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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
The 2019-2020 year closed June 30th. Please support the writing community on the Mendocino Coast with your $45 renewal. See the Membership page for more. |
2021 ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSIONS
Submissions for the 2021 Anthology, Erosion, opened June 1st and closed August 31st. Check submission guidelines. |
COVID-19 UPDATE From the WMC President:
Until further notice, WMC meetings will be held via Zoom on the third Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. Meetings will be recorded and posted here. There are more than two dozen free Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Fort Bragg. At wifi.xfinity.com type in an address, city, state, or ZIP Code to find where to access the internet. The August 16th presentation by Shirin Yim Leos of How to Think Like a Developmental Editor was well attended. View the recording. Visit Shirin's blog on dev editing for more. SEPTEMBER 20th 3:00
MITALI PERKINS Dialogue: Crafting Conversations in Fiction 
Excellent dialogue is crucial in the creation of in-real-time scenes. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, participants will see how conversation can be used to reveal more about character and plot, learn to identify and fix seven common mistakes, and discuss examples written by master writers.
Mitali Perkins has written many books for young readers, including Between Us and Abuela (Winner of the Américas Award), Forward Me Back To You (SLJ and Kirkus Best YA Books of the year), You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for a National Book Award), and Rickshaw Girl (adapted into a film by Sleeperwave Productions), all of which explore crossing different kinds of borders. Mitali's goal is to make readers laugh or cry, preferably both, as long as their hearts are widening. She currently lives and writes in the Bay Area. @MITALIPERKINS WWW.MITALIPERKINS.COM Must register before each meeting to get the Zoom code Please note that you do not have to have a zoom account. Once you register for the meeting, you’ll receive a link to use for the zoom meeting. You just click it. If you don’t have a mic and a camera on your computer, you’ll need to phone in. Phone numbers will also be sent with the Zoom link. New link to register was sent in Sept. 13th newsletter. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please email request for registration link to WritersMendocinoCoast.org 
GOT A MINUTE?
Mendocino Theatre Company's One-Minute Radio Theatre is a two-minute spot that will be broadcast bi-weekly on local community radio station KZYX. You are invited to collaborate by submitting an original one-minute radio 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. *NB: Play may not contain the "seven dirty words", which are prohibited by the FCC. Play must be totally original and the author's own work. 
OCTOBER 18th 3:00
EKPHRASIS IX READINGS Readings of the Ekphrasis pieces by art initiator and art responder writers while the artwork is displayed on screen. Open to the public. Must register before each meeting to get the Zoom code. LINK TO BE SENT IN NEWSLETTER ON 10/11 If you haven’t “zoomed” before, you do not have to have a zoom account. Once you register for the meeting, you’ll receive a link to use for the zoom meeting. You just click it. If you don’t have a mic and a camera on your computer, you’ll need to phone in. Phone numbers will also be sent with the Zoom link. DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER ARTIST'S CO-OP VIRTUAL EXHIBITION https://www.artcoopmendocino.com/ See the artwork paired with writing The gallery is now open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. NOVEMBER 19th 3:00
SHARON BOWERS aka ARON LEE BOWE Adding Humor to Your Writing 
This workshop will touch on the various elements of humor and give tips on achieving a comic voice in your work. For those who want to learn the basics of joke writing, handouts will be emailed ahead of the Zoom meeting. Those participating will be able to share their favorite joke.
E. B. White said, “Humor is like a frog. You can dissect it, but it tends to die on you.” Don’t let that warning scare you. Analyzing the reasons certain events make us laugh can help your writing. Shakespeare understood that life is funny at least as often as it is tragic. After every sad scene, he brings in the clowns. One sure way to make your writing more appealing is to add a carefully calculated dose of humor. Aron Lee Bowe is an artist, writer and designer of three graphic novels. Her writing has appeared both online and in print publications. Her memoir, Amazed & Elated, Depressed & Deflated won an Independent Publisher Medal for humor. Bowe won the Charles Schultz award and the first place humor prize from the National League of American Pen Women. www.aronleebowe.com Must register before each meeting to get the Zoom code Please note that you do not have to have a zoom account. Once you register for the meeting, you’ll receive a link to use for the zoom meeting. You just click it. If you don’t have a mic and a camera on your computer, you’ll need to phone in. Phone numbers will also be sent with the Zoom link. New link to register will be in October 11th newsletter. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 
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! GUALALA COMMUNITY WRITING PROJECT
Mark Gross has started a writing initiative, KGUA Writers, in Gualala in collaboration with Peggy Berryhill's KGUA-FM, 88.3 radio program at 9:00 a.m. on Monday mornings. There is a Facebook Group Page KGUA Writers, and a website The Town That Started Writing. This week's prompt for submission of 250 words should be sent by September 18th by 7:00 p.m. as a new message to KGUAWriters@gmail.com. Prompt #22 Show 'n Tell has been extended. Another time of reflection whether in sharing a show 'n' tell or just sharing. Expand it to prompt of free-write of your words of resilience showing and/or telling us about your it through project, learning,craft, self-enrichment or just coping or how you self-interpret this prompt. Keep it positive. See details on our KGUA Writers page. SEPTEMBER POETRY
Rhythm Running River 1st & 3rd Sunday afternoons on KZYX public radio Sunday, September 20, 2-4 pm To listen live: https://www.kzyx.org/ For playlists: http://www.outfarpress.com/rrr.html To receive emails from Dan Roberts with links to listen or download: [email protected] - Dan had a program in August dedicated to the work of ruth weiss, which is now in the archives Michael Warr, from San Francisco Third Thursday in Point Arena Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Michael Warr and open mic To receive a Zoom invitation, contact Blake More, [email protected] OCTOBER 1st 7 P.M.
