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SUMMARY:San Fernando (Zoom): Poetry: A method of Reflection\, Reconsideration\, and Revision of Your Thoughts\, Beliefs\, and Actions
DESCRIPTION:April 1st\n\n\nLuzmaria Espinosa\n\n\nPOETRY: A method of Reflection\, Reconsideration\, and Revision of Your Thoughts\, Beliefs\, and Actions\n\n\n\nLuzmaria Espinosa\n\n\n\nOn Saturday\, April 1st at 1:00 pm via Zoom\, the San Fernando Valley Branch of the California Writers Club celebrates National Poetry Month by welcoming internationally-acclaimed\, Ventura County Poet Laureate\, Luzmaria Espinosa\, ‘Luzma’\, to read some of her poetry and share how her own life experiences\, culture and community activism have shaped her work. \n\n\nLuzma was born in Uruapan\, Michoacán\, Mexico. She and her family migrated in the 1950s to Santa Paula\, California where her father\, a former railroad worker\, went to work in the agricultural fields. The third of eight children\, Luzma found solace in books\, imagining a world beyond the confines of her small hometown. Inspiration to develop her poetry came from friends\, mentors and fellow activists. \n\n\nLuzma’s lifelong commitment to peace and justice spans decades internationally as well as nationally. Her work includes participation and/or support in international struggles\, Chicano Theatre\, Danza Azteca\, and Performance Poetry. She was at the forefront of introducing Danza Azteca throughout the Tri-Counties\, and connecting established Chicano Artists with Ventura County Artists. \n\n\nAs well as teaching theatre and poetry to children and youth in schools\, Luzma also inspires the community through non-profit community agencies and juvenile detention centers. As a coordinator for youth violence prevention/intervention programs\, she was influential in developing strong leadership skills with youth who otherwise might have not gone to school. Whether in schools\, in juvenile centers or in the community; Luzma motivates and encourages students to heal by expressing themselves though cultural performances and writing stories or poetry. Proudly she reveals that past students have received their doctorate and are teaching in various colleges and universities throughout the states. \n\n\nEspinosa is a past recipient of CA Arts Council Artist in Residence\, SP Latino Town Hall Award in Cultural Arts\, and the Jalapeno Award from the Royal Chicano Air Force. She is a member of California Poets in the Schools\, a member of the Royal Chicano Air Force\, In Lak ‘Ech Cultural Arts Center\, and LUCHA\, Inc. \n\n\nOf being inaugurated as Ventura County’s Poet Laureate for 2020-2022 and 2022-2024\, she said: \n\n\n“Poetry is the language of life\, of hope\, of love\, of nature\, of a higher spirit. And poetry\, and arts in general\, has always been for me a way to understand myself\, humanity\, life around me\, an instrument through which I can say something about what I see\, and what our responsibilities are to one another. That’s what I hope to communicate in my new role.” \n\n\nYou can see this impactful and inspirational poet perform some of her deeply thoughtful poetry on YouTube. Note: Luzma’s last name is sometimes spelled Espinoza. \n\n\nAll members of the CWC-SFV will receive a Zoom invitation to this presentation. Members of other CWC branches should contact Zoom host\, Anat Wenick\, by noon on March 31st at SFV.CWC@gmail.com for an invitation to register. Guests may purchase admission at www.cwc-sfv.org by noon on March 31. After purchasing admission\, guests will receive a Zoom invitation.  We regret we cannot accommodate late requests. \n\n\nNon-members who wish to attend\, please click below to pay $10.00 and receive your Zoom link. To ensure a timely response\, registration  must be made at least 24 hours prior to the event. \n\n\n  \n\n\n \n\n\nGuest Payment Via Zelle: sfv.cwc@gmail.com \n\n\n\n\n\nLuzmaria Espinosa in Traditional Dress (Source: Ventura Arts Council)
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/san-fernando-zoom-poetry-a-method-of-reflection-reconsideration-and-revision-of-your-thoughts-beliefs-and-actions/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T213123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T213123Z
UID:4333-1680948000-1680955200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:South Bay (In-Person): Imaginative Realms: The Authentic in the Fantastical
DESCRIPTION:April 8th at 10AM: “Imaginative Realms: The Authentic in the Fantastical” with Keith Ekiss\nby Tatyana Grinenko | Mar 18\, 2023 | Speaker\, Writing \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMany of our literary classics were in fact written as genre fiction for the masses. Examples include Bram Stoker’s Dracula (horror)\, H.G. Wells’s The Time Machine (science fiction)\, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (fantasy)\, and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (utopia/dystopia). How have these beloved books endured over time? Their careful character development is as meticulous as their vaunted world-building. Their rich descriptions and backstories stimulate a reader’s imagination without being so overbearing as to suffocate the narrative flow. And in settings so unfamiliar and fantastical\, they contain stirring moments that strike a chord within a reader’s mind\, heart\, and soul. During our meeting on April 8\, Stanford University lecturer Keith Ekiss will teach us how to subtly infuse imaginative realms with human authenticity\, conjuring useful lessons for writers of any genre.\n  \nKeith will reveal the elements that make up a compelling literary universe. How can a story that challenges the boundaries of reality have contemporary social significance? Drawing on contemporary and historical texts\, including magical realism\, ghost stories and other horror tales\, robots and artificial intelligence\, and utopias and dystopias\, Keith will help us understand the tradition of writing that boldly goes beyond realism. Focusing on the writer’s craft\, we’ll explore the challenges unique to fantastical literature\, including narrative authenticity\, believable characterization\, world-building\, and human relevance. Reading as writers\, we’ll examine the expectations of genre as we discover innovative ways to craft compelling stories and poems.\n  \nAbout: \nKeith Ekiss is a lecturer in the Department of English at Stanford University. He was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford from 2005-2007. Keith is the author of Pima Road Notebook (New Issues Poetry & Prose\, 2010). As a translator\, his books include The Fire’s Journey (Tavern Books\, 2019)\, an epic poem by the Costa Rican writer Eunice Odio in four volumes\, and Territory of Dawn: The Selected Poems of Eunice Odio (The Bitter Oleander Press\, 2016). He also translated March 10\, NY (Abstracta Ediciones\, 2014) by Mexican poet Jeannette Clariond. Ekiss’s creative non-fiction has been anthologized in Permanent Vacation: Living and Working in Our National Parks (Bona Fide Books\, 2011). He is the recipient of fellowships\, scholarships\, and residencies from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference\, The Community of Writers\, Santa Fe Art Institute\, Millay Colony for the Arts\, and the Petrified Forest National Park.\n\n  \n\nWhen: Saturday\,  April 8th at 10AM \nWhere: Headen-Inman House Museum\n1509 Warburton Ave. Santa Clara \nContinental Breakfast Included \nMEMBERS $10 \nNONMEMBER $15 \n 
