“I’ve Got a Notion” —Top Productivity Apps for Creative Writers with Mel Lee Smith — January 19th, 2025
Organizing drafts and outlines, staying on top of of tasks and research, budgeting projects and tracking submissions—writers have a lot to keep up with! At our first meeting of 2025, we are excited to host Mel Lee-Smith, a Notion consultant and a creative writer whose flexible systems help writers create smooth work flows. Mel will share an overview of some available options for staying organized, then take us on a a deep dive into Notion, perhaps the most powerful and versatile productiv...
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 retreat to write some flash fiction, or bring something with you. We'll draw 6 names from a hat for a ...
Discovering Your Author Voice with Renee Swindle – November 16, 2025
Exploring the act of resistance with writers on technology, sexuality and spirituality.
CANCELLED – Writing History, Finding Community: One Historian’s Journey with Richard Schwartz – October 19, 2025
Exploring the act of resistance with writers on technology, sexuality and spirituality.
Maximize your discoverability with the Indie Author Project with Roy Serrao – September 21, 2025
Exploring the act of resistance with writers on technology, sexuality and spirituality.
Critique Group Seeking Writers
One of our members participates in an Oakland-based writing critique group that's interested in adding a new member. The group meets every two to three weeks, twelve months a year with calendar adjustments around the holidays. The writers are working on novels, short stories, and memoirs.
Here is a description from one of the group's members:
The group meets in person at homes near downtown Oakland, except when there are pandemics when we meet over zoom. Meetings are usually on Wednes...
Local Author Showcase: Annual New Book Celebration on June 21, 2025
The Author Showcase will take place at Clio's Bookstore (353 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610) from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
On Saturday, June 21st, the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club will honor its members who have published a new title in the past year. This is a proud moment for this century-old writing club, highlighting the diverse literary accomplishments and talents of this notable group. A wide range of literary genres will be featured, including historical fiction, mystery, ...
New Submission Support Group
New Submissions Support Group Meets Fourth Sundays at 1 p.m. on Zoom
For many writers, the dream is to see their words in print. Whether it's in their favorite literary journal, an anthology in the library, or even professionally narrated on a podcast, publishing can take many forms.But how do you get published? Is it normal to pay submission fees, or to not hear back for months? Where do you find places to submit, and how do you even do that?
New Submissions Support GroupMeets Fourth ...
“Writing to Resist” feat. Cory Doctorow, Carol Queen, and David Holper, May 18th, 2025
Exploring the act of resistance with writers on technology, sexuality and spirituality.
See you tomorrow!
I'm so excited for everything happening tomorrow (Saturday, April 19th) in the California Writers Circle in Joaquin Miller Park. First, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, we're having "Literary Avengers: Earth Day Write In." Release your words and imagination at this outdoor generative writing salon in the East Bay Hills!
What have you got to say to those who are harming the Earth?
Bring your writing in progress or start something new. Use our prompts (and your cell signal if you can) to take ...
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.