FORT BRAGG LIBRARY FIRST THURSDAY OPEN MIC POETRY To receive a Zoom invitation, contact Dan Hesse, Branch Librarian, [email protected] Readers should limit themselves to five to eight minutes and three to five poems. 
In this issue, Mendocino Coast memoirist and WMC member, Alena Guest, surveys the coast's rich writing scene, with profiles of six recently published writers (including herself) and reviews of their divergent, captivating literary offerings.
It also features Gallery Bookshop and our branch of the California Writers Club. 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. 
MEMBER'S COPIES OF ANTHOLOGY, RED SKY
have all been mailed, including those pre-ordered. If members haven't received their copy, please email [email protected] Fran Schwartz has an inventory of cartridges for printers and fax machines no longer in use.
Click here: for the list and email her. 
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]. |
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 Invitations 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) (3) 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/ CWC Northern Branches: http://cwcnorcalwriters.org/ NorCal Events: http://cwcnorcalwriters.org/events/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Email [email protected] We will never sell or share your email address. MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS $65 includes $20 initiation fee. More information on the website's Membership page. YEARLY RENEWAL is $45. 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] WMC member Clare Zwerling is interested in joining or forming a poetry group—[email protected]
NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE
FROM CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB BRANCHES WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS VIA ZOOM CWC Berkeley - No current newsletter Workshop Sept 20th "Finding & Working w/ an Agent" $5 Central Coast Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter Coastal Dunes CWC - No current newsletter East Sierra Ridge Writers - No current newsletter CWC Fremont Area Writers - Aug '20 Newsletter Workshop Sept 26th "Estate Planning For Writers" High Desert CWC - Sept '20 Newsletter Presentation Sept 26th - By Sarai Phegley Inland Empire CWC - Sept '20 Newsletter Cal Writers Long Beach - No current newsletter CWC Marin - No current newsletter CWC-Mount Diablo - Sept '20 Newsletter Napa Valley Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter unavailable North State Writers - No current newsletter Cal Writers Orange County - No current newsletter Workshop October 10th "Seven Character Motivations" Redwood Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter Presentation Sept 19th "Submit to Indie Lit!" Free Sacramento Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter Presentation Sept 19th "Writing Flash Stories About Living History" San Fernando Valley Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter Presentation Sept 19th "Submit to Indie Lit!" Free CWC SF Peninsula - Sept '20 Newsletter Presentation Sept 19th "Publishing vs. Print-On-Demand: Not the same thing at all" $5 Workshop Sept 23rd "Book Coaching-The New Edit" $12 San Joaquin Valley Writers - No current newsletter South Bay Writers - No current newsletter Tri-Valley Writers - Sept '20 Newsletter Workshop Sept 19th "Queries, Synopsis, and Blurbs" $10 Writers of Kern - Sept '20 Newsletter 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 
WMC member Ginny Rorby's
book Freeing Finch recognized as "10 of the Best LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Books That Celebrate Pride" by Book Riot Freeing Finch by Ginny Rorby. Finch just wants to find a place where she feels like she is understood. After being abandoned by her father and losing ... read more 
WMC member Tansy Chapman, has a newly released novel, Rose Gray. Thirteen-year-old Rose Gray’s fervent prayers for peace during the bombing raids have been answered, but no one around her in 1947 England is physically or spiritually free of the aftereffects of war. Living on a government-run tenant farm, Rose struggles with her father’s increasingly violent moods, her mother’s past (including the appearance of a stranger returning from war), and a school headmistress bordering on madness. Rose’s story is about how, with the help of her religious grandmother, her best friend Annie, and the natural forces of adolescence, she makes small bids for freedom in the midst of circumstances beyond her control.
Rose Gray is available from Gallery Bookshop Read endorsements and reviews at the publisher's website 
WMC member Karen Lewis has announced a new poetry chapbook, Peace Maps, now available from Finishing Line Press. These poems span a wide geography, places she's lived, traveled, or imagined. Themes include motherhood, deep ecology, love, loss, endurance, unity, hope.
"Poets are like cartographers" says Karen K. Lewis in Peace Maps. Through landscapes plagued by violence, drought, and plastic trash, "Fragments of poems remain, like tourniquets [ ] to mend our fatal hemorrhage / of despair." She maps each poem to a specific place on earth, not only with discreet latitude and longitude coordinates, but also with love for the beings, human, animal and vegetable, that make a home there, and for the land itself. ~ Maureen Eppstein, author of Horizon Line and Earthward Order Peace Maps from Finishing Line Press ROLLING RECAP OF MONTHLY MEETINGS
See Archives tab above for details
Drop in to the library site for the list of recently added books and reviews by WMC member Priscilla Comen.
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Welcome to opportunities to publish your writing, whether or not you live on the Mendocino Coast.
