Next Meeting: Thursday, 30 April, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
12 Apr meeting notes; 19 Apr reading list
12 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Ten people attended: Burt, Casey, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne (read a chapter of Musings of an Unreliable Narrator), Lance, Leighanne, P.J., Rosie (read a new chapter from On Thin Ice), and Shari.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 April at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
19 APRIL READING LIST
Jo (4/12)
Leighanne (4/12)
Maddie (4/5)
Shari (4/12)
Sarah K. (4/5)
Glenda (4/12)
Casey (4/12)
Burt (4/12)
Lance (4/12)
Bob R. (3/15)
P.J. (4/12)
Donna (3/29)
Steve J. (4/5)
JoAnne (4/12)
Rosie (4/12)
5 Apr meeting notes; 12 Apr reading list
5 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Casey, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne (read the second chapter of what may become a novel, Musings of an Unreliable Narrator), Lance, Leighanne, Maddie, Rosie, Sarah K., Shari, and Steve J. (read four chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
Steve J.’s “One Hour MFA in Professional Writing” at the Dana Point Library’s Community Room was a success, with fifty people in the audience.
Rosie was selected by Author Mentor Match to be mentored by published YA romance author Tiana Smith.
Leighanne has received scholarships to study in Paris in July.
Casey’s website has gained a blog. The first episode: “Outlining Your Novel the Screenwriting Way,” aimed at writers who may not be thrilled with the usual way of outlining their work. Check it out at FugitiveJuiceMedia.com.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 April at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
12 APRIL READING LIST
Jo (4/5)
Leighanne (4/5)
Maddie (4/5)
Shari (4/5)
Sarah K. (4/5)
Glenda (4/5)
Casey (4/5)
Burt (3/29)
Lance (4/5)
Bob R. (3/15)
Rosie (4/5)
P.J. (3/22)
Donna (3/29)
Steve J. (4/5)
JoAnne (4/5)
29 Mar meeting notes; 5 Apr reading list
29 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna (Read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Jo, JoAnne (Read a short story, “Alzheimer’s Retrospective”), Lance, Leighanne, and Shari.
News and Notes
Steve J. will be presenting the “One Hour MFA in Professional Writing” at the Dana Point Library’s Community Room on Tuesday, 3 April, at 5:00 p.m. Check the library’s website for more information.
Casey’s website has gained a blog. The first episode: “Outlining Your Novel the Screenwriting Way,” aimed at writers who may not be thrilled with the usual way of outlining their work. Check it out at FugitiveJuiceMedia.com.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 April at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
5 APRIL READING LIST
Jo (3/29)
Leighanne (3/29)
Maddie (3/15)
Shari (3/29)
Sarah K. (3/22)
Glenda (3/22)
Casey (3/29)
Burt (3/29)
Steve J. (3/15)
Lance (3/29)
Bob R. (3/15)
Rosie (3/22)
P.J. (3/22)
JoAnne (3/29)
Donna (3/29)
22 Mar meeting notes; 29 Mar reading list
22 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Casey, Glenda, Leighanne, P.J. (read a short story, “For Richer, For Poorer, For Thin”), Rosie (read a revised chapter from The Lion and the Eagle), Sarah K., and Shari.
News and Notes
The 20 March LIT UP! was a success, with a strong crowd gathering to hear Rachel Marks, Dana Hammer, and Jonathan Yanez. The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 April at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
29 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (3/15)
Leighanne (3/22)
Maddie (3/15)
Shari (3/22)
Sarah K. (3/22)
Glenda (3/22)
JoAnne (3/15)
Donna (3/1)
Casey (3/22)
Burt (3/15)
Steve J. (3/15)
Lance (3/15)
Bob R. (3/15)
Rosie (3/22)
P.J. (3/22)
15 Mar meeting notes: 22 Mar reading list
15 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Bob R. (read three chapters from The Devil’s Heart), Burt, Casey, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne, Lance (read two chapters from Donetsk Art Walk), Leighanne, Maddie, Shari, and Steve J. (read two chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
Jo has a new author website: www.jolenedzmura.com. Be sure to visit it and give her feedback.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 March at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- YA fantasy writer Rachel Marks.
