NO NEED FOR WMC MEMBERS TO PREREGISTER FOR ZOOM EVENTS
Each month a new meeting link will be sent to your email address.
The public is welcome to send an email to [email protected] to request the Zoom link. All meetings are recorded.
At the close of the presentation, the Zoom session will remain open half an hour for chatting.
Each month a new meeting link will be sent to your email address.
The public is welcome to send an email to [email protected] to request the Zoom link. All meetings are recorded.
At the close of the presentation, the Zoom session will remain open half an hour for chatting.

1946 - 2022
We might not have a Writers' Club if it weren't for Doug Fortier.
A year or so after the founding, the club was floundering. Doug held it together with determination and his conviction that getting together once a month to share our craft made us all better writers and might get us published. He had an amazing ability to network. Every writer who moved to the Mendocino Coast and showed the slightest interest was met by Doug. Almost always they joined WMC. Each month he welcomed new faces, until today in this tiny community, the club has grown to 85 members.
Doug loved learning and believed there was always more to learn about writing. He wanted our WMC speakers to teach us something new. At Board Meetings, evaluating the past month's program, his greatest criticism was: "Not enough craft."
We are one chapter of a state-wide organization, the California Writers' Club. Until he got too ill to travel, Doug journeyed faithfully to the Bay Area to attend these meetings. Mercifully, he kept the political shenanigans of what went on to himself. "How was it?" we would ask. "Nothing much to report," he'd say.
He was WMC's social media guru, posting news on our website, keeping up with member publications, and programs to come. He designed the cover of every year's anthology and, with Amie McGee's help, put out a beautiful volume. For Ekphrasis, he photographed every artist's work and put together a wonderful slide show to accompany our readings.
He was our person; we were his tribe. We will all miss him terribly.
We might not have a Writers' Club if it weren't for Doug Fortier.
A year or so after the founding, the club was floundering. Doug held it together with determination and his conviction that getting together once a month to share our craft made us all better writers and might get us published. He had an amazing ability to network. Every writer who moved to the Mendocino Coast and showed the slightest interest was met by Doug. Almost always they joined WMC. Each month he welcomed new faces, until today in this tiny community, the club has grown to 85 members.
Doug loved learning and believed there was always more to learn about writing. He wanted our WMC speakers to teach us something new. At Board Meetings, evaluating the past month's program, his greatest criticism was: "Not enough craft."
We are one chapter of a state-wide organization, the California Writers' Club. Until he got too ill to travel, Doug journeyed faithfully to the Bay Area to attend these meetings. Mercifully, he kept the political shenanigans of what went on to himself. "How was it?" we would ask. "Nothing much to report," he'd say.
He was WMC's social media guru, posting news on our website, keeping up with member publications, and programs to come. He designed the cover of every year's anthology and, with Amie McGee's help, put out a beautiful volume. For Ekphrasis, he photographed every artist's work and put together a wonderful slide show to accompany our readings.
He was our person; we were his tribe. We will all miss him terribly.
Applications Now Being Accepted for the WMC Doug Fortier Scholarship to the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference
In honor of Doug’s love for this event and our writing community, WMC is sponsoring this scholarship. To apply, submit a letter of interest and a writing sample to [email protected]. Current members only. Deadline: June 15th. Conference dates: August 4–6, 2022.
In honor of Doug’s love for this event and our writing community, WMC is sponsoring this scholarship. To apply, submit a letter of interest and a writing sample to [email protected]. Current members only. Deadline: June 15th. Conference dates: August 4–6, 2022.
Annual Smatch-Up Extravaganza June 19th Meeting at 3:00 p.m. Zoom
This much-loved event returns under the theme of "One Monday in October." One author writes a poem or story that another finishes. Authors were unanonimously paired last month. End results will be read at this meeting. Join us for a fun afternoon of great writing and surprise coauthor reveals.
