Join Us January 26 for ‘Websites That Wow Readers’ With Pauline Wiles
In January, we are pleased to host website designer Pauline Wiles, who will help you learn how to create or update your online home.
Mary C. Moore on ‘How to Query an Agent’ September 22
If you want your book published by one of the big publishing houses, you need an agent. How do you get an agent? You write a letter.
Mary C. Moore, a literary agent with the Tiburon-based Kimberly Cameron & Associates, will be presenting “How to Query an Agent” on September 22 at 2 pm.
She will review the most important elements of query letters and critique a few live queries if participants print theirs out and bring them in.
Mary C. Moore graduated from Mills College, Oakland with a MFA in Creative Writing and English in 2012, dabbled in freelance editing and copy-writing before started an internship at Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She quickly fell in love with agenting, and dedicated two years as Kimberley’s assistant, before beginning her own client list, making deals with Harper Collins, Penguin Random House, Macmillan and more.
‘Why I Wrote an Assisted Suicide Family Thriller’ November 2 at Tam Valley Cabin
California Writers Club Marin will be co-hosting two events this fall as part of Reimagine End of Life SF, a community wide exploration of big questions about life and death. More than 150 artists, storytellers, healthcare professionals, innovators, designers, faith and community leaders, organizations, and individuals will be banding together to amplify the end-of-life conversation.
Most events are in San Francisco, but also in Oakland, Berkeley, Petaluma, Mill Valley, and beyond.
We’ll be co-hosting “Why I Wrote an Assisted Suicide Family Thriller” on October 26 at Mo’Joe Cafe in Berkeley and November 2 in Mill Valley. Author and CWC Marin board member John Byrne Barry will read from his book — When I Killed My Father: An Assisted Suicide Family Thriller — and lead a conversation about end of life concerns — family decisions, dementia, dying, and more.
The book is fiction, but inspired by his mother’s last ten years, as she fell deeper into dementia.
The story follows psychologist Lamar Rose, whose father is suffering from cancer and dementia, and has asked his son to help him die. Lamar refuses, but his father keeps asking, and he relents. Then, at his father’s memorial, Lamar’s sister accuses him of murder from the pulpit of the church.
The event in Marin is at the Tam Valley Cabin, 60 Tennessee Valley Road. It’s free, but Reimagine urges folks to RSVP. After John reads from his novel and talks about what he learned while researching and writing the book, he will lead a conversation about the challenges and unexpected rewards that come with the end of life. Such as:
- What happens when families can’t agree about health care decisions?
- How do we respond when loved ones say they want to die?
- How do we treat dementia patients with kindness — reality therapy or compassionate fibbing?
- How we initiate end-of-life conversations when people refuse to talk about it?
Read more at johnbyrnebarry.com. You can also sign up through our Facebook event page.
Share Your First Page(s) at August 22 Summer Salon
On Thursday, July 26, one of our CMC Marin members hosted a lively discussion on “blurbs” in her home in Mill Valley. We took turns reading our latest book blurbs or intros and got great feedback from the others. Five people came—a good number for such intense give-and-take. Excellent critiques—nobody’s blurb was perfect—and we’re free to follow the advice or not.
We’re doing it again on Thursday, August 22, this time in San Rafael, 7 to 9 pm. The topic will be “First pages.” You’ll read the beginning of your book and get feedback. These events are free, but you must RSVP. Limit 8 people. (Directions will be sent to those who RSVP.)
Each reader will get five to ten minutes total for reading and feedback. The events will be potluck style so bring an appetizer or a bottle of wine and come join us!
RSVP to marincwc@gmail.com for directions and additional information. If you’re one of the first eight people, we’ll guarantee you a slot. We may have time for more.
First Summer Salon on July 25 at 7 pm— Pitch Your Book Blurb
We had such a positive experience the past two summers hosting evening salons that we’re doing it again this summer. Open to a maximum of ten participants, the salons are hosted at a member’s home and everyone gets a chance to read and get feedback.
The first salon, on Thursday, July 25, 7 pm, will give participants the opportunity to read their book pitch — whether to a prospective agent or the blurb on the web.
Each reader will get five to ten minutes total for reading and feedback. The events will be potluck style so bring an appetizer or a bottle of wine and come join us!
RSVP to marincwc@gmail.com for directions and additional information. If you’re one of the first ten people, we’ll guarantee you a slot. We may have time for more.
We’ll host our second salon on August 22, where participants will be able to get feedback on their first pages.
Join Us June 23 for ‘Bring Your Book to Life in Audio’ with Becky Parker Geist
Audiobooks are hot—but can also be costly to produce. Find out what you need to know to make good decisions about audio and how to leverage an audiobook to achieve your goals. You’ll learn:
- Key considerations in audiobook decision-making
- Production: how to, how long, how much
- Distribution—options, royalties
- Marketing your audiobook to achieve your goals
The presentation will be led by Becky Parker Geist, an audiobook producer and narrator with 37+ years of experience in the audiobook industry. She is the owner of Pro Audio Voices, serving clients internationally for audiobook production and marketing. Becky has narrated and/or produced well over 200 titles to date. Committed to leadership, Becky serves as President of BAIPA (Bay Area Independent Publishers Association) and is a member of IBPA, APA (Audio Publishers Association), and SCBWI. She is the author of 5 titles, including Audiobook Toolkit for Authors: Your Comprehensive Guide to Recording Your Own Audiobook, now available at authortoolkit.com. Her passion is to help great stories come alive!