PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hey Redwood Writers,
Spring is blooming with creativity here at Redwood Writers, and I couldn’t be more excited to share what’s ahead!
April is National Poetry Month, and we’re celebrating in a big way. At our general meeting, we’ll be joined by Dana Gioia, former California Poet Laureate. This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greats, and I hope you’ll be there to soak it all in.
We’ll also be announcing the Fran Claggett-Holland Award for Poetry recipient, as well as our board’s long-awaited pick for the Jack London Award. These are major honors, and I can’t wait to celebrate the talent in our community.
Next month brings one of our most anticipated events: Author Launch on May 17, spotlighting 18 of our talented authors. If you’re launching a book this year, now’s the time to sign up—but don’t wait! Spots are limited and filling quickly.
I’m also thrilled to share our exciting new partnership with The Krush 95.9 FM. Beginning April 1, tune in to Mindi in the Morning on Tuesday mornings at 8:45 a.m. to hear Redwood Writers authors share their stories with a broader audience. If you miss it, you can catch the repeat at www.krsh.com/mindi-in-the-morning.
We’re already scheduled out for the next 8 weeks (go team!). Sign-ups for the next round will open soon. Stay tuned!
And for our prose writers—Moonshadow, Tales of Hidden Light, our next anthology, will open for submissions on April 20! Whether you write memoir or fiction, this is your chance to be part of something truly special.
All the details for these opportunities and more are waiting for you in this month’s newsletter. Let’s keep writing, supporting one another, and showing the world what Redwood Writers can do.
Until the next chapter,
Crissi Langwell
President, Redwood Writers
president@redwoodwriters.org
| | | | Meeting Fees are Increasing in July | | | |
To help cover the monthly costs of our meeting room and speaker fees, the Redwood Writers branch is increasing our general meeting admission fees to $10/member and $15/non-member per meeting, effective in July.
Express member fees will increase to $90/year at the time of membership renewal.
This fee does not include additional fees added on by Constant Contact and PayPal when paying for our meetings online. To avoid additional fees, members are always welcome to pay at the door.
Visit our website for Membership Information
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| April Meeting & Potluck with Dana Gioia, Former CA Poet Laureate | Redwood Writers is honored to welcome Dana Gioia, former CA Poet Laureate, as our next featured speaker. Dana will share his personal journey of awakening and emergence as a writer, read selected poems, and engage in a Q&A with the audience. | | | | Jack London Award Nominations Now Open | | |
Every other year, CWC branches may nominate a member to the CWC Central Board to receive the Jack London Award for outstanding service to the branch. Do you know of a member who deserves to receive this year’s award?
Please email the member’s name and a written description of their service to president@redwoodwriters.org by April 7. The board will vote on the recipient at their board meeting on April 8.
Note: Nominated members must agree to be nominated.
| | APPLY NOW FOR AUTHOR LAUNCH 2025 | |
Apply for Author Launch
Judy M. Baker, Jan Rowley, and Mara Johnstone are cooking up a juicy Author Launch 2025. If you are planning to participate and have published a book within the past year, start gathering your headshot, short bio, book cover image, and book blurb.
Spots are filling up fast, so if you want to be considered, apply now.
New this year is a contest for the best tabletop book display. You'll have 4 feet of horizontal space as we are going to be in the large auditorium this year.
We are giving preferential treatment to authors who are first-timers at Author Launch.
Watch your inbox and our club website for the details. Help spread the word and download a flyer.
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Redwood Writers Salon
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Private home address included in confirmation of your RSVP
RSVP: Register at redwoodwriters.org/salon
Reading:
Bring your stories and poems.
Read (5 minutes) and make merry with other Redwood Writers.
Refreshments:
Light refreshments will be provided by the host.
You are not required to bring a dish to share, however, contributions are always welcome.
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REDWOOD WRITERS CIRCLE
An enthusiastic group of writers met at the Writers Circle on March 22. Linda Reid, just back from Paris with a cold, turned over moderation to Pamela Heck.
We had several new members and recently published authors who shared their successes.
Judy M. Baker was behind the camera, snapping photos which were turned into a short movie. To watch, click on the image below.
The next Circle is on June 28, 2025. Watch the website and newsletter for details.
