Redwood Writers Workshops and Events Page

Writers' Workshops and Events

May

1-31

writersonlineclasses.com Show Up Naked: Writing from a Man's POV Instructor Christine Raymond

1-31

Death Scene Investigation: Naturals to Homicide and Everything In Between Instructor: Phyllis Middleton

Death Scene Investigations: Facts and What to Expect. From the Coroner’s Investigator point of view - I will give an interactive workshop on what to expect from the scene and how to handle it – from working with the police, family and pathologists. How does a Medical Examiner / Coroner handle the body at the scene? Find out in this fun and sometimes ‘gross’ workshop! This will include a spelling booklet of frequently used medical and corner terms.

While employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the tender age of nineteen, Phyllis Middleton was trained in the Science of Fingerprints. This training included the classification, comparison and search methods used by FBI and known throughout the USA. Once returning to her home in Colorado, she was a Deputy Sheriff for the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Department and specialized in crime scene investigation and evidence processing. Certified in Pueblo District and County Courts, Phyllis testified in a number of cases as an expert in the field of fingerprints. While as the Sheriff’s Department, she branched out in Patrol and Investigations; as well as being a member of the Search and Rescue Squad, State Disaster Team and becoming an Emergency Medical Technician and Certified Police Instructor. Phyllis also worked as a Kentucky Police Officer and finally rounding out twenty years as a Senior Criminal / Civil Investigator with the Denver Coroner’s Office her last six years of active service. Since marrying and moving to Texas, Phyllis no longer works as an active law enforcement officer, although volunteers her time to her local police department. She presently works security on a chemical dock and writes mystery / suspense / action adventure with romantic elements.

1-31

The Journey Cycle Instructor: Robin Matheson

Is your protagonist poised at the Edge of the Forest, negotiating the Trail of Breadcrumbs, or facing the Mirror on the Wall? To reach a satisfying ending to any story, be it romance or another genre, each step in the Journey requires careful deliberation if your hero or heroine is to pass the Glass Slipper Test.

This course uses the familiar, symbolic world of Fairy Tales to reinterpret the Hero's Journey into easy to understand motifs. As a story building tool, the course examines key issues and poses a series of questions about each stage to help writers "troubleshoot" their way to the next "level". A 2-part assignment is included with each of the 12 lectures.

Whether you are seeking a better understanding of the journey process to create a stronger story structure or you are looking for some brainstorming ideas to conquer a certain leg of that journey, this course is for you!

Since her debut release in 2004, award winning author Robin Matheson has sold five books using the journey cycle model. Robin holds degrees in Classical Civilization and English and a Master of Education. She's taught numerous courses at college, overseas and more recently online courses on writing. One of Robin's greatest passions is traveling. In addition to their home base, she and her family have also lived in South East Asia and South Africa. Visit her at www.rematheson.com.

5-30

PASIC Presents: The Great Agent Search Instructor: Jenna Petersen Whether they have finished their first manuscript or their tenth, many authors are overwhelmed by the daunting task of searching for an agent. This workshop breaks the agent search down and discusses common issues.

Part One: Who Needs An Agent? - In this section, I discuss the pros and cons to having an agent. I also talk a bit about what most agents do, both for an unpublished client and one who already has a contract to negotiate.

Part Two: How Do I Find An Agent? - This part deals with the actual searching portion of an agent search. I discuss, in detail, several methods of finding an agent, all based on my own experience (from personal agent searches and information garnered for my industry website).

Part Three: How Do I Attract the Attention of a Good Agent?: - We will discuss how to write a good query letter (for an agent or an editor), by breaking down each paragraph in a query. I will provide several examples.

Part Four: What Do I Do Now That I Have An Agent Interested In Me? - This section will help a potential client handle agent interest in a professional manner. It discusses everything from asking the right questions to following their gut when it’s right.

Part Five : What Do I Do Now That I’ve Hired An Agent? - Even after the Agent Search is over, many authors are still lost. So this section deals with what they should expect from most agents and how the relationship between author and agent shifts once they’ve hired someone.

Part Six: What If I Want to Fire My Agent? - This is one of the concepts I get the most questions on. Discusses reasons why you might fire your agent and how to go about doing it so that you don’t burn bridges.

Part Seven: But What If I Don’t WANT An Agent? - A final discussion on how an author can still pursue a romance career without dealing with an agent. Discusses approaching editors on your own and resources available to deal with your own contracts.

About the Instructor: Jenna Petersen started writing full-time in 1999 when her husband said, “You’re only happy when you’re writing, why don’t you do that?” In 2004, her dream came true when her literary agent called to say she’d just sold two books to Avon.

Her releases include: Scandalous (October 2005), From London With Love (August 2006) and Desire Never Dies (January 2007), Seduction is Forever (October 2007) and the upcoming Lessons from a Courtesan (August 2008). She also writes erotic romance as Jess Michaels, and helped launch the Avon Red line with her novella in Parlor Games. Her next Jess Michaels release is Something Reckless (May 2008). She’s been a Bookscan and Waldenbooks Mass Market bestseller.