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/south-bay-in-person-imaginative-realms-the-authentic-in-the-fantastical/
LOCATION:Headen-Inman House Mueaum\, 1509 Warburton Ave\, Santa Clara\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T200624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T200624Z
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SUMMARY:High Desert (In-Person): Award Winning Poet\, Poetri
DESCRIPTION:SATURDAY APRIL 8 AT 10 AM\n​AT THE COMMUNITY CHURCH AT JESS RANCH\nAWARD WINNING POET\, POETRI\n \n\nThe High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club (HDCWC) is proud to announce that Poetri\, a renowned poet\, actor\, and producer\, will be giving a presentation at the Community Church at Jess Ranch 11537 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley on Saturday\, April 8\, 203. The event will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The public is welcome and invited to attend at no charge.\n\nPoetri is widely recognized as a “poet rock star” and has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. As the Director of Creative and Development at Amusement Park Entertainment\, he has gained recognition for his unique creative and cultural contributions. With a Tony\, Emmy\, and several advertising awards to his name\, Poetri has established himself as a multi-talented artist who has excelled in various fields.\n\nPoetri’s achievements as a poet include his performance on Broadway’s Def Poetry Jam\, touring the world twice\, and co-founding Da Poetry Lounge\, the world’s largest poetry venue. He has also written\, produced\, and appeared in numerous advertisements and campaigns for major brands\, such as Nike\, Los Angeles Lakers\, Delta Airlines\, JBL\, Snickers\, and BET. One of his most notable accomplishments was his role in persuading LeBron James to sign with Nike by performing for him on Nike’s campus.\n\nIn addition to his work in the advertising industry\, Poetri has also made significant contributions to television and film. He has appeared in feature films like National Treasure 2\, Blades of Glory\, and Yes Man\, as well as television shows like Oprah Winfrey Show\, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne\, and Bones. Poetri was also invited by former President Barack Obama to be a part of the first annual Spoken Word event held at the White House\, an honor that he cherishes deeply.\nDespite his many accomplishments\, Poetri remains grounded and committed to his beliefs. He has used his popularity to create two of the most popular spoken word shows in Southern California\, Da Poetry Lounge and Spoken Funk\, and has even taken his talents to the High Desert in Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville. He is a beloved figure in the spoken word community and has created a positive atmosphere for young people to express themselves emotionally. Poetri’s legacy has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the culture of Los Angeles and the world of entertainment.\n​\nFor more information about the CWC call 760.221.6367.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/high-desert-in-person-award-winning-poet-poetri/
LOCATION:Community Church at Jess Ranch\, 11537 Apple Valley Rd\,\, Apple Valley\, CA\, 92308\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T212348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T212348Z
UID:4329-1680949800-1680962400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Mt. Diablo (In-Person): In A Flash\, The Art and Craft of the Short\, Short Story
DESCRIPTION:April 8 2023 at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm \nDiscover Keys to Flash: Urgency\, Conflict\, and a Twist\n\n\n\n\nIn A Flash\, The Art and Craft of the Short\, Short Story\n\nAndrea 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 cofounder 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.  \n\n\n\n\nWhat is Flash and what can you do with it?\nAttendees will: \n\nLearn What Flash Is and Isn’t and How it Breaks the Rules\nSee Why and How Flash Shorts Are “Hot” From the First Sentence\nDiscover the Keys to the Flash Form: Urgency\, Conflict\, and a Twist\nDebunk the Myths About Flash—Like It’s Easier to Write and that Readers Have Short Attention Spans\nUnderstand How to Approach Writing and Revising Flash and Leave What’s Most Essential on the Page\n\nSchedule\n\n10:30 Check-in\n11:15 Writers Table\n12:00 Buffet Lunch\n1:00 Featured Speaker\n\nMEETING FEES\n\nMembers $25.00*\nGuests $30.00\n*Member price increases to $30.00 at noon on April 5th\n\nClick Here to Register\nLocation\n\n\n\n\n\nZio Fraedo’s Restaurant\n611 Gregory Lane\nPleasant Hill\, CA 94523\nPhone: (925) 933-9091
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/mt-diablo-in-person-in-a-flash-the-art-and-craft-of-the-short-short-story/
LOCATION:Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant\, 611 Gregory Ln\, Pleasant Hill\, CA\, 94523\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T200308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T200308Z
UID:4348-1680955200-1680962400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:San Joaquin (Zoom): Trends in Indie Publishing and How to Write Nonfiction
DESCRIPTION:Join the San Joaquin Valley Writers club on Saturday\, April 8\, at noon when Chelle Honiker\, the publisher of Indie Author Magazine\, presents on trends in indie publishing and how write nonfiction pieces.\n\n\nFrom Chelle’s biography on the Indie Author Magazine website:\n\n\n“Chelle brings over two decades of executive operations and leadership experience…. It’s said she could run a small country with just the contents of her ever-present backpack. She’d rather not put it to the test.”\n\n\nhttps://indieauthormagazine.com/author/editor/
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/san-joaquin-zoom-trends-in-indie-publishing-and-how-to-write-nonfiction/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230306T211454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230306T211454Z
UID:4263-1680962400-1680969600@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Redwood (In-Person): Workshop: What makes work—a poem\, short story or essay—"good"  and—not always the same thing!—what makes it publishable?
