Board of Directors
Shawn Langwell, President
Judy Baker, Vice President
Jeane Slone, Vice President
Malena Eljumaily, Treasurer
Crissi Langwell, Secretary
Roger Lubeck, Immediate Past President
Joelle Burnette, Website Editor
Nancy Martin, Contests
Tommie Whitener, Vault Master, Policies & Procedures
Adele Layton, Member at Large
Chairs and Editors
Les Bernstein, Poetry Anthology Editor
Skye Blaine, Newsletter Poetry Editor
Fran Claggett-Holland, Poetry Anthology Editor
Robin Gabbert, Writers Salon
Pamela Heck, Volunteer Coordinator, 2022 Sonoma County Writers Conference
Marie Judson, Critique Groups
Jeanne Jusaitis, Author Support
Crissi Langwell, Newsletter Editor, Social Media, and 2020 & 2021 Prose Anthology Editor
Shawn Langwell, 2021 Prose Anthology Editor
Roger Lubeck, Membership Chair
Linda L. Reid, Writers Circle & Poetry Anthology Liaison
Jeane Slone, Author Launch
Deborah Taylor-French, Author Support
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GENERAL MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM |
Every third Saturday, Redwood Writers general meeting will be held 1-2:30 p.m.at:
Finley Center
2060 W. College Ave
Santa Rosa.
Masks are required by all, regardless of vaccination status.
If you are unable to attend or still feel uncomfortable attending in person, we will be streaming the meeting via Zoom.
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A NOTE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT |
Vernal Equinox aka Spring
Dear Redwood Members,
The Vernal Equinox is one of two times of the year where day and night are roughly equal in length. Where there is balance between darkness and light. According to that brilliant team of wordsmiths better known as Merriam Webster, vernal means of, relating to, or occurring in the spring; fresh or new like the spring.
I hate to say it but the dictionary definition feels like a tepid cup of coffee on a frigid winter day. Blech.
To me, spring is a magnificent season where buds form on barren branches, and new growth emerges like a bear from the hibernation of winter; where the fragrant aroma of blossoms and the life-giving buzz of bees remind us of the grandness of nature and all that it is. Where new ideas spring forth emerging like a monarch from a chrysalis, ready to flit and feed on nectar bearing flowers, because that’s what they do.
Spring and fall are my favorites seasons by far. Just the right amount of light in the day to get some stuff done. Just right, like the tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Three cheers for more light and longer days, because spring will soon be here. Three cheers for new tales spun like a spring spider’s web glistening with morning dew, and the emergence of words like a monarch’s unfurling wings. And three cheers for you, the writer, ready to cultivate your garden of stories.
See you on the 19th.
Shawn Langwell
Redwood Writers President
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Our next board meeting is on Tuesday, March 8, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Board meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted, and are open to any member in good standing. If you would like to attend a board meeting, contact: president@redwoodwriters.org to receive an invitation.
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An easy way to support Redwood Writers... |
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
- President's Message
- Contest Tease
- Upcoming Events
- March General Meeting
- Homegrown Poetry
- How to Promote Yourself as an Author
- Writing Exercise
- Redwood Writers Circle
- Author Support Group
- Member Books in the Spotlight
- Member News & Events
- New Members
- Editor's Note
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendars for this month's upcoming events! Keep reading the newsletter for more details about each event.
March 8: Board Meeting
March 19: Author Support Group
March 19: March General Meeting
March 19: Next RW Writing Contest kicks off
March 26: RW Circle
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NOTE: If you are reading this newsletter through your email, it may be clipped at the end. If you don't reach the editor's note, be sure to click "view entire message" at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Hugo Award-winning editor and playwright Diana M. Pho presents craft techniques that combine the stage and the page! She'll talk about how theater and playwriting have impacted her editorial skills and can apply to your manuscript. The presentation will cover plotting, pacing, character development, and more tips!
Diana M. Pho is a queer Vietnamese-American independent scholar, playwright, and Hugo Award-winning fiction editor. She has more than 10 years of experience in traditional publishing, including Tor Books, Tor.com Publishing, and the Science Fiction Book Club. Diana currently works as Story Producer at the podcast studio and entertainment company Realm. Additionally, she has a double Bachelor’s degree in English and Russian Literature from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Performance Studies from New York University.
