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Next Meeting: Thursday, 12 March, at 6:30 p.m.

at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)

19 Oct meeting notes; 26 Oct reading list

October 20, 2017

19 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES

Seven people attended: Donna, Jo, JoAnne, Lance, Leighanne, Rosie (read two chapters from The Lion and the Eagle), and Shari.

News and Notes

It’s All in the Story: California: An Anthology of Short Fiction, the SCWA short-story anthology, will be available for sale at the 21 October SCWA meeting. Author copies will also be available to the writers whose stories are featured in the book. The official launch party is still scheduled for 2 November at Book Carnival.

The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 October at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). This special edition of LIT UP! features three of the authors whose stories are included in It’s All in the Story:

As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

 

26 OCTOBER READING LIST

Leighanne (10/19)
Bob R. (9/21)
Shari (10/19)
Jo (10/19)
JoAnne (10/19)
Donna (10/19)
Casey (9/28)
Steve J. (10/12)
Burt (10/12)
Sarah K. (10/12)
P.J. (10/12)
Lance (10/19)
Rosie (10/19)
Maddie (9/7)
Glenda (9/14)

It’s All in the Story: California, multiple members, anthology

October 16, 2017

Cover for It's All in the Storyy

It’s All in the Story: California is an anthology of twenty-four original short stories edited and curated by best-selling author D. P. Lyle. From San Juan Capistrano in 1812 to the Bay Area in the present day, these satisfying bites of contemporary and literary fiction are packed with delicious characters and tales that will stay with you long after the last story is devoured.

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

 

It’s All in the Story is published by the Southern California Writers Association and features works by seven PFL members: PJ Colando, Rose de Guzman, Steve Jackson, Maddie Margarita, Jo Pitzer, Casey Pope, and Glenda Rynn.

12 Oct meeting notes; 19 Oct reading list

October 13, 2017

12 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES

Eight people attended: Burt (read five reworked chapters from Beyond the Wire), Jo, Lance (read the final two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, P.J. (read a query letter for Cash to Dash Down Under), Rosie, Sarah K. (read the first chapter of Lemon Park), and Steve J.

News and Notes

You can still listen to the recording of Maddie, Steve J. and Doug Lyle being interviewed by John Raab, CEO of Suspense Magazine, on Suspense Radio.

It’s All in the Story: California: An Anthology of Short Fiction, the SCWA short-story anthology, will be available for sale at the 21 October SCWA meeting. Author copies will also be available to the writers whose stories are featured in the book. The official launch party is still scheduled for 2 November at Book Carnival.

Stealing Ghosts — Lance’s latest novel — is available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. The book releases on 17 November.

The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 October 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 OCTOBER READING LIST

Leighanne (10/12)
Glenda (9/14)
Bob R. (9/21)
Shari (9/28)
Jo (10/12)
JoAnne (10/5)
Donna (9/28)
Casey (9/28)
Rosie (10/12)
Steve J. (10/12)
Burt (10/12)
Sarah K. (10/12)
P.J. (10/12)
Lance (10/12)
Maddie (9/7)

5 Oct meeting notes; 12 Oct reading list

October 6, 2017

5 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES

Seven people attended: Burt, JoAnne, Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Rosie (read a chapter from The Lion and the Eagle), Sarah K., and Steve J. (read six chapters from ).

News and Notes

Maddie, Steve J. and Doug Lyle will be interviewed at 9 a.m. on 7 October by John Raab, CEO of Suspense Magazine, on Suspense Radio. A recording will be available on the show website if you can’t listen live.

It’s All in the Story: California: An Anthology of Short Fiction, the SCWA short-story anthology, will be available for sale at the 21 October SCWA meeting. Author copies will also be available to the writers whose stories are featured in the book. The official launch party is still scheduled for 2 November at Book Carnival.

The next LIT UP! will happen on 24 October 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 OCTOBER READING LIST

Leighanne (10/5)
Glenda (9/14)
Burt (10/5)
Bob R. (9/21)
Sarah K. (10/5)
P.J. (9/28)
Maddie (9/7)
Shari (9/28)
Jo (9/14)
JoAnne (10/5)
Donna (9/28)
Casey (9/28)
Rosie (10/5)
Lance (10/5)
Steve J. (10/5)
Lisa W. (8/31)
Marianna (8/24)

28 Sep meeting notes; 5 Oct reading list

September 29, 2017

28 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Eleven people attended: Burt, Casey (read the first three chapters from Revolver), Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds… and an English Degree), JoAnne (read a short story, “Bubble Wrapped”), Lance, Leighanne, P.J., Rosie, Sarah K., Shari, and Steve J.

News and Notes

Burt shared copies of “34 Agents Looking for New Writers Now” from the October 2017 Writer’s Digest. Thanks, Burt!

