70 posts by Kristen Caven

AI vs the Author: Writers Grapple with How New Tools Shape Our Future 4/19/26

AI, Algorithms and Art: Our Tech-Savviest Authors Discuss our New Sci-Fi Reality As part of our spring series on the ubiquitous and insistent presence of artificial intelligence, The California Writers Club of Berkeley is thrilled to present a panel discussion around issues that concern us all as writers and citizens. This month's panel features four deep thinkers, some prolific writers, ...

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See you at our (scandalous!) Winter Social — 12/7/25 at Highlands Country Club!

It's that time of year ... and what a scandalous year! To celebrate our community and creativity, we've booked the Highlands Country Club in Oakland all day on December 7th for a Sunday morning bagel brunch and writing retreat, plus evening cocktails, dinner and a contest. Dress merrily! Bring friends!  This year we're having a contest on the theme of Holiday Scandals! Come to the morning ...

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Jasper Ezekial with a quote from this interview

Board Member Jasper Ezekiel and his Good, Clean Mania

Get to know board member, poet and artist Jasper Ezekiel. Find out what writers inspired him, and where he is in his writing career.

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Meet Our Late-Blooming Ekphrastic Poet, Bob Stephens.

Our long-standing tradition of giving a member the mic before our keynote speaker helps us get to know what our colleagues are working on. Our 5+5+5 guidelines (5 minutes of backstory, 5 minutes to read, and 5 minutes of Q&A) help emerging writers polish their professional skills. Bob Stephens will take the Member Spotlight before our February speaker, Gala Russ. Get tickets here. ...

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Rocky Leplin Rhymes with Everything

Our long-standing tradition of giving a member the mic before our keynote speaker helps us get to know what our colleagues are working on. Our 5+5+5 guidelines (5 minutes of backstory, 5 minutes to read, and 5 minutes of Q&A) help emerging writers polish their professional skills. Rocky Leplin will be in the Member Spotlight before our January speaker, Mel Lee Smith.  Author, ...

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Gerry McDermott is Happiest at High Altitudes

Our long-standing tradition of giving a member the mic before our keynote speaker helps us get to know what our colleagues are working on. Our 5+5+5 guidelines (5 minutes of backstory, 5 minutes to read, and 5 minutes of Q&A) help emerging writers polish their professional skills. Gerry McDermott was in the Member Spotlight before our November speaker, Lyzette Wanzer.  Gerry ...

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John Byrne Barry Brings Sausalito History to Life

Our long-standing tradition of giving a member the mic before our keynote speaker helps us get to know what our colleagues are working on. Our 5+5+5 guidelines (5 minutes of backstory, 5 minutes to read, and 5 minutes of Q&A) help emerging writers polish their professional skills. Celebrating California Writers Week, we are thrilled to feature a member who writes about California ...

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“Unconventional Book Launches” with Isidra Mencos—October 20th, 2024

Attract Audiences Creatively! Unless you’re already a bestselling author, a book signing in a bookstore can fall flat. A fun event in an unusual venue will attract a crowd and foster book buzz. Learn how other authors launched their books with a bang, and get some tips to start planning your own. About Isidra Mencos Promenade of Desire: A Barcelona Memoir, was a si lver ...

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Lenore Weiss Writes with Experience, Depth & Creativity

Our long-standing tradition of giving a member the mic before our keynote speaker helps us get to know what our colleagues are working on. Our 5+5+5 guidelines (5 minutes of backstory, 5 minutes to read, and 5 minutes of Q&A) help emerging writers polish their professional skills. Lenore Weiss will take the Member Spotlight before our September speaker, Cheral Stivers. Get tickets ...

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“Genre Bending: Writing Outside the Lines” with Carole Stivers—September 15th, 2024

Running around in "Literary Circles"  When scientist Carole Stivers began writing science fiction, she dreamed of readers she’d never met, enjoying and discussing her work. But she also dreamed of acceptance in “literary circles.” She secured an agent unfamiliar with sci-fi who saw cross-over potential for her debut novel, The Mother Code. What happened next was a crash course in ...

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