Write On! November 2024

Write On and Write In at the library this November! Our library has a continuing commitment to writers and to writing, and has sponsored National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for fifteen years, 2009 – 2023. Although we are not sponsoring the National Novel Writing Month organization this year, NaNoWriMo participants and writers of all stripes are welcome to Write On at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library.

Avail yourselves of Saturday write-ins at the library, take part remotely through our Wednesday Night Zooms, or come write in at your own convenience and use all of the resources that our library has to offer. These include ample table space, public WIFI, computers, great parking, and our standard hours of operation (watch out for the days we aren’t open in November, though.) Engage in generative writing workshops – available year round, not just in November! – or enter our seasonal writing contests for young writers, teens, and adults.

Questions? Contact Sarah Lauderdale, Head of Reference, at 978-468-5577 x619 or [email protected] to find out more.

Saturday Write-Ins

In 2024 we once again invite you to write your novel – or cook book, fanfic, memoir, poetry, short stories, thesis, articles, etc. – at our library’s Saturday write-ins this November. This year we will be upstairs in the Local History Room. Come when you can, leave when you like! Tap into the communal energy that comes from writing in person with other writers. Saturday write-ins are your chance to meet local fellow novelists and write like crazy. Brainstorm, socialize and boost your word count with your fellow writers of the North Shore.

Saturday Write-In, November 2, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday Write-In, November 9, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday Write-In, November 16, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday Write-In, November 23, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday Write-In, November 30, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m

Wednesday Night Zoom

Wednesday nights are for writing! This special two-hour Zoom is designed for remote writing with your fellow disembodied writer heads. Communicate with nods or by using the Chat function, or call the on-call hosting librarian at 978-468-5577 x619.

Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 – 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13, 5:30 – 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 – 7:45 p.m.
There will be no Wed. Nov. 27th Zoom as the library closes at 1:00 p.m. (and the librarian will probably be traveling!)

Writing Workshops

We also offer year-round “All Write Now” generative writing workshops and a monthly “Write Night” (select Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30PM), both under the guidance of our Adult Services Librarian, Jessica Furtado. Looking for prompts and sprints? Here are the generative writing workshops at our library this November, 2024:

All Write Now, Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Write Night, Thursday, November 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
All Write Now, Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Writing Contests

We offer writing contests for all ages. Some of these details are still to be determined, so stay tuned.

Young Writers Story Writing Contest
Young writers ages 7 to 12 are invited to submit stories for a special story writing contest in November. The deadline for submitting stories is Saturday, November 30 by midnight. Click here for rules and other information, and download the helpful Write-Your-Story Calendar. (This will be our 15th Young Writer’s Story Writing Contest! 23 children participated in last year’s 2023 contest. Read their stories here.)
“Write The Hook” Teen Writing Contest
Essex County teens grades 6 – 12 are invited to submit the beginning or “hook” to their stories for a chance at cash prizes and their winning submissions posted on the Informed Teens blog. The deadline for submitting is Tuesday, December 31 by midnight. Click here for more information. (This will be our 4th “Write The Hook”! Read the 2023 winning entries here.)
Adult Writing Contest: “In A Flash” Flash Fiction
You choose the genre, you choose the subject. Just keep it short! Submit a story 1,200 words or less for our 3rd Adult Writing Contest. The deadline for submitting is Monday, December 16 by midnight. Click here for more information. (This will be our 3rd Adult Writing Contest! Read the 2023 winning entries here.)

Books About Writing

These are just a few of the many books on writing available from the Hamilton-Wenham Library. Don’t see your favorite title on there? Let us know! If you are looking at this list during or immediately before the month of November, many of these books will be checked out, but feel free to call 978-468-5577 and ask if the title you want is actually available (it may just be checked out to a display!) We can also bring books in from other libraries.

Let’s Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, and Why You Should
Gaughran, David
070.59 GAU

Your Child’s Writing Life: How To Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Skill At Every Age
Allyn, Pam
649.6 ALL/ parenting

Writing Monsters: How To Craft Believably Terrifying Creatures To Enhance Your Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction
Athans, Philip
808.02 ATH

Good Naked: Reflections On How To Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier
Cole, Joni B.
808.02 COL

Take Off Your Pants! Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing
Hawker, Libbie
808.02 HAW

How To Be a Writer In the E-Age: A Self-Help Guide
Hyde, Catherine Ryan
808.02 HYD

DIY MFA
Pereira, Gabriela
808.02 PER

Chance Particulars: A Writer’s Field Notebook for Travelers, Bloggers, Essayists, Memoirists, Novelists, Journalists, Adventurers, Naturalists, Sketchers, and Other Note-takers and Recorders of Life
Taber, Sara Mansfield
808.02 TAB

20 Master Plots and How To Build Them
Tobias, Ronald B.
808.02 TOB

The Story grid: What Good Editors Know
Coyne, Shawn
808.027 COY

Writing Voice: The Complete Guide To Creating a Presence On the Page and Engaging Readers
808.042 WRI

Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure
Budewitz, Leslie
808.066 BUD