Andrea Fisher Rowland Two-Book Publication Celebration Saturday 7 December 2019 10am to noon
Baine’s Books and Coffee, in historic downtown Scottsville, Virginia, joins Chenille Books in hosting a celebration of poet and author Andrea Fisher Rowland’s two newly published books, Family Album, a poetry collection, and High Tide, Andrea’s novel.
Baine’s is on the main street of downtown Scottsville, at 485 Valley St, Scottsville, VA 24590.
High Tide co-editors, Dorene Fisher and Anne Carley, will read short excerpts, and converse about the unusual process of getting these two books published this year. In addition, fellow writers and close friends will be speaking and telling stories about Andrea’s rich creative life. This is a chance to share, in an intimate setting, insight into the special community that makes creative work flourish for independent artists.
Read this post from Andrea’s friend, Noelle Beverly, about the publication of High Tide, and the nature of this wonderful and unusual novel. Noelle wrote this for the BACCA writer group blog. Andrea was a BACCA writer as well.
Baine’s also offers specialty coffees and house-made baked goods, to brighten up your Saturday morning.
Please join us in Scottsville for a warm and cozy weekend morning, on Saturday December 7th, starting at 10am.
PS – As part of the celebration, copies of both books will be available for purchase from Baine’s at a reduced price.
Andrea Fisher Rowland Two-Book Publication Celebration Tuesday 12 November 2019
Chenille Books and Renaissance School are delighted to co-host this celebration, in honor of the publication of Andrea Fisher Rowland’s poetry collection, Family Album, and her novel, High Tide.
Andrea, or “Doc Rowland” to her many students at Renaissance School, entrusted her two publishing projects to Chenille Books, and we are thrilled to announce that her books are ready for prime time.
Please join us in downtown Charlottesville, VA on Tuesday evening, 12 November at Renaissance School. We start at 5pm and will continue with readings, stories, and Q&A, plus refreshments and snacks till around 6:30. You’ll be able to pick up copies of both books for yourself and for gifts. NOTE Please use the side entrance, on 5th Street NE, between Market and Jefferson Streets.

Use this door!
For more details and the story behind the publication of these books, see Anne’s blog post for BACCA and the website for Andrea’s books.
Blue Ridge Writers Book and Arts Fair Saturday 27 October 2018
Chenille Books is proud to be a sponsor of the Blue Ridge Writers Book and Arts Fair.
At CitySpace on Charlottesville, VA’s Downtown Mall, join Chenille Books’ own A M Carley, along with guest authors Christine Ballard and Jeanne Schlesinger, for a family-friendly day of book, crafts, readings, music, and signings. Pick up your copies of FLOAT • Becoming Unstuck for Writers, and decks of the FLOAT Cards for Writers!
Get books from our guest authors, who will be happy to sign them for you (for yourself, and as gifts).
The Blue Ridge Writers Book and Arts Fair will run from 10am to 4pm and feature authors, crafters, readers, and guest musicians. Support independent authors and small publishers and attend this free event. (A great opportunity to take care of your holiday gift-buying, too.) Family-friendly Halloween events will be right outside, sponsored by Cville Parks and Rec. Bring the family!
Writer Workshop: Being Seen – Independent Author Media Kit, at Over the Moon Bookstore and Artisan Gallery, Crozet, VA, Monday 26 March 2018 from 7 to 9pm
Join local authors and advisers A M Carley and Carolyn O’Neal for a hands-on instructional workshop. In addition to attendance at the evening workshop, your ticket entitles you to the Being Seen Workbook, with worksheets, quizzes, checklists, and prompts to equip you as an independent writer. Ticket price also includes a copy of FLOAT • Becoming Unstuck for Writers, the desk reference and guidebook by A M Carley for writers who enjoy supporting their creative experience.
Tickets are $20. Reserve your tickets now when you visit Over the Moon Bookstore, or send your purchase request via email to Anne@OvertheMoonBookstore.com.
Group size is limited, to assure a productive and comfortable workshop for all participants.
Zack Bonnie at VaBook 2018 – Wednesday 21 March 2018
For the 2018 Virginia Festival of the Book, Chenille Books client Zack Bonnie will discuss the second book in his memoir series, Dead, Insane, or in Jail: Overwritten. We’re so pleased to see him returning to the Festival of the Book with book two of his memoir.
The event, Seeking Wellness: We Are Not Alone, takes place at the JMRL downtown Library, on Wednesday 21 March 2018 at 4pm, and features a discussion moderated by Erin Tucker, among Zack, Lisa Jakub (Not Just Me), and Erin Mahone (If You could See Me: Life, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Sanity). 201 E Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Writer Workshop: The Independent Author’s Media Kit, Baine’s Books & Coffee, Appomattox, VA, Saturday 17 March 2018
Saturday, March 17th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Baine’s will host a special workshop, “The Independent Writer’s Media Kit,” with local authors, A M Carley and Carolyn O’Neal. Connect with and learn from experienced independent writers and advisers to develop strategies and tools to promote your work. Whether you are new to independent publishing, or a seasoned veteran looking for fresh ideas, this is an opportunity to take your marketing strategy to the next level.
Your ticket for the workshop will include two hours of insight and attention in a small-group setting, as well as light refreshments, and a copy of the Being Seen Workbook, with worksheets, quizzes, checklists, and prompts to equip you for your future needs as an independent writer.
Register before March 10th for only $20. After March 10th, the registration fee increases to $25. Reserve your place now when you visit Baine’s Books in Appomattox and Scottsville, or send your registration request via email to nbeverly@gmail.com. Group size is limited, to assure a productive and comfortable workshop for all participants.
Dreams and Destinations Writer Workshop, Staunton (VA) Public Library, 6 Jan 2018