You can register to attend by sending an email to Linda or going to our website to sign up.
| | Looking for a Writing Group? | | |
Marie Judson keeps an ongoing list of members interested in joining or creating a writing group. If you would like to find a critique group or add more members to an existing group, send your genre(s) and contact information to mariejudson@gmail.com.
You'll receive an email with the subject line, "Writers seeking writing groups." You can then either reply to all or select specific writers to contact. This has been an ongoing free service for Redwood Writers members for nine years.
| | Anthology Editors Announce the Title for 2025 | |
Moonshadow: Tales of Hidden Light
Corinne Asturias and Judy M. Baker, Co-editors of the 2025 Redwood Writers Prose Anthology, have picked the title and theme for the 2025 Prose Anthology.
"Our theme gives writers ample latitude to develop stories that engage the heart and imagination, whether fictional or true," concurred the editors.
They will share more about the theme, writing craft, and the submission process at a workshop on May 3.
Join a community of storytellers illuminating the hidden truths and quiet mysteries within the moonshadow. Your words can move readers, provoke thought, and inspire meaningful conversations.
Judy is creating a dramatic cover design. There are many meanings for moonshadow, from astrological to creative. As a title or concept, it has been woven into poetry, literature, film, lyrics, and art.
This year, the submissions will be exclusively from within Redwood Writers members.
Submissions open April 20-June 30, 2025.
Watch your inbox for a special announcement with all of the details. The editors are planning a workshop to help you with the theme and submission process.
Address questions to your editors, 2025anthology@redwoodwriters.org
| | Corinne Asturias and Judy M. Baker are the Co-editors of the 2025 Redwood Writers Prose Anthology. | | Judy M. Baker, Buzzworthy Books | |
Judy learned to set type and run a printing press after she wrote and illustrated her first book at age 16.
Since 2011, she has focused on helping authors with marketing that matters, creating organic messaging and graphics to build custom, synchronized systems.
Her writing spans multiple genres: memoir, poetry, and magical realism.
Judy is the past president of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and Redwood Writers and is our Club's Newsletter Editor and co-chair of Author Launch 2025.
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Corinne Asturias
Corinne Asturias is a former journalist, college instructor, columnist and cultural anthropologist living in Sebastopol. She has written about many subjects including politics, the environment and inspiring people which led her to interview the late and legendary Mister Fred Rogers. These days she is fascinated by the interconnectedness of humans, the animal kingdom and the natural world.
Corinne was Features Editor for The Press Democrat, where she managed six sections and was part of the newsroom that received the Pulitzer Prize in 2018.
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Call for Cover Art for JUST SO 2025 Poetry Anthology
For members who are artists:
We are looking for artwork for the cover of the next poetry anthology, which is titled JUST SO. (It’s not open for written submissions yet.)
If you would like to possibly see your work on the cover of this book, please send your artwork to Les Bernstein at lessieb13@yahoo.com.
Let’s make a gorgeous book together.
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"We received 161 entries of artwork for Vision & Verse II. It was excruciatingly difficult to select the 15 winning pieces."
The winning pieces, which will serve as writing prompts, will be posted online by April 15, and we will be accepting written submissions until May 15.
Watch your inbox for an invitation to participate in the next phase of this contest.
Thanks to the judges, Les Bernstein and Robin Gabbert.
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Broken Open
seeking the luminous
I embrace grief
like an old friend
circles of concentric time
then, now, when
a sea roiled with emotion
prayer beads, a mantra repeated
marking each plea offered
from a heart laden with loss
shock and stillness
despair and hope
grief and joy
moments strung like pearls
bound by memories and miracles
clasped in pairs of opposites
LINDA STAMPS
Linda Stamps established careers in law, journalism, and higher education. She worked on staff at the Mendocino Beacon and the Fort Bragg Advocate News. She wrote for the Time Warner publication, “Out in All Directions,” an LGBTQ history and almanac. Her writing has been published in a number of anthologies. She is an award-winning flash fiction writer.
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All You Care to Eat - A Novice Buys a Restaurant
THE STORY OF GAIA'S GARDEN
A memoir of two best friends who purchased a plant-based buffet restaurant after their romantic breakup. Over their ten-year journey, they created an extraordinary venue for delicious food, art, music, and community—while losing money and navigating financial pressures, challenging employees, and their own unresolved issues.