In addition, she has run The Passionate Pen since 1999. This popular site for aspiring authors gets nearly 200,000 hits per month and contains information on literary agents, publishing houses, articles about writing and the industry, links and Jenna’s Diary toward and beyond publication. You can find her at www.passionatepen.com and at www.jennapetersen.com

Deadline to Register: April 30th

The Center Literary Cafe Presents Marian Stephans 7-9 pm Doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Healdsburg Senior Center (707) 431-3324) 133 Matheson Street one block east of Plaza Free $5 donation encouraged to support this monthly event. For more information contact Cynthia Beecher (707) 696 1111

Mariam Stephens spent thirty years in the field of human communication and psychology. Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she later established teaching, training, and private practices as a psychotherapist in London, UK .

After raising a family, Mariam traveled extensively, researching and documenting the communication systems and cultures of diverse societies. From Java, Indonesia , Mariam migrated to California . Here, she writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry, "Without deadlines and pressures." She focuses on inner and outer peace in her published poetry and work in progress.

Open mic. Your place to read. Hear local talent Book sale table. Authors bring your books.

Writers Forum presents Kemble Scott 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

KEMBLE SCOTT will discuss the challenges of writing about "touchy subjects." Sex, drugs and violence appear throughout literature, but how do you write about them in a genuine way? And what will your mother think? Scott has practical advice for navigating these issues. He'll also share tips for aspiring writers trying to get their first books published. In the difficult world of publishing, there are some steps you can take to help you beat the odds. www.kemblescott.com

KEMBLE SCOTT is the author of the bestselling novel SoMa, the story of twentysomethings on the prowl for thrills in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood. He's the editor of SoMa Literary Review (www.somalit.com) and has been honored with three Emmy awards for his work in television news. www.kemblescott.com

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

17-18

El Sobrante

22-?

writersonlineclasses.com Advanced Discovering Story Magic Returns Instructors Laura Baker & Robin Perini

23-26

Baycon 2008 - Adventures in Space - a Pirate's Tale Santa Clara, CA

Poetry, Pints, and Prose at Finbar’s Irish Pub emceed by Michelle Baynes, This is a new poetry reading series on the fourth Sunday of each month upstairs at Finbar Devine’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 145 Kentucky St., Petaluma. Phone (707) 762-9807 or (707) 762-9800. The featured reading starts at 6:30, followed by open mic. Since there is a generous hour for other readers, please consider bringing a poem or short prose piece along with you (5-minute limit), and join right in! Come at 6:00 to sign up. For more information, contact Michelle at 707-326-3773 or Catherine at 707-338-1554 or e-mail them at PoetryPintsProse@aol.com.

29-6/1

ODD Month Readings community room, Healdsburg Library 2-4 PM

June

Redwood Writers Meeting 3-5 PM at Marvin's Restaurant, 7991 Old Redwood Highway, corner of William St., in Cotati

1-30

How to Disappear: Making Yourself Disappear in Today's World Instructor: Frank Ahearn

The course titled “How To Disappear” will be a unique class focusing on skip tracing, social engineering and how to disappear. How To Disappear, reveals the skip tracers secrets and how Frank M. Ahearn has protected people from unwanted in their time of need. Not to mention informative stories of social engineering.

Frank M. Ahearn is one of the worlds top skip tracers; today he works with people who want to disappear or seek more privacy.

1-30

Creating Your Hero's Fatal Flaw Instructor: Laurie Campbell Schnebly

Giving likable, plausible characters a compelling conflict is easier with Enneagrams. Counselors and personnel managers use this personality tool to identify the nine personality types: Perfectionist, Nurturer, Achiever, Romantic, Observer, Skeptic, Adventurer, Leader and Peacemaker. Each has distinctive traits -- including a fatal flaw -- that will naturally bring them into conflict with other people...AND with themselves.

Laurie Schnebly Campbell grew up in a family that talked psychology around the dinner table. While her day job in advertising is responsible for her synopsis-writing skills, her Master's in Counseling comes in handy for creating sympathetic, vivid characters in her books -- including the one that beat out Nora Roberts for "Best Special Edition of the Year."

1-30

writersonlineclasses.com Pitch Perfect: Getting to the Heart of Your Romance Novel Instructor Janet Wellington

The Center Literary Cafe 7-9 pm Doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Healdsburg Senior Center (707) 431-3324) 133 Matheson Street one block east of Plaza Free $5 donation encouraged to support this monthly event.

