New Organization for Authors and Writers Formed

A new organization dedicated to enhancing and promoting the works of writers and authors on Long Island has just been launched, Tom Gahan, president of the newly formed Long Island Authors and Writers Society (LIAWS (http://www.LIAWS.org), announced today.

The group is committed to supporting the creative talents of local writers and authors, while offering resources on the business end of publishing. "Writing and publishing are very turbulent industries, especially in the age of self-publishing, the rise in the popularity of e-readers and the subsequent troubled finances of the nation's booksellers and traditional publishers, both large and small," says Mr. Gahan. "It's critical for us as a community of professionals to come together to shape the future of the industry and maintain its integrity."

Long Island is home to countless writers and authors and yet no single organization exists to provide all levels of the craft with resources to further their goals, according to Mr. Gahan. LIAWS will provide professionals and amateurs the opportunity to network, collaborate, or simply to navigate the ins and outs of a complex industry. Membership is open to all published and unpublished writers and authors on Long Island from all genres. "Whether you're a budding writer seeking your next step or an established author looking for like-minded professionals, LIAWS promises to be a good fit," adds Mr. Gahan.

In addition to organizing writing workshops and networking events, LIAWS is also committed to community and will work with schools and youth organizations to promote literacy skills, adds Yvonne Capitelli, an award winning children's book author and vice president of LIAWS. "Our goal is to become vocal and powerful advocates for our community of writers and authors for the long haul," says Ms. Capitelli.

For more information on the Long Island Authors and Writers Society, or to download a membership application visit http://www.LIAWS.org.

About:

Tom Gahan is the author of Harmony Bay, a well-received novel that became required reading at several high-schools. He has worked as a journalist and as a freelance writer who has shaped the image of various corporate clients. Tom is a digital publishing industry expert.

Yvonne Capitelli has won seven awards for her character building children's book, Daria Rose and the Day She Chose, which has made the best-seller list at Amazon.com, and as co-author of I Get It! I Get It! How John Figures It Out. Yvonne is a noted motivational speaker for children on topics including self-esteem, making good choices and anti-bullying.

About LIAWS:

The Long Island Authors and Writers Society (http://www.LIAWS.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to support and promote the craft of writing through supporting one another, mentoring its members, educational programs, in-school programs, book events and events related to writing, and community outreach to residents of Long Island interested in writing. LIAWS nurtures writers and authors at all levels of development in a mutually beneficial environment. LIAWS: provides a trusting atmosphere where authors and writers can come together to meet their individual needs and share information for the good of the whole, supplies strong motivational programs of interest to all writers, offers the opportunity for members to network on different levels according to their needs, provides an environment that promotes authors, and encourages writers to strive to publish their work. All members pledge to support one another and to be involved in supporting the activities of the organization.