May 5th Playwright Producer Art Shulman

Art Shulman rarely attended plays, had never been in one, and knew nothing about producing or directing. What he did have was a script. Well, actually a bunch of monologs he’d written which an actor friend said were funny and should be put on in front of an audience. Naiveté and overconfidence got the better of him and he rented a theater. Then someone told him it wasn’t a play unless it had dialogue. And a plot would be a good idea, too. Art knew directors directed actors, but he didn’t know the author would also be directed. So he hired the man, and thus committed, made up a plot and created dialogue. The end result is Joe Carbone’s Job, a comedy about the owner of a chicken slaughterhouse who has feelings of guilt for “offing” the chickens. This first effort was reviewed favorably and has been published, as have several of his other plays.

Art learned his lessons in producing on the fly, through personal experience and with the help of knowledgeable theater folk. His list of full-length produced plays continues to grow: Boxcar & Eugenia, The Rabbi & The Shiksa, September 10, The Rabbi & The Gravedigger, Sex Is Good For You! and God, Bring Me a Miracle.  One of his forty-plus shorter plays, At Half Time, was performed many times in 2006 across the country. It’s the tale of an Over 60’s Women’s Basketball League team that is losing to the Little Sisters of Mercy, a team of silent nuns who play in long skirts.

Art is happy to share with us what he’s learned about PRODUCING YOUR OWN PLAY.

Special treat! Before lunch we will be treated to a one-act comedy, The Spelling Bee, a humorous monolog from Art’s soon-to-be-published book and Mending, a more serious one-act presentation.

April 7th Mary Rose Betten - Workshop
Mary Rose is a published playwright, poet, stand-up comic and actress of stage, screen and television. She has won three CLIO awards for her comedic work in TV commercials. (That’s her under the ice bag!)

As a playwright she's written "The Bar Off Melrose," "Mary M.," "People Of The Passion," "Hildegarde, 2000," "Terrible Is This Place," "Is Anybody Home?" and "Becoming Alleluia." Mary Rose's poetry chapbook, Hanging out with Loose Words contains work that appears in anthologies, RATTLE, and The Writer Magazine, where she was the winner of their Poetry Spotlight series.
As a stand-up comic she appeared with Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show," and the "Merv Griffin" and "Mike Douglas" shows. The “Dean Martin Comedy Hour” chose her to appear at the Las Vegas MGM Grand as the year's best young comedienne in 1969.
Her stage credits include "The Madwoman of Challiot" at Los Angeles' Odyssey Theatre, "Guys & Dolls" with Milton Berle in the Music Center, and a drama desk recipient for the musical "Three."  
Mary Rose traveled the United States and Europe with her one-woman show on Mary Magdalene and recently taught lecturing for the archdiocese of Los Angeles, where her book and video Proclaiming God's Word is considered a classic.

Come hear this multi-talented woman and strengthen your skills for public readings, thus expanding your diversity as a writer.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This is the Place, and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered are both award-winners. Her fiction, nonfiction and poems have appeared in national magazines, anthologies and review journals. She speaks on culture, tolerance, writing and promotion and has appeared on TV and hundreds of radio stations nationwide. She is an instructor for UCLA Extension's Writers' Program and has shared her expertise at venues like San Diego State's world renowned Writers' Conference and Call to Arts! EXPO. She was recently awarded Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature; her home town's Character and Ethics Commission honored for her work on promoting tolerance and the Pasadena Weekly named her to their list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen" for literary activism. Her nitty gritty how-to book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER won USA Book News' Best Professional Book and the Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award. Her chapbook of poetry, TRACINGS, was named to The Compulsive Readers Top 10 Best Reads for 2004 and was given the Military Writers Society of American Silver Award for Excellence.

Carolyn's newest book is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success . Cheryl Wright of Writer2Writer.com says, "The Frugal Editor will become a well-used reference for writers around the world."

Howard-Johnson loves to travel and has studied writing at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, UK: Herzen University in St. Petersburg, RU; and Charles University in Prague.

Carolyn is the founder of Authors' Coalition http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com and editor of their newsletter as well and a blog ( http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson ) that helps authors turn a dull book fair booth into a sizzling success. Her website is:http://carolynhoward-johnson.com

Author M.L. Malcolm on “Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good Story”

M. L. Malcolm’s first book, Silent Lies, has been raking in rave reviews.  From The Midwest Book Review: “Silent Lies is… a phenomenal achievement.”  From The Road to Romance: “Malcolm writes with skill and passion….”  And from Jack Valenti, former President and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America: “Silent Lies is a bold narrative, immensely readable from first page to last. I confess I was mesmerized…."

M. L. (for Mary Lee) Malcolm has traveled a colorful life path to her first book.  Malcolm graduated summa cum laude from Emory University and then earned a law degree with honors from Harvard Law School.  She has lived throughout the US and also spent a significant year in France where seeds were planted for her later writing work.  She has won several awards for short fiction, including special recognition in the Lorian Hemingway International Short Story competition. 