DESCRIPTION:Writing Workshop With Rebecca Foust\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Workshop \n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat makes work—a poem\, short story or essay—”good”\nand—not always the same thing!—what makes it publishable?\nWhat makes writing “good” is dedication and hard work. The answers to the second question are as multiple as there are print venues—many thousands. It’s a matter of fit (taste)\, itself multifarious because taste differs with who reads your work\, and even this is unstable because first readers & editors at any given venue often change. \nThis talk will discuss\, first\, how to make your work the best it can be\, and second\, how to develop submission systems that will increase your chances of publication\, systems sustainable over a period of years that will nurture\, not damage\, your creativity. \nFind Rebecca Foust at rebeccafoust.com. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRebecca Foust\n\n\n\n\n\nRebecca Foust’s new book\, Only\, released from Four Way Books in 2022 and received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. \nThe author of three chapbooks including The Unexploded Ordnance Bin (2018 Swan Scythe Chapbook Award) and four full length collections including the widely reviewed and acclaimed Paradise Drive\, (Press 53 Award for Poetry). \nFoust was a Runner Up for the 2023 Missouri Review Editors Prize and in recent years won the Pablo Neruda\, CP Cavafy\, and James Hearst poetry prizes; other recognitions include fellowships from The Frost Place\, Hedgebrook\, MacDowell\, and Sewanee\, and a Marin County Poet Laureateship featuring events focused on the work of immigrant writers. Recent poems are in The Common\, The Hudson Review\, Narrative\, Ploughshares\, POETRY\, and elsewhere. \nA first-generation college graduate born in Pennsylvania\, Foust has an MFA in poetry from Warren Wilson\, a JD from Stanford\, and a BA from Smith College and now divides her time between Marin County\, CA and Duluth\, MN. \nAuthor photo credit: William Harvey \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDETAILS:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTIME & DATE:\nSaturday\, April 8\, 2023\n2-4 p.m. \nDuring the workshop\, there will be ample time for questions.\nThe session will be recorded for attendees. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nLOCATION:\nFinley Community Center\n2060 W. College Ave\nSanta Rosa\, CA 95401 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPRICES:\nMembers: $30\nNon-Members: $35\nNot a member yet?\nClick here to find out why you should join Redwood Writers. \n\n\n\n\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/redwood-in-person-workshop-what-makes-work-a-poem-short-story-or-essay-good-and-not-always-the-same-thing-what-makes-it-publishable/
LOCATION:Finley Communiy Center\, 2060 W. College Ave.\, Santa Rosa\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230408T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T210157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T210157Z
UID:4318-1680962400-1680973200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Long Beach (In-Person): How Setting Amplifies Writing
DESCRIPTION:April 8\, 2023 \n\n\n\n\nGustavo Hernandez \n\n\n\n\n“How Setting Amplifies Writing” \n\n\n\n\nGustavo Hernandez is the author of with Flower Grand First (Moon Tide Press 2021)\, a collection of poems that one reviewer described as “a triumphant poetry collection that reads like a hero’s journey.” Gustavo also authored the micro-chapbook\, Form His Arms (Ghost City Press) and his poems have been published in The Night Heron Banks\, Rattle\, Word Riot\, Impossible Archetype #3\, and Acentos Review.\n\nMEETING LOCATION \nThe April 8 meeting will take place at Aurora Theater/My Acting Studio\, 4412 E. Village Rd.\, Long Beach 90808  Check in and networking starts at 2:00 pm. The speaker program is from 3:00-5:00 pm.\nLimited seating is available for members\, speaker’s guests and registered visitors.\nIf you are a visitor and wish to reserve a seat (there is a temporary $5 door fee )\, please send an email to:\ninfo@calwriterslongbeach.org
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/long-beach-in-person-how-setting-amplifies-writing/
LOCATION:Aurora Theater\, 4412 E. Village Rd.\, Long Beach\, CA\, 90808\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230412T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230412T210000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T195243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T195243Z
UID:4342-1681326000-1681333200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Napa (In-Person): Writing the Emotional Piece
DESCRIPTION:WRITING THE EMOTIONAL PIECE\n \nNapa Valley Writers will feature Randall McNair\, the author of the multiple award-winning #BarPoems series\, published in 2020\, 2021 and 2022.  If Charles Bukowski\, Sharon Olds\, and Billy Collins somehow had a child\, Randall McNair would be it. \nDescribed by his inner circle as “Poet Laureate of the Absurd\,” McNair spent the better part of a decade drinking himself silly at the Swinging Door Saloon in Tustin\, California. While there\, he began writing poems that led to the #BarPoems series. He’s a blue-collar guy stuck in a white-collar life bringing the average Joe’s daily frustrations to life in a raw and tongue-in-cheek voice. His poems have been printed in American\, British\, and Canadian literary journals. McNair splits his time between the SF Bay area\, Los Angeles\, and the Philippines. Cheers! \n 
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/napa-in-person-writing-the-emotional-piece/
LOCATION:Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists\, 1625 Salvador Ave\, Napa\, CA
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T200935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T200935Z
UID:4352-1681549200-1681556400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Writers of Kern (In-Person): Writing Incredible Dialogue
DESCRIPTION:April Featured Speaker – Jenny Margotta\n\n\n\nWorkshop Title: Writing Incredible Dialogue\n\nWriting dialogue can be so much fun—and so much work. When it’s done correctly\, it can individualize your characters and add a delightful layer to your stories. When it’s done incorrectly . . . well\, let’s not go there.  Dialogue should sound as if the reader is actually listening to real people having real conversations. People speak in partial sentences and contractions. They break all the rules of proper grammar and sentence structure. They flavor their speech with regional dialects\, acronyms\, foreign words\, and their own personal idioms.    My tips for writing incredible dialogue will help you master the art of writing believable\, character-establishing dialogue that will take your story to the next level. \nBIOGRAPHY\nEditor – Jenny Margotta is an author and professional editor. As an author her portfolio includes technical articles and in-house publications written during her years in the corporate world\, as well as opinion pieces\, award-winning short stories\, two fantasy-adventure novels\, and a poignant novel about the emotional journey of a woman suffering the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. As a professional editor\, Jenny has edited over 140 full-length books and numerous short stories in a wide variety of genres. She has also formatted over 140 books and has designed more than 50 book covers.  She freelances for a Stories to Tell Books\, a small publishing house on the East Coast\, and works closely with the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club\, as well as various independent authors across the country. She assists writers through every step of the writing process from a basic idea to putting words on a page to holding a printed book in their hands. \nPublic Speaker – Jenny Margotta began performing in public at the age of three. Over the years she has both acted and directed in several stage productions. She has sung in numerous choirs and ensembles\, toured Europe with a musical group\, and for many organizations and in clubs\, both on her own and with instrumental backup.  She freely admits she seldom passes up an opportunity to take center stage and rarely if ever needs a microphone. She is articulate\, well-spoken\, and knows how to get a laugh—or a tear—from an audience. She has given presentations to Seniors With Inquiring Minds\, California Retired Teachers\, the Hesperia Public Library\, the Wrightwood Historical Museum\, the Mojave River Valley Museum\, Barstow Senior Citizens Center\, the Ridgecrest Branch of the California Writers Club\, numerous presentations for her own High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club\, and has taught classes in various writing and editing techniques at the Federal Correctional Center and\, through the Dorothy C. Blakely Memoir Project at the Academy for Academic Excellence in Apple Valley\, California\, and University Preparatory High School in Victorville\, California. As an author her portfolio includes technical articles and in-house publications for the corporate world\, opinion pieces\, award-winning short stories\, two fantasy-adventure novels\, and a poignant novel about the emotional journey of a woman suffering the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. She is currently working on her next novel\, Paisan\, a World War II-era novel\, an excerpt of which has already won an award. Her editing credits to date include editing over 140 full-length books\, formatting over 100 books\, and designing more than 50 book covers.  She is a freelance editor for Stories To Tell Books\, a small publishing house on the East Coast\, works closely with authors in the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club\, and independent authors across the country. \nMs. Margotta can be contacted at jennymargotta@mail.com. \n  \n\n\n\nWriters of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included. \nMember  – 20 USDNonmember – 25 USD12345
