Sun. May 6

Writing is a lonely profession. All those vivid characters on the page, all that dramatic conflict, love and turmoil, all those things that make you settle in for a great evening of mental stimulation ... they all take place in the mind of an individual sitting at a computer, all locked up inside his or her head. What writers need is community. It's that - and more - that Grub Street Inc, has been supplying for years. The second of two days  of workshops is today Sunday May 6. They're designed to help you out as a writer and build community. It's called "Muse & the Marketplace Weekend Writing Conference." This year Charles ("Saul and Patsy," "The Feast of Love") Baxter is the keynote speaker. Gregory Maguire, Steve Almond and Scott Heim are among the local authors also involved. It takes place at the Omni Parker House hotel from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The event, in its sixth year, usually draws about 300 people. Either day, it's $170 for non-members and $195 for members.

60 School St.,617-695-00075 grubstreet.org