St. Simons Island Writers

Local Writers Learning & Supporting Other Writers
Our programs include Writing Workshops featuring authors of every genre. In addition, we arrange manuscript critique groups to support and encourage your writing progress through monthly meetings.

If you would like to join our St. Simons Island Writers group and find a critique group that fits your purpose, please email Melinda Farris at melinda@mfarris.me.

See up to date information on Facebook and Instagram @SSI_Writers

Upcoming Events for Writers

Let’s write and learn together

  • Screen Writing Workshop with TV and Film writer Hadji Hand
    Saturday, January 25th
    10am-12pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    Cost: Free!!
    Click HERE to Register

  • Rocky Road to Publishing: a Roundtable with Jonathan Haupt, Executive Director of the Pat Conroy Center
    Friday, February 7th 
    2:00pm - 4:00pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    COST: FREE!!
    Click HERE to Register

  • Show Don’t Tell Masterclass

    THERE ARE THREE SESSIONS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT ALONG WITH A CELEBRATION AT THE END OF THE LAST SESSION IF YOU ATTEND ALL THREE.

    Session One:
    Dialogue that Beguiles with Laura Kelly Robb
    Saturday, March 8th
    10am-12pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    Cost: FREE!!
    Click HERE to Register

    Session Two:
    Voice Lessons with Nikki Walbridge
    Saturday, March 15th
    10am-12pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    Cost: FREE!!
    Click HERE to Register

    Session Three:
    Setting the Mood with Ciera Smith
    Saturday, March 29th
    10am-12pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    Cost: FREE!!
    Click HERE to Register

  • How to Save your History and Write Your Life Story with Vic DiGenti
    Saturday, May 17th
    10am-12pm
    SSI Casino Room 108
    Cost: FREE!!
    Click HERE to Register

Author Highlight

  • I’ve been writing in one form or another all my life. As a small child I would write stories about my imaginary friends. During my teens I was fortunate to have an English teacher who encouraged and mentored me to use my creative imagination to write short stories. It was during a graduate program I was taking that my husband sustained a cerebral aneurysm and nearly died. My professor, seeing my devastation, asked me to detail the events surrounding my husband’s illness and how it had impacted my life. Through his encouragement I published my first non-fiction novel, Connie’s Story: A Triumph of Love. It was later used by the brain injury unit of the hospital where my husband was treated as a guidebook for survivors.

  • My greatest strengths as a writer are my character development. I am an observer of human nature. I understand love and loss. Through my personal as well as my professional experiences I have learned so much from listening to people. Being a good listener is critical to becoming a good storyteller. My earliest memories were stories told to me by my grandmother. Her struggles as a young girl arriving in this country from Italy with nothing but a small suitcase and a dream.

    I struggle with keeping my descriptions short. I love to ramble on about the details. To me a book is like a tapestry. It is the richness of color, the depth of design, and the story it shares with those who see it. 

  • My publishing journey has been thrilling, humbling, and at times scary. As authors we share our most intimate thoughts with the world.

    It can be intimidating and wonderful all rolled into a perfect bound tome. Will the readers love it? Will the publishers print it? Can my fragile

    ego handle the harsh reviews as well as the generous ones? I was told long ago by my mentor, “Write from your heart. Write for yourself.”

     I've also written a historical fiction series, Lucia-Mistress of Monteforte, The Ruby Heiress, The Gypsy’s Prophecy and The Child Bride

  • The Chameleon Chronicles: Book One-The Missing Lieutenant which was just released July 24th, 2024 is based on a true story which I have fictionalized. It is a psychological thriller with a poignant exploration of personal loss and recovery. It is an intricate plot, featuring a charismatic yet ruthless conman, a resilient widow, and a determined crime unit leader. The setting takes place in the opulent Hamptons. It is a mix of thriller, crime, and romance all set against a ticking clock. What ensues is a battle of wits where two equally matched opponents try desperately to outdo the other. 

    With the resources  of his elite team of investigators, Commander Jonathan Meyers is determined to not only capture Michael Pearson an international criminal but to save Abigail Baxter from his clutches. Who will be the victor?

  • The advice I share with anyone who wants to write is to be true to yourself. Writing is a gift we share with others to bring them joy. When I read I want to feel something. I want to experience what the characters are feeling. Sometimes when I’m writing a particularly sad scene I cry. I want my readers to feel the way I do. These are not just words on a page. These are emotions; sometimes happy, sometimes sad or angry. The reader needs to feel it.  This is a creative craft that needs to be nurtured. Write everyday of your life. Write only a sentence but discipline yourself to write daily. 

Barbara Kruk

Author of:
Connie’s Story: A Triumph of Love,
Lucia-Mistress of Monteforte,
The Ruby Heiress,
The Gypsy’s Prophecy and The Child Bride
The Chameleon Chronicles: Book One - The Missing Lieutenant (newly launched!)

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • We offer Writing Workshops and Seminars where authors, publishers, and editors from across the country come to discuss their process and help us grow. We also have monthly Critique Groups for fiction, nonfiction/memoir, poetry, and children’s literature. Finally, we host social events to connect local authors - because we’re all better at our craft when we have the support of our wonderful community.

  • Critique Groups usually meet monthly to read and give feedback on current works in progress. They have approximately 4-8 people per group, and groups meet at various times during the day to accommodate a variety of schedules. Our members are constructive, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable to guide and encourage one another. Several of our members are published and have a wealth of wisdom to offer all stages of the process. There are groups for any genre of literature you are working with, and we’d love to have you join! Email Melinda at melinda@mfarris.me to join.

  • Membership in the SSIW is included with your membership to the Literary Guild - which starts at $10 annually. Contact Melinda to be placed in the critique group that best suites your needs: melinda@mfarris.me