PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hey Redwood Writers,
Spring is almost here, bringing fresh energy and new inspiration—both in our writing and in our amazing community. A lot is happening this month, and I hope you’ll be part of it!
First, if you’re a new member, I’d love to see you at our New Member Orientation TODAY, March 1 at 3 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Central Library. It’s a great chance to connect, get to know our club, and soak up some writing inspiration.
Then, on March 15, we’re welcoming Chris Hennessy, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this one! Chris will share tips on grabbing the attention of agents and publishers, crafting the perfect pitch, and boosting your visibility as an author. Plus, he’ll show us how to create a promo video using a phone—super handy for any writer looking to market their work.
A huge congratulations to the winners of our Heartbeat/Heartbreak writing contest! And a round of applause to everyone who entered—putting your work out there is no small feat. I’ve made it a goal to enter every Redwood Writers contest to challenge myself and grow as a writer. I encourage you to do the same! After all, you can’t win if you don’t enter, and every piece you write is another step forward in your craft.
Speaking of celebrating wins, if you’ve had a recent writing achievement—published a book, won an award, or hit a big milestone—please share it in our newsletter! We’d love to cheer you on. And, looking ahead, signups are starting for Author Launch, where we honor members who’ve recently published books. If that’s you, this is your moment to shine!
As for me, I’m deep in the trenches of editing my latest novel, trying to find the magic in the process. Some days it feels like a tangled mess, but there’s something special about watching a story take shape.
Wherever you are in your writing journey—starting a draft, polishing a manuscript, or just looking for inspiration—keep going. Every word you write brings you closer to your vision.
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-members 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.
Until the next chapter,
Crissi Langwell
President, Redwood Writers
president@redwoodwriters.org
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Vision & Verse II: A Fusion of Art and Writing
A CWC-members-only art and photography contest
The California Writers Club is proud to announce a members-only Art and Photography contest beginning on February 15, 2025 and ending on March 15, 2025. The winning art/photography will appear as visual inspiration for our second Ekphrastic Book.
If you would like to see your artwork or photography published in the book, we invite you to submit a digital image of your work to the CWC Art Contest. The chosen winners’ work will be featured prominently throughout Vision & Verse II and combined with poetry and prose selected from the members' submissions.
Details:
https://calwriters.org/vision-and-verse-ii/
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Jack London Award Nominations Now Open | |
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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.
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Submissions Open Soon
Jan Rowley, Mara Johnston, and Judy Baker 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. Watch your inbox and our club website for the details.
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March Meeting & Potluck with Chris Hennessy: How to Captivate Literary Agents and Publishers | Chris Hennessy will present How to Captivate Literary Agents and Publishers at the next Redwood Writers meeting, covering six key topics to help authors connect with industry professionals. He’ll discuss preparing for agent interactions, crafting pitches, and creating queries and book proposals. His PowerPoint includes clips from his award-winning films and viral social media posts. He’ll also demonstrate shooting a promo video with a smartphone, building a speaking reel, landing gigs, growing an email list, and boosting confidence. | | |
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REDWOOD WRITERS CIRCLE
A boisterous group met at the Writers Circle on January 25. Linda Reid, ever the gracious host, made everyone feel welcome. We had several new members and recently published authors in the group.
Then ext Circle is on March 22, 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.
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Heartbeat or Heartbreak Contest Winners!!! | |
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Prizes!
- First place: $100 goes to Rebecca Levy for "Flirting World"
- Second place: $50 goes to Loré McLaren for "Sinus Rhythm"
- Third place: $25 goes to Kristen Bodie for "Before the Fireworks"
- Honorary Runner-Up: Certificate goes to John Britto for "The Promise Tree"
Thank you to the team of judges:
Melody Owen
Frances Rivetti
Janice Rowley
Judy M. Baker
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Rebecca Levy Wins the Heartbeat/Heartbreak Contest | |
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Rebecca Levy has been a resident of Napa for the past 15 years. She is a physician who usually writes medical pieces: memoirs, information on women's health and stories about running a medical practice. She has self-published two memoirs and has authored a book for Wiley publishers entitled Perimenopause For Dummies.
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Flirting with the Past
Laura planned Greece and Italy. She didn’t plan Nicholas. After years of studying, months of Aaron, and waiting tables at a Greek diner, she was ready. She got a haircut, packed, and went to withdraw her life’s savings.
At Athens International, Costas held up the Hellenic Travel sign. He corralled everyone on the tour to explain the itinerary and introduce Joe, the bus driver, and Nicholas, their guide. Nicholas, with his dark curly hair, made her think of what she missed about Aaron.
Costas reviewed the itinerary–7 stops in 10 days–on the bus at seven every morning.
The next morning was perfect: blue sky, fluffy clouds. The bus shuttled from the Acropolis and Parthenon to the Olympic Stadium. Laura focused on the sites and on Nicholas. He looked about 30 and wore Ray-Bans perched on his head. He had an easy banter and spoke heavily accented English sprinkled with Greek. She wondered what his hair felt like.
CONTINUE READING
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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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Looking for a Writing Group? | |
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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.
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2025 Prose Anthology Editors | |
Corinne Asturias and Judy M. Baker are the Co-editors of the 2025 Redwood Writers Prose Anthology. They are working on the theme and title and will announce both at an upcoming meeting. This year, the submissions will come only from Redwood Writers members. | |
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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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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.
Whether they are just starting or looking to revamp an existing approach, Judy meets authors where they are. She offers workshops, coaching, and group programs designed to guide them at their own pace with strategies that align with their values.
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 the Club's Newsletter Editor and co-chair of Author Launch 2025.
