South Bay (In-Person): Creative Book Launches that Draw an Audience
2023-06-12 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Triton Museum, 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, CA, United States
June 12th at 6:30PM : “Creative Book Launches that Draw an Audience,” with Isidra Mencos
May 26, 2023 | Speaker, Writing

What if you held a book launch and nobody came? It has happened quite often, even to authors who are now household names. Margaret Atwood drily recounts, “I did a signing to which nobody came, except a guy who wanted to buy some Scotch tape and thought I was the help.” Stephen King fondly reminisces, “At my first SALEM’S LOT signing, I had one customer,” a child who asked him where he could find “some Nazi books.”
But a sparsely attended book launch is by no means inevitable. Many authors have mastered the art of drawing a sizable crowd. You can do it, too. In our June 12th meeting, Isidra Mencos will offer you a behind-the-scenes look at how other authors launched their books with creative flair, resulting in notable success. She will present seven detailed case studies, with precise content and marketing data, that each demonstrate the efficacy of a unique approach to launching a book.

About:

Isidra Mencos is the author of Promenade of Desire—A Barcelona Memoir. She holds a PhD in Spanish and Latin American Contemporary Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught Spanish language, literature, and creative writing. Her essays and articles have been published in Diálogo, WIRED, Chicago Quarterly Review, Front Porch Journal, The Penmen Review, and Stirring Literary Journal, among others. Her essay, “My Books and I,” was listed as Notable in The Best American Essays 2019. Originally from Spain, Isidra lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

When: Monday, June 12th at 6:30PM
Where: Triton Museum
1505 Warburton Ave. Santa Clara

Napa (In-Person): The What and the How
2023-06-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, 1625 Salvador Ave, Napa, CA
June Meeting
Paul Madonna
The What and the How

Napa Valley Writers will feature Paul Madonna, an award-winning artist and best-selling author known for his unique blend of drawing and storytelling that has been heralded as an “all new art form.”
Paul is the creator of the enigmatic art series All Over Coffee, which ran in the San Francisco Chronicle for twelve years, the author of five entertaining and sharply plotted mystery novels books, including the Emit Hopper Mystery Series. His book, Everything Is Its Own Reward, won the 2011 NCBA Award for best book.
Paul’s work ranges from novels to cartoons to large-scale public murals and can be found internationally in print as well as in galleries and museums, including the Oakland Museum of California, the William Blake Association in France, and the San Francisco International Airport. The Commissions, a mystery set in San Francisco, will be available September 2023.

Writers of Kern (In-Person): Do the Twist: How to Create a Great Ending
2023-06-17 09:00 - 11:30 | Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive, Bakersfield, CA, 93308, United States
June Featured Speaker – Mike Apodaca
June 7, 2023 By Sandy Moffett Leave a Comment

Workshop Title: DO THE TWIST: HOW TO CREATE A GREAT ENDING
Learn how to organize a story where the reader gets that mind-shifting realization at the end that the solution to everything was right in front of them, but they never even saw it.
Mike Apodaca – Bio
Mike Apodaca was born and raised in Southern California with his mother, adopted father, and three brothers. In college, he felt there had to be an answer to the pain and suffering he saw in this world. He turned to his God where he found his answers and never turned back. He received a degree in preaching and, later, a masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He pastored a church for nine years and then moved to the High Desert where he helped start a church and then led a home church for a time. For the last seven years he‘s devoted himself to teaching high school boys about the faith.
Mike became a public-school teacher and molded the minds of over a thousand young people. Mike’s specialty was Gifted education. He taught classes at the state-wide CAG Conference and for UC Riverside. He also taught a class in teaching reading at Brandman University.
After 30 years in education, Mike took his retirement. He’s been working with his young grandchildren in the age of COVID. He’s currently the Vice President of the High Desert branch of the California Writer’s Club where he runs their Zoom meetings, edits their newsletter, and sits on various committees. Mike‘s written seven books, four of which are self-published on Amazon. His stories have appeared in club anthologies and in The Literary Review.
Mike would tell you that his greatest treasure is his family: His loving wife, Debi, who’s shared their adventure for 38 years, his two children, and two grandchildren.
Mike can be reached at mrdaca.ma@gmail.com

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.
Member – 20 USDNonmember – 25 USD12345

SF Peninsule (In-Person): Small Publishing in a Big Universe
2023-06-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Sequoia Yacht Club, 441 Seaport Ct., Redwood City, CA, United States
Small Publishing in a Big Universe
Saturday,
June 17, 2023
10 am – 12 pm

Between traditional publishing and self-publishing there is small publishing. We discuss the place that independent publishers play in the publishing ecosystem, comparing and contrasting the submissions processes, benefits, and challenges authors might encounter as they follow each publishing path.

