PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hi friends! I don’t know about you, but I’m still buzzing from all the fun we’ve had over the past few weeks. With the Anthology celebrations, the In the Dark performances, and the Sonoma County Writers Conference, we have a lot to be grateful for!
I am feeling especially grateful to every person who stepped up to make these events happen. Thank you to all of you who pitched in to make these events so impactful.
Now we will get a chance to catch our breath as we roll into the holidays. But there is plenty to look forward to in our 2025 calendar, including a few fun writing contests in the first half of the year, our Author Launch celebration in late spring, our 10-Minute Play Contest in the fall, and much more.
For this month, I’m excited to hear from Marlene Cullen at our general meeting on November 16. Marlene is a fellow Redwood Writers member whose passion for inspiring authors can be experienced with her workshops and Write Spot anthologies. You are all in for a treat!
This month, I am also inviting you to join me for Coffee with the Prez on Sunday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at Aqus Cafe in Petaluma (note the change in location this month). This is a casual gathering where you can hang out, ask questions, and meet other club members. After this, the next one will be in the spring when the weather gets warmer. If you want to come, shoot me a note at president@redwoodwriters.org so I can save you a spot.
Also, if you have different ideas for casual meetups among members you might be interested in, like Zoom calls or evening hangouts at a restaurant or brewpub, I’d love to hear what you think! I really love these small gatherings as they help me get to know you better, and it’s been a great way for members to feel more connected.
Do you sell crafts or other items besides your books? At our December 21 general meeting, along with book sales, we invite our crafty members to bring items to sell in the back of the room. This will be a great opportunity for us to learn more about the non-book projects you’re doing, and for last-minute shoppers to find a locally-made gift. Get there early, as space is limited.
Finally, if you are participating in National Novel Writing Month and aiming to complete a 50K word novel in 30 days, best of luck to you! And if you are Roger, I will win. 😁 (Find out more at NaNoWriMo.org)
Happy writing!
Crissi Langwell
Redwood Writers President
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Sunday, November 10
10 a.m. to noon
Aqus Cafe
189 H St., Petaluma
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Redwood Writers president, Crissi Langwell, invites you to Aqus Cafe in Petaluma for an informal Coffee with the Prez!
Show up anytime between 10 a.m. – noon to ask questions about Redwood Writers, talk about writing, or just hang out and get to know Crissi and other members of our branch.
Reservations are requested just to ensure we have enough space.
Please email Crissi at president@redwoodwriters.org.
If you show up, please purchase something from Aqus Cafe to support their business and thank them for letting us use their space.
Menu located at www.aquscafe.com.
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Redwood Writers November Meeting - Find the "At Least" with Marlene Cullen | Sometimes you can't change a situation that is causing you pain or caused pain in the past. In this workshop, we'll explore how you can use writing to shift your perspective about the difficult event that happened.
About the presenter:
Marlene Cullen hosts Writers Forum, Jumpstart Writing Workshops, and The Write Spot Blog. Her workshops and blog provide essential elements for successful writing. Find her at: www.TheWriteSpot.us | | | |
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Dear Redwood Writer Members: You are invited to the next Writers Circle gathering
Date: November 23, Saturday
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Be in the building at 10:30....we begin sharp!)
Place: Linda Reid's home (I will send the address upon your RSVP)
RSVP: email Linda or register at the website: redwoodwriters.org/redwood-writers-circle
Reading:
Writers Circle is a place for you to join with Redwood Writer friends to read your work. Each person has 5 minutes to read prose, essay, poetry, play, or whatever you like.
Evaluations:
At the end of each reading, attendees may give brief written evaluations.
Refreshments:
Light morning refreshments and drinks will be provided by the host.
You are not required to bring a dish to share, however, treats are always welcome.
| RSVP to: lindareid100@gmail.com, Subject Line: Writers Circle |
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We are having a party and craft fair, and maybe some surprises. Details coming soon.
11 a.m. at the Finley Center, Santa Rosa.
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Georgia A. Hughes is editorial director at New World Library, where she acquires and edits nonfiction books in the areas of spirituality, personal growth, sustainable business, relationships, health and well-being, animals, and women’s issues. New World Library, publisher of the bestselling The Power of Now and other award-winning books, strives to publish books that help readers change their lives and the world, and aims for diversity and inclusion.
Georgia has also worked as a bookseller, freelance editor, and for Harper Collins. Recent acquisitions include Writing That Gets Noticed by Estelle Erasmus, Talking on Eggshells by Sam Horn, Hagitude by Sharon Blackie, The Eloquence of Silence by Thomas Moore, Bones & Honey by Danielle Dulsky, and Stories Sell by Matthew Dicks. www.newworldlibrary.com
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COMING JANUARY 18, 2025
What Writers Need to Know About Traditional Publishing and Working with Agents and In-House Editors
Long-time publishing professional Georgia Hughes, editorial director at New World Library, will talk about the pros of working with traditional agents and publishers and give tips on how to best present your writing to them.
We'll discuss what's different about self-publishing and the trends and patterns we're seeing in publishing, including what publishers are looking for; what will be expected of you as an author; contracts; and answer questions you have about the process.
