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In Every Issue
Member News
Club News
State News
Articles
Features
Member Perks
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Member News
Edited by Carolyn Doyle
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Have you got news? Let us know! Send a short description with particulars, plus links and images if you have them, to writeangles@gmail.com!
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Cristina Deptula & Sheryl Bize-Boutté
2 "generations" of Oakland writers
 In December, Cristina Deptula & Sheryl Bize-Boutté read works about Oakland together at the last Bay Area Generations show of the year. This is a notable reading series for paired writers of different - and sometimes differing - generations.
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Tom Higgins
In gratitude, and in defense of Christmas...
Tom Higgins' essay "In Thanks" was published in the just out 50-Year Edition (#242) of Ascent, "a curated selection of the finest writings in the canon of climbing literature..."
Tom also had a letter to the editor published in the San Francisco Chronicle, December 24, 2017, defending the sending of Christmas cards against another editorial that claimed the purpose of cards is to make recipients feel "pangs of envy." "Not our motive nor that of most of our friends," he countered." We wish 'to share the ups and downs of the year, bright faces of kids or grandkids and honestly, lovingly wish all well for the season.' So there!" The Chronicle gave the letter a big font header: Time to Embrace the Holiday Season, and added a graphic of many hands lighting candles.
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 JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
Speaking in February
Member JoAnn S. Ainsworth, Peggy Lucke, and Kate Jessica Raphael will host a panel discussion on mystery writing at the San Francisco Public Library, Civic Center, 100 Larkin St., on February 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. A book signing will follow.
JoAnn S. Ainsworth will speak to AAUW members about her WII paranormal suspense series wherein the U.S. govt. recruits psychics to locate Nazi spies on February 12, at 7 p.m., in the ballroom at Cardinal Point, 2431 Mariner Square Dr., Alameda
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Did you know the CWC-BB website hosts a list of published members? Check under the "Our Members" tab on the website!
If you have published books, short stories, articles, etc. and are a current member of CWC-BB, you are eligible for a listing. Especially if there are links to your work!
To be included, fill out this form.
ALSO send a headshot (100dpi width min.) to jsa@joannsmithainsworth.com.
— JoAnn Ainsworth, PM Page Webmaster
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REVIEWS OF OUR MEMBERS BOOKS
One of the best parts of a writers club is trading books, meeting new minds, being in awe of your new friends. Make the commitment to read and review at least ONE book by a fellow member each year. Send a copy of your review to writeangles@gmail.com... show how we are all in the presence of greatness!
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One member describes our club as "a great home base for all kinds of writers." This is what's happening in our branch.
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January Speaker: "How to Be a Publishing Success Story" with Ted Weinstein 1/21/18
A well-known non-fiction literary agent's perspective
After a year of dramatic changes in book publishing, the larger media world, and the entire nation, authors must be more entrepreneurial than ever to maximize their chances of success. At our Sunday, January 21st meeting, literary agent Ted Weinstein will give an overview of recent publishing developments and offer guidance on the best routes to publishing success, whether you’re seeking traditional publication or the indie route.
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1/20/18 - A Member-Hosted Reading
Literary reactions to the 2016 Election
The CWC is trying something new. We are sponsoring an open mic event hosted by members. Fred Dodsworth and Kristen Caven, whose works were published in the anthology 11/9: the Fall of American Democracy, are inviting fellow contributors and CWC members to read at an open mic at at The Octopus Literary Salon. 100% of this book's profits will be donated to charities. The event will be held on 1/20 from 4-6pm, after the Women's March in Downtown Oakland. Come early to sign up for the open mic, and talk to other local writers about our club! Say you're coming on Facebook!
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1/28/18 - Writing Retreat
A quiet writing retreat to get focused on your work.
All you need is a laptop or a notebook, and a goal!
When: Sunday, 1/28, 10am-3pm
Where: at a serene Lake Merritt hideaway
How Much: $10 donation includes unlimited coffee/tea
PLUS: free parking and a luxurious no-host Writer's Brunch from 12-1pm.
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A Happy Holiday Was Had
 We had so much fun at our Winter Social! About 30 members and guests came to the reception and dinner, and we gained three new members!
