Newsstand
Members: Got news? Submit a short blurb about your accomplishments as a writer using the Newsstand form:
This may include awards, nominations, achievements, interviews, recent publications,
and anything else pertaining to your accomplishments as a writer.
Read through the Newsstand Submission Guidelines for best practices. And for more tips, read previous announcements sent in by your fellow CWC members below.
Geri Spieler’s Housewife Assassin on Amazon, at library, optioned for film
Geri Spieler's new book, Housewife Assassin, and accompanying audio are available on Amazon. She will speak at the Library Book Club about the book on Thursday, March 9 at 6:30, at Rinconada Library in Palo Alto. Her book has been optioned for a movie again with different folks. She has a contract—and her fingers crossed!
Colleen Olle’s “Scarification” in print!
Colleen Olle’s short story “Scarification” appears in Unfortunately, Literary Magazine. From initial draft to published piece, with quiescent periods in between, the story took nearly fifteen years to complete.
Eva Barrows to help writers create value-filled newsletters
At the Writers Helping Writers session on February 16 at the Rinconada Library, member Eva Barrows will discuss creating a value-filled newsletter that your target audience will love to receive in their email inbox. Eva will discuss content ideas, newsletter email systems, important dos and don’ts, and more. Check out our Events page for more information.
Birth Your Truest Story offers Writers’ Roundtable
The Birth Your Truest Story online community, co-founded by member Audrey Kalman, will offer a Writers' Roundtable on Sunday, February 5, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Learn how to develop your characters more deeply so readers will stay engaged. Ask questions, interact with other writers, and energize your writing practice. Purchase here or join the BYTS community for free to find out more about this and other events, including a love-themed open mic!
Laurel Anne Hill’s novel shortlisted for Dante Rossetti Book Award
Laurel Anne Hill’s multi-award-winning novel Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 has recently been moved from the Chanticleer Dante Rossetti Book Awards Young Adult Fiction long list to their short list. Next up: the semifinals! Please cross your fingers for Laurel and her flies.
Richard McCallum’s work at Museum of the Rockies and The Sink
Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, is having a screening of Richard McCallum’s Changing Dawn, a film he wrote and directed fifty years ago for the MSU Archaeology Department.
The Sink, the iconic, one-hundred-year-old Colorado University (CU) burger restaurant and bar, has published Richard McCallum’s ditty “The Days of ’69” on their Sink Facebook page.
Richard’s work can be found on his website: remstories.com.
“Thumb Boy” by Marianne Brems
Marianne Brems's poem "Thumb Boy" appears in the Winter 2023 edition of Remington Review!
Geri Spieler will present “Super Sleuthing” at Writers Helping Writers
President Geri Spieler will present “Super Sleuthing: Internet Research Skills and Information Everyone Should Know” at the Writers Helping Writers event on Thursday, January 19 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Rinconada Library in Palo Alto. Learn online research methods, including how to explore the deep web and avoid “filter bubbles.”
Vanessa MacLaren-Wray’s short story and upcoming novel
In honor of Insurrection Day (January 6th), Dragon Gems published “The True Son,” a tale of bitter conflict—and sword-fighting—as the king’s biological and foster sons sort out their … priorities … in the alternate-world nation of Jeska. The story presages Vanessa MacLaren-Wray’s upcoming novel, Shadows of Insurrection.
James Hanna’s Fact Check garners favorable reviews
Ten book reviewers have given James Hanna’s anthology, Fact Check and More Probing Tales either a 4/4-star or a 5/5-star rating. Seattle Book Review calls Hanna’s book, “a dazzling collection of stories about people and events that run the gamut from mundane to astonishing, delightful to terrifying, all the while both entertaining and amusing.”
A political allegory and a vignette by James Hanna
What happens when a lonely librarian answers a matrimonial ad from a demented farmer growing mutant plant-creatures for the government? The answer may be found in “Fruits,” James Hanna’s political allegory published in The Chamber Magazine. His two-hundred word vignette, “A Chicken Story,” appears in 10 by 10, a journal that showcases ten pieces of condensed fiction per issue.
Marianne’s award-winning poem
Check out member Marianne Brems’ award-winning poem. She is a winner in the Flapper Press Autumn Poetry Contest for her poem, "A Reptilian Time Machine." This poem is included in her chapbook Unsung Offerings.
Our members in CWC Literary Review
As a member, you should have received your copy of the California Writers Club Literary Review, Issue No. 11, 2022. A hearty congratulations to our five members whose works are published in this edition. They are Anne Marie Wenzel (pictured at left) with two of her works, "Summer Heaven" and "Earth Song: A Cento," poetry; Brad Hoge, "The Swing Set," poetry; Karen Sundback, "Land of Goodness and Hope," prose fiction; Lucretia Leong, "Where Have All My Nouns Gone," prose memoir; and Marianne Brems, "Preparing Soup," poetry. Inspirational and beautiful writing, guys! You represent us well!
Mary Beth’s op-ed and interview
Check out Mary Beth O'Connor’s LA Times op-ed, ”It wasn't luck that allowed me to become a judge after meth addiction. It was white privilege.” Her piece was reprinted by newspapers and news services around the country, including the San Jose Mercury News. In addition, Mary Beth was interviewed on the Tavis Smiley radio show on Apple Podcasts. The interview covers her story in general and the story of her arrest. You’re having an impact, Mary Beth!
Geri presents!
Our intrepid president Geri Spieler is confirmed to present two sessions at the upcoming San Francisco Writers Conference at the Hyatt Embarcadero in February. 1) A Master Class on “Internet Research Skills Everyone Should Know,” Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. 2) A presentation entitled “Just the facts: How to research true crime,” Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3:15 PM. Jack Webb would advise her, “Just the facts, Geri.”
Laurel’s Kirkus Reviews recommendation
On November 27, Kirkus Reviews posted their sponsored interview with Laurel Anne Hill on their website. Her Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits 1846 received a "recommended status," placing it in the top 30% of all Kirkus reviews during the same time span. Check it all out here.
Darlene Frank’s program to express your most powerful writing voice
Want to move past writing blocks, find your creative edge, and go deep into your imagination to produce powerful writing? Check out “Spark Your Creativity: A Writing Journey into the Deep Imagination.” Darlene Frank provided a taste of this program at our November CWC meeting. Program begins January 7. Register by Friday, December 9, and receive a free bonus! Details here.
Laurel Anne Hill’s novel finalist in multicultural fiction
Laurel Anne Hill has won a 14th award for Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846. Her book was chosen as one of five finalists in multicultural fiction. HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, McGraw Hill, Tor Books, other large publishers, and hundreds of Independent Houses contributed to American Book Fest’s 19th Annual Best Book Awards for 2022.
Audrey Kalman offers prompt-based workshop
CWC member and past president Audrey Kalman offers "Stir Your Creativity for the New Year." This prompt-based workshop examines how writers can set themselves up for a rich and rewarding creative experience in 2023. We’ll explore myths and poetry for inspiration as well as some practices to help you stay on track. December 4, 2022, 10 am-11:30 am PST. $39.99 Register here.
David Harris’s “The East Bay Hills” long-listed for short story prize
David Harris, a member of the CWC-SFP board, has been long-listed for The Dillydoun Review 2022 Short Story Prize for his story "The East Bay Hills."