Steven Radecki is the author of Building Baby Brother, a small number of short fiction, several technical papers, and the nonfiction book, Multimedia with QuickTime. Steven is also the co-founder of Paper Angel Press and its imprints, Water Dragon Publishing and Unruly Voices, and the executive producer of the Small Publishing in a Big Universe podcast. Steven is a member of the SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association)’s Independent Authors Committee. He is a technical writer by trade.

Register to Attend

10:00 am – Club business
and mingle with fellow writers
11:00 am — Speaker

Join us in person at the
Sequoia Yacht Club, 441 Seaport Ct.,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Please bring a mask.

Sacramento (In-Person): Tell Me Why: Creating Realistic & Believable Motivation For (All) Your Characters
2023-06-17 11:30 - 15:00 | Cattlemens, 12409 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95742, United States
TELL ME WHY: CREATING REALISTIC & BELIEVABLE MOTIVATION FOR (ALL) YOUR CHARACTERS
Featured speaker: Anna J. Stewart, USA Today Bestselling Romance Novelist
What you will learn:

What is motivation and how does it apply to character.
Why motivation is important to your characters and your story as a whole.
Film and TV examples of strong (and not so strong) character motivation.
The difference in creating motivation for villains versus heroes.
Motivation examined in relation to goals and conflict.

Networking & Coffee: 11:30 am.
Book display – Bring a copy of your book to display and SELL!
Book giveaway – Bring a used book you think others might enjoy.
Meal: Plated, with vegetarian option
Meeting cost: $32, advance purchase; walk-in, $37. Required of all attendees, receipt available which can be tax deductible.
Sadly, our prices have gone up to cover bank charges.
Purchase Tickets
Native Californian Anna J Stewart is the author of more than 50 romance novels and novellas. Currently under contract with Harlequin and ArcManor, she writes sweet to spicy happily ever afters across the romance genre. A former Holt Medallion winner, a Daphne, and National Readers’ Choice finalist, she’s also been lucky enough to have one of her books optioned for a TV movie.
Special post-meeting club fundraiser: “Public Speaking Tips for Writers,” by member Linda Champion, Toastmasters District Champion, Speech Evaluation, a 30-minutes verbal presentation, written tips, and plenty of time for questions! (Attendees who stay to hear Linda are invited to give a donation to the club!)
Purchase Tickets

Redwood (In-Person): The Card Deck Connection: How a card deck connects to business, client and revenue growth
2023-06-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Finley Communiy Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, CA, United States
June 17, 2023
1 – 2:30 p.m.
ROSIE BATTISTA
The Card Deck Connection: How a card deck connects to business, client and revenue growth
About the presentation:
DOWNLOAD HANDOUT
In this presentation, Rosie Battista will show you:

what a card deck is
why you would want one to go along with your book
how a card deck is the perfect combo to your book – the jelly (your card deck) to your peanut butter (your book)
the 3 questions every card deck creator must ask
ten ways you can use a card deck to grow your business, community and bank account.

About Rosie Battista:
Rosie helps heart-centered authors & coaches envision & execute beautiful distinguished card decks that express their message, teach their knowledge, and enhance their clients transformational journey.
Her card deck creation experience helps participants gain the confidence to show up as the woman they were intended to be. They embrace their unique area of expertise, understand their value and use their God-given voice and Card Deck as a transformational tool to help others.
With over 15 years of helping entrepreneurs create products, Rosie has seen that a Card Deck is the gift that keeps on giving for your business, your clients and your own personal growth.
Learn more about Rosie at rosiebattista.com.
Meeting Agenda and Logistics
Cypress Room, Finley Center

Meeting starts at 1 p.m.
Speaker presentation
Board and Chair announcements
Member announcements
Adjourn at 2:30 p.m.

This is an in-person meeting. The meeting will be recorded and made available to registrants.
Admission: $5 CWC members, $10 non-members

REGISTER TODAY

Tri-Valley (In-Person): Storytelling: An Interactive Workshop for Authors
2023-06-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Las Positas College, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore, CA, United States
Kate Farrell, Author and Storyteller, June 17, 2023
May 17, 2023

Kate Farrell will present “Storytelling: An Interactive Workshop for Authors” at the Tri-Valley Writers June 17, 2023 meeting. Take your storytelling from the page to the spoken word and enliven your talks, enhance your events, and create a shared experience with your listeners. The power of story immediately engages audiences through simple, traditional techniques.