The next LIT UP! will happen on 17 October 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 OCTOBER READING LIST

Leighanne (9/28)
Glenda (9/14)
Burt (9/28)
Bob R. (9/21)
Sarah K. (9/28)
P.J. (9/28)
Maddie (9/7)
Shari (9/28)
Jo (9/14)
Rosie (9/28)
Lance (9/28)
Steve J. (9/28)
JoAnne (9/28)
Donna (9/28)
Casey (9/28)
Lisa W. (8/31)
Marianna (8/24)

21 Sep meeting notes; 28 Sep reading list

September 27, 2017

21 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Four (!) people attended: Bob R., Casey, JoAnne, and Steve J. (read three chapters from ).

News and Notes

The 19 September LIT UP! was a success, with a capacity crowd listening to Chris Lentz, Kristen Mai Pham and Sandra Lopez. The next LIT UP! will happen on 17 October at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

Maddie, Steve J. and Doug Lyle will be interviewed on 7 October by John Raab, CEO of Suspense Magazine. It’s not yet known whether this a live interview for radio or a recording for a podcast. More details later.

 

28 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

JoAnne (9/21)
Donna (8/17)
Marianna (8/24)
Leighanne (9/14)
Glenda (9/14)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (9/21)
Sarah K. (9/14)
Lisa W. (8/31)
P.J. (9/14)
Maddie (9/7)
Shari (9/7)
Jo (9/14)
Casey (9/21)
Rosie (9/14)
Lance (9/14)
Steve J. (9/21)

14 Sep meeting notes; 21 Sep reading list

September 14, 2017

14 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Eight people attended: Casey (read the opening chapter from Super Duper Love Story), Glenda, Jo, Lance (read 1.5 chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, P.J, Rosie (read a chapter from The Lion and the Eagle), and Sarah K.

News and Notes

The Southern California Writers Conference will happen 22-24 September at the Wyndham Irvine Hotel, 17941 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine. Full-conference registration is $375.

Lance will be the featured speaker for the 21 September Muzeo Open Book Author Series, at the Carnegie Gallery on 241 S. Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim. He’ll read from The Collection and talk about art crime. The event is free, but the museum would like you to RSVP.

The next LIT UP! will be on 19 September at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). This month’s lineup:

  • Contemporary and historical romance writer Chris Lentz.
  • Inspriational author Kristen Mai Pham.
  • Writer of Latina YA Sandra Lopez.

As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

 

21 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

JoAnne (8/31)
Donna (8/17)
Marianna (8/24)
Leighanne (9/14)
Glenda (9/14)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (8/31)
Sarah K. (9/14)
Lisa W. (8/31)
P.J. (9/14)
Maddie (9/7)
Shari (9/7)
Jo (9/14)
Steve J. (9/7)
Casey (9/14)
Rosie (9/14)
Lance (9/14)

7 Sep meeting notes; 14 Sep reading list

September 8, 2017

7 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Nine people attended: Casey, Glenda, Jo (read a revised query for Moonspell), Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Maddie, Rosie, Shari (read a revised synopsis for Raised to Win) and Steve J. (read two chapters from ).

News and Notes

It’s All in the Story: California: An Anthology of Short Fiction, the SCWA short-story anthology, is now available for preorder on Amazon. The official launch will be at Book Carnival on 2 November.

The next LIT UP! will be on 19 September 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.

 

14 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

JoAnne (8/31)
Casey (9/7)
Donna (8/17)
Marianna (8/24)
Leighanne (9/7)
Glenda (9/7)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (8/31)
Sarah K. (8/31)
Rosie (9/7)
Lisa W. (8/31)
P.J. (8/24)
Maddie (9/7)
Shari (9/7)
Lance (9/7)
Jo (9/7)
Steve J. (9/7)

31 Aug meeting notes; 7 Sep reading list

September 5, 2017

31 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Bob R., Casey, Glenda, JoAnne, Leighanne, Lisa W., Maddie (read a revised chapter from Hit Me), Rosie, Sarah K. and Steve J. (read five chapters from ).

News and Notes

PJ will be the guest author at the Foothill Ranch Public Library for their “First Thursday Book Discussion and Guest Author Visit” on Thursday, 7 September, 10:30-12:00. The library is located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch.

The next LIT UP! will be on 19 September 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.

 

7 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

JoAnne (8/31)
Casey (8/31)
Donna (8/17)
Marianna (8/24)
Leighanne (8/31)
Glenda (8/31)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (8/31)
Sarah K. (8/31)
Shari (8/24)
Rosie (8/31)
Lance (8/17)
Lisa W. (8/31)
Jo (8/24)
P.J. (8/24)
Maddie (8/31)
Steve J. (8/31)

24 Aug meeting notes; 31 Aug reading list

August 28, 2017

24 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Eleven people attended: Casey, Jo (read a proposed query letter for Moonspell), Leighanne, Lisa W., Maddie, Marianna, PJ (read a short story, “Airline Eavesdropping”), Rosie, Sarah K., Shari and Steve J. (read three chapters from ).

News and Notes

PJ will be the guest author at the Foothill Ranch Public Library for their “First Thursday Book Discussion and Guest Author Visit” on Thursday, 7 September, 10:30-12:00. The library is located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch.

The 22 August LIT UP! was a success, with a near-capacity crowd hearing from crime writer Tyler Dilts,comic mystery author Jo Perry, and in a last-minute swap, thriller author Steve Jackson.

The next LIT UP! will be on 19 September at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

 

24 AUGUST READING LIST

JoAnne (7/27)
Casey (8/24)
Donna (8/17)
Marianna (8/24)
Leighanne (8/24)
Glenda (8/10)
Maddie (8/24)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (8/17)
Sarah K. (8/24)
Shari (8/24)
Rosie (8/24)
Lance (8/17)
Lisa W. (8/24)
Jo (8/24)
P.J. (8/24)
Steve J. (8/24)

17 Aug meeting notes; 24 Aug reading list

August 21, 2017

17 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Bob R., Burt, Casey, Donna, Lance (read a chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Lisa W., Marianna, Rosie (read 1.5 chapters from The Lion and the Eagle), and Steve J. (read two chapters from ).

News and Notes

Casey mentioned the website BetaBooks, a new service that manages your beta-reader process. It provides a way to upload chapters and have invited beta readers comment in one place. BetaBooks appears to be free during its beat-test period.

The next LIT UP! will be on 22 August at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). This month’s lineup:

As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

 

24 AUGUST READING LIST

JoAnne (7/27)
Casey (8/17)
Donna (8/17)
Jo (8/10)
Marianna (8/17)
Leighanne (8/17)
Glenda (8/10)
Maddie (8/10)
Burt (8/17)
Bob R. (8/17)
Sarah K. (8/10)
Shari (8/10)
P.J. (8/10)
Rosie (8/17)
Lance (8/17)
Steve J. (8/17)
Lisa W. (8/17)

10 Aug meeting notes; 17 Aug reading list

August 12, 2017

10 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Twelve people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, Jo, Leighanne, Maddie, P.J., Rosie, Sarah K. (read a short story, “Against Nightfall”), Shari (read a revised query for Raised to Win) and Steve J. (read three chapters from ).

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be on 22 August 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.

 

17 AUGUST READING LIST

JoAnne (7/27)
Casey (8/10)
Donna (8/10)
Jo (8/10)
Marianna (8/3)
Leighanne (8/10)
Glenda (8/10)
Maddie (8/10)
Burt (8/10)
Bob R. (8/3)
Rosie (8/10)
Lance (8/3)
Sarah K. (8/10)
Shari (8/10)
Steve J. (8/10)
P.J. (8/10)

3 Aug meeting notes; 10 Aug reading list

August 6, 2017

3 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Bob R. (read two chapters from The Devil’s Heart), Burt, Casey, Jo, Lance (read a revised chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Mariana, Rosie (read a new first chapter for On Thin Ice), Sarah K. and Shari.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be on 22 August 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.

Mariana and her husband attended ThrillerFest in New York City.

 

10 AUGUST READING LIST

JoAnne (7/27)
Casey (8/3)
Sarah K. (8/3)
Donna (7/6)
Jo (8/3)
Marianna (8/3)
Leighanne (8/3)
Glenda (7/27)
Maddie (7/20)
Shari (8/3)
Burt (8/3)
Steve J. (7/27)
Bob R. (8/3)
Rosie (8/3)
Lance (8/3)

27 July meeting notes; 3 Aug reading list

July 29, 2017

27 JULY MEETING NOTES

Eleven people attended: Burt (read the first four chapters of Beyond the Wire), Casey, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne, Lance, Leighanne, Rosie, Sarah K., Shari (read two chapters from Raised to Win) and Steve J. (read three chapters from ).

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be on 22 August 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.

 

3 AUGUST READING LIST

JoAnne (7/27)
Casey (7/27)
Sarah K. (7/27)
Donna (7/6)
Jo (7/27)
Marianna (6/15)
Bob R. (6/29)
Leighanne (7/27)
Glenda (7/27)
Maddie (7/20)
Rosie (7/27)
Lance (7/27)
Shari (7/27)
Burt (7/27)
Steve J. (7/27)

20 July meeting notes; 27 July reading list

July 25, 2017

20 JULY MEETING NOTES

Seven people attended: Burt, Casey, JoAnne, Lance (read a chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Maddie (read a revised query for Hit Me), Rosie (read two chapters from The Lion and the Eagle), and Sarah K.

News and Notes

The 18 July LIT UP! was another success, with readings by Nancy Klann-Moren, Dirk Sayers and Casey Pope. The next LIT UP! will be on 22 August at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.

 

27 JULY READING LIST

JoAnne (7/20)
Casey (7/20)
Sarah K. (7/20)
Shari (6/29)
Donna (7/6)
Jo (7/13)
Marianna (6/15)
Burt (7/20)
Bob R. (6/29)
Leighanne (7/13)
Steve J. (7/6)
Glenda (7/13)
Maddie (7/20)
Rosie (7/20)
Lance (7/20)