To introduce women to one of the benefits of Story Circle Network, we've made this article from the March 2026 issue of the Journal available to the public for a limited time. Enjoy!
by Len Leatherwood, SCN Vice President & Education Coordinator
In honor of Women’s History Month, Story Circle Network is offering a four-part live webinar series devoted to historical writing in all its forms—family history, historical fiction, memoir, and the ethical questions that arise when we tell stories rooted in real lives. Each webinar stands on its own. But together they create a rich, layered exploration of how women writers uncover, shape, and share stories that deserve to be remembered.
Writers may register for individual sessions; however, those who enroll in the full series will receive a deeper experience at a significant savings. In addition to attending all four live webinars, full-series participants will receive bonus content, including pre-recorded webinars focused on historical writing and process, along with inspiration and insights from published authors working in historical fiction and nonfiction.
Pricing:
Full series (4 webinars + bonus content) $70 members/$90 non-members
Individual webinars: $25 members / $35 non-members
Live Sessions: All live webinars take place on Wednesday from 6:00–7:30 pm Central. Recordings will made available to all registrants.
March 4—Storylines & Bloodlines: Turning Family History into Story ~ Suzanne Uttaro Samuels
This one-session workshop will explore how to turn family history (documents, memories, rumors, and silences) into a compelling narrative. Novelist and essayist Suzanne Uttaro Samuels guides participants through finding the emotional core of inherited stories, shaping real people into vivid characters, and writing ethically about tender or incomplete histories. Through discussion and a short generative exercise, writers will begin transforming personal lineage into a meaningful story on the page.
March 11— In the Trenches with Historical Fiction ~ Terri Lewis
In historical fiction, you want to stay true to the period but resonate with modern readers. To feel like life, not a history book. So, how do our characters’ words capture the era? How does society decree they will relate to each other? Can you create an accurate world without overwhelming description? We'll explore shaping dialog, choosing vocabulary, and making the best use of our research. Whether you have an idea or a first draft, bring your characters to the workshop and be prepared to write.
March 18— Is It Your Story to Tell? ~ Patricia Hudson
Authors hoping to be published need to understand current concerns shaping the decisions publishers and agents make when it comes to the manuscripts they choose to acquire. This lecture will explore the issue of sensitivity readers, which has become a major point of emphasis within the industry. It will draw on Patricia’s publishing experience with her novel Traces, winner of Story Circle Network’s 2024 Sarton Award for Historical Fiction.
March 25— HerStory—Memoir or Fiction? ~ Eileen Harrison Sanchez with Panelists Donna Landi, Beth Mattheus, Lucy Painter, and Teri Wundermann
As women writers reach a certain age, we all have stories to tell. It could be rooted in events that qualify as historical, a significant life event, or a family story that haunts. Your story is HerStory. It’s universal . . . write it, share it. Should it be long or short? Fiction or memoir? Start now. Be inspired with examples from authors of published historical fiction, memoirs, creative nonfiction, and short pieces called Flash. This will be an interactive webinar that will get you started one scene at a time. Write with us; we are HerStory.
Register Today!
You can register for the full series here by March 3 to enjoy all four sessions and bonus content; or choose one or more sessions that interest you most. Individual session registration will remain open throughout March here.
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SCN's quarterly Journal is chock full of excellent writing and resources to inspire women and help us hone our writing craft. Members have access to our entire archive of Journals—over 25 years' worth!—and many other benefits.
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