The Amazing Life of Feisty Ina Coolbrith, America’s First Poet Laurate – October 18th
Lessons from Literary Trailblazer Ina Coolbrith, Librarian and America’s First Poet Laureate
Put Your Writing in Context in this Fascinating History in this Fascinating Story Share from Historian and Author Aleta George
1 p.m. October 18th
via Zoom
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Writers often need courage, whether it is to meet a national event, a personal challenge, or just to face a blank page. In these instances we can look to our own history to find the inner strength to face our most profound challenges. At the culmination of California Writer’s Week, historical author Aleta George will give us the details on the fierce and iconic Ina Coolbrith. Ina Coolbrith was not only California’s first poet laurate and Oakland’s first public librarian, she was also one of the founders of the California Writers Club. But these factoids merely scratch the surface of this ground-breaking rebel. Author and journalist Aleta George will share the moments in Ina Coolbrith’s life when she was called upon to respond with courage and other fascinating stories of Coolbrith in the East Bay.
About Keynote Speaker Aleta George
Aleta George writes about the nature, culture, and history of California. She is the award-winning author of Ina Coolbrith: The Bittersweet Song of California’s First Poet Laureate and has contributed to national and regional publications such as Smithsonian Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. Aleta is the open space reporter for the Bay Area Monitor and a frequent contributor to Estuary News. Learn more at AletaGeorge.com or follow her on Facebook.
Get your ticket to this event.
Event Schedule
$5 for members, $10 for guests, free tickets available*
Community
12:00 Club leaders check-in
12:30 Welcome and networking with members & guests
Program
1:00 p.m. Club Announcement
1:30 p.m. Member Spotlight
1:45 p.m. Featured Speaker
2:30 p.m. Book Sales & Networking
Tickets include admission to our online craft and marketing support groups, now meeting Thursdays. more info here.
See meetings for more info.
*Virginia Prentiss Equity Fund donors and emerging writers in need of a boost, please use the promo code ‘VP’ at checkout for a free ticket. Learn more.
THE CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB was started by a group of writing professionals in the early 1900s. The Berkeley Branch is the founding branch of the statewide Club, which now has 19 branches and around 2000 members throughout California. We are the third oldest writers’ club in the country, currently celebrating our 100th year serving Bay Area writers.
The CWC is a nonprofit professional organization open to writers in every genre and at every level of experience, from novice to published. Our purpose is to promote fellowship and to provide practical information that supports all members in achieving their publishing goals.
We offer or have offered meetings, speakers support/critique groups, a newsletter, writing contests, a chapbook, readings, and workshops.