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/writers-of-kern-in-person-writing-incredible-dialogue/
LOCATION:Hodel’s Country Dining\, 5917 Knudsen Drive\, Bakersfield\, CA\, 93308\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T195926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T195926Z
UID:4346-1681552800-1681560000@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:SF Peninsula (In-Person): Writing Intimacy Scenes: Avoiding the Corny\, the Porn-y\, and the Clinical When Writing Sex
DESCRIPTION:Writing Intimacy Scenes: Avoiding the Corny\, the Porn-y\, and the Clinical When Writing Sex\n\n\n\nWhatever your writing genre\, from sweet romance to erotica\, from Regency Romance to erotic romantic suspense\, sexual\, or at least romantic\, intimacy between your characters is likely going to occur. Whether it’s a chaste kiss in a Victorian garden or a one-night stand between lovers who met on a train\, knowing how to choose and employ your writerly tools is vital to making those intimate moments on the page bring the response you want from your readers. \nIn this seminar we will explore: \n\n\nIntimacy vocabulary according to genre\, style\, and personal sensibilitie \n\n\nIntimacy scenes in memoir\, special considerations \n\n\nCharacter and story as keys in determining tone of intimacy scenes \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10:00 am – Club business\nand mingle with fellow writers\n11:00 am — Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister to Attend
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/sf-peninsula-in-person-writing-intimacy-scenes-avoiding-the-corny-the-porn-y-and-the-clinical-when-writing-sex/
LOCATION:Sequoia Yacht Club\, 441 Seaport Ct.\, Redwood City\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T143000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T212623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T212623Z
UID:4331-1681563600-1681569000@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Redwood (In-Person): A Poetry Celebration
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, April 15\, 2023\n1 – 2:30 p.m.\nA Poetry Celebration\nWith Fran Claggett-Holland and readings from special guest poets\nAbout the presentation:  \nPlease join us for a special celebration of all things poetry. At our April general meeting\, we will celebrate Poetry Month with poetry readings\, the announcement of this year’s poetry contest award winners\, the presentation of our upcoming poetry anthology\, and a special award for Fran Claggett-Holland from Redwood Writers for her years of service and contributions to our poetry and writing community. \nAbout Fran Claggett-Holland: \nFran Claggett-Holland’s careers include 40 years of teaching in higher education\, educational consultant\, and author of books for teachers and students. Fran has taught memoir and poetry for Osher Lifelong Learning at SSU. She recently published a fourth book of poems. Fran has served as Editor and Co-Editor of Redwood Writers Annual Poetry Anthology since 2017\, producing six anthologies. Her new poetry book\, Under the Wings of the Crow\, is available on Amazon. \nMeeting Agenda and Logistics \nCypress Room\, Finley Center \n\nMeeting starts at 1 p.m.\nPoetry celebration\nBoard and Chair announcements\nMember announcements\nAdjourn at 2:30 p.m.\n\nThis is an in-person meeting. The meeting will be recorded and made available to registrants. \nAll CWC members and non-members are welcome to attend.  \nAdmission: $5 CWC members\, $10 non-members \n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTRATION OPENING SOON
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/redwood-in-person-a-poetry-celebration/
LOCATION:Finley Communiy Center\, 2060 W. College Ave.\, Santa Rosa\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T195514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T195514Z
UID:4344-1681563600-1681570800@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Sacramento (In-Person): Pitching to Agents or Publishers
DESCRIPTION:Pitching to Agents or Publishers\n\n\n  \nSaturday\, April 15\, 2023\n 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.\nArden-Dimick Library\n891 Watt Avenue\nSacramento\, CA 95864\nFree Meeting – Open to the Public \nZoom link \nCome see your fellow writers! Hear what everyone’s working on! Find new friends who share your genre! \n\n \nwith \nJordan Bernal\nAuthor  \nCraft Your Pitch to Draw Agents’ Attention\nYou’ve written a great book\, now learn to draw an agent’s interest enough to request a sample of your writing. Bring your pitch and receive feedback on ways to hone it. \nYou will learn how to: \n\nLearn the Key Components of a pitch\nBe concise: short is sweet\nEnjoy the conversation\nUnderstand the ultimate goal of pitching\nDevelop other uses for your pitch\n\nJordan Bernal is the author of The Keepers of Éire\, The Keepers of Alba\, & Reluctant Paladin—dragon fantasies that encourage readers to let their imaginations take flight. Jordan publishes through Dragon Wing Publishing\, her independent press. She’s been a member of CWC Tri-Valley Writers since 2010. Follow Jordan at http://www.jordanbernal.com. \n  \n  \n\n 
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/sacramento-in-person-pitching-to-agents-or-publishers/
LOCATION:Arden-Dimick Library\, 891 Watt Ave\, Sacramento\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230415T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230306T214116Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230306T214116Z
UID:4282-1681567200-1681574400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Tri-Valley (In-Person): Finding Your creativity\, in the ‘Between Places
DESCRIPTION:Connie Post\, Poet Laureate\, April 15\, 2023\nFuture Meetings / By Deborah Bernal\n\n\n\nConnie Post will present “Finding your creativity\, in the ‘Between Places’” at the Tri-Valley Writers April 15\, 2023 meeting. Connie will be exploring the places to find creativity and the exploration of meaningful work in unexpected places. Specifically\, these can often be found in the spaces betwixt and between. Some of this approach is explored in her new book Between Twilight\, published by New York Quarterly Books. \n\n\nNew Location !!!\nJoin us on the third Saturday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at Tri-Valley Writers’ new meeting location: Las Positas College\, Room 2470 at 3000 Campus Hill Dr. in Livermore. Check-in begins at 1:30 p.m. There is a two-step RSVP & Payment process: \n\nEmail RSVP is REQUIRED at treasurer@trivalleywriters.org by the Thursday before the meeting\nPayment is REQUIRED (details appear when you click button\, below)\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\nAttendance Fees\nCWC adult members\, $10; nonmembers\, $12. CWC student members (ages 14-22)\, $5; student nonmembers\, $8 \nConsent to be recorded\nBy 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. \n\n\n\nConnie Post served as the first Poet Laureate of Livermore\, California. Her work has appeared in Calyx\, Cutthroat Magazine\, Comstock Review\, River Styx\, The American Journal of Poetry\, Spoon River Poetry Review\, and Verse Daily. Her awards include the Liakoura award\, the Caesura award\, and the Crab Creek Review Poetry award. Floodwater\, her first full-length book\, won the Lyrebird Award.  Her second full-length collection\, Prime Meridian\, was named a distinguished favorite in the Independent Press Awards. Her most recent collection\, Between Twilight\, was published by New York Quarterly Books in February 2023. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Diane Suess says\, “This honest voice\, this exiled voice\, comes through in poems that strike me as prayer. They seek mercy\, not so much from a deity but from the world\, and most significantly\, from herself.”
