by Nate Hoffelder | Sep 22, 2025 | Events
A Poetry Writing Workshop
Saturday, Nov 1
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Mill Valley Public Library
FREE, but seating is limited
Poets often write their poems in response to the work of other poets. Sometimes, these poets are close friends, sometimes they are separated by years and generations. In this workshop, we’ll discover and read great poems that have inspired later poets, and write our own poems inspired by these sources. Come to the workshop with pen, paper, and a willingness to be surprised.
About the presenter: Judy Halebsky is the author of three poetry collections, most recently Spring and a Thousand Years (Unabridged). With Ayako Takahashi, she translated a collection of Wago Ryoichi’s poems from Japanese to English titled, Since Fukushima. Her honors include fellowships from MacDowell, Millay Arts, and the Vermont Studio Center as well as a Graves Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Humanities. She directs the MFA in Creative Writing program at Dominican University of California.
This program is presented in collaboration with the California Writers Club of Marin and Dominican University.
by Nate Hoffelder | Aug 26, 2025 | Events
Creative Writing Retreat
Saturday, October 4
10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Edgehill Mansion, Dominican Univ Campus
$85 Non-CWC Members
$35 for CWC Members (any branch – use discount code CWCDISCOUNT)
As autumn comes to Marin County, the heat begins to ease, the days get shorter, and writers get a second wind. Could you use some fresh inspiration and camaraderie to help you sprint to the 2025 finish line?
Join Dominican University of California MFA faculty for morning writing workshops followed by a shared meal (included in the registration fee). In the afternoon, editors share tips on how to prepare your writing for publication. At the end of the day, new book authors share their work and their stories. Come to the Dominican campus to grow as a writer and connect with a writing community. CWC Members: use the Member Discount to get more than forty percent off!
Workshops
- Multi-media Ekphrastic Writing for Poets & Writers with Maw Shein Win.
- Point of View: The Craft and Complexity of Third Person in Fiction and Creative Nonfiction with Claudia Morales.
- Live Storytelling – A Quick Start Guide with Judy Halebsky.
- Fiction Workshop
Lectures
- Tips from Editors to Writers with Julia Park Tracey of Sibylline Press and Marthine Satris of Heyday Books
- First Books Panel with Weijia Pan and Mary Alice Stephens.
- MFA Info Session with Judy Halebsky (optional)
$85 (CWC Members, use the discount code CWCDISCOUNT and pay only $35!)
Don’t wait! Seats are limited and October will be here before you know it!
by Nate Hoffelder | Jul 23, 2025 | Events
What Librarians Want Local Writers to Know: A Panel of Marin Librarians in Conversation with Author Michael J. Coffino
Saturday, Sept 20
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Mill Valley Public Library
FREE, but seating is limited!
How do authors get their books onto library shelves? How do librarians choose books and manage their budget? How do you pitch a library event? What can the public do to support local libraries? A panel of Marin librarians take time from their busy schedules to answer these questions and more. Author Michael J. Coffino will lead the discussion with time afterwards for your questions. The panel features Jenn Hooker (Mill Valley Library Adult Services Supervisor), Pamela Klein (San Rafael Library Adult Reference Librarian), Katrina Sadler (Marin County Free Library Services Manager,) and April Harper (Marin County Free Library Adult Collections).
by Nate Hoffelder | May 12, 2025 | Events
Members-Only Summer Salon
July 13 (Sun), 4-6 pm
Mill Valley
SORRY! July is FULL.
Aug 17 (Sun), 5-7 pm
San Rafael
SORRY! We’re Full!
Registration Closed
Join us for an evening of socializing and sharing creative work. If you’re feeling shy, this is the place to build your confidence. It’s hard to ‘put yourself out there’, but we are supportive! Summer Salons are always popular so register soon to hold your reading slot.
- Free
- Members Only (any CWC branch). The first ten Members who renew their membership (2025-26) ahead of the event will be guaranteed a reading slot.
- Not a Member yet? Join today!
- We can accommodate up to twenty readers per session
- Readers have the floor for five minutes each (about 750 words). We use a stopwatch and a cowbell, so practice ahead.
- Any original work is welcome (essay, excerpt, poem, etc.)
- When you register, please provide your name, email address, and whether you will read or not. You are welcome just to listen.
- Members may bring one guest (please let us know). Only Members may read but we encourage guests to join!
- Potluck – please bring a drink or hors d’oeuvre to share
- Mill Valley and San Rafael residential addresses will be provided just prior to the event to registered guests only
by Nate Hoffelder | Apr 29, 2025 | Contests
Left Behind
A Flash Fiction Contest
The California Writers Club Marin is accepting short-short story submissions! Winners will receive certificates of excellence and will appear on our website and the statewide website. External expert judges will be announced soon.
Theme: Left Behind
Prompt: Craft a gripping 500–1000 word short-short story that explores leaving something-or-someone behind or being left behind. Capture a powerful moment in a brief burst of storytelling. Show us what’s left behind—and what lingers on.
Flash fiction features short-short stories with high impact.
Important Dates: Winners will be announced in the November newsletter!
Submission Guidelines:
ELIGIBILITY: Current California Writers Club Members, any branch. (Exception: Board Members of CWC Marin and volunteers working on the Contest are ineligible.)
Format: Word document (.doc or .docx)
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced, with page numbers
- File Name: StoryTitle.FlashContest.Date
- Cover Sheet: Include your full name, mailing address, phone number, email, and CWC branch.
- Story Pages: No author’s name should appear on any story page, only the cover sheet.
How to Submit:
Submissions now closed
Scoring Criteria:
✔ Story length between 500-1,000 words (deductions for outside limits)
✔ Opening immediately engages with tone, setting, or conflict
✔ Well-developed characters through action, voice, or vivid detail
✔ Clear beginning, middle, and end with story progression
✔ Resonance of deeper meaning, emotion, or universal truth
✔ Satisfying and memorable ending
✔ Fresh, original voice and concept—no clichés
✔ Crisp, polished prose appropriate to genre and mood
✔ All entries will be screened for plagiarism and AI generation