Open mic Your place to read Hear local talent Book sale table Authors bring your books

Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa (UUCSR) Writers meet in the "New Room", Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa, 547 Mendocino Ave.Santa Rosa, Ca 95401, 707-568-5381 or www.uusantarosa.org Meetings are held in the afternoon, 4 - 6 pm, and again in the evening, 6:45 - 8:45 pm. Focus: Whatever your creative endeavor: memoirs, letters, history, biographies, the Great American novel, poems, essays, song lyrics, reports, term papers, cook books, web pages, blogs, etc., our focus is to provide an atmosphere where you can improve and hone your writing skills.The UUCSR Writers is open to the novice, the more experienced, and the published author. Membership at UUCSR is not required. UUCSR Writers, Georgette G. deBlois, GGdeB@aol.com, uucsrwriters.blogspot.com

WordTemple presents Susan Kelly-DeWitt and Albert Flynn DeSilver

Opening poet: Susan Kennedy

Susan Kelly-DeWitt is the author of THE FORTUNATE ISLANDS (Marick Press 207). Other works include the chapbooks A CAMELLIA FOR JUDY FEATHER’S HAND, TO A SMALL MOTH, Susan Kelly-DeWitt’s GREATEST HITS, THE LAND and a letterpress collection, THE BOOK OF INSECTS. Her new chapbook, CASSIOPEIA ABOVE THE BANYAN TREE appears online as Mudlark 33 and was released in an expanded print version from Rattlesnake Press in 2007. Over the years she has worked as a freelance writer and poetry columnist for the Sacramento Bee and Sacramento Union, as the editor of the on-line journal Perihelion and the print journal Quercus; she has been a California Poet-in-the-Schools, the program director of an arts program for homeless women, an educator, and an artist in the prisons. She lives in Sacramento, California, where she is an editor of Swan Scythe Press, an exhibiting visual artist and an instructor the University of California, Davis Extension. She recently completed her second collection of poems, GHOSTFIRE.

Albert Flynn DeSilver is the author, most recently of Letters to Early Street, Summer 2007 from La Alameda/University of New Mexico Press, and Walking Tooth & Cloud from French Connection Press in Paris, January 2007. He has published more than one hundred poems in literary journals worldwide including Zyzzyva, New American Writing, Jacket (Australia), Poetry Kanto (Japan), Van Gogh’s Ear (France), Hanging Loose, Exquisite Corpse, and many others. He is also the editor and publisher of The Owl Press, publishing innovative poetry and poetic collaboration. He is now the CEO/Director of Visiting Angels, a Senior Homecare agency in Santa Rosa, California.

An Interactive Screenplay Workshop: From Idea to Finished Script, Presented by the Central Coast Branch 11-5 Monterrey

Veteran producers/studio executives Monika Skerbelis and Cari-Esta Albert will lead a this full day interactive workshop to give writers the tools to overcome procrastination, writer’s block and general insecurity in order to successfully create and complete a screenplay. During each session of the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to reference beats of their individual projects.

Public - $125, Central Coast Writers Branch members - $95 Lunch is included for all participants.

The Barking Dog Café, open mike poetry and music 5-8 PM 18133 Hwy 12, Sonoma, Ca. 95476. The reading series is hosted by Juanita J. Martin, 2005-06 Sonoma County Library Slam Champion. Call Juanita @ (707) 435-1807 for more information or call the cafe @ (707) 939-1905.

10-14

Western Writers of America Convention Scottsdale, Arizona

17-7/8

Lowfat Fiction: A Short Story Writing Workshop by Guy Biederman for $99 (four Tuesdays) 7 – 9pm in 2805 Maggini Hall (707) 527-4371

Writers Forum presents Georgia Hughes 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

GEORGIA HUGHES is editorial director at New World Library, where she acquires and edits non-fiction books in the areas of animals, spirituality, personal growth, sustainable business, and women’s issues. Before joining New World Library, Georgia worked in bookstores and at Harper San Francisco and Prima Publishing. New World Library has published numerous bestsellers, including Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. New World Library prints on recycled paper and the offices are powered by solar panels. Recent acquisitions include Forever Ours by Janis Amatuzio, MD, Angel Cats and RESCUED: Saving Animals from Disaster by Allen and Linda Anderson, 20 Something, 20 Everything by Christine Hassler, When Prayers Aren’t Answered by John E. Welshons, and The Three Only Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence, and Imagination by Robert Moss.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

Writing Travel Articles That Sell! by Gordon Burgett for $50 (one Thursday class) 6 – 10pm in 2703 Maggini Hall (707) 527-4371 Why not earn three times what you spend traveling?and create a tax deduction at the same time? Travel writers do it. So can you.

Nothing sells as well or as widely as travel articles. If you know the tricks and can match words to sites, this is an excellent field for both beginners and writers from other genres.

Gordon draws from his own book, twice a Writer's Digest Book Club first choice, the Travel Writer's Guide, for the core information, plus adds 30+ years of professional experience, including 1,700 freelance articles in print.

Topics include:
* How you only write what you’ve pre-sold to magazines
* How to multiply your income through newspaper sales
* How to find ever eager buying markets.
* The logistics of planning the big trip
* What must be done before you can deduct all of your costs as tax deductions
* How and when you send digital photos, slides, or b/w prints

This seminar and workbook focus solely on travel, a field that has more do's and don'ts than any other.

Gordon has been a member of and spoken often to/for the Publisher’s Marketing Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Speakers Association for 25+ years. He has owned a publishing company since 1982 that produces books sold mostly to bookstores and libraries and by mail for writers, educators, dentists, businessfolk, and aspiring empire builders.

