The first meeting of the Warren area Pennwriters will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Jefferson Room at the Warren Public Library. Meetings are free and open to writers of all genres from Warren and surrounding communities. Members from left are Doug Callen, Barbara Nichols, Kelly Trembly, Judy Cerra, Barbara Bilicki, Ann-Marie Gariepy, Kathy Otten, Pennwriters representative.

A newly formed cohort of Pennwriters Inc. will begin meeting monthly beginning in October at the Warren Public Library.

An informational and planning meeting was held recently to determine the interest in forming a group for the Warren area. Pennwriters Inc. representative Kathy Otten gave a brief presentation about the history of Pennwriters and the benefits of forming a writer’s group, under the umbrella of Pennwriters, that meets routinely. Doug Callen, whose idea it was to gauge interest in the area, will serve as leader of the Warren Pennwriters. Several area writers were in attendance and eager to form the group.

Originally formed in 1986 under the name Romance Alive, 15 aspiring romance novelists in Pennsylvania began meeting for support in their writing, critiquing each other’s work, attending seminars and hosting guest speakers. The group grew in popularity and soon had more than 200 members although all were not romance writers. It was voted to change the name to Pennwriters and become multi-genre and incorporated. Now with more than 400 members, Pennwriters Inc., a non-profit organization, has six statewide areas of groups and meetings. The addition of Area 7 came into being after some members moved out of state but wanted to continue with the organization. Area 7 allows for membership to Pennwriters across the United States and abroad. Warren area Pennwriters will be part of Area One, which encompasses Northwestern Pennsylvania.

The initial meeting of the Warren area Pennwriters will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Jefferson Room. Refreshments will be provided. Meetings are free and open to the Warren and surrounding areas including nearby New York communities. All genres of writing are welcome. In order to become familiar with one another and one another’s writing style, authors are asked to bring a one page writing sample with them to the Oct. 24 meeting to be shared with the group. Additional writings may be shared as time allows. Copies can be made on site if needed.

Ongoing, meetings will be held the third Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m.

For further information contact Doug Callen at the Warren Public Library by calling 814-723-4650. Additional information about Pennwriters, Inc. can be found at www.pennwriters.org.