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DATE  |  April 18, 2026
TIME  | 

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker (in person)

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and the Columbus Metro Library, Karl Road Branch, 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

FACILITATOR  |  Author & Literary Agent Rachel McMillan

TOPIC  | Self Editing with Rachel

Nothing will replace a beta reader or a developmental editor, and those things are essential especially if you mean to indie publish a book. But, for beginning to query agents, there is a lot you can do to strengthen your manuscript on your own.

This presentation will help you take a look at your own manuscript through the eyes of an editor and pinpoint redundancies, narrative confusion and imagery on your own to impress beta readers, help you self-publish or get your manuscript polished for an agent.

Rachel will cover:

  • Are you in the right POV?
  • Identify overused words and redundancies
  • Identifying when you say the same thing twice
  • Mimicking action and tension in narrative tense
  • How to cut your own word count
  • Imagery and Simile: How much is too much?
  • Dialogue and action beats
  • Pacing and Prose: The delicate balance that keeps things moving
  • Transparency? How to tell if what is clear to you is clear to the reader

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.

 

About Our Speaker

Rachel McMillan is the author of over 20 works of fiction and non-fiction and currently writes for Harper Collins US and Pen and Sword UK.

In addition to her extensive experience in the traditional publishing marketplaces, she has over 20 years of relevant publishing experience. For over a decade she worked in sales and editorial for Canada’s leading educational publisher, often providing key insight into acquisitions. A long time freelance editor, Rachel is often hired by agents to developmentally read client manuscripts before going on submission to major publishers.

Her passion for the book industry has led to many teaching opportunities for Agents Helping Authors, Resilient Writers and more.

Starting this Spring, Rachel will be teaching Publishing 101 for Writer’s Digest University.

Rachel has a wealth of personal and industry “tips and tricks” for how to catch common pitfalls in your manuscript — even without the eyes of a beta reader or editor.

Rachel represents 30 clients across 4 continents and is always reading.

 

Marisa Dillon is a white woman with long brown hair. She is holding a book about Celts, and is seated with what looks like a castle door behind her.
Marisa Dillon
Stacy McKitrick is a blonde-haired woman wearing a blue aruba t-shirt. She's sitting in front of what's likely a cruise ship's window overlooking a gorgeous blue ocean.
Stacy McKitrick
Tim Smith is a middle-aged man with a mustache. He's standing in front of a blue body of water, most likely in Florida.
Tim Smith

 

DATE  |  March 14, 2026
TIME  | 

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Program

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

PANELISTS  |  

TOPIC  | State of Publishing Panel

Bring your questions about today’s publishing landscape and helping your books find readers. Our panelists have more than 40 books among them and diverse experiences bringing their books into the world and connecting with readers.

  • Tim Smith writes crime fiction, mystery, action and adventure, and erotic romance. As an award-winning bestselling author, he has a deep backlog of books. Tim must leave early to head to a book signing in Lebanon at Mulberry St. Books. If you’ve got questions on traditional publishing, be sure to ask them early rather than hemming and hawing about whether to ask.
  • Marisa Dillon, our Social Media Chair as well as our Programs Chair, has experience publishing her historical romances with a smaller press. Her tales are romantic adventures not for the faint of heart.
  • Stacy McKitrick, our Treasurer, writes paranormal romance as well as her newest “Alien Desires,” series where the first aliens come to earth seeking a potential new home with their own planet on the brink of destruction. Stacy fell in love with paranormal romance, and in 2009 began penning her own novels about ghosts and vampires finding their happily ever afters.
  • Ally Scott, our Secretary, writes as Poppy Scott. She has recently released her version of Wuthering Heights, which is in the public domain. She carefully timed its release to align with the release of the newest movie. As part of creating her promotional materials, she worked on Meta with the Midjourney software. She also works with software to turn her longhand text into softcopy in Kindle Scribe. You can also find her on Goodreads with coloring books and Sudoku she has done. This might give our members ideas about ancillary material you could offer to round out potential income.

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Meeting is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

Connect With Our Panelists

 

DATE  |  February 14th, 2025

TIME  |

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker (in person)

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Room 2A at the Hilliard Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio.

FACILITATOR  | Misty Simon

TOPIC  | Finding Time to Write

Life’s busy. The laundry’s multiplying. And somehow your characters still expect you to finish their story. Sound familiar? In this down-to-earth, laughter-filled session, author Misty Simon shares real strategies for carving out writing time—even when your schedule feels impossible. Learn how to build sustainable habits, set guilt-free goals, and protect your creative time like it’s the last chocolate in the house. Whether you have five minutes or fifty, you can write—and Misty will show you how.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com.