26-29

Learning All the Clues The four-day Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference has a strong tradition of great authors and teachers. It covers everything mystery writers need--from developing ideas and writing skills to finding a publisher. Students work closely with mystery writers, agents, editors, and publishers as well as investigators and crime-fighting professionals. In this conference, mystery writers learn the clues to a successful writing career. Editors, agents, and publishers tell students what they need to know to get published. Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, suspense, point of view, and openings. They tell how to write about private eyes, amateur sleuths, and police protagonists, and how to create thrillers and historical mysteries. Panels of detectives, forensic experts, police, and other crime-fighting professionals provide information that allows crime fiction writers to put realism in their work. The collegial atmosphere of this four-day conference attracts students and faculty from all over the country, many for repeat visits. Opportunities abound for faculty and students to talk, laugh, and exchange ideas in classes, workshops, panels, and informal lunches. $540.00

27-29

A Writer's Weekend Roosevelt Hotel in downtown Seattle (www.RooseveltHotel.com). Rooms should be booked early. A number of writers and agents have already committed to attend.

July

1-31

What the Action Heroine Knows--and The Writer Should: Martial Arts, Fighting, and Weaposn in Mystery and Suspense Instructor: Rob Preece

Conflict is where story comes to life. In the mystery or suspense novel, this conflict often takes physical form. As writers, our job is to describe physical conflict--whether it be a fight, an abduction or a holdup with a gun or knife--in a way that grips the reader. This workshop, taught by a black belt martial artist and writer, uses knives, swords, clubs, and the naked hand to demonstrate how to write about effective strikes as well as how to defend against them. Actual scenaios from stories will be used to demonstrate what works and what doesn't--both from a physical and emotional perspective and frmo the perspective of the story. You'll also learn how to avoid action clichés that can pull the reader out of their reading experience. Get tips on writing realistic, believable action scenes with confidence, scenes that enmesh the reader more deeply into the story and elevate your writing to the next level.

Rob Preece is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has also studied Jujitsu, Kobudo (martial arts weapons), Judo, and European (Olympic) Fencing. As a full-time writer, Rob has learned how to bring realistic fighting detail to the page, which clichés to avoid at all costs, and how to turn physical conflict into either gripping action, or sizzling sexual tension. Rob's seminar, How the Kick-Ass Heroine Kicks Ass, has been well received at RWA National, Epicon, Fencon, and several RWA chapters. When he's not taking punches or practicing with oak or steel weapons, Rob is a full-time writer (and 2005 Golden Heart Finalist) and electronic publisher. In an earlier life, Rob taught Economics at the University level, and he still keeps his hand in the teaching game as a professional bridge instructor.

1-31

Behind The Scenes: The Research Before The Book Instructor: Jacqui Jacoby

Though Joss Whedon’s television show FIREFLY only aired through the fall months of 2002, it has continued to generate followers through word of mouth, DVD sales and an exhaustible amount of followers known as “Browncoats”. The Romance Writers of America has many “Browncoasts” in their midst as Jacqui Jacoby learned though discussions with members at the RWA National Conference in both Atlanta and Dallas. Many of these followers love to listen and talk about what they learned from watching the series. Discussing dialogue is a favorite pastime, both at the conferences and online in writing loops. FIREFLY, created by the Rod Serling of our generation, was a masterpiece of writing. Each of its thirteen episodes taught character development, dialogue and plotting techniques. Its motion picture sequel, SERENITY, not only touched on these subjects but added relationships, loyalties and loss to it’s repertoire. In this workshop, Ms. Jacoby will reveal the lessons of FIREFLY. By using class participation and examples from the episodes, she will translate with words what Mr. Whedon was teaching us on screen.

Joss Whedon has reviewed this workshop and has given his permission for it to be offered to The Romance Writers of America.

Award winning writer and die-hard Firefly fan, Jacqui Jacoby recognized a long time ago that there is much to learn by watching Firefly and getting to know her characters and her world. She has studied the series as some student studies for class. Now, the blessing of Mr. Whedon himself, she wishes to offer it to RWA members and Browncoats anywhere.

8 Steps to Self-Publishing by Gordon Burgett for $50 (one Wednesday class) 6 – 10pm in 1696 Emeritus Hall (707) 527-4371 Let Gordon Burgett explain how you can produce a self-published book, then email it, 99% done, to a printer or release it digitally. You want a book good enough to be accepted by bookstores—the highest hurdle—with the least expense and in the quickest time using an 8-step preparation schedule you can understand and meet. Gordon has published 100+ books since 1982. He will explain your book’s critical concept/marketing plan, layout, size, style/type fonts, covers, proofing, testimonials, and content—how you can custom create your own book and buy the rest, like the artwork and covers. The free workbook is a bonus!

Gordon has been a member of and spoken often to/for the Publisher’s Marketing Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Speakers Association for 25+ years. He has owned a publishing company since 1982 that produces books sold mostly to bookstores and libraries and by mail for writers, educators, dentists, businessfolk, and aspiring empire builders.

3-6

Westercon 2008 Las Vegas, NV

9-12

Thrillerfest 2008 New York, NY CraftFest 1:00 pm-8:00 pm Wednesday, July 9 * 9:00 am-1:50 pm Thursday, July 10 * Tor/Forge Presents the CraftFest Lunch Expanded programming, now a mega-CraftFest! Hone your thriller writing skills with the experts! Includes a special reception for CraftFest Attendees only AND Optional Power Workshops 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Wednesday! * Schedule subject to change.

