Bethesda Memoirs Meetup Online

*** WE HAVE MOVED TO FACEBOOK ***
Write polished memoir (or fiction, that’s OK) for enthusiasts at all levels, critique each other's work, discuss literary magazines, agents, and contests open for submissions, and learn the book publishing industry.

YOU'VE POURED BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS INTO YOUR CREATION, NOW SHARE IT WITH YOUR PEERS! Read aloud whatever you like: memoir chapters, short stories, essays, poetry, journal entries or excerpts from your novel. Upload your work for a pre-read or read it live.

*** A SWITCH OF PLATFORM! ***
Based upon consensus from our key members, we will switch platforms for our events and no longer use the Meetup App/Website. Starting Feb 2026, this group will no longer be active in Meetup.
Instead, events will be managed outside Meetup. What will NOT change is that we will continue to present Open Mics and Guest Speakers with Microsoft Teams, the same way as we have always done.

For those wishing to join our events we will now use Facebook and Google Calendars to provide the event details and URLs.

To get event details, you must do one of the following:

1. The preferred approach is to join the Facebook Group "Bethesda Memoirs Meetup". Weekly Open Mic and Guest events as well as other messages will be posted in this Facebook Group. To join the group, login to Facebook, search for our name or go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bethesdamemoirsmeetup. Your weekly invite will be sent from this group, and you will be able to see additional posts, updates and resources.
2. If you do not use Facebook, message Mel Christie, using Meetup Messages and provide your email address (Any email address is fine, even a non-Gmail address), A Google Calendar event will be sent to the email distro on a weekly basis that will include details on Open Mic and Guest events. Note that there will be a limit on members accepted into this distro.

Once joined to either the Facebook Group or the email distro, you will continue to get the event details and the Microsoft Teams URL so that you can attend the event, same as ever.
Message me, Mel Christie, directly for additional details and/or questions.

In addition to Open Mic, the weekly Saturday morning 11:00am EST meetings include guest speakers and industry pros. Attend whenever and as often as you can. Meetings are online so all-comers, even those from outside the DC metro area, are welcome!

Group organizer Mel Christie hosts and Pete Warner recruits seasoned pros (particularly "how to write memoir" writers) to share tips and field questions, and are flexible regarding format, guests, suggestions for fresh name authors and speakers.

If you have never put pen to paper, started your memoir, or are still trying to find your genre, learn how the pros do it and the process they went through here!

*** WHY SWITCH TO FACEBOOK? ***
A combination of managing increasing costs and additional features drove the switch to Facebook. As well as standard Facebook posts, enhanced commenting, etc. we can leverage features such as polls and the community of groups such as the The Writers Forum and the Maryland Writers Association.
Got more questions? Contact Mel Christie through Meetup messaging, join our Facebook Group, or bring your questions to the next session!

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