Arielle Haughee, president and owner of Orange Blossom Publishing, will present her insights into the publishing business at Gulf Coast Writers Association’s meeting on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd. in south Fort Myers.

The meeting of Southwest Florida’s 29-year-old forum for writers, editors and their associates is open to the public.

A six-time Royal Palm Literary Award-winning author, Haughee (pronounced Hoy) is, besides a publisher, an editor, speaker, and writing coach who was previously the executive vice president and marketing chair of the Florida Writers Association (FWA). In 2021, her book Pling’s Party received FWA’s Royal Palm Literary Award as Best Children’s Book of the Year.

At Orange Blossom, based in Maitland, Fla., she brings to market books about love, humor, and wellness for women and children. It is currently taking art and blog submissions. The company’s website is orangeblossombooks.com.

Numerous authors attest to Orange Blossom’s assistance in helping them with their books. “The more I see how things are going in the world of the big publishing houses, the more grateful I am for my traditional publishing experience with Orange Blossom Publishing,” says Tamatha Cain, author of Song of the Chimney Sweep (2022). “Individual support, industry connections, depth of knowledge. Don’t sleep on what this small press has to offer….”

And Stephania Thompson, author of Woven (2022), adds: “What a gift to have a publisher who believes in the story as much as I do. . . The team at Orange Blossom is professional, proficient, and best of all, fun to work with.”

Besides running Orange Blossom, Haughee also provides developmental, content, line and copy editing. She is the author of The Complete Revision Workbook for Writers.

About GCWA

Founded in 1995, the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc. (GCWA) provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers, editors and associates. GCWA’s well-regarded annual writing contest draws a wide range of authors. Its recent book launch at the Alliance for the Arts for its new anthology Storm Stories — Hurricane Ian — available on Amazon and at local outlets — was a sell-out event.

Based in Fort Myers, GCWA attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida. At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing, and marketing.

Participants at GCWA meetings also have the opportunity to read their works. The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction and nonfiction to children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essay and screenplay. Members include full-time writers as well as corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, working or retired.

GCWA’s website is gulfwriters.org. Follow GCWA on X (Twitter): @GCWA_SWFL.