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/tri-valley-in-person-finding-your-creativity-in-the-between-places/
LOCATION:Las Positas College\, 3000 Campus Hill Dr.\, Livermore\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230416T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230416T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230306T214716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230306T214716Z
UID:4287-1681659000-1681664400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Mendocino (In-Person): The Story Behind the Image
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, April 16th\, 3:30 p.m.\n\nTHE STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE \nIn this interactive workshop\, Susan Ito will take you on a narrative journey through and beyond your most meaningful\, mysterious\, evocative and precious photo images. Using photographic images as prompts\, we will explore the stories that lie beyond the frame. Bring 4-6 personal photos that mean something to you – family\, individual\, landscape\, as well as writing materials (keyboard or notebook/pen). \nSusan Ito co-edited the literary anthology A Ghost At Heart’s Edge: Stories & Poems of Adoption. Her work has appeared in Growing Up Asian American\, Choice\, Hyphen\, Hip Mama\, Catapult\, The Bellevue Literary Review\, and elsewhere.  She has performed her solo show\, The Ice Cream Gene\, around the US. She teaches at the Writers Grotto\, Mills College and Bay Path University. Her theatrical adaption of Untold\, stories of reproductive stigma\, was produced at Brava Theater. Her memoir\, I Would Meet You Anywhere\, is forthcoming from the Ohio State University Press in fall 2023.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/mendocino-in-person-the-story-behind-the-image/
LOCATION:The Well\, Mendocino\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230417T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230417T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T174614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T174614Z
UID:4371-1681754400-1681761600@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:North State (Hybrid): Poetry and Experiences at BCAC-TV
DESCRIPTION:Being Poetry Month\, members Joan Goodreau and Hope Hill will each do a short poetry reading between 6:10 and 6:25pm as part of our new member reading segment to kick-off the meeting. \n  \nThe speaker for the April 17th meeting is a long-time member of North State Writers\, C. David Ivy\, sharing with us his experience with BCAC-TV.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/north-state-hybrid-poetry-and-experiences-at-bcac-tv/
LOCATION:Chico Veteran’s Hall\, 54 Rio Lindo Ave.\, Chico\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230418T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230418T193000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230306T201325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230306T201325Z
UID:4253-1681839000-1681846200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Central Coast (In-Person): With a Trowell not an Axe: The Gentler Way of Editing
DESCRIPTION:April 18\, 2023\nKevin Fisher-Paulson\nWith a Trowell not an Axe: The Gentler Way of Editing \nA good writer knows that editing is a part of the process\, like gardening is to the growth of flowers. But some go at their gardening with indifference\, and some go at it with an axe. This presentation will teach you when to stop writing and start editing\, how exactly to kill your darlings\, how to edit for someone else\, and when to stop editing and start submitting. \nKevin Fisher-Paulson is a weekly columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He is also the author of A Song for Lost Angels (Two Penny Press)\, which was a finalist in the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Awards as well as the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The book is about a year in his marriage\, a year wherein Brian and Kevin took in newborn triplets\, learned how to change a colostomy bag\, learned how to bake cupcakes\, and learned how to deal with the loss of children.  His second book\, How We Keep Spinning\, is a compilation of some of his best-loved columns. \nWe meet at 5:30pm on the third\nTuesday of the month at the\nCenter for Spiritual Awareness\,\n522 Central Ave.\nNext to the PG Library. \nJoin us for pizza at $2 a slice\nincluding a bottled water.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/central-coast-in-person-with-a-trowell-not-an-axe-the-gentler-way-of-editing/
LOCATION:Center for Spiritual Awareness\, 522 Central Ave.\, Pacific Grove
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T211634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T211634Z
UID:4323-1682157600-1682164800@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Berkeley (Zoom): The Creative Side of Research
DESCRIPTION:The Creative Side of Research — A Workshop with Amy Shea — 4/22/23\n\n\nIn The Creative Side of Research: The Anatomy of a Creative Essay\, essayist and writing teacher Amy Shea shares the power of incorporating research into your narrative nonfiction\, longform essay\, and creative nonfiction. \nApril 22\, 2023\, 10-12am on Zoom\nHow does a writer decide when\, how\, and how much research to include in a creative essay? In this workshop\, discussion will focus on the reasons for including research\, how research can improve an essay\, considerations on how to format and present the facts\, how to balance between critical and creative elements\, and enhancing the braided elements of research and narrative through literary elements such as voice\, tone\, and register. This workshop will include time for both close reading and writing practice. Examples of narrative nonfiction and longform journalism will be reviewed\, including a dissection of Shea’s longform essay\, “Deaths of Disparity\,” published in The Massachusetts Review. \nWrite on any topic from a personal point of view\, pulling in external research You can work on something you’ve started\, or start something you’ve been wanting to. \n$35 public/$20 members \nAbout Amy Shea\nAmy Shea is an essayist with a PhD and MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow. Her work has appeared in The Missouri Review\, Pangyrus\, Portland Review\, The Massachusetts Review\, Spry Literary Journal\, Fat City Review\, From Glasgow to Saturn\, End of Life Studies Group Blog & the Journal of Sociology of Health & Illness. She works as the Writing Program Director for Mount Tamalpais College\, a free community college for the incarcerated people of San Quentin. Learn more at https://amysshea.com. \n\nGET TICKETS\n\n\n\n\namy shea\nessay\nresearch\nwriting
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/berkeley-zoom-the-creative-side-of-research/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T173143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T173143Z
UID:4361-1682157600-1682164800@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Inland Empire (In-Person): Becoming a Writer
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, April 22\, 2023 – Randy Jurado Ertll\nRandy 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. \nRandy 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. \nErtll 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.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/inland-empire-in-person-becoming-a-writer/
LOCATION:Ovitt Family Community Library\, 215 E. C Street\, Ontario\, CA\, 91764\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230422T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T172527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T172527Z
UID:4358-1682172000-1682179200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Fremont (Zoom): Demystifying Poetry
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/fremont-zoom-demystifying-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230426T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230426T183000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230320T211958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230320T211958Z
UID:4325-1682528400-1682533800@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Marin (Zoom): Writing an Eye-Catching Query
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/marin-zoom-writing-an-eye-catching-query/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230429T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230429T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230331T201602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T202014Z
