Next Meeting: Thursday, 6 August, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
30 July meeting notes; 6 Aug reading list
30 JULY MEETING NOTES
Nine (!) people attended: Benafsha A. (a new chapter from Jewels of Herat), Darryl M., Donna R., Jo, Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, Matthew M. (a chapter from A Taste of Ink), and Paul D. (two chapters from an untitled historical adventure novel).
NEWS & NOTES
Last call: Burt’s family is hosting a celebration of his life on Sunday, August 2, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Room 1AB, Corona del Mar. RSVP at https://burtgolden.com/burt-golden-celebration-of-life/.
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Saturday, Aug. 1, 2 p.m.: David Lewis, The Paris Chase (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Aug. 2, 2 p.m.: Victor Wong, “The Thought Process of a Crime and Intelligence Analyst” (in person for Sisters in Crime L.A. at Radford Studios in Studio City) (registration required)
6 AUGUST READING LIST
Leighanne (7/30)
Donna R. (7/30)
Jo (7/30)
Joanne (7/30)
Lance (7/30)
Rosie (7/23)
Darryl M. (7/30)
Matthew M. (7/30)
Paul D. (7/30)
Benafsha A. (7/30)
Upcoming author events, August 2026
The following author events will take place online in August. The featured guest will appear in person unless otherwise noted. 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.
- Saturday, Aug. 1, 2 p.m.: David Lewis, The Paris Chase
- Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m.: Ellen Byron, A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras and All Aboard for Murder; Nicole Maggi, A Murder in Zion and Lost in Yellowstone
- Saturday, Aug. 22, 2 p.m.: Michael Chatfield, The Two Week Curse
HUNTINGTON BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
- Saturday, Aug. 22, 4 p.m.: Lee Goldberg and Tod Goldberg, “An Afternoon of Crime Fiction”
- Saturday, Aug. 8, 4:30 p.m.: Ellen Byron, A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras and All Aboard for Murder; Nicole Maggi, A Murder in Zion and Lost in Yellowstone
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m.: Naomi Hirahara, Crown City; Patricia Smiley, A Cold November Murder
All events at Studio 14 in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach
- Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Defrosted (at the Fountain Valley Branch Library, 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley)
- Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.: David Corbett, “Finding Your Story in Moments of Helplessness” (online)
- Sisters in Crime L.A.: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2 p.m.: Victor Wong, “The Thought Process of a Crime and Intelligence Analyst” (registration required)
- Sisters in Crime OC: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2:30 p.m.: Naomi Hirahara, Crown City; Elisabeth Rhoads, Haggard House (at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av., Orange)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITERS ASSOCIATION
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.: TBD (at Antonucci’s Restaurant, 24190 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; $30-40)
23 July meeting notes; 30 July reading list
23 JULY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Darryl M. (five (!) chapters from What He Saw in the Dark), Joanne (a short story, “Psyched Out Stage”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay’s Riviera), Leighanne, Paul D., and Rosie (two chapters from The Actress and Mr. Kennedy).
NEWS & NOTES
Darryl M. won second place in the 2026 Daphne du Maurier Award. Congratulations!
Last call: Burt’s family is hosting a celebration of his life on Sunday, August 2, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Room 1AB, Corona del Mar. RSVP at https://burtgolden.com/burt-golden-celebration-of-life/.
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Defrosted (in person for Mystery Ink at Studio 14 in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, July 25, 2 p.m.: Jennifer K. Morita, Ghosts of Waikiki (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, July 25, 2:30 p.m.: Captain Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens, “Arson Investigation” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av., Orange)
30 JULY READING LIST
Leighanne (7/23)
Donna R. (7/16)
Jo (7/16)
Matthew M. (7/16)
Paul D. (7/23)
Benafsha A. (7/23)
Joanne (7/23)
Lance (7/23)
Rosie (7/23)
Darryl M. (7/23)
16 July meeting notes; 23 July reading list
16 JULY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Darryl M. (a short story, “Death and the Distant Drummer”), Donna R., Jo, Lance, Leighanne, Matthew M. (a chapter from A Taste of Ink), Rosie (two opening chapters of a new book, The Actress and Mr. Kennedy), and our newest official member, Paul D.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.: Dennis K. Crosby, “Crafting Worlds Readers Never Want To Leave” (in person for SCWA at Antonucci’s Restaurant, 24190 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; $30-40)
- Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.: Sheila Lowe, Lies between the Lines (in person for Mystery Ink at Studio 14 in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m.: Sheila Lowe, Lies between the Lines; Judith Ayn, Dead Merchandise (in person at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.: Daniel Silva, Ransom (in person at the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills)
23 JULY READING LIST
Leighanne (7/16)
Donna R. (7/16)
Jo (7/16)
Joanne (7/9)
Lance (7/16)
Rosie (7/16)
Darryl M. (7/16)
Matthew M. (7/16)
Paul D. (7/16)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
9 July meeting notes; 16 July reading list
9 JULY MEETING NOTES
A bumper eight people attended: Darryl M., Jo (a chapter from Dandelion Seeds), Joanne (a short story, “Margaret’s Strange Traveling Companion”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay’s Riviera), Leighanne, Matthew M. (a chapter from A Taste of Ink), Rosie, and potential new member Paul D., who writes historical adventure (welcome!).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.: James Blatch, “Nailing Your Book package for the New Era of Search” and “Bigger Stories and Blockbusters” (in person for OC Romance Writers at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea)
- Saturday, July 11, 2 p.m.: Sarah Flocken, Be Well (in conversation with B.L. Blanchard) (in person at Book Carnival)
16 JULY READING LIST
Leighanne (7/9)
Donna R. (6/18)
Rosie (7/9)
Darryl M. (7/9)
Jo (7/9)
Matthew M. (7/9)
Joanne (7/9)
Lance (7/9)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
2 July meeting notes; 9 July reading list
2 JULY MEETING NOTES
Four people attended: Darryl M. (one revised and three new chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Jo, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay’s Riviera), and Leighanne.
