Spark your creativity at Tampa Free Skool’s Writing in the Moment Workshop at the Mermaid Tavern in Tampa Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. Led by Cole Bellamy, an instructor of English and creative writing at St. Leo University, this free workshop will feature fun activities to build up your literary skills and get you writing. Activities designed to inspire on-the-spot writing include marathon writing, Bouts-Rimes, an Exquisite Corpse and a chain story.
Meet literary agent Evelyn Rainey at McAlister’s Deli in Tampa on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. Rainey is founder of Denouement Literary Agency, LLC.
Local writer Mark Powell will discuss and sign his fourth novel, The Sheltering, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., at Inkwood Books in Tampa. Powell has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference, and in 2009 he received the Chaffin Award for contributions to Appalachian literature.
Work on your blockbuster hit at Tampa Writers Alliance’s Screenplay Focus Group, which meets Tuesday, Aug. 12, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood. The group discusses different forms of screenwriting, and the genre’s rules and conventions.
The Tampa Writers Critique Alliance meets on Wed., Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at the Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood. Visitors are welcome, but only members’ works will be discussed, about five pieces per session. Works critiqued are submitted two weeks in advance. If you’re interested in attending, contact the group for copies of the submitted pieces if possible, though it’s not required to attend.
Safety Harbor Writers and Poets hosts its monthly Open Mic Wednesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at Tapping the Vine, 737 Main St. Spoken word artists, storytellers, fiction writers, comedians and musicians are welcome. Each reader/performer gets five minutes.
Share your poetry, stories and songs at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church’s bi-monthly Poetry & Open Mic Night, Wednesday, Aug. 13. The evening kicks off with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. So get there early to sign in and snack; readings and performances begin promptly at 7 p.m. The church is located at 3747 34th St. S, St. Pete.
Discover the world of self-publishing and take control of your writing. Chris Coad Taylor, owner of JoHazel Publishing, presents a Self-Publishing Workshop on Thursday, August 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Safety Harbor Public Library. Learn about the publishing industry, how to self-publish your own work, royalty payments, finding an editor and the benefits of self-publishing.
Eight of Tampa Bay’s most daring writers face off in live literary combat at the next Lucha Libro competition Saturday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m., at the Gulfport Art Village Courtyard. During each theatrical round, writers will go head to head, with five minutes to tackle a random prompt and create an original piece of literary brilliance. Each combatant will present their spontaneous creations until an ultimate winner is declared at the end of the night. This event is presented by Keep St. Pete Lit.
