Sonoma County Literary Update

Writers’ Connections

There are many ways for Sonoma County writers and artists to get together, both formally and informally. One way is to check out the arts councils, writers’ groups and associations, and online connections listed here.

Sonoma County Arts Councils and Writers’ Organizations

Healdsburg Literary Guild
North and East Bay Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Petaluma Arts Council
Redwood Writers Branch of California Writer’s Club
Sebastopol Center for the Arts

A Guide to Writing Programs for College-Bound Students may be found at: www.thebestcolleges.org/rankings/online-bachelors-writing

If you are looking for a group, or would like to invite others in the literary community to join your writers’ group or network or have a professional service to offer writers, send an announcement to sonomacountyliteraryupdate@gmail.com. Any new listings will be announced in the monthly newsletter. These may be updated at any time.

Author’s Assistant

Author’s Assistant wanted to promote newly published books and to research and edit developing projects in contemplation, universal spirituality and new monasticism. Qualifications include previous marketing experience, excellent writing skills, and knowledge of digital media and website management. Proven effective follow through is essential. Part-time, 20-30 hours per week. Work from home. To apply go to beverly@beverlylanzetta.net. Include your contact information, previous marketing and/or publishing experience, and why you are interested in this particular job.

Author Seeks Support Group

I have been a writer for many years (poetry and stories). I want to join or host a writers group with men and women for sharing ideas, advice, critiques, wisdom, joy. Please be in touch. I live in Graton. Theresa, 824-0645, kcwmn1@gmail.com.

BOOK ARTS

Sonoma County Book Arts Guild:
If you make books, alter books, want to learn to make books please join us at the Center for the Arts. The intent is to create a group to share work, teach techniques, take field trips, invite guest artists to teach, and have a show.

15-Adult
Painting/Drawing Studio

Last Saturday of each month, 10 am-12 pm
Fee: $2-$5 donation to cover facility use

Contact Dena Bliss 829-1732

Call for Screenwriter

Looking for experienced  local screenwriter to help adapt my recently published book to screen. Contact David Sortino: davidsortino@comcast.net

Call for Scriptwriters on Weekly Radio Show

Are you an accomplished scriptwriter looking for a long-term project to sink your creativity into? Ocean Rudee & Company of Sebastopol is in the process of pulling together a team of 4 to 6 ‘scriptors’. Project responsibilities will include: the development of an ongoing series of radio serial dramas and related multi-media programs for children from 4 to 8-years of age (as well as their parents, teachers and primary caregivers).

Prior experience writing for children is not necessary. An understanding of how to write for continuity, how to maintain and adhere to a well developed set of character profiles, the ability to function well as a team player, a love of children’s literature and an abiding commitment to the muse – are essential.

If this is you, please visit Ocean Rudee’s website (www.oceanrudee.com) and send them off an e-mail expressing your interest in learning more.

John Christian’s Music for Writers

Writers and Poets: John is composing wonderful original music and video to accompany a poem you’re written. Here is one he created for poet Neal Grace: https://youtu.be/yx7_mNwAO2I

Creating a CD? Need it recorded? Need a videographer for your reading and/or a book trailer? John Christian composes the perfect keyboard/organ/accordion music for your writing, as well as offers recording in his studio. John is also available with music for your live events or professional photography and video. http://smokinkeys.weebly.com and http://johnchristiandigitalmedia.weebly.com

Critique Swap Sought

I am a literary fiction writer with a magical realism novel in need of critique. I am looking for other writers to swap manuscripts for mutual feedback.  I prefer to meet in person, so you should be local – Marin or Sonoma County resident. I can read and edit your novel or collection of short stories. I am interested in literary fiction, as opposed to more commercial genres. Please e-mail me at cboaknin@verizon.net if you are interested.

Developmental Editor Sought

Published writer is seeking editorial and creative assistance from a content editor/”creative” coach, specifically a developmental editor who sees writing clients weekly. Prefer someone in Marin or Sonoma County. Topic/theme: non-fiction manuscript related to solitude/wilderness/creativity. Contact Daniel Edelstein: danieledelstein@att.net

Developmental Editing Offered by Jordan Rosenfeld

• Personalized agreement that allows you to specify your concerns and goals
• In-text comments and line edits on the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses on such areas as: Plot, character development, scene mastery, dramatic tension, flow of ideas, etc. (Not a full copy-edit)
• Notes and edits on common style/grammar problems found within manuscript (not a complete copy-edit)
• A comprehensive summary letter addressing all key issues with strategies for revision
• A single 20 minute phone consult is included.

Developmental Critique (without line edits):

• Personalized agreement that allows you to specify your concerns and goals
• A comprehensive summary letter addressing all key issues with strategies for revision
• A single 20 minute phone consult is included.

Types of work I edit:

• Novels of all genres
• Memoirs
• Non-fiction books
• Non-fiction book proposals
• Essays and short stories

Contact Jordan for editing needs: jordanwritelife (at) gmail (dot) com

Dine With Local Authors Seeks Authors

Authors, if you would like to have your books distributed in nine local cafes, please contact Jeane  Sloane, info@jeaneslone.com. Dine With Local Authors takes place on the second Monday of every month at Gaia’s Cafe in Santa Rosa.

Editing and Proofreading Services for Local Authors

Nationally published writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience offers line-by-line editing and proofreading of narrative nonfiction. Search LinkedIn for “Melissa Chianta” to see résumé. Call or write for rates: 415.446.9590 (no texts); melissa.chianta@gmail.com.

