Next Meeting: Thursday, 26 May 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Corner Bakery, 13786D Jamboree Rd. Suite 4 (Tustin Marketplace), Irvine
19 May meeting notes; 26 May reading list
19 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (six chapters from The Spirit of 1942), Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Two late-breaking author group meetings this weekend!
- SCWA: Saturday, 21 May, 10 a.m. in the Regency Theater in SJC. Joe Ide speaks on “The Challenge of Writing a Contemporary Phillip Marlowe”
- Sisters in Crime OC: Sunday, 22 May, 3 p.m. at Book Carnival in Orange. Author August Norman is the featured guest.
26 MAY READING LIST
Rosie (5/19)
Donna R. (5/12)
Glenda (5/19)
Joanne (5/19)
Benafsha A. (5/19)
Gloria A. (5/19)
Leighanne C. (5/12)
Lance (5/19)
Burt (5/19)
Chris L. (5/19)
12 May meeting notes; 19 May reading list
12 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a half-chapter from Grown in the Shade), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda (the first half of a short story, “The Secret of Red”), Gloria A. (two half-chapters from Toxin), Joanne (a short story, “Competitive Anomaly”), Leighanne C., and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
A reminder: we’re meeting at Corner Bakery in the Tustin Marketplace, just across the parking lot from the Barnes & Noble where we used to meet over ten years ago.
19 MAY READING LIST
Rosie (5/12)
Donna R. (5/12)
Lance (4/21)
Burt (4/21)
Chris L. (5/12)
Glenda (5/12)
Joanne (5/12)
Benafsha A. (5/12)
Gloria A. (5/12)
Leighanne C. (5/12)
Upcoming author events, May 2022
The following author events will take place online in May. Click on the venue links for more information and for registration or access codes. Events pop up unpredictably, so return to your favorite venues during the month to see if anything new has surfaced.
- Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m.: Emmeline Duncan, Double Shot Death (in person)
- Saturday, May 7, 2 p.m.: Chris Hauty, Storm Rising (in person)
- Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.: Dave Lopez, It’s a Great Life If You Don’t Weaken (in person)
- Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m.: Mike Befeler, Old Detectives Home (in person)
HUNTINGTON BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
- Thursday, May 12, 12 p.m.: Author luncheon with Hollie Overton & Joani Elliott
- Saturday, May 7, 1 p.m.: Mike Befeler, Old Detectives Home
- Saturday, May 28, 1: Gary Phillips, One Shot Harry
- Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.: Russell Nohelty, “Fund Your Book with Kickstarter”; Ines Johnson, “Writing Serialized Fiction”
SISTERS-IN-CRIME ORANGE COUNTY
- Sunday, May 22, 3 p.m.: author August Norman (at Book Carnival in Orange)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITERS ASSOCIATION
- Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.: Joe Ide, “The Challenge of Writing a Contemporary Phillip Marlowe”
5 May meeting notes; 12 May reading list
5 MAY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (two half-chapters from Grown in the Shade), Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), and Joanne.
NEWS & NOTES
A reminder: we’re meeting at Corner Bakery in the Tustin Marketplace, just across the parking lot from the Barnes & Noble where we used to meet over ten years ago.
12 MAY READING LIST
Rosie (4/21)
Donna R. (5/5)
Lance (4/21)
Burt (4/21)
Glenda (5/5)
Joanne (5/5)
Benafsha A. (5/5)
Gloria A. (5/5)
Chris L. (5/5)
28 Mar meeting notes; 5 May reading list
28 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A., Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Glenda (part 2 of the short story, “Once Upon a Time Forevermore”), Gloria A., and Joanne (a short story, “Just the Facts”).
NEWS & NOTES
Donna thanked everyone who made her 24 April launch party a success.
5 MAY READING LIST
Rosie (4/21)
Donna R. (4/28)
Lance (4/21)
Burt (4/21)
Benafsha A. (4/28)
Gloria A. (4/28)
Glenda (4/28)
Joanne (4/28)
Chris L. (4/28)
The last place Denise wanted to land after college was back with her folks in her Podunk-nowhere hometown. With only retail experience on her resume, her writing accolades apparently mean nothing except student loan debt.
So when her parents say they’re moving to an adult living community where she’ll be sleeping on the couch, it’s the last straw. Putting her fruitless creative dreams aside, she interviews with a wealthy couple to watch their retired greyhounds. Sounds easy—until she has to win over their animal psychic and learn to cook steak for dogs. The hounds’ raucous antics only highlight how clueless she is at life as she struggles to not only control them, but the direction she’s headed.
That includes her love life. She meets Logan—hot, ambitious, a player—around the same time her twice-over ex, Alex, calls her, ready for a real relationship. Logan claims the world is her playground; Alex says everything she needs is right there. Not knowing what to do, Denise juggles dating both, falling further down an emotional rabbit hole.
Running toward a shady relationship, with retail hell looming, Denise has the summer to figure out her biggest problem: herself.
Available for Kindle on Amazon
Available in ePub on Kobo | Nook | Smashwords
Trade paperback available at Amazon
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21 Mar meeting notes; 28 Mar reading list
21 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Grown in the Shade), Burt (a revised Act II/Scene 2 from When the Shvitz Hits the Fan), Chris L., Glenda, Gloria A. (the second half of the first chapter from Toxin), Joanne, Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Donna’s launch party for Running with Hounds…and an English Degree is happening at Book Carnival in Orange this Sunday, 24 April, at 2 p.m. PFL’s own Maddie Margarita will be there to drive the conversation.
