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Oops! Let’s Try That Again — Updated August Newsletter
Thank you for your patience! We’re resending this month’s newsletter with a few important corrections and updates. We appreciate your understanding and are grateful for your continued engagement with the Redwood Writers community. Please enjoy this revised edition!
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Redwood Writers,
As we move through the summer months and head toward our new year, I continue to be amazed and inspired by the creativity in our Redwood Writers community. Submissions have now closed for both our prose and poetry anthologies, and I want to thank each and every one of you who shared your work. Our editorial team—under the care of Judy M. Baker for prose anthology Moonshadow, and Les Bernstein for poetry anthology Just So—are now deep in the next phase: reading, reviewing, and shaping these collections with care. I’m so grateful for the effort our editors are putting in to ensure these anthologies shine.
Last month’s Short Play Writing workshop with Beth Moise and Hilary Moore was another example of the rich resources our club provides. The workshop was insightful, inspiring, and full of useful tips for crafting strong, engaging short plays—especially for readers theater. If you missed it, I encourage you to sign up for the video replay. It’s available until September 30 and well worth the watch.
That workshop pairs perfectly with our 10-Minute Play Contest, which is currently open for submissions. This contest is a fantastic opportunity to stretch your creative muscles and try something new. Writing short plays not only sharpens dialogue and pacing—it can also reignite your passion for storytelling in fresh and unexpected ways. I encourage every writer to take the leap, whether you’re seasoned in scriptwriting or brand new to the form.
On a personal note, I’ve been working on a project close to my heart called Love Letters to Writers, a series of reflections and reminders about the writing life. It was born from my experiences in this very club. Redwood Writers has long stood for writers helping writers, and Love Letters to Writers is simply an extension of that same spirit—a way of offering encouragement, solidarity, and a reminder that none of us are alone on this journey. If you’re curious, you can take a peek at crissi.substack.com.
Thank you for being part of this beautiful community. Let’s keep writing, keep stretching, and keep showing up for each other.
Until the next chapter,
Crissi Langwell
President, Redwood Writers
president@redwoodwriters.org
P.S. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, don’t forget to do so. This community would not be the same without you, so please be sure to renew before the deadline of Sept. 30!
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| August Meeting & Potluck with David Tabatsky: Welcome to the World of Editing | This workshop explains the multi-faceted process of editing, from the structural and developmental phases to line and copy editing. It explores how each step works and how an author can do some of their own editing while seeking help from others.
It includes sample editing exercises and a discussion of how one can identify the best editor for their needs.
David is a writer, editor, and performing artist, based in New York City. Find him at www.tabatsky.com.
NOTE: You are invited to bring something savory or sweet to share for our potluck. | | | | 10-Minute Play Contest 2025 | |
Redwood Writers is now accepting submissions for our annual 10-Minute Play Contest. This is your chance to see your original short play performed on stage by Off the Page Readers Theater this November.
The contest is open to everyone, and writers may submit up to two plays. Scripts should be ten minutes or less in length, feature no more than five characters, and require minimal props. Submissions are blind-judged and must follow specific formatting guidelines.
The deadline to submit has been extended to August 30, 2025. Winners will be announced at the September general meeting.
For full details, including submission guidelines and the online entry form, click the button below.
Note: Be sure to catch the FREE video replay of last year’s Six Winning Plays performances at the link below so you can see how special this event really is.
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ENTRY FEE:
Up to 2 plays per entrant, submitted separately
CWC Members:
$10 per play
Non-members:
$15 per play
Submission deadline:
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 11:59 p.m.
Winners announced:
September 1, 2025
Redwood Writers General Meeting
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Did you miss our Short Play Writing workshop last month? Great news—you can still catch the full replay.
Led by Beth Moise and Hilary Moore of Off the Page Readers Theater, this 60-minute workshop offers valuable insight into crafting compelling 10-minute plays for stage and readers theater. Whether you're entering the 10-Minute Play Contest or simply want to sharpen your playwriting skills, this session is packed with practical advice and inspiration.
The video replay is available for purchase through September 30.
| | It's Time for Membership Renewal | | |
If you are already a member, the annual membership renewal period for the Redwood Writers branch runs June 1–Sept. 30.
