Novel Writing Critique Group

**Get ready for a heart-warming afternoon of readings in a cool, historic cellar - and guess what? It will cost you less than a cup of coffee (well, almost!)** NOTE: THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT Cost: $25, strictly limited to 25 seats Your ticket includes a $20 food and drinks credit voucher ($5 goes to the venue to support costs). [CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SEAT](https://MelbournePoets.eventbrite.com.au) Budding poets, writers and lyricists join Melbourne Poets for our monthly Poetry & Prose Meetup! This is a true open mic event (usually without the need for a microphone). There'll be an opportunity to read your work (if you're brave enough) and listen to others over a drink or two. You don't need to be published; you just need to be passionate about your craft. So grab a support buddy and come along to our luxe loungeroom hidden away in the 170-year-old bluestone cellars in East Melbourne's Tribeca precinct. We've got great cocktails, back-vintage wines, craft brews, amazing food, and good vibes in a chilled and supportive safe space. RULES: This is a ticketed event due to limited seating capacity. $20 of your ticket price is offset against any bar drinks and food ordered through the venue on the day. Please ensure each piece is less than 5 minutes for those wanting to read. Depending on attendance and number of readers, there may be multiple opportunities to read. Please no "clicking" or trauma porn, and no self-promotion allowed during the readings but networking after the event is absolutely OK. GETTING THERE: We recommend you use public transport or rideshare. We are on the 12/109 tram line (stop 16, Wellington St), several Bus Routes (302, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908) or a 5-10 minute walk from Jolimont and North Richmond train stations. If you decide to drive and/or have a designated driver, 2-hour paid parking is available around Powlett Reserve, Darling Square, and the Fitzroy Gardens. Extended paid parking is available at Care Park at 162 Albert Street, East Melbourne or the Epworth Freemasons Car Park in Gotch Lane off Grey Street. UNABLE TO ATTEND? Cancellations and Refunds are generally not possible. However, for sudden illness, COVID, or other special circumstances, we may agree to reschedule your session to another day or provide a gift certificate for part or all of your ticket price. Please SMS your request to 0466 045 473. #poetry #readings #poets #writers #prose #lyricists #melbournepoets #melbournepoet #melbournepoetry #melbournewriter #melbournewriters #melbournetodo #poetryandprose #poetrylovers #openmic

Hi all, Welcome to the April Paranormal Book Club and our book club birthday meetup!! We are going to meet at the seats inside the foyer near the ticket booths, before going into Melbourne Museum. After book club, we will go to the Rome: Empire, Power, People exhibition. To find out more about the exhibition and ticket prices, check out the website here: [ROME: Empire, Power, People | What's on | Melbourne Museum](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/rome-empire-power-people/). If you would like to pre-book your tickets, I would book the 12:00pm or 12:15pm session. Adult tickets are $35.00. Otherwise you can just get an Adult entry ticket for $18.00. The books for Sunday 19 April 2026 are: Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes [Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215963754-fangs-for-nothing) What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown [What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215353471-what-comes-of-attending-the-commoners-ball) Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson [Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60531416-yumi-and-the-nightmare-painter) If you would like to look at all the books that we have read so far, click [here](https://1drv.ms/x/s!Am2wjNpl1c1ijCNvt-hrWM8gPaem?e=riV48x). Finally, if you can't make it, please change your RSVP to a NO. Happy reading until then!! 🤓

\*\*\*This is not a hosted Meetup. I'm actually on stage at this show, so can't host. However I am inviting you, and offering the "Cost of Living Help" price. So you're welcome along.\*\*\* Event ticket site: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/an-introvert-s-guide-to-extroverts/ Event description from the ticket page: ......... Following the New Zealand International Science Festival, Luke is returning to Melbourne International Comedy Festival with more goofing and education about introverts and extroverts. \-\-\- PSY24IGE: The role of introverts in society has been diminishing in recent years with their historical positions increasingly taken by those with extrovert tendencies. How can introverts survive and what do they need to do to adapt? This lecture explores the history of introverts in society, their current status and potential future. It is a core lesson within PSY24 and may be attended by others for course credit. Update, tutor Matt Boring (Luke Morris) will be taking this lecture and there are to be no questions about Dr. Lachmann's escaped lab monkeys. It's all totally fine. Do not worry about the escaped monkeys. Bundoora University has that all under control. Funding and show support from Comedy Victoria.