Dreams and Destinations Writer Workshop, Staunton, VA 6 January 2018
Sponsored by SWAG Writers, a sub-chapter of the Blue Ridge Writers of the Virginia Writers Club, this is a hands-on writer’s workshop.
Join experienced book coaches A M Carley and Ginger Moran as they guide you through the planning process for getting your writing done in 2018.
Be sure to bring your favorite pen or pencil! We’ve developed a special workbook for your use during our time together. We’ll provide individualized feedback and encouragement as you devise your own year-long itinerary.
Charlottesville Book Fair Saturday 18 November 2017
At CitySpace on Charlottesville, VA’s Downtown Mall, join Chenille Books’ own A M Carley, along with guest authors Christine Ballard, Jeanne Schlesinger, and Zack Bonnie, for a day of book events and signings. Pick up your copies of FLOAT • Becoming Unstuck for Writers, and the brand-new FLOAT Cards for Writers!
Get books from our guest authors, who will be happy to sign them for you (for yourself, and as gifts).
The Charlottesville Book Fair will run from 10am to 4pm and feature authors, readers, and guest musicians. Support independent authors and small publishers and attend this free event. (A great opportunity to take care of your holiday gift-buying, too.)
Inviting Writers to Baine’s in Scottsville, VA on Saturday Morning, 9/9/2017!
Local author (and Chenille Books founder) A M Carley visits Baine’s Books & Coffee, in historic downtown Scottsville (485 Valley Street, Scottsville, VA 24590), on September 9th, for Second Saturday.
Are you a writer? Do you want to become one? Come for Baine’s coffee and treats, and stay for practical talk about the craft of writing. It all begins at 10AM on Saturday 9 Sep 2017. Bring your questions to this FLOAT book event, and talk about ways of becoming unstuck with your writing project. Talk with the author, Anne Carley, and get your book signed.
Staunton Event for Writers Saturday 29 April 2017
In Staunton, Virginia at the Staunton Public Library, Chenille Books founder Anne M Carley joins noted author and writing coach Ginger Moran for Mapping Your Writing Journey: How to Navigate the Four Stages.
The event, which is offered free of charge to the writing community, will include presentations from both Ginger and Anne, followed by a Q&A period for questions and discussions with audience members. Sponsorship is provided by SWAG Writers, a sub-chapter of the Blue Ridge Writers of the Virginia Writers Club.
Join us on Saturday 29 April 2017 from 2pm to 3:30pm at the Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401. Go to the meeting room on the second floor.
Interview for Thuy Pham’s Get On Your Quest series
Bay Area training and coaching professional Thuy Pham invited Chenille Books founder Anne M Carley for a chat in February 2017, as part of Thuy’s podcast series, Get On Your Quest.
Their conversation, “How to Become Unstuck as a Writer,” ranged from their reminiscences of childhood adventures in writing (and not writing) to the importance of community and the value of an outline. (We’re told the episode became Thuy’s most popular yet!)
Listen here. View the transcript here.
Local Author Book Fair at WriterHouse 4 December 2016
In Charlottesville, Virginia, in early December, Chenille Books CEO Anne M Carley joins local writers for a Holiday Book Fair at WriterHouse. Anne is bringing food and wine to share – as are the other authors – and copies of her just-published book, FLOAT • Becoming Unstuck for Writers. Pick up several copies – they make a great gift for the writers in your life. And if you want to chat about how to become unstuck, this will be the perfect opportunity.
From 1 to 4pm on Sunday 4 December 2016 at WriterHouse. All ages are welcome. Special kids’ room with treats just for them.
WriterHouse is just off Preston Avenue, behind Bodo’s Bagels, at 508 Dale Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Click for the map.
Writers Retreat July 2016
In Radiant, Virginia, at the end of July 2016, Andi Cumbo-Floyd is hosting a weekend writer’s retreat. Last time we checked, there were a only few spaces open – registrations are filling up! The retreat welcomes a maximum of thirty writers.