Featured on Clark Wolf's "At the Table" on KSRO, this book shares the crew's stories of tragedy and triumph, plus recipes for signature vegan dishes including soups, salad dressings, curries, cornbread, and coconut tapioca.
For restaurant dreamers and owners alike.
Bon appétit!
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Visit jessebilyeu.com to learn more and to purchase Apocalyptic Lullaby.
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The Killshot Diaries are finally here!
After 14 years of writing novels, I have finally released Episode One of the Killshot Diaries: Apocalyptic Lullaby.
Set in an alternate ‘now’, the Diaries follows the life of rock 'n roll zombie hunter Punkin Brustah after spores from deep space bring about a catastrophic event. Apocalyptic Lullaby begins with six-year-old Punkin alone in her uncle’s survival shelter. At 15, with all of her supplies depleted, Punk-E must brave the desolate city above for food, survivors–and someone to love.
The bizarre effect that her voice and music has upon the invaders sparks a bold plan to free her dead city–and, ultimately, our devastated world.
| | | Compost Happens: Diana Morgan Dean, PsyD. Tells All | | | | | |
Learn about my memoir, which is launching this April 2025!
Find resources for your healing journey.
I wrote Compost Happens for others who have been abused because I believe that it’s possible to create a flourishing life after abuse. Join me on my journey of transforming childhood sexual abuse into a fulfilling life.
https://www.dianamorgandean.com/
| | | Writers Forum hosts free writing workshops on Zoom | |
Available in person, on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3wBq1rq, and soon at bookstores everywhere. | |
Shawn Langwell has released a new workbook for overcomong self-doubt and imposter syndrome
MORNING MOTIVATION: The Ultimate Workbook & Guided Journal. Practical Wisdom to Break Free From Self-Doubt & Start Living an Extraordinary Life.
Are You Ready to Stop Doubting & Start Believing in Yourself?
Morning Motivation is a great way to start your day with an attitude of gratitude and give you the tools you need to stop the steady din of self-doubt and gain the confidence you want so you can feel more alive. If you’re ready to start living a happier, more productive, meaningful, and fulfilling life, then this book is for you.
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April 21 & 22
Crack the Code to Book Buzz: Position Your Brand for Visibility, Income, & Impact
You’ll uncover the proven steps to:
- Claim your message and identity as a trusted expert in your niche.
- Attract your perfect readers who are eager for your ideas and solutions.
- Transform your book into a powerful platform that drives your business, speaking gigs, and income.
Dates: April 21-22, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Apply Now:
https://buzzworthybooks.com/author-brand-blueprint/
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BUZZWORTHY BOOKS BISTRO
Judy M. Baker invites you to the BUZZWORTHY BOOK BISTRO. We meet twice a month on Mondays via Zoom. It's an hour of marketing honey for authors focused on building an audience.
Dates: April 14, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Q&A office hours where you can celebrate wins and brainstorm solutions for book marketing challenges. Invite a friend. Guest experts are invited to the stage.
Register: https://buzzworthybooks.com/buzzworthy-bistro/
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Pitch Perfect Toastmasters for Women Open House
You're invited to experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere of our Toastmasters club, Pitch Perfect - Toastmasters for Women!
Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm PT.
Judy M. Baker is a member of Pitch Perfect.
We meet on Zoom. Our club is the perfect place to perfect your speaking skills and make new friends. There is no cost to attend.
RSVP
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Submit member news by the 15th of the month using the button below or access the form at: https://forms.gle/ZHjJNW41xuGdVBHv6
You can add your content, images, and a brief news article. Be sure to include your name and email.
Please review your submission and only send it once per month.
Have you published a new book? Have you got a book deal? Received media coverage, earned an award? We want to share your good news.
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:
https://redwoodwriters.org/advertising-in-redwood-writer/
| | | | Sample Horizonal Display Ad | |
Event Name
Date and Time
Short description
For more information: (URL)
Sample 3 Line Text Only Ad
| | 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
Tommie Whitener, Vault Master, Policies & Procedures
Roger Lubeck, Membership Chair
Karl Kadie, Member at Large
Janice Rowley, Member at Large
Chairs and Editors
Corinne Asturias, Prose Anthology Co-Editor
Judy M. Baker, Newsletter Editor, Author Launch, Prose Anthology Co-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
Marie Judson, Critique Groups
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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