About Our Speaker

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.

Aurthor Shari Heinrich

Date: January 17, 2026
Time:

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Program

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

FACILITATOR  |  Shari Heinrich

TOPIC  | Our Favorite Writing Craft Books

Cover of the book *Wired for Story* by Lisa Cron. A plethora of marked pages.
Shari Heinrich’s copy of Wired for Story, one of her candidates for bringing in for this session.

The January program will be by our own members. If you have a favorite craft book, and you have a physical copy, bring it with you to the library. You can talk about your e-books, too. If you bring a physical copy, put your name inside it (Post-it Notes work great) or maybe you’ve taken notes in the margins, so you’ll be able to tell it from someone else who loved the same book.

Each person who has a favorite book will get microphone time to talk about it.

Also, if you’re willing, pass it around the room. Apologies to the folks who will zoom in, as they’ll miss that part.

Some ideas of what you could talk about, but really, anything you want to cover is great:

  • Title, author
  • Is it still available? Or maybe you know it’s no longer in paperback, but e=book still exists.
  • Why you recommend this book.
  • Got a favorite passage? Share it.
  • If you think it’s better for someone in the beginning of their writing career, later, or anytime, share that, too.
  • If you’ve got several favorites, bring them. Depending on how many bring books, we may have time to do a “second” round. If we still have time and members are eager to keep hearing about books.

At the end of the meeting, make sure you have the books you started with!

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Meeting is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

About our Facilitator

Shari Heinrich is our 2025 and 2026 President. She writes young adult fantasy populated by characters full of sass and heart. She’s querying Queen of Wands, where teen thief Angela makes the unforgivable mistake of falling for her mark and activating the family’s curse to the ancient Egyptian goddess of retribution. If she can’t break the curse, she’ll never know if she really loves him, or if it’s the curse.

Shari is an award-winning author. She has been published in Conclave Magazine. She has placed first in several writing contests. Her best award is placing 18th of 4,650 participants in the 2019 New York City Midnight Short Story Challenge. Most recently, she placed first in the WriterCon Unpublished young adult division with her campfire tale, “Want a S’more?”

Contact Shari: www.ShariHeinrich.com

Date: November 15, 2025
Time:

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

SPEAKER  |  Tobi Doyle

TOPIC  | Create Your Own Audiobooks with Minimal Equipment

Participants will be taken through the process of creating an audiobook and uploading it for sale. We’ll discuss equipment, software, and best techniques.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com before end of day 11/11/2025. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

About our Speaker

Tobi Doyle is the author of over a dozen romance novels. A recipient of RWA’s 2022 Service Award and 2022 PRO Mentor of the Year Award, and the WV Writers JUG award. Tobi loves working with Sheila at Intensive Genre Workshops, where they provide a writing craft foundation for genre writers. Learn more at www.ASKIGW.com.

Leah Lore is a woman with short-cropped brown hair. She is sitting on a large boulder in a field of wildflowers.

DATE  |  October 18th, 2025
TIME  |
  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, small group workshopping on your novel or work in progress

LOCATION  | Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Room 1 at the Hilliard Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio

FACILITATOR  | Leah Lore

TOPIC  | Brainstorming/Plotting in Small-Group SessionsJuliette Hyland plots one of herbooks
Come with your book ideas and get ready to brainstorm/plot in small group sessions, Each person has a turn to share where they could use group help brainstorming anything. For example, are you:
  • Stuck somewhere?
  • Got a plot hole that swallowed a bus and want ideas how to drive out of it?
  • Need ideas for events to occur in the plot?
  • Worried about your characters’ wound and whether it’s strong enough to drive the novel?
  • Want a general sounding board?
Then come for the plotting/brainstorming! Being in person is highly recommended. Those on Zoom will perform this exercise in a Zoom room.
Pictured here is Juliette Hyland, outlining her book Falling Again for the Single Dad, using one of the templates that the workshop provided. This was prior to Harlequin offering her the first contract. In September 2025 she will have 25 published Harlequin novels, and is waiting on edits for three more! 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

About Our Speaker

Leah Lore is our 2025 Programs Chair. Her debut release, To the Stars, is a sci-fi novelette in ebook that has received Amazon best-seller status.

Leah was a finalist in the 2024 NYCMidnight Short Story Challenge and her short stories have been published in several anthologies. Leah writes character-driven adventures with an emphasis on mental health and self-worth. She has a MS in biology from Wright State University. Her education and love of nature have been pivotal elements of creating beautiful yet realistic worlds brimming with magic. Follow Leah’s progress on her newsletter, website, and social media: https://linktr.ee/leahlore

DATE  |  September 13th, 2025

TIME  |

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

SPEAKER  | Jen Greybeal

TOPIC  | Marketing Beyond Social Media

I’m just going to say it… there’s more to marketing than a social media presence. Consistently creating interesting, engaging content takes time and creativity–both are precious commodities for authors. Not to mention the challenge of finding followers. Let’s look beyond social media and ads to tap into other marketing options. We will also explore how to develop a marketing strategy with 3.5 questions and why marketing presents such a big challenge for authors.

