Dr. Jeanne Powell was a featured poet on Juneteenth, June 19, at the Kimpton Alton Hotel on Fisherman’s Wharf. She will read July 6 at San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) as part of Better Ancestors event, sponsored by Quiet Lightning. She will also read in Petaluma on September 17 as part of the annual Petaluma Poetry Walk.

David Harris's short story "Detroit in the Distance" about a biracial couple traveling in Egypt will appear in the July edition of the UK online journal Idle Ink.

Geri Spieler, our fearless leader for the last two years, started her presidency with an ambitious agenda, which, with the support of an incredible team, she achieved spectacularly. Overhauling the website, revising the policy and procedures, creating a private Facebook page are all very impressive accomplishments. But what I appreciate most about Geri is her big heart. Geri is generous through and through. She is generous with her time, with her applause, and with her mentoring. Anytime I needed to run an idea or a question past her, I just picked up the phone and called. The voice on the other end of the line was always warm and welcoming. Her motto throughout the last two years was “You’re not alone.” She has lived and exemplified that motto. She stepped up and stepped in for us and encouraged us to do the same. She built and strengthened our community. In the middle of the pandemic, when my father passed away from COVID, she brought a platter of fruit for my family. I couldn’t hug her, but her gesture moved me deeply and is something I will carry with me forever.

Thank you for your grace, your mentorship, and most of all your big heart, Geri. Your leadership will serve as an example for CWC for a long time. —Vibha Akkaraju

Just out—David LaRoche’s Ordinary Times! During the late fifties in San Fernando Valley, several men, two women, and a movie producer converge, each intent on success. A romp with poignant moments, an honest reflection on the careless behavior of good folks under threat of becoming nuclear dust, D.L. LaRoche’s novel awaits you on Amazon.

Thanks to Miera Rao for her successful efforts to support the formation of CWC SF-Peninsula critique groups! Matchmaking began last month, and after a flurry of introductions, writers have begun to plan their dates and share their work for critique. To find out more, click here or email Miera at mieraraocwc@gmail.com.

Richard E. McCallum is proud to announce that the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, seeks permission to make his film, Changing Dawn, available in their library. Screened for the Montana Archaeology Society on April 22, 2023, the documentary is about an archaeological site in Montana’s Three Forks area. In addition, check out the makeover of his REMStories Author Page.

On April 29, the Chanticleer Authors Conference celebrated the winners of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) in Bellingham, WA. Laurel Anne Hill won a Chanticleer Blue Ribbon (in the Dante Rossetti YA Fiction division) for her novel, Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846. In addition, Laurel served as a panelist and announced this year’s winners of the Ozma Fantasy Fiction Awards.

Julie Vie will be speaking on two panels: “Creating Vast Worlds and Keeping Track of Them” and “Exploring Possibilities with Legal Systems in SFF Online” at the 2023 SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association) Nebula Conference, May 12 to 14 in Anaheim.

The Palo Alto Weekly has published a full-page article about Geri Spieler and her book, Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford. Read the article here.

Alfred Jan has contributed a catalog essay for Eve Page Mathias’s exhibition, The Big Red Chair Project, which runs from May 6 to August 13 at Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. The reception takes place May 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Current president of our CWC-SF Peninsula branch, Geri Spieler has been asked to run for vice president of the state CWC board. In May, she will present “Advanced Internet Research Skills for Writers” at the CWC Mt. Diablo and CWC Central Coast branch meetings.

Marianne Brems’s new poetry collection, In Its Own Time, is now available at a special pre-order price April 10–June 16 at Finishing Line Press. In addition, her poem “A Simple Stillness” was published in Front Porch Review on April 15.