Next Meeting: Thursday, 22 October, at 6:30 p.m.
at Great Park Ice (888 Ridge Valley, Irvine)
23 May meeting notes; 30 May reading list
23 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Burt, Casey, Glenda, Joanne (read a short story, “A Fresh Ear of Corn”), Leighanne, Leslie P., Lily, Lisa W., Marianna (read a chapter from Magic Mushrooms), Rosie, and Sherry C. (read a rewrite of her short story “The Sozzled Flapper”).
News and Notes
An engaged 21 May Lit Up! crowd enjoyed readings and Q&A with DP Lyle, Dianne Dotson, and Janet Clare.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 18 June at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
30 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/23)
Maddie (4/25)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (5/23)
Lily (5/23)
Glenda (5/23)
PJ (5/9)
Shari (5/16)
Dennis P. (5/16)
Rosie (5/23)
Lance (5/16)
Burt (5/23)
Leslie P. (5/23)
Casey (5/23)
Joanne (5/23)
Marianna (5/23)
Sherry C. (5/23)
16 May meeting notes; 23 May reading list
16 MAY MEETING NOTES
A bumper 12 people attended: Burt (read the final three chapters of Shadows)(congratulations, Burt!), Casey (read a chapter from The Ginormous Love Life of the Superhero’s Intern), Dennis P., Glenda and her son Hunter, Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, Leslie P. (read the first five chapters of her novel Ghost Dog), Rosie, Shari, and Sherry C.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 21 May at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- Crime writer DP Lyle.
- Science fiction author Dianne Dotson.
- Contemporary fiction writer Janet Clare.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
23 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/16)
Maddie (4/25)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (5/9)
Lily (5/9)
Glenda (5/16)
Joanne (5/16)
Marianna (4/25)
PJ (5/9)
Shari (5/16)
Dennis P. (5/16)
Sherry C. (5/16)
Rosie (5/16)
Lance (5/16)
Burt (5/16)
Leslie P. (5/16)
Casey (5/16)
9 May meeting notes; 16 May reading list
9 MAY MEETING NOTES
Ten people attended: Burt, Casey, Dennis P., Lance (read a chapter from Chasing Clay), Leighanne, Lily, Lisa W., PJ, Rosie (read a chapter from The Lion and the Eagle), and Sherry C. (read the beginning of a short cozy mystery, “The Sozzled Flapper”).
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 21 May at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
16 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/9)
Maddie (4/25)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (5/9)
Lily (5/9)
Glenda (5/2)
Burt (5/9)
Joanne (5/2)
Leslie P. (4/25)
Marianna (4/25)
Casey (5/9)
PJ (5/9)
Shari (5/2)
Dennis P. (5/9)
Sherry C. (5/9)
Rosie (5/9)
Lance (5/9)
A curated collection of PJ Colando’s…
- short stories — those published elsewhere with rights returned, and those yet to be published;
- journal articles;
- blog posts and witticisms;
- one poetic eulogy; and,
- short stories workshopped in the Pure Fiction League writers’ group.
Available for Kindle on Amazon
Trade paperback available at Amazon
PJ Colando was born and raised in the Midwest, yet unabashedly aspired for adventure elsewhere, following her parents’ model. She lives in Southern California with her family, hobbies, and pets. PJ writes contemporary women’s fiction and has drawn praise for her singular voice, humor, and satire on contentious current affairs, and insights into human life. It’s Boomer Chick-Lit, babe – PJ writes funny! Join her on her Boomer humor blog on her author site, http://www.pjcolando.com.
Life in rural small town can dull the senses. A trio of gal pals — mired in middle age, Middle America, and other people’s problems — long to escape.
When Bonnie wins the Boffo Lotto, her circle of friends urges her to lawyer up, invest, and sequester herself.
But secrets are inconceivable in small towns, so Bonnie and Carl invite close friends to witness their Vegas wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii with endless vagabond beyond. The sky’s the limit!
The allure of travel is fun for a while — hilarious, in fact. But when the husbands are jailed, wanderlust is no longer a romp and things get complicated when you’re halfway ’round the world, untethered from all you know and love.
Life has its consequences… and there’s no place like home.
Available for Kindle on Amazon
ePub available on Nook, Kobo and iTunes
Hardcover and trade paperback available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble
PJ Colando was born and raised in the Midwest, yet unabashedly aspired for adventure elsewhere, following her parents’ model. She lives in Southern California with her family, hobbies, and pets. PJ writes contemporary women’s fiction and has drawn praise for her singular voice, humor, and satire on contentious current affairs, and insights into human life. It’s Boomer Chick-Lit, babe – PJ writes funny! Join her on her Boomer humor blog on her author site, http://www.pjcolando.com.
2 May meeting notes; 9 May reading list
2 MAY MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Burt, Casey, Dennis P. (read part 2 of Huntington Beach High School Is Going To Need A New Librarian), Glenda, Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, PJ (read a short story, “Diane’s Good Day”), and Shari (read a reworked query for Raised to Win).
