Events
What is happening in The Room?
Join us for our quarterly
Writers and Illustrators Meet & Greet
Friday, January 20, 2023 anytime from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
at Caffe Nero in Peabody, MA (North Shore Mall location)
Special thanks to local writer/illustrator Kari Percival
for her use of the accompanying image she included in a calendar for her literary agency: Bookmark Literary.
Seniors to Seniors
On November 16th the Wakefield Senior Center was brimming with enthusiasm and conversation between two generations that don't always have an opportunity to connect and get to know each other in impactful ways. After several years on hiatus, Seniors to Seniors had made a welcome comeback!
“Seniors to Seniors” is a cross-generational event that brings high school seniors and older adults in our community together to get to know each other. Read more about it here.
Adult writers and illustrators of all genres and levels were invited to meet up at the big, yellow house—home of Follow Your Art Community Studios—to talk writing and art over a cup of tea or coffee and something sweet. Such a wonderful space to gather with such creative people!
Thanks to local artist Chiara Pieri for the image above from the Lines Connecting Lines Exhibit held earlier this year.
Thanks for those who joined us for our Writers and Illustrators Meet & GreetWednesday, July 27th - 6:00 to 8:30 pmThe Patton Homestead650 Asbury St, Hamilton, MA
Adult writers and illustrators of all genres and levels were invited to meet up to talk writing and art over a cup of tea or coffee and something sweet on the Patton Homestead patio, enclosed porch or among the trees.
Informal access to the Patton Homestead Archives Room along with a discount code for a future full tour was available from 6:00 - 7:30pm. Click here for details:)
Ally Houghton Photography is supporting TRtW by donating time and talent to provide professional, affordable headshots for local writers and artists. The cost is a $30 donation to The Room to Write.($20 with a 5/12/22 book purchase from Whitelam Books)Whitelam Books is providing our "studio" space.
Every writer and artist needs a professional headshot to add to a website, social media page, blog or book cover.
Thanks to all who attended. It was a great night!
We will share the video February 14th
Did you publish a book during 2020 or 2021? Excited about a book release coming up in 2022? With so many missed visits to schools, libraries & bookstores—let’s highlight YOU and celebrate the book(s) you brought into the world.
Send in your 60-second video by Wednesday, February 2nd.
See instructions below:
Published authors who have not yet submitted a video have until Wednesday, February 2nd to send in their video and be included in the final video. Sharing will be limited to 60 seconds maximum. *Because we are partnering with a community access television station, participants should avoid direct appeals to viewers to purchase a book or where books can be purchased. We appreciate your understanding.
Please send your 30-60 second Video through We Transfer to ryan.boyd@wcat.tv.
Video Instructions: LIGHTS: Be sure lighting is taken into consideration. You don't want to be sitting in the dark with big shadows. CAMERA: For those recording on a cell phone, please be sure the camera is held horizontally. This will give the audience the best view of each author. ACTION: Please be sure to record in a spot that has minimal sound. Speak slowly and clearly.
Ideas: Hold the book up, show your smile (or scowl:) and be sure to tell us your name, the book title, where you live (town/city is fun, but county, region or state will do). Tell us about your book. It's great practice to see what you can fit into 60 seconds or less. The genre? Age of intended audience? Is it a debut novel or your fifth? Date of publication?
We will create a video resource of authors, illustrators and their books to celebrate and share with the community. Show and Tell moments recorded during the Meet & Greet will be recorded and edited into the video to be shared on Valentine's Day!
So--Show us your book. Tell us about it. Then join us to share more, learn more, and meet other writers and illustrators. You do not need to be a published author to join us for the live, virtual Meet & Greet.
In fact, even if you're not a writer or illustrator, you may be an avid reader, a librarian, a bookstore owner or a parent who would like to find out about some local authors and illustrators living in your neck of the woods to support.
But, you can't support a local author or illustrator if you don't know who they are or what the title of their book is.
Ask questions. Share ideas. Enjoy creative community.
We were so excited to emerge from our pandemic induced one-year hibernation to see so many of your smiling faces at The Festival by the Lake on October 2nd! Special thanks to authors Linda Malcolm and Sally Chetwynd for joining us for the event.
With the weather turning colder and safety still a priority, we will take things day by day to see when we can resume our quarterly Meet & Greets for adult writers and illustrators, as well as other programs and events.
Past Events from The Room?
Writers and Illustrators Meet & Greet: Click the link to the left to see photos and follow-up from meet & greets held on:
December 30, 2019 at Bunratty Tavern in Reading
September 23, 2019 at Wahlburgers in Lynnfield
June 26, 2019 at Susie's Stories in Rockport
March 28, 2019 at Boys & Girls Club of Wakefield
March 20, 2019 at Cedric's Studio in Wakefield
December 10, 2018 at Barnes & Noble in Peabody
September 17, 2018 at Whitelam Books in Reading
June 18, 2018 at Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield
March 19, 2018 at Boys & Girls Club of Wakefield
December 18, 2017 at Harrington's Pub
September 18, 2017 at the Albion Cultural Exchange
June 5, 2017 at Wakefield Community Access Television Studios
April 3, 2017 at The Savings Bank's Community Room
February 20, 2017 at the Boys & Girls Club of Wakefield's Teen Room
January 21, 2020: ShopTalk w/ Kris Asselin at Wakefield Library
February 15, 2020: Senior Bookmaking Workshops w/ Lisa Bastoni at Brightview Senior Living
Sponsored by Wakefield Rotary Club
Festival by the Lake: Click the link to the left for recaps on all the fun we've had at the festival. Festival by the Lake is an annual festival held in June in Wakefield with crafters, nonprofits, food, music and fun!
Write After Dinner Series: Click the link to the left to see photos and follow-up from events held on:
April 21, 2017 - Writing the Music for The Wishing Hour with Singer-Songwriter Lisa Bastoni
October 21, 2016 - Writing Seriously From Scratch with Chef Joe Gatto
If you have an idea, please contact The Room to Write.
For more information about all the wonderful things happening in Wakefield check out the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, the Albion Cultural Exchange and the Events Planning Committee websites.