Following her time in Europe and while building a post-legal career as a journalist, Malcolm was moved to explore the rich landscape and possibilities of historical fiction.  Inspired by the history of her own family, and based on actual events from the Communist takeover of Budapest in 1920 to the Japanese invasion of Shanghai in 1937, her book, Silent Lies, offers a moving adventure along with fascinating details about life between the two World Wars. 

Malcolm, who now lives in Los Angeles, will bring some of these same creative inspirations to the February 3rd California Writers Club San Fernando Valley meeting.  Her presentation is titled "Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good Story: Turning Family History into Sellable Fiction."  In addition, Malcolm will shed light on what agents currently consider "sellable" in the memoir-versus-fiction market, and share ideas about how to turn a good "true" story into a great book. 

When we were children many of us read books about firemen and their adventures. JOHN HICKS, our January guest speaker, may have read the same books and dreamt of living that special life. Jiminy Cricket was right — some dreams do come true! And sometimes we get more than one dream in a lifetime.
But it takes more than wishes to make dreams come true, and John is a prime example of what imagination, determination and fearlessness can accomplish.
A twenty-one year veteran fireman and paramedic who began writing six years ago, his first effort was born from a fifteen-page television treatment, but it grew with a life of its own. Determined to squeeze every writing opportunity out of his busy life, he wrote during quiet moments at the station, worked on his laptop in the car while his wife shopped and answered the nighttime sirens who taunt writers with sparks of ideas. His passion inflamed his imagination. Who needs sleep?
Originally meant young readers, it became the novel Divided World, a multi-generational delight. Since then John has completed My Buddypack, (see Jackie Houchin’s review in the December Scribe), The Ghost of Fire Company 18, and First Responders Handbook of Humor. The latter is a joint effort with L.A. County Deputy Sheriff Dan Jordan that looks at how humor and other tools can reduce stress for first responders around the world.

The Day Charlie Lost His Weirdness is due Spring 2007. Not one to let the passion cool, John’s currently working on the third in a series of picture books for ages five to seven. See Quiet Man Publishing www.QuietManPublishing.com and be there when John tells about “Concept to Reality — A Book in the Making,” his story of stepping over publishing obstacles and the challenges and rewards of self-publishing.

December 2nd Critique Technique :

a workshop in writing transformation

-with-

Scott Alixander Sonders

Join us on Saturday, December 2nd for a very special presentation from California Writers, SFV.

From 11AM - 2:30PM, members & guests will close out 2006 with an interactive, hands-on happening, a distinctive workshop in Critique Technique .

In honor of California Writers Week we are suggesting readings from established California writers at this month's CWC/SFV "Open Mike" event, Thursday, October 19, 7:00 p.m. at Borders, 6510 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303.

We already have Steinbeck and Saroyan on the docket. What will you share?

Normal range of readings also welcome and standard parameters apply: ten-minutes maximum and content must remain pseudo-family-friendly. Limited slots available; please email Matt Schliesman (rhymes with "policeman") in advance to sign-up: OpenMike@Calwriterssfv.com

Listeners always welcome!

OCTOBER 7TH
AGENT & WRITING COACH
LISA CRON

Lisa Cron is a literary agent with the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency in Los Angeles and is a person with a lot to say. Passionate about everything in her life, she dives into anyone of a number of subjects with total enthusiasm and commitment. Lisa is bringing her far-reaching zeal to our October 7 th meeting where she will talk about HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T RELATED TO YOU WANT TO READ YOUR WORK. Lisa was raised in Los Angeles , educated at U.C. Berkeley, and cut her teeth as an editor and publicist before moving into a number of TV/film producer and story consultant roles. Her professional credits include work with WARNER BROTHERS, MIRAMAX and THE WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY in New York City , and for VILLAGE ROADSHOW, ICON, MAXMEDIA, THE DON BUCHWALD AGENCY and THE LOS ANGELES LITERARY AGENCY in Los Angeles .

Beyond her agency work which focuses exclusively on literary properties, Lisa teaches Your Perfect Pitch Package at UCLA Extension Writers' Program. On a separate track she also coaches a number of writers (including TV/film) in their craft through INSIDE STORY INK ( www.inside-story-ink.com ). Married, with two children, Lisa also contributes a great deal of time and energy to Peace4Kids ( www.peace4kids.org ), helping troubled Los Angeles children find new and effective means of personal expression through writing.

Lisa truly loves a good story. More than anything, it is this enthrallment that led to her current work as an agent, teacher and creative coach.

Lisa notes that agents and producers will read something until they get bored with it, be it ten pages or one hundred pages. She emphasizes that unique characters and interesting dialogue mean nothing without a powerful story to move the experience forward. It is to this end that Lisa will share her advice and experience for the CWC/SFV.

