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DATE  |  September 19, 2026
TIME  | 

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-1:30 pm, Business meeting
  • 1:30 pm, Presentation

LOCATION  |  Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia Branch of Dayton Metro Library, Community Room, 330 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377

PRESENTER  |  Aimie K. Runyan, best-selling author

TOPIC  | Newsletters

Aimie K. Runyan will present a thorough overview of why newsletters are a vital part of book marketing. Potentially, they are the most vital tool in an author’s toolbox). In addition, expect to learn about:

  • Best practices
  • Newsletter etiquette
  • The ins and outs of newsletter content
  • How to grow your subscriber base.

Whether you have a newsletter, have thought about creating a newsletter, or are thinking you don’t need one, this is the session you’ll want to save time to attend!

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Meeting 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 before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

About Our Speaker

Internationally bestselling author Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate unsung heroines. She is the author of eight historical novels and has more recently added contemporary women’s fiction to her repertoire. Aimie loves taking her contemporary readers on a journey that involves lush settings, delectable food, a dollop of romance, and a healthy dash of magic. She has been a finalist for the Colorado Book Award six (!) times, a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ ‘Writer of the Year,’ and a Historical Novel Society’s Editors’ Choice selection. Aimie is active as a speaker and educator in the writing community in Colorado and beyond. She lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her wonderful husband, two (usually) adorable children, and two (always) sweet cats.

 

 

 

 

DATE  |  August 15, 2026
TIME  | 

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-1:30 pm, Business meeting
  • 1:30 pm, Presentation

LOCATION  |  Zoom

PRESENTER  |  Paula Rizzo

TOPIC  | Mastering On-Camera Presence: Video Skills for Authors

 

Attending Our Zoom Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings.

This meeting is all on 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 before the end of day the Thursday before the meeting.

 

About Our Speaker

Paula Rizzo is an Emmy Award-winning television producer, bestselling author of Listful Thinking & Listful Living, media-training coach, speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, host of the live-stream show “Inside Scoop,” and creator of the popular online training Media-Ready Author. She is a columnist for Writer’s Digest and a frequent media guest. Grab Paula’s free guide, 10 Media Questions Every Author Needs to Answer, to create buzz for your book.

 

 

 

 

DATE  |  July 18, 2026
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  |  Zoom and Vandalia Branch of Dayton Metro Library, Community Room, 330 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377

FACILITATOR  |  Author Allison Pittman

TOPIC  | My, What a Developed Character You Have!

How to dig into contradictions to create memorable characters.

 

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

Allison Pittman is an award-winning author of 25 novels, novellas, and nonfiction. With a passion for finding the hidden stories in history, she has written stories that span the debut of Protestantism to the premiere of Little House on the Prairie. She is a mom of three boys, a grandmother of two girls, and wife to one of the world’s most patient men.

 

 

 

 

DATE  |  June 13, 2026
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 on Zoom

LOCATION  |  Zoom and Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Room 2, 75 North High Street, Dublin, OH 43017

FACILITATOR  |  Juliette Hyland

TOPIC  | Crafting Characters to Root For

Characters are the lifeblood of story. The reason people read stories. Crafting a character people root for—a character readers remember years after the final page turn—comes down to making your character believable. But how? Through flaws, and in romance, through the believable and satisfying redemption arc your characters take on their journey to happily ever afters.

 

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

Juliette Hyland has written more than twenty-five books for Harlequin/Mills & Boon, Imprints of Harper Collins. She’s given workshops around the country, in person and via Zoom, on writing craft. Her favorite topic of all time is writing tropes – she always finds ways to sneak it into conversations. Her favorite question for authors – why?

 

 

 

 

DATE  |  May 16, 2026
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  |  Vandalia Branch of Dayton Metro Library, Community Room, 330 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377

PRESENTER  |  Antonio Garcia (In Person)

TOPIC  | Indie Bookstore Insider

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run an Indie Bookstore?