Books she has edited have won the Thriller Award (A.J. Hartley’s Steeplejack, for Best Young Adult), the Ditmar Award (Thoraiya Dyer’s Crossroads of Canopy, for Best Novel), the ALA’s Alex Award (P. Djeli Clark's The Black God's Drums), the Nebula Award (P. Djeli Clark's Ring Shout), and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year Selection (Marie Miranda Cruz's Everlasting Nora, for Middle Grade). Diana herself is a two-time finalist for the Ignyte Award and the Locus Award for her editorial work, and a Hugo Award recipient for Best Editor, Long-Form, one of the most prestigious honors in the field of speculative fiction. Find her at DianaMPho.com.
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Saturday, March 19
1 - 2:30 p.m.
at the Finley Center in Santa Rosa
and also online via Zoom
$5 Members / $10 Guests
Masks are required by all, regardless of vaccination status to attend this meeting, per CDC.
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March's General Meeting Agenda |
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- Finley Center opens at noon for networking with other authors
- Zoom meeting room opens at 12:45 p.m. for open conversation
- Meeting starts at 1 p.m.
- Diane Pho, "Improve Your Storytelling with Playwriting Techniques"
- Chair announcements
- Member announcements
- Adjourn at 2:30 p.m.
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HOMEGROWN POETRY IS NOW ACCEPTING YOUR POEM SUBMISSIONS!
Please submit poems to: poetrynewseditor@redwoodwriters.org. Submission guidelines: single-spaced, Times or Times New Roman, 12 point font, no all caps, please. Poems are reviewed by a team of poets. We will acknowledge receipt of your work, and let you know if your poem is going to be included, or if we are requesting minor edits prior to inclusion.
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The Dancer
by Wendy Bartlett
Sitting in a pub
You know,
In Hampstead,
You know,
London.
Alone, you know.
Not a problem
Really.
The beat goes on,
She snaps her fingers
And becomes her other self
The one
We never see
The dancing diva,
Salsa all night
Bright, made up
Eyes, lipstick
Being alive
Surrounded by
Handsome,
Dark-haired men
Not looking for her.
Oh no!
She’s a great dancer
But, well, you know,
You know.
And is she lonely,
You know, her mouth open,
Her teeth rather white
And her limp
Hardly noticeable
When she dances.
When she dances,
You know…
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Wendy Bartlett is a folksinger, songwriter, poet, carpenter, illustrator, painter, guitar, banjo and piano player, performer, ex-teacher, world traveler, and novelist. She has published nine books, including children's books, (The Flood, being very popular), and five novels: Cellini's Revenge Trilogy, and Girl with a Violin, a psychological thriller, published in 2021.
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOURSELF AS AN AUTHOR |
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J.L. Henker:
I have a several prong approach.
I've found the best way to promote yourself as an author is to be active, especially on Twitter. I follow the hashtags #writingcommunity and #amwritingfantasy. The more I interact with other authors, the more followers I generate, and that includes sign-ups to my newsletter which are very hard to come by. I've made some great author friendships and found people willing to beta and answer questions I have about the business of writing.
It's a lot of work and I spend as much time promoting myself as I do actually writing. The good news is it gives me a break from the grind of writing/editing a novel to interact with other authors and be creative in other ways.
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Shawn Langwell:
Marketing is about connection not about selling. That's the primary mistake most novice marketers make. BUY my book means nothing if there is no connection. Our jobs as authors is to clearly define the audiences we want to reach and to build a relationship with them. That can be done over time through blogs, social posts, etc. But I have found the most effective means to build engagement is through in-person sharing of the stories or poems or whatever it is that one is passionate about.
People buy based on emotion, and great writing will take care of itself. But to be discovered, we have to step out from behind the cloak and be vulnerable enough to let others see our passion and enthusiasm.
In short:
- All marketing ( whether social media or otherwise) needs to build a connection to a clearly defined audience (Target Market). To do so it must be relevant and relatable to the audience and serve to fulfill what they may want or need. In other words, it MUST be focused on them, not the author.
- It needs to be interesting
- It needs to be memorable
If any of these three are missing, the chances of success are slim to none.
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Marlene Cullen:
I set up freewriting workshops, using prompts from The Write Spot anthologies and share that info on social media.
I have also shared excerpts from the anthologies on social media, with photos of the page from the book.
I posted book excerpts on the Sparks page of my website and that got onto social media.
