Well, the big snowstorm has hit.  This is the view from our front window.  The kids were outside to play earlier, but the wind makes it pretty brisk, so they're happy to be back inside.  Definitely a hot cocoa and marshmallow kind of day.

Hope everyone is staying warm.  :)

Today was the grand opening of the Fairfield County Writers' Studio.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend (since my husband had the day off and was able to watch the baby).  The place was PACKED.  There were upwards of sixty guests, in addition to several faculty members and Westport town officials, including First Selectman Jim Marpe, who was there to cut the ribbon with the obligatory pair of enormous scissors.

Here's a picture of the ceremony - from left to right: Second Selectman Avi Kaner, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Tessa Smith McGovern, First Selectman Jim Marpe, Matthew Mandell, Stephanie Lehmann, Kristen Strand Adams, Sophfronia Scott, and Nora Raleigh Baskin.

​Although they're not in the picture, the remaining two faculty members were also at the ceremony, Linda Legters and Marilyn Allen.  I was particularly interested in Ms. Allen's upcoming class about writing a successful query letter, since I have one manuscript that I have been querying and another one that I'm currently revising.  Unfortunately, I just checked the date of the class and it's the same day as my daughter's birthday party, so I won't be able to attend.  (Hope Ms. Allen plans on teaching it again!)

I AM hoping to be able to join the first Pitch It! contest being held a week later.  For $20, you get the opportunity to read your query letter to Ms. Allen and several other writers.  The top three pitches will be sent to editors at Sourcebooks Inc. and Penguin Random House.  For any local writers with a finished manuscript, this is a great opportunity!  I'm a little nervous, as I am horrible at presentations, but good, bad or ugly, I hope to blog about the contest.  I've never pitched a novel before, so it'll be a learning experience, and perhaps I'll be able to share some tips about it afterwards.