PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Redwood Writers,
Spring is in full bloom, and so is the creative energy within our community! I’m thrilled to share a few exciting things happening this month that I hope you’ll be part of.
Author Launch
First up: Author Launch is right around the corner!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17. We are starting 30 minutes earlier this month. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Festivities are from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Person Theater in the Finley Center. This is one of my favorite events of the year, where we celebrate 18 of our newly published authors and their incredible accomplishments. Come cheer them on, be inspired, and help us honor their hard work and creativity. If you’re able, please bring a dish to share for the potluck—there’s nothing better than great food and great stories in the company of fellow writers.
Next, a creative invitation:
Submissions are now open for our prose anthology, Moonshadow. The theme this year is “shadows and light,” and I can’t wait to see how each of you interprets it. Whether you're inspired by contrast, mystery, memory, or hope, bring us your stories. The deadline to submit is June 30, so sharpen those pens (or keyboards) and get writing!
And finally, let’s grab coffee
Join me for Coffee with the Prez on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pillowfight Coffee in Kenwood. These casual meetups are a wonderful chance to connect, share ideas, ask questions, or just enjoy good company in a beautiful setting. Whether you’re a longtime member or brand new to Redwood Writers, you are welcome.
Wishing you a month full of creativity, connection, and community.
Until the next chapter,
Crissi Langwell
President, Redwood Writers
president@redwoodwriters.org
| | | | RWC 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 by check or at the door.
Visit our website for Membership Information
| | | Shawn Langwell Receives the Jack London Award | | |
We are proud to announce that Shawn Langwell is the recipient of this year’s Jack London Award, an honor presented by each branch of the California Writers Club in recognition of exceptional service to one’s branch.
Since joining Redwood Writers in 2017, Shawn has played a key role in many of the club’s most significant initiatives. He quickly took on leadership as Vice President and conference chair while still getting to know the organization. Just one year later, he stepped into the role of President and was hard at work planning our writers conference—until the pandemic hit, forcing a last-minute cancellation.
Shawn didn’t miss a beat. He led the club’s swift transition to Zoom meetings, oversaw the move to a new facility, and continued to serve in multiple capacities. During his tenure, he co-edited an anthology, helped update our Policies & Procedures, and took the lead in curating speakers for our monthly meetings—a role he still holds today.
He has since planned two more conferences, leads the current conference planning team, and is now heading up the creation of our new website. As our PR lead, he also champions the club to the broader community, helping to grow our visibility and membership.
Shawn’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in shaping the dynamic, welcoming community we’re proud to be part of. We are deeply grateful for all he has done—and continues to do—for Redwood Writers.
Congratulations, Shawn!
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Robin Gabbert Receives Fran Claggett-Holland Award | | |
We are delighted to announce that Robin Gabbert is the recipient of this year’s Fran Claggett-Holland Award, which honors a poet who exemplifies the spirit of “writers helping writers” within the Redwood Writers community.
Robin has been a tireless advocate for poetry, generously sharing her time, expertise, and creative energy. As a judge for The Smalls, our CWC poetry and prose anthology, she read and thoughtfully evaluated an impressive 377 entries—a meticulous and demanding task that she approached with care and dedication.
Robin has also been a guiding light for poets exploring ekphrastic poetry, offering both encouragement and instruction to those new to the form. Her contributions to poetry workshops are always insightful and enthusiastic, and she’s often among the first to volunteer when help is needed.
In addition, Robin has led the Redwood Writers Salon for many years, creating a welcoming space for writers to share their work and support one another.
Robin’s steady support, creative generosity, and willingness to serve make her an invaluable part of our community. We are honored to recognize her with this well-deserved award.
| | 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:
May 6: Karl Kadie
May 13: Richard Boyd
May 20: Amrita Skye Blaine
May 27: Lori Pappas
If you miss it live, you can hear a recording of the interview at www.krsh.com/mindi-in-the-morning
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The Redwood Writers Board is pleased to announce the current slate of officers, which will be presented for a vote at the June general meeting.
Crissi Langwell - President
Mara Lynn Johnstone - Vice President
Shawn Langwell - Vice President
Barb Cottrell - Secretary
Malena Eljumaily - Treasurer
If you are interested in being considered for one of the board positions listed below, contact Slate Chair Pamela Heck at artful1@sonic.net.
| | Crissi Langwell - President | | Shawn Langwell - Vice President | | Mara Lynn Johnstone - Vice President | | Malena Eljumaily - Treasurer | | Barb Cottrell - Secretary | |
| Celebrate eighteen of our newly published authors and their incredible accomplishments. Come cheer them on, be inspired, and help us honor hard work and creativity.
