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
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“Sipping the Elixir” with Gail Carriger on January 15th, 2023
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“Intergenerational Dialogue” with Lyndsey Ellis on October 16th, 2022
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Land the Agent of your Dreams with Amy Collins — February 20, 2022
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Un-Erasing Charmian Kittredge London with Iris Jamahl Dunkle — October 17th, 2021
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Focus and Finish the Writing that Matters with Sage Cohen — February 21st, 2021
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Ina Coolbrith, America’s First Poet Laurate with Aleta George — October 18th 2020
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“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…
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Poets on Earth: Environmental Write-In, Reading, and Open Mic
Interviews with Past Speakers
Interview with Mike Lockwood
Interview with Annalisa Parent, author of Storytelling for Pantsers
Speaker Series Events
We have a concise list of past speakers, or peruse with summaries below.
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Poets on Earth: Environmental Write-In, Reading, and Open Mic
ATTN: Wolfpack Writers! Let’s howl! We interrupt our regularly scheduled speaker series with an urgent call to gather and raise our voices! From Earthday.org: “We have just over a decade to halve our emissions to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change on our…
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“Retirement Planning- Snapshot Advice for Authors” with Mike Lockwood on March 17th, 2024
Snapshot Advice for Authors Mike Lockwood, author of Decision Decade – A Financial Roadmap for your Golden Years, will give some insight on his 35+ year of providing advice to help you not only get to, but get through retirement. He will share some easy…
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“Hiring a Virtual Assistant” with Mia Borja on February 18th, 2024
How 10 Hours a Month Will Change Your Career (and Your Life) As a writer’s business grows, so do the overwhelming number of tasks. Any writer who is struggling with productivity will find something interesting in Mia Borja’s talk on how a VA can help…
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“Open Your Soul Without Spilling It All” with Kevin Fisher-Paulson, LIVE January 21st, 2024
We are excited to welcome TWO great speakers as we experimenting with a return to the real world in January, meeting in Downtown Oakland at 1955 Broadway, right outside the 19th Street BART Station. You can also dial into the meeting LIVE with Google Meet.…
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“Grant Writing 101” with Susan Neufeld Paul on November 19th, 2023
Find the money that is looking for YOU. You may know how to write poetry, fiction, and non-fiction…but grant writing is an art in itself. Penning genre bestsellers isn’t the only way to earn a living as a writer! The nonprofit philanthropic world knows that…
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“Ink Flow and Focus” with Bronwyn Emery on October 15th, 2023
The Secret to Productive Writing Sessions Writing in the company of other writers can have unexpected and extraordinary results, including the banishment of procrastination, the silencing of the inner editor, and the elimination of that hesitancy that hits when it’s time to work on a…
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“Writing as Play” with Jorjeana Marie on September 17th, 2023
Have Fun and Boost your Productivity with Playful Approaches to Writing If you are like many other writers and occasionally get stuck or feel uninspired with a formerly passionate project, you might consider approaching the task of writing in a fun new way. In this…
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“Building Your Author Platform” with Jay Hartlove on May 21st, 2023
You’ve written and published your book. Congratulations! What tools should you use to not only reach your audience, but build a loyal fan base that can translate your efforts into SALES? Come discuss the important business practices of advertising, web sites, email newsletters, social media,…
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“The Craft and Career of Activist Writing” with John Curl on April 16th, 2023
If your basic inspiration as a writer is to change the world in positive ways, you are an activist writer. Since writing springs from every aspect of a person’s life, an activist writer needs broad experiences, in work life and personal life. Activist writers need…
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“Editing Your Manuscript” with Ericka McIntyre
In this talk, freelance editor and former Writer’s Digest Editor-in-Chief Ericka McIntyre will explain to authors what the different types of editing are, when and why you need each for your work, and how to find quality editors. She’ll also talk about the types of…
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!