"Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible."
Doris Lessing
News of the Month
Happy July, dear writers!
I hope you have a chance to celebrate the semiquincentennial (try saying that five times fast) or take in some of the World Cup games as we endure the warmer temperatures this month.
If you haven't had a chance to check out our website, visit: https://www.writersmorningout.org.
While you're there, be sure to check out our community page! This is a place for you to engage with other WMO members. Looking for a beta reader? Wanting to meet up in person with folks in your area? This is your spot to connect with other writers, be it to form writing groups, find readers, ask questions, share publications, or simply to make new friends who share a love of writing. The community is an optional feature. You can provide as much or as little information as you'd like, and no information extends beyond the community.
As our website is still new-ish, we may still encounter wrinkles to iron out. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
If you did not get a chance to attend our June event, The Naked Page, with book coach and developmental editor, Gali Kronenberg, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/3jL7pfk8c9A?si=METvybNzybyEga-9
To learn more about Gali and his work, you can also visit his website: https://www.mightywordsstudio.com/
Upcoming Events
Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1:00pm ET - Writers Discuss Writing
Please join us to share your accomplishments, questions, anecdotes, and comments as we discuss all things writing. Think of this as a writers' support group.
Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 1:00pm ET - Writers Discuss AI
**Our guest speaker prefers not to record this event, so it will not be available afterward.**
We are pleased to welcome Dr. BJ Magnani and Josh Cottrell to a podcast-style discussion on the rather hairy topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it pertains to writing. Catherine Duncan will be our host. We would like to recommend two related links to explore prior to the discussion:
https://the1a.org/segments/what-ai-authored-books-mean-for-the-publishing-industry/
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tYSi5pwImow?app=desktop&ra=m
Dr. BJ Magnani's fascination with toxicology led her to a career in pathology and laboratory medicine. She is currently Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Emerita at Tufts University School of Medicine and writes the Dr. Lily Robinson series about a poison-savvy physician recruited by the U.S. government as an assassin. She currently serves on the board of the Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) and the New England Chapter of Mystery Writers of America (MWA-NE). You can learn more about Dr. Magnani at https://www.bjmagnani.com.
Josh Cottrell, PMP, is a lifelong learner with a passion for technology and for finding new ways of doing things. After earning a biochemistry and molecular biology degree from Marquette University, he spent the first five years of his career developing tests that detect diseases like HIV and West Nile virus in blood donations. He went on to become a project manager and product development leader for a range of biotech and consumer tech startups, working on everything from cancer diagnostics to Fitbit, AI-powered massage tables, and solar generators. Today, Josh spends his days driving AI-forward projects at Labcorp and his "off hours" helping small companies bring their products to life. One of his newest obsessions is using AI and "vibe coding" to build bespoke software applications aimed at specific problems—including this group's own Writers' Morning Out website and community page. Another such application, www.ripple-vms.com, is a volunteer management platform built for groups that support voter protections, healthcare access, and community outreach.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 7:00pm ET - Writers Discuss Craft
Join us for what is always a valuable learning session with literary agent, Tracy Crow, a true expert in the field. Learn more about Tracy at https://tracycrow.com.
News from the North Carolina Writers' Network
Is it time to renew your NCWN membership?
Check the top of the NCWN newsletter to see when your membership needs renewal.
Not a member? You’re missing out on discounts on Network-sponsored programs and events.
What are you waiting for? Membership is open to writers of all experience levels and genres, across the state and beyond. Join now at https://www.ncwriters.org/
Squire Summer Writing Workshops 2026
The 2026 Squire Summer Writing Workshops (SW26) are three intensive workshops with accomplished instructors, a chance to share your work with other dedicated writers, and a unique opportunity to bond with writers from across the state and beyond. This year's workshops will be held at Appalachian State University in Boone Thursday, July 16-Sunday July 19. Registration is open until July 2, 2026.
Register here: https://www.ncwriters.org/programs/conferences/squire-summer-writing-workshops-2026/.
Save the Date: Fall Conference 2026 will take place November 6-8 in Asheville
Postscript:
WMO’s programs and meetings are a collaborative effort with Penny Cottrell, Tracy Crow, Tom Dow, Catherine Duncan, George Kauffman, Carol Phillips, Louise Dolan, and Judith Stanton—plus our ex-officio member and IT wizard, Josh Cottrell—all contributing.
Wishing you all the best in your writing endeavors!
Penny Cottrell, NCWN Regional Representative, Central Piedmont