Next Meeting: Thursday, 8 December 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Corner Bakery, 13786D Jamboree Rd. Suite 4 (Tustin Marketplace), Irvine
Upcoming author events for December 2022
The following author events will take place online in December. 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.
- Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.: Brian Freeman, The Zero Night (virtual)
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m.: Edward Humes, The Forever Witness (in person)
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m.: Eric Beetner, There and Back; Lee Matthew Goldberg, Vicious Ripples; Lawrence Allan, Big Fat F@!k-Up; Matt Witten, The Necklace (in person)
- Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m.: Kaira Rouda, The Widow (in person)
- Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.: A.E. Wasserman, 1888 — The Dead & the Desperate (in person)
HUNTINGTON BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
- FOTL Holiday Wassail Party (private party)
- Thursday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m.: Kaira Rouda, The Widow (Laguna Beach Museum of Art)
- TBD
SISTERS-IN-CRIME ORANGE COUNTY
- Sunday, Dec. 11: Holiday Party
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITERS ASSOCIATION
- TBD
1 Dec meeting notes; 8 Dec reading list
1 DECEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended the penultimate meeting of 2022: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt (chapters from The Spirit of 1942), Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda (the first half of a short story, “Pair of Dimes”), Joanne (a short story, “Pandora”), and Lance.
NEWS & NOTES
Our last meeting for 2022 is on 8 Dec. The first meeting of 2023 is on 5 Jan.
Lance completed the first draft of Bluejay Rises last weekend. Editing will begin after a two-week break.
The PFL Holiday Party will happen starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 15 December, at Gloria’s place in Tustin Hills (change of venue). A food list has already made the rounds.
8 DECEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (11/17)
Rosie (11/10)
Gloria A. (11/10)
Lance (12/1)
Glenda (12/1)
Burt (12/1)
Benafsha A. (12/1)
Joanne (12/1)
Chris L. (12/1)
17 Nov meeting notes; 1 Dec reading list
17 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Charolette Shelly”), and Lance (two partial chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
The Sisters in Crime OC meeting on Sunday, Nov. 20, starts at 3 p.m. with “Thrillers in Exotic Places,” a readers forum led by Pat Broeske. At 4 p.m., Barbara DeMarco-Barrett will have a conversation with Erica Ferencik, Girl in Ice, and Aaron Philip Clark, Under Color of Law. Pre-register for this virtual meeting at the SinC website.
We have two meetings left this year: 1 Dec and 8 Dec. Our usual last meeting is on the first Thursday of December, but since that’s the 1st, we can go one more. The first meeting of 2023 is on 5 Jan.
The PFL Holiday Party will happen starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 15 December, at Gloria’s place in Tustin Hills (change of venue). A food list has already made the rounds.
1 DECEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (11/17)
Glenda (11/17)
Rosie (11/10)
Burt (11/17)
Benafsha A. (11/10)
Gloria A. (11/10)
Joanne (11/17)
Chris L. (11/17)
Lance (11/17)
10 Nov meeting notes; 17 Nov reading list
10 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Grown in the Shade), Burt (chapters from The Class of ’42), Chris L., Glenda, Gloria A. (a short story, “Nothing Like Roughing It”), Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We have three meetings left this year: 17 Nov, 1 Dec, and 8 Dec. Our usual last meeting is on the first Thursday of December, but since that’s the 1st, we can go one more. The first meeting of 2023 is on 5 Jan.
The PFL Holiday Party will happen starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 15 December, at Burt’s place in Newport Beach. A food list has already made the rounds.
17 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/27)
Glenda (11/10)
Rosie (11/10)
Joanne (11/3)
Chris L. (11/10)
Lance (11/10)
Burt (11/10)
Benafsha A. (11/10)
Gloria A. (11/10)
3 Nov meeting notes; 10 Nov reading list
3 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), Joanne (two chapters from Musings of an Unreliable Narrator), and Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Donna will participate in this year’s Indie Author Day program at the Anaheim Main Library, 500 W. Broadway in Anaheim (natch), 11-4 on 5 November. She’ll have a table at the event to sell and sign books. There will also be panel discussions and a poetry tent.
We have four meetings left this year: 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 1 Dec, and 8 Dec. Our usual last meeting is on the first Thursday of December, but since that’s the 1st, we can go one more. The first meeting of 2023 is on 5 Jan.
It’s time to start thinking about whether there will be a PFL Holiday Party this year, and where it might take place…
10 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/27)
Glenda (11/3)
Burt (10/20)
Rosie (10/27)
Benafsha A. (10/27)
Gloria A. (11/3)
Joanne (11/3)
Chris L. (11/3)
Lance (11/3)
27 Oct meeting notes; 3 Nov reading list
27 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Grown in the Shade), Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Gloria A., Joanne, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie (a short story, “Blank Canvas”).
NEWS & NOTES
Watch for the November author events post, coming soon.
It’s time to start thinking about whether there will be a PFL Holiday Party this year, and where it might take place…
3 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/27)
Glenda (10/20)
Burt (10/20)
Gloria A. (10/27)
Joanne (10/27)
Rosie (10/27)
Chris L. (10/27)
Benafsha A. (10/27)
Lance (10/27)
20 Oct meeting notes; 27 Oct reading list
20 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L., Glenda, Gloria A. (a short story, “The Black Country”), Joanne (a chapter from Musings of an Unreliable Narrator), Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
SCWA is sponsoring a Zoom seminar and workshop on October 22 with author Mark Sevi speaking on “Essential Story Solutions.” Mark is a novelist, screenwriter, and writing instructor. He will discuss tactical, real-world solutions to any writing problems. Attendees will also receive an e-copy of his latest book, Quantum Scriptwriting, which covers the essentials and structure of every type of story from novel to screen to short story. For more information or to register, go to the SCWA event page.