- Humorous horror author Dana Hammer.
- SFF writer Jonathan Yanez.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
22 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (3/15)
Leighanne (3/15)
Maddie (3/15)
Shari (3/15)
Rosie (3/8)
Sarah K. (3/1)
Glenda (3/15)
P.J. (3/8)
JoAnne (3/15)
Donna (3/1)
Casey (3/15)
Burt (3/15)
Steve J. (3/15)
Lance (3/15)
Bob R. (3/15)
8 Mar meeting notes; 15 Mar reading list
8 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt (read four chapters from Dead Ahead), Casey, Jo, JoAnne, Lance (read two chapters from Donetsk Art Walk), P.J. and Rosie.
News and Notes
Lance will be appearing with LIT UP! alum Dave Putnam at Mystery Ink at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, 11 March. Lance will read from Stealing Ghosts, and Dave will read from The Innocents, the latest entry in his Bruno Johnson crime-thriller series. Mystery Ink is at 8907 Warner Av. #135 in Huntington Beach.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 March at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
15 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (3/8)
Leighanne (3/1)
Maddie (3/1)
Shari (3/1)
Rosie (3/8)
Sarah K. (3/1)
Glenda (3/1)
Steve J. (2/22)
P.J. (3/8)
JoAnne (3/8)
Donna (3/1)
Casey (3/8)
Lance (3/8)
Burt (3/8)
Bob R. (2/8)
1 Mar meeting notes; 8 Mar reading list
1 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Twelve people attended: Burt, Casey (read half a chapter from Revolver), Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds… and an English Degree), Glenda, JoAnne (read a short story, “Spiritual Text”), Lance, Leighanne, Maddie, P.J. (read a chapter from her latest novel), Rosie, Sarah K. and Shari.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 March at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
8 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (2/22)
Leighanne (3/1)
Maddie (3/1)
Shari (3/1)
Bob R. (2/8)
Rosie (3/1)
Lance (3/1)
Sarah K. (3/1)
Glenda (3/1)
Burt (3/1)
Steve J. (2/22)
P.J. (3/1)
JoAnne (3/1)
Donna (3/1)
Casey (3/1)
Dawn (1/25)
22 Feb meeting notes; 1 Mar reading list
22 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt (read four revised chapters from Dead Ahead), Casey, Glenda, Jo, Lance, Maddie, P.J., and Steve J. (read 2.5 revised chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
The February LIT UP! was a success, with Anne Cleeland, Sulan Dun and Nancy Klann reading from their works and answering audience questions. The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 March at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
Steve J. will be speaking at the Dana Point Library at 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, 3 April. More details to come.
1 MARCH READING LIST
Jo (2/22)
Leighanne (2/15)
Maddie (2/22)
Dawn (1/25)
Shari (2/1)
P.J. (2/22)
JoAnne (2/15)
Bob R. (2/8)
Donna (2/15)
Casey (2/22)
Rosie (2/15)
Lance (2/22)
Sarah K. (1/18)
Glenda (2/22)
Burt (2/22)
Steve J. (2/22)
15 Feb meeting notes; 22 Feb reading list
15 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Casey (read half a chapter from Revolver), Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Jo, JoAnne, Lance (read two chapters from Donetsk Art Walk), Leighanne, Maddie, and Rosie (read more from her novella The Fur Slipper).
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 February at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- Mystery writer Anne Cleeland.
- Sci-fi author Sulan Dun.