September 2nd
ACTRESS, SONGSTRESS, AUTHOR
BETTY GARRETT

Any search of film, stage and television history, the Hollywood "black list" of the 1950s, and popular culture for the much of the 20th Century will find Betty Garrett prominently mentioned. On September 2nd , this legendary performer will join us to weave together elements of her personal story and the rigors and joys of writing about it.

Betty Garrett cut her professional teeth in New York with Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre and the Martha Graham Dance Company. A born actress and musical theatre performer, she was soon understudying Ethel Merman. Garrett's own prominence rose from there.

Garrett was featured in a number of classic movie musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, including ON THE TOWN, playing opposite Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, and MY SISTER EILEEN.

Married to actor Larry Parks, their Hollywood careers were waylaid by Parks' black-listing by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Forsaking the West Coast for years, Garrett returned to stage work in both Europe and New York City . Among her stage credits are BELLS ARE RINGING and BEG, BORROW OR STEAL on Broadway. Los Angeles audiences will also remember her role in the original Theatre West production of SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, which then went to Broadway for a four-week run that was extended to a year. The production was recently restaged in Los Angeles and Miss Garrett won an LA Drama Critics Award for her performance.

Many will recognize Betty from her memorable 1970s and 80s television work as a regular on ALL IN THE FAMILY (for which she won an Emmy) and LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY.

Still active and engaged in her life's work, Garrett's autobiography, BETTY GARRETT AND OTHER SONGS: A Life on Stage and Screen (with Ron Rapoport) was published in 2000. She has also toured with a musical revue of the same name.

June 3, Jana McBurney Lin, Author
and Former President of CWC SF/Peninsula

Jana McBurney-Lin's debut novel, My Half of the Sky, introduces Li Hui, a young Chinese woman of marriageable age who has recently graduated from the university. Li Hui struggles with finding love and acting with honor. Guidance and advice come from all corners of her world as well as different and conflicting generational, historical and cultural values. Each generation of modern China wants something different for and from her, particularly her parents, who mourn the lack of a son while attempting to marry her off to their greatest advantage. In fact most everyone has a selfish investment in what Li Hui will do and whom she might marry.

Update: My Half of the Sky was just selected as the pick of the month by BookSense!
Available at Portrait of a Bookstore in Studio City.
www.portraitofabookstore.com

How did Jana arrive at her destination? She assumed that when she'd finished her hundredth set of revisions, she was near the end of her writing journey. The writing process took twelve years, and now she could take a breather. She could take walks with friends she never had time for, volunteer in her children's classes, and - heaven forbid -think about her next project.

But she discovered that when the manuscript was finished, her writing journey had begun anew. The road did not end with a flourish of champagne over her head, but forked off into deeper paths. They would lead her to places where choices had to be made. Which agent was just right? Should she go with a big publisher or a small publisher? Or would self-publishing be the answer?

Which way should you take that manuscript you've spent years working on? Join us as Jana takes us “Further Down the Writer's Path.” She’ll discuss the difference between the well-heeled paths versus the less trodden ones; she’ll tell us about the potholes, speed bumps, how long the journey may take, and any other traveler's tips she can think of.

May 6th

Melinda Lilly Thompson, Book Producer

Melinda blames - or credits - her career in publishing on the fairies. When she was eight a family friend gave her the illustrated version of Arthur Rackham's A Midsummer Night's Dream . Enchanted by words that struck her as strange and beautiful as an incantation and the artwork, she felt she was seeing the world for the first time. Why had she never noticed the fairy dust in every corner? She decided to make books when she grew up.

More practical and less magical as an adult, she earned a degree in English/Humanities at USC and worked as a reporter for Time magazine. She wrote about education and business, interviewed celebrities, and penned obituaries. But she never lost her desire to make books. She quit Time , brought money in with business writing, and tried to write serious literature. Melinda reports that she succeeded only in being seriously dreadful.

Once she admitted that she wasn't as serious as she thought, she studied Early Childhood Education and worked part time at a pre-school. Ready to return to work fulltime, she was hired as a children's book editor at Price Stern Sloan. The enchantment returned full force.

When the company was bought out and the L. A. offices closed, Melinda began collaborating with a book producer on a series of folk tales for the educational market. After a few years writing, she became a book producer on her own. She had about sixty children's books published under her maiden name, Melinda Lilly, and has produced about thirty nonfiction books for schools. She started a book production company called Book Bug and focuses on developing children's novelty books to sell to nontraditional markets. Melinda's hope is to bring enchantment and the love of books to children, much as she herself has experienced.

Join us on Saturday, May 6 th , when Melinda will speak about "Writing for Children, Imaginary Friends and Book Producers." It promises to be a magical time for all.

April 1st
Mystery Author, Patricia Smiley

Patricia Smiley earned a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle . She also holds an MBA with honors from Pepperdine University in Malibu , California . Her debut novel (FALSE PROFITS, Mysterious Press, November 2004) introduces L.A. management consultant Tucker Sinclair and was a Featured Alternate of the Mystery Guild as well as a Book Sense recommendation. The novel made several Bestseller lists, including the Los Angeles Times list. Her second Tucker Sinclair novel (COVER YOUR ASSETS, Mysterious Press, November 2005) was also a Mystery Guild selection, a Los Angeles Times Bestseller, and a RomanticTimes Top Pick. Smiley is currently working on her third novel scheduled for release in 2007.