About Our Speaker

Jen Graybeal (she/her) is dedicated to empowering authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving and gently-applied tough love. In ten years of coaching, workshops, and editing projects, she has helped over a thousand authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. Jen is a Certified Creativity Coach with a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR pile, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jengraybeal.com or follow her on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, and TikTok: @JenTheEditor.

DATE  |  August 16th, 2025

TIME  |

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker (Zoom)

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Room 2A at the Hilliard Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio.

SPEAKER  | Nat Connors

TOPIC  | Book Marketing as Storytelling: Finding your Neighborhood.

Getting your story to readers starts with the cover and blurb—but authors often struggle to communicate their story elements to their audience. In this session, you’ll learn simple techniques for aligning your story, cover, and blurb, ensuring that readers clearly understand what you’re offering. We’ll use a series of examples from romance, mystery and fantasy, and this material is applicable across all genres.

Key Points:

– Align Your Story with Market Expectations: Learn how to create a cover and blurb that resonate with your target audience while highlighting what makes your book stand out.

– Market Awareness Tools: Discover a set of free resources that will help you stay attuned to trends and shifts in your genre and ‘neighborhood’ of the market.

– Ongoing Market Strategy: Understand how to evolve with your genre and adapt your marketing approach to suit your style and career stage.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com.

About Our Speaker

Nat is a small-town romantic comedy writer, (former) medical scientist and (mostly-former) dance teacher, and also makes the Kindletrends newsletter for genre fiction authors. Kindletrends started when Nat got fed up with trying to make sense of the Kindle Store, and wanted a no-nonsense summary of the most important information. He shared it with other authors, and now a bunch of people are getting value from it. Nat works at writing every day, and uses this information to help outline, write and publish – so it has to be focused, relevant and actionable.

DATE  |  July 19th, 2025

TIME  |

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker (Zoom)

LOCATION  | Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

SPEAKER  | Dawn Alexander

TOPIC  | Beyond the Bedroom: Using Physical and Emotional Intimacy to Create Authentic Character Relationships

Intimacy isn’t limited to romance. Authentic character relationships are crucial in all genres, whether you’re telling a love story or building a friendship. This workshop will explore the progression from initial awareness to physical intimacy, as well as the emotional layers accompanying each stage of connection.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com.

About Our Speaker

Dawn Alexander is a developmental editor and story coach who collaborates with both emerging writers and accomplished authors to strengthen their stories and refine their voices. Her clients have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, as well as the Amazon Top 100.

Leveraging her two decades of experience in education, she designs and teaches writing courses that offer comprehensive insights and practical strategies that can be applied across genres to create compelling plots and authentic characters. She’s been a featured speaker at Inkers Con, Pike’s Peak Writers Conference, as well as local writing chapters, in addition to providing one-on-one coaching to numerous successful authors. When she’s not analyzing plot structures or crafting characters, you can find her spending time with her two college-age kids or off-roading in her Jeep Wrangler with her husband and their dog, Teddy.

DATE  |  June 14th, 2025

TIME  |

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Room 2A at the Hilliard Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio

SPEAKER  | Ava Cuvay

TOPIC  | Building Believable Worlds for All Genres

It’s not just a Sci-fi thing. Worldbuilding is a crucial aspect of any story in any genre. Award winning, bestselling author Ava Cuvay outlines why, how, and what to avoid to enhance your worldbuilding thought processes for a truly engaging story. (There might be a few Star Wars references 😉)

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com.

About Our Speaker

Ava Cuvay is an award-winning bestselling author of out of this world Sci-fi and Paranormal Romance featuring sassy heroines, gutsy heroes, passion, adventure… and the word “moist”.

She resides in central Indiana with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder and teen kiddos who think her “Rizz” is “cringe” but she “passes the vibe check” and her books “hit different.” No cap.

She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. Star Wars references are her love language.

Social Media & Other Links
Website – https://avacuvay.com/
Author Facebook – https://facebook.com/AvaCuvayAuthor/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15051407.Ava_Cuvay
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Ava-Cuvay/e/B01E5OIZ0I/
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ava-cuvay
Instagram – https://instagram.com/avacuvay/
Newsletter – https://drinkingthestarspressllc.eo.page/v8296