If you don’t renew during this period, you must join as a new member at the full price.
| | Get Lit with Redwood Writers | |
Tuesday Mornings on The Krush
Every Tuesday, tune in to The Krush, 95.9 FM, to hear a member of Redwood Writers talk about their book on the Mornings with Mindi show on KRSH.
Coming up this month:
- Aug. 5: Elaine Rock
- Aug. 12: Copperfield's Author
- Aug. 19: Mara Lynn Johnstone
- Aug. 26: Vivian Yongewa
If you miss it live, you can hear a recording of the interview at www.krsh.com/getlit
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Moonshadow: Tales of Hidden Light
Thank you to the 48 writers who submitted stories to the anthology.
Please give the judges and editorial team a couple of weeks to review them all. Be sure to check your email for updates, acceptance letters and editorial assignments for those who have their submissions accepted.
This year, the submissions are exclusively from within the Redwood Writers members.
Address questions to your editors, 2025anthology@redwoodwriters.org
| | Judy M. Baker, 2025 Prose Anthology Editor-in-Chief | | | |  | |
Judy is the past president of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and Redwood Writers and is our Club's Newsletter Editor. In addition, she co-chaired Author Launch 2025. She helps find notable speakers for the club and keeps her eyes open for ways to build membership.
Her day job is helping authors get seen, get read, and get paid.
Buzzworthy Books and brands begin at: buzzworthybooks.com
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Submissions closed for this year's poetry anthology, Just So, with 236 poems entered! Editor Les Bernstein will be spending the next few weeks going over entries and working towards creating a beautiful anthology.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their poems to Just So.
Questions? Email Les Bernstein at lessieb13@yahoo.com.
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Attention, poets!
Monthly Poetry Lab!
As Les Bernstein says, “Dare to be great and send us a poem you’re wrestling with. We promise you it is the safest, most empowering space… and if you just want to only observe, that’s okay, too. And remember—no risk, no reward.”
amritaskyepoetry@gmail.com
lessieb13@yahoo.com.
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Small Blessings
I stand on my deck and grip the rail,
staring hard into the Sierra mountain night.
Behind me, after-dinner conversation
warbles on like wild turkeys.
My wife and I moved here a few years ago.
We get by on social security,
a tiny bag of savings, and part-time work.
These are hard times,
those who work in local trades hit hardest.
The diving economy leans in,
picking jobs from friends’ pockets,
pushing them out of their homes
like once-in-a-century storms.
Not having extra, I pitch in, do what I can.
But how much can I do? I’m a cog not a king.
Keeping my hands on the deck’s helm,
I steer this ship through
hard-money winds and dark promise.
I reach into the sky
to haul in a handful of night quiet.
I’m ready now
to offer small blessings
to those behind me.
Karl Kadie is the author of two poetry collections, Revenge of Nature and The Burning House. His work has appeared in the Poetry Catalog, Train River, The Santa Clara Review, Haiku Headlines, Poetry X Hunger, The Sailors Review, Poetry Ink Anthology, and multiple Redwood Writers anthologies. Mr. Kadie’s poetry was selected by Poets for Human Rights for National Poetry Month in 2023 and 2024.
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WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER EDITOR?
It's time to pass the typewriter! My business and writing are taking off. Before I go, I have agreed to help find my replacement.
Qualifications
Layout skills
Familiarity with Constant Contact is a plus
Graphic design skills
Experience with Canva and Google Drive
Light Editing
Does this sound like you?
Do you have approximately 4 hours a month to contribute to the Club?
Let's talk.
Judy M. Baker
editor@redwoodwriters.org
+1 707 210 6696
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New Release: The Jilted Lovers Club
Crissi Langwell is celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Jilted Lovers Club, available August 8. This steamy, slow-burn romance kicks off her brand-new Lahoma Springs series, set in a charming small town inspired by Crissi’s own hometown of Petaluma.
In this first book, city girl Jordy Gallo returns to the country roots she once fled, only to find herself entangled in secrets, second chances, and unexpected feelings for a quiet single dad with a complicated past. Fans of emotional love stories, small-town charm, and layered characters will fall hard for this new series.