NEWS & NOTES
Darryl M. revealed that he’s finished a full draft of What He Saw in the Darkness. (Congratulations!) He also recently won the California Writers Club Kelli Devan Edwards Memorial Grant. (Congratulations again!)
Burt’s family has finally set the date for a celebration of his life: Sunday, August 2, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Room 1AB, Corona del Mar. RSVP at https://burtgolden.com/burt-golden-celebration-of-life/.
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Thursday, July 9, 2 p.m.: Kitty Felde, How Much Do You Know About American Democracy? (in person at the El Toro Branch Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest)
9 JULY READING LIST
Leighanne (7/2)
Donna R. (6/18)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
Jo (7/2)
Rosie (6/25)
Matthew M. (6/25)
Joanne (6/25)
Lance (7/2)
Darryl M. (7/2)
25 June meeting notes; 2 July reading list
25 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Darryl M. (three chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Joanne (a short story, “Margaret’s Irregular Detour”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay’s Riviera), Leighanne, Matthew M. (the first chapter of an untitled horror/paranormal novel), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Burt’s family has finally set the date for a celebration of his life: Sunday, August 2, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Room 1AB, Corona del Mar. RSVP at https://burtgolden.com/burt-golden-celebration-of-life/.
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.: Aram Saroyan, Before I Forget: A Memoir (and Then Some) (in person at Book Carnival)
- Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m.: Lisa See, Daughters of the Sun and Moon (in person for the Huntington Beach Friends of the Library)
- Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m.: George Geary, Made in California (in person at the El Toro Branch Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest)
- Wednesday, July 1, 5 p.m.: Chris Epting, Where One Hears the Rain: Finding Your Voice & Crafting Your Story — From Inspiration to Publication (in person at the Dana Point Branch Library, 33841 Niguel Rd, Dana Point)
2 JULY READING LIST
Leighanne (6/25)
Donna R. (6/18)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
Jo (6/18)
Rosie (6/25)
Matthew M. (6/25)
Joanne (6/25)
Lance (6/25)
Darryl M. (6/25)
18 June meeting notes; 25 June reading list
18 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Darryl M. (three chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Donna R., Jo (a chapter from Dandelion Seeds), Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie (the revised final two chapters from In Arcadia Ego) (congratulations!).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.: Matt Witten, “Getting Your Book Noticed: Real-World Marketing Tactics That Work” (in person for SCWA at Antonucci’s Restaurant, 24190 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; $30-40)
- Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.: Matt Witten, 51% (in person for Mystery Ink at Studio 14 in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, June 20, 2 p.m.: Cristina LePort, Launch Defrosted (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, June 20, 2:30 p.m.: Charles Jensen, “Writing About Revenge” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av., Orange)
25 JUNE READING LIST
Leighanne (6/18)
Donna R. (6/18)
Matthew M. (6/11)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
Joanne (6/18)
Lance (6/18)
Jo (6/18)
Rosie (6/18)
Darryl M. (6/18)
11 June meeting notes; 18 June reading list
11 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Darryl M. (a chapter from What He Saw in the Darkness), Jo, Joanne (a short story, “Margaret’s First Leg Trip-Up”), Lance (two revised chapters from Bluejay’s Riviera), Matthew M., and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events scheduled for the next week:
- Sunday, June 14, 11 a.m.: Mark Sevi, Blood Fiction V4 Anthology: If It Bleeds, It Reads (in person at Book Carnival)
18 JUNE READING LIST
Leighanne (5/28)
Donna R. (5/28)
Jo (6/11)
Matthew M. (6/11)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
Rosie (6/11)
Joanne (6/11)
Darryl M. (6/11)
Lance (6/11)
4 June meeting notes; 11 June reading list
4 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Four people attended: Benafsha A., Darryl M. (four chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Lance (two chapters from Bluejay’s Riviera), and Rosie (two revised chapters from In Arcadia Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
Darryl M. is a finalist for the 2026 Daphne du Maurier Award and a runner-up for Sisters in Crime’s Eleanor Taylor Bland Award. Congratulations!
Sisters in Crime OC is changing both its meeting day and the venue. The next chapter meeting will happen Saturday, 20 June, at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av. in Orange, at 2:30 p.m.