UID:4354-1682755200-1682773200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Women’s National Book Association—San Francisco Chapter Celebrates its 20th Anniversary of Pitch-O-Rama! (Zoom)
DESCRIPTION:Women’s National Book Association—\nSan Francisco Chapter celebrates its 20th anniversary of Pitch-O-Rama!\nSaturday\, April 29\, 2023. 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt Pitch-O-Rama\, up to 100 writers can pitch to\nagents\, book professionals\, and publishers.\nUnlike other pitch events\, this is organized by volunteers of WNBA-SF\, so the registration fee is affordable. \nSince 2020\, Pitch-O-Rama has been held online via Zoom\, allowing writers the flexibility to pitch remotely from the comfort of their home. \nBefore the event\, WNBA provides a pre-coaching session for: \n\n\nSupport on how to prepare a winning pitch \n\n\nAdvice on getting the most out of your time during the event \n\n\nA chance to ask questions to book professionals \n\n\nDuring the event\, authors will join breakout rooms to speak to a book coach or a marketing expert. Agents and publishers will circulate among the breakout rooms to hear writers’ pitches and provide valuable feedback. \nPitch-O-Rama is open to all writers seeking representation—nonfiction\, fiction\, YA or children’s literature—but is primarily intended for those with finished manuscripts or book proposals. \nTo register\, go to: https://wnba-sfchapter.org/save-the-date-register-for-virtual-pitch-o-rama-2023/. \nThis event has limited capacity\, so consider registering soon to secure your spot. \nTESTIMONIALS FROM PAST PITCH-O-RAMA ATTENDEES\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Besides meeting three charming writers\, I received useful feedback from professionals in the industry\, and received a request for my book proposal. One publisher has even already given me great feedback on my query letter. And I still have other leads to follow up on!” \n-Anniqua Rana \n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Going through the day with the same group of writers made a huge difference. Practicing seven times in five hours really helped me hone my pitch. The format and price make this conference perfect for getting your pitch polished before attending a high-dollar conference and attempting speed-dating with agents.” \n-Rebecca Inch-Partridge \n\n\n\n\n\n\n“All the agents were eminently supportive\, and I received great advice. My pitch evolved with each agent as I experimented and learned. Sometimes I read from my script\, sometimes I winged it. By the end\, I was plunged into existential questions about what I want my novel to be and do—invaluable.” \n-Renée J. Anderson
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/womens-national-book-association-san-francisco-chapter-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary-of-pitch-o-rama-zoom/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230504T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230504T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230427T030140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T030140Z
UID:4426-1683225000-1683232200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:East Sierra (In-Person): Writing Good\, Old-Fashioned Kids Books
DESCRIPTION:JEFF GOTTESFELD ON WRITING GOOD\, OLD-FASHIONED KIDS BOOKS ON THURSDAY\, MAY 4\n\n\nBoth a successful TV soap opera writer and a visionary creator of books for young people\, Jeff Gottesfeld will talk about “Writing Good\, Old-Fashioned Children’s Books in an un-Old Fashioned America” at our Thursday\, May 4 Ridge Writer meeting. We’ll start at 6:30 p.m.\, Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church\, 633W.Las Flores. Public invited\, no admission charge.\n\n\nJust out this month\, his “Food for Hope” details how John van Hengel launched the world’s first food bank\, in 1967. Art and text combine to show there’s no shame in being hungry – the shame lies in how long it took for someone to figure out how to feed people. It took one person with a good idea to change things.\n\n\nAuthor Jeff writes for adults to elementary-age children\, working on such TV shows as “Smallville\,” “The Young and the Restless\,” and “As the World Turns” (Associate Head Writer)\, numerous magazines and newspaper articles\, and “No Steps Behind\,” winner for the 2020 NCTA Freeman Award for the best children’s book about Asia. Also an accomplished fisherman\, he played on his high school state championship Ultimate Frisbee team\, grows a mean vegetable garden\, and considers Big Lots his favorite store.\n\n\nEarlier that afternoon\, he’ll give a “Read the Book\, Meet the Author” 2 p.m. at the Pizza Factory. For this event\, sign up and buy your ticket for $35 at Red Rock Books. On Friday\, he’ll speak to Trona school children on “Tomb Guards at Arlington\, Food Banks\, and Jeff’s Five Creative Tips for Writers of All Ages.” Please bring your friends!
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/east-sierra-in-person-writing-good-old-fashioned-kids-books/
LOCATION:Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church\, 633 W. Las Flores\, Ridgecrest\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T180656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T180656Z
UID:4387-1683363600-1683370800@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Orange Co (In-Person): Building Tension and Surprise in Short Stories
DESCRIPTION:May 06\, 2023\n\n9:00am – 9:30am Networking\n9:30am – 11:00am Guest Speaker\n\nSpeaker\nLisa Cupolo\n\nTopic\n“Building Tension and Surprise in Short Stories”\n\nLisa Cupolo has been a paparazzi photographer in London\, an aid worker in Kenya\, a script doctor in Los Angeles\, and a literary publicist at HarperCollins in Toronto. She has stories to tell. \nHer short stories have been appeared in notable publications and a recently published book of tender stories. \nHave Mercy On Us\, her debut book\, won the W.S. Porter Prize for short story collections. Her work has been published in The Virginia Quarterly Review\, Ploughshares\, Narrative\, The Idaho Review\, and others. She holds a BA in Philosophy from The University of Western Ontario\, a graduate degree in Portrait Photography from The London Institute\, and an MFA from the University of Memphis. She has lived all over the world\, but currently resides in Southern California\, where she has taught fiction writing at Chapman University. – lisacupolo.com \nLearn more about the author at https://www.lisacupolo.com
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/orange-co-in-person-building-tension-and-surprise-in-short-stories/
LOCATION:Anaheim Packing House\, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd\, Anaheim\, CA\, 92805\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T123000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T175941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T175941Z
UID:4379-1683367200-1683376200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Coastal Dunes (Hybrid): Author Rehab: Rediscovering Possibilities and Rebuilding Confidence
DESCRIPTION:Rolynn Anderson \n  \nTopic –Author Rehab: \n Rediscovering Possibilities and Rebuilding Confidence   \nRolynn Anderson loves makeovers! She crafted a curriculum to spark student learning as a high school English teacher and opened a cutting-edge high school as a principal. \nFrom scratch\, she learned how to co-captain a trawler with her husband\, cruising the Inside Passage for twenty-five summers.  Rebooting her golf game and renovating her California home’s interior and landscape are her most recent projects. In her role as author\, she delights in creating imperfect characters faced with extraordinary\, transforming challenges. \nHer hope: You’ll devour her makeover suspense/mysteries in the wee hours of the morning\, because her stories\, settings\, and characters\, capture your imagination _and_ your heart. \nOur in-person monthly meetings are open to the public and held at the:\nNipomo Library\, Community Room\, 918 West Tefft Street\, Nipomo\, CA\nDirections: From 101 northbound or southbound\, take the Tefft Street exit.\nProceed west for .9 miles. At Orchard\, turn right into the library parking lot.\nDate/times: Saturday mornings (the first Saturday of each month unless a holiday weekend)\n10:00 AM- 10:30 Check-in and Networking\n10:30-10:45 CWC Announcements\n10:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Featured Presentation\n12:15 – 12:45: Q&A\, Book Signing if applicable\nRefreshments are provided; admission is free.