To find out more about Patricia Smiley go to
www.patriciasmiley.com

March 4th
Author, Scott Sonders

Scott Sonders , began his writing career at a tender age of ten. Since that first boost to his creative confidence, he has successfully shared his experiences in numerous seminars and workshops for poetry and fiction at places that include the Asilomar Conference (CWC), UCLA, Pierce and Bennington Colleges, Guggenheim West and in Kvar Vradim and Har Ramon, Israel.

Scott held the positions of full professor of Media Studies at Concordia University in Tallinn, Estonia, adjunct professor of Writing and Composition at Moscow State Pedagogical University, Russia, and adjunct professor of Writing and Composition at Cal State Northridge. He also participated in Poetry as Performance Art, with Harry Belafonte at the PAND Festival in Finland and for KCET television.

Scott has had two books of poetry published, Razor candy (1983) and Litany (1988). Litany won the Masters Literary Award and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Orange Messiahs (1999), a coming-of-age saga is on www.PulpBits.com Published in over fifty major and minor magazines, newspapers, anthologies, and literary magazines, he is listed in Contemporary Authors and in the Directory of American Poets & Fiction Writers .

Several of his short stories will soon be available through the Amazon Shorts program, and a story collection, The Crow Wars, has been optioned by Titan Press.

While some may choose a Porsche to stave off a mid-life crisis, Scott re-matriculated, garnered two graduate degrees, wrote his dissertation on "Feminist Deconstruction in the Bible" and took the teaching position in Estonia . His passions include writing and teaching, travel, adventure, figuring out how things work, and has built several homes with his own two hands.

Join us as Scott shares "My Writer's Journey: Truth Lies and Videotape"
or "Why Memoirs are Hot Topics."

February 4th
Publicist, Jacqueline Green

From health and beauty, to film and television, to business and book publishing, Jackie Green's experience in the public relations field is wide and varied.

She launched her career with Elizabeth Arden, then a PR company in London After eight years in the publicity departments of two major Las Vegas Hotels, Jackie gained publishing experience with Price/Stern/Sloan, Los Angeles , followed by several years with a prominent Beverly Hills entertainment and literary PR agency. In September 1979 she formed her own company, Jacqueline Green Public Relations Inc.

A dedicated reader, Jackie now specializes in the representation of authors and book publishers. Her clients have included Turner Publishing (west coast publicist for 7 years), Houghton Mifflin, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins. Among the over 300 authors she has represented are Walter Cronkite, Vice President Al Gore, best-selling novelist/politician Lord Jeffrey Archer and astronaut Alan Shepard.

With a special interest in the mystery and suspense genre, Jackie has represented many best-selling authors; among those are Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, P.D. James, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Smiley and Jacqueline Winspear.

Her clients receive hands-on attention and book publicity campaigns are strategically planned to also include extensive marketing expertise. In addition to working with all media, public speaking and personal appearance possibilities, JGPR works closely with bookstores, publishing representatives and regional trade/consumer book festivals.

Jackie is a member of several professional organizations, including the Publicists' Guild, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Los Angeles People in Publishing. She has been a panelist at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival and was on the author selection committee for the first Book Festival.

Obviously an expert in the field of Public Relations, Jackie will answer the question, "What is PR and do I need it?"

January 7th
Jennie Lindhorst

Jennie Linthorst, Certified Poetry Therapist,  will be joining us to speak about the field of poetry therapy, and will lead us on a short exercise called "The Journey to Your Voice," followed by a question and answer period.

"Poetry therapy" is the intentional use of the written and spoken word for healing and personal growth.  Poetry, literature, journals and song lyrics help individuals see themselves fully, and in time they come to experience the hidden facets of themselves.

The is used inclusively to refer not only to the use of published and original poems, but also to the interactive use of literature (bibliotherapy) and therapeutic writing (journal therapy).

Guided by a trained facilitator, participants respond emotionally to the literature's evocation.  The interactive process is integral to the educational, therapeutic and personal well-being of the individuals.  The process of writing their own poems or journal entries in response to the selected literature is a significant catalyst for healing and self-integration.

Jennie has a BA in Psychology from Skidmore College , and has completed certification as a poetry therapist through the National Association of Poetry Therapy.  She has facilitated expressive poetry groups for six years, including workshops at UC Irvine Extension, the University of Santa Monica , the Center for Your Soul in Manhattan Beach , the Canterbury Retirement Home in Rancho Palos Verdes and Sunrise Assisted Living in Hermosa Beach .  She works primarily with women and the elderly, encouraging them to explore their personal histories through reading and writing poetry.  Offering a safe, supportive environment, she helps individuals rediscover their inner voices.  The results can be life changing!