We'll meet at the spot where Fed Square meets the Princes Bridge over the Yarra (near the pedestrian crossing closest to the river from Flinders St, on the Fed Square side). We'll walk for about 6km along the Yarra River, through the Botanic Gardens and back along the river to Federation Square for a coffee after the walk. This month, we're reading and talking about 'I'd Rather Not' by Robert Skinner. The blurb: 'From one of Australia’s most wryly funny writers comes an original and utterly hilarious memoir of reaching for the stars while lying in a ditch *I was sleeping in what might reasonably be described as a ditch, though I tried not to think of it in those terms for morale reasons . . .* Robert Skinner arrives in the city, searching for a richer life. Things begin badly and then, surprisingly, get slightly worse. Pretty soon he's sleeping rough and trying to run a literary magazine out of a dog park. His quest for meaning keeps being thwarted, by endless jobs, beagles, house parties, ill-advised love affairs, camel trips and bureaucratic entanglements. Sometimes a book catches the spirit of the times. *I'd Rather Not* is about work, escape and that something more we all need. 'I was told this man came from the Adelaide Plains and so commenced to read his work. By the time I realised I'd been viciously misled and he actually grew up in Magill, it was too late. I was already completely in love with the book. It's an absolute bag of lollies.' —Annabel Crabb 'Robert Skinner writes with humour, intelligence and heart. Pick up this book and you may never put it down.' —Tony Birch 'This book is like a big, properly made gin and tonic drunk outside in a garden on a perfect Saturday afternoon.' —Cate Kennedy '…no other book brought me as much joy as this hilarious and deceptively artful collection, and in these uncertain times that is worth plenty.' —Michael Winkler 'No one writes better when the stakes are lower.' —Sam Vincent 'My heart leaps whenever I see Robert Skinner's by-line; I know I am in for a hilarious literary treat complete with wry pearlers, gallows truths and wicked timing. People will say he is Australia's Sedaris, but he's not. He's Robert Skinner and he's a bloody marvel.' —Anna Krien 'Brevity may be the soul of wit, but the nimble economy of this slim volume will make readers pine for more. A decidedly skewed, hilarious collection of life reflections and colorful storytelling.' —*Kirkus* 'Seriously the funniest book I've read all year. I can't stop thinking about Robert Skinner's forays into the most mundane and frustrating aspects of life - Centrelink, being a tour guide, applying for arts funding - and the shameless truths he not only reveals about himself but about us as a society. Read this book with a bottle of wine, and be alarmed and enlightened!' —Alice Pung 'If only all books were as funny, human and true as *I'd Rather Not*. I raced through it, marvelling and envious all the way.' —Michelle de Kretser 'Skinner has been compared to Oscar Wilde, but his book is as self-effacing as it is quip-witted.' —Beejay Silcox, *The Guardian* 'The best Australian books of 2023' 'Skinner has been called the Australian David Sedaris and it's easy to see why. Both have the same droll, self-deprecating humour and both mine their own lives for maximum mirth-making potential. [...] a book with a several-laughs-a-page quotient.' –Thuy On, *Arts Hub* 'The funniest book I have read for a long time' —Andy Griffiths, author of *The Treehouse* series" Goodreads rating: 3.71 How does a walking bookclub work? Like a normal bookclub, we talk about the book, what else we're reading, have read, or want to read (as well as a few tangents into life outside literature!) but we do it while walking around Melbourne and then over a coffee. We often split into smaller groups as we walk, but we also regroup through the walk. Should I read the book beforehand? The conversation will be more interesting if you do, but you can still come along if you haven't finished it yet! Do I need to bring anything? **Comfy** walking shoes, drinking water, some money for coffee or a bite to eat after if you wish. No need to bring the book unless you want to. No shows No shows (RSVPing yes and not attending) mean the group waits unnecessarily for those who are not coming, thinking you are running a little late. It’s absolutely fine to change your rsvp for any reason up until the walk begins, and you don’t need to leave a comment, send a message or give a reason, but if you don't click that 'change rsvp' button, you may be removed from the group. Membership Fee Did you know that while it is free to attend most events, Meetup charges organisers about $600 a year to organise a group? Members of the Walking Book Club are asked to pay a membership fee of $10 per year (not per event) to help cover this cost. When you join the group, you'll be automatically given a three month trial so you can see what the group is like, without needing to make any payment. If you would like to continue attending events after this, please follow Meetup's instructions to pay the $6.50US/approx $10AUD fee once per year (or contact group organisers if you would prefer to make payment using paypal, payID, cash or bank transfer).