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/coastal-dunes-hybrid-author-rehab-rediscovering-possibilities-and-rebuilding-confidence/
LOCATION:Nipomo Library\, 918 West Tefft Street\,\, Nipomo\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230506T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T180909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T180909Z
UID:4389-1683378000-1683385200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:San Fernando (Zoom): Writing Realistic Police Procedures
DESCRIPTION:Adam Plantinga\n\n\nWriting Realistic Police Procedures\n\n\n\nAdam Plantinga\n\n\n\nThe San Fernando Valley Branch of the California Writers Club is pleased to welcome police veteran and author Adam Plantinga as the keynote speaker on Saturday\, May 6th at 1:00 pm via Zoom\, with a presentation titled “Writing Realistic Police Procedures.” \n\n\nWorking on a crime story and want to sound authentic? Twenty-one year police veteran Sgt. Adam Plantinga will talk us through the various aspects of real-life police work crucial to writing a crime-related novel or screenplay\, including: \n\n\n1. Shots Fired/The Use of Force. \n\n\n2. Investigations \n\n\n3. Police Procedure and Culture \n\n\n4. CSI \n\n\n5. The Street. \n\n\nHe’ll discuss bullet wounds\, eyewitness reliability\, Miranda Rights\, how hard it is to kick down a door\, car chases\, the myth of the lone investigator\, and much more! \n\n\nPlantinga was a Milwaukee police officer from 2001 to 2008\, and is currently a sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department assigned to street patrol. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and daughters. \n\n\nHis first book\, 400 Things Cops Know\, was nominated for an Agatha Award and won the 2015 Silver Falchion award for best nonfiction crime reference. The book was hailed as “truly excellent” by author Lee Child and deemed “the new Bible for crime writers” by The Wall Street Journal. Members might be interested to know that Adam went through ninety literary agents before he found a publisher for this book! \n\n\nNext came another nonfiction work\, Police Craft\, then Adam moved on to fiction. His debut novel\, Nothing Like Easy\, about an ex-cop caught up in a prison riot\, is scheduled to be released by Grand Central Publishing in late 2023. \n\n\nFor more information on this popular speaker\, visit www.adamplantiga.com. \n\n\nHope to see you there!All members of the CWC-SFV will receive a Zoom invitation to this presentation. Members of other CWC branches should contact Zoom host\, Anat Wenick\, by noon on May 5th at SFV.CWC@gmail.com for an invitation to register. Guests may purchase admission at www.cwc-sfv.org by noon on May 5th. After purchasing admission\, guests will receive a Zoom invitation.  We regret we cannot accommodate late requests. \n\n\nNon-members who wish to attend\, please click below to pay $10.00 and receive your Zoom link. To ensure a timely response\, registration  must be made at least 24 hours prior to the event. \n\n\n  \n\n\n \n\n\nGuest Payment Via Zelle: sfv.cwc@gmail.com
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/san-fernando-zoom-writing-realistic-police-procedures/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230510T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230510T210000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230427T023130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T023130Z
UID:4408-1683745200-1683752400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Napa (In-Person): Bright Lights\, Prairie Dust
DESCRIPTION: May Meeting \nWHEN  —    Wednesday\, May 10\, 7-9 p.m. \nWHERE  — Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists\, 1625 Salvador Ave. Napa \n\nNapa Valley Writers Present\nBright Lights\, Prairie Dust\n \nNapa Valley Writers will feature Karen Grassle\, the author of Bright Lights\, Prairie Dust: Reflections on Life\, Loss\, and Love from Little House’s Ma\, published in 2021. She will share some of the choices she made to create an environment for her characters\, and one that her readers could embrace.  Bright Lights\, Prairie Dust celebrates and honors womanhood in all its complexity. This winning story fills out a life that is so much more than “Little House on the Prairie.”  She will share an insider look at how she learned life lessons from the roller coaster life of an actress\, overcoming career obstacles\, rejection\, and a family challenged by alcoholism and depression.  Her life parallels the growth of women’s consciousness in the culture. \nKaren Grassle is best known for her role of “Ma” on Little House on the Prairie.  Her life is that of a thoroughly modern woman and she shares her experience of the sexual revolution\, the woman’s movement\, and finding balance between her dedication to work and her longing for a rich personal life.  Karen has appeared on Broadway and stages throughout the U.S. and Canada. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n We look forward to seeing you soon!\n\nFor the latest news on upcoming events please click on  Events menu pages. \n\n 
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/napa-in-person-bright-lights-prairie-dust/
LOCATION:Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists\, 1625 Salvador Ave\, Napa\, CA
CATEGORIES:In Person
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230427T025519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T025519Z
UID:4424-1683972000-1683979200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:South Bay (In-Person): Riveting Array of Character Quirks & Foibles
DESCRIPTION:May 13th at 10AM: “Riveting Array of Character Quirks & Foibles” with Ellen Kirschman\, Mystery Author & Clinical Psychologist\nApr 24\, 2023 | Event\, Speaker\, Writing \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStan Lee\, the pioneering writer of Marvel Comics\, achieved unparalleled success by merging classical mythology with modern psychology\, featuring heroes whose god-like powers were balanced by their all-too-relatable human foibles and insecurities. Flip through the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 Manual (or its Wikipedia summary) and behold a dazzling array of mental quirks that can form the basis for a riveting cast of characters. In creative work\, art and science are deeply intertwined\, like the double helix of DNA that writes the story of our existence. At the very least\, you’ll sound smarter.\n  \nDuring our meeting on May 13th\, Ellen Kirschman will explain how her professional experience as a clinical psychologist enriches and enhances her mystery writing.