SOUTH FLORIDA
writers association
Welcome to SFWA
The South Florida Writers Association conducts programs, activities and special events that are in accordance with its mission and purpose. Our monthly hybrid meetings are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with educational presentations about writing, publishing, marketing or award-winning or best-selling authors, agents or publishers.
Membership Benefits
Among others boons, we award four semi-annual grants of $500: for marketing and publishing, awarded at our June meeting along with the installation of the new Board, another pair in December at our annual Holiday Party.
All members can apply and winners are selected by random lottery.
The next General Meeting of the South Florida Writers Association will be on
Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM at
Pinecrest Library
5811 SW 111th Street
(the holiday luncheon will take place in lieu of the December 6 meeting)
You can also join us on Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83899718493
Join us on January 3,
at Pinecrest Library
Our Guest Speaker is:
Dr. Jasmine B. Nguyễn-Sandoval
From Page to Stage
Turning Written Talent into Spoken Impact
Join us to ring in the New Year and step into the spotlight with author and keynote speaker Dr. Jasmine B. Nguyễn-Sandoval as she shares how to bring your written words to life. Learn how to step out from behind the manuscript and speak about your book with clarity, confidence, and charisma. This session teaches writers how to translate their narrative voice into a powerful spoken presence—whether reading excerpts, pitching their story, or speaking on panels and podcasts. We’ll cover pacing, tone, posture, and emotional delivery so your words land with impact and your audience stays captivated. By the end, writers will know how to present themselves—and their work—in a way that feels authentic, polished, and unforgettable.
Interactive Activity: “Live Read & Refine”
Participants will bring a short excerpt from their manuscript (60–90 seconds of reading time). Volunteers will perform a live reading while the group observe delivery elements such as pacing, pauses, vocal tone, posture, and eye contact. Peers will provide supportive feedback using a simple rubric—what felt engaging, what was unclear, and where the emotional delivery could be stronger. Writers will use the feedback for their future speaking engagements, applying techniques like intentional pacing, breath control, and strategic emphasis to transform their reading into a compelling stage moment.
Dr. Jasmine B. Nguyễn-Sandoval is a nurse leader, author, cancer survivor, and Army veteran. With over 25 years in the medical field and 15 years as a registered nurse, she brings a unique blend of expertise and storytelling to every stage and page. She is the author of The Writer’s Rx, a guide for writers who want to master the art of immersive storytelling. Writing fiction under the pen name J.C. Sang, she explores fiction that delves into resilience and human connection.
A seasoned speaker, Jasmine has delivered presentations and keynotes at local, national, and international conferences. She has won multiple competitions for speaking and evaluating speakers and is passionate about empowering audiences through engaging, actionable insights. Whether she’s guiding healthcare professionals or inspiring writers, Jasmine’s mission is clear: to help others find their voice and tell their story. To learn more, visit TheWritersRx.com
Winners of the SFWA Grants
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
* RITA FIDLER DORN (Ricki Dorn) for the $500 Book Publishing Grant
* SUSANA JIMÉNEZ-MUELLER for the $500 Author/Book Marketing Grant
CONGRATULATIONS to the latest winners of the South Florida Writers Association (SFWA) financial grants selected during the SFWA annual holiday luncheon on December 6, 2025 at Duffy’s Sports Grill in Kendall, Florida.
Publishing Grant winner Rita Fidler Dorn (Ricki) is a former news reporter, retired professor and the author of three poetry books. She plans to use the grant to publish her newest book “Profiles in Poetry.” For more information about the author and her books, click here.
Marketing Grant winner Susana Jiménez-Mueller is a Cuban American writer, storyteller, and podcaster. She is the author, producer, and host of Cuban Stories on The Green Plantain—a Cuban Stories Project podcast—currently ranked number 5 in Cuban-American podcasts and 14 on the top 100 Cuba podcasts. The grant will fund several marketing activities and to promote her book “Now I Swim - Ahora Yo Nado” (English and Spanish versions). Visit http://www.susanasbooks.com
In addition to the financial incentives and members engagement, the grants program also provides information about the genres and book projects of members plus innovative marketing ideas and tools that other members can learn from. Article to be published in the next Author’s Voice. A win-win for all!
SFWA members may apply for the next financial grants for JUNE 2026 by clicking here.
Visit http://www.southfloridawriters.org for more information about SFWA and member benefits; or evelynbenson2@aol.com for grant questions.
YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT WINNER!
Rita Fidler Dorn (Ricki)
Susana Jiménez-Mueller
Watch Authors Showcase,
Interviews with our members,
on their writing
Cecilia Shaw hosts the Authors Showcase. She is the author of "The Spell."
If you’re a member interested in being featured, contact Cecilia.
Memories and photos
Poet Howard Camner reads his select works at the SFWA Poetry Month Celebration. 4/6/2019