Emcees Judy M. Baker, Jan Rowley, and Mara Johnstone will introduce the authors and award the prize for the best book display. Authors will be filmed.
Meet the authors and buy books when we break for lunch. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck. We provide the cake and a printed program.
Free to attend, and the public is welcome. Bring your friends and family. Let's fill the spacious Person Auditorium with applause. | | | | |
The next Circle is on May 24, 2025. Watch the website and newsletter for details. You can register to attend by sending an email to Linda Reid or by going to our website to sign up.
Watch the short video below to see clips from our March event.
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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.
| | The 2025 RWC Prose Anthology | |
Moonshadow: Tales of Hidden Light
You can find prompts in your inbox and on groups.io about the theme, writing craft, and the submission process.
A workshop is coming your way on the afternoon of May 24. You can attend the Writers Circle in the morning, take a quick break, and join us at the Rohnert Park Library for the workshop.
Judy M. Baker, Editor-in-Chief of the 2025 Redwood Writers Prose Anthology, invites you to share your story or memoir.
"The theme gives writers ample latitude to develop stories that engage the heart and imagination, whether fictional or true."
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.
A dramatic cover design is in development. 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 accepted until midnight, June 30, 2025.
Address questions to your editors, 2025anthology@redwoodwriters.org
| | Judy M. Baker, 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 create Buzzworthy Books and brands.
https://buzzworthybooks.com
| | | WORKSHOP: Memoir and Fiction that Illuminate! | | For authors at any level, we invite you to attend a special in-person workshop with professional editor Kristen Tatroe. While only RWC members may submit to the Anthology, this workshop may help you take your writing to the next level of excellence. If you are not already a member, why not join our Club? | |
About Kristen
Kristen Tatroe (she/her) is a freelance developmental editor, copy editor, writing coach, and instructional designer who has been involved in publishing for over twenty years. She works with publishers and indie authors, with a focus on fiction, creative nonfiction, and cookbooks, and has spoken about writing-related topics at conferences and on podcasts. Kristen believes the most successful author-editor relationship is not just about helping an author put a comma in the correct place—it’s also about helping authors recognize their strengths and how to build on them.
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Remember: no one’s able to read what you haven’t put on the page!
You can reach Kristen at kristen@kristenedits.com or visit her website, kristenedits.com.
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| Writing Between Light and Shadow: Memoir and Fiction that Illuminate | Step into the glow of your own words. Writing Between Light and Shadow: Memoir and Fiction that Illuminate is a hands-on workshop with editor Kristen Tatroe of KristenEdits.com.
Explore story structure, emotional depth, and craft techniques to create a short story or memoir. Gain tools, prompts, and feedback to elevate your voice and writing skills, and polish your story for submission to the Moonshadow: Tales of Hidden Light, the 2025 Redwood Writers Anthology. (Submissions are reserved for Redwood Writers members only.)
All writers are welcome to attend the workshop and join our club. | | | |
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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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 will serve as writing prompts. The images are posted online. 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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Unraveling
from the One Day Poetry Anthology
Their seams loosened,
frayed at the edges.
The woman talked,
her husband heard notes—
rain pattering
into a river,
a brook burbling
over rocks.
The woman spoke—
the man heard guitar riffs,
saxophones crooning,
a piano solo.
He didn’t notice
the web that bound them
dissolving,
the threads separating,
his wife weaving a raft
from the melodies he heard,
drifting
downstream.
Joan Osterman lives in Napa, where she explores the mysteries of everyday life through writing and painting. Her writing has been published in various anthologies, and her flash fiction was selected for display on a Napa County Library bookmark. She is a past
member of the board of directors of Napa Valley Writers. Quarterly, Joan reads her poetry on zoom as a member of Poetic License Sonoma. Contact at napa.joan.o@gmail.com.
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DÉBUT NOVEL #1 ON AMAZON’S LIST OF “HOT NEW RELEASES”
Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life depicts the encroaching terror of the Third Reich and the threat of psychological disintegration of the young German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon—exiled on the Côte d’Azur, alone and without identity papers, haunted by a legacy of familial suicides, on the brink of madness—who clings to her determination to become a serious modernist painter, to complete her masterpiece, “Life? Or Theater?” and get it into safekeeping before capture by the Nazis.
Available: https://sibyllinepress.com/pamela-reitman/#csphl
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Silver Echoes Pub date May 20!
1920s Murder Mystery
Read Amazon preview now!
