Book Writing

Our book for June 2026 is *Five Decembers,* by James Kestrel, winner of the 2022 Edgar Award for Best Novel. “War, imprisonment, torture, romance…The novel has an almost operatic symmetry, and Kestrel turns a beautiful phrase.” *New York Times* *"Five Decembers* is a gripping thriller, a staggering portrait of war, and a heartbreaking love story, as unforgettable as *All the Light We Cannot See*." From the publisher *December 1941. America teeters on the brink of war, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, police detective Joe McGrady is assigned to investigate a homicide that will change his life forever. Because the trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves; and though the U.S. doesn’t know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.* This month’s discussion will be held at Commaa in Sheung Wan on the 7th of June @ 2:00 pm. Please note: the café asks that for large groups, guests buy at least one beverage per person ($60 minimum). They have a selection of sweet treats, coffees, teas, and other drinks available for purchase. After the discussion, we will choose the next book by group vote. Please bring your suggestions for future books!

We will be meeting at Forever Lounge in Causeway Bay on Sunday, June 7th. We will begin with informal introductions, where you will have the opportunity to talk about yourself and your background, experiences and/or goals). Your host Ben will introduce a new topic, and finally we will wrap up by discussing any projects we are working on or would like to get started. The emphasis is always on the creative, artistic, and collaborative aspects of filmmaking. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Questions and opinions are always encouraged. If you have any materials (scripts, showreels, raw/edited footage, etc.) that you would like to share, please feel free to bring it along, but all you will need is enthusiasm and confidence! Forever Lounge is near Tin Hau MTR station (exit A1), at 176-178 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay 銅鑼灣銅鑼灣道176-178號地舖 [Forever Lounge - Western Wine Bar in Causeway Bay Hong Kong | OpenRice Hong Kong](https://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-forever-lounge-causeway-bay-western-wine-r18523)

Reading is important because it develops your mind and gives you excessive knowledge and lessons of life. 開卷有益！大家最近有冇讀到一啲好書呢？不如出黎分享下讀書心得呀？參加呢個讀書活動，分享好書，分享喜悅。😊 有興趣參加可以WhatsApp我：95182994

🔥 What if panic attacks and phobias are not signs of weakness… but learned patterns your mind can change? 🧠 🧠 Phobias and panic attacks can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and deeply limiting—but what if there’s a way to understand how they are created and how transformation becomes possible? 💻In this powerful MOTIVATE Community session, **Chris Collingwood** explores the mechanisms behind phobias, panic responses, and anxiety-driven reactions. Discover how the phobia reduction process works, why the brain creates fear patterns, and alternative approaches that can help people shift from panic and avoidance toward calm and control. 📣This session is designed for anyone struggling with fear, overthinking, emotional overwhelm, or anxiety-related responses—and for those curious about how the mind can be retrained through awareness and practical transformation techniques. 📩Join us on **June 7, 2026**, for “**Beyond Fear: Understanding Phobias, Panic Attacks & the Path to Lasting Calm**” with **Chris Collingwood** and discover how fear patterns are formed, how the phobia reduction process works, and practical alternatives for transforming panic and anxiety responses. **🎯 KEY POINTS / TAKEAWAYS FOR THE AUDIENCE** ✔ Understand the difference between anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias ✔ Learn how phobias are created through mental and emotional conditioning ✔ Discover how the phobia reduction process works ✔ Explore alternative approaches to dealing with phobias and fear responses ✔ Gain insight into how panic attacks develop and escalate ✔ Learn how awareness and cognition influence fear states **🚀 ADDITIONAL KEY POINTS / BENEFITS** ✔ Build greater emotional awareness and self-understanding ✔ Learn practical ways to interrupt fear-based reactions ✔ Understand how the mind associates meaning with fear triggers ✔ Explore mindset and NLP-based approaches for transformation ✔ Increase confidence in handling uncertainty and intense emotional states ✔ Begin creating a calmer and more resourceful internal response system **🎙ABOUT THE SPEAKER🎙** Chris Collingwood has been involved in learning and teaching NLP since 1979. He studied with all the major early developers of NLP and, together with his partner Jules Collingwood, brought NLP co-creator Dr. John Grinder and his partner Carmen Bostic to Australia for many years. Chris and Jules designed, developed, and accredited the first government-recognized postgraduate qualification in NLP. Their graduate certificate in NLP teaches NLP from first principles, enabling students to master NLP and apply it in their own language and style. Chris has extensive experience applying NLP to learning, coaching, and organizational consulting. His recent focus has been on the thinking, behavior, and organizational patterns of successful entrepreneurs. **CONTACT DETAILS** 👉Facebook: www.facebook.com/chris.collingwood 👉Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspiritive/ 👉Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/collingwoodchris 👉Youtube: www.youtube.com/@InspiritiveAuNLP 👉Website: www.nlp.edu.au and https://overcomeanxiety.org/anxietytransformationpahtway ⏰\*\*June 07, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 (\*\*𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆), 𝟭.𝟱 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 5:00 PM GMT+8 China 7:00 PM GMT+10 Australia 5:00 AM GMT-4 New York 11:00 AM GMT+2 Barcelona 📌For first-time attendees please scan the QR code on the flyer or click the following link to register and become part of our enriching live discussion, all at no cost: https://adriancahill.agilecrm.com/forms/6002900926529536 📌Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/86301571361 Log-in: 86301571361 Password: #motivate 🔗 Secure your spot now!

