What stories live inside your family—and what happens when you begin to write them down?

Women Hold the Key welcomes author Margaret S. Barrie for a thoughtful and interactive gathering exploring memory, family, community, nature, loss, and the stories that shape our lives.

Margaret is the author of Auntie M. Speaks, her debut book—a fictional historical memoir inspired by family history and the people, places, relationships, and experiences that become part of who we are.

This gathering will be part author talk, part conversation, and part writing workshop.

Margaret will read selections from Auntie M. Speaks and take us behind the scenes of bringing a book to life—from research and family interviews to writing, editing, and transforming real memories and history into a work of fiction.

Then we’ll turn to our own stories.

Participants will be invited to write a short piece inspired by a memory, person, place, family story, or experience from their own lives. Those who wish will have an opportunity to share their writing with the group.

We’ll close with an open conversation with Margaret about the book, writing and editing, conducting interviews, researching the past, finding inspiration, and the courage it takes to put our stories on the page.

Please read Auntie M. Speaks before attending (you can find it on bookbaby or amazon) so we can have a richer conversation about the book. Come with passages or moments you would especially like Margaret to discuss or read aloud.

No writing experience is necessary. Simply bring your curiosity, your questions, and perhaps a story you've been carrying for a while.

Because our stories matter. And sometimes, writing them down is the beginning of understanding just how much they do.