About SCWG

Launching writers to new heights!

Transforming wishes into reality and ideas into words, we offer a variety of programs and speakers at our monthly meetings.

Networking

You’ll have an opportunity to work with others who are dealing with deadlines, characters who won’t cooperate, rejections, re-writes, contract dilemmas, unresponsive editors, and agent searches.

There’s Something for Everyone

Whether you have been published for years and in several different languages, or are pre-published and hoping, the Guild has something for you!

Member Involvement

SCWG currently has well over 150 members, many of which have published books, poetry, and short stories.  Members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and are invited to participate in critique groups, workshops, contests, conferences, and other SCWG activities. Membership is an excellent way to network, learn and promote your work!

We appreciate your enrollment!

SCWG memberships will auto-renew on your credit or debit card every 12 months. You can easily cancel your membership at any time by clicking on the UNSUBSCRIBE button at the bottom of any scwg.org e-mail. (Please note: There are no partial-year refunds).

Just two years ago, Cynthia took a leap of faith, embarking on a writing career. In 24 months, she’s amassed over 100 bylines and has three books in the works. The first title, The Happy Muse: How to Combat Creative Blocks, is due this spring. Her motto says it all: “Changing the World One Word at a Time;” her articles spotlight stories of inspiration, motivation, admiration, and good ol’ fashioned moxie. Her books continue to do the same. Now a member of three writing organizations, including the National League of American Pen Women, her trajectory knows no bounds. Cynthia was elected in April 2023 and her first term expires April 2025.

Dan, a native Floridian, was born in Kissimmee and has lived in the Melbourne and Palm Bay area for more than 60 years. He is a former electronic technician (antennas) and a retired police officer. He is the editor and Author’s Assistant for Joanne’s Books and is an avid amateur (ham) radio operator (AI4GK). Dan has short stories published in the Pets, Florida, Baker’s Dozen, and Survival anthologies. He is one of The Traveling Boomers, and is webmaster for SCWG and The Traveling Boomers. He lives in Palm Bay with his wife Joanne and their dachshund, Wally. Dan’s term expires April 2025.

Gwynne Cates Eldridge is a retired teacher who taught English, ESE. ESOL, SAT prep, and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a college preparatory course for students who are capable of college success but need extra readiness assistance. AVID was her favorite teaching assignment and made the last five years of her career especially meaningful. Gwynne’s doctoral thesis explored the personal and professional attributes of effective teacher leaders with the ultimate deduction that, “They (students, or indeed, people in general) don’t care what you know until they know you care.”

Gwynne has been published in a number of newspapers, trade journals, and most recently the SCWG poetry anthology. A Melbourne resident since 2021, she would rather read than eat, is a member of three book clubs and three writers’ groups, and writes to process her life experiences.

T.W. (Thom) Lofgren, originally from the Buckeye State, became an active member of the SCWG in 2019. His education includes a BFA in photography from Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology and a Master in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. His photography career spans corporate and hospital settings as well as self-employment. Advancements in technology forced a change in careers, and he held several positions within the Claims department of a major insurance company.

He has written numerous short stories and published a novel, Too Late to Pray, which details a cat’s journey across a dystopian America.

Thom has served as Treasurer, Vice-President, and President in the Columbus, OH chapter of the ITVA (International Television Association), a professional corporate organization dedicated to the non-broadcast television industry. He looks forward to applying the skills learned there to further the development of the SCWG. Thom was elected in April 2023 and his first term expires April 2025.

Ashley McGrath is a quality analyst for a call monitoring company. A University of Central Florida alumna, Ashley published her autobiography UnabASHed by Disability (available on Amazon) in 2014. Her writing has appeared in online columns, a disability blog, local publications, and several anthologies. Ashley is a Lifetime Member of the Space Coast Writers Guild and the coordinator of its Don Argo Award. She lives in Palm Bay, where she is active at her church. Ashley was re-elected in April 2023 and her second term expires April 2025.

Brian was appointed as a Director-at-Large by voice vote of the Board of Directors at the October 2024 Board of Directors meeting to replace Skye Robinson.

Brian studied at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and The University of Alabama, and is the author of a forthcoming historical, literary novel, Six Rows Wide.

His first term expires in April 2026.

Lynda is an enthusiastic writer and reader who has always been fascinated by the power of stories to bring people together. With a background in special education and psychology, she spent ten years teaching English and reading in Western Massachusetts before retiring to Florida in 2017. Since then, she pursued her passion for writing and published multiple books, including a fantasy trilogy, a middle-school series, and three children’s books. She also contributed to two local anthologies. Her participation in SCWG will rely on her writing expertise, excellent communication abilities, and strong drive to contribute to the writing community.

Lynda was elected as a Director-at-Large at the May 2024 meeting and her first term expires in April 2026.