Next Meeting: Thursday, 22 October, at 6:30 p.m.
at Great Park Ice (888 Ridge Valley, Irvine)
Stealing Ghosts, Lance Charnes, international crime
Dorotea DeVillardi is ninety-one years old, gorgeous, and worth a fortune. Matt Friedrich’s going to steal her.
The Nazis seized Dorotea’s portrait from her Viennese family, then the Soviets stole it from the Nazis. Now it’s in the hands of a Russian oligarch. Dorotea’s corporate-CEO grandson played by the legal rules to get her portrait back, but he struck out. So he’s hired the DeWitt Agency to get it for him – and he doesn’t care how they do it.
Now Matt and Carson, his ex-cop partner, have to steal Dorotea’s portrait from a museum so nobody knows it’s gone, and somehow launder its history so the client doesn’t have to hide it forever. The client’s saddled them with a babysitter: Dorotea’s granddaughter Julie, who may have designs on Matt as well as the painting. As if this wasn’t hard enough, it looks like someone else is gunning for the same museum – and he may know more about Matt and Carson’s plans than he should.
Matt went to prison for the bad things he did at his L.A. art gallery. Now he has a chance to right an old wrong by doing a bad thing for the best of reasons. All he has to do is stay out of jail long enough to pull it off.
Available for Kindle on Amazon US/AU/BR/CA/DE/ES/FR/IN/IT/JP/MX/NL/UK
ePub available on Nook, Kobo and iTunes
Trade paperback available at Amazon US/BR/CA/DE/ES/FR/IN/IT/MX/UK | Barnes & Noble
Lance Charnes has been an Air Force intelligence officer, information technology manager, computer-game artist, set designer and Jeopardy! contestant, and is now an emergency management specialist. He’s had training in architectural rendering, terrorist incident response and maritime archaeology, but not all at the same time. His Facebook author page features spies, archaeology and art crime.
26 Oct meeting notes; 9 Nov reading list
26 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Eleven people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from Revolver), JoAnne (read a short story, “BB Gun”), Lance, Leighanne, Marianna, P.J., Rosie, Sarah K., Shari, and Steve J. (read eight chapters from Bè).
News and Notes
The 2 November PFL meeting will happen at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Street in Orange, starting at 7:00 p.m. It will also be the launch party for the SCWA anthology It’s All in the Story, since most of PFL’s members contributed at least one story to the anthology.
The 24 October LIT UP! was a success, with four authors reading short stories included in It’s All in the Story. As always, be sure to check the LIT UP Facebook page for more details on the next meeting.
9 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Leighanne (10/26)
Bob R. (9/21)
Shari (10/26)
Jo (10/19)
Donna (10/19)
Burt (10/26)
Sarah K. (10/26)
P.J. (10/26)
Lance (10/26)
Rosie (10/26)
Maddie (9/7)
Glenda (9/14)
JoAnne (10/26)
Casey (10/26)
Steve J. (10/26)
Marianna (10/26)
19 Oct meeting notes; 26 Oct reading list
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:
- YA writer Rosie de Guzman.
- Contemporary lit author Casey Pope.
- Metaphysical fantasy writer Jeff Michaels.
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
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
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
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 Bè).
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
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
21 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Four (!) people attended: Bob R., Casey, JoAnne, and Steve J. (read three chapters from Bè).
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
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
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 Bè).
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
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 Bè).
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
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 Bè).
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
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 Bè).
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:
- Crime writer Tyler Dilts.
- Comic mystery author Jo Perry.
- Writer of medical thrillers Kelly Parsons.
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
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 Bè).
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
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)
