On Thursday, November 19, Nameless Writers Salon returns to Sound View Greenport for its 16th installment. Designed for readers, writers, and the intellectually curious, this free community gathering offers an inspiring night of storytelling, conversation, and connection in the signature spirit of Nameless. The Nameless Writers Salon has remained free to attend because art should be shared, stories should be heard, and community should be built around the spoken word.

The evening’s theme is “GRATEFUL,” hosted by best-selling author and collaborator, Liz Welch. This salon is extra special as it is the first to kick off our 4th season as well as highlights an important non-profit on the North Fork, The Butterfly Project. As 2026 draws to a close, the theme kicking off our latest series focuses on the myriad of things we can each feel thankful for in these divisive and challenging times. Whether that is family, friendship, health or wealth–as defined not by money in the bank, but by the blessings we each are able to name.

Liz Welch (HOST) wrote her first book with her sister, Diana Welch and their siblings, Amanda and Dan: The Kids Are All Right (2009) is a criitically acclaimed memoir about losing their parents, who each died at the age of 50–their father in a car accident and thier mother to cancer. Liz has since gone on to write twelve books–five of which became NYT bestsellers, including I Will Always Write Back, with Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda; We Are Displaced, with Malala Yousafzi. Her magazine writing in Glamour earned many awards, including an ASME and has also been published in Vogue, New York, Cosmopolitan, Marie Clair,, The New York Times Magazine, Parade, The North Forker and more! She has lived in Orient since 2002.

Veronica Gonzalez Peña is a Mexican-born writer and filmmaker. She is the author of twin time: or how death befell me,which won the Aztlán Literary Prize, and The Sad Passions, a finalist for the Latino Book Award. She is also the author of So Far from God, a monograph on the Mexican drug war. Her films include Cordelia, which was shot on the North Fork; Lawrence Weiner: Writing on the Wall, and Pat Steir: Artist, which ARTnews named one of the ten best artist documentaries of 2020. Her novel Secret Daughter is out Nov. 3 in the US, and Dec. 5 in the UK, on Tuskar Rock, Colm Toíbín’s imprint.

Vanessa Walters is a British author of Caribbean descent from a journalism background who has lived in the UK, France, Indonesia, Nigeria, and now Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of two YA novels and two adult novels, the most recently published being The Lagos Wife, about a woman who moves to Lagos, Nigeria, and disappears. The novel was a Good Morning America Book Club pick and a New York Public Library Best Book. Her forthcoming novel, Black Excellence, about race, family, and aspiration in Brooklyn, is scheduled for publication in June 2027 by Simon & Schuster. When not actually writing, Vanessa teaches writing and can occasionally be spotted in these streets doing God knows what.

Laura L. Rubin, creative coach and founder of mindful writing company AllSwell Creative, has changed the cultural conversation about what it means to journal. Sought after as a speaker and facilitator, (and celebrated in media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, and Forbes), over the past decade Rubin has hosted hundreds of “breakthrough writing” workshops for tens of thousands of participants about the wide-ranging, scientifically proven benefits of putting pen to paper. Tapping her professional experience as corporate executive and entrepreneur, Rubin has brought journaling to surprising places and audiences, from pro surfers to venture capital firms. She lives on the North Fork. Visit AllSwellCreative.com for more information.

Tijuana “Tia” Fulford is the Founder and Executive Director of The Butterfly Effect Project, an award-winning mentoring organization serving more than 800 youth annually through over 35 chapters across the East End of Long Island. Founded in 2014, the organization equips young people from underserved communities with the tools, access, and support needed to build successful futures. Raised in a disenfranchised community by a severely dyslexic mother and a father struggling with addiction,Tia understands firsthand the barriers many young people face. A life-changing mentorship opened doors she never imagined possible, inspiring her lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for others. Tia is a Master Life Coach, motivational speaker, published author of the My Fabricated Truth series, and founder of Duality by Tijuana Fulford, a lifestyle brand rooted in multidimensional living with authenticity and audacity. A passionate advocate for youth, education, and human rights, Tia serves on numerous boards, committees, and community initiatives. Her work has expanded beyond Long Island, building meaningful connections and opportunities internationally, including collaborative efforts in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Whether mentoring youth, speaking on a stage, writing, or building community, Tia remains guided by one
simple belief: when people are given access, encouragement, and opportunity, transformation becomes possible. Tia is married to Troy Fulford and is the proud mother of Jaliek, Alexandria, and Genesis, as well as godmother to Cameron and devoted companion to her beloved Maltese, Gina.

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT Bio: The Butterfly Effect Project (BEP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe spaces where youth dream and succeed. We do that by identifying the obstacles standing between young people and opportunity, then working to eliminate those barriers while providing access to the tools, relationships, experiences, and resources every young person needs to move forward. Through more than 35 chapters across the East End of Long Island, we create a layered network of support that includes leadership development, tutoring, college and career readiness, health and wellness, gardening, workforce development, community service, and exposure to the arts and culture. Everything we do is grounded in Healthy Relationships, Self and Community Care, Critical Thinking, and Confidence Building. The intergenerational Each One, Teach One philosophy means everyone has something to learn, something to teach, and the ability to positively influence another person’s life. Youth are surrounded by a trusted network of caring adults, peers, volunteers, professionals, and community partners.