Publisher's Weekly BookLife Editor's Pick 2025
"Rosenberg’s prose is as sharp as small daggers, her images leap off the page. If the hectic pacing and amnesiac gaps are occasionally disorienting, they are also thrilling." ~BlueInk Review
"Riches to ruin, a star's dangerous double life. Silver Dollar's fall births a vengeful alter ego. High-wire peril, mesmerizing tigers, ambition vs. madness. A dark, magical tale ignites a terrifying transformation. ~Kirkus Review
Download the pdf
rebecca@rebecca-rosenberg.com
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Detective Story Wins Silver Medal for Humor
Redwood Writer Denize Springer won the Silver Medal in the Montana Humor Prize. Her story, "F*'s Bar," about a doomed but intrepid female detective in a small Montana community, will appear in the next issue of "The White Fish Review."
Molly McNearney, a writer and producer at "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" judged the competition.
denizespringer@gmail.com
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QuickReads Online Event Featuring Redwood Writer Member Anne Keck
Redwood Writer member Anne Keck will be among 6 authors reading for 8 minutes from their works of Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror at an online QuickReads program sponsored by Strong Women ● Strange Worlds.
This free event is on May 15th starting at 4:00 pm PDT.
Pre-register, https://strongwomenstrangeworlds.weebly.com/
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Available to order now: Ghost Matinee poetry collection
In Ghost Matinee by Cathryn Shea, poems weave together the personal, political, and global, revealing the hidden and overlooked amid the ordinary. Rather than yearning for "the good old days," these poems look forward, even as the ghosts of the past cast shadows over the matinees of our lives. Ghost Matinee presents explorations of how we carry the past and deal with the present while seeking solace and possibility in what lies ahead.
Kirkus Review says, “Shea’s descriptions are intricate and evocative… The poet’s truth-telling is bold and brave…”
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Golf at Northwood is a work of historical fiction
Golf at Northwood traces the adventures of Alister MacKenzie during his transition from battlefield surgeon to designing Northwood Golf Course along the Russian River. The story leaps from 1928 to 1961as eight-year-old Eddie Bale befriends an eccentric Homer Williams who maintains the layout by his lonesome. Eddie comes of age and together with a local physician, Dr. Charlie Schaap, the course is rescued from loan sharks, developers and con artists. Along the way, escapades abound including the serendipitous discovery of Northwood’s lost legacy with MacKenzie.
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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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BUZZWORTHY BOOKS SHARES MARKETING INSIGHTS ON LINKEDIN
Judy M. Baker invites you to read nd subscribe to "Get More Buzz for Your Book" Newsletter on LinkedIn. She is a master of creating newsletters that get seen and shared, whether on LinkedIn, your website, or via an email service.
Subscribe to her newsletter on LinkedIn
| | Buzzworthy Marketing Milestones | |
Email Queen
Judy M. Baker, our very own Newsletter Editor, is a Certified Constant Contact Partner, here to help you hit all the right notes in your email marketing symphony! With her expertise, she can assist you in setting up your account, crafting engaging newsletters, and promoting your events and books like a pro. Think of her as your guide through the email jungle, helping you connect with your audience and ensuring your outreach is as smooth as your favorite plot twist. So, let’s not leave our communication to chance—Judy’s skills are the perfect pen to help you write your success story!
Schedule a call to learn more
judyb@buzzworthybooks.com
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Over 1000 Designs Created
Judy knows design. She mastered design tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Pagemaker, Quark Express, and Freehand. She is proud to share a new milestone: 1000 Designs created in Canva.
She appreciates Canva for its user-friendly interface and the extensive design capabilities it offers to those without a formal design background. With her Applied Graphics certification from Santa Rosa Junior College, she has not only mastered the principles of design but has also shared her knowledge by teaching non-profit organizations and small businesses. Her experience includes providing tailored training, as well as done-for-you marketing services that enhance business visibility.
Additionally, she is skilled in layout design using industry-standard tools like Quark and InDesign, and she remains dedicated to discovering the best resources that can elevate her work and the work of others in the creative community. By leveraging platforms like Canva alongside her professional expertise, she fosters an environment of continuous learning and collaboration, essential for nurturing the skills of fellow writers and creatives within the Redwood Writers community.
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We are looking for short and sweet book reviews by our members.
Use the Newsletter Submission Form to send in your 200-word or less book review. It can be and it is not limited to a review of a member's book.
Include:
Book Title
Genre
Author
ISBN
What you loved, or didn't
Why do you recommend the book
How many stars: 0 – 5 Stars
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: https://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.
-
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
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
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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