Author Penny Orloff, also a former Broadway musical theater actress, will speak at the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers' monthly meeting on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

According to a press release, Orloff’s first solo show, “Jewish Thighs on Broadway,” based on her award-winning novel of the same name, toured the U.S. for a decade, including a successful run off-Broadway.

Her current show, “Songs and Stories from a Not-Quite-Kosher Life,” plays at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center on Nov. 19.

Orloff is also the author of “Art as Lifework, Life as Artwork,” and is currently at work on “Who Would You Be if You Had Nothing to Bitch About.” She contributed several stories to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and worked for a dozen years as an arts journalist for various online and print media.

At the Nov. 16 SSWW meeting, Orloff will lead “Let Them Talk!,” a workshop on writing compelling character dialogue. Examples, discussion and exercises will help participants hear what their characters have to say, expressed in the characters’ own voices. For information on Orloff, visit www.pennyorloff.com

Those interested in attending can now RSVP for the monthly Zoom Speaker Meeting. Contact the host, Patricia Brook, via text at 480-250-5556 or email patricia@plbrooks.com for the meeting ID and password.

The event is free, but the release asks that guests consider purchasing a book from the speaker or a member as a gesture of payment.

If you have a guest, notify Brooks in advance and have them contact her directly. Guests may visit on two occasions and are then asked to join as full-time members.

SSWW dues are $50 annually and members will receive a copy of the directory and other benefits. Contact Brooks for the form and pay on PayPal or by mail. Use info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com to use PayPal or email for her mailing address.

Brooks asks that attendees be on time and check in to Zoom by 5:50 pm. This allows the host time to set up and chat with members and guests. The meeting starts promptly at 6 p.m.

For a Zoom link to the meeting, RSVP to Brooks at patricia@plbrooks.com or text 480-250-5556. For details about SSWW, visit https://www.facebook.com/SSSWWriters.