Hi everyone :) come and join us for our fifth Melbourne Craft Circle event! Bring along a craft or artform of your choice. Last time we added cross stitch, diamond art, and knitting to the list. If you have any accessibility needs or questions about the group feel free to message me. Hope to see you there! 🧶

**💖 Geelong Virtual Speed Dating – Hosted, Curated & on Zoom** This style intentionally swings wider in tone, rhythm, and length so outputs do not all feel cut from the same cloth. Genuine conversations with real locals — all from your living room. Each round is a brief one-on-one Zoom chat with a Geelong local paired by age and personality. A host keeps the pace comfortable. **Register under your age group:** - 🎯 **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=18-32&face_v=27.0) - 🚀 **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=30-46&face_v=27.0) - 🔥 **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=40-58&face_v=27.0) - ⚡ 🚀 **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=55+&face_v=27.0) **⚠️ Your RSVP doesn't guarantee a place.** Click your age group link below, register, and take the personality quiz to lock in your spot. Limited places. --- 👥 **Best for:** - People re-entering the dating scene after a break - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience - Busy professionals who don't want to waste evenings - Geelong locals after personality-matched dates 🧭 **How the session runs** 1. **Pick your age group** – Register through your link above. 2. **Take the personality quiz** – We use it to pair you with compatible Geelong singles. 3. **Join on Zoom** – Click the link, jump on, and the host handles the rest. 4. **Meet your matches** – Cycle through short chats with compatible Geelong singles. 📌 **What to know** - ⚡ **Format:** Hosted on Zoom – one-on-one video dates - **Location:** From home – all you need is Wi-Fi and a webcam - 🚀 **Host:** Professional host keeping the evening smooth and relaxed - 🔥 **Vibe:** Laid-back one-on-one chats with Geelong locals --- ✨ Real people, real conversations — all from your home. � ✨ Quick version: this one gets straight to the point. Everything important, without the extra padding. ⚡ **Why this version feels different** - The community matters as much as the session itself - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum Different tone. Same event. Much less predictable.

**💗 Online Speed Dating via Zoom – Connect with Geelong Singles Tonight!** Ditch the apps. Meet Geelong singles face-to-face on Zoom tonight. We match you with compatible Geelong locals using a quick personality quiz. You'll chat one-on-one on Zoom in short timed rounds while a host guides the session. **Find your age group below:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=join-the-local-singles-dating-scene&ar=18-32&face_v=14.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=join-the-local-singles-dating-scene&ar=30-46&face_v=14.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=join-the-local-singles-dating-scene&ar=40-58&face_v=14.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=join-the-local-singles-dating-scene&ar=55+&face_v=14.0) **⚠️ Important: RSVP ≠ registration.** To join, pick your age group below, sign up, and finish the personality quiz. Spots are limited. --- 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Anyone who likes connecting online before meeting face-to-face - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - Busy professionals who don't want to waste evenings ⭐ *"So much better than apps. Actual conversations with real people."* – Geelong attendee **How It Works** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Complete the quiz** – Short personality quiz so we can match you well. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Join the call and your host will walk you through it. 4. **Speed date** – One-on-one rounds with personality-matched Geelong locals. 5. **Get matches** – Mutual matches shared after the event. **Event Details** - **Format:** Live on Zoom – guided rounds from your home - **Location:** Online from home – no need to go anywhere - **Host:** Live host handling rounds and introductions - **Vibe:** Friendly and relaxed – genuine chats with Geelong locals **Frequently Asked Questions** **How long are the chats?** A few minutes each — just enough to get a sense of someone. **Do I need experience?** Not at all. The host walks you through everything. **Is my info private?** Absolutely. Contact details are only exchanged on mutual match. --- ✨ Speed dating from home — easy, fun, and personality matched. 🦋 ✨

