California Writers Club mentioned in The Oakland Tribune

It is gratifying to see our writing club mentioned in the press. Here is an article that appeared in the Oakland Tribune that not only mentions the California Writers Club, but the Centennial Grove in Oakland that was planted in honor of California Writers.

Enjoy!

President's Message for September

Linda Loveland Reid
President’s Message
Sept 2009

BACK TO SCHOOL



I remember returning to school as a young girl in Healdsburg , on a burning hot September day in which I’d insisted on wearing a new winter outfit, the one I’d picked all those prunes to buy. I was hot and uncomfortable, but I was back.
School years, while they can offer some tough challenges both mentally and emotionally, have always been exciting places for me. I suspect that might be true for most writers. We are proverbial students, always reading and learning. That is why Redwood Writers is such a great “fit” for me. Looking at the line-up of activities for September and October only substantiates my feelings.

First is the Sept 19 Sonoma County Book Festival. RW is proud to be a major organizer this year, handling both the RW Booth and the new Redwood Writers Reading Circle. Many of our authors will be speaking their wares on this glorious Saturday in the sun. Come and meander along the many booths chockfull of books and writing ideas. Hear poetry, see mini-plays, listen to stories, and enjoy food and music.

Sept 13 is our next General Membership meeting at Copperfield's Books in Montgomery Village. Our speaker is Seth Harwood, mystery writer and pod-caster extraordinaire, who will tell us his secrets for success.

Sept 26 is the release of RW’s next anthology, Vintage Voices. Your voices that is, and I can’t wait to hear the readings at North Light Books in Cotati where we will celebrate the launch from 2:00-4:00.

Our biggest event of the year is the Writers Conference on Oct 24, at the Flamingo Hotel. What an accomplishment! Do you know, thinking of the economy, what a good deal this is? I went to the San Francisco Conference last February and it was just under $600 for 2 days. Here you have many of the same great seminars, an opportunity to have your work reviewed by a professional editor, and great speakers all for under $150.

If you’ve not registered yet, do it now on-line at our website: www.redwoodwriters.org (a place you should check out regularly.)

During the first week of September, I will be interviewed on Elaine Holtz’s TV show, Women Spaces, the third most watched local access production in our county. Joining me will be Patricia Volonakis Davis, author of the delightful book, Harlot’s Sauce. Together we will promote the Writers Conference. Please watch your email for airing times.

This brings me to the subject of volunteerism, something Americans do very well. I am proud of the long list of RW members who spend hundreds of hours making our motto a reality: “writers helping writers.”

A big “thank you” to the many who have contacted us to work at the Book Festival or at the Writers Conference. Your support is heartwarming. However, we still need more help, so let me know if you can spare, not a dime in these hard times, but an hour for the Conference, or let Karen Batchelor know if you can work two hours “sitting” the RW Booth at the Festival. You will have fun and help too.

Speaking of hard times, the Festival and most of RW events are FREE!

And, speaking of volunteerism, being an audience for your fellow writer is another way of helping, while at the same time learning and being entertained. What could be better? So, wherever a RW is speaking or reading, bring friends, your family, or heck, bring strangers, or better yet, prospective members!

As to school and learning? Together we are creating a special space:

Of learning, i.e., our recent Tech Workshop;
Of seminars, i.e., all day at the Conference;
Of readings, i.e., Salons and Odd Month Readings;
Of speakers, i.e., each month at General Meetings;
Of writing opportunities; i.e., RW's many contests;

Maybe leave your winter clothes in the closet for a few more weeks, but do indeed join in all the opportunities and the friendships offered at Redwood Writers.

Write to Win

What do Marlene Cullen, Susan Littlefield, Ron Pasquariello, Jeanne Miller, Pat Tyler and Karen Batchelor have in common—beside the fact that we are all members of Redwood Writers? This is the list of our club members who have won money from the website www.wordsfordollars.com since its inception in June of this year.

I discovered this opportunity by chance when I was looking on Craigslist for a little part-time, temporary writing or editing job. I saw a post for the website and decided to check it out. At first the young man in charge was offering $500 as first prize, but within a day or two the first prize had dropped to $150 and the runner-up prizes to $50. It costs $5 to enter so I thought I would give it a try because it was not a big investment. I didn’t want to recommend this to the general membership unless I knew it was legitimate. I found out within days that I had won first prize and my check arrived soon after. Then I was convinced.

That first week there were only eight entries, so the operator of this site dug into his pockets to pay the prize money. The second week there were only ten entries. The last two weeks there have been 18 submissions each. He hopes that the quantity of submissions will continue to grow, but it seems obvious to me that he cannot continue to go in the red each week. Therefore the opportunity may not last very long.

There is a posted theme, but it is not necessary to write on that theme. He also writes and posts a piece of his own on-topic writing. He accepts essays/memoir and poems up to 1,000 words, and short stories with a maximum of 2,000 words. He also has a “Discuss” button where readers can leave comments on the winning pieces. Although the manager would like to see more discussion on the winning pieces, this part of the site is not used much.

I suggest that you go to the site, www.wordsfordollars.com and take a look at the winning stories, essays and poems—many written by our members. I also suggest that you try to take advantage of this site. I would like the young man to succeed, but I would also like you to be a winner!

June 28 Karen Batchelor “View from a Distance”

“The Last Day”

July 5 Susan Littlefield “The Favor”

Marlene Cullen “What are Gophers for?”

July 12 Ron Pasquariello “Lament of a Dead Man Walking”

Jeanne Miller “The Hitch”

Pat Tyler “It Never Happened”

July 19 Karen Batchelor “Mirrors and Memories”

Good luck!

submitted by Karen Batchelor

Book Launch - July 12th for Redwood Writers

Next Meeting: July 12 - moved from the 5th


This meeting will be held at Copperfield's Books 2316 Montgomery Dr, Santa Rosa, CA - (707) 578-8938 For a map, click here. Room Fee; $3 members/$5 non-members

Where better to celebrate Redwood members who have recently published books than at a great local bookstore?

Six member/authors will read from their books and sign them as well. Come prepared to be entertained and to purchase our members’ books.

Centennial Celebration: to recognize 100 years of CWC literary history, George Rathmell and Mary Priest will speak on the origins of CWC and the founding of the Redwood Branch. (Be sure to wear your centennial pin.)

Our Redwood Authors

• Pamela Pizzimenti - The River Whispers, a fantasy book for young teens about loving and letting go

• Kate Farrell - Girl in the Mirror, a young adult novella of self-discovery

• Tyler Stanley - Counting the Days: Recovery through the Romance Side of the Brain, chronicles recovery from traumatic brain injury with romantic poetry

• Linda Loveland Reid - Touch of Magenta, a novel of two women with secrets revealed and lies untold.

• JC Miller (Jeanne Miller) - On the Brink of Nora, literary novel of life change and challenge

Note: There will be NO book swap or door prizes!