Writer’s Retreat 29-31 July 2016
Becoming Unstuck for Writers
At the retreat, Chenille Books’ own Anne M Carley will present a workshop on Becoming Unstuck for Writers. Introducing some of the materials from her forthcoming book, Anne will work with a small group of writers at the retreat.
Other presenters include – well, just read this, from the retreat web page:
Saturday’s schedule will include craft talks, workshop groups, more good food, and a special evening event. Our presenters are Jennifer Niesslein of Full Grown People, Christie Purifoy, author of Roots and Sky, and Anne Carley of Chenille Books. That afternoon, Shawn Smucker and Andi Cumbo-Floyd will be leading discussions on various aspects of the writer’s life including the need for silence, the importance of a writing practice, and some tips for getting to the page on a regular basis.
Saturday evening, Sharon Morgan will be giving a reading from her own creative work, and we’ll all have a chance to talk with her about writing nonfiction.
Sunday morning, we will wrap up our time together with a visit from Jane Friedman, who will be joining us to talk about the business side of writing; you won’t want to miss that. Then, we’ll do a bit of goal-setting, conversation, questions, and an exchange of contact information.
Contact the organizers here for registration details.
Zack Bonnie at VaBook 2016
For the 2016 Virginia Festival of the Book, we were proud to attend a presentation by one of our own, Chenille Books client Zack Bonnie, who introduced the first book in his series, Dead, Insane, or in Jail: A CEDU Memoir.
The event, Hope and Criticism in the Practice of Mental Health, was standing-room only, with great audience participation. Go Zack!
Writing at the Library
As a founding member of writer group BACCA Literary, Chenille Books CEO Anne Carley co-presented an event at Charlottesville’s Jefferson-Madison Regional Library.
Designed to help local writers find or create their own writer group, we organized a writers’ mixer for the evening of 7 October 2015.
VaBook 2015!
March 2015 brought the annual Virginia Festival of the Book to Charlottesville again, and, again, BACCA Literary hosted an event for writers.

Bethany Carlson, Anne Carley, Carolyn O’Neal presenting at VaBook 2015
Chenille Books principal Anne Carley, a founding member of BACCA, took responsibility for representing introverts at the panel, Meet (Or Create) Your Own Writing Group.
Virginia Writers Club Annual Symposium 2015

Bethany Carlson, Carolyn O’Neal, Anne Carley event at Virginia Writers Club Symposium August 2015
August 2015 took the members of BACCA Literary, including Chenille Books CEO Anne Carley, to Piedmont Virginia Community College for the Virginia Writers Club annual symposium, Navigating Your Writing Life: Balancing Craft and Business.
We presented an event, to help local writers get acquainted and learn more about starting or joining a writer group. A great time was enjoyed by all.
VaBook 2013!
BACCA Literary’s first public event, Creating a Great Writing Group, was a blast. Chenille Books CEO Anne Carley, a co-founder of BACCA, was among the presenters.
Attendees chatted with us before and after, about writing groups they loved, and situations that had soured. We shared techniques and guidelines that can help keep a group on track, working well.
From the left, presenters at the Virginia Festival of the Book were the BACCA co-founders, Claire Elizabeth Cameron, Carolyn O’Neal, Anne Carley, and Bethany Joy Carlson.
For all the juicy details about what happened, read this!