News and Notes
Burt spoke to the OCPL Foothill Ranch Book Group on 2 May.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 21 May at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
9 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (5/2)
Maddie (4/25)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (4/25)
Lily (4/25)
Glenda (5/2)
Burt (5/2)
Sherry C. (4/11)
Joanne (5/2)
Leslie P. (4/25)
Rosie (4/25)
Marianna (4/25)
Lance (5/2)
Casey (5/2)
PJ (5/2)
Shari (5/2)
Dennis P. (5/2)
25 Apr meeting notes; 2 May reading list
25 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Twelve people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from what’s now called The Ginormous Love Life of the Superhero’s Intern, formerly Super Duper Love Story), Dennis P., Glenda, Joanne, Lance (read a chapter from Chasing Clay), Leslie P., Lily, Lisa W., Maddie, Marianna (read two chapters from what is now called Magic Mushrooms), and Rosie.
News and Notes
Burt has been inducted into the Theodore Roosevelt High School (in Boyle Heights) Hall of Fame for publishing Madness of March. Congratulations, Burt!
The 23 April LIT UP! at Bardot Bars & Coffee was a success, with an eager audience hearing readings and talk from Darlene Quinn, Norm Thoeming, and Mike Kammerzelt. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
PJ is headlining a reading of her latest novel, The Winner’s Circle, followed by an interview and book signing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 28 April, at Book Carnival.
2 MAY READING LIST
Leighanne (4/18)
Maddie (4/25)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (4/25)
Lily (4/25)
Glenda (4/25)
Burt (4/25)
Sherry C. (4/11)
Joanne (4/25)
PJ (4/18)
Shari (4/11)
Dennis P. (4/25)
Leslie P. (4/25)
Rosie (4/25)
Marianna (4/25)
Lance (4/25)
Casey (4/25)
18 Apr meeting notes; 25 Apr reading list
18 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Casey (read two chapters from Super Duper Love Story), Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, Leslie P. (making her PFL reading debut with a short story, “I Remember That Summer”), Lily, Lisa W., Maddie, Marianna, PJ, and Rosie (read a chapter from The Lion and the Eagle).
News and Notes
PJ is headlining a reading of her latest novel, The Winner’s Circle, followed by an interview and book signing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 28 April, at Book Carnival.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 23 April at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- Suspense writer Darlene Quinn.
- Crime author Norm Thoeming.
- History writer Mike Kammerzelt.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
25 APRIL READING LIST
Leighanne (4/18)
Maddie (4/18)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (4/18)
Lily (4/18)
Glenda (4/4)
Burt (4/11)
Sherry C. (4/11)
Marianna (4/18)
Lance (4/18)
Joanne (4/18)
PJ (4/18)
Shari (4/11)
Dennis P. (4/11)
Casey (4/18)
Leslie P. (4/18)
Rosie (4/18)
11 Apr meeting notes; 18 Apr reading list
11 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Burt, Casey, Dennis P. (read the start of a novella, Huntington Beach High School Is Going To Need A New Librarian), Joanne (read a short story, “The Petulant”), Leslie P., Marianna, PJ (read an essay, “Every Generation Has Its Entitlements”), Shari (read two revised chapters from Raised to Win), and Sherry C.
News and Notes
PJ is headlining a reading of her latest novel, The Winner’s Circle, followed by an interview and book signing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 28 April, at Book Carnival.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 23 April at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
18 APRIL READING LIST
Leighanne (4/4)
Maddie (3/14)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (3/28)
Lily (4/4)
Glenda (4/4)
Burt (4/11)
Casey (4/11)
Sherry C. (4/11)
Leslie P. (4/11)
Rosie (4/4)
Marianna (4/11)
Lance (4/4)
Joanne (4/11)
PJ (4/11)
Shari (4/11)
Dennis P. (4/11)
4 Apr meeting notes; 11 Apr reading list
4 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Ten people attended: Casey, Dennis P., Glenda, Lance (read 1.5 chapters of Chasing Clay, previously Hot Pots), Leighanne, Leslie P., Lily, Marianna (read a chapter from Mushrooms), Rosie (read two chapters from The Lion and the Eagle), and Sherry C.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 23 April at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
11 APRIL READING LIST
Leighanne (4/4)
Maddie (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (3/28)
PJ (3/14)
Shari (3/21)
Dennis P. (4/4)
Lily (4/4)
Glenda (4/4)
Burt (3/28)
Casey (4/4)
Sherry C. (4/4)
Leslie P. (4/4)
Rosie (4/4)
Marianna (4/4)
Lance (4/4)
28 Mar meeting notes; 4 Apr reading list
28 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Twelve people attended: Burt (read five chapters from what’s now called Shadows), Casey (read two chapters from Super Duper Love Story), Glenda, Jo, Lance, Leighanne, Leslie P., Lily, Lisa W., Marianna, Rosie, and Sherry C. (read the continuation of her short story, “The Chalice of Parichlock”).