28 APRIL READING LIST
Rosie (4/21)
Donna R. (4/7)
Glenda (4/21)
Lance (4/21)
Joanne (4/21)
Chris L. (4/21)
Burt (4/21)
Benafsha A. (4/21)
Gloria A. (4/21)
14 Apr meeting notes; 21 Apr reading list
14 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A., Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda (the first half of a short story, “Once Upon a Time Forevermore”), Gloria A., Joanne (a character sketch, “Skin in the Game”), and Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises). For only the second time in memory, all six attendees brought something to read.
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time.
21 APRIL READING LIST
Rosie (3/31)
Donna R. (4/7)
Burt (4/7)
Benafsha A. (4/14)
Gloria A. (4/14)
Glenda (4/14)
Lance (4/14)
Joanne (4/14)
Chris L. (4/14)
The Muzeo Virtual Open Book Author Series will feature LIT UP! on Saturday, 10 April, moderated by 
PFL’s own Maddie Margarita.
Two featured authors will discuss competing with digital media for children and teens’ attention and writing books kids will read. The lineup:
- Lillian Nader (children)
- Russ Thompson (YA)
The Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center sponsors the Open Book series. This event will take place on Zoom. The program runs 12-1 p.m.
7 Apr meeting notes; 14 Apr reading list
7 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters of Grown in the Shade), Burt (two revised chapters of The Spirit of 1942), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (the first chapter of Toxin), and Joanne.
NEWS & NOTES
Donna’s launch party for Running with Hounds…and an English Degree is happening at Book Carnival in Orange on Sunday, 24 April, at 2 p.m. PFL’s own Maddie Margarita will be there to drive the conversation.
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time.
14 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (4/7)
Lance (3/31)
Rosie (3/31)
Donna R. (4/7)
Joanne (4/7)
Chris L. (4/7)
Burt (4/7)
Benafsha A. (4/7)
Gloria A. (4/7)
31 Mar meeting notes; 7 Apr reading list
24 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Nine(!) people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a prologue for System Kid), Donna R. (a potential lead magnet for Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne (a vignette, “Turn on a Dollar”), Lance, and Rosie (a revised chapter from The Lion and the Eagle).
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie won a book prize pack from Kate Quinn, author of historical suspense novels such as The Alice Network and The Rose Code.
Lance launched a new website for his proposed Kate DeWitt Adventures historical espionage/mystery series.
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time.
7 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (3/31)
Burt (3/31)
Benafsha A. (3/31)
Lance (3/31)
Gloria A. (3/31)
Rosie (3/31)
Donna R. (3/31)
Joanne (3/31)
Chris L. (3/31)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
24 Mar meeting notes; 31 Mar reading list
24 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Chris L. (the first chapter of System Kid), Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne (a character sketch, “My Example”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time.
31 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/24)
Rosie (3/24)
Donna R. (3/24)
Burt (3/17)
Joanne (3/24)
Benafsha A. (3/24)
Lance (3/24)
Chris L. (3/24)
Gloria A. (3/24)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
Casey (2/10)
17 Mar meeting notes; 24 Mar reading list
17 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eight(!) people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt (a revised opening for The Spirit of 1942), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a character sketch, “The Blankety-Blankety Brace”), Lance (a revised chapter from Bluejay Rises), and potential new member Gloria A. (welcome!).
NEWS & NOTES
Donna R. showed off her author’s proof trade paperback for Running with Hounds…and an English Degree.
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time.
24 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/17)
Rosie (3/10)
Donna R. (3/17)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
Joanne (3/17)
Benafsha A. (3/17)
Burt (3/17)
Lance (3/17)
Chris L. (3/17)
Casey (2/10)
10 Mar meeting notes; 17 Mar reading list
10 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A., Glenda, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), Rosie, and potential new member Chris L.
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha recommended the Apex Writers Group. Memberships include live and recorded seminars, writers’ forums, networking with other authors, and presentations by publishing industry veterans.
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time. Corner Bakery is next to the Regal Edwards movie theaters on the east side of Jamboree, across the parking lot from Barnes & Noble and about two blocks south of Panera Bread.
Now that we’re no longer virtual, the usual reading-list-management policies are back in force.
17 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/10)
Rosie (3/10)
Donna R. (3/3)
Joanne (3/10)
Benafsha A. (3/10)
Burt (3/3)
Lance (3/10)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
Casey (2/10)
Leighanne (11/18)
Scott B. (11/18)
3 Mar meeting notes; 10 Mar reading list
3 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt (a revised Act 1 opening for When the Shvitz Hits the Fan), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a revised but still very short story, “Puberty: Not a Slam-Dunk Touchdown”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) until either it proves unsuitable or Panera reverts to its previous closing time. Corner Bakery is next to the Regal Edwards movie theaters on the east side of Jamboree, across the parking lot from Barnes & Noble and about two blocks south of Panera Bread.
Now that we’re no longer virtual, the usual reading-list-management policies are back in force.
10 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/3)
Rosie (3/3)
Casey (2/10)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
Donna R. (3/3)
Lance (3/3)
Joanne (3/3)
Benafsha A. (3/3)
Burt (3/3)
Leighanne (11/18)
Scott B. (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Pure Fiction League 