The Jilted Lovers Club is available in paperback (two versions!), eBook, and Kindle Unlimited. Learn more at crissilangwell.com.
Find "Love Letters to Writers" at crissi.substack.com
| | | Shawn Langwell Book Talk at Petaluma Copperfield's 8/29 7-8 pm | | |
Copperfield’s Books welcomes friend and local author Shawn Langwell to Petaluma in celebration of his new book – Chill: Embrace the Space Between Extremes.
Join us for a warm discussion followed by a Q&A and book signing.
This event is free and open to the public.
*Book available for purchase at the event.
Reserve your seat here: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/shawn-langwell-0
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The Time to Chill is Now
New Release From Shawn Langwell
Chill: Embrace the Space Between Extremes
Contrary to popular false narratives, the world isn’t out to get us. We are not all victims of circumstance. We owe it to ourselves to learn healthier ways of taking responsibility for our own lives and to cultivate compassion towards ourselves, others, and the world.
At its core, Chill is a self-awareness relationship book that reveals a deep secret you already know, but often are too scared to put into practice. The path to true freedom, connection, and happiness is found when we learn how to Chill and embrace the space between extremes.
Available Now: a.co/d/3kOE76B
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I will be hosting two book events in the Bay Area:
Readers Books
June 25, 2025, 5:30 PM
130 East Napa St., Sonoma
Book Passage/Left Coast Writers
August 9, 2025, 2 PM
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.,
Corte Madera
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Book Launch-Between Worlds: An Expat's Quest for Belonging
Announcing the launch of Between Worlds: An Expat’s Quest for Belonging, a new memoir by Inga Aksamit.
I set out to write a lighthearted travel memoir about my unconventional cross-cultural childhood in an expat family, but along the way, I uncovered a universal truth—we all seek a sense of belonging. While our expat life in Pakistan, Peru, Bangladesh and Indonesia was filled with adventure and excitement, I discovered issues around identity, the concept of home, and what it means to belong.
In the end, it’s human connections that matter most. Between Worlds is now available on Amazon, or readers can request it from their favorite independent bookstore.
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| | A Celebration of Possibility, Purpose, and the Power of Saying "Yes" | | |
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The Killshot Diaries continue
Shady Grove, Episode Two of the Killshot Diaries, is now available on Amazon. The sequel to Apocalyptic Lullaby continues the tale of rock 'n roll zombie hunter Punkin Brustah, in the wake of her first desperate attempt to free the world from the threat from deep space.
Her city nearly cleared of the undead, at her own hand, teenaged Punkin finds she is not alone after all. Other survivors have found their way to her dead city to help rebuild New Hope.
Soon, she sets out to free other communities of the scourge from another world. But she quickly discovers that some living, breathing human beings are even more horrifying than the undead.
Visit jessebilyeu.com to learn more and to purchase Shady Grove, as well as Episode One of the Killshot Diaries, Apocalyptic Lullaby.
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Award-Winning High Desert Branch Author Publishes Memoir
California Writers Club author Michael Raff worked for thirty-four years in four different California State Hospitals behind locked doors and two private psychiatric facilities. During that time, he was punched, kicked, bitten, and ultimately disabled by violent patients, and sometimes ostracized by management. He worked with murderers, sociopaths, paranoid schizophrenics, and those who were afflicted with horrible physical deformities. Within the pages of his newly released memoir, Surviving My Career As A Psychiatric Technician, he presents hundreds of true and revealing accounts.
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BUZZWORTHY BOOKS POWER HOUR with GUEST DEBRA PALMER, PhD
Judy M. Baker offers Live "Love Seats" to authors who have important questions about marketing a book. Debra Palmer was her guest and you can watch the edited recording of the live session on YouTube by clicking on the image above.
Judy streams these sessions to LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. After the live sessions, edited recordings are posted to YouTube.
She has a few free spots available each month.
Apply for your spot on the Love Seat at BuzzworthyBooks.com
| | NEWS FROM OUR SISTER CWC CLUBS |
Sharpen Your Pencils: Flash Fiction Contest Coming!
