Darlene Frank will present “Memoir Momentum: Avoid 3 Common Obstacles That Keep Writers Stuck” on Thursday, January 22, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. This free workshop will help writers move past obstacles, find clarity in their stories, and build momentum to finish memoirs. Register at “Memoir Momentum.”

Colleen Olle’s picture book, Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!, is “sweet and charming” and “full of heart and gentle humor,” according to a review by Theresa Maria Villarreal, whose new YouTube channel, Literary Ladle, is dedicated to highlighting children’s literature and supports kid-lit authors.

The 2025 Global Book Awards honored James Hanna’s novel, Call Me Pomeroy, with a Gold medal in the Humor & Satire category. Additionally, James received a Finalist award in the Fiction: Humor category for Lights Out Lizzie from the 2025 Independent Author Network (IAN).

Ginny Kubitz Moyer's historical fiction novel, The World at Home, set in 1944 San Francisco, was published on December 9 by She Writes Press. Publishers Weekly called it "An evocative picture of life during wartime," and Kirkus Reviews described it as "Capturing the unique beauty and diversity of San Francisco."

Ida Lewenstein hosted a book party at a local Tampa Bay bookstore, where she displayed her 11 books of rhyming poetry. At another event, she and her son, Dan, read her poems aloud to children at a local elementary school and donated her books to the school's library.

Marianne Brems’s poetry collection, Within the Trifles, was published by Kelsay Books, an independent literary press. The collection is inspired by a Charles Dickens quote: "Trifles are the sum of life.” Trifles are the kernels within the trivial events of everyday life that are often overlooked yet carry profound meaning.

David Harris’s story, “Too Silent a Morning,” was published in Halfway Down the Stairs, a quarterly literary magazine. While working on a grant to restore wetlands, Charlotte is torn between her attraction to a colleague and her love for her husband, who is struggling with deep discontent in middle age.

James Hanna publishes an excerpt from his forthcoming novella, Beaching the Mermaid, in Adelaide Magazine. His story, “The Vegas Differential,” is reprinted in Bewildering Stories, about two nerdy boys beset by calamitous visions, and “Bending the Bow” appears in A Thin Slice of Anxiety, featuring vigilante Bowmen confronting unruly DOGE boys.

Darlene Frank was named 2025 Imagery Person of the Year by Imagery International, a multidisciplinary association of professionals who use guided imagery in their work. Her presentation at their annual conference became the foundation for “Spark Your Creativity,” her writing program that helps participants explore imagination through deep imagery storytelling.

Darlene Frank will present “Memoir Momentum: Avoid 3 Common Obstacles” on Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Writers Helping Writers, hosted by the San Mateo Public Library. This presentation will help writers move past obstacles, gain clarity, and build momentum toward completing their memoir.

Geri Spieler was interviewed by Brian Lamb, host of Booknotes and founder of C-SPAN, about her book, Housewife Assassin. Geri shared her story about the woman who tried to kill President Ford. Booknotes features a mix of new interviews with authors and historians, along with classic segments from the archives.

Kate Adams and Reena Kapoor’s collaborative collection, You Spoke Prose, I Heard Poetry, blends one-hundred-word stories, one-hundred-syllable poems, and vivid photo-art. Each chapter features an image, a micro-story, and a sonnet or ballad. Designed for leisurely reading, the book invites reflection—one or two chapters at a time.

Geri Spieler’s biography, Housewife Assassin, made headlines when the would-be assassin of President Ford, Sara Jane Moore, died. Geri was interviewed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Associated Press. She is scheduled to appear on a BBC interview and a C-SPAN podcast with Brian Lamb.

Nirmy Kang was selected to read an excerpt from her short story, “A Life in Five Baths,” at the annual South Asian Art & Literature Festival (SALA), held September 13-14 in Menlo Park. The event showcases South Asian culture, featuring curated South Asian speakers and panel discussions on literature, art, culinary topics, and social issues.

James Hanna's ribald tale, “How I Done Good in School,” appears as a reprint in A Thin Slice of Anxiety, a journal that favors unfettered perspectives that are more engaging and adventurous than mainstream publications.

The new Vision & Verse II chose three of Lawrence Sherman Cohn’s ekphrastic poems for its 2025 edition. Additionally, Waverley Writers has accepted one of his poems for its anthology, Fresh Hot Bread 2025. Waverley Writers meet on the first Friday of each month at the Friends Meeting House in Palo Alto.

Cheryl Ray’s book, She-Faring: From Fear to Magic at Sea, received a BookLife review, a service supported by Publishers Weekly dedicated to indie authors. The reviewer assessed the book as a “Lyrical tribute to the transformative splendor of the high seas.” This two-part book includes a sailing memoir and fictional sea stories.

James Hanna's fiction story, “Blow-Up Bella” makes an encore appearance in a quarterly journal titled 96th of October. In this ribald tale, a born loser bonds with an inflatable doll he bought in an adult store. Their relationship includes dinner dates, an ocean cruise, and couples counseling.

Audrey Kalman’s online writers’ community, Birth Your Truest Story, is partnering with author and marketing expert Shawn Langwell for a one-day workshop, The Book and Beyond, in Petaluma on November 1. Writers will learn self-promotion and marketing through the art of storytelling. Early bird registration runs through September 30.

Reena Kapoor's short comedy play, Art of the Possible, will be staged by the Bay Area Drama Company at the Pear Theatre in Mountain View, September 11-14, as part of their "Shorts Circuit" showcase. Tickets for Reena’s play are available through Circuit B Tickets.