No author events are scheduled for the next week.
11 JUNE READING LIST
Leighanne (5/28)
Donna R. (5/28)
Jo (5/28)
Matthew M. (5/28)
Benafsha A. (6/4)
Joanne (5/28)
Darryl M. (6/4)
Lance (6/4)
Rosie (6/4)
28 May meeting notes; 4 June reading list
28 MAY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Darryl M. (three chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Donna R., Jo, Joanne (a short story, “Ruins of a Better Life”), Leighanne, Matthew M., and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Sisters in Crime OC is changing both its meeting day and the venue. The next chapter meeting will happen Saturday, 20 June, at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av. in Orange, at 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming author event for the next week:
- Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m.: Jeffrey Eisner, Step-by-Step Instant Pot (at the at the Aliso Viejo Branch Library, 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo)
4 JUNE READING LIST
Leighanne (5/28)
Donna R. (5/28)
Jo (5/28)
Lance (5/7)
Matthew M. (5/28)
Benafsha A. (5/14)
Rosie (5/28)
Joanne (5/28)
Darryl M. (5/28)
Upcoming author events, June 2026
The following author events will take place online in June. The featured guest will appear in person unless otherwise noted. 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.
- Sunday, June 14, 11 a.m.: Mark Sevi, Blood Fiction V4 Anthology: If It Bleeds, It Reads
- Saturday, June 20, 2 p.m.: Cristina LePort, Launch Defrosted
- Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.: Aram Saroyan, Before I Forget: A Memoir (and Then Some)
HUNTINGTON BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
- Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m.: Lisa See, Daughters of the Sun and Moon
- Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.: Matt Witten, 51%
All events at Studio 14 in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach
- Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m.: Jeffrey Eisner, Step-by-Step Instant Pot (at the at the Aliso Viejo Branch Library, 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo)
- Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m.: George Geary, Made in California (at the El Toro Branch Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest)
- Sisters in Crime L.A.: Sunday, June 14, 2 p.m.: Kemper Donovan, Marco Carocari and Nicholas George, “Giving Voice to Marginalized Characters” (Radford Studio, Studio City)
- Sisters in Crime OC: Saturday, June 20, 2:30 p.m.: Charles Jensen, “Writing About Revenge” (at the Orange Public Library main branch, 407 E. Chapman Av., Orange)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITERS ASSOCIATION
- Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.: Matt Witten, “Getting Your Book Noticed: Real-World Marketing Tactics That Work” (at Antonucci’s Restaurant, 24190 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; $30-40)
21 May meeting notes; 28 May reading list
21 MAY MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Darryl M. (2.5 chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Donna R., Joanne, Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Sunday, May 24, 3 p.m.: Sisters in Crime OC presents Members First Page Contest (at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.: Nicola Harrison, The Island Club (at the San Clemente Branch Library, 242 Avenida del Mar, San Clemente)
28 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/21)
Donna R. (5/21)
Jo (5/14)
Lance (5/7)
Matthew M. (5/7)
Joanne (5/21)
Benafsha A. (5/14)
Rosie (5/21)
Darryl M. (5/21)
14 May meeting notes; 21 May reading list
14 MAY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two revised chapters from Jewels of Herat), Darryl M. (four chapters from What He Saw in the Darkness), Donna R., Jo, Joanne (a short story, “Free Fall”), Leighanne, and Rosie (two chapters from In Arcadia Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
PFL is looking for a few good writers to plug the gaps in our ranks. If you’re looking for a critique group or know someone who is, please check us out. We don’t bite newcomers (often).
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.: Laura Malin, “Creating, Growing & Selling Your Intellectual Property” (in person for SCWA)
- Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.: David Putnam, Imogene’s Grand Fiasco (The Misadventures of Imogene Taylor, Book 2) (in person for Mystery Ink)
- Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.: Andrew Givler, Cold Wind (in conversation with Blake Arthur Peel) (in person at Book Carnival)
21 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/14)
Donna R. (5/14)
Jo (5/14)
Lance (5/7)
Matthew M. (5/7)
Darryl M. (5/14)
Joanne (5/14)
Benafsha A. (5/14)
Rosie (5/14)
7 May meeting notes; 14 May reading list
7 MAY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a revised chapter from Jewels of Herat), Darryl M., Jo, Joanne, Lance, Matthew M. (a chapter from Witch of the Wild Woods), and Rosie (a chapter from In Arcadia Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
PFL is looking for a few good writers to plug the gaps in our ranks. If you’re looking for a critique group or know someone who is, please check us out. We don’t bite newcomers (often).
Darryl M. told us that Sisters in Crime OC will be moving its meeting place to the Orange Public Library on Chapman Av. in Orange starting in June.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.: Lauren Opper, Let Nothing Astonish You (in person at Book Carnival)
14 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (4/16)
Donna R. (4/30)
Jo (5/7)
Darryl M. (5/7)
Lance (5/7)
Joanne (5/7)
Benafsha A. (5/7)
Matthew M. (5/7)
Rosie (5/7)
Pure Fiction League 