Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
29 June meeting notes; 6 July reading list
29 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Bob R. (read the first two chapters of The Bermuda Connection), Burt, Casey, Donna, Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Rosie, Sarah K. and Shari.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 18 July 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.
6 JULY READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (6/22)
Casey (6/29)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (6/29)
Maddie (6/1)
Sarah K. (6/29)
Shari (6/29)
Donna (6/29)
Jo (6/15)
Steve J. (6/8)
Marianna (6/15)
Burt (6/29)
Rosie (6/29)
Lance (6/29)
Bob R. (6/29)
Zoey Young leads a typical teenage life, fighting with her parents’ ideas for her future and their fear of her dependence on her best friend, Laura Simmons. When their fears become reality, Zoey’s world is capsized and she struggles to regain any semblance of control in her life. Through sessions with her therapist she is able to discuss her fears without feeling judged, however she remains isolated from the rest of the world. Not until she meets mystery boy, Tristan Wright, is she able to open herself up to fuller, richer experiences and develop a newfound confidence. But as she gets caught up in a whirlwind romance filled with uncertainty and fervor, she begins to blindly follow him down a destructive path.
Journalist Deirdre Hart is struggling through her own hardship, with her estranged husband asking for a divorce after three years of burying their problems. Her work proves an adequate escape, until her research into a string of teenage suicide shootings causes her past to creep back into her present. Despite cautioning from family and friends about her unhealthy obsession, she searches for the one answer she desperately hopes will bring her peace.
As Zoey’s relationship with Tristan takes a drastic turn, Deirdre discovers a dangerous secret, and both women are put to the test when their paths converge in a violent climax. But after mastering their fears and learning to listen to their intuition, they realize when faced with any adversity, there’s always a choice between letting go and holding on.
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/JP/MX/UK
D.M. Roberts, originally from Adams, MA, worked as a reporter for the North Adams Transcript from 2001 to 2004. Among her daily articles she also wrote a weekly column, “From Donna’s Desk”. She left the position to pursue a career in writing, which currently includes one completed novel, a second draft of a women’s fiction/comedy manuscript, and the early chapters of a science fiction novel. She worked as a copy editor/paginator for GateHouse Media and is currently a proofreader for a healthcare ad agency. She lives in Orange, CA with her boyfriend of 12 years.
22 June meeting notes; 29 June reading list
22 JUNE MEETING NOTES
It must be summer — five people attended: Burt (read two revised chapters from an as-yet unnamed Tony Bravo novel), Casey, JoAnne, Leighanne and Rosie (read two revised chapters from The Lion and the Eagle).
News and Notes
The 20 June LIT UP! was a success, with the crowd hearing Matt Coyle, Don Westenhaver and Greta Boris. The next LIT UP! will be on 18 July at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
29 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (6/22)
Casey (6/22)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (6/22)
Maddie (6/1)
Sarah K. (6/8)
Shari (6/8)
Donna (6/1)
Jo (6/15)
Lance (6/8)
Steve J. (6/8)
Marianna (6/15)
Bob R. (6/15)
Burt (6/22)
Rosie (6/22)
15 June meeting notes; 22 June reading list
15 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Bob R. (read three chapters of The Devil’s Heart), Burt, Casey, Jo, Leighanne, Marianna and Rosie.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 20 June at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). This month’s lineup:
- Award-winning crime novelist Matt Coyle.
- Historical thriller writer Don Westenhaver.
- Director of O.C. Writers and author of domestic suspense Greta Boris.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
22 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (6/15)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (6/15)
Maddie (6/1)
Sarah K. (6/8)
Burt (6/15)
Shari (6/8)
Donna (6/1)
Jo (6/15)
Lance (6/8)
Steve J. (6/8)
Rosie (6/15)
Marianna (6/15)
Bob R. (6/15)
8 June meeting notes; 15 June reading list
8 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Bob R. (read the first three chapters of The Devil’s Heart), Burt, Casey, Jo, Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Beauty), Leighanne, Marianna, Rosie (read a proposed synopsis for On Thin Ice), Sarah K., Shari and Steve J. (read two chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 20 June 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 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (6/8)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (6/8)
Maddie (6/1)
Sarah K. (6/8)
Burt (6/8)
Shari (6/8)
Donna (6/1)
Jo (6/8)
Lance (6/8)
Bob R. (6/8)
Steve J. (6/8)
Rosie (6/8)
Marianna (6/8)
1 June meeting notes; 8 June reading list
1 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Casey, Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds… and an English Degree, and a proposed query), Jo (read two reworked chapters from Moonspell), Lance, Leighanne, Maddie, Rosie (read a chapter from The Lion and the Eagle), Sarah K. and Steve J.
