GULFPORT, FLORIDA: Renowned author Lesléa Newman will lead a “Writing from the Heart” workshop on Sunday, February 17 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Avenue South in Gulfport, Florida.
The workshop is open to all genders, as well as both aspiring and experienced writers. Advanced registration and payment of a fee ($25 early bird, $35 after Feb 1) are required for the workshop, which includes a complimentary light breakfast at 9.00am. Register at: https://gulfportreadout.brownpapertickets.com/ Space is limited—last year’s workshop sold out, so don’t wait too late to register!
As author of over 70 books of adult fiction, children’s fiction, poetry, non-fiction and short stories, Lesléa Newman is uniquely qualified to help writers of all genres hone their craft. In this hands-on workshop, she helps you break down mental obstacles, move past the proverbial blank page, and find new ways of expressing yourself with exercises designed to get you writing and to explore different aspects of your wordsmithing. For those anxious about what to write or how to say it, Newman removes their fear and builds confidence. With practical advice on structure and technique as well as gentle encouragement and support, Newman helps both fledgling writers as well as those who are already established authors.
Lesléa Newman started her literary career by publishing poems in Seventeen magazine when she was a teenager and never looked back. Some of her best-known titles are: October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; A Letter to Harvey Milk; Hachiko Waits; Sparkle Boy; and of course, the groundbreaking Heather Has Two Mommies. She is the recipient of numerous awards including two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, the Massachusetts Book Award, and the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement.
The workshop is one activity in a full weekend during the second annual “ReadOut” event, February 15 – 17, which features twenty published authors reading from their work. Other ReadOut activities which are free and open to all include an afternoon of romance on Friday afternoon; a wine and cheese reception on Friday evening; a keynote address by Lesléa Newman on Saturday morning as well as a full day of readings, book signings and sales; and a panel discussion on Sunday following the workshop.
ReadOut is produced by the LGBTQ Resource Center, a project of the non-profit Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library. The Resource Center provides collections, services and events throughout the year to the local LGBTQ community, its friends and family. For more information about the Resource Center, the Circle of Friends and ReadOut, go to www.mygulfport.us/gpl. Visit the ReadOut event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/899635743759721/ or email questions to GulfportReadOut@gmail.com.