I have it set up so that my blog posts "automatically" go to my Writers Forum FB page, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Crissi Langwell:
I have been using TikTok as a way to easily create fun and interesting videos I can share on that platform, plus crosspost on Instagram and Facebook. Yes, TikTok is known as a social media platform for the younger generation, but there is also a very strong book community on TikTok (known as BookTok) that are devouring books like you wouldn’t believe. While I haven’t reached viral status, I do like how easy TikTok makes it to share about my book, and the possibility of reaching a lot more readers.
Another trick I have is to have a links page on my website, which I share in the bio of all my social media platforms. It’s easy to read on a mobile device, and it points viewers to the pages I want them to visit the most. My links can be found at crissilangwell.com/links.
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Want to participate in next month's callout? Keep an eye on groups.io!
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Each month, the Redwood Writer will feature an exercise to help inspire your writing. This can be an exercise you do on your own, or you can send your 300-word (or less) piece to editor@redwoodwriters.org for possible publication in the newsletter. |
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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & DIALOGUE
It is important that characters in our stories stand out. We give them unique names, and add distinct physical characteristics like hair and eye color, and different ways they dress. If that isn’t enough, we create mannerisms, habits, and behavior. All of this is in an effort to make the characters different and memorable. But if they all sound the same, then they won't be. Instead they'll sound like you, the writer.
In this exercise, create three characters, each with different genders and sexual preferences. Starting with each person’s name, make them as distinct as you can through dialogue. Imagine they have just won the lottery, witnessed a crime, or had their poems accepted by Redwood Writers. Have them call their best friend to tell him/her the news about this shared experience. In dialogue, make them different and unique by using different word choices, tone, and body language to describe the same event.
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Mission of RW Circle:
To offer members a constructive and enjoyable environment
in which to read their work among the support of fellow writers.
Bring your Prose, Memoir, Poetry and more.
Meeting format:
Meetings will be in-person unless otherwise notified. Vaccinations required.
Meeting begins at 10:00 am and ends at Noon.
- Those to be “Readers” will be limited to the first 20 who register.
- Other attendees may be “listeners.”
- Each reader will have 5 minutes, including introductory remarks.
- After each reading there will be a one-minute written critique.
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE
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AUTHOR SUPPORT GROUP
March 19, noon - 12:45 p.m.
(via Zoom before the general meeting)
Please join us online via Zoom on March 19 at noon to chat about writing, listen to the challenges of others, and share resources. All levels of writers can benefit from participating. Published authors enjoy this group as well as beginning writers. This is a forum where you pick the topics and questions to be discussed. Discuss the challenges of writing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction. Find new ways to handle rejection, writers' block, or to start a critique group.
The Author Support Group's purposes are to help those who want assistance getting unstuck, want new resources, or need guidance in choosing options.
Be sure to register in advance to receive the link to this free online gathering.
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MEMBER BOOKS IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Journey to Autremonde, by JL Jusaitis
Just published: Dec. 1, 2021
A rare Matisse is stolen from the Musee d'Orsey in Paris France, and Chloe doesn't want to believe that her artistic buy troubled mother could be the thief. In this new YA fantasy, four teen friends embark on a dangerous adventure that begins in Paris, cruises through the French countryside, meanders into the supernatural Autremonde, and ends at the maison of a mad marquis.
This book is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. Also, it can be checked out of the Sonoma County Library.
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The Story of Jazz and Vihar, by Kathy Guthormsen
Poe the Common Raven is anything but common. Taking a page from her namesake, she’s a gifted storyteller and loves to write stories down though she’s blind! Living at The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County, she meets lots of interesting birds and she’s excited to share their stories with you, starting with Jazz and Vihar, two Great Horned Owls.
The Story of Jazz and Vihar is an educational tale sure to delight children and adults alike. Learn the important role that birds play in our ecology and how to best help them when you find one lost or injured in the wild.
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For the Birds, by Crissi Langwell
Publishing March 15, 2022!
For four years Cricket Stone thought Sonny McIntyre was her soulmate. But then he took a job in Wisconsin, leaving Cricket in California to reassemble the shattered pieces of her heart.
A year later, Sonny is back, and he’s obviously moved on. Cricket can’t let him know she’s not over him, so she does the only thing she can think of at the moment—fake a relationship with a former fling. But when Cricket discovers she and Sonny will be working together, she’s forced to keep up the lie. Of course, working with Sonny only reminds her of everything she lost when he moved away.