Thank you to all of our volunteers who made this possible. Several members staffed the check-in table, Lucille ran the raffle, Karma brought music and hosted a fabulous open mic, Linda Z. registered new members. Thank you to The Flourishing Artist for providing the swanky, upscale gathering space! Thank you to everyone who took pictures! You can see them and upload more in this shared Google album.
A table decorated with our beautiful works.
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Half Year Member Drive!
Only $42.50 for January thru June
Please tell your friends it's time for our half-year membership special! Send them to our website's About>Membership page for all the information. They need to fill out an application AND submit payment.
Welcome New Members!
Hector Nolla, Anker Fanoe & Emily Hancock
New Member Orientation
Get acquainted with your club!
The Membership Lindas (Brown and Zallen) will be hosting another New Member Orientation on Saturday, February 24th. Location TBA! Add to Calendar.
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Join the Nom Com
Help shape the club's future
Have you been looking for a meaningful way to help the club? Volunteer for the nominating committee to help identify potential board members. We need two people to follow the simple steps and present a slate of officers at our April meeting; we will have elections in May. Contact the president at berkeley.cwc@gmail.com.
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New Memoir Group forming
First new critique group in years!
Writing Ourselves is a new, formally established, CWC-BB-sponsored critique group recently founded by new members Wendy Soneson and Patricia McBroom. Watch for information on our website to learn how to join, or look 'em up in our directory, MRMS! Would you like to start a critique/support group? Write us!
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Raffles now Feature
YOUR Books...(and Wine)
Get your book SEEN! Every month!
Our raffle now focuses exclusively on our member works! Please donate something from your frontlist or backlist to our next meeting ("hurt" books are fine). Using raffle proceeds, the club will be the first one to purchase your next new book when it is published! Get raffle tickets for $1 each or 6 for $5. ALSO... now every meeting attendee receives a FREE raffle ticket! We also welcome donated bottles of wine and gift certificates.
Please bring one of your books to the next meeting...and purchase a ticket to win one!
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 Help Wanted!
Simple ways to help the Club
Here are some tasks that would really help the club flow. Write us if you can take something on!
- Monthly: help assemble/design Write Angles in MailChimp
- Monthly: go through Write Angles email account and curate articles for this newsletter.
- One-time: type up emails and send a letter to everyone who visited our booths at Book Festivals this spring; invite them to visit or join CWC!
- One-time: Help us administer a member survey!
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New Year's Writing Goals
We asked, you answered!
John Byrne Barry: "My goal in 2018 is to finish the novel I’m writing now, Edgewater, a family thriller about euthanasia. The protagonist, Lamar Rose, a secondary character in my first novel — Bones in the Wash: Politics is Tough. Family is Tougher — is a middle-aged therapist whose father has cancer and dementia and demands his son help him die."
Linda Brown and Therese Pipe send greetings from a writer's retreat in Mexico, led by a former CWC member. What a wonderful goal they've accomplished already! It even appears they are getting some work done. (And some play.)
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Here's what's happening at the state level, and/or in other branches.
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 Mt. Diablo Social 12/9
Novelist, stage director, and performance coach Amana McTigue will present “Pitching: Telling the Story of Your Story” at the next luncheon meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.
She will lead an interactive session on how to craft a pitch of your work, practicing your pitch, and overcoming nerves. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a one-sentence pitch, a 50 words-or-fewer pitch, and a pitch you’d like to work on.
Ms. McTigue has published her debut novel, Going to Solace, and her works for the stage have been produced at Carnegie Hall, the Minnesota Opera, and through collaborations with Disney and Paramount Entertainment. One of her short stories was nominated for a Pushcart prize. She is currently researching her second novel, set in Cuba.
Sign-in begins at 11:00 am, luncheon from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm, and speaker from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm. The cost is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests.
Reservations are required, and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. To reserve, go to the CWC Mt. Diablo website at: https:/cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting/.
The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.org
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 San Francisco Writers Conference
Registration Open Now
The San Francisco Writers Conference (SFWC) is February 15-18, 2018, (Presidents Day weekend) at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. REGISTER NOW for the 2018 SFWC! CLICK HERE
Also available are low-cost, in-depth SFWC open enrollment classes taught by conference presenters on February 15 & 19.