- Historical fiction writer Nancy Klann.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
22 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Jo (2/15)
Leighanne (2/15)
Maddie (2/15)
Burt (2/1)
Dawn (1/25)
Shari (2/1)
P.J. (2/8)
JoAnne (2/15)
Steve J. (2/8)
Bob R. (2/8)
Donna (2/15)
Casey (2/15)
Rosie (2/15)
Lance (2/15)
Sarah K. (1/18)
Glenda (1/11)
Marianna (1/11)
8 Feb meeting notes; 15 Feb reading list
8 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Bob R. (read three chapters from The Devil’s Heart), Casey, Lance (read two chapters from Donetsk Art Walk), P.J. and Steve J. (read two chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
Lance will be appearing at Book Carnival in Orange with LIT UP! alum Dave Putnam at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 10 February. They’ll read from their latest novels, answer questions and sign books.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 February at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
15 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Sarah K. (1/18)
Jo (2/1)
Leighanne (2/1)
Glenda (1/11)
Marianna (1/11)
Maddie (1/18)
Burt (2/1)
Dawn (1/25)
Shari (2/1)
Donna (2/1)
Casey (2/8)
P.J. (2/8)
Rosie (2/1)
JoAnne (2/1)
Lance (2/8)
Steve J. (2/8)
Bob R. (2/8)
World War Girl Soldier, Casey Pope, historical fantasy
It’s the height of World War II, and Captain Linc Takelnaught is assigned to take over a special operations team tasked with rooting out German covert agents within the U.S. Army. The key member of his team is an 18-year-old girl, Salty Jackdaw, whose skills are so far beyond normal human abilities that there is a perception about her bordering on the mystical. There are rumors of her being the reincarnation of Joan of Arc. Others question who or what she really is.
Linc doesn’t believe the hype. But the longer he spends time with Salty, the more impressed he becomes. He’s conflicted over trying to reconcile her dedication and skillset with her seemingly sociopathic, violent tendencies, which are in direct contradiction to her moments of shyness, empathy, and tenderness. Things get complicated when Linc develops feelings for her that a commanding officer shouldn’t be developing for someone under his command.
Linc presses those in the know for information about Salty, but no one’s talking. Linc just can’t let it go, and his obsession consumes him to where he not only jeopardizes the team’s mission, but also puts at risk the lives of the team members, including Salty and himself, all the while trying to root out a dangerous enemy within their own ranks.
Available for Kindle on Amazon US/AU/BR/CA/DE/ES/FR/IN/IT/JP/MX/NL/UK
Trade paperback available at Amazon US/BR/CA/DE/ES/FR/IN/IT/MX/UK
Casey Pope writes novels in the mainstream/upmarket category, i.e., literary/commercial hybrid. His previous works include A Love Life Like Karmic Disaster and The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly.
1 Feb meeting notes; 8 Feb reading list
1 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Bob R. (read 1.5 reworked chapters from The Devil’s Heart), Burt, Casey, Donna, Jo, JoAnne (read a short story, “Complicity”), Lance, Leighanne, Rosie (read the start of a novella, The Fur Slipper), Shari, and Steve J.
News and Notes
Casey’s latest novel, World War Girl Soldier, is now available on Amazon for Kindle and in trade paperback. Congratulations!
Steve J. will once again be a part of 24-Hour Creative at the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, 3 February. Tickets for this event are still available online.
Lance will be appearing at Book Carnival in Orange with LIT UP! alum Dave Putnam at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 10 February. They’ll read from their latest novels, answer questions and sign books.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 February at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
8 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Sarah K. (1/18)
Jo (2/1)
Leighanne (2/1)
Glenda (1/11)
Marianna (1/11)
Maddie (1/18)
Burt (2/1)
Dawn (1/25)
Shari (2/1)
Donna (2/1)
Casey (2/1)
Lance (2/1)
P.J. (1/25)
Steve J. (2/1)
Rosie (2/1)
Bob R. (2/1)
JoAnne (2/1)
25 Jan meeting notes; 1 Feb reading list
25 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from Revolver), Dawn, Lance (read the revised first chapter of Donetsk Art Walk), Leighanne, P.J. (read a short story, “Night Flight”), Rosie, Shari, and Steve J. (read three chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
Steve J. will once again be a part of 24-Hour Creative at the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano on 3 February. In this exercise in literary masochism, six playwrights write six 10-minute plays overnight, which are then staged the next day. Tickets for this event are available online.
