Raleigh Area Women Writers

Raleigh Area Women Writers
Where fiction authors thrive!

The Raleigh Area Women Writers (RAWW) group, formed in 2003, is a small group of women who gather once a month to split a bottle of wine, critique one another’s work, bitch and moan about rejection letters and celebrate the joys of writing. Our members are active writers of book-length and short fiction who are dedicated to growing as writers in a non-threatening yet challenging environment.

If you are interested in joining, contact us to see if we are looking for new members.

Members listed alphabetically.

Trina Allen writes fiction and fantasy for adults and children, and occasionally writes a nonfiction piece or two as well. Formerly a middle school science teacher, she currently works as a science education researcher. She grew up in Missouri and lived for fifteen years in central New York before moving to North Carolina. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, working out, playing chess, reading and watching thrillers. For more information or to view and discuss her writing visit www.trinaallen.com or visit her blog at: http://trinaallen.wordpress.com.

Kathleen Laughlin writes technical documents by day and fiction under the cover of night. She is currently working on a coming-of-age novel set in Washington, D.C. during the late 1960s. The novel deals with issues of friendship, race, and a young girl's ache for her missing father. When she isn't writing, Kathleen usually has her nose in a book or can be found at the gym. Sometimes she's at the gym with her nose in a book. A 2006 graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at North Carolina State University (go Wolfpack), Kathleen lives in Cary with Buster, her ever-loyal cocker spaniel, and Katie, a rare miniature shepherd.

Trisha McNeill, an award-winning graphic designer, left the world of marketing and one a.m. press checks to write adult and teen fiction, which means she works in her pj's when she isn't talking to people about beauty pageants, Harleys, funerals, or scuba diving. She prefers to write when she should be doing other things like vacuuming or stocking up on low-fat frozen meals.
Her teen novel My Fabulous Life is finished and she is pitching it to publishers. Trisha received a 2006-2007 United Arts grant in literature, in support of a teen novel in progress - Parts Unknown.
Trisha and her husband share their hearts and their furniture with two hounds. They live in Fuquay-Varina, NC, home of Nadine's Beauty Basement.

Lynn Mercer is a part-time writer and full-time hi-tech worker. She prefers writing journalistic pieces and fiction with wacky characters. Lynn and her husband Ward live in a house in Morrisville, N.C.; the one with the dogs in the window.

Anne Woodman, acting leader, is a freelance writer who writes and edits newsletters, websites and other public relations materials. Her features can also be found on the pages of The Cary News. Anne only recently had a momentous head-slap moment when she realized she could also turn her written words into… fiction. Wow. She has now written essays and short stories as well as begun working on her first novel. Her stories focus on contemporary women and finding humor in difficult circumstances. In her spare time, Anne is a stay-at-home mom, runner and chef extraordinaire for her husband and two children who, alas, only clear their plates at K& S Cafeteria.

Gone but not forgotten -- former RAWW members

Diane Chamberlain is the author of 16 novels. Her contemporary stories focus on interpersonal relationships with an element of mystery, intrigue or surprise. She also enjoys teaching writing workshops and speaking to groups. Formerly a hospital social worker and psychotherapist in private practice, Diane grew up in New Jersey and lived for long periods of time in San Diego and the Washington DC area. When she realized many of her stories were set in North Carolina, she decided to make the big move to where her heart--and coincidentally, her grandson!--were located. She now makes her home in Raleigh with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and her two shelties, Keeper and Jet. Visit her website at www.dianechamberlain.com.

Christa Hogan, founder, wrote her first short story at the age of five and has been addicted ever since. She achieved her bachelor’s in English from N.C. State University in 2001 and went on to work for a woman’s magazine before quitting to take a part-time job and dedicate more time to writing and working freelance. Her work has been published in magazines such as Carolina Woman, Blue Ridge Country, Blue Ridge Outdoors and AAA Go! She has also completed an initial draft of her first novel and is working on a second. In the meantime, she is obsessed with travel, photography, playing co-ed soccer, real-estate investing and baking one million versions of biscotti for her husband, Rich, who is just as happy eating Oreos.

Marge Petesch was born and raised in Iowa but has called the Piedmont region of North Carolina home for many years. She is nearly finished with her first novel, already has the second novel researched, and has written
several pieces of short fiction. When not writing she enjoys reading and
gardening. She also works full time. She and her husband are diligently
working on Life - Phase II, which will involve moving to 102 acres in
Chatham County, NC and raising meat goats. The only child still at home is their Abyssinian cat, Primrose.
Marge has had two of her stories accepted for inclusion in anthologies and has won several short story contests.

Page last modified December 16, 2007