Speakers Series
Keynote speakers are the highlight of our monthly meetings. We showcase industry leaders — writers, editors, publishers, agents, and teachers of all kinds — who inform our members and guests about topics related to the art and craft of writing, the publishing industry, and the business of writing.
The “Member Spotlight” features members sharing their good works. We recognize published and emerging CWC members with a few minutes at the mic before each speaker to talk about their journey, read their work, and answer questions. Contact us if you would like to nominate a member for their literal fifteen minutes of fame.
Some Notable Past Speakers
“Sipping the Elixir” with Gail Carriger on January 15th, 2023
“Intergenerational Dialogue” with Lyndsey Ellis on October 16th, 2022
Land the Agent of your Dreams with Amy Collins — February 20, 2022
Un-Erasing Charmian Kittredge London with Iris Jamahl Dunkle — October 17th, 2021
Focus and Finish the Writing that Matters with Sage Cohen — February 21st, 2021
Ina Coolbrith, America’s First Poet Laurate with Aleta George — October 18th 2020
“Learning from Leonardo” with Fritjof Capra on November 17th
Members only: Buy a full-year ticket pass and support other writers
Our next Speaker Series Event is…
Interviews with Past Speakers
Interview with Annalisa Parent, author of Storytelling for Pantsers
Interview with our Race as Context Panelists
Speaker Series Events
We have a concise list of past speakers, or peruse with summaries below.
Confidence & the Magnitude of Failure with Ross J. Farrar – May 17, 2026
In Sir Sidney Philips Defense of Posey, he famously said, “Poetry is to teach and delight.” The first half of Ross’ lecture will be about his greatest hurtle of becoming a poet (hopefully there will be humor in delight). And the second half will be…
“The Seduction of AI for Writing” with Larry Ebert – March 15, 2026
Perhaps the most transformative technology of our lifetime, Generative AI is becoming de rigueur in a rapidly-expanding set of human activities, with writing at the fore. AI can produce certain written content amazingly quickly and shockingly well. For it’s efficiency and quick creation alone, use…
“How to Use Your Creativity to Build Resilience” with LA Bourgeois – February 15, 2026
Build resilience and contentment in the face of grief, disappointment and uncertain times with your creativity and imagination. LA Bourgeois invites you to learn her simple system that will help you embrace a habit of creativity that carries you through those hard days.
“Owning AI: Your Authentic Instinct” with Deborah Pardes – January 18, 2026
A discussion about how human dialogue soars above bits and bytes Deborah Pardes spent the last 6 years listening to 110,000 conversations and engaging in over 30,000 of them. She’s passionate about working with writers to capture the trust and imaginations of their readers, by…
MLK Write in before this Sunday’s speaker
Before this Sunday’s event at Gilman Street Brewery, we’re hosting a write-in with prompts inspired by Martin Luther King Day. Might you spare me a moment to convince you to join me? Great writing has changed history in every era; don’t you agree? To that…
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.
“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.
Finding Joy in our Writing (in the Time of Apocalypse) with Nazelah Jamison – April 19th, 2025
The world seems to be ending: wanna-be dictators are being elected, the planet is heating up and glaciers are melting, the number of natural disasters is at an all-time high, and our enemies seem to be joining and actively conspiring against us. In a time…
A concise list of previous CWC Berkeley Speakers
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Do you have a suggestion for a speaker? We are always on the lookout for lively presenters, people with unique perspectives. Send us your suggestions!