Craft & Career Support

The CWC supports writers at every level of professionalism and provides means for its members to learn together, hone their craft, practice their business skills, network and support one another. Being a professional writer is a trade like any other trade, requiring an understanding of the industry as well as the art.

Our groups are a great benefit for our members. Non-members may audit a group before joining with approval from the group leader. 

Every month after our we hold a marketing meeting and a craft discussion group, one hour each, open to members and prospective members.

Five Page Group

3rd Saturdays at noon in person at the Rockridge Library

Our longest-running critique group reviews prose-fiction, nonfiction, query letters, proposals. We read submissions ahead of the meeting, then spend twenty minutes discussing each submission.

Eight manuscripts are reviewed in the order of arrival after manuscripts left over from the previous meeting are reviewed. First-timers are welcome to bring a submission or simply sit in. Open to the public.

The Rockridge library is at 5366 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618. Contact Bob Haus for more information at newsjazz [at] aol [dot] com

To Participate in Five-Page Critique Group

Submit up to five pages, numbered, double-spaced, with indented paragraphs. On first page provide title and author’s name, and note if submission is fiction or nonfiction. If the pages submitted are part of a larger work and not the beginning, include a brief one-paragraph synopsis. 

Author Success Group

3rd Sundays 3pm on Zoom

One of our club’s best perks is an ongoing support group that’s responsive to the needs of members. Stay tuned on Zoom after each month’s meeting, get energized around craft and marketing, and hold each other accountable to their goals. Guests may audit once. Members should also join the CWC Member Support Group on Facebook. For questions email Kymberlie Ingalls at kymberlieCWC [at] gmail [dot] com.






Poetrope

3rd Tuesdays 8:30pm on Zoom

Our Poetry Group meets online on third Tuesday evenings for inspiration, perspiration, and association. We kick off the session by reading and discussing a published poem by a renowned author (but are open to considering lesser known poets). Then we write a poem or two. If there’s time, some poets like to share what they have written. Members and guests should look for the Zoom link in the CWC calendar, or check Write Angles. Contact Leena Prasad at leena [at] fishridingabike [dot] com for the password.

Would you like to form or revive a support group?

Members of our branch can start groups to suit their interests or needs. Please write to us at our berkeley.cwc gmail address with meeting time, meeting place and the critique process you plan to use. We will provide guidelines and an insurance form.

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