The Pamlico Writers Group is growing, in numbers and events.

On Sept. 15, the group will launch its fall luncheon series, a four-part series featuring published authors who will talk about their works and what it takes to get published.

First up, is East Carolina University associate professor of English/creative writing and poet John Hoppenthaler, who will read from his books and answer questions about poetry. On Oct. 20, mystery writer Marni Graff will speak about her new mystery series “Death Unscripted.” On Nov. 17, Annette Dunlap, author of “Frank: The Story of Frances Folsom Cleveland, America’s Youngest First Lady,” will talk about her books, taking a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of presidential wives. Wrapping up the series, Lynn Cavanaugh-Blades will talk about the learning curve associated with becoming a published author. All four authors are from North Carolina.

It’s all part of a push to bring new members into the fold, in the same vein as the Pamlico Writers Conference and literary contest, according to Jim Keen, acting chairman of the group.

“We’re trying to become more of a regional draw and expand on the popularity of the conference,” Keen said.

Keen said this year, the group has doubled its membership and has branched out to include a fiction critique group, with a screenwriting group in its fledgling stages. This is in addition to tackling the Internet with a Pamlico Writers Group Facebook, Twitter and blog presence and launching the lunch series.

However, the events are not solely about drawing in new members, according to Pamlico Writers Group member Doris Schneider. They’re really about creating better writers.

“In our writers group, we give one another criticism and feedback, which certainly have value, but bringing in people with specific experience and skills gives them more than they can get in the writers group themselves. It’s much more information to help with growth as a writer,” Schneider said.

“Our small group has authored 16 books within the past four-plus years,” Keen said. “With self-published books becoming so popular, one of our thrusts is to ensure good editing and quality of writing before publication. Self-publication furthers communications and creativity, however, sloppily prepared books demean the craft.”

The Pamlico Writers Group is affiliated with Arts of the Pamlico and both the general and fiction critique groups meet at 7 p.m. at the Turnage Theatre on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. All writers are invited to participate. The lunch series will be held at Golden Corral in Washington from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on event dates. They are free and open to the public.