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 23 April at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
4 APRIL READING LIST
Leighanne (3/28)
Maddie (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Rosie (3/28)
Jo (3/28)
Lisa W. (3/28)
PJ (3/14)
Shari (3/21)
Dennis P. (3/21)
Marianna (3/28)
Lily (3/28)
Lance (3/28)
Glenda (3/28)
Burt (3/28)
Casey (3/28)
Sherry C. (3/28)
Leslie P. (3/28)
21 Mar meeting notes; 28 Mar reading list
21 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Thirteen(!) people attended: Casey, Dennis P., Glenda (read the end of a short story, “The Secret of Red”), Jo, Lance (read a chapter from Hot Pots), Leighanne, Lily (read a short story, “Her Last Day”), Lisa W., Marianna (read the first chapter of a new novel, Mushrooms), Rosie, Shari, Sherry C., and potential new member Leslie P.
News and Notes
The 19 Feb LIT UP! was a great success, with a standing-room-only crowd hearing from Naomi Hirahara, Brett Battles, and Dot Caffrey.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 16 April at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
Bookman, OC’s largest used bookstore, has reopened in its new digs at 320 East Katella Av. in Orange. They’re open Monday-Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 12-5.
28 MARCH READING LIST
Burt (2/28)
Leighanne (3/21)
Maddie (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Rosie (3/21)
Jo (3/21)
Lisa W. (3/21)
PJ (3/14)
Casey (3/21)
Sherry C. (3/21)
Shari (3/21)
Dennis P. (3/21)
Marianna (3/21)
Lily (3/21)
Lance (3/21)
Glenda (3/21)
14 Mar meeting notes; 21 Mar reading list
14 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Casey (read a chapter from Super Duper Love Story), Glenda (read the beginning of a short story, “The Secret of Red”), Jo, Joanne, Lance, Leighanne, Lily, Lisa W., Maddie, PJ, and Sherry C. (read a prologue from The Chalice of Parichlock, and the first chapter of Time’s Up for Father Time).
News and Notes
LIT UP! alum Sarah Chen turned the tables and wrote a nice interview with Maddie on The Thrill Begins, one of the International Thriller Writers’ websites. Check it out.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 19 March at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- Edgar-winning mystery writer Naomi Hirahara.
- Crime thriller author Brett Battles.
- Fantasy writer Dot Caffrey.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
21 MARCH READING LIST
Burt (2/28)
Leighanne (3/14)
Maddie (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Marianna (3/7)
Lily (3/14)
Rosie (3/7)
Jo (3/14)
Lance (3/14)
Lisa W. (3/14)
PJ (3/14)
Glenda (3/14)
Casey (3/14)
Sherry C. (3/14)
Donna (1/31)
Shari (1/31)
7 Mar meeting notes; 14 Mar reading list
7 MARCH MEETING NOTES
A bumper twelve people attended: Casey, Glenda, Jo (read 1.5 revised chapters from Moonspell), Joanne, Lance (read 1.5 chapters from Hot Pots), Leighanne, Lily, Lisa W. (read two revised chapters from Roundabout), Marianna, Rosie, Sherry C., and potential new member Dennis P.
News and Notes
The Foothill Ranch Library is looking for authors to speak at its Writers Retreat on the first Saturday of each month. The speaker has the floor for half an hour to talk about any writing-related subject; s/he can stay afterwards to work with the writers or pound out some words. If you’re interested, contact Stella Carruth.
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 19 March at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
14 MARCH READING LIST
Burt (2/28)
Leighanne (3/7)
Glenda (3/7)
Maddie (2/28)
Joanne (3/7)
Marianna (3/7)
Lily (3/7)
Casey (3/7)
Rosie (3/7)
Sherry C. (3/7)
Jo (3/7)
Lance (3/7)
Lisa W. (3/7)
PJ (1/31)
Shari (1/31)
Donna (1/31)
28 Feb meeting notes; 7 Mar reading list
28 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from Super Duper Love Story), Glenda, Jo, Leighanne, Lily, Lisa W. (read two chapters from Roundabout), Maddie, Marianna, Rosie (read 1.5 chapters from The Lion and the Eagle), and Sherry C.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! is happening at 7:00 p.m. on 19 March at Bardot Bars & Coffee, 662 El Camino Real, Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for details on past authors and programs.
7 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (2/28)
PJ (1/31)
Shari (1/31)
Donna (1/31)
Burt (2/28)
Leighanne (2/28)
Glenda (2/28)
Maddie (2/28)
Joanne (2/21)
Lance (2/21)
Marianna (2/28)
Lily (2/28)
Lisa W. (2/28)
Casey (2/28)
Rosie (2/28)
Sherry C. (2/28)