Her background includes six years of experience in arts education, where she hired and trained artists to work in the communities of San Francisco and Manhattan Beach . She offers ongoing workshops for groups and individuals. 

 For more information on poetry therapy and NAPT, please visit their website at www.poetrytherapy.org

November 5th Joanne Fluke Topic: "EAT DESSERT FIRST!" Isn't that what we all wanted our mothers to say? It never happened in my house either, but that, "and other tips for writers" is what we'll hear from Joanne Fluke, author of the Hannah Swenson Mysteries. With yummy titles such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Blueberry Muffin Murder, Strawberry Shortcake Murder and Lemon Meringue Pie Murder , her culinary cozy murders are full of unusual characters and delicious recipes. Some of her titles have been published in Japanese and Russian versions, and many are available in large print and audio books. Her creative web site is called "Murder She Baked."

To find out more about JoAnne, go to www.murdershebaked.com

September 3rd
Burt Prelutsky

Topic:
My Life as a Writer ...describing how I came to enjoy -- using that word loosely--a writing career during which I've been a book and movie reviewer; an advertising copywriter; a TV writer of drama, sit coms and movies; a humor columnist; a profiler/interviewer for TV Guide, Emmy, Holiday, the NY Times; and a political essayist for various websites, including one in Warsaw where they translate my stuff into Polish, and the Washington Times; and author of "Conservatives Are From Mars, Liberals Are From San Francisco (A Hollywood Rightwinger Comes Out of the Closet)." 

www.burtprelutsky.com

Every third Thursday at 7PM we have a reading at Borders books in Canoga Park. Corner of Canoga Blvd and Victory.

If you would like to speak, contact the Open Mike Chair at OpenMike@CalwritersSFV.com

The Writers Journey, the Mystery of Writing Conference

June 4th - All day conference

Lee Goldberg (Diagnosis Murder, Law and Order, Monk), Tess Holthe (When the Elephants Dance), Madeline DiMaggio (50 hours of produced film and television), Penny Warner (Over 40 book titles), Tom Sawyer (20 episodes of Murder-She-Wrote), Patricia Smiley (Author of False Profits)Paul S. Levine (Agent and Lawyer), Kate Gale (Allen Ginsberg Award Winner and Editor of Red Hen Press) Doraine Poretz (Poet and Playwright)... One on One - Ask-A-Pro sessions and much more!

There's also a WHO-DUN-IT party the night before on June 3rd. ($25 additonal). Tom Sawyer (20 episodes of Murder-She-Wrote) has written a cast of characters.
 

May 19th - Thursday, Open Mike
at Borders books in Canoga Park.
Contact Carol Wood OpenMike@CalwritersSFV.com
to sign up as a reader.

May 7th
Linda O. Johnston, romance/mystery writer Sit, Stay, Slay.
Linda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, Linda has had several more short stories published, plus fourteen romance novels, including romantic suspense, and a novella. In addition, Linda is currently creating the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter, mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime.
A practicing attorney, Linda juggles her busy schedule between mornings of writing briefs, contracts and other legalese, and afternoons of creating memorable tales of romantic suspense, paranormal, time travel and contemporary romance and mysteries. Armed with an undergraduate degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis from Pennsylvania State University , Linda began her versatile writing career running a small newspaper, then working in advertising and public relations, and later obtaining her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh . Linda has taught a course on romance writing at California State University Northridge College of Extended Learning and has been chosen to teach at The Learning Annex in Los Angeles.
She has also spoken on romance writing at the Orange County, Los Angeles and High Desert Chapters of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), ROAR (Romance Readers and Writers), the writers' conference of the San Diego Chapter of RWA, the "Autumn Affaire" romance conference by the Orange County Chapter of RWA, the Beverly Hills Library Day of Romance (in conjunction with the Los Angeles Romance Authors), the Independent Writers of Southern California, and the Surrey Writers' Conference. She has additionally presented a variety of programs at libraries and bookstores. Linda is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America, participating in the Los Angeles , Orange County , and Kiss of Death (romantic suspense) chapters. A native of Pittsburgh, she now lives near Universal Studios, Hollywood, with her husband and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and her two young adult sons visit often.

April 23rd and 24th
Festival of Books
Saturday @ 1-6 PM
Sunday @ 1-5 PM
@ the California Writers Club booth # 619

We had a grand time at the Festival and met literally hundreds of writers who now know a lot more about CWC, it was wonderful to experience and watch the awed expression of Marcia's fans. "OHHH! MRS. KRABAPPEL!"
 

Marcia Wallace represented the CWC for us, signing copies of her book, Don't Look Back, We're Not Going That Way!
http://www.marciawallace.com

For more info about the Festival of books go to
www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks
 

April 21st - Thursday, Open Mike
at Borders books in Canoga Park.
The readers were Venita Bart , Carol Wood, Cara Alson, Ethel Ann Pemberton, Linette Stone, Erica Stux and a wonderful visiting poet Shachar.
Contact Carol Wood OpenMike@CalwritersSFV.com
to sign up as a reader.

