Author: WebMaster WebMaster

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

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

DATE  |  May 17th, 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 Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

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 February 2025 she will have 23 published Harlequin novels. 

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

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. She was a finalist in the 2024 NYCMidnight Short Story Challenge and her short stories have been published in several anthologies.

DATE  |  April 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 (via Zoom)

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and South High Library, 3540 South High Street Columbus

SPEAKER  | Kathleen Donnelly

TOPIC  | Incorporating Four-Legged Detectives Into Your Books

From Lassie to Rin Tin Tin, canine characters have captured our hearts. The intrigue of a dog finding a lost person, buried body, drugs, bombs, or risking its life to protect a handler, has long been a source of fascination. Working dogs are showing up in crime fiction more than ever, but what is the real world of working dogs like? Discover everything from how a handler chooses their dog to training to real life scenarios searching with a K-9.

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

Award-winning author Kathleen Donnelly is a retired K-9 handler. She worked K-9s for a private company for 19 years. Her debut novel, Chasing Justice, won a Best Book Award from the American Book Fest, a PenCraft Award and was a 2023 Silver Falchion finalist in the Suspense category and Readers’ Choice Award. Her second book, Hunting The Truth, was the 2024 Pencraft Book of the Year, a Silver Falchion finalist and a Colorado Authors League finalist in the mystery category. She lives near the Colorado foothills with her husband and four-legged friends. Visit Kathleen’s website and sign up for her newsletter at www.kathleendonnelly.com, or find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/authorkathleendonnelly, and Instagram @authorkathleendonnelly.

DATE  |  March 15th, 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

FACILITATOR  | Rochelle Bradley

TOPIC  | Independent Publishing 101

Ever wonder what it takes to be a successful indie author?

In this class, local author Rochelle Bradley will lead us through the basics of what it takes to publish independently – from editing to formatting to marketing. This is your chance to get an overview and ask specific questions!

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

Rochelle is an award-winning and Amazon best-selling author. She writes romance with sass and shenanigans because the world needs more laughter and love.

She co-hosts (with author CJ Warrant) Wednesday Coffee & Books an Instagram Live show where they interview romance authors.

Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio, Rochelle developed a love of nature and art. She is a Bearcat, a Buckeye, an interior decorator, and fluent in sarcasm. She currently shares her home with a black cat, a leash trained orange tabby, and her Prince.

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

DATE  |  February 15th, 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  | Zoom and Karl Road branch of Columbus Public Library, Meeting Room 3. 5590 Karl Rd., Columbus, OH 43229.

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 February 2025 she will have 23 published Harlequin novels. 

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

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