California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch

Dedicated to Educating Writers of all Levels

Judy Presnall

Judy Presnall has authored thirty-one nonfiction children’s books since 1993. Some of the titles include:  Animals That Glow (Franklin Watts), Artificial Organs and Mount Rushmore (Lucent Books), a fourteen-book series entitled Animals with Jobs — Police Dogs, Sled Dogs, Racehorses, Rodeo Animals (KidHaven Press) and Yukon Sled Dog (Two Lions).

The best part has been the fun research trips along with her husband Lance, who acted as photographer. Some research experiences include:  riding along with a K-9, mushing a dogsled team, visiting a jockey school, observing bull riders from starter stalls, climbing the backside of Mount Rushmore with a park ranger, visiting an artificial arm manufacturer in Salt Lake City, and taking horseback riding classes.

Judy has been a CWC member since 1986 (San Fernando Valley) and 2015 (Sacramento). She is also a member of the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Visit her website at:  www.judithjandapresnall.com

Curt Canfield

Curt grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict, where he earned two meritorious promotions and traversed most of Southeast Asia.

He graduated summa cum laude from Moravian College with majors in English and History and received honors for his dissertation about Japanese-American relations prior to World War II. He had several short stories and poems published during this time.

Curt began his professional career with IBM in management. He left IBM to work with Macmillan Publishing Company, to pioneer electronic publishing and moved on to management consulting, where he practiced internationally He published numerous articles in leading law journals such as The American Lawyer and the New York Law Journal.

Curt retired in 2016 to pursue his interests in religion, philosophy, and 20th century world history. His debut novel, The Pilgrim’s Progress ~ Part 2, One Man’s Search for Truth, is an anti-war novel covering both World War II and Vietnam. It updates the 1678 classic by taking a contemporary antihero on a pilgrimage through similar moral and existential issues as the original.

Curt lives with his wife, Chris, and their two Yorkies in Northern California.

April 18 – Afternoon Workshop with C.S. Lakin

Ten Key Scenes That

Frame Up Your Novel

C. S. Lakin

 Writing Coach, Editor and Author

You will learn:

  • What the 5 major turning points are and where they’re placed in your novel
  • How to know exactly where to start your story and how to set up your premise
  • What the ten key scenes are that serve as the framework for your novel
  • What pinch points are and why you need them
  • How to craft those essential twists
  • Why your protagonist’s goal is the key to great storytelling
  • How to bring out your story’s themes

C.S. Lakin is an award-winning blogger, writing coach, copy editor, and author of more than 30 books (fiction and nonfiction). She teaches workshops around the US, including at many CWCs. Her online school at cslakin.teachable.com has helped more than 1,500 writers master the craft of fiction via her video courses, and she completes more than 200 manuscript critiques a year.

Saturday,  April 18, 2020

1:30-4:30 P.M.

Registration opens at 1:00 p.m., following the regularly scheduled meeting.
Writing materials, coffee, soda, and snacks will be provided.

Cost: $49/Members, $69/Non Members

Deadline: April 4 or until session is filled. Seating Limited – Register now to ensure a seat!

Click here to register.

Please print and bring your registration receipt to the retreat.

Cattlemens Restaurant
12409 Folsom Blvd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

CWC Sacramento Holiday Social Invitation for December 8

https://www.cwcsacramentowriters.org/

Reserve Your Seat Today!

 Sunday, December 8, 2019, 2:00-4:00

CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB, SACRAMENTO

Holiday Celebration!

  • Dinner, Program and Dessert
  • No-Host Bar
  • Live Music
  • Games and  Prizes

Old Spaghetti Factory
12401 Folsom Blvd. (Nimbus Winery)
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

  • Cost is $25.00 per person (includes entrée, bread, salad, beverage, dessert, tip, and tax).
  • Pay by cash, credit card or check at CWC’s regular meetings or by credit card at CWC Tickets (click on “Select an option” for menu choices)
  • Payment and registration form must be received by November 29.
  • Seating is limited. Register early!
Member’s Name
Member’s Guests:
Entrée Choice Quantity Cost
Spaghetti with meat sauce @ $25
Mizithra cheese and pasta (vegetarian) @ $25
Chicken fettuccini alfredo @ $25
(Gluten-free available upon request.) TOTAL

Writers’ Retreat with Heather Lazare

Afternoon Writers’ Retreat with Former “Big Five” Senior Editor Heather Lazare:

Finding Your Path in the Publishing World

 

Heather Lazare

Editorial and Publishing Consultant
Former Editor, Simon & Schuster, Random House
Co-Founder, Northern California Writers’ Retreat

 

What have you always wanted to know from an insider about getting your book on the publishing path? Come to this exclusive opportunity to hear and interact with Heather Lazare, first-time in Sacramento!

Intensive session will cover how to get your book on the path that will hopefully lead to an auction. We’ll discuss query letters, comp titles, independent editors, retreats, conferences, beta readers, and more.

Session will cover:

  • How to find an independent editor (and how to know if you need one).
  • How to know when your book’s ready to submit to an agent.
  • Query letters: The Yes, the No, and the No Way. How to avoid pitfalls and make your book stand out.
  • What publishing houses are looking for and how to position yourself and your book.

Heather Lazare, Editorial and Publishing Consultant and co-founder of Northern California Writers’ Retreat, is a former Simon & Schuster Senior Editor. Prior to that, she worked as a Random House Editorial Assistant. Now she’s back in California, where with Literary Agent Chelsea Lindman she founded the Northern California Writers’ Retreat. Heather specializes in adult and young adult fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, literary fiction, and thrillers. She has edited numerous high-profile books, which makes her a standout source of information. Examples of Heather’s work:  Madame Toussaud, Cleopatra’s Daughter, Jasmine Nights, Astor Place Heritage, Mermaid, The Fairest of them All, Three Maids for a Crown, Yoga Cures, Female Nomad and Friends, Lighthouse Bay, Royal Mistress, The Chalice, Destiny’s Divas, The Enough Moment, Landing Gear, Happily Ever After.

When: 1:30-5:00 PM, Sat, May 18 – Following the regularly-scheduled luncheon meeting

Where: Cattlemens Restaurant, adjacent to Nimbus Winery off Hwy 50, 12409 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova

What to Bring:  Your query letter and/or the first couple pages of your novel –  let an expert give you her advice!

What is Provided:  Writing materials, coffee, soda, and snacks

Cost: $65/Members (40% discount); $109/Non Members

(go to  www.sacramentowriters.org/about-cwc/join/ for details on how to join and pay the member price!)

Deadline: May 4 or until session is filled. Seating Limited! Register now to ensure a seat!

Refund Policy: Refunds will be considered upon written request, submitted no later than May 4 to CWC Sacramento President Kimberly A. Edwards at sacramentowriters@gmail.com

Click here to register.

Please print and bring your registration receipt to the retreat.