April 2nd
Alexis O'Neill, children's writer, author of  Loud Emily
by Sheila Moss

What to recapture your younger days?Send cheers and maybe shed a few tears?It's time to let your child out to playas Alexis O'Neill, this month's guest speaker and noted children's author, presents"Seeing Your Name in Print:Breaking into Writing for Children."

Her newest book Recess Queen (Scholastic Press), is a bully book which was on the Los Angeles Times list of Best Selling Children's Books for two months.Virginia and Maryland named it as a Children's Choice winner and it's been a Children's Choice nominee in five additional states.

Her book Loud Emily (Simon & Schuster) about a young girl who becomes a heroine due to her unique trait is on the list of Yankee Magazine's Top l00 classic New England Children's Books as well as being featured in Newsweek.

When she is not busy writing, she teaches writing for the UCLA Extension Writer's Program.She serves a regional advisor the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is a founding member of the Children's Authors Network (CAN!).

Alexis, a former elementary school teacher, holds a B.S. from Skidmore College and an M.S. in Instructional Technology.She earned her Ph.D. in Teacher Education from Syracuse University. An individual who believes in giving back to the community, Alexis chairs the annual Children's Book Week Celebration for the Simi Valley Friends of the Library and serves on the board of the Ventura County Reading Association.In addition she acts as an education consultant for a variety

of museums across the county, including the J. Paul Getty Museum.She and her husband David reside in Simi Valley, CA.You can find out additional information by going to either of her two websites:
www.alexisoneill.com
or
www.childrensauthorsnetwork.com

March 5
Jodi Johnson
by Sheila Moss

Guest speaker Jodi Ann Johnson will lead us   "Through the Looking Glass: A Reflection on Writing and Teaching" at our March 5, 2005, meeting.

A Southern California native, Jodi Ann Johnson grew up in Topanga Canyon , where she still resides today with her teenaged daughter and a menagerie that includes horses and exotic reptiles. She earned a B.A. in English from CSUN, then returned for an M.A. in creative writing, followed by an M.A. in literature at UCLA. In 1986, she joined the English Department at Pierce College , where she has been teaching composition, creative writing, and British literature, as well as serving as the faculty advisor for the campus literary magazine, Direction . A book of her poetry, Feeding the Animals , was published in 1991, and in 1993 her screenplay Mama & Me won a prestigious Nicholl Fellowship offered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation. Since then she has divided her time between teaching and writing, working on the Disney feature animation film Mulan and other assignments while crafting an original script based on the life of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. She enjoys sharing her passion for writing and literature with her students and in turn feels inspired by their growth and creativity.

February 5th
Jacqueline Marcell
by Sheila Moss

This month's guest speaker is the talented Jacqueline Marcell, noted author, publisher, speaker, and recent breast cancer survivor. CWC members will be able to feast on a smorgasbord of topics when Ms. Marcell discusses "Writing, Self-publishing, Marketing, and How to Get Prestigious Endorsements for Your Book."

Her book Elder Rage or Take My Father. Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents (Impressive Press, 2001) garnered l84 five-star reviews on Amazon.com and was The Book-of-the-Month-Club selection. In addition, Elder Rage is a required text at numerous universities for geriatric assessment and management courses and is being considered for a feature film.

Jacqueline has received over fifty endorsements from the likes of Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin, and Senator John D. Rockefeller IV.

Dr. Nancy Snyderman - ABC News and National Adult Day Services Association honored her with their "Media Award."

Marcell is a former television executive who, after the experience of caring for her aging parents, became a sought after
national speaker and an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. She also produces and hosts the Internet radio program, "Coping with Caregiving," which is heard worldwide.

Her publishing credits include Woman's Day, Prevention, Family Therapy Parent Care, New Lifestyles, Caregiver's Home, Companion, World Wide Seniors, and Maturity Today. AARP's
Bulletin - circulation 22 million -
featured her in a five-page cover story.

To find out more about Jacqueline visit her website at www.elderrage.com

January 20th - Thursday Open Mike
at Borders books in Canoga Park.
Contact Carol Wood OpenMike@CalwritersSFV.com
to sign up as a reader.

December 4th
Marilyn T. Oliver
by Art Yuwiler

"Persistence is the key word for any writer, Persistence with a capital P," so stated our guest speaker, Marilyn T. Oliver, a Stanford-trained teacher of Spanish before teaching Spanish became popular. After marriage and a family, Ms. Oliver started out to write the biographical history of feminine Spanish poets, but courses taken at Cal State L.A. seduced her instead into contributing to children's literature. Where she not only published numerous books but won numerous awards. But she noted that the sweetness of acceptance of her first articles was followed by the bitter gall of subsequent rejections. It is at such times that Persistence is needed, persistence and a slowly developed thick skin. "Do not take rejections too seriously" she insisted for one reviewer's rejection should not prevent submission to a second. Remember, what is bitter to one may be delicious to another.

