in writing and when did you start?

My writing career began with stories published in student magazines in Oxford.

What type of stories do you enjoy writing?

Comic writing has always come most naturally to me. I enjoy making fun of myself, and adore making fun of others. The comedy is usually generous, unless I am in a particularly bad mood. I feel that comedy can and should raise issues about life, death, religion, and relationships. My aim is always how to achieve that without getting either stuffy or shallow.

Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

I’m inspired by everyone I listen to. That’s all I do: listen to the conversation of others and make mental notes of their comic potential. This is not as creepy as it sounds- it’s what all writers do. Like many writers, I only join in life if I’m absolutely forced to.

Why did you pick this particular story for the anthology?

Bad Day for Santa: I’d like this to become part of the Christmas tradition. I think the spirit of Christmas has changed since A Christmas Carol, and I just wanted to reflect this.

What advice can you give to our readers who are interested in writing and getting their book published?

I am the last person in the world to give advice on how to get published. My first novel, written when I was a student, was acclaimed as ‘brilliant’, ‘highly original’, and ‘hugely talented’ by some leading publishers. None of them published it, as they felt the market would be too small. It remains unpublished, as do my other novels, though some short stories and a play had a little more joy. Again, like most writers, the pleasure comes from the creativity and, as Samuel Beckett says, leaving a stain on the silence. Sometimes I think my writing is wonderful; sometimes I find it valueless. This probably explains why I am not good at marketing.

Is it important for new writers to join a writer’s group and why?

Writing groups are wonderful, as you have a good chance of being understood there and it’s an ideal way to share your work and ‘market’ it before you take on the bad boys. I am very grateful to the South Jersey Writer’s Group for listening to me, and most of all, letting me listen to them. You wouldn’t believe the thousands of mental notes, I have taken, and stored away, for future use.

johnjfarquhar.wordpress.com/charles-chickens
 

Interview with the fabulous Jennifer M. Eaton

 

 

 

                                                                                 

 

              Author Jennifer M. Eaton is a member of the South Jersey Writers’ Group and besides being part of the Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey Anthology, she also has other works published. Why don't I let her tell you herself. Presenting Jennifer M. Eaton

 Story: Hold on 'Til the End

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve lived in the Garden State since I was about a week old. I transplanted from North Jersey when I was ten, to the Central Jersey Shore until I was in my early twenties, and now I hobble around in parts unknown. I love all sorts of out-doorsy things, like hiking, bicycling, and snorkeling. I’ve never met a fish I didn’t like. In fact, I have gills and a tail, but I try to hide it in specially made jeans. Don’t tell anyone, okay?

 

What got you interested in writing and when did you start?

I started writing in High School. I’ve always had an over-active imagination…you know, daydreaming and all. One day, I decided to start writing those daydreams down. I ended writing one chapter a night and having my friends read it every day of school. I loved how excited they were to get new chapters. I was hooked, and it helped me forget that I was the only kid in school with fins.

 

What type of stories do you enjoy writing?

Writing is an adventure for me. I like writing things that are far removed from anything I would call reality. Call it escapism. It’s my version of fun. I enjoy creating new worlds from scratch, so if I am on earth, it is usually dystopian. Otherwise, we travel off to far away planets where the sky’s the limit. Ahhh great fun. And I get to create people with fins there, so I don’t feel like such an outcast.

 

Where did you get your inspiration for your stories?

Ummmm.  Dementia? I honestly don’t know. Freaky things pop into my head, and I spit them out onto the paper. Go with the flow, you know what I mean?

 

Why did you pick this particular story for our anthology?

Most of my stuff is very long and not suitable to an anthology. I like creating big, epic worlds that take high-page count to create. As a writing exercise, I frequently write five minute flash fiction. Once in a while I shoot out something that surprises me. “Hold on Til the End” was one of those little surprises. It’s more of a poem than a story (at least from my perspective). I always go back and look at it, and such a wonderful image comes to mind. I was happy there was somewhere that I could show off this little gem.