Read More »

Join us on the third Saturday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at Tri-Valley Writers’ newmeeting location: Las Positas College, in Room 2470. (Directions: From Campus Hill Dr. in Livermore, park in Lot E and enter Building 2400) Check-in begins at 1:30 p.m. There is a two-step RSVP & Payment process:

Email RSVP is REQUIRED at treasurer@trivalleywriters.org by the Thursday before the meeting
Payment is REQUIRED (details appear when you click button, below)

Register Here

Attendance Fees
CWC adult members, $10; nonmembers, $12. CWC student members (ages 14-22), $5; student nonmembers, $8
Consent to be recorded
By registering for this meeting, you acknowledge that the meeting may be recorded. Your consent to be recorded is implied in your registration. See meeting information for full details.

Berkeley (In-Person): CWC Annual Showcase LIVE
2023-06-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Clio’s Books, 353 Grand Avenue, Berkeley, CA, United States
CWC Annual Showcase LIVE @ CLIOS BOOKS June 17, 2023

This June, we’re doubly excited to be doing a LIVE author showcase this year, and to be doing it at a soon-to-launch bookstore in the heart of Oakland! This annual event gives us the opportunity to celebrate our members who have published books in the past 2 years. We all work hard to get our writing out in the world and having a new book is a tremendous accomplishment!
The Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club is proud to recognize and celebrate its eleven members who have published new books in 2022 & 2023. Congratulations to:

Beth Barany, Red Running Deep (Firewolf Books, 2022)
Kristen Caven, The Winning Family: Where No One Has to Lose (Uplift Press, 2022)
Paul Corman-Roberts, The Sincere (Libran Apocalypse Press, 2022)
Gary Durbin, Sentient (Spark Press, 2022)
Jasper Ezekiel, Good, Clean Mania: Collected Poems 2020-2022 (Draft2Digital, 2023)
Keith Mark Gaboury, The Boy Born With A Pinhole Heart (Finishing Line Press, 2022)
Lin Gentry, Episodes in a Cultural Revolution (Fulton Books, 2022)
Jay Hartlove, The Insane God (Water Dragon Publishing, 2022)
Jessi Honard, Unrelenting (Not a Pipe Publishing, 2022)
Lily Iona MacKenzie, California Dreaming (Shanti Arts Press, 2023)
A. L. Kucherenko, Knight’s Pawn (Cuidono Press, 2022)
Terry Tierney, The Bridge on Beer River (Unsolicited Press, 2023)

Club members will also be reading from Francine Thomas Howard’s 2022 release, Scattered Seed (Lake Union Publishing). Francine, a longtime member and guiding light, passed away this January.
The event will be co-hosted by Clio’s Books, a new bookstore that will be opening in September near Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Clio’s values the history of ideas and will feature a reading room, literary events, and a café.
The California Writers Club (www.calwriters.org) is a thriving association of emerging and professional writers, with 20+ branches across the state. Each branch features monthly speakers on the art, craft, and business of writing in all genres, for all ages and abilities. The Club was formed in 1909 by Bay Area writers who had gathered for decades in Joaquin Miller Park. They were instrumental in building the WPA Woodminster Cascade, which is home to the California Writers Memorial Grove.

CWC BB Author Showcase
Clio’s Books (opens in September; this is a special sneak peek event!)
353 Grand Avenue
Saturday, June 17th 2023
5-7pm
Doors open 4pm
Free to the public – Get your tickets NOW – limit is 60 guests
Zoom tickets – Register here
Say You’re Coming on Facebook!

Mendocino (In-Person): Spotlight On Short Fiction
2023-06-18 14:30 - 15:30 | Mendocino Community Center, 998 School St., Mendocino, CA, United States
Sunday, June 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Mendocino Community Center, activities room, 998 School St.
Spotlight On Short Fiction
Each year, WMC highlights a genre and features three outstanding members practicing it. This year, the genre is SHORT FICTION, and our writers are Earlene Gleisner, Steve Sapontzis , and Philip Zwerling. They will be interviewed by Rob Hawthorn.