**🥰 Geelong Zoom Speed Dating – Personality & Age Matched** Genuine conversations with real locals — all from your living room. Quick, hosted rounds on Zoom with Geelong singles paired to your age group and personality. No awkward pauses — just natural conversation. **Choose your age range to register:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=golden-local-singles-mixer-dating-meetup&ar=18-32&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=golden-local-singles-mixer-dating-meetup&ar=30-46&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=golden-local-singles-mixer-dating-meetup&ar=40-58&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Geelong&groupurlname=golden-local-singles-mixer-dating-meetup&ar=55+&face_v=3.0) **⚠️ Important: RSVP ≠ registration.** To join, pick your age group below, sign up, and finish the personality quiz. Spots are limited. --- 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Anyone who likes connecting online before meeting face-to-face - Anyone curious about speed dating in a relaxed setting - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience - People fed up with swiping who want actual conversation - Singles in Geelong who want to meet people from home ⭐ *"The personality matching genuinely works. My matches were spot on."* – Geelong local **How It Works** 1. **Register** – Select your age group above and sign up. 2. **Fill in the matching quiz** – Helps us find your ideal matches for the evening. 3. **Log in** – Connect to the Zoom session from home. The host runs the show. 4. **Chat** – Quick timed rounds with Geelong singles paired to you. 5. **Get matches** – Mutual matches shared after the event. **Event Details** - **Format:** Live on Zoom – guided rounds from your home - **Location:** From home – all you need is Wi-Fi and a webcam - **Host:** Live host handling rounds and introductions - **Vibe:** Laid-back one-on-one chats with Geelong locals - **Matches:** Mutual matches sent out after the event - **Rounds:** Multiple short one-on-one rounds - **Tech:** Zoom, webcam, and a stable connection - **Matching:** Driven by personality quiz results 💡 **Tip:** Check your Zoom setup and pick a quiet, well-lit spot ahead of time. --- ✨ One Zoom call, genuine conversations, real matches. See you there. 💕 ✨

**❤️‍🔥 Online Speed Dating – Real Melbourne Locals, Live on Zoom** This online speed dating version intentionally pushes for wider variation in cadence, emphasis, and section order. It is designed to feel less templated from one generation to the next. Genuine conversations with real locals — all from your living room. Join from home, get paired with Melbourne singles your age, and have real conversations on Zoom. A host manages everything so you can just relax and enjoy. **Register under your age group:** - ✨ **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Melbourne&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=18-32&face_v=27.0) - 🚀 **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Melbourne&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=30-46&face_v=27.0) - ✨ **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Melbourne&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=40-58&face_v=27.0) - ⚡ **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=421.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Melbourne&groupurlname=society-local-singles-rapid-dating-meetup&ar=55+&face_v=27.0) **⚠️ RSVP alone won't secure your spot.** You need to register through your age group link below and complete the personality quiz. Places are limited. --- 🎯 **Especially useful for:** - Anyone curious about speed dating in a relaxed setting - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - First-timers new to speed dating - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience **At a glance** - **Format:** Live on Zoom – guided rounds from your home - **Location:** Wherever you're comfortable – no venue, no travel - **Host:** Professional host keeping the evening smooth and relaxed - **Vibe:** Great energy, real people, authentic conversation - **Matches:** Mutual matches sent out after the event - **Privacy:** Contact info only shared when both match - **Duration:** Approx. 60–90 minutes - **Matching:** Driven by personality quiz results 🧭 **How the session runs** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Complete the quiz** – Short personality quiz so we can match you well. 3. **Log in** – Connect to the Zoom session from home. The host runs the show. 4. **Chat** – Quick timed rounds with Melbourne singles paired to you. 5. **Results** – We'll send your mutual matches afterwards. 💡 **Tip:** Good lighting and a clean background make a big difference. ⭐ *"10/10. The host was fantastic and I actually had fun on the dates."* – Melbourne first-timer --- ✨ One Zoom call, genuine conversations, real matches. See you there. 🦋 ✨ 🎲 **Variation notes** - Different tone. Same event. Much less predictable. - Built to feel more varied from one generation to the next. - A wider swing in voice, pacing, and shape.

No agenda. No awkward intros. Just good people. Just Gutsy is a weekly meetup for solo travelers, nomads and locals who love meeting them, a simple way to find your people in a new city. Who comes: Solo travelers in transit · digital nomads · curious locals who love meeting travelers What to expect: casual and self-led · small group energy · show up, talk to someone, see where it goes Not sure how to talk to strangers? I put together a set of questions that actually make it easy — find them here: [justgutsy.com/icebreakers](http://justgutsy.com/icebreakers) The only things you need to do: → Comment below so others know you're coming → If plans change, update your RSVP → When you arrive: comment "Here, [what you're wearing]" so people find you When & where: • Every Sunday · 4PM local time Meetup.com sometimes shows a different timezone — ignore it, it's always 4PM where you are • Location: in front of the Dolphin Fountain (inside Fitzroy Gardens) Join Just Gutsy → [justgutsy.com](http://justgutsy.com/) · Early members get lifetime premium access to the app

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!