This much-loved event returns under the theme of "One Monday in October." One author writes a poem or story that another finishes. Authors were unanonimously paired last month. End results will be read at this meeting. Join us for a fun afternoon of great writing and surprise coauthor reveals.
Ekphrasis 2022 Now open to members!
This event is for Writers of the Mendocino Coast members in good standing only. There are 20 slots open until May 31: 10 slots for writer initiators (artists respond to writers) and 10 for art responders (writers respond to the artwork). Slots are filled on a first come basis until slots close. E-mail Katherine Brown ([email protected]) stating whether you want to be an initiator or responder.
Link to more information.
This event is for Writers of the Mendocino Coast members in good standing only. There are 20 slots open until May 31: 10 slots for writer initiators (artists respond to writers) and 10 for art responders (writers respond to the artwork). Slots are filled on a first come basis until slots close. E-mail Katherine Brown ([email protected]) stating whether you want to be an initiator or responder.
Link to more information.
RECORDINGS OF MONTHLY MEETINGS Go to the YouTube channel for all the videos.
Calling All Screenwriters or Poets: Raffle For Free All-Day Workshop
The San Francisco Writer's Conference, which meets July 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency, is offering each CWC chapter two free one-day passes for workshops on July 23rd. One is a Poetry Summit (normally $195) and the second is a "Writing for Hollywood" Summit (normally $249). For more information: sfwriters.org. Want to participate in this rare opportunity? Send us a note including which event interests you by May 31st. Raffle winners will be notified shortly thereafter. The Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, August 4 - 6, is currently accepting applications (mcwc.org).
A new feature has been added to the CWC website--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/.
![]() HAVE A MINUTE?
See the current schedule. Mendocino Theatre Company's One-Minute Radio Theatre is a two-minute spot broadcast bi-weekly on KZYX. Collaborate by submitting an original one-minute play. All voices to be heard! Plays can be in English or Spanish. No fee for submission nor cash award if your play is chosen; all actors and directors give their time free of charge. Submit your one-minute play* (app. 150-170 words, for 1-3 actors) in the body of an email (no attachments) to [email protected] with the subject MTC One-Minute Play: [Title of your play]. Include your full name, contact information, and a brief, 50-word bio. You may submit as many one-minute plays as you wish, but only one submission per email, please. *Play may not contain the "seven dirty words" prohibited by the FCC. Play must be totally original and the author's work. Listen now: 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 ![]() Online Poetry
Workshop for Youth Professional poets from throughout California offer creative poetry writing lessons for youth and families. Lessons are free to everyone and require no prep. This online workshop is growing and lessons will continue to be added throughout the pandemic. Click to start writing! POETRY
Virtual Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry To receive an invitation to the Zoom reading, please email blake more: [email protected]. Third Thursday Poetry Zoom is made possible by the Arena Theater and continues to be supported by Poets & Writers Magazine. POETRY
Mendocino Spring Poetry Celebration Rhythm Running River KZYX&Z public radio broadcast is open for submissions May 1-20 for June broadcasts. Email [email protected] for specifics. To listen live: https://www.kzyx.org/#stream/0 For playlists: http://www.outfarpress.com/rrr.html To receive emails from Dan Roberts with links to listen or download, contact Dan at [email protected] POETRY
Cartwheels on the Sky ~ Poets, Poems & Discovery Saturdays 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Live on KGUA FM Gualala and live streaming online KGUA.org with host blake more Show Archive: https://www.bmoreyou.net/musings/ Highlighting a new poet in conversation each week, the show offers fresh, intelligent, living poetry, and lively discussions. To be considered for future shows, contact [email protected] FORT BRAGG LIBRARY
Poetry Open Mic Open Mic on Zoom - To request a Zoom invitation, contact Dan Hess: [email protected] Or use this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9748647159 Readers should limit themselves to eight minutes, for one to four poems. For more information, contact Dan Hesse, Branch Librarian at [email protected] or 707 961-2625. And see FortBraggLibrary.org. UKIAH LIBRARY Open Mic on Zoom 7 p.m. last Thursday of the month. YA POETS CIRCLE Open Mic on Zoom 3 p.m. first Monday of the month. - To register and receive a Zoom link, contact Melissa Carr (she/her/they): [email protected] M E M B E R N E W S
Writing newly published, receives a nomination or award, or other notable exposure? Please send a short announcement to writersmendocinocoast@gmail.com ![]() Norma Watkins' new novel is available at Gallery Bookshop. A moving and darkly humorous novel that follows the intertwined lives of women willing to surrender everything to a man. You can order a copy at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/literary/incommon. ![]() WMC member Ginny Rorby's new novel is available at
Gallery Bookshop. Little House on the Prairie meets the Grapes of Wrath in this Coming of Age novel of hope & heroism, set in Texas during one of America’s worst natural disasters—the Dust Bowl. windflower's prose piece, The Water Has Been a Long Time Coming can be found under "Short Takes" in the Spring 2022 edition of persimmontree.org.