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The Letter
The faded vocabulary
of distance
might unfold news
of loved ones parted
friendships scattered
along the trail
of old footprints
drifting and leaving
as I did
redrawn and unmapped
in the arms
of a borrowed country
I opt for the silence
of the sealed voice—
no point surrendering
to the injury of time
the questions
no letter will answer
written on the envelope
a return address
dimly fades
within the scrawl
of my old country
sealed and secure
its silence weighs in—
handle with care
too fragile to be opened
SUSANA ACKERMAN
Susana Ackerman is a Peruvian-born educator, translator, and bilingual poet living in Santa Rosa. With a passion for languages and cross-cultural communication, she taught Spanish at Santa Rosa Junior College. Her poems have appeared in the Redwood Writers poetry anthology Phases and Reverberations 3. She is honored to be a member of the Blue Moon Poetry Collective.
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Join Ana Manwaring at Left Coast Crime | |
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Crime Lovers, Left Coast Crime 2025 Denver is coming up!
If you attend, join Anna Manwaring on Thursday 3/13 for Author Speed Dating at 9:00a.m. Her panel, International Intrigue from 1:15-2:00 p.m., join her and D.R. Randell for dinner Saturday night.
"We'll have gifts and fun ready!" Sign up at the info tables.
Also, Save the Date: February 26- March 1 for Left Coast Crime 2026 in San Francisco. I'm co-chairing!"
anamanwaring@gmail.com
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Screenplay out, fingers crossed …
Lally Pia worked with a screenwriter from October, 2024 till last week, and he has the completed screenplay for the first episode of a possible TV series.
"The screenplay is based on my memoir, “The Fortune Teller’s Prophecy”. It’s a looong shot (a dream) that anything will materialize, but I have enjoyed learning more about how books make it to screen and the role of a screenwriter. It also feels good to have something “baking” while I complete my next novel (psychological suspense)."
lallypiamd@sbcglobal.net
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All You Care to Eat - A Novice Buys a Restaurant
New book! The story of Gaia's Garden, a plant-based buffet by SRJC. Recently featured on Clark Wolf's "At the Table" on KSRO. I thought it would take a year, it took five!
Five years after their romantic breakup, Susan and her best friend buy a vegetarian buffet restaurant, having little idea how demanding, frustrating, and rewarding the endeavor will be. What could go wrong?
In the crucible of financial pressures, challenging employees, customer expectations, and their unresolved issues, they create an extraordinary venue for delicious, healthy food, art, music, and community—and lose buckets of money.
This memoir spans their ten-year run and is for anyone who has fantasized about owning a restaurant as well as those already doing it. At its heart are the stories of the crew who came and went—their tragedies and triumphs—and the struggles of two best friends to stay friends while dealing with them.
Included are recipes for their signature soups, salad dressings, curries, cornbread, and coconut tapioca—all delicious and vegan.
Bon appetit!
Susan Church-Downer
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Local One-Day Writers Retreat
Do you need an energizing, inspirational break from your everyday writing routine? Join Redwood Writers member and co-founder of the Birth Your Truest Story Community Audrey Kalman on March 30 for Riversong Retreat: Find Your Creative Flow, a one-day gathering in Petaluma where you’ll write, share, contemplate, and take inspiration from the river.
Find out more and register here: https://bit.ly/RiversongRetreat-Non-Members
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025; Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST;
Location: The Metro Hotel, 508 Petaluma Blvd S., Petaluma, CA 94952
Registration closes March 15.
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Celebrate Women's History Month with Redwood Writers & Breathless Wines
Breathless Wines invites you to celebrate Women's History Month with an inspiring afternoon of literary discussion and sparkling wine on Sunday, March 9th, at 2:00 PM. Join award-winning authors Rebecca Rosenberg, Jeane Slone, Maria Matson, Judith Starkston, and Pamela Reitman of Redwood Writers as they share insights into their novels featuring remarkable women who shaped history.
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Hone Your Ekphrastic Writing Skills for Vision and Verse II! | |
Writers Forum hosts free writing workshops on Zoom
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Pacific
March 11: Matthew Félix: Get Out of Your Head & Into Your Flow
March 18: Christine Walker: Sensory, Whole-bodied Writing: Bring memorable characters alive on the page
Details: TheWriteSpot.us Click on "Writers Forum".
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Catharine Bramkamp is a world traveler, poet, and belly dancer. In her spare time, she is a writing coach and workshop facilitator. She has authored 27 fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books, and her book Out Loud – An Adventure in Writing for Women was released in January 2025. | |
Out Loud - a Writing Adventure for Women
When do we write our truth? Now? Or now?
Out Loud is a lighthearted, intelligent guide to help you start your novel or non-fiction book. If you are an expert in your field and want to share your knowledge or if you’ve always had a dream to create a marvelous character who jump off the page, this is for you. And if you’d like tips to court your muse and write for your own joy, we got you. Come on an writing adventure, indulge yourself and as Joan Didion commented, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking.”
Sections include:
- The Adventure
- Charting the Course
- Messing Around in Boats
- Navigating Rough Waters
- Here be Dragons
- The Pirate Code
- Journey to the Center
- Ithaca
- Welcome aboard!
- https://amzn.to/3DZBgVq
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Compost Happens:
Diana Morgan Dean, PsyD.
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/
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THE BUZZWORTHY BOOK BISTRO | |
THE BUZZWORTHY BOOK BISTRO OFFICE HOURS
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: March 10, 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://bookmarketingmentor.com/bistro-sign-up-page
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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:
- Your name and contact information
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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.
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Sample Horizonal Display Ad | |
Event Name
Date and Time
Short description
For more information: (URL)
Sample 3 Line Text Only Ad
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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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