AgentFest Available only as part of a package! 2:00 pm-5:00 pm Thursday, July 10 * * Schedule subject to change. You asked for a time dedicated to pitching your projects to agents - we listened! Don't miss this opportunity. Purchase a package that includes AgentFest. Polish the pitch you'll use during the CraftFest Power Workshops!

9-13

THE 32nd ANNUAL FOOTHILL WRITERS' CONFERENCE The Foothill Writers' Conference resumes this year with a roster of new and returning award-winning participants. The conference provides Foothill students and emerging writers in the bay area with the unique opportunity to work with established writers.

This year's speakers include: Kathleen de Azevedo, Dan Bellm, Denny Berthiaume, Andrea Hollander Budy, Christopher Buckley, Alan Cheuse, Dennis Drury, Sharon Doubiago, Linda Janakos, Avotcja Jiltonilro, Carol Lem, Ann Marie Macari, Morton Marcus, David Meltzer, Clare Morris, Joanne Palamountain, Sandy Poindexter, Doren Robbins, Floyd Salas, Dixie Salazar, Greg Sarris, Catherine Seidel, Lawrence R. Smith, Gerald Stern, Jon Veinberg, Marianne Villanueva, Eugene Warren, Kim Silveira Wolterbeek, Al Young, Gary Young.

ALL CONFERENCE EVENTS ARE ONLY $53.50 FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.

Writers Forum presents Lizzie Hannon 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

LIZZIE HANNON is a writer and Certified Clinical Hypno-Therapist (CCHT). Her poems, personal essays and short stories appear in both print and on-line anthologies including Left Coast Writers, Drum Voices Review, Fresh Caifornia Oranges, The Dickens, Tiny Lights Literary Journal, Slow Trains and "The World is a Kitchen." Lizzie has produced two hypnotic CD's "Aligning With Yuor Artist: I and II," to assist the creative process. The third CD in this series will be available to participants for a nominal cost. She agrees with Emerson that "One wild line out of private heart saves the whole book." Lizzie is a return presenter for this series and also taught at Sebastopol Center for the Arts.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

30-8/2

Romance Writers of American Convention San Francisco, CA, San Francisco Marriott RWA is proud to host its 28th Annual National Conference at the San Francisco Marriott in San Francisco, California.

Enhance your writing and knowledge of the ins and outs of publishing at more than 100 workshops. Get the inside track and let your voice be heard at panels and round-tables featuring publishing professionals. Schedule a one-on-one pitch meeting with an acquiring editor or literary agent. Attend parties and network with the stars of romance fiction. Be a part of RWA's massive, 450-author strong "Readers for LIfe" charity book signing. And, let's not forget the 2008 RITA and Golden Heart Awards.

31-8/3

Mencodino Coast Writers Conference Mendocino, CA The 2008 faculty includes: James D. Houston, Fiction; Daphne Gottlieb, Poetry/Graphic Novel; Susan Wooldridge, Poetry; Marianne Villanueva, Short Fiction; Jody Gehrman, Young Adult, Michael Datcher, Memoir; Kate Gale, Editor, Jenoyne Adams, Agent Fees When received by June 15, 2008 $450 When received after June 15, 2008 $495

Morning workshops include: 1) James Houston – Fiction: Writing from the Inside 2) Suzanne Byerley – Open Genre: Feel Like a Writer Yet? 3) Daphne Gottlieb – Poetry: Making it Matter 4) Marianne Villanueva – Fragments & other Segmented Writing: Explorations in Structure 5) Jody Gehrman – Young Adult: Finding (not forcing) your voice 6) Michael Datcher – Memoir: Memoir that Moves 7) Andrew Todhunter – Narrative Nonfiction: The Craft and the Business.

Afternoon workshops include: (Thursday) 1) Suzanne Byerley: Pitching Your Work 2) Susan Wooldridge: Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with s 3) Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston: From Memoir to Fiction 4) Linda Swanson-Davies (editor): The Quiet Partnership

(Friday) 1) Michael Datcher: The Truth About the Fact 2) Elise Proulx: Agent Chat Room 3) Daphne Gottlieb: Why Graphic Novels Matter 4) Andrew Todhunter: Writing for National Magazines: From Query to Publication 5) Jody Gehrman: YA Fiction— What’s Changed, Remembering What Hasn’t

(Saturday) 1) Kate Gale (editor): Steps to Becoming a Published Writer 2) Jenoyne Adams: Agent Chat Room 3) Susan Wooldridge: Rich Imagery and Metaphor (and Play) 4) Marianne Villanueva: Revision by Inspiration 5) Pilar Gonzales: Writing for Social Change

August

1-31

Getting it Right: Real-life Detail for your Law Enforcement Hero by former FBI Agent and Current PI Instructor: Rae Monet

Do you wonder what your law enforcement hero/heroine should act like? What type of equipment do they wear? What type of gun do they carry? What type of regulations laws and procedures bind them?

