PHOTOS FROM PAST MEETINGS AND EVENTS

December Meeting 2007

Susan Taylor Brown shared her writing journey from girlhood to the present day, and gave us helps to balance our time, work through rejection and keep ourself inspired and motivated.

November Meeting 2007

New Pleasanton Poet Laureatc Martha Meltzer joined us and shared her "Poetry in the Everyday"

October Meeting 2007

September Meeting 2007

Elizabeth Tuck, professional editor gives memebers "five minutes of fame" as she critiques work...

June Meeting 2007

NEW PRESIDENT KATHY URBAN GIVES WARMEST THANKS TO OUTGOING PRESIDENT SUE TASKER, NOW SERVING AS OUR NEW VICE PRESIDENT    Also in June, Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff helped us discover how we can use comedy techniques to make our writing sparkle. She has over three hundred credits, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Parents Magazine, Columbia, Children’s Writer, and Writer’s Digest. She’s written several humorous books for children, and is a columnist for Byline Magazine.

May Meeting 2007

Linda Watanabe McFerrin Exploring New Ground: How to Break Into the Travel Writing Market and Discover Publishing Success. As a poet, travel writer, novelist and teacher, editor of Best Places Northern California, 4th edition. A winner of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction, her work has also appeared in Wild Places, In Search of Adventure and American Fiction.

March 17, 2007

February 17, 2007

Susan Bono's Lecture and Workshop

Susan is a writing teacher, editor and freelance writer delighted us with a lecture workshop on memoir writing and addressed what drives the process and how we convince perfect strangers to read it, in addition to writing exercises. She has published Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Essay, since 1995, along with its online counterpart at www.tiny-lights.com.

January 20, 2007

Author Maureen Biro's two hour intensive workshop

"Dreamcrafting: A Writer's Guide to Understanding and Utilizing the Power of Dreams"

December 16, 2006

Bobbie Kinkaed

Bobbie discussed how stories "speak to us," the art of storytelling, and how oral skills complement the writing process.

November 18, 2006

Camille Minichino - Mystery writer

October 21, 2006

Robin Orsini, the Comma Queen from Editcetera presented a workshop on punctuation, and summarized some very common punctuation mistakes that writers often make.

          

       
 
After the luncheon, Tri-Valley Writers gathered for a critique session, which enabled them to share their writing and get feedback.

September 9 , 2006

Li Keng Wong — Memoir Writing: The Life of an Immigrant

June 6, 2006

   
Selene Steece
Theatrical poet, singer and songwriter, Selene entertained the audience.

May 6, 2006 PHOTOS

Elisa Kleven
Award-winning children's author and illustrator delighted the writer's group.

April 22, 2006

SPECIAL EVENT ~ VALLEY FUNDRAISER AT BARNES & NOBLE BOOKS

Many authors joined us for book signings and conversation at
Barnes & Noble in Dublin; MJ Ryan, Jessica Barksdale Inclan, Elisa Kleven, Kathy Cordova, Annette Langer, Hector Timourian,
Janice Williams and Sarah Wilsons

February 4, 2006 PHOTOS

Our Speaker, Gary Bogue

Shannon Brown (middle)
    Winner of the Pleasanton Poetry, Prose and Arts Festival Drawing

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Kelly Studies Gary's Upcoming Children's Book and Frank visits with new members.

December 3 , 2005 PHOTOS

Following our lunch on December 3, guest speaker Judy Wheeler shared her vast
knowledge of the book industry. Owner of Towne Center Books in Pleasanton, Judy has worked for more than 20 years in the publishing field. She shared tips on how to find a niche for your particular book project, how to sell it to a publisher, and the marketing process to reach the reader. Calling this season the “The Pop-Up Christmas,” Judy talked about trends, classics and “sleeper” bestsellers, and the differences between small independents and retail chains.

NOVEMBER 5, 2005 PHOTOS

Mary Jane Ryan, best-selling inspirational author and former CEO and Editorial director of Conan Press, Berkeley, California, honored us as guest speaker for the afternoon. She gave everyone a list of "The Nine Habits of Highly Effective Writers" and elaborated on her own experiences. We left feeling inspired and uplifted.

PHOTOS FROM OUR FIRST MEETING

At our first meeting Fred Norman opens with the enthusiasm many are feeling about the organization of the Tri-Valley Writers group. Sue Tasker, our delightful president, backs him and adds her greetings and announcements. The speaker, Penny Warner shared a wonderful and funny history of her experiences, giving encouragement and practical suggestions for writers. Steve Workman gave us information about memberships and everyone was introduced. We all had a grand time together, getting to know each other, sharing our interests and creative works...and all this with a delicious luncheon.