Then there’s the obnoxious macaw, sent by her globe-trotting twin sister Meadow. What’s she going to do with this bird?
And how is she supposed to work with Sonny without completely losing her heart?
P.S. Much of For the Birds takes place in Petaluma!
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Like Mother, Like Daughter, by Natasha Yim
Just published: Feb. 8, 2022
Inspired by Disney and Pixar’s film Turning Red, this beautiful and charming hardcover jacketed picture book is perfect for mothers, daughters, and fans alike! Ming and Mei are the perfect mother and daughter. They work as a team, and each always seems to know what the other is thinking. But one day, something shocking happens: Mei poofs into a red panda! Now this once perfect pair has a huge panda problem!
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If you have news to share about your writing, an award, an appearance, or other writing-related news, send a 100-word or less announcement to editor@redwoodwriters.org. Photos encouraged. Deadline for consideration in next month’s newsletter is the 15th of this month.
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Get Inspired with Writers Forum in March
Writers Forum hosts three Saturday afternoons of writing on the Zoom platform.
March 5, 12, 26
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (PST)
Travel on a journey of exploration using inspirational prompts from “The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections.”
Registration is required for these free Zoom events.Register once for all three meetings. Marlene Cullen will lead these free writing sessions.
The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections is available from your local bookseller and at Amazon as both a print book and ebook.
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Marlene Cullen featured on "Aspire With Osha" Podcast
Osha Hayden’s “Aspire with Osha” podcasts explore stories about people passionate with creating a more positive future.
Her show is about connections – how art connects with nature which is essential for humanity. How people can steer their passion into creating and contributing to a better world – a more positive future for us all, in ways both great and small.
Osha interviewed Marlene Cullen about freewriting and how to avoid triggers when writing about traumatic events.
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Natasha Yim's Play Chosen for New Plays Festival
Natasha Yim's ten-minute play, “Salsa Dancing,” written initially for Healdsburg’s Raven Theatre’s 24-hour play festival, was selected as one of 7 plays in Mendocino College’s New Plays Festival. Performance dates are April 7 - 9.
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Virtual Writing Workshop for Tweens
Session #2: What Happens? - Plot and Story Structure will be on March 9, 4 - 5 pm. PST.
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Poetry Reading Sponsored by Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Date: March 22
Time: 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Topic: Spring
Cost: $5
Poetic License Sonoma - “Spring” with special guest poet, Joseph Zaccardi
Presenting poets: Joseph Cutler, Susanne Arrhenius, Paul DeMarco, Leo McCloskey, Steve Trenam, Judith Vaughn, Jaime Zukowski, Kusum Irene Jain
Paul DeMarco will be acting MC; Guest Student poet from SRJC will be Olyn Hicks. This month PLS explores the theme of “Spring” in Poetry and are joined by special guest poet Joseph Zaccardi, former poet laureate of Marin County . More information at PoeticLicenseSonoma.com.
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Sonoma County Literary Update
Have you heard about the Sonoma County Literary Update? Published by Jo-Anne Rosen and Terry Ehret, this free online publication is sent out once a month as a service to writers and those interested in writing-related news and events. For submission guidelines, visit socolitupdate.com. |
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New CWC Events Page
All CWC branch speaker meetings have now been added to the Event page on CWC's website at: calwriters.org/events. Because many of the 22 branches are still holding their speaker meetings online, this link is a handy tool to attend meetings all over the state. While you're there, be sure to check out many of the other interesting pages and posts on the CWC website. |
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CRITIQUE GROUP COORDINATION
Marie Judson keeps an ongoing list of RW 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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Please give a warm welcome to two of our newest members! |
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Marianne Lyon has been a music teacher for 39 years. After teaching in Hong Kong she returned to the Napa Valley and has been published in various literary magazines and reviews. Nominated for the Pushcart Award 2016. She has spent time teaching in Nicaragua. She is a member of the California Writers Club, Solstice Writers, Witness Protection Program Poets. She is an Adjunct Professor at Touro University Vallejo California. 2021 Napa County Poet Laureate. |
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“…I have nature and art and poetry, and if that's not enough, what is enough?" - Vincent van Gogh.
Not an original, but YES!!!!!!!