Rae Monet, former FBI Special Agent and current PI, will review the Federal Side of Law Enforcement with the History of the FBI, facts and figures, how to become an Special Agent, jurisdictional authority issues and statutes, talk about how FBI agents liaison with local law enforcement, evaluate your questions/scenarios, give you the day in the life of an FBI agent, and talk about equipment an agent would use, among many other subjects.

Rae Monet is a multi-published, award-winning, sensual romance author. She is a former Air Force NCOIC administration with the Office of Special Investigations, former FBI Agent, who worked Violent Crimes Major Offenders and the Cyber Squad. Rae has a BA, MA in business and is also a licensed PI in the state of California.

1-31

Dangerously Sexy: Putting Heat As Well As Danger in Your Romantic Suspense Instructor: Angela Knight

New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight discusses how to give your romantic suspense a sensual sizzle. Topics will include how to craft hot heroes that will make any reader's heart beat faster, as well as heroines who can match them in passion as well as danger. She'll also examine how far is too far when it comes to villains and sex crimes. And of course, she'll cover the construction and pacing of love scenes that don't kill the tension you're working to build in the rest of the book.

Angela Knight is the USA Today bestselling author of the Mageverse series for Berkley Sensation. Besides her fiction work, Angela's publishing career includes a stint as a comic book writer and ten years as a newspaper reporter. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. In 1996, she discovered the small press publisher Red Sage, and realized her dream of romance publication in the company's Secrets 2 anthology. She went on to publish several more novellas in Secrets before editor Cindy Hwang discovered her work there and asked her if she'd be interested in writing for Berkley. Not being an idiot, Angela said yes. Angela lives in South Carolina with her husband, Michael, a polygraph examiner and hostage negotiator for the county's Sheriff's Office. The couple has a grown son, Anthony.

THE PACIFIC COAST CHILDREN’S WRITERS WORKSHOP * At our 90 percent hands-on event, you’ll enjoy close contact with supportive, top-notch professionals (nationwide agents and editors; award-winning authors). This fast-paced seminar explores craft—the tool that can make your sale.

* We offer personalized, pre-workshop readings and worksheets to help you polish your novel submission. Also in advance, you may select peer manuscripts to review. This self-paced prep maximizes benefits you’ll gain from our team-taught masterclass clinics. These behind-the-scene glimpses reveal, in-depth, what agents and editors “really” want.

* An alumni group brainstorms year-round with the founding director, shaping each workshop to best serve you. A biannual newsletter maintains our congenial writers community and provides valuable tips.

Creating a publishable novel is a multi-layered challenge, requiring intuition and dedication. Join us—learn fiction-crafting from the masters. Our experts will show you how to propel your novel from page-turner to published success!

Writers Forum presents DANIEL COSHNEAR 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

DANIEL COSHNEAR lives in Guerneville with his wife and two children. He works at a group home for men and women with mental illnesses and substance issues and teaches fiction writing through SSU Extension, UC Berkeley Extension and The Sitting Room. He is author of Jobs & Other Preoccupations (Helicon Nine 2000) Willa Cather Award winner, and 2003 BABRA winner. He was awarded the Editor's Prize from The Missouri Review and received a Fellowship from the Christopher Isherwood Foundation. The short story is his chosen form.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

27-30

BOUCHERCON 2008 World Mystery Convention Charmed to Death, Baltimore, MD. Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel

September

1-31

A Cop’s Life A - Z Instructor: Kathy Bennett

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle or be in an officer-involved shooting? Do you know the difference between burglary and robbery? What does ego have to do with being a police officer? These questions and more will be answered in the Kiss of Death COFFIN online workshop in September 2008. The instructor, Los Angeles Police Officer Kathy Bennett, will present twenty-six “lectures” on A Cop’s Life A – Z and answer any resulting questions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to go behind the badge and find out what it’s really like to be a cop.

Kathy Bennett has been a Los Angeles Police Officer for eighteen years currently assigned as a Senior Lead Officer with approximately nine square miles of the City of Los Angeles assigned to her. She is responsible for crime and quality of life issues within that nine square miles and if things aren’t going well, the Chief of Police will want to talk to her and find out why. Kathy’s career with the LAPD began in 1973 as a civilian employee of the department and in 1990 she fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a sworn police officer. Most of Kathy’s career has been spent on patrol in a black and white police car, but she’s also been a Firearms Instructor at the LAPD Police Academy, a crime analyst in the “War Room”, a Field Training Officer, worked undercover in various assignments and is a certified DARE instructor. She’s been named Officer of the Quarter twice, and Officer of the Year once.

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Plotting the Category Suspense Instructor: Tracy Montoya

Wondering whether your book is as fast-paced as it can be? Troubled by the intricacies of balancing suspense and romance? Confused over whether your scenes are indeed building to a breckneck, satisfying conclusion, or whether they're simply making your reader wish she'd picked up a washing machine maintenance manual instead? This course can help!

Blending several tried-and-true fiction-writing sources with her own peculiar methods, Tracy Montoya shows you how to start your book with a bang, keep the pacing tight and the romance and suspense plots focused, and how to stage a final confrontation that's satisfying and suspenseful. You'll receive plenty of instructor feedback and--whether you're a "plotter" or a "pantser"--you'll walk away with a grid you can use to plot or revise all of your future stories.

