**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.**
Are you a writer — or an aspiring writer — looking for some support? The Tewksbury Writing Group is open to everyone who’s interested in writing — all genres, all skill levels. Each meeting — which will take place via Zoom — features a guest speaker (typically a published author or editor) offering some tips of the trade.
The June 2025 guest speaker is author James W. Ziskin. James is an American author known for his award-winning crime fiction, particularly the Ellie Stone mystery series. Born in 1960 and raised in Amsterdam, New York, Ziskin pursued his passion for languages by studying Romance languages and literature at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic background in linguistics, including a focus on Italian and French, has significantly influenced his writing style and story lines. Before becoming a full-time writer, Ziskin worked as a photo-news producer and writer in New York City and served as the director of NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò. He also spent fifteen years in the Hollywood post-production industry, managing large international operations in subtitling, localization, and visual effects. His international experiences include living and working in France, Italy, and India. He speaks French and Italian. Ziskin’s Ellie Stone series, set in the early 1960s, has garnered much critical acclaim. The fourth book, Heart of Stone, won the 2017 Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original and the Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery. His novel Turn to Stone received the 2021 Barry Award for Best Paperback Original and the Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery. Additionally, his novels and short stories have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Lefty, and Sue Grafton Memorial Awards. His ninth book, The Prank, will be released in July of 2026.
The group is facilitated by author Dale T. Phillips, who has published novels, story collections, poetry, non-fiction, and over 80 short stories. Stephen King was Dale’s college writing teacher, and since then, Dale has found time to appear on stage, television, radio, in an independent feature film, and compete on Jeopardy (losing in a spectacular fashion). He’s a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Sisters in Crime. He’s traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and through Europe.
Register directly on Zoom HERE. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.