-
STAR’s Upcoming Events 2024-2025
Here’s what’s coming in the next few months
October 15th 6:30 PM Story Bibles for Novelists presented by Joan Koster, open to the public, Barnes & Noble, Vestal, NY
November 23rd 12 to 3 PM Seasons of Love book signing and reading event, Barnes & Noble, Vestal, NY
December TBA Holiday get-together, members and their guests only
January TBA Annual Board Meeting and luncheon
February 8th 11 to 3 PM STAR Authors book signing, Barnes & Noble, Vestal, NY
-
2024 STAR OFFICERS
The following members were elected to serve one year.
President: Jen Bokal
Secretary M.L. Stoughton
Treasurer Joan Koster
To contact a board member, email starofficials@gmail.com
-
2024 Meeting Schedule
Southern Tier Authors of Romance meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, except when a special event is scheduled and during the months of July and August. In person meetings are held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the music section of B&N. These are public. Member-only meetings are held on ZOOM.
January 10th: Our first meeting of 2024. We will discuss plans for the rest of the year and create a Vision Board for our 2024 writing goals. Please bring any supplies you may want. Suggestions are: old magazines, scissors, markers, glue sticks, images printed from the internet.
Saturday, February 10th: Romance Book Signing at B&N, noon-2:00 p.m. (Tentative) To be guaranteed a spot in this event, you need to be a paid member of RWA and STAR. Other spots might come available and will be filled in conjunction with the store.
Wednesday, March 13th, 6:30 p.m: Zoom, Guest Speaker TBA
Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30 p.m: B&N, Writing Federal Agent Characters with retired FBI Special Agent, John Bokal
Wednesday, May 8th, 6:30 p.m: B&N TBA
Wednesday, June 12th, 6:30 p: Zoom Guest Presentation
Saturday, September 14th: Fall Retreat Location: TBA
Wednesday, October 9th, 6:30 p.m: B&N
Wednesday, November 13th, 6:30 p.m: Zoom TBA
December Holiday and Award Luncheon Time and place TBA
Check back often for updates!
-
STAR Fall Meeting Schedule
Happy Fall 2020
Due to the coronvirus, we are currently meeting via ZOOM. The chapter has purchased a subscription so we can have meetings for the length of time and number of attendees that we require.
With the availability of ZOOM, we are instituting a new policy. Our RWA Chapter business meetings will be held four times a year – January, April, August, and November. Our regular monthly meetings will continue to take place on the third Saturday of the month unless we have a special event.
So here is what is coming up:
Fall Schedule
September 19th 10 AM to 2 PM Writing Retreat via ZOOM – Writing events will be scheduled throughout the day for members to pop in and out of.
October 17th 3 PM ZOOM video conference with award-winning author Shannon Donnelly. The topic will be Writing Deep POV and consist of a discussion followed by writing exercises. This presentation is open to the public. Contact us if you would like to attend.
November 21st A guest speaker to be announced.
December 13th (Sunday) 11 AM A quick ZOOM meeting so members can open their STAR holiday awards and gifts in front of each other. The awards and gifts will be sent via mail beforehand.
-
February 2020 Meetng
The next meeting of STAR will take place on Saturday February 15th at 10:15 AM at Barnes&Noble Vestal NY.
The meeting will be followed by a public presentation starting at 11 AM.
Topic : Marketing Resources for Romance Writers presented by Zara West
This presentation will cover:
- Preparing to market your book
- Sales sites that work
- Author Services
- Giveaways and Facebook Ads
-
Protected: Members-Only Resource Library
-
Message from the President on the RWA Issue
A Statement from the 2020 STAR PRESIDENT
In light of recent events and the past events that continue to come to light in the RWA breakdown, I, as the president of STAR, emphatically state STAR’s support of marginalized writers, authors, and industry professionals.
I know that trust in RWA has been broken, both by the actions taken by the RWA board, staff, and President and by the numerous other instances being reported of systemic bias within the organization, both obvious and insidious in nature.
However, I have hope that RWA can eventually change for the better, as does STAR’s membership. At our January 2020 meeting, the members of STAR decided to take a wait and see attitude to our affiliation with RWA with plans to revisit our affiliation again later in the year to see what steps are being taken to remove bias from the organization.
Meanwhile, I reaffirm my commitment to making our meetings and events safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Please know that I am always available to hear your questions and concerns. You can reach me via our contact form.
Joan Koster, 2020 President of STAR
-
2020 Officers Elected
Here are our officers for 2020.
President Joan Koster
Vice President Rebecca Chen
Secretary Jen Bokal
Treasurer Rasha Selim
You can contact them at starofficials@gmail.com
-
2019 Fall Schedule Update
September 21 STAR Meeting Barnes & Noble Vestal
Meeting 10 AM Presentation 10:30-11:30 Fast Drafting Tricks by Zara West
October 5th Writing Retreat 8:30 to 4 Members Only
Location & directions posted in our Groups.io Listserve
October 18-19 New Jersey Put You Heart in a Book Writers Conference STAR delegation.
We will be bringing a raffle basket. Theme is chocolate – feel free to donate books or chocolate
November 16 STAR Meeting Barnes & Noble Vestal 10 AM
Meeting 10 AM Presentation 10:30 to 11:30 Voting on 2020 officers
December 7 Award Luncheon
Location & directions posted in our Groups.io Listserve
-
2019 STAR Meeting & Event Schedule
STAR Meetings and workshops occur on the third Saturday of the month every month, except as noted.
All workshops and events open to the public
February 16th
Writing & Romance Trivia
- Location – B&N Vestal, NY
- Time – 10:30 to 11:30
- *STAR meeting 10-10:30
March 23rd
The First Page
Rhonda Penders, editor of Wild Rose Press, explains what editors are looking for and take pitches for all genres
- Time – 10:30 to 11:30
- Location: Meeting Room, Core Life Eatery, Vestal Parkway Pay-your-own luncheon to follow
- *STAR meeting 10-10:30
April 7th
Members-Only Spring Retreat
- Location Itaska Valley Farm
- Time – 8:30 to 4
May 18th
Tarot for Writers
Romance author, Paula Scardamalia will present on how to use tarot cards to deepen characters and plots. .After, she will give Tarot readings for those interested
- Location Meeting Room Core Life Eatery, Vestal Parkway Pay-your-own luncheon to follow
- Time 10:30 to 11:30
- *Star meeting 10-10:30
June 15th
Protect & Serve for Writers
Members of law enforcement will share their experiences
- Location – B&N Pay-your-own luncheon to follow
- Time – 10:30 to 11:30
- *Star meeting 10-10:30
September 21
Members-Only Fall Retreat
- Location TBA
- Time – 8:30 to 4
October 12th *date changed due to NJ conference
Literary Agent or Writing Roundup
- Location – B&N Pay-your-own luncheon to follow
- Time 10:30 to 11:30
- *Star meeting 10-10:30
October 18-19th
New Jersey Writers Conference
November 16th
Literary Agent or Writing Roundup
- Location – B&N Pay-your-own luncheon to follow
- Time 10:30 to 11:30
- *Star meeting 10-10:30
December 8th
Members-Only Awards luncheon
- Location – TBA
- Time – Noon
*Regular STAR meetings will precede public events to allow time for chapter business and member sharing of good news.