Start with local magazines, she suggests. They are in great need of writers and much can be learned from the doing. Also, there are many things to learn depending upon the editors and the publishers. The editors of her first book, "Nature Crafts," for example, wanted illustrations and photographs but she had to find the illustrator and learn to take the photographs herself. (Incidentally, she noted, The Library of Congress, The National Archives, and the National Library of Medicine, can provide relatively inexpensive photographs). "How to" books are in great demand by publishers. Often not as lucrative but frequently saleable are books on collections but be prepared to submit photographs as well as text.

When asked about agents she informed us that she has not found them helpful to her processes. She does send query letters outlining her proposed project and depending on the publisher, these may be followed by anything from a request for the first chapter to a simple acceptance or rejection. The longer the list of personal credits, of course, the better.

To maximize utility, Ms. Oliver devoted part of her talk to a useful listing of children and teen-age publishers and they are recounted in other sections of the Scribe.

November 6th, James Scott Bell
by Art Yuwiler
 

"Words have power, are magical and their magic is the business of writers," said our November speaker, James Scott Bell, former trial lawyer, screen writer, author and instructor. Misuse of words leads to absurdities and James collects these word mangles like the headline "War dims hopes of Peace" or "Errors account for jet crash experts say," to actual court questions like, "Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?" or statements children have written on exams like "Queen Elizabeth was the Virgin Queen . As a queen she was a success. When she exposed herself before her troops they all shouted 'Hurrah!'."

According to Bell, just as a brain surgeon must learn his craft, know brain anatomy, its tracts, its blood vessels, so too must a writer learn how stories and poems are put together, to understand plot, to know how to make characters come alive. Plot structure means conflict - with the environment, with a protagonist, within oneself. Character translates to multi-dimensionality for Bell. Shakespeare endures because his heroes are also villains, his villains, also heroes. Bell advises that each character of a story is made of a bit of both.

Above all read the best, study how the best achieve their effects, work, and do not be put off by rejections. Kipling was told "You just don't know how to use the English language." George Orwell could not find a publisher for Animal Farm. "Animal stories do not sell in America." Rejection is an artist's badge of honor. Wear it proudly. And while reading, studying and dissecting,--write. Write a set number of words each day, write, write, write.

When Isaac Asimov, author of hundreds of books and stories was asked "What would you do if you knew you only had a week to live?" He answered, "Type faster."

Author of 14 novels and his new instructional book Plot and Structure , we all hope that Bell continues to type faster.

To find out more about James Scott Bell, visit his website. www.jamesscottbell.com

October 25th, Readings by Five Local Writers

The year 2004 marked the 95th anniversary of the California Writers Club (CWC). The CWC origins date back to the turn of the century literary movement sparked by Jack London. Lenora Smalley told us the hightlights of Ina Coolbrith's life (the first Californian Poet Laureate) and she really made Ina leap from the pages. Dave Wetterberg read from Bret Harte and shared a wonderful story from his own writings. Dean Stewart read a hillarious story from Mark Twain about ants and his own piercing story about the heart and soul of a dying marriage. Judy Presnall read from Jack London which segued easily into her own book about sled dogs. Sheila Moss delighted us with Dashiell Hammett and her own whodunit was the satisfying end to the readings.

A Great time was had by all who attended with "Let's do this again" being heard in the library halls as we departed..

October 19th, Readings by
Six local area writers
at Borders books in Canoga Park.

Presenters:
Carol Wood read from Jack London's White Fang and her short story "Making Yellow Snow" (It's about Halloween)
Poet Anne Silvers floored us with her new poem "Sucked" it's about a vampire.
Virginia (Stole-the-Show)Miessner read some definitions from the Devil by Ambrose Bierce and her killer story about the spear, Elaine Shevin gave us glimpses of her new book "Winds of Time", and Danielle Ste. Just scared us a little and made us feel sorry for the devil's assistants.

More happened. But we can't tell it all here. Hope we can do this on a regular basis. It was a great read.

Where: Borders Books and Music, 6510 Canoga Park Ave. Canoga Park
(Canoga Ave. and Victory Blvd.)

October 2nd
Full Speed Ahead - Laughing with Marcia!
by Kathy Highcove

What a WOMAN! At October's meeting we listened to a warm, earthy, intelligent, hilarious Marcia Wallace. She held the floor for 45 minutes and regaled us with her tales of tragedy: an abusive childhood in an Irish-American family, her own rounds with breast cancer, her loss of a beloved husband, a nervous breakdown broadcast coast to coast, faith and Begorrah, the list goes on and on. And pretty soon we were sitting at her feet with tears in our eyes . of laughter! Marcia has bright Celtic eyes that flash and roll with each punch line: ".. so the doctors thought Dad might be brain damaged, and we talked to him, and came back and told the doctor, 'Nope. He's the same.' "

Marcia's father had a wonderful saying for all those who like to preach hindsight to the guilty " Don't look back, we're not going that way." The same wise phrase is the name of Marcia's self- published autobiography. And she lives by her dad's words. Whatever evil challenges her confidence, her good nature, her rabbit's foot misfortune has never caught her by the short hairs. She keeps pushing forward with humor as her constant companion.