\n  \nAbout: \n\nEllen is the author of the acclaimed Dot Meyerhoff mystery series. Called the “cop doc\,” Ellen has been a clinical psychologist far longer than she has been a mystery writer. Her specialty is treating first responders\, police officers\, and firefighters who are suffering from work-related traumatic stress. She is indebted to her clients and colleagues for inspiring her with their stories. Her mystery series “marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent\,” according to the Midwest Book Review. \n  \nEllen’s protagonist\, police psychologist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff\, is a spunky\, fifty-plus-year-old who takes orders from no one\, including her chief. Dot never gives up on anyone\, which is important because cops are difficult clients. They hate reaching out for help because it makes them feel weak\, and they don’t trust outsiders\, especially “shrinks.” These overlapping tensions add rich psychological layers to Ellen’s intricately plotted mysteries. \n\n\n  \nEllen started her writing career with non-fiction\, and is still at it. Along the way\, she has earned awards from The California Psychological Association for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology and the American Psychological Association for Outstanding Contribution to Police and Public Safety Psychology. She blogs at Psychology Today\, serves on the Northern California board of Mystery Writers of America\, and belong to Sisters-in-Crime\, the Public Safety Writers Association\, The American Psychological Association\, and the psychological services section of The Association of Chiefs of Police. \n \n\n\nWhen: Saturday\,  May 13th at 10AM \nWhere: Headen-Inman House Museum\n1509 Warburton Ave. Santa Clara \nContinental Breakfast Included \nMEMBERS $10 \nNONMEMBER $15 \n 
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/south-bay-in-person-riveting-array-of-character-quirks-foibles/
LOCATION:Headen-Inman House Mueaum\, 1509 Warburton Ave\, Santa Clara\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T174011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T174011Z
UID:4369-1683973800-1683986400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Mt. Diablo (In-Person): Research For Writers – Internet Skills All Writers Should Know
DESCRIPTION:Research For Writers – Internet Skills All Writers Should Know\n\n\n\n\n\nGeri Spieler has written about the only woman who shot at a sitting U.S. President. Using her high-level investigative skills\, Spieler got Washington to open the file on what happened that day\, instead of what the FBI covered up\, chronicled in her breakthrough book\, Housewife Assassin – The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford\, (Diversion Books). In this true crime book\, Spieler reveals the story of that woman\, Sara Jane Moore\, a mother and doctor’s wife who lived in the country club community of Danville in 1975 and in 18 months\, became the first woman who tried to assassinate the President and missed his head by six inches.  \nSpieler is the president of the San Francisco Peninsula branch of the California Writers Club. She has written for the Los Angeles Times\, San Francisco Chronicle\, and Forbes\, and as a Research Director for Gartner\, a global technology advising company. She was a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Truthdig.com\, an award-winning investigative reporting website. She has written San Francisco Values: Common Ground for Getting America Back on Track. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists\, the Authors Guild\, the Women’s National Book Association\, the Internet Society\, and the Book Critics Circle. \n\n\n\n\nHow do you start your research process? What words do you use to find information?  Do you know how to gauge when a website is genuine? In this workshop\, we will introduce the methods that combine the main topics of “Online Research Methods\,” which include several methodologies to equip you with the skills and tools to prepare you to find accurate information and discern whether it is reliable. \nAttendees Will Learn:\n\nWhy you should search using more than one search engine?\nHow to create better keyword and word-phrase searches using search strings\nHow to avoid “Disambiguation.”\nWhat is the “Deep Web\,” and how can it help the research process?\nHow can I search anonymously?\nList of Deep Web search engines and databases.\nWhat is the difference between search engines\, metasearch engines\, directors\, and portals\, and how can it help my research?\nHow to avoid “Filter Bubbles.”\nWhat are invisible websites\, and why can’t we use them?\nIs “People-Search” ethical? How can we use it for our purposes?\n\nSchedule:\n\n10:30 Check-in\n11:15 Writers Table\n12:00 Buffet Lunch\n1:00 Featured Speaker\n\nMeeting Fees:\n\nMembers $25.00*\nGuests $30.00\n*Member price increases to $30.00 at noon on May 10th\n\nClick Here to Register\n\nLocation:\nZio Fraedo’s Restaurant\n611 Gregory Lane\, Pleasant Hill\, CA
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/mt-diablo-in-person-research-for-writers-internet-skills-all-writers-should-know/
LOCATION:Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant\, 611 Gregory Ln\, Pleasant Hill\, CA\, 94523\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230427T024852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230427T024852Z
UID:4420-1683979200-1683986400@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:San Joaquin(Zoom): When Plots Collide. Create Suspenseful Page-Turners by Weaving Multiple Storylines
DESCRIPTION:John Byrne Barry\, Author. “When Plots Collide. Create Suspenseful Page-Turners by Weaving Multiple Storylines.” https://johnbyrnebarry.com\n\nMay 13 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdd to calendar \n\n\nDETAILS\n\nDate:\nMay 13 \nTime:\n\n12:00 pm – 2:00 pm\n\n\n\n\nORGANIZER\n\nSan Joaquin Valley Writers\nEmail:\nSjvalletwriters@gmail.com\nView Organizer Website\n\n\n\n\n\nVENUE\n\nZoom event
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/san-joaquinzoom-when-plots-collide-create-suspenseful-page-turners-by-weaving-multiple-storylines/
CATEGORIES:Zoom
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230513T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T142205
CREATED:20230419T180421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230419T180502Z
UID:4382-1683986400-1683997200@calwriters.org
SUMMARY:Long Beach (In-Person): 7 Steps to Your Author Brand
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\n\nGreta Boris and Megan Haskell \n\n\n\n\nWriting Workshop: \n“7 Steps to Your Author Brand”
URL:https://calwriters.org/event/long-beach-in-person-7-steps-to-your-author-brand/
LOCATION:Los Altos United Methodist Church\, 5950 E. Willow St.\, Long Beach\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person
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END:VCALENDAR