May 10, 2023
Dear members of the San Francisco Peninsula Branch of the CWC,
Newsblast Update May 10, 2023!
Find our website at https://cwc-sfpeninsula.org
Members submit news to: newsletter@sfpeninsulawriters.com
Meeting: Sat, May 20, 2023, 10am-12pm, In-person only
Our own member, Carole Bumpus (Past President), author of the historical novel, A Cup of Redemption, and the companion cookbook, Recipes for Redemption, will be sharing ways that we can learn productive ways to paint words into our latest writing of any form. Read more and pre-register for $15 to attend meetings or pay at the door. Sequoia Yacht Club.
President’s Message (Geri Spieler)
Why Writing Clubs Can Be Essential to Your Craft and Success
or
How my writing club helped me write and publish my first book
I never planned to write a book. In fact, becoming an author was never my ambition. I was a journalist, and as far as I was concerned, anything longer than 1,700 words was as much as I could focus on.
Briefly, some quick background; I met Sara Jane Moore, the woman who actually fired a gun pointed at Pres. Ford’s head, after she shot at Pres. Ford in front of the St. Francisco Hotel in San Francisco on Sept. 22, 1975.
I lived and worked in Los Angeles at the time. I didn’t cover her.
After she was arrested, she wrote to me in the care of the newspaper I was working for as she saw an article I wrote about a class action lawsuit brought against Sybil Brand Women’s Jail and wanted to meet me.
That initial meeting was the beginning of over 20 years of correspondence and occasional visits and put me on the road to writing a book and becoming a member of a writing club.
So, when Sara Jane asked me to write her book, I was clear in my response: “I don’t write books. They are too hard and take too long. Write your own book.” She nagged and nagged.
All I had was an idea for a book, but what I had initially uncovered made me want to look further.
I joined the San Francisco Peninsula Branch of the California Writers Club, and it was the members of this organization that took me by the hand and supported me throughout the grueling process of finding editors, taking courses, and supporting me as I was frustrated as hell at the long and arduous process to find an agent.
With the help of the club members, they guided me in my I’m thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Yes, I did write that book.
Club Business: Vote on Amended Bylaws at Our June Meeting
Parliamentarian David Harris will conduct a vote at our June meeting, where we will also elect a new president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. Candidate bios will be submitted in a special newsblast later this week.
On April 10, the SF-CWC Board of Directors voted to amend our Bylaws and Policies and Procedures. Bylaws must be approved by our general membership. Check out the proposed amended bylaws and policies and procedures. If you have questions, please send them to president@sfpeninsulawriters.com.
Save the date
Let’s have some fun and make some great connections at our annual CWC picnic on Saturday, July 15th, 12:00 Noon to 3:00PM. More details to follow.
Special Events
Writers Helping Writers Palo Alto
On May 18th, Laurel Anne Hill will be presenting “The Short Story is Not a Very, Very Short Novel”. She will help us understand why brevity and coherence should hold the reader’s undivided attention from beginning to end.
Writers Helping Writers San Mateo
On May 11, member Eva Barrows will discuss how we can create a newsletter our audience will want to read.
Open Mic (Fourth Tuesday of each month via Zoom)
Shut Up and Write (Weekly)
Member News (see more online)
Read all about our member’s great accomplishments. Congratulations to:
Alfred Jan’s contribution of a catalog essay
Julie Vie who will be speaking at the SFWA Nebula Conference in Anaheim
Laurel Anne Hill who was honored with a Chanticleer Blue Ribbon for her novel.
Richard E. McCallum’s acceptance of his film to the Museum of the Rockies
Take Advantage
Need a critique group? Members find that a critique group is one of the greatest benefits of our club! Find a group. Apply to join a group. Form your own group. Consult with Matchmaker Miera Rao: mieraraocwc@gmail.com. Interested in more than one group? Please fill out separate forms.
Join our private Facebook group. In Facebook, search for “CWC-SF Peninsula Members Group”.
To submit news or ask news questions, write to newsletter@sfpeninsulawriters.com.
Add your profile to our Member profiles.
Start anywhere!
Pat Obuchowski
Your Newsblast Writer
California Writers Club
San Francisco / Peninsula Branch