Independent bookstores have experienced a massive resurgence, with numbers jumping approximately 70% over the past five years, driven by community focus, local curation, and social media trends. Join us when COFW Member and owner of The Cozy Book Nook, Antonio Garcia, gives us the inside story.

 

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

Antonio Garcia is a self-published author and co-owner of The Cozy Book Nook Bookstore, which he operates alongside his wife. Bringing a rare dual perspective as both an author and bookseller, Antonio shares valuable insight into what independent bookstores look for when selecting and stocking books.

 

 

 

 

DATE  |  April 18, 2026
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 3, the Columbus Metro Library, Karl Road Branch, 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

FACILITATOR  |  Author & Literary Agent Rachel McMillan (Via Zoom)

TOPIC  | Self Editing with Rachel

Nothing will replace a beta reader or a developmental editor, and those things are essential especially if you mean to indie publish a book. But, for beginning to query agents, there is a lot you can do to strengthen your manuscript on your own.

This presentation will help you take a look at your own manuscript through the eyes of an editor and pinpoint redundancies, narrative confusion and imagery on your own to impress beta readers, help you self-publish or get your manuscript polished for an agent.

Rachel will cover:

  • Are you in the right POV?
  • Identify overused words and redundancies
  • Identifying when you say the same thing twice
  • Mimicking action and tension in narrative tense
  • How to cut your own word count
  • Imagery and Simile: How much is too much?
  • Dialogue and action beats
  • Pacing and Prose: The delicate balance that keeps things moving
  • Transparency? How to tell if what is clear to you is clear to the reader

 

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 before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.

 

About Our Speaker

Rachel McMillan is the author of over 20 works of fiction and non-fiction and currently writes for Harper Collins US and Pen and Sword UK.

In addition to her extensive experience in the traditional publishing marketplaces, she has over 20 years of relevant publishing experience. For over a decade she worked in sales and editorial for Canada’s leading educational publisher, often providing key insight into acquisitions. A long time freelance editor, Rachel is often hired by agents to developmentally read client manuscripts before going on submission to major publishers.

Her passion for the book industry has led to many teaching opportunities for Agents Helping Authors, Resilient Writers and more.

Starting this Spring, Rachel will be teaching Publishing 101 for Writer’s Digest University.

Rachel has a wealth of personal and industry “tips and tricks” for how to catch common pitfalls in your manuscript — even without the eyes of a beta reader or editor.

Rachel represents 30 clients across 4 continents and is always reading.

 

Marisa Dillon is a white woman with long brown hair. She is holding a book about Celts, and is seated with what looks like a castle door behind her.
Marisa Dillon
Stacy McKitrick is a blonde-haired woman wearing a blue aruba t-shirt. She's sitting in front of what's likely a cruise ship's window overlooking a gorgeous blue ocean.
Stacy McKitrick
Tim Smith is a middle-aged man with a mustache. He's standing in front of a blue body of water, most likely in Florida.
Tim Smith

 

DATE  |  March 14, 2026
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, Program

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

PANELISTS  |  

TOPIC  | State of Publishing Panel

Bring your questions about today’s publishing landscape and helping your books find readers. Our panelists have more than 40 books among them and diverse experiences bringing their books into the world and connecting with readers.

  • Tim Smith writes crime fiction, mystery, action and adventure, and erotic romance. As an award-winning bestselling author, he has a deep backlog of books. Tim must leave early to head to a book signing in Lebanon at Mulberry St. Books. If you’ve got questions on traditional publishing, be sure to ask them early rather than hemming and hawing about whether to ask.
  • Marisa Dillon, our Social Media Chair as well as our Programs Chair, has experience publishing her historical romances with a smaller press. Her tales are romantic adventures not for the faint of heart.
  • Stacy McKitrick, our Treasurer, writes paranormal romance as well as her newest “Alien Desires,” series where the first aliens come to earth seeking a potential new home with their own planet on the brink of destruction. Stacy fell in love with paranormal romance, and in 2009 began penning her own novels about ghosts and vampires finding their happily ever afters.
  • Ally Scott, our Secretary, writes as Poppy Scott. She has recently released her version of Wuthering Heights, which is in the public domain. She carefully timed its release to align with the release of the newest movie. As part of creating her promotional materials, she worked on Meta with the Midjourney software. She also works with software to turn her longhand text into softcopy in Kindle Scribe. You can also find her on Goodreads with coloring books and Sudoku she has done. This might give our members ideas about ancillary material you could offer to round out potential income.