中環BaseHall，全港最貴美食商場，但Nocino高性價 手工意粉，套餐抵食+免加一。 Cantoría，香港浸會大學音樂學院旗下的室樂合唱團，5 月底才完成德國及奧地利的巡迴演出，緊接就是回港的巡演後音樂會。 Nocino is well-known on its hand-made Italian paste. Restaurant is in Jadine House/ Central but there is set meal and the price is same as that in Kowloon. So , let’s try it together! Cantoria Hong Kong is a choir team of Vocal elites who just finished touring Germany and Austria. Next, members will share music inspired by in Salzburg Cathedral and Vienna’s St Stephen’s Cathedral. Programme Highlights 精選曲目: works by Bach, Bruckner, Brahms, Pärt, Schoenberg, and more **日期：2026年6月7日(星期日)** **時間：1)晚飯:@6:30pm-7:30pm; 2)音樂會:@ 8:00pm-9:30pm** **地點：中環** 集合時間及地點：1) @6:20-6:30pm @Nocino(中環康樂廣場1號怡和大廈LG樓BaseHall 01); 2) @7:40-7:50pm@香港大會堂(音樂廳門外); 電聯 名額：6人(同場另有公眾參與) 座位: 自由劃位(本人會於7:35pm先排隊入場為大家獲取好座位) 主辦單位：Cantoría Hong Kong, 香港浸會大學音樂學院, Conductor: Dr Po-Kwan Law **Date: 7 June, 2026 (Sunday)** **Time: 1) Dinner @6:30pm-7:30pm; 2) Concert @8:00pm-9:30pm** **Address: Central** Assemble: 1) @6:20-6:30pm @Nocino (BaseHall, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central); 2) @7:40-7:50pm @Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall; by call Seat: 6 people limited (Other audience in event as well) Seating: No seating is set and seats are served on first-come-first-served basis (I will queue up for good seat at 7:35pm for members) Presented by: Cantoría Hong Kong, HKBU Academy of Music 指揮：羅保莙博士 餐廳介紹：www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-nocino-central-swiss-r893099 MeetUp費用：自由定價價值,(晚餐費另計). 報名：按Attend-> 填寫1)聯絡電話號碼, 2)男/女, 3)你願意付出此次活動費用, 4)一起用餐否?-> 確認入選活動-> 繳費(入帳恆生銀行號碼: 359-366101-882 (NG Y\*\ \*S\*\*\*)/ FPS/PayMe: 97419423)-> 再以閣下電話whatsapp(97419423)以下資料: 1)MeetUp名字, 2)過帳通知書. MeetUp fee: Free pricing as you value, (Dinner price excluded). Join: Click ‘Attend’-> Write down your 1)Contact number, 2)Male/Female, 3)Fee that you would pay for this event, 4)Meal together? -> Get confirmation of being in the event-> Pay to Hang Seng Bank acc: 359-366101-882 (NG Y\*\* S\*\*\*)/ FPS/PayMe: 97419423-> Whatsapp 1)MeetUp name, 2)Payment notification \*\*\*a) Welcome foreigners. Please remark your language if you are foreigner. [歡迎外地本地人一同熱鬧.請外地人指明語言.] \*\*\*b) Participants are required to follow instruction of the venue. [參與者要遵守場地規則,違者則有可能被邀離開.] \*\*\*c) Late comer may be restricted to admit and continue in the activity. [主辦組織不作逾候,逾時者有可能不被參加,請預早抵達.] \*\*\*d) No refund or seat transfer after payment, unless is the cancellation of activity or by our group. [交費後若未能出席參與者,繳款不獲退回及轉讓.(除非活動取消而全數退款).] \*\*\*e) Photos taken by our group during activity will be as record and promotion. [活動如有拍照,以作記錄和宣傳用途.] \*\*\*f) When there are 3 No Show, we have the right to ban you out from our groups. [凡超過3次No Show者,本組有權將該組員移離本群組.]

