Reena Kapoor was invited to read her flash fiction story “Prayer Beads and Samosas” by the Flash Fiction Forum for their tenth anniversary celebration on August 23rd. A modified version of her short story “Interstellar Sympathies—Who Needs Them!?” will be published later this year in the Redwood Writers 2023 Prose Anthology: One Universe to the Left.

CWC member Steve Latner was offered an option deal for his novel This Taxi for Hire to be made into a feature film. Set during the 1970s on the San Francisco Peninsula, this murder mystery was inspired by Mr. Latner’s experience as a cab driver.

Tom Adams’s “The Tutor” won second place in speculative fiction in the 2023 Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference contest. Judge Ploi Pirapokin says this about Tom’s writing:

“A bildungsroman featuring recorded regrets, fatphobia, and an A.I. that provides the protagonist with a unique way to process his values. The protagonist’s earlier decision could have resulted in a more drastic consequence, which in turn, would be a deeper catalyst for his changed behavior.”

Megan McDonald, whose poem “Burn Scar” won honorable mention in the Redwood Writers’ contest, had another poem—“Unlikely Hiker”—accepted for their 2023 Phases anthology.

Kate Adams, Fault Zone editor, has had her poem “Ulysses” accepted for the Redwood Writers’ upcoming anthology, Phases.

Geri Spieler has signed with a new agent, Nancy Rosenfeld, for her historical novel, Regina of Warsaw, based on her grandmother’s story.

Carole Bumpus reports that Barnes & Noble plans to open a new store in Burlingame this fall. She has the inside track on a speakers’ series they plan with their launch and is gathering a list of CWC authors who’ve had their books published 2021+. One speaker at a time will be featured at the new venue. Please report your interest to Carole, who will coordinate, at carolebumpus@gmail.com.

This year’s Louise Boggess Award goes to Sue Barizon, along with her stalwart husband and ex-officio member at large Steve. Oh, how we feel warmly hosted by their congenial setup, environment, and perfect service. Thank you two so much!

Long-term leader, past branch president, board member, NorCal Representative, and so much more, Carole Bumpus was awarded the Ina Coolbrith Award by the CWC Central Board. The CWC Central Board bestows the Ina Coolbrith Award to honor a member for exemplary service to CWC and/or the Central Board. Congratulations, Carole! Well earned!

A full-page story about Geri Spieler’s Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford appeared recently in New York Weekly. On July 12, Geri recorded a perspective at the KQED studio in San Francisco. You can read the text and listen here.

Darlene Frank is thrilled that 60 people attended a special online event on June 28 celebrating 11 writers reading from their work in progress. Attendees raved about the high quality of the writing. Readers included CWC members Korie Pelka, Sue Barizon, and Cheryl Ray. Megan McDonald was the friendly co-host. Thanks to the many CWC members who attended this event! Watch the replay here.

Carole Bumpus’s A September to Remember: Searching for Culinary Pleasures at the Italian Table has won an Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Book Award 2022 Silver Medal for Travel and a 2021 Bronze Winner for Travel from Foreword Reviews. Her series Savoring the Olde Ways garnered an IPPY 2021 Gold Medal of Nonfiction Series. Congratulations!

With lots of help and feedback from her CWC critique group, Alyssa Lauren Stone published "I'm a Believer Who Married a Skeptic" in Shondaland Media, producers of TV greats such as Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton. You can find more information about her and her other stories at www.alyssalaurenstone.com.

Geri Spieler was just announced the winner of the 2023 International Book Awards in the History: United States category for Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford, published by Diversion Publishing Corp.

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.