Tracy Montoya has been writing for Harlequin Intrigue since 2000. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier award, the Beacon Award, and the Golden Quill award for romantic suspense A member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Society of Environmental Journalists, Tracy has written about everything from Booker Prize-winning poet Martín Espada to socially responsible mutual funds to soap opera summits. Her articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Hope, Utne, Satya, YES!, Audubon, and the National Green Pages, and she writes a syndicated column called "The Spirit of Money" for Martha Stewart's Body + Soul. Prior to launching her journalism career, she taught in an underresourced school in Louisiana through the AmeriCorps Teach for America program. Tracy holds a Master’s degree in English literature from Boston College and a B.A. in the same from St. Mary’s University. When she’s not writing, she likes to scuba dive, forget to go to kickboxing class, wallow in bed with a good book, or get out her guitar with a group of friends and pretend she’s Suzanne Vega.

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Salinas, CA

FULL CONFERENCE $375 Early-bird (CWC Member) $400 Early-bird (Non-member) $400 Regular (CWC Member) $425 Regular (Non-member) Friday and Saturday Workshops & Night Owl Sessions, Ask-a-Pro, Meals (Friday dinner through Sunday brunch), Saturday Night Gala at the Steinbeck Center, Sunday Brunch at the Steinbeck House, Cannery Row Walking Tour in Monterey. Sunday brunch preference 9:30am 11:30am

FRIDAY-SATURDAY WORKSHOPS $250 Early-bird (CWC Member) $275 Early-bird (Non-member) $275 Regular (CWC Member) $300 Regular (Non-member) Friday and Saturday Workshops & Night Owl Sessions, Ask-a-Pro, Meals (Friday dinner through Saturday lunch)

COMMUTER SATURDAY $150 Early-bird (CWC Member) $175 Early-bird (Non-member) $175 Regular (CWC Member) $200 Regular (Non-member) Saturday Workshops & Night Owl Sessions, Ask-a-Pro, Meals (Saturday breakfast & lunch)

Redwood Writers Meeting 3-5 PM at Marvin's Restaurant, 7991 Old Redwood Highway, corner of William St., in Cotati

Writers Forum presents Dorianne Laux 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

ARMANDO GARCIA-DAVILA was Healdsburg's 2002-2003 Literary Laureate. A landscape contractor by profession he says of himself, “I’m a ‘blue collar’ poet. I’m neither an intellectual nor an academic.” He has read from his works on national radio and his short stories and poems were a monthly feature in La Voz bilingual newspaper found throughout northern California.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

Sonoma County Book Festival 10 AM -5 PM Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa

Petaluma Poetry Walk Downtown Petaluma noon - 8 PM various locations

October

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writersonlineclasses.com Writing Erotic Romance Instructor Lyn Cash

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Understanding Undercover Operations For Writers: How To Set Them Up, Bust Them and Barely Live Through Them –Criminologist, Ret. Fed Agent, Lucinda Schroeder Instructor: Lucinda Schroeder

For 30 years Lucinda Schroeder worked as a federal agent for the Department of the Interior. She was the first female agent to conduct undercover operations in her agency and continued to do so until she retired in 2004. Schroeder teaches undercover classes to police departments and federal agents through a program called "Bullet Proof Covert Identities." She is the author of "A Hunt for Justice" (Lyons Press) which is based on one of her cases where she infiltrated an illegal big game hunting camp in Alaska and took it down. "A true story that reads like a mystery." Tony Hillerman.

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No Drag, No Sag: Pacing Tricks to Keep Your Readers Turning the Pages Instructor: Marlyn Jordan

What is it about certain books that causes us to stay up all night reading them?

One key answer is PACING.

Pacing includes every aspect of a story from characters to lively writing to plot. If that sounds like too much to get a handle on, never fear. That’s what this workshop is all about.

Here are just some of the topics the class will cover:

* How to come up with a high concept story
* The importance of motivation arcs
* Devising a story that sets the reader up in the beginning and pays off big at the end
* Creating bold, interesting characters
* The gentle art of plot twisting
* Internal vs external plot and how to maximize both
* Incorporating archetypes to ratchet up your story
* How to use the Three Act Structure to avoid a sagging middle Enhancing subtext
* The vital art of rewriting

Marilyn will be providing exercises to apply to your works-in-progress for those who wish to participate along with instructor feedback, but lurkers are more than welcome.

Marilyn Jordan is always happy to root out story sag and drag wherever they occur. Even in her youth, this avid reader used to skip the boring parts. She tried hard to keep up the tradition when she started writing her own books and is happy if she can help others do the same.Marilyn has published novels with Harlequin, Leisure, and Kensington. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a film librarian, a reference librarian, an editor, and a book reviewer.Marilyn writes both historical and contemporary romance as well as screenplays. She makes her home in sunny Florida with her husband and a small menagerie of cats and dogs.

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LitQuake 2008 Litquake represents a lively overview of San Francisco’s thriving literary scene. Our live events embrace the Bay Area writing community, and give fans the opportunity to hear quality literature straight from the author’s mouth. And you never quite know what will happen.