Earlene Gleisner

Steve Sapontzis

Philip Zwerling

Central Coast (In-Person): In A Flash: The Art and Craft of the Short, Short Story
2023-06-20 17:30 - 19:30 | Center for Spiritual Awareness, 522 Central Ave., Pacific Grove
June 20, 2023
Andrea Firth
In A Flash: The Art and Craft of the Short, Short Story
In this presentation, learn what flash fiction (and flash nonfiction) writing is and isn’t, how it breaks the rules, and why and how flash shorts are “hot” from the first sentence. Discover the keys to the flash form–urgency, conflict, and a twist–and debunk myths about flash, such as it’s easier to write and readers have short attention spans. You’ll also learn how to approach writing and revising flash to leave only what’s most essential on the page.
Andrea A. Firth is a writer, journalist, editor, and educator living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is an Editor at Brevity Blog and the co-founder of Diablo Writers’ Workshop where she teaches and provides editorial consulting. Andrea was a finalist for The Missouri Review‘s 2021 Perkoff Prize in nonfiction, and her essays are published in Dorothy Parkers’ Ashes, The Coachella Review, Motherwell, Please See Me and elsewhere. Read her work at her website and find her on Instagram.

Inland Empire (In-Person): Becoming a writer with Randy Jurado Ertll
2023-06-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Ovitt Family Community Library, 215 E. C Street, Ontario, CA, 91764, United States
What to Expect at Our Next Meeting
Saturday, June 24, 2023 – Randy Jurado Ertll
Randy Jurado Ertll will speak about his journey of becoming a writer, experience in finding a reputable book publisher, and the struggles/sacrifices of being an author.
Randy Jurado Ertll is an award winning published author, credentialed teacher, and newspaper columnist. He has also served as executive director for well-established, prominent, non-profit organizations.
Ertll served as a communications director for a Congressional member (Hilda Solis) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. He has published numerous opinion columns in newspapers and magazines such as the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, La Opinión, Daily News, La Prensa Grafica, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange County Register, Sacramento Bee, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Houston Chronicle, The Progressive and The American Interest magazines. He has been interviewed by networks such as NPR, CNN, PBS, Univisión, and Telemundo. He is an alumnus of Occidental College where he obtained the prestigious 2015 Alumni Seal Award for Service to the Community and obtained his master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He has published the following books: Hope in Times of Darkness: A Salvadoran American Experience, Esperanza en Tiempos de Oscuridad: La Experiencia de un Salvadoreño Americano, The Life of an Activist: In the Frontlines 24/7, The Lives and Times of El Cipitío, La Vida Y Los Tiempos Del Cipitío, In The Struggle: Chronicles, The Adventures of El Cipitío: Las aventuras del Cipitio, La Siguanaba and the Magical Loroco, La Siguanaba y el Loroco Magico, Race Wars: El Cadejo, El Cadejo: Entre El Bien y el Mal. Please visit his web site at WWW.RANDYJURADOERTLL.COM.

Fremont (Zoom): Revising Your Own Work
2023-06-24 14:00 - 16:00
Jane K. Cleland
“Revising Your Own Work”
If you write, you know the process takes time. Even though you
may feel like you’re finished when you’ve completed your manu
script.you’ve only just begun. Now you have to start revisions.
This means “polishing the story, adding complexity to the charac-
ters, and burnishing the prose,” Jane Cleland explains. “This is
when you take your manuscript from draft to submission-ready.
Join FAW, a branch of the California Writers Club, on Saturday,
June 24, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for “Revising Your Own Work”.
The presentation, by award-winning author Jane K. Cleland, should
not be missed. It’s FREE and open to everyone, whether you’re pub-
lished, have just finished your first manuscript, or have an idea you’d
like to put down on paper. Writers must revise; Jane can help!
lane Cleland is the author of the 14-book Josie Prescott Anti-
ques Mystery series, has won Agatha Awards for her how-to
books on writing, and writes articles on writing craft for the
Writer’s Digest Magazine. She teaches writing at the univer-
sity level, and offers FREE monthly webinars on writing craft.
For more about Jane K. Cleland go to: www.janecleland.com
To get your link to this event, follow the instructions to the right.
Go to cwc-fremontareawriters.org for more on FAW and to
calwriters.org for the California Writers Club.
Attention Writers and Poets
FAW Social Write-In
Social Write-In 2nd Sat. June 10th 2 to 3:30 PM on Zoom
CONTACT: Scott Davidson at scottfrombayside@yahoo.com
FAW Writers’ Salon
Writers’ Salon 4t Mondav June 26th 7 to 9 PM on Zoom
CONTACT: Tony Pino at up.dragonfly.com@gmail.com
Award-Winning Author
Jane K. Cleland
Everyone is Welcome!
FAW General Mtg
Sat. June 24th 2 to 4 PM
FREE Zoom Meeting by Invitation
Email scottfrombayside@yahoo.com
to request a link for the meeting
Guest speaker: Jane K. Cleland