Judith Vaughn lives in Sonoma, California. She attended New York City College, John F. Kennedy University, and Dominican University with a focus in Psychology. She is a member of PoeticLicenseSonona. Publications include First Literary Review-East, an online literary publication; Oak Leaf News, a student publication at SRJC; JerryJazz Musician: A Miles Davis Poetry Collection; and Calistoga Poetry Walk, 2022
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Redwood Writers are members of the California Writers Club (CWC). Redwood Writers is the largest of the 22 Branches in the CWC. Becoming a members of the Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club is a simple as 1, 2, 3.
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Go to the website: redwoodwriters.org/membership/join
- Complete the submission form. Include references to any publications.
- Pay the $65 new member fee.
Redwood Writers offers members the opportunity to:
- Attend the monthly meeting (3rd Sat. 1-3 p.m. at the Finley Center, Santa Rosa)
- Interact with other writers and sell books at the monthly meeting.
- Learn from professional speakers at monthly meetings.
- Publish fiction and memoir in the annual prose anthology.
- Publish poetry in the annual poetry anthology.
- Read their work at the club-sponsored Salon and Writers Circle.
- Present their work at local bookstores.
- Sell their work at the Sonoma Country Fair.
- Launch their new book at the Author Launch party.
- Attend workshops and conferences on the writing.
- Win writing contests with cash prizes and special recognition for winners.
- Advertise their expertise—graphic designer, editor, illustrator.
- Receive club news from our award-winning website and monthly newsletter.
- Submit stories, essays, and poetry to the Literary Review published by CWC.
- Receive the annual Literary Review from the California Writers Club and receive a triannual CWC Bulletin with state-wide events from CWC branches.
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Diane Frank
Insights on the Craft of Poetry
April 16, 2022
at the Finley Center and on Zoom
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Dear friends,
I’ve been looking forward to March for a while now. After two long years, I’m finally publishing my next book this month, and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind to get to this point. As many of you know, the behind-the-scenes work to produce a book and get the word out can feel a bit chaotic at times, and that’s where I’m at.
I’m also feeling a lot of emotions. Excited, for sure. But also worry, mostly about what will happen when people can actually buy the book. As in, will they buy my book? Or did I find every typo? Or will readers like my book?
This whole writing business, it’s not easy is it? I often think there should be a therapist that solely works with writers, helping them go through the emotions of writing and submitting their work. It can be nerve-wracking, for sure.
And…it can be amazing. Not many people get to say they’ve written a book. Or write poetry on a regular basis. Or won a contest. Or were published in an anthology. Or any of the incredible ways all of us have stretched ourselves in our writing lives.
So here’s to us. The writers, the dreamers, the creatives who courageously write and share our poems and prose, and who make a difference with our words.
And wish me luck (and my husband who has to live with me) as I prepare to launch my next book into the world.
This month in Redwood Writers, there are several things you won’t want to miss. First, you’ll definitely want to attend the next general meeting. Our speaker, Diana Pho, is sure to be inspiring for writers of all types as she shares craft techniques she uses in playwriting. We will also learn about our branch’s next writing contest. All this is happening on March 19.
This month’s newsletter also has a few special features, including advice from a few of our members on how they market their writing. If you missed it, be sure to scroll up. Also, be on the lookout for our next reader call out, coming soon to groups.io.
Finally, do you have writing-related news you’d like to share? I am always eager to receive your news so I can add it to our newsletter. Send your 100-word announcement to me at editor@redwoodwriters.org. You can also share your literary achievement through the CWC newsletter which is sent to members of all the branches. Send your 50-word announcement to editor@calwriters.org and put ‘Member News’ on the subject line.
I hope your month is full of your best writing! Have a happy month!
Crissi Langwell
Newsletter Editor
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEWSLETTER! |
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Want to be a part of the newsletter? Here's the cheat sheet to the different sections of this newsletter and the word count requirements:
- Writers Helping Writers - 300 words or less
- Other Articles or In Memoriam - 300 words or less
- Members News - 100 words or less
- What We're Reading - 100 words or less
- Homegrown Poetry - short poems work best
Please do your best to adhere to word count limits! Send your articles and news by the 15th of the month to the newsletter editor at editor@redwoodwriters.org. Send your poems by the 10th of the month to the poetry editor at poetrynewseditor@redwoodwriters.org. Submission guidelines may apply, read section for requirements. |
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If you're interested in advertising in the Redwood Writer newsletter, contact the editor at editor@redwoodwriters.org for submission requirements and guidelines.
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Our mailing address is:
The Redwood Writer
P.O. Box 4687
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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