Redwood Writers Meeting 3-5 PM at Marvin's Restaurant, 7991 Old Redwood Highway, corner of William St., in Cotati

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writersonlineclasses.com Digging Deep into the EDITS System Instructor Margie Lawson

Writers Forum presents Rob Loughran 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

When I stepped from hard manual work to writing, I just stepped from one kind of hard work to another.
— Sean O’Casey

How To Write A Novel And Still Have Time For Sex is a practical and proven method of how to make time in your life, on a daily basis, to write your novel, screenplay, memoir, non-fiction opus, short story …

While attending writing conferences and seminars Rob Loughran was astounded by the lack of practical, concrete writing advice and the tendency to stress inspiration over perspiration. This short, comprehensive talk will explain a proven, hands-on, no frills method that will help you organize your life in such a manner that your writing goals can be achieved.

You will be challenged, goaded, cajoled and entertained.

The word Muse will only be used derisively.

ROB LOUGHRAN has 17 books in print and has published 250+ articles and short stories in publications ranging from Ladies Circle to American Brewer.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.

TBA

Abroad Writers' Conferences - Authors without Borders Join us for a wonderful weeklong adventure in Gualala a lovely northern California coastal town. Gualala was home to the Pomo Indians prior to the early Russian settlement in this region. Later in the 1800's it became a vital logging town. Today it is know for it's tranquility and beauty and for many native Californians, Gualala is a special sleeper gem found on the Mendocino Coast. In Gualala we'll be staying in select houses at Sea Ranch, these houses are grouped near the ocean. Authors attending: COLUM McCANN, GAIL TSUKIYAMA and several other leading Irish and Californian authors will be announced soon along with literary agents attending. In Gualala, you'll also enjoy the pleasure of eating California cuisine prepared by several different Master chefs we'll be brining along with us to prepare our special nightly dinners. conference/workshop fee $1,500 includes four dinners with wine. For those who are interested, we offer housing in private homes in the area for 7 nights, $900 for a shared room and $1,500 for a single room in a house. All houses are rated 4*, with hot tubs and ocean views. If you're interested in housing, please contact us ASAP so we'll be able to reserve a room for you. Dinner will be held at the beautiful Gualala Arts Center which is located in the redwoods and Sea Ranch Lodge.

November

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National Novel Writing Month National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

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Practical Chemistry: Poison, Procedure and Worst-Case Scenario - Brain Chemistry and Poisons Instructor: Valerie Robertson

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Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Having A Website But Were Afraid To Ask Instructor: Kellie Finley

Every serious writer, whether published or unpublished, needs a website. Whether it is used to introduce a writer to an editor, an author to a reader, or a writer to other writing colleagues, it is undeniably one of the most used communication tools in the industry today. Yet, as we gracefully move into this new millennium, many writers are still technology shy when it comes to having their own websites. Others embrace the technology but are overwhelmed with the many decisions surrounding the creation and maintenance of a website. And still another group is thrilled with the communication opportunities that websites provide, eager to grow in their knowledge but searching for a source of information. This workshop is about helping each of those writers – the shy, the overwhelmed, and the eager to grow – take the next step.

By the end of this workshop you will have a high level understanding of the difference between communicating information and communicating an image. You will know why some websites grab you and some turn you off before you even start reading what’s on the page. You will know what you want and don’t want on your website – how you want it to look and feel and what “image” you want to project – in other words the website will be a reflection of you and your writing.

This workshop is about communicating using a website. It covers a lot of information, but for the most part, it isn’t overly heavy or overwhelmingly technical. It will cause you to think…to wonder…and to have opinions. At the end of it, you will be ready to move forward with your own website and the many decisions required by it
Kellie Finley is a romantic suspense writer, originally from central U.S.A., now living in western Canada. She is a member of RWA (website contest judge), the Calgary Association of RWA (newsletter editor, contest judge and category coordinator, conference committee), and the Mystery and Suspense Chapter of RWA, Kiss of Death (membership committee, COFFIN courses committee, contest judge, retreat committee). Not yet published in fiction, she has had numerous newsletter articles picked up by multiple RWA chapters and is published in freelance magazine work. With her fiction writing, Kellie finalled in two different contests, placing third in one of them, with her first manuscript. Before pursuing a career writing fiction, Kellie spent fifteen years working for some of the largest computer technology and management companies in the world and founded and co-owned a small systems and management consulting company. She has an undergraduate degree in marketing and a master’s degree in business administration and has taught adult level courses and workshops at Illinois State University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Alberta, as well as for several large corporate clients.

Redwood Writers Meeting 3-5 PM at Marvin's Restaurant, 7991 Old Redwood Highway, corner of William St., in Cotati

Writers Forum 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Petaluma Community Center, 320 No. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma $15 at the door.

SUSAN SWARTZ is a columnist with the Press Democrat and author of The Juicy Tomatoes Guide to Ripe Living after 50.

For more information: Please visit Marlene Cullen's website: www.thewritespot.us or contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net

This event is sponsored by Petaluma Arts Council and supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the Hearst Foundation.