When each hand shot up for a question, Marcia encouraged us with a warm "Hi!" and an unabashed honest answer. "Would you do Bart Simpson's teacher - the signature sarcastic laugh?" Her quick reply was a foghorn, "HA!"

Our questions ranged from "Are you listed on Amazon" to "Do you believe that humor is healing?" Now that question made her stop in her tracks for a minute. "Oh yes." Ms. Wallace assured us. "Humor is a healer. Definitely. I know that laughter helped every area of my life. When my parents told the story about how they forgot me and left me at the bar behind the counter in my basket.we LAUGHED at that story. I was brought up that way. If you read my book, you'll see how humor helped me all my life."

Well, we won't forget Marcia Wallace. She left us completely conquered. It was no surprise to this audience to hear she has sold out of the first printing. The woman is a skilled speaker, an earthy funny writer, and a wonderful treat for our October meeting. If you missed her talk, Marcia will be speaking at the Border's in Canoga Park on the 19 th with other CWC members. Or check her website for future speaking dates. www.MarciaWallace.com

Sept 4th - Sherman Pearl
by Sheila Moss

Sherman Pearl, a native of Los Angeles, is a co-founder of the L.A. Poetry Festival and a former director of the Valley Contemporary Poets reading series. He has authored author of several poetry collections including his latest The Poem in the Time of War. . He currently is editor of the poetry journal CQ (California Quarterly). His work has appeared in more than 30 literary journals and he has won several awards in national competitions (including 2nd price in the Atlanta Review’s 1998 International Poetry Contest and 1st places in contests conducted by Verve Magazine and CQ). A retired journalist and publicist, he lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife, the artist Meredith Gordon.

No meeting in July and August

April 3, 2004
Brian Alan Lane
by Art Yuwiler

"In all of art, and all of writing, the artist must have something to say and a burning desire to say it," so announced Brain Alan Lane , successful lawyer, writer, teacher and our principal speaker in April. Just what that "something" is, however, may be found only by the author's soul searching or perhaps by carefully rereading the author's early writings. Nonetheless, that "something"  gives a writer a unique voice and the more clear, that "something" is to the author, the more clear it can be revealed to an audience.

     Mr. Lane asserted that essentially all stories boil down to the endless puzzles of existence. They are concerned with the human heart and it's many conflicts: free will and determinism, life and death, God and society, love and hate, surrender and defiance.  Whatever the theme, the author must select the appropriate point of view and the necessary actions of his characters. To make a tale believable, at least in the author's mind, the biography of each character strutting on the stage should be known, including that character's history, ancestry, weakness and strengths. The setting should be equally clear. The streets, the size and kinds of buildings, the very width of the streets should be visualized. No matter how short the story, an author creates a world for characters to live in and that world, be it a universe of pure fantasy or the streets of today, must have sufficient consistency and verisimilitude to make the reader believe in it.  Even more importantly, it permits the author to believe in it.

     Drama, as Mr. Lane pointed out, is a continuous unfolding of revelation leading to inevitable surprise. To create this, every line in a story must be justified, weighed, and tested for its contribution to the ultimate purpose of the telling. Yet, because all stories are ultimately based upon the truths of the human heart, all stories are fundamentally true. As  Mr. Lane said in his title, "Fiction isn't Fictional"  

January 3rd
Michelle Markel
by Sheila Moss

Ring in the New Year on Saturday, January 3, 2004, with our guest speaker Michelle Markel, children’s author, essayist, feature writer and educator. Her talk, “Inspiration Through Emulation, delves into how Shakespeare, Picasso, even Mick Jagger ‘did it.’ According to Michelle, successful artists of the world studied the style and technique of the masters before they were able to develop their own. She’ll show us how to read and learn from your favorite authors and from others we may never have considered.

Besides having her essays and feature stories run in THE WALL ST. JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES TIMES, and other magazines, she has written such children’s books as GRACIAS ROSA and CORNHUSK, SILK AND WISHBONES, a Book of Dolls around the World which was chosen as one of the California Readers ’Best l00 Books. Her newest book, DREAMER FROM THE VILLAGE, a picture book biography of Marc Chagall, is due to be published by Henry Holt in fall of 2005. As an educator, Michelle has taught children’s literature at California Lutheran University and California State University, Northridge’s College of Extended Learning. She gives lectures at statewide educational conferences and visits schools to share her writing experiences with children. In addition, Michelle is a founding member of the Children’s Author Network.

So come with a fresh mind, pen and paper and be prepared for an inspirational, interesting, and interactive presentation.
http://home.earthlink.net/~cohen_markel/