As I write this, I find myself giving thanks for so many things, including our community. Everyday I see you grow, reach out to each other, and offer support. If it weren’t for community, this art that has chosen us might make for a life too lonely. But with friends to celebrate, commiserate, and brainstorm with, our writers’ lives bustle with surprise and abundance.

Recently, I made an immense decision: time to find a new agent. Talk about a humbling, grueling experience! But it was also AMAZING. I learned a lot about myself, my work, and the ever-changing business side of writing. Many writers ferried me through this arduous task (you know who you are) and I offer each of you my profound thanks. One friend in particular would simply not let me falter. A writer and editor who has been my friend for 20+ years, Victoria Zackheim, helped me find the perfect literary agent for my work, someone who gets my sensibilities, my insecurities, my aspirations. I feel renewed. Suddenly, I can’t wait to finish this project so I can start on my next one, and the one after that, and the one after that. I am so thankful to Victoria. And while part of the magic of this community is that it is not transactional, helping each another when we need a hand is surely good medicine.

Each year the Library of Congress Centers for the Book choose a Great Reads book from their various locales. I’m pleased to report that long time and treasured InkBlossom Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa has been tapped to represent literary excellence in Puerto Rico for her searing novel A Woman of Endurance.

Debut novelist and dedicated InkBlossom Sarah Seltzer has just published The Singer Sisters. Rob Sheffield says, “The Singer Sisters is a totally fresh and original rock & roll saga of a family full of formidable, creative, unforgettable women. Seltzer … makes the whole novel flow like a brilliantly complex but heart-wrenching love song.” Don’t miss this novel!

The InkBlossom Writers’ Conference in Rome is filling up! If you’re interested in learning more, please email me. Additional info can be found below.

I’m launching a new virtual two-day workshop in November: BOOK BRAIN! Plan your 2025 writing life! Jumpstart old projects, perfect those in-progress, and discover new ones.

Ever cursed the day cell phones wreaked havoc with your ability to maintain tension in a scene? Here’s how screenwriters are tackling it.

The Mount Dora Writers’ Conference and the Santa Fe Writers’ Conference are full. To get on the wait lists, write to me.

“I wish every writer had Connie. She has cheered me when something worked, kindly confronted me when something didn't (and I remained in stubborn denial), and insisted I keep the project's overall trajectory as a guiding light to move things forward. She makes me dig deep and reminds me why I love writing. She's a warm, wise soul who loves helping writers birth books.” ~ Carla Damron, author of the novels Keeping Silent and The Stone Necklace