Check the redwoodwriters.org website for details.
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Memorial for Kymberlie Calkin Ingalls
A memorial for Kymberlie Calkin Ingalls, one of our treasured dual members who passed away earlier this year, is scheduled for November 30th at the Chicken Pie Shop in Walnut Creek.
A toy drive will be held in her honor to commemorate what would have been her 30th year of hosting this Toy Drive. If you are interested in going, her husband, Roger, has been sharing details on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kymberlie89.
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SONOMA COUNTY WRITERS CONFERENCE RECAP | |
2024 Sonoma County Writers Conference | |
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Wow, that was a ton of work and a whole lot of people walked away happy!
Here are a few comments I’ve received so far:
“Incredible.”
“I loved Jeff Goins. I could listen to him all day.”
“Wow! The best conference experience ever!”
Plus, scores of personal accolades including this one to me from your immediate past President, Judy Baker, “Be proud of yourself and the way you created this amazing project and all the joy of the people whose lives you touched.”
It took a team and I want to thank all who helped in many ways but we’d be here for an hour. At the top of the list are five people, Pamela Heck, Crissi Langwell, Malena Eljumaily, Roger Lubeck, and Judy Baker.
From coordination to setting up seamless registration and website pages to tracking payments and creating the professional name tags to a snazzy program, to the new slick RWC stand-up banner, and stepping in to cover for speakers who had last-minute health challenges.
Thank you all and the scores of others who made our speakers feel welcome and supported.
Most of all, thank you to all who showed up. For those who didn’t, well you missed out.
There will be some recordings for those who attended and a special bonus for the entire club from our Keynote Speaker Jeff Goins. Stay tuned for those details through private channels and possibly the website later.
Save the Date for the next one: October 17, 2026.
Thank you for trusting me to make this the most comprehensive writers conference in Sonoma County this fall!
Shawn Langwell
Conference Chair, Vice President, and Director of PR and Communications, Redwood Writers
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Photos from the Conference | | |
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Keynote Speaker: Jeff Goins | Shawn & Crissi Welcome Msg | |
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Kristen Tate, Judy, Jim Azevedo | |
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Thank you to the people who spent countless hours organizing the Sonoma County Writers Conference.
It was pulled off with aplomb—seamless, enriching with plenty of networking opportunities, fabulous folks, and learning galore.
Sincerely,
Chris Hennessy
author, filmmaker, speaker
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Redwood Writers: Happy Holiday Writers Salon
Date: Saturday, 14 December
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 holly, jolly 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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Homegrown Poetry and Poetry Lab | |
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A Consequence of Mirrors
she owns the face
in the mirror I have
inspected for decades
I watch her eyes today
they are shaded, lost in skin,
circled in darkness
who is she that stares at me
with an inconsiderable smile
concealing her imperfect teeth
she is inscrutable,
the distance between us
measured in whispers
yesterday
I hardly noticed her
at all
—Ellie Portner
Ellie Portner is a poet, visual artist and composer. She prefers to write short poems that often tell a story, or poems that come from her dreams. Ellie lives in the town of Sonoma with her husband Mike
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Poetry Lab
The Poetry Lab is an online gathering for poets to share their original works—whether in progress or complete—and receive constructive feedback and craft suggestions. Les Bernstein and Amrita Skye Blaine will guide participants in a supportive and encouraging environment.
How to Participate:
- Submit your poem to Les at lessieb13@yahoo.com and Amrita and amritaskyepoetry@gmail.com one week before the meeting.
- Use "Poetry Lab Poem Submission" as the subject of your email.
- Include your name in the text of the document.
Date for the next meeting:
November 21
Time: 3:30 pm–5 p.m.
Zoom link provided upon receipt of your poem
Limited to 10 participants per session
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Pushcart Nominees in Redwood Writers
Congratulations to our Redwood Writers members Margaret Barkley, Betty Les, and Patricia Le Bon Herb for their poetry in the One Day anthology. They are being honored with a Pushcart Prize nomination.
Founded in 1976 by Bill Henderson and a group of editors, the Pushcart Prize is considered one of the most honored literary projects in the United States. This is an annual literary award that recognizes the best poetry, short fiction, essays, and creative nonfiction published in small presses and literary.
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Elaine Rock Announces the Release of Her Long-Awaited Biography, Dusty Roads
Elaine Rock is proud to announce that her much-anticipated biography, Dusty Roads: Meet the Hidden Figure Who Ignited the Women’s Movement, is finally here! Now available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL4DDX7B
An audiobook version is also on the way.
Elaine would love to hear your thoughts—please consider leaving a review on Amazon after you’ve read it. Your support means the world and helps bring Dusty's story to more readers.
Important: An unauthorized, older version of her book is listed on Amazon with a light blue cover. This edition posted by a previous publisher was hacked and is now a scam—do not purchase that copy! Elaine is actively working to have it removed.
If you have questions about ordering, reach Elaine at 707-292-3663.
Don't miss out on this inspiring journey into the true spark behind the women’s movement—get your copy today!
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Third Annual Authors Book Faire at Oakmont
Soroptimist International of Oakmont Wine Country is excited to announce its Third Annual Authors Book Faire, on November 9, 2024, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Berger Center, 6633 Oakmont Drive, Santa Rosa.