What advice can you give to our readers who are interested in writing and getting their book published?

Work and work hard. Figure out what you don’t know, or what you do poorly and make friends who are good at it. Don’t be afraid to admit that you stink, but once you do, dive in with all your heart to make yourself better. It is great and sometimes easy to come up with the perfect idea, but the craft of expressing that idea in a way to captivate someone else is an art form. It talks time and effort…and most of all, dedication and belief in yourself. You need to believe that you can overcome any obstacle…even having finsJ

 

Is it important for new writers to join a writer’s group and why?

Yeah, I think it is. For me, it was great to get out there and meet others…partially to convince myself that I wasn’t a freak, because there are no creative people in my life. Normally introverted, it helped me to build some confidence, and helped me to learn about opportunities to meet published authors. South Jersey Writer’s Group was my stepping stone to “getting out there”. Honestly, I was terrified when I walked into my first session…but I loved it and they accepted me, despite of my gills and quirky sense of humor.

Jennifer lives on the East Coast USA with her husband, three boys, and a pepped up poodle. She hosts an interactive website www.jennifermeaton.com aimed at making all writers the best they can be.

Her Dystopian novelette “Last Winter Red” is available as part of the “Make Believe” Anthology from J. Taylor Publishing. Her Christmas Romance “Connect the Dots” is available as part of Still Moments publishing’s “For the Love of Christmas” Anthology. Both are available in ebook format from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Last Winter Red: In search of a husband, Emily leaves the safety of the city and risks her life stepping into the outside world. What she finds there will question the foundation of everything she believes in.

Connect the Dots: Jill has no idea what she wants for Christmas, but when it looks like her best friend Jack is going to get exactly what he asks for, Jill makes a Christmas wish that will change both of their lives forever.

Hold on Til the End: is a poetic short story with a symbolic depiction of one holding on to the past during the inevitable change of future.

Twitter @jennifermeaton

Web: www.jennifereaton.com

Blog: www.jennifermeaton.com

Book Signing and Write in at Jersey Java

Our next book signing and author's meet and greet will be held on Sunday, January 6 from 1-3 pm. At the same time we're hosting a Bring-a-Friend Write In, so everyone is welcome to join us for a little socializing and a little writing. We'll have readings from about 1-2, and the write in will go until 4 pm.

Hope you can join us! Dawn Byrne, author of "Footprints That Don't Match," created a Facebook event; feel free to RSVP and comment over there as well.

The next event will be held at the Quarter Note Cafe on January 25; details to follow.

Bookmark our Calendar of Events for other upcoming events!

A Great Gift Idea

If you're looking for a great gift idea for the reader in your life, you can’t go wrong with a copy of Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey.

The collection of stories in this anthology features a broad range of genres, like Joanne Costatntino’s “Philly Girl in Jersey,” a delightful tale of a city girl trying to survive on the other side of the Walt Whitman Bridge.

or James Knipp’s “No Fun Joe,” about lessons learned from hard choices.

If you like comedy, we have several stories that fit this bill. Joseph Arechavala’s hilarious tale of a tiny hired gun in the Wild West is called “Destiny in Dusty Springfield.”

There's also John Farquhar’s hilarious tale, “Bad Day for Santa,” which tells of a young boy’s somewhat unexpected meeting with that jolly old Elf.

“Where are you Zeppie?” is Marie Gilbert's comical warning of what happens when we take on "virtual dependents," social network creations that have a mind of their own.

Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey also has stories of the mysterious and macabre, such as William Harden’s ghostly tale “The Junkyard.”

K.A. Magrowski’s “Apparitions of Murder" is the story of a vengeful ghost come back from the dead.

 

Christine Hardy’s “The Gargoyle Cat" is about a toy come to life. Kids would even like this one!

And no anthology is complete (from our group, anyway) without a tale of the apocalypse. Marie Gilbert, our "Steampunk Granny," fills the bill with the story “The Night of the Attack."

Sixteen talented authors with stories of enchantment, horror and comedy just for you.


   

 

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