News and Notes
Lance will be appearing at Book Carnival in Orange at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 3 June, with NYT bestselling domestic-thriller author Shari Lapena.
The next LIT UP! will be on 20 June 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 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (6/1)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (6/1)
Maddie (6/1)
Sarah K. (6/1)
Lance (6/1)
Bob R. (5/18)
Burt (5/25)
Shari (5/25)
Steve J. (6/1)
Donna (6/1)
Jo (6/1)
Rosie (6/1)
25 May meeting notes; 1 June reading list
25 MAY MEETING NOTES
Ten people attended: Burt (read the first two chapters of a new but as-yet untitled Tony Bravo novel), Casey, Lance, Leighanne, Lisa W., Maddie, Rosie, Sarah K., Shari (read a revised chapter from Raised to Win) and Steve J. (read two chapters from Bé).
News and Notes
At the 23 May LIT UP!, another full house listened to authors Peter Dingus, Diana Pardee and Eric Peterson. The next LIT UP! will be on 20 June 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.
1 JUNE READING LIST
Donna (4/27)
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (5/25)
Jo (5/18)
Lisa W. (5/25)
Leighanne (5/25)
Maddie (5/25)
Sarah K. (5/25)
Rosie (5/25)
Lance (5/25)
Bob R. (5/18)
Burt (5/25)
Shari (5/25)
Steve J. (5/25)
18 May meeting notes; 25 May reading list
18 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt, Casey, Jo, Lance (read a chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Lisa W., Rosie (read a chapter of The Lion and the Eagle) and Bob R.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 23 May at Kean Coffee in Tustin. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up). This month’s lineup:
- Physicist and science-fiction author Peter Dingus.
- Mystery writer Eric Peterson.
- Poet and short-story writer Diana Pardee.
As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
25 MAY READING LIST
Donna (4/27)
Burt (5/18)
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (5/18)
Shari (5/11)
Jo (5/18)
Lisa W. (5/18)
Leighanne (5/18)
Maddie (5/11)
Sarah K. (5/11)
Steve J. (5/4)
Rosie (5/18)
Lance (5/18)
Bob R. (5/18)
11 May meeting notes; 18 May reading list
11 MAY MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Burt, Casey, Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Lisa W., Maddie, Rosie (read the first chapter of The Lion and the Eagle), Sarah K. and Shari.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 23 May 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 MAY READING LIST
Donna (4/27)
Burt (5/11)
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (5/11)
Shari (5/11)
Jo (5/4)
Lisa W. (5/11)
Leighanne (5/11)
Maddie (5/11)
Sarah K. (5/11)
Steve J. (5/4)
Rosie (5/11)
Lance (5/11)
4 May meeting notes; 11 May reading list
4 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Casey, Glenda, Jo, Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Lisa W., Maddie, Rosie (read a query letter for On Thin Ice), Sarah K. (read a short story, “The Queen”), Steve J. (read two revised chapters from Bé) and potential new member Bob R., who writes SF and thrillers.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 23 May 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.
11 MAY READING LIST
Donna (4/27)
Burt (4/27)
Glenda (5/4)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (5/4)
Shari (4/20)
Jo (5/4)
Marianna (2/23)
Lisa W. (5/4)
Leighanne (5/4)
Maddie (5/4)
Sarah K. (5/4)
Steve J. (5/4)
Rosie (5/4)
Lance (5/4)
27 Apr meeting notes; 4 May reading list
27 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, Jo, Lance (read a chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne (read the first chapter of The Karma List), Maddie (read a revised chapter from Verity’s Truth), Rosie, Sarah K. and Steve J.
News and Notes
The Huntington Beach Friends of the Library are hosting an appearance by Michael Connelly at the Huntington Public Library’s main branch at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 18 May. The event is now sold out, but you could get lucky.
The deadline for submitting entries for the SCWA California-themed short-story anthology has been extended to 1 May. If you’ve already sent in your entry and want to polish it more, send the result to Steve J.
The next LIT UP! will be on 16 May 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.
4 MAY READING LIST
Donna (4/27)
Burt (4/27)
Glenda (4/27)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (4/27)
Shari (4/20)
Jo (4/27)
Marianna (2/23)
Sarah K. (4/27)
Lisa W. (4/20)
Steve J. (4/27)
Rosie (4/27)
Leighanne (4/27)
Maddie (4/27)
Lance (4/27)
20 Apr meeting notes; 27 Apr reading list
20 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Twelve people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, Jo, Lance, Leighanne, Lisa W. (read a rewrite of “There’s a New Sheriff in Town”), Rosie (read a revision of “Zolota: Another Gold Rush”), Sarah K., Shari and Steve J. (read two chapters from Bé).