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Meeting 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 before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

Connect With Our Panelists

 

DATE  |  February 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 (in person)

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Room 2A at the Hilliard Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, Ohio.

FACILITATOR  | Misty Simon

TOPIC  | Finding Time to Write

Life’s busy. The laundry’s multiplying. And somehow your characters still expect you to finish their story. Sound familiar? In this down-to-earth, laughter-filled session, author Misty Simon shares real strategies for carving out writing time—even when your schedule feels impossible. Learn how to build sustainable habits, set guilt-free goals, and protect your creative time like it’s the last chocolate in the house. Whether you have five minutes or fifty, you can write—and Misty will show you how.

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

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.

Aurthor Shari Heinrich

Date: January 17, 2026
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, Program

LOCATION  |  Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Vandalia branch of the Dayton Metro Library. 330 S Dixie Dr, Vandalia Ohio 45377

FACILITATOR  |  Shari Heinrich

TOPIC  | Our Favorite Writing Craft Books

Cover of the book *Wired for Story* by Lisa Cron. A plethora of marked pages.
Shari Heinrich’s copy of Wired for Story, one of her candidates for bringing in for this session.

The January program will be by our own members. If you have a favorite craft book, and you have a physical copy, bring it with you to the library. You can talk about your e-books, too. If you bring a physical copy, put your name inside it (Post-it Notes work great) or maybe you’ve taken notes in the margins, so you’ll be able to tell it from someone else who loved the same book.

Each person who has a favorite book will get microphone time to talk about it.

Also, if you’re willing, pass it around the room. Apologies to the folks who will zoom in, as they’ll miss that part.

Some ideas of what you could talk about, but really, anything you want to cover is great:

  • Title, author
  • Is it still available? Or maybe you know it’s no longer in paperback, but e=book still exists.
  • Why you recommend this book.
  • Got a favorite passage? Share it.
  • If you think it’s better for someone in the beginning of their writing career, later, or anytime, share that, too.
  • If you’ve got several favorites, bring them. Depending on how many bring books, we may have time to do a “second” round. If we still have time and members are eager to keep hearing about books.

At the end of the meeting, make sure you have the books you started with!

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Meeting 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 before end of day the Thursday before the meeting. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

About our Facilitator

Shari Heinrich is our 2025 and 2026 President. She writes young adult fantasy populated by characters full of sass and heart. She’s querying Queen of Wands, where teen thief Angela makes the unforgivable mistake of falling for her mark and activating the family’s curse to the ancient Egyptian goddess of retribution. If she can’t break the curse, she’ll never know if she really loves him, or if it’s the curse.

Shari is an award-winning author. She has been published in Conclave Magazine. She has placed first in several writing contests. Her best award is placing 18th of 4,650 participants in the 2019 New York City Midnight Short Story Challenge. Most recently, she placed first in the WriterCon Unpublished young adult division with her campfire tale, “Want a S’more?”

Contact Shari: www.ShariHeinrich.com

Date: November 15, 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

SPEAKER  |  Tobi Doyle

TOPIC  | Create Your Own Audiobooks with Minimal Equipment

Participants will be taken through the process of creating an audiobook and uploading it for sale. We’ll discuss equipment, software, and best techniques.

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 before end of day 11/11/2025. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

About our Speaker

Tobi Doyle is the author of over a dozen romance novels. A recipient of RWA’s 2022 Service Award and 2022 PRO Mentor of the Year Award, and the WV Writers JUG award. Tobi loves working with Sheila at Intensive Genre Workshops, where they provide a writing craft foundation for genre writers. Learn more at www.ASKIGW.com.