Note: If you’re not a member of the Birth Your Truest Story writers’ community, following some of the signup links below may lead to an invitation to become one. Just join for free to see additional information and register for fall events.
Before September Sweeps In…
It's not quite the last week of summer, depending how you look at it. But the tail end of August always feels like the end of the season to me. I love nothing more on a summer afternoon than stretching out in the shade with a book, prepared equally to devour its words or close my eyes and drift into a dream.
This missive highlights a couple of end-of-summer events—one this Sunday and one Monday—as well as the exciting new offerings we have planned for September and beyond. Events appear chronologically so you can scroll down as far as your planning takes you.
My Summer of Romance
As part of my research for the novel revision that has consumed my summer, I’ve been reading the English Romantic poets. (Perhaps I’ll explain why in a future email!) Their evocations of the imaginative realm and their evocative portrayals of nature speak to me, as in this poem about summer.
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal
Alfred Tennyson
Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;
Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;
Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font:
The firefly wakens: waken thou with me.
Now droops the milk-white peacock like a ghost,
And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.
Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,
And all thy heart lies open unto me.
Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves
A shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me.
Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,
And slips into the bosom of the lake:
So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip
Into my bosom and be lost in me.
Hurricane
Finally, with compassion for victims of the flooding in Southern California and Mexico, where Hurricane Hillary recently left a path of destruction (though not as catastrophic as some predictions), I offer a video of Mary Oliver reader her poem "Hurricane."
Upcoming Events
Virtual Camp Fire Open Mic (FREE)
Sunday, August 27
4-5:30pm PDT | 7-8:30pm EDT
What has blossomed for you over the summer?
This will be our first open mic since late spring. All BYTS community members are invited to come and share a 5- to 7-minute reading. Let's celebrate each other's voices and connect over virtual S'mores!
Sign up to read or just attend to listen.
Fiction Intensive Information Session (FREE)
Monday, August 28
9-10am PDT | 12-1pm EDT
Do you have a novel, short story, or flash fiction piece underway… or tickling your imagination?
Whether you're working on novella or micro-fiction, in a traditional genre or an experimental one, our Fiction Intensives gives you a unique blend of craft instruction and feedback. These weekly meetings can help you propel your project to its next stage—just ask our current enrollees!
Come to this information session to find out more about the structure and benefits and our fall schedule. Find out more and register.
Community Writing (FREE)
Friday, September 8
8:45-9:45am PDT | 11:45am-12:45pm EDT
Join us for the first of our weekly fall sessions of community writing.
Every Friday, we get together for 50 minutes of concentrated writing together in silence, with opportunities to check in briefly at the beginning and end. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in less than an hour with the energy and support of the community around you.
Group Coaching (SUBSCRIPTION-BASED)
Friday, September 8
10am-12pm PDT | 1-3pm EDT
$39.99/monthly subscription for 4 weekly sessions. Two free trial weeks when you subscribe!
REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1
Coaches can be sounding boards, champions, educators, motivators, and guides.
We help you gain confidence as a writer, discover what's holding you back, and develop the skills you need to make your writing dreams a reality.
Group coaching expands the possibilities.
Our new weekly group coaching hour provides the ongoing support and feedback you need to stay motivated and work through challenges in your writing. Plus, you get the benefit of a supportive community of like-minded writers. The group's camaraderie and accountability fuel motivation, helping you stay on track and overcome obstacles.
Bring your questions on anything writing-related for answers and support from BYTS coaches and fellow participants.
Speak From the Heart Author Conversation With Dorcas Cheng-Tozun (FREE)
Thursday, September 28
4-5:30pm PDT | 7-8:30pm EDT
Please register on Zoom to let us know you'll be attending and to receive the meeting link and automatic reminders.
Join us for the first in our series of Speak from the Heart author conversations.
We’ll be in dialogue with Dorcas Cheng-Tozun, most recently author of Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways, named a "New & Noteworthy" book for 2023 by Christianity Today.
We’ll talk with Dorcas about her book, her publishing journey, and how she has brought her unique gifts as a writer to the work that matters so much to her.