California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch

Dedicated to Educating Writers of all Levels

First Friday — Bill Pieper

Doing it Backwards: How a Former Novelist’s Improved ‘Short Game’ Changed His Luck

Friday, June 2, 2017,  9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Bill Pieper

Novelist, Turned Short-Story Writer

Bill Pieper has written four novels, two essentially self-published and two (Belonging and What You Wish For) published by small presses.

A prolific writer who started relatively late in life, Bill has written novellas and a collection of 12 short stories titled, Forgive Me, Father.

He will be our First-Friday speaker, at 9 a.m., June 2, when the branch moves its meetings to a new location, Coco’s Restaurant on the northwest corner of Sunrise and Madison, 7887 Madison Ave, Citrus Heights, in the Sunrise Village Shopping Center. Our former meeting location has closed its business.

More than 20 of Bill’s stories have been accepted by literary magazines in the US, Canada and the UK. Four pieces of work have been performed at local reading events such as Stories on Stage in Sacramento and Davis.

Bill was named by local media as “Best New Novelist in Sacramento,” but Bill now calls himself a “former novelist.”

Finding that many authors begin with shorter work and add page-length as their skills grow, he has taken an opposite route.

The big turn-around was attending the Squaw Valley Community of Writers which he attended in 2010, followed by enough success to make it all worthwhile.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the Coco’s Restaurant, 7887 Madison Ave, Citrus Heights, CA 95610, starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Andrew Benzie — Book Designer

Cover Design and Other Secrets of a Great Self-Published Book

 

Friday, May 5, 2017,  9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Andrew Benzie

Publisher, Designer, Marketer, Andrew Benzie Books

A popular go-to publisher for writers with questions on publishing their own books, Bay Area native Andrew Benzie is returning is Sacramento to answer more questions about publishing!

A presenter full of ideas and solutions, Andrew promises to tell us the important elements of a good published book. His resume includes more than 25 years of experience in the design industry. He has worked for both corporate art departments and for himself as a freelance designer for Andrew Benzie Creative Design (ABCD). In 2010 he established his own publishing company, Andrew Benzie Books to help authors design, publish, and market their books in both softcover and eBook formats.

 

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 2216 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova (just north of Highway 50) starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast. Get map.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Dr. Marlena Uhrik, Author

10 Decisions You’ll Have to Make When Publishing and Marketing Your Work

 

Friday, April 7, 2017,  9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

 

Dr. Marlena Uhrik’s most unique book, In Grandpa’s Hands, was written, sketched, and designed to honor her father for the important role he played in her family. This exquisite and unusual book won the Mom’s Choice Award. Marlena has also published Guidebook for Family Day Care Providers (McGraw Hill), used as a textbook in community colleges. Another book, My Family Matters to Me became an Amazon Best Seller.Marlena Uhrik

Based on Marlena’s experience publishing and marketing her books, she will share decisions she now knows are important to think about when publishing and marketing a book. A prominent children’s advocate, Marlena has received national and international recognition for the work she has done improving the lives of children and families. She is a recipient of the United States Presidential Award for Service.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 2216 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova (just north of Highway 50) starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast. Get map.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Gini Grossenbacher

Creating Setting, The World of Your Writing
Ten tips for bringing your nonfiction and fiction to life 

Friday, March 3, 2017,  9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Gini-GrossenbacherUsing her new novel Madam of My Heart, Gini Grossenbacher will demonstrate the why’s and how’s of weaving setting details effectively in all of your writing, no matter the genre. Participants will practice setting techniques and leave with ideas to use right away.

Gini Grossenbacher, M.S. Ed., is a novelist, editor, freelance coach, and founder of Elk Grove Writers & Artists, an Amherst Writers & Artists Affiliate. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Gini serves as Second Vice President/Membership, of the California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch. Visit: http://www.ginigrossenbacher.com and http://www.meetup.com/Ginis-Elk-Grove-Writers/

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 2216 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova (just north of Highway 50) starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast. Get map.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First-Friday Networking — Cheryl Stapp

Not Sexy, But Important – Research for Every Writer

Friday, February 3, 2017,  9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

cheryl-stapp-v1Every writer has to research something, sometime; even memoirists. And sometimes…the research is more fun and more exciting than your plot!

Our February speaker, Cheryl Stapp, does a great deal of research, because she writes California history. She has been doing this since 2009, and has published three books, with two more in the works. She will tell us how to find information, how to use it, when not to use it, and when to stop looking.

Cheryl was born and grew up in Sacramento—hence her interest in the region’s history and resources—then lived in Los Angeles for many years. In LA she graduated from California State University, Northridge, and was a contributing editor to Working World magazine for five years, all the while working in the entertainment industry. She is the author of one self-published history about the pioneer women who settled in Sacramento, and two books published by The History Press: a general history of Sacramento, and another on the stagecoach era in northern California. She lives with her husband near Elk Grove, and is an active volunteer docent at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. A past vice-president of CWC-Sacramento, she has been a member of CWC for 20 years.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 2216 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova (just north of Highway 50) starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast.  Get map.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.