Lance will be appearing at Book Carnival in Orange with LIT UP! alum Dave Putnam at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 10 February. They’ll read from their latest novels, answer questions and sign books.
The 23 January LIT UP! was a success, with Ara Grigorian, Ona Russell and Wendy Van Camp reading from their latest works. The next LIT UP! will happen on 20 February at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
1 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Sarah K. (1/18)
Jo (1/18)
Leighanne (1/25)
Rosie (1/25)
Bob R. (1/4)
Glenda (1/11)
JoAnne (1/18)
Marianna (1/11)
Maddie (1/18)
Burt (1/25)
Dawn (1/25)
Shari (1/25)
Donna (1/18)
Casey (1/25)
Lance (1/25)
P.J. (1/25)
Steve J. (1/25)
18 Jan meeting notes; 25 Jan reading list
18 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Thirteen people attended: Burt, Casey, Dawn, Donna (read a short story, “Her in the Middle”), Jo, JoAnne, Lance, Leighanne, Maddie, Rosie, Sarah K., Shari (read a revised synopsis for Raised to Win), and Steve J. (read three chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
P.J. will be appearing at Foothill Ranch Library with author Tami Shaikh on Saturday, 20 January. They’ll be leading “Fulfill Your Promise,” a writing workshop about loglines and elevator pitches. Go here for more information.
Steve J. will once again be a part of 24-Hour Creative at the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano. In this exercise in literary masochism, six playwrights write six 10-minute plays overnight, which are then staged the next day. Tickets for this 3 Feb event are $20 and are available online.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 23 January at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). The lineup:
- Contemporary romance writer Ara Grigorian.
- Historical fiction author Ona Russell.
- SF-fantasy writer Wendy Van Camp.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
25 JANUARY READING LIST
Sarah K. (1/18)
Jo (1/18)
Leighanne (1/18)
Rosie (1/18)
Casey (1/18)
Bob R. (1/4)
Glenda (1/11)
Lance (1/18)
JoAnne (1/18)
Marianna (1/11)
Maddie (1/18)
Burt (1/18)
P.J. (1/11)
Dawn (1/18)
Shari (1/18)
Donna (1/18)
Steve J. (1/18)
Lisa W. (11/30)
11 Jan meeting notes; 18 Jan reading list
11 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Fourteen people attended again: Burt (read five chapters from what was Beyond the Wire, and now is Dead Ahead), Casey, Dawn, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne, Lance, Leighanne, Marianna, P.J. (read a short story, “Trailer Trash”), Rosie, Shari, and Steve J. Also on hand: Glenda’s guest Hunter, on his way back to university.
News and Notes
P.J. will be appearing at Foothill Ranch Library with author Tami Shaikh on Saturday, 20 January. They’ll be leading “Fulfill Your Promise,” a writing workshop about loglines and elevator pitches. Go here for more information.
Steve J. will once again be a part of 24-Hour Creative at the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano. In this exercise in literary masochism, six playwrights write six 10-minute plays overnight, which are then staged the next day. Tickets for this 3 Feb event are $20 and are available online.
The next LIT UP! will happen on 23 January at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
18 JANUARY READING LIST
Shari (1/4)
Donna (12/7)
Sarah K. (11/30)
Jo (1/11)
Leighanne (1/11)
Lisa W. (11/30)
Steve J. (1/11)
Rosie (1/11)
Casey (1/11)
Bob R. (1/4)
Glenda (1/11)
Lance (1/11)
JoAnne (1/11)
Marianna (1/11)
Maddie (1/11)
Burt (1/11)
P.J. (1/11)
Dawn (1/11)
Pure Fiction League 