Editor seeks partner for literary journal

Looking for someone to partner with me on Ginosko Literary Journal, http://GinoskoLiteraryJournal.com. Would like help promoting Ginosko for submissions, developing website, going into print—I am open to new ideas. Pay by project, not much, but good experience for creative writing students and emerging writers. Good way to learn the literary landscape. Download free issues to get an idea of the tone & style of Ginosko. Contact Robert Cesaretti at EditorGinosko@aol.com.

​Expert Editing, Dynamic Coaching

Professional editor with decades of experience offers a free consultation and short sample edit to serious writers. Let’s make sure your words will speak well of you, because quality tells. All projects considered, specializing in fiction and memoir. Mary DeDanan, www.CatchWord.biz. [added 12/2/2019]

The International Women’s Writing Guild

The IWWG is a network for the personal and professional empowerment of women through writing. As such, it has established a remarkable record of achievement in the publishing world, as well as in circles where lifelong learning and personal transformation are valued for their own sake. The Guild nurtures and supports holistic thinking by recognizing the logic of the heart—the ability to perceive the subtle interconnections between people, events and emotions—alongside conventional logic. For more information about how to join the IWWG, contact Caroline Brumleve: e-mail iwwg@iwwg.org or visit their website at www.iwwg.org.

Make your own AUDIO BOOK!

Want to make a audio book or use local voice actors? The Cmedia Lab is a non-profit sponsored by the city of Santa Rosa.
For a fee of $85.00 a year or $44.50 for six months you can use their state of the art equipment and technicians! Please call: 569-8785, John Moran, email jmoran@cmedialabs.org; or email info@jeaneslone.com for first hand experience!

North Bay Creative Prose

My writers group is looking for committed Bay Area writers willing to meet every two weeks in a coffee shop for mutual critique. The objective is to help each other focus on writing, whether it is a novel, a short story or a memoir, through constructive feedback in a supportive, productive, and inspiring environment.

I write literary fiction. I am presently working on a novel, and have published short stories long ago and far away.

Please e-mail me for more information.
Claudia Boaknin
e-mail: cboaknin@verizon.net

North Bay Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

SCBWI is a professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s books. For more information contact Charles Markee, charles-t@charlesmarkee.com To find out more about the society visit the website at www.scbwi.org and to learn more about events in the North Bay go to http://sfnortheastbay.scbwi.org

Prints of Poets

The Iota printshop in Sebastopol offers to print letterpress versions of poems for poets performing at local readings. We will handset a poem of yours and print it on 8.5″ x 11″ paper in quantity sufficient for handing out at a reading, a book signing …or just to drop from a drone. If you’re especially interested in the printing process, come down and help us. You can learn how to typeset a few lines pretty quickly, and printing on the old presses is a unique experience of publishing. Sweat equity is most appreciated. Donations are okay too. Contact: info@northbayletterpressarts.org

The Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club

Redwood Writers is one of 17 branches of the California Writers Club, the nation’s oldest professional club for writers, founded in 1909.  Its motto is “writers helping writers.” Early members included Jack London, George Sterling, John Muir, Joaquin Miller and the first California poet laureate, Ina Coolbrith. The Club has more than 1,200 members statewide.

Additional contact information: www.redwoodwriters.org

Screenwriter/Collaborator needed

I am looking to collaborate with an experienced screenwriter on my recently published book The Promised Cookie (See Amazon).  If you know of  an experienced writer(s) with some credits to his/her name please e-mail David Sortino at davidsortino@comcast.net.

Sitting Room Book Discussion Group

We meet 2:00-4:00 pm on the third Wednesday of every month, skipping December, at The Sitting Room and are always open to new readers. For more info, email Joanne Page at jpage@sonic.net.

Dee Sunshine’s Book Art and Cover Art

I am an artist, illustrator and graphic designer.  If you need an illustration for a book cover, or if you need a book jacket design I can offer up my services.  I have an online gallery of over 1,000 images that are available for reproduction at http://www.rimbaud.org.uk/artmainpage.html.

I have provided artwork for books by Clarinda Harriss, Kay Green, Janet Buck, David Bircumshaw, Marcy Jarvis, Rupert Loydell and Norman Jope among others; and I’ve had my art published in numerous periodicals including The North American Review, International Poetry Review, Orbis, Ambit, Cimarron Review, Black Mountain Review, Rattapallax and Bayou Review.  You can see sample book jackets at http://www.rimbaud.org.uk/jacketmain.html

I work in acrylic, pastel, charcoal, pen & ink, photomontage & collage: each medium having it’s own specific style; and am sure I would have something in stock that would suit most needs.  As the works are already completed (rather than produced to commission) I can be flexible about reproduction fees, depending on the budget of your publisher, or indeed your own budget, if you are self-publishing.  If you like my work and want to use it, write to me and I’m sure we can come to some arrangement.

Website — www.thunderburst.co.uk
Blogger — http://deerimbaud.blogspot.com
MySpace — www.myspace.com/captainmelted
Facebook — www.facebook.com/captainmelted

Video and Recording Services for Authors

Book trailers, live event video, editing, special effects, musical accompaniment, Youtube placement, audio books, voice over. Full recording studio. Low introductory rates. Email John Christian at jsc10@hughes.net. For a sample, see: http://youtu.be/JN-_vj0jcE

Welcome to WritingRaw.com

Writing Raw is a FREE literary ezine dedicated to new and emerging writers of the following categories: FICTION, POETRY and ASSORTED writings. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple — to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill. WritingRaw.com

Women’s Poetry Group

I would like to start a women’s poetry group. We could meet monthly and discuss what each of us has written. We could meet at someone’s home, or my place here in Santa Rosa. Please email back if interested. Carol, hivalley@sonic.net