Admission is free to the public. Forty-one talented authors, many of whom are members of Redwood Writers, will be present to sell and sign their books.
Hundreds of attendees have enjoyed this lively event in the past two years and purchased books. This year, Hamilton Family Wine and Dino’s Greek Food will be serving wine and food. Everyone is welcome!
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Fragile Bones, Fierce Heart
Lisa Shulman is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of her poetry collection Fragile Bones, Fierce Heart by Finishing Line Press, February 21, 2025.
The poems in this chapbook weave together observations on nature and the human experience, inviting the reader to connect with the natural world, with hope, and with each other.
You can pre-order this chapbook now at a reduced price online at Finishing Line Press.
To read some of Lisa’s poetry or for more information visit www.lisashulman.com
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Shawn Langwell Presents
Demystifying Book Marketing For Self-Published Authors
Learn Expert Marketing Tips to Remove the Fear and Anxiety of Self-Promotion and a 5-step Process to Promote Your Books Like a Pro
Specifically, you will learn:
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The 5 key elements to improve visibility, ranking, and potential profits for your books.
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Practical & proven confidence-building tips to help you become a better self-promoter
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Simple strategies to incorporate marketing into your craft to create page-turning books and a following of raving fans.
Two opportunities to Supercharge your Book Marketing
1. Virtually
Saturday, November 9, 2024
10 am-11:30 am
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1045189890097?aff=oddtdtcreator
Save $15 (reg. $45) with code: 2024Conference
2. In-person
Saturday, November 16, 2024
1 pm-3 pm
Sacramento CWC Club
Location: 2443 Marconi Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821 (off Fulton)
Sacramento Public Library Arcade room
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About Shawn:
The Inspiration & Boldness Guy
Inspirational Storyteller, Marketing Consultant, and Confidence Coach
Shawn Langwell is the current Vice President and a past President of the California Writers Club (CWC), Redwood Writers. He also served as past President of Toastmasters of Petaluma. Shawn is the Chair of the 2024 Sonoma County Writers Conference.
He is an inspirational author, speaker, confidence coach, business consultant, and marketing expert.
He has authored four books: Beyond Recovery,Ten Seconds of Boldness and the companion workbook that shares the same name and Today’s the Day. He is the host of the Dare to Be Great, Dare to Be You Podcast.
Learn more at:
shawnlangwell.com
www.redwoodwriters.org
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BOOK MARKETING MENTOR IS BECOMING
THE BUZZWORTHY BOOK EXPERIENCE
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THE BUZZWORTHY BOOK 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: November 4, 18
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM
Come for support, practice interview skills, celebrate wins, and brainstorm solutions for book marketing challenges.
Register:
https://bookmarketingmentor.com/cafe-sign-up
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HOW TO ADD A THOUSAND SUBSCRIBERS TO YOUR LIST
Judy M. Baker is hosting a special webinar with Tina Lopez. Are you an author who wants a different solution to using social media to build an email list? This hour could change everything.
November 1, 11 a.m.–noon Pacific
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Writers' Night Out at Mac's
There is a new open mic reading series starting November 12.
Featured Writer: Allison Landa,
Author of Bearded Lady, a memoir
Where: Mac’s at 19 Broadway - Fairfax, CA 94930
When: 2nd Tuesday of the month 6-8 p.m.
How: sign-up starts at 5:30 p.m. for 5-minute timed limits, first come first served
Flyer available upon request.
Contact Susanna Solomon
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Women of Color and Accomplishment
Author and Illustrator Carol Jacobsen is excited to share her new Women of Color and Accomplishment 30-Day Inspirational Journal, featuring stories and reflections on some of the most remarkable women in history. This journal highlights the lives of incredible African American women like Sojourner Truth, Bessie Colman, Billie Holiday, and Zora Neale Hurston—leaders, artists, and pioneers whose courage and accomplishments can inspire us every day. Each day offers a new bio, reflection prompt, and space to record your thoughts, helping you connect with their stories while finding strength and motivation for your journey.
For more information, check out this link https://www.caroljacobsen.org/journal-launch/
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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.
Please include your name and contact information: 50 words or less about book events, publications, awards, and classes of interest to our members. Photos, jpegs, or pngs are welcome.
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REDWOOD WRITERS LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS | |
Redwood Writers would not be possible without our many wonderful leaders and chairpeople who generously volunteer 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
Chairs and Editors
Les Bernstein, Poetry Anthology Editor
Crissi Langwell, Website Editor
Judy M. Baker, Newsletter Editor
Amrita Blaine, Newsletter Poetry Editor
Robin Gabbert, Writers Salon
Linda L. Reid, Writers Circle, Poetry Anthology Party
Janice Rowley, 2024 Prose Anthology Editor
Marie Judson, Critique Groups
Laura McHale Holland, Social Media
Shawn Langwell, Speakers, Communications & PR Director, and Conference Chair
Pamela Heck, Conference Volunteers Chair
Karl Kadie, Member at Large
Janice Rowley, Member at Large
Board meetings are held 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the third Monday 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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