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Love, Camera, Action by Noël Stark
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In acquiring Love, Camera, Action I broke two of my personal rules. First, I don’t read romance novels and second, for living authors I never buy from Amazon, even though it’s almost always cheaper. However, when I learned that this book’s protagonist was a scripted television show director and I reflected that there might be something here to inform the writing of my in-progress novel, The Showrunner: Hollywood Culture Clash, one of the boxes with the iconic Amazon smile on the side was lying on my porch the next day.
The heart of the book is an initial professional jealousy, competitiveness and general dislike between the director and her director of photography which, fueled by animal attraction, turns first to spectacular sex and then to mutual respect and love. Fairly predictable stuff.
But when I got to the sex scenes even my less-than-puritanical self was taken aback. They were graphic, lengthy and used words which only a few years ago would have gotten the book banned in a lot more places than Des Moines.
Then I remembered an article I had read recently in The Economist entitled, “Erotic Writing is Becoming More Explicit: Gardening Metaphors are Out. Other things are very much in.” According to the once-staid Economist (now no stranger to the likes of “cock,” fuck,” and “straddle”) book sales, mainly to women, of titles containing passages that once would have been immediately branded as pornography have skyrocketed. The Economist attributes this new popularity to the fact that the gentler sex reads most of its romance novels on devices such as Kindle that shield their content from outside eyes.
So, dear Redwood Writer, Love, Camera, Action, is a fairly engaging and entertaining read in its own right, but you may want to read it with an eye to deciding how much of your writing should be spiced up to take your readers to places they are apparently clamoring to visit.
Reviewed by Tommie W. Whitener
Publisher: Alcove Press
Publication date: April 22, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8892420402
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It's Your Turn to Contribute a Short and Sweet Book Review
Use the Newsletter Submission Form to send in your 250-word (or less) book review. We accept reviews of non-member books as well.
Include:
Book Title
Genre
Author
ISBN
What you loved, or didn't
Why do you recommend the book
How many stars: 0 – 5 Stars
A cover image
Tell us Your Name
Where to submit
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Submit member news by the 15th of the month using the button below or access the form at: forms.gle/ZHjJNW41xuGdVBHv6
You can add your content, images, and a brief news article. Include your name and contact info in your announcement.
Please review your submission and only send it once per month.
Have you published a new book? Announce your book once.
Got a book deal? Received media coverage, earned an award? We want to share your good news.
Submissions may or may not be included in the newsletter.
Checklist for submissions:
- Include your name and contact information in your item.
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50 words or less about book events, publications, awards, and classes of interest to our members.
- Image formats: Photos, JPEGs, or PNGs are welcome.
- Send a Word doc or PDF if you want to include a link to the document in your announcement
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If you have a paid event, you can purchase an ad in the newsletter as follows:
3 lines (text only) for $25.00
Display ads (square or horizontal images: .png, .jpg only, under 2M) for $50.00
Canva can help you format your ads
Please submit your paid advertisements here and pay online:
redwoodwriters.org/advertising-in-redwood-writer/
| | REDWOOD WRITERS LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS | | |
Volunteers make Redwood Writers possible. Thank you to our wonderful leaders and chairpeople who generously give their time and efforts. We appreciate you!
Board of Directors
Crissi Langwell, President
Mara Lynn Johnstone, Vice President
Shawn Langwell, Vice President
Barb Cottrell, Secretary
Malena Eljumaily, Treasurer
Judy M. Baker, Immediate Past President
Roger Lubeck, Membership Chair
Karl Kadie, Member at Large
Open, Vault Master, Policies & Procedures
Chairs and Editors
Judy M. Baker, Newsletter Editor, Author Launch, Prose Anthology Editor
Amrita Blaine, Newsletter Poetry Editor
Les Bernstein, Poetry Anthology Editor
Robin Gabbert, Writers Salon
Pamela Heck, Conference Volunteers Chair
Mara Lynn Johnstone, Author Launch
Crissi Langwell, Website Editor
Shawn Langwell, Speakers, Communications & PR Director, and Conference Chair
Linda L. Reid, Writers Circle, Poetry Anthology Party
Janice Rowley, Author Launch
Board meetings are held 6:30-8:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted and are open to any member in good standing. Contact president@redwoodwriters.org to receive an invitation.
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