27 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/13)
Rosie (10/20)
Glenda (10/20)
Chris L. (10/20)
Benafsha A. (10/20)
Lance (10/20)
Burt (10/20)
Gloria A. (10/20)
Joanne (10/20)
13 Oct meeting notes; 20 Oct reading list
13 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Grown in the Shade), Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne (a chapter from Alzheimer’s Retrospective), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
SCWA hosts its Halloween meeting on Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. at the Regency Theater in Costa Mesa. LIT UP! alum Dana Hammer will speak on “Writing Humor and Horror: Opposites Attract.”
Donna will participate in this year’s Indie Author Day program at the Anaheim Main Library, 500 W. Broadway in Anaheim (natch), on 5 November. She’ll have a table at the event to sell and sign books.
20 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/13)
Rosie (10/13)
Burt (10/13)
Glenda (10/13)
Gloria A. (10/13)
Joanne (10/13)
Chris L. (10/13)
Benafsha A. (10/13)
Lance (10/13)
6 Oct meeting notes; 13 Oct reading list
6 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (1.5 chapters from Toxin), Joanne, and Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises). An oven malfunction at Corner Bakery cut the meeting short.
NEWS & NOTES
OC Romance Writers hosts its “Celebration of Romance” (a.k.a. the chapter’s birthday) on Saturday, Oct. 8, starting at 10 a.m. It includes nine author roundtables and a presentation by Brenna Aubrey, “Twisting the Tropes: Creating High Concept Hooks” (in person and virtual).
13 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/6)
Rosie (9/29)
Burt (10/6)
Glenda (10/6)
Joanne (10/6)
Chris L. (9/29)
Benafsha A. (10/6)
Gloria A. (10/6)
Lance (10/6)
Leighanne (9/1)
29 Sep meeting notes; 6 Oct reading list
29 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Chris L. (two chapters from System Kid), Glenda (a short story, “Visitor Obscura”), Gloria A., Joanne (continuation of a short story, “Potential Chronicles of Alzheimer’s Retrospective”), Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Check the October events post for imminent author events.
6 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (9/22)
Leighanne (9/1)
Rosie (9/29)
Burt (9/22)
Gloria A. (9/29)
Lance (9/29)
Glenda (9/29)
Joanne (9/29)
Chris L. (9/29)
Benafsha A. (9/29)
22 Sep meeting notes; 29 Sep reading list
22 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt (chapters from The Class of ’42), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (a short story, “The Hunter”), Joanne, Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Nothing to report. Try again next week.
29 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (9/22)
Glenda (9/22)
Leighanne (9/1)
Rosie (9/22)
Joanne (9/22)
Chris L. (9/22)
Benafsha A. (9/15)
Burt (9/22)
Gloria A. (9/22)
Lance (9/22)
15 Sep meeting notes; 22 Sep reading list
15 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne (a short story, “Life on the Uncommon Street”), and Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
The Southern California Writers Association meets at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 17 Sep., in San Juan Capistrano. Author Brian Fitzpatrick will speak on “Guts, Grit, and Genre—Writing in 2022”.
The Sisters-in-Crime OC virtual meeting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 18 Sep. features Kellye Garrett, author of Like a Sister, and Chris Offutt, author of The Code of the Hills.
22 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/25)
Glenda (9/15)
Leighanne (9/1)
Rosie (9/8)
Burt (9/15)
Gloria A. (9/15)
Joanne (9/15)
Lance (9/15)
Chris L. (9/15)
Benafsha A. (9/15)
8 Sep meeting notes; 15 Sep reading list
8 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt (chapters from The Class of 1942), Chris L., Glenda, Gloria A. (1.5 chapters from Toxin), Joanne, Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
OC Romance Writers has a Scrivener-centric program on Saturday, 10 September, starting at 10 a.m.: Gwen Hernandez with “Plot or Not with Scrivener 3” and “Compiling in Scrivener 3” (virtual).
15 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/25)
Glenda (9/8)
Leighanne (9/1)
Joanne (9/8)
Rosie (9/8)
Lance (9/8)
Chris L. (9/8)
Burt (9/8)
Benafsha A. (9/8)
Gloria A. (9/8)
1 Sep meeting notes; 8 Sep reading list
1 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from System Kid), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne (a short story, “Alzheimer’s Retrospective”), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne, and Rosie (three chapters from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Check the Events post for upcoming author events.
8 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/25)
Glenda (9/1)
Leighanne (9/1)
Burt (9/1)
Benafsha A. (9/1)
Gloria A. (9/1)
Joanne (9/1)
Rosie (9/1)
Lance (9/1)
Chris L. (9/1)
25 Aug meeting notes; 1 Sep reading list
25 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (three new chapters and one revision from Grown in the Shade), Burt (new chapters from 1942), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), Joanne, and Lance.
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha returned from Killer Nashville, where she had an excellent time meeting authors and industry pros.
Sisters in Crime OC will meet LIVE at Book Carnival in Orange on Sunday, 28 August, at 3 p.m. Mystery novelist and foreign correspondent Jeffrey Fleishman will be in conversation with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. They’ll focus on his latest novel, Good Night, Forever, and also discuss the art, craft, and business of writing.
1 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/25)
Glenda (8/25)
Leighanne (8/4)
Joanne (8/25)
Rosie (8/18)
Lance (8/25)
Chris L. (8/25)
Burt (8/25)
Benafsha A. (8/25)
Gloria A. (8/25)
Pure Fiction League 