Marin (In-Person): Tighten Your Writing with a Poetry Game
2023-06-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Mill Valley Public Library
Topic: Tighten Your Writing with a Poetry Game
Monday June 26 6:30-7:30PM
Live/Limited seating Free for all Participants
Co-presented by CWCM and Mill Valley Public Library
RSVP here: Mill Valley Public Library Events/Poetry Writing Game

Anyone who aspires to be a better writer knows the importance of thoughtful word choice and editing. The best writers exercise these muscles every day—but sometimes we forget how much fun writing can be, especially when we do it with friends. Bring your pencil to this one-hour interactive poetry workshop cohosted by CWC Marin and the Mill Valley Public Library. The game is a riff on the Japanese linked verse game known as renga, played by Japanese aristocrats a thousand years ago. In it, each person composes a haiku, then passes it to a neighbor, who completes it with a 14-syllable couplet. This simple, limited poetry form encourages participants to choose words and metaphors with care. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a great poet, you just have to be ready to play with words.
About the Speaker:
Jean has been a student of the Japanese language since she first went to Japan as an exchange student in the 1980s. She is currently writing a book about Japanese feminist poet Yosano Akiko (1878-1942). She has translated hundreds of Akiko’s poems and posted them online. Jean is a Board member of the California Writers Club of Marin and a member of the Marin Poetry Center, the Tanka Society of America, Left Coast Writers, and the Japan Foundation.

High Desert (Zoom): What are Agents Looking For? Act II
2023-06-27 18:00 - 20:00
ZOOM MEETINGS – ACT II
LUCIANNE DIVER, LITERARY AGENT
JUNE 27, 2023 AT 6 PM (TUESDAY)
ZOOM MEETING

What are agents looking for? How can an agent help writers? What is required to become an agent? Best general advice an agent would give to writers today. If one does not have an agent, what things can he/she do to get representation? ​
​
Lucienne Diver joined The Knight Agency in 2008, after spending fifteen years at New York City’s prestigious Spectrum Literary Agency. With her sharp eye and gift for spotting original new voices, Lucienne is one of the most well-respected agents in the industry. A lifelong book addict, she graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Potsdam with dual majors in English/writing and anthropology. She thus came well-equipped for her work as an agent.

Over the course of her dynamic career she has sold well over seven hundred titles to every major publisher, and has built a client list of more than forty authors spanning the commercial fiction genres, primarily in the areas of fantasy, science fiction, horror, women’s fiction, romance, mystery/suspense and young adult. Her authors have been honored with the Hugo, Nebula, Colorado Book and National Readers’ Choice Awards, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. A publishing veteran, Lucienne has superb industry knowledge, and a keen understanding of the foreign rights market.
This zoom presentation is open free of charge to all CWC members. Registration is not required. However, there will be limited seating for what we feel will be a popular event.
​Topic: Act 2 Meeting HDCWC
Time: 6:00
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86220784034?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 862 2078 4034
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Central Coast (In-Person): Writing Active Hooks--or How Many Hooks Are Enough?
2023-07-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Center for Spiritual Awareness, 522 Central Ave., Pacific Grove
July 18, 2023
Mary Buckham
Writing Active Hooks–or How Many Hooks Are Enough?
Ready to learn what exactly a hook is, and what a hook isn’t? The simplest way to avoid a sagging middle, and to keep a reader reading, is to understand how to continually build hooks into your writing. In this presentation, explore what hooks are and how they work, discover the 10 most common (universal) hooks and why they’re so widely used, find where to place hooks to make them effective for both your genre and your audience, and unlock the difference between a compelling story and one that drags.
USA Today bestselling author Mary Buckham learned to get into and out of trouble at a very early age. Time has added to her opportunities—detained by Israeli intelligence; strip-searched by a Greek border patrol while traveling with a priest, sneaking into Laos. When not personally avoiding nuisances caused by her insatiable curiosity she creates lots of disorder in her two Urban Fantasy series—Alex Noziak and Kelly McAllister—as well as her co-authored young adult sci fi action-adventure series under the name Micah Caida. In her spare time, Mary writes writing craft books including, A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting, Writing Active Hooks, and Break Into Fiction® co-authored with Dianna Love.
