Members: Please see Member Publications
Page for Very Important Information.
October 2026
Look here for
Writing Opportunities
Our Next Open-To-Everyone Meetings
will be held on October 10 and 11.
These meetings will be special, because...
It's Time For
EKPHRASIS
The annual pairing of writers and artists
A Two-Day Event
Saturday, October 10
4:00 - 7:00pm
at the Artists’ Co-op of Mendocino
10400 Kasten Street
(corner Kasten and Albion Streets)
Mendocino
and
Sunday, October 11
2:00 - 3:30pm
at Matheson Performing Arts Center
45096 Cahto Street
Mendocino
Two events will celebrate the 15-year collaboration of the Writers of the Mendocino Coast and the members of the Artists' Co-op of Mendocino to produce an ekphrastic experience.
Ekphrasis is a Greek word that, loosely translated, means art describing art. Think “Ode on a Grecian Urn.” Ten gallery artists have created art in their medium for ten writers to respond to. Ten writers have initiated one page of writing for ten artists to respond to. These pairs are anonymous until they are revealed at the Artists’ Co-op gallery on October 10.
The gallery is located at the corner of Kasten and Albion Streets and is open daily from 11:00am-4:00pm except for the Second Saturday Gallery Stroll on October 10, when it will remain open until 7:00pm.
The gallery exhibit runs from October 7 - November 2. It will also be accessible indefinitely on the Artist’s Coop website artcoopmendocino.com.
In addition to the month-long October Ekphrasis exhibit at the gallery, the Writers of the Mendocino Coast invite you to attend a showing of the art displayed via slides while the paired writers read their written words. This event will happen at Matheson Auditorium (Cahto at Ford Street in Mendocino) on October 11 from 2:00 - 3:30pm. This is a free show and open to the public. Come, and bring your friends.
WMC meetings are held the second Sunday of every month * at
the Stanford Inn** and are open to members and non-members.
* Exceptions are June [members only meeting] and December [no meeting]
** Our October Ekphrasis meeting is held at Matheson Performing Arts Center
Did You Participate
in Matthew Long's Film Project?
The entry deadline has passed.
Now we wait.
Watch this space for updates.
Everyone who participated will be
credited as a writer.
The 2027
Writers of the Mendocino Coast Anthology
Ericka Lutz is the new editor of our anthology. Once the Board of Directors made its theme selection, Ericka sent them an email. Here's part of it: "I think [the theme is] evocative: Things stuffed away, old, dusty, but also things to be revealed. What does it mean to be in the box? To think out of the box. Or boxes, the verb: Who is boxing in the attic?"
As Ericka takes the helm of Boxes in the Attic, we wish her well in what promises to be a busy several months.. At the same time, we offer our sincere thanks to Elizabeth Vrenios, whose untiring devotion to editing our anthology for the past three years resulted in
three of our most popular publications. We're pleased that Elizabeth will stay with us as a member of our Board for the upcoming year.
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
- Louis L'Amour
Writers of the Mendocino Coast
Policy Regarding Use of
Artificial Intelligence
The WMC Board of Directors has established an official policy regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in members' writing.
It is as follows:
Writers of the Mendocino Coast does not and will never accept work that was written, created, or developed, in whole or in part, using generative AI. This includes prose, poetry, and all mediums of art and photography. The policy extends across all our activities including our annual anthology, Ekphrasis, Smatchup, and
public readings and workshops.
AI may have its place, but that place is not
within the creative fields. At Writers of the
Mendocino Coast, we value human creativity and expression, abhor plagiarism, and are keenly aware of--and deeply concerned about--the writers, artists, editors, and other creators whose copyrights and livelihoods are increasingly compromised by the use of artificial, non-human, intelligence.
By submitting your creative work and/or participating in our club activities, you pledge that no AI was, or will be, used.
Remember...
We've added two special features to our Stanford Inn meetings.
Come by a little early -- say, 1:30 -- and see for yourself.
We think you'll enjoy these.
Let's Talk About Writing
We'll sip a beverage, enjoy fine Stanford Inn
snacks, get to know one another, and talk
about our writing in a small-group setting.
The Little Free Library
Members, lend a book you've written.
Borrow one, too, then return it
with comments for the author.
Can't get to the meeting? Join us live on our
Facebook page! Just log on to Facebook
to Like and Follow. We are also on Instagram! @writersofthemendocinocoast.
Members, please check our bio page.
If you aren’t featured, just jot
down a bit about yourself in 50 (or
thereabouts) words, then email your bio
and (optional) headshot to writersmendocino@aol.com.
If you are already featured, and your
information needs to be changed, please
send necessary updates to writersmendocino@aol.com
Thinking of joining
Writers of the Mendocino Coast?
Please see our Membership tab
at the top of this page.
Painting by Janis Porter
All members receive one complimentary copy of our 2026 anthology; additional books are $12.00. If you need them mailed, contact Elizabeth Vrenios at evrenios1@gmail.com.
Listen now to our members read their one-minute plays!
i am from the ocean by windflower Townley
I Could Not Stop for Covid by Holly Tannen
Something New & Murder She Wrote by Philip Zwerling
The CWC website includes a calendar of monthly meetings for all state branches. Any of our members can attend the meetings of any other branch for free or for the same fee as their membership pays. To view their meeting topics (many are still on Zoom), click on
https://calwriters.org/events/.
Writers of the Mendocino Coast is Proud to be a Branch of the California Writers Club