Star Road Language Exchange 🌃 . *Update: Click Attend and get $20 discount! . Welcome to Star Road Language Exchange. In this group, everyone is a star! :) . Enjoy learning a new language or meet new friends in a relax atmosphere. . We try to organise every week. Looking forward to seeing you. :) . Time: Sunday 5:15-7:15 Place: Rizzy Coffee, LKF, Central , HK (G/F, LKF 29, 29 Wyndham St, Central Hong Kong) https://maps.app.goo.gl/pVyy1Hbj8i95QR227?g_st=ic . Entrance Fee: $40 (Plz buy at least 1 drink!) Click Attend and get $20 discount! . Proposal 😂 17:15 Star Rd Lang Ex 19:15 Dinner together . Whatsapp (65078638) me for any enquiries . Check out Star Road Language Exchange on Meetup https://meetu.ps/c/4vfpY/xy0yQ/a . #HK #English #friends #language

* **Date & Time**: Sunday, 7 June, 2026, 2:30 PM – Chill until 5:30 PM * **Meeting Point & Venue**: a nice coffee shop with terrace in Jordan (exact details and map shared after payment) * **Seasonal price**: HK$130 including one cup of tea or coffee Excluding any snacks or extra drinks at cost *\- PAYMENT* : Please provide the payment slip $130 FPS or Payme to 55073213 to secure your place. Payme : https://payme.hsbc/lincolncflam * **Highlights**: Casual tea or coffee options; light chit chat prompts to spark cross-cultural conversations; * **Vibe**: Easy-going and welcoming, focused on mingling and making new friends in a laid-back bar/coffee shop atmosphere with a outdoor terrace * **Why Join?**: In the spirit of our cross-cultural community, this event offers a simple way to connect and sharing experiences from travel, hobby, how you spend your time, hikes, food tastings, or daily HK life. In our warm, easy-going atmosphere, you’ll build meaningful connections and new friendships without pressure. #HongKongChill #AfternoonTeaHK #CoffeeMeetup #ExpatChitChat #LocalHangout #F2FHANGOUT#CrossCulturalVibes #WeekendChill #CasualConnections

New comer, let’s learn to play magic: the gathering. The oldest & most popular TCG, magic: the gathering have over 50k different cards in the pool, fantasy storyline also super fun in gameplay and deckbuilding. Competitive & casual game style can be fulfilled. And its free! Join us in the mtg world! Please WhatsApp 6704 2789 Zen

Yoga and Pilates are the good exercises to let you to keep fit, enhance the ability of core muscle to perform well in sports and reduce the risk of getting injury. Finally, we'll do the full body stretching after the exercises to relax.

Feel free to drop in for an afternoon of pub chess. We welcome players of all skill levels from beginners to grandmasters. There is no entry fee, but please remember to buy a drink to support Trafalgar and to thank them for hosting our group. See you on Sunday at 3pm!

Sunday we will be participating in the "2026 International and Hong Kong Inter-School Wushu Competition," organized by the Hong Kong North and South Chinese Martial Arts Association. Adult registration will be at 9 am for Fist forms (we will go on around 11am) & 12 pm for weapon forms (we will go on around 3pm)! Feel free to stop by to support us and come see what a traditional competition is like, the culture, the etiquette, the styles, the uniforms, the weapons, etc.! Hope to meet some of you there, come say hi to me any of the hosts and my class! We will be wearing Black Ziranmen Natural Style T-Shirts! **Location:** Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre, Tai On Building, 2F, 111 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho **Time:** Fist forms, we will go on around 11 am & for weapon forms, we will go on around 3 pm!

好多時會有客人問我哋我哋嘅Meetup Party Games活動會玩啲乜嘢？其實就係例如9 Upper, 狼人真言，Flip 7，歌迷序會等等好玩流行嘅輕鬆桌遊，由當日嘅活動主持決定最終玩邊幾隻！ 其實玩邊隻game唔係重點。重點係個活動好唔好玩！我哋好多活動都有好多人參加. 所以不必多說，你應該知道究竟發生了什麼事！ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 🔔 費用: [$105 / Girls $85 Meetup報名平$5] 入場前要付款, 包飲品一盒, extra飲品每盒 $5 🔔 場地冇食物提供, 但係歡迎帶外賣上嚟食. 🔔 宣傳其他場地/放飛機/遊戲過程中態度惡劣者會被放入黑名單 🔔 入場要除鞋. 場內拖鞋淨係供店內使用, 請勿著出店外. 🔔 報名參加 Meetup 活動, 當系統問你 "Are you bringing anyone"時, 如果你祗是一個人來, 毋須㩒+1 (+1 代表會帶朋友來的意思) 🔔 我哋嘅活動主持人有時會因為工作或者學業關係臨時嚟唔到, Meeple Tree 保留臨時更換主持嘅可能性 🙏🏻 🔔 因放飛機已被移除人數: 103 (活動開始前24小時內退出者) 🔔 Meeple Tree 保留參加者名單最後決定權. 🔔 Follow我哋 IG: [https://www.instagram.com/mtboardgame?igsh=MTY0a3Myc2Jwc2l4&utm_source=qr](https://www.instagram.com/mtboardgame?igsh=MTY0a3Myc2Jwc2l4&utm_source=qr)

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!

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, February 11 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.

Big Ohio Book Con "A convention for book lovers all over Ohio (and beyond)! Author panels, signings, bookish vendors, meet & greets, and more!" Featuring more than 100 authors, more than 50 bookish vendors, and plenty of exciting activities throughout the event! Travel with fellow book lovers or meet us at the event. Park for free at the Medina Convention Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Ohio 44256, then hop aboard one of the free shuttles whenever you’re ready for your next bookish adventure! The convention spans three neighboring locations, giving you even more to explore and enjoy.

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!