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.
David’s Angels Speak of Love
David Harris' short story "When Angels Speak of Love" has been accepted for publication by the online and print journal The Opiate in late October. The story revolves around a character in his early thirties who discovers his recently deceased mother may have been planning to adopt a child when she was married to her first husband, who died unexpectedly. She later married the man who is the protagonist's father. This discovery and questions it raises about his mother's life occurs at the same time he is considering adopting a child as his own marriage is coming apart. The story was rejected sixteen times before it was accepted.
Geri is On a Roll!
Geri Spieler held a book launch party for Regina of Warsaw: Love, Loss and Liberation under the pear tree in her yard for an audience of a few friends and colleagues. The story based on her grandmother’s life has already received a five-star award from Literary Titan. It was just announced as the 2024 New York Book Festival winner. She’s had three radio/TV interviews about Regina of Warsaw in the UK, one with the BBC. She’s appeared in an interview on NPR-QUED. And if all this isn’t enough, she just added, “I've had 16 media and print publications pick up on Regina.”Whoot, Geri! And get this, folks! She still has time for her chickens!
James Hanna
Ever the irrepressible storyteller, humorist James Hanna’s story, “The Silent Stalker,” appears in Bewildering Stories, “a journal that likes the quirky stuff,” Jim adds.
David Harris on Lit Mag Publishing
David Harris’ presentation at our June monthly meeting received such praise that the Central Coast branch of the CWC has invited him to give the same one in November. Out-a-sight, David!
Darlene Frank celebrates big turnout for her online event, "Writers Read and Celebrate Their Work”!
Over 60 people attended the June 26 online event where ten writers read from their works in progress. Compliments flowed into the chat: “Moving, meaningful, heart-opening, soulful.” Featured readers included CWC members Sue Barizon, Korie Pelka, Cheryl Ray, Alisha Willis, and Donna Wocher. Megan McDonald was co-host. Watch the replay here.
Ida J. Lewenstein rhymes again with her latest children's book
With renewed interest in planet Mars, Ida J. Lewenstein announces the publication of her 11th children’s book, Little Green Men from Mars. Two adventurous Martians journey to Earth and are amazed at what they find. There’s nothing like that on rock-strewn Mars! What will they tell their fellow Martians when they get home?
CWC members featured in Best of the Best: 2024 Literary Review
Congrats to Bradley Hoge, Lawrence Cohn, Jo Carpignano, Sue Barizon, Tim Flood, and Vanessa MacLaren-Wray for the selection of their writing for publication in the Best of the Best: 2024 Literary Review by the California Writers Club.
Marianne Brems’s “Ordinary Ways” available in new journal
Marianne Brems’s poem "Ordinary Ways" was published on July 7 in the inaugural issue of Symphonies of Imagination. To order, click here.
Dave M. Strom’s Super Holly Hansson is back in action!
Dave M. Strom has just released his latest book Super Holly Hansson: The Rise of the Stumpfinger! Comic book writer, geek girl, and mightiest superhero on Earth, Super Holly faces off against orange-topped, power-hungry Billington Stumpfinger, who has risen from failed casino owner to President of the USA. Super Holly’s body-armored soulmate, Cal “The Intellectual” Critbert assists in combating Stumpfinger and other villains in this comic-book style collection of short stories.
Geri Spieler interviewed by the BBC
On July 8, Geri Spieler was interviewed on radio and TV by the BBC about her latest book, Regina of Warsaw. Geri’s book, Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford, has received an award from the Independent Publishers Association for best nonfiction.
James Hanna’s Lights Out Lizzie now in Literally Stories
An excerpt from James Hanna’s novel, Lights Out Lizzie, appears in Literally Stories. In this excerpt, Gertie and her tag team partner Cocheta wrestle a bruising behemoth of a woman named Samoa Moa. A “Polynesian Priestess,” Moa is determined to punish the two girls for their sinful lifestyle. The match is held in Houston before a crowd of cheering Christians.
Laurel Anne Hill accepts award for Fault Zone: Detachment
On June 24, Laurel Anne Hill attended the Independent Press Awards ceremony in New Jersey and accepted the first place award (anthology category) that Fault Zone: Detachment won earlier this year. Pictured with Laurel Anne is Ted Olczak, marketing manager for IPA.
Alisha to Read
Alisha Willis reports, “I will be reading one of my pieces on Wednesday at 5:30pm PST at Darlene Frank’s “Writers Read and Celebrate Their Work!” event. If you are able to come, please register.”
Reena Kapoor Interviewed
Reena Kapoor was interviewed and featured by the Women's National Book Association-SF chapter. Reena has been a board member of the SF chapter since 2023 and also maintains the Resources pages on our branch website. Way to go, Reena!
Geri Piles Up Awards
Wowie Zowie! While she’s all wrapped up with the release of her latest, Regina of Warsaw, Geri Spieler was awarded finalist in the True Crime division of the Indie Book Awards for Housewife Assassin.
Dr. Jeanne Powell’s busy writing summer
Dr. Jeanne Powell was one of the featured readers at a Juneteenth event at the Medicine for Nightmares bookstore in the SF Mission district. On June 20, Dr. Jeanne participated in a Writers Lunch panel discussion, a monthly Zoom event of the Mechanics Institute Library. In August, she will attend the Anaphora Arts writing retreat in Tuscany, Italy, for nine days. Her writing submission earned her a $1,200 scholarship!
Fault Zone wins again!
Editors Kate Adams and Laurel Anne Hill are excited to announce that in June 2024 Fault Zone: Detachment won its second award: the National Indie Excellence Award in the Anthology category. One winner and three finalists were chosen. Fault Zone: Detachment placed as one of the finalists. Please give a round of applause to all our authors, editors, and Paper Angel Press. On June 24th, Laurel will attend the Independent Press Awards dinner in New Jersey to celebrate the first-place award (Anthology category) Fault Zone: Detachment won earlier this year.
Invitation to a salon celebrating Marianne Brems’s debut poetry collection
Marianne Brems invites all poetry enthusiasts to a salon and poetry reading celebrating the publication of her first full-length poetry collection Stepping Stones, published by Kelsay Books.
This is an in-person event at a residence in Redwood City on Sunday, June 30, 4:30–6:00 p.m. Come socialize with the author and other poetry enthusiasts, listen to a short selection of poems, have your book signed, and enjoy light refreshments.
If you would like to attend, please visit her website for her contact information (email address).
David Harris presents “Cracking the Code: How to Get Published in Literary Journals”
Whether you’re a new or established writer or poet, figuring out how to get your work published in literary journals can be confusing and, at times, overwhelming. How do you evaluate which publications are likely to publish your work, and how do you keep track of your work when submitting multiple stories to different publications? When does it make sense to enter a contest? Perhaps most important: how do you keep going after receiving multiple rejections?
Learn from David at our next CWC meeting on Saturday, June 15.
Tim Flood to present “Finding a Publisher” at Writers Helping Writers in San Mateo
Interested in finding a publisher for that book you’ve labored over for so long? On Thursday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Writers Helping Writers in San Mateo, Tim Flood will present “Finding a Publisher: A Dating Game — and More.” Tim will discuss the game of publishing, an author’s mental preparation, and how to get organized during this complex search. Learn more here.