Next Meeting: Thursday, 11 January, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
30 Jan meeting notes; 6 Feb reading list
30 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt (a chapter from Class of 1942), Chris L. (a chapter from Dark Influence), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Bad Ass Becky”), Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie (2.5 chapters from In Arcadia Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m.: John McMahon, Head Case (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m.: SinC Los Angeles presents Walter Mosely (in person and virtual; register on the SinC-LA website)
- Sunday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m.: Nicholas George, A Lethal Walk in Lakeland; Kemper Donovan, Loose Lips; Rob Osler, The Case of the Missing Maid (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Feb. 2, 3 p.m.: Memoir Workshop with author Chris Epting (in person at the Mesa Verde Branch Library, 2969 Mesa Verde Dr. E, Costa Mesa)
- Monday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.: Erika L. Sanchez, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (in person at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
- Wednesday, Feb 5, 12 p.m.: Van Hoang, Silver and Smoke (in person for the Huntington Beach Friends of the Library)
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m.: Memoir Workshop with author Chris Epting (in person at the Laguna Beach Branch Library, 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach)
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Alexis Daria, You Had Me at Hola (in person at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
6 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (1/9)
Leighanne (1/30)
Glenda (1/30)
Jo (1/23)
Benafsha A. (1/23)
Lance (1/30)
Burt (1/30)
Joanne (1/30)
Chris L. (1/30)
Rosie (1/30)
23 Jan meeting notes; 30 Jan reading list
23 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a proposed epilogue for Jewels of Herat and the first chapter of a new project, Landed), Burt, Glenda, Jo, Joanne, Lance (1.5 chapters from KDA Riviera Project), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from In Arcadia Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Sunday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m.: the Sisters in Crime OC New Year Party presents “Let’s Craft a Cozy” with Jennifer Chow, Kim Davis, and Marjorie McCown (in person at Book Carnival, Orange)
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.: Kevin Kwan, Lies and Weddings (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
30 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (1/9)
Leighanne (1/23)
Glenda (1/23)
Jo (1/23)
Burt (1/23)
Joanne (1/23)
Chris L. (1/16)
Benafsha A. (1/23)
Rosie (1/23)
Lance (1/23)
16 Jan meeting notes; 23 Jan reading list
16 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (the first two chapters of a new novel, Dark Influence), Glenda, Jo, Lance (a partial chapter from KDA Riviera Project [working title]), and Rosie (1.5 chapters from In Arcadia, Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m.: Robert Crais, The Big Empty (in person at Book Carnival; $30)
- Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.: Adam Sykes, “Unmasking Suspense: Crafting Captivating Spy Thrillers for the New Year” (in person for SCