Next Meeting: Thursday, 11 January, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
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)
24 Feb meeting notes; 3 Mar reading list
24 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade [formerly Dancing Words]), Donna R. (take 3 of the back-cover text for Running with Dogs…and an English Degree), Glenda, Joanne (a very short story, “Puberty: Not a Slam-Dunk Touchdown”), Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
You saw it here first: Donna R.’s long-anticipated opus on canine management and career planning — Running with Dogs…and an English Degree — will launch on Sunday, 24 April, at a party hosted by Book Carnival in Orange. The party will start at 2 p.m. Congratulations, Donna!
Our experiment with meeting at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace (13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine) worked out relatively well, so we’ll continue there 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.
3 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (2/24)
Rosie (2/24)
Casey (2/10)
Lance (2/24)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
Joanne (2/24)
Donna R. (2/24)
Benafsha A. (2/24)
Leighanne (11/18)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
17 Feb meeting notes; 24 Feb reading list
17 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Dancing Words), Donna R., Faridoon B., Glenda, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Our next meeting will be on 24 February starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Corner Bakery at Tustin Marketplace, 13786D Jamboree Rd, Suite 4, in Irvine. It’s 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. Why not meet at Panera? They’re still closing at 8 p.m., which limits us to two readings. The Corner Bakery is open until 9 p.m. See you there!
The next virtual installment of LIT UP! A Conversation with Orange County Writers and Readers happens at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 February, on Facebook Live. The indefatigable Maddie Margarita will lead two authors through a discussion of their latest works, readings, and whatever else crops up. The lineup:
- Joe Ide (mystery)
- Alex Finlay (crime thriller)
Catch the livestream on the Lit Up OC Facebook Page.
24 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (2/17)
Leighanne (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Rosie (2/17)
Casey (2/10)
Donna R. (2/17)
Lance (2/17)
Benafsha A. (2/17)
Faridoon B. (2/17)
10 Feb meeting notes; 17 Feb reading list
10 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Dancing Words), Casey, Donna R., Glenda, Lance, Rosie, and potential new member Faridoon B. (welcome!).
NEWS & NOTES
Our next meeting will be on 17 February starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #feb17-meeting channel by Friday, 11 February, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
We’re watching the COVID numbers on the OCHCA dashboard, and they seem to be going in a favorable direction. We’ll decide week-by-week whether we’ll be on Slack or in meatspace for the following meeting. Stay tuned!
17 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (2/10)
Leighanne (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Rosie (2/10)
Casey (2/10)
Donna R. (2/10)
Lance (2/10)
Benafsha A. (2/10)
3 Feb meeting notes; 10 Feb reading list
3 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (three chapters from Dancing Words), Casey, Donna R., Glenda, Lance (a revised chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Our next meeting will be on 10 February starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #feb10-meeting channel by Friday, 4 February, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
10 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (2/3)
Leighanne (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Rosie (2/3)
Casey (2/3)
Donna R. (2/3)
Benafsha A. (2/3)
Lance (2/3)
27 Jan meeting notes; 3 Feb reading list
27 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha, Casey, Donna R. (revised back-cover copy for Running with Hounds…), Glenda, Lance ( chapter from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha told us about the UCI Illuminations event with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (The Collaborator) on Thursday, February 3, at 5 p.m. It’s online via Zoom. The UCI website is broken, but you can register on Eventbrite.
Our next meeting will be on 3 February starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #feb03-meeting channel by Friday, 28 January, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
3 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/27)
Leighanne (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Rosie (1/27)
Benafsha A. (1/27)
Casey (1/27)
Donna R. (1/27)
Lance (1/27)
20 Jan meeting notes; 27 Jan reading list
20 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha (the first chapter of a YA novel, Dancing Words)(her first PFL reading!), Casey (welcome back!), Donna R., Glenda, Lance, and Rosie (query letter and synopsis for The Lion and the Eagle).
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie’s in print in a bestseller (unfortunately, not hers): she’s named in the acknowledgements for The Collector’s Daughter, a historical novel involving the discovery of King Tut’s tomb by bestselling author Gill Paul.
Our next meeting will be on 27 January starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #jan27-meeting channel by Friday, 21 January, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
27 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/20)
Leighanne (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Donna R. (1/20)
Lance (1/20)
Rosie (1/20)
Benafsha A. (1/20)
Casey (1/20)
13 Jan meeting notes; 20 Jan reading list
13 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Four people attended our first 2022 virtual PFL meeting: Donna R. (a revised blurb for Running with Dogs…), Lance (a new chapter in Bluejay Rises, the long-untitled Kate DeWitt project), Rosie, and the return of Benafsha A. (welcome back!).
NEWS & NOTES
Our next meeting will be on 20 January starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #jan20-meeting channel by Friday, 14 January, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
20 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (12/2)
Leighanne (11/18)
Rosie (1/13)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
Donna R. (1/13)
Lance (1/13)
Benafsha A. (1/13)
6 Jan meeting cancelled; PFL goes virtual (again)
Because of the skyrocketing infections brought about by the current wave of COVID, and with an eye toward our more medically vulnerable members, we’ll be temporarily going back to our virtual format on Slack.
The 6 January meeting is cancelled — there wasn’t enough time to switch formats. Our first meeting for 2022 will be on 13 January starting at 6:30 p.m. on the PFL Slack workspace.
I’ve already sent out the how-to sheet to remind you how this works. If you have something for the group to read, please put in your bid on the #jan13-meeting channel by Friday, 7 January, at 8 p.m. The two bidders who are highest on the reading list (below) will be our primary readers, while the third (if there is one) will be our backup.
If your Slack account doesn’t get you into the PFL workspace, let me know and I’ll re-invite you. If you don’t have a Slack account, either ever or not now, please create one and tell me about it so I can invite you to the workspace.
This isn’t a welcome development, but we have to deal with the situation head-on. We got through it once; we’ll manage again. See you on the 13th!
13 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (12/2)
Donna R. (12/2)
Leighanne (11/18)
Rosie (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Lance (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
2 Dec meeting notes; 6 Jan reading list
2 DECEMBER MEETING NOTES
A cozy three people attended the final meeting for 2021: Donna R. (who filled in as Imperator), Glenda, and Joanne (a short story, “Sexual Suffrage 60s: The Yellow Cab Ride”).
NEWS & NOTES
The first PFL meeting of 2022 will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 6 January at Panera Bread, 13205 Jamboree Rd., Tustin (at Irvine Blvd. on the west side of Jamboree).
2021 stats: we averaged 4.9 attendees and 1.7 readings per meeting, down from 6.5 and 2.2 respectively for 2020. However, we welcomed three new members since going live on 24 June and hope to build up our numbers in the new year. If you haven’t attended a live PFL meeting for a while, come back to the fold soon!
6 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (12/2)
Donna R. (12/2)
Leighanne (11/18)
Rosie (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Lance (11/18)
Joanne (12/2)
18 Nov meeting notes; 2 Dec reading list
18 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended the penultimate meeting for 2021: Burt (a revised chapter from The Spirit of 1942), Donna R., Joanne (a very short story, “Carrying Water”), Lance (one revised and one new chapter of the still-untitled Kate DeWitt Adventure), Leighanne, Rosie, and Scott B.
NEWS & NOTES
The final PFL meeting of 2021 will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 2 December at Panera Bread, 13205 Jamboree Rd., Tustin (at Irvine Blvd. on the west side of Jamboree). Note the non-standard starting time — this is to accommodate Panera’s planned early closing that night.
2 DECEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (11/11)
Donna R. (11/18)
Leighanne (11/18)
Rosie (11/18)
Dennis P. (11/4)
Scott B. (11/18)
Burt (11/18)
Joanne (11/18)
Lance (11/18)
Pure Fiction League 