Keynote speakers: California Poet Laureate/former NEA Chairman Dana Gioia; New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite thriller series: My Sister’s Grave, Her Final Breath thriller novelist Robert Dugoni; and Shanthi Sekaran, author of the critically acclaimed novels, Luck Boy and The Prayer Room.
Featured speakers: YA author Mitali Perkins (also teaching at the SFWC Young Writer’s Special Event) and Tri-Valley Writers presenting their well-received “Practice Your Pitch: Cast Off Your Jitters” sessions.
What to expect in 2018 at the SFWC: Over 100 bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There will be author and book promotion experts. Connect with leaders in self-publishing and traditional publishing. Visit www.sfwriters.org for more information.
Enter the 2018 San Francisco Writing Contest. It is now open for entries and the rules are here.
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Thank you to Berkeley Branch members Tim Jollymore and Lynn Fraley for volunteering to represent us at the CWC booth at Conference!
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Submit articles about craft, business, opportunities, or writing advice to writeangles@gmail.com!
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Don’t Neglect the Endings
By JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
Endings are important features in novels—endings of sentences, scenes and chapters.
“What makes the end of something so important?” you ask.
Endings of sentences can carry the “punch” that makes your words stick in the reader’s mind. Endings of scenes can vault your reader seamlessly into the next scene where that Point-of-View character reappears. Endings of chapters are many times the reason why readers stay awake all night, unable to put down the novel.
Continue reading here...
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This section honors Oakland's lively literary scene with clips of fresh writing by members. Send a short short (500 words max), an excerpt and a link, or a poem to writeangles@gmail.com!
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Edgewater
Chapter 1. You Can’t? Or You Won’t?
CHICAGO. JULY 2015. “
You have to help me.” His father grabbed his wrist, tightened his grip. Lamar had to catch a flight home to Albuquerque. He tried to pull away gently.
“I can’t stand it,” His father groaned through clenched teeth. The air conditioner in the window wheezed, but it was still too hot. A shaft of afternoon sun was edging onto the foot of the bed.
“I get it, Dad. It’s horrible. I don’t know how you manage.” His flight was at seven, but he still had to walk back to his AirBnB and pick up his suitcase.
“I don’t. That’s why —”
“Right now you are. You’ve got your mind.”
“No, right now is what I can’t stand. You know what I mean.”
Lamar did know. His father, Robert Rose, was falling toward his 84th birthday. Two months ago, he went into hospice, but his bile duct cancer had taken a breather. Meanwhile, dementia was taking over his mind. He spent more and more of his waking hours in a dreamy parallel universe, his lucid stretches getting shorter and shorter.
When he was lucid, he knew he was losing his mind, and that’s what killed him. Well, no, it wasn’t killing him, but he wished it was.
“Are you listening to music? You have all those CDs you love, the classical, the jazz, the swing. I can put a stack of five on for you. Those songs can carry you away.”
“I fall asleep or forget. Who’s going to turn it off?” “
Kawhan will. He knows how to work your boombox.” His father turned his face away. Didn’t say anything. He had asked Lamar to help him once before, last winter, but it was theoretical then. Less urgent. Something like, I’m going to need your help when this gets bad. Now it was officially bad.
“Dad, I know you’re suffering. We can up your meds. But I have to go now.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. They’re collecting all our tools. We won’t be able to pee in our own bathrooms. The soup is poisoned.”
“What tools are those, Dad?” Lamar played along. Didn’t challenge him.
“Plyers. Staplers. Drills. You know, tools.”
“You love your Beethoven, don’t you? And your big-band music?”
“Don’t go changing the subject. I need you to help me.”
“I can’t, Dad.”
“You can’t? Or you won’t?”
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"This is from Margaret Atwood: 'We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories.'
"Margaret Atwood, this is for you and all of the women who came before you and after you, who were brave enough to speak out against intolerance and injustice and to fight for equality and freedom in this world. We no longer live in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. We no longer live in the gaps between the stories. We are the story in print. And we are writing the story ourselves. Thank you."
—Elizabeth Moss, accepting her Golden Globe.
Wearing black.
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Why did YOU join the club? Reply to this email and tell your story.