![]() Drop in to the library site for the list of recently added books and 228+ reviews by WMC member Priscilla Comen.
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Do you have a topic on the craft of writing to teach at an upcoming meeting for one to one and a half hours?
Contact [email protected] Writers that would like to teach a writing class or speak about their journey to writing during retreats at The Madrone & The Brambles in Philo, contact Carrie Castro c[email protected].
WELCOME TO THE
CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB - FOUNDED in 1909 - The Mendocino Coast branch is proud to share in this legacy. Our intention is to expand the network and provide publishing opportunities for writers. MENDOCINO WRITERS MEET
ONLINE ON THE THIRD SUNDAY 3:00 Members Receive Link via Email Public May Email a Request [email protected] Writers of the Mendocino Coast
PO Box 762 Fort Bragg, CA 95437 The CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB is a 501(c) (6) educational nonprofit dedicated to educating members and the public-at-large in the craft of writing and in the marketing of their work. California Writers Club: https://calwriters.org/ California Writers Club calendar for other branch's events: https://calwriters.org/events-month SUBSCRIBE TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Email [email protected] Your email address will never be shared or sold. MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS See information on the Membership page. YEARLY RENEWAL, July 1 - June 30th, $45 plus a one time enrollment fee of $20. If registering after January 1st, the total fee is $42.50, until renewals are due again July 1. It's $15 for students. $25 for dual memberships when a member of another branch. Membership includes a copy of the club's recent anthology, copies of our state organization's Literary Review magazine, space for member biographies, and opportunities to see your writing in: -The annual anthology -The Literary Review published by our parent, California Writers Club. More info at www.calwriters.org -The yearly collaboration, Ekphrasis, with the Artists' Co-op of Mendocino -The annual SmatchUp, blind matching of two writers on a theme, each writing a single page. SPONSORED MEMBERSHIPS
Financial aid is available for membership [email protected] INTERESTED IN A WRITERS' GROUP / PARTNER
WMC MEMBER SALLIE REYNOLDS Read Sallie's biography on the Member Bio page. Contact her through [email protected]. ![]() KELLEY HOUSE CALENDAR
Call for Writers There are so many stories yet to tell, and they welcome your voice. Articles are 400 to 700 words and can be paired with photos or illustrations usually discovered in their database of 10,000 images. Call the Kelley House curator, Karen McGrath, at 707/937-5791 or email her at [email protected]. WRITING OPPORTUNITY:
VAN DAMME STATE PARK Volunteers at the Little River Museum have collected pictures and historical accounts that augment the rich history of what ultimately became the park. Members of our branch of the California Writers Club have an opportunity to use these source materials to write a nonfiction book and other monographs. Email the [email protected] for details. ROLLING RECAP OF MONTHLY MEETINGS
See Archives tab above for details. Recordings on YouTube.
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Welcome to opportunities to publish your writing, whether or not you live on the Mendocino Coast.