News and Notes
Scott Turow will speak at the Mission Viejo Library on Tuesday, 6 June, at 7:00 p.m. Admission will be $32 (the cost of the book). Don’t look for details on the library website, because the event isn’t posted there yet. However, if you’re interested in a special offer, contact Maddie for more information.
The deadline for submitting entries for the SCWA California-themed short-story anthology has been extended to 1 May. If you’ve already sent in your entry and want to polish it more, send the result to Steve J.
The 18 April LIT UP! was a success, with a healthy Spring Break crowd attending to women’s fiction writer Janet Simcic, Christian horror author Mike Duran, and horror writer Oz Monroe. The next LIT UP! will be on 16 May at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
27 APRIL READING LIST
Donna (4/20)
Burt (4/20)
Glenda (4/20)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (4/20)
Leighanne (4/20)
Shari (4/20)
Maddie (4/13)
Jo (4/20)
Lance (4/20)
Marianna (2/23)
Sarah K. (4/20)
Lisa W. (4/20)
Steve J. (4/20)
Rosie (4/20)
13 Apr meeting notes; 20 Apr reading list
13 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt, Casey, Jo (read a reworked chapter from Moonspell), Lance (read one revised and one new chapter from Stealing Ghosts), Lisa W., Maddie, and newly-minted member Sarah K.
News and Notes
Burt has a new website: www.burtgolden.com.
Scott Turow will speak at the Mission Viejo Library on Tuesday, 6 June, at 7:00 p.m. Admission will be $32 (the cost of the book). Don’t look for details on the library website, because the event isn’t posted there yet. However, if you’re interested in a special offer, contact Maddie for more information.
The deadline for submitting entries for the SCWA California-themed short-story anthology has been extended to 1 May. If you’ve already sent in your entry and want to polish it more, send the result to Steve J.
The next LIT UP! will be on 18 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.
20 APRIL READING LIST
Donna (3/30)
Burt (4/13)
Glenda (3/30)
JoAnne (3/30)
Casey (4/13)
Leighanne (3/30)
Shari (4/6)
Lisa W. (4/13)
Maddie (4/13)
Steve J. (4/6)
Rosie (4/6)
Jo (4/13)
Lance (4/13)
Marianna (2/23)
Sarah K. (4/13)
6 Apr meeting notes; 13 Apr reading list
6 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Ten people attended: Burt, Casey, Jo, Lance, Lisa W. (read the beginning of a short story, “There’s a New Sheriff in Town”), Maddie (read the beginning of a short story, “Verity’s Truth”), Rosie (read a revised short story, “Zolota: Another Gold Rush”), Shari, Steve J. (read two chapters from Bé), and potential new member Sarah K.
News and Notes
The deadline for submitting entries for the SCWA California-themed short-story anthology has been extended to 1 May. If you’ve already sent in your entry and want to polish it more, send the result to Steve J.
The next LIT UP! will be on 18 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.
13 APRIL READING LIST
Donna (3/30)
Marianna (2/23)
Burt (4/6)
Glenda (3/30)
Jo (4/6)
JoAnne (3/30)
Lance (4/6)
Casey (4/6)
Leighanne (3/30)
Shari (4/6)
Lisa W. (4/6)
Maddie (4/6)
Steve J. (4/6)
Rosie (4/6)
30 Mar meeting notes; 6 Apr reading list
30 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Feast or famine… eleven people attended: Burt, Casey (read the final three chapters of World War Girl Soldier) (congratulations, Casey!), Donna, Glenda, Jo, JoAnne (read a short story, “The Advance State of Feminism”), Lance (read two chapters from Stealing Ghosts), Leighanne, Maddie, Rosie and Shari.
News and Notes
The next LIT UP! will be on 18 April at Kean Coffee in Tustin. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the authors.
6 APRIL READING LIST
Lisa W. (3/23)
Donna (3/30)
Marianna (2/23)
Burt (3/30)
Maddie (3/30)
Glenda (3/30)
Jo (3/30)
Steve J. (3/16)
Rosie (3/30)
JoAnne (3/30)
Lance (3/30)
Casey (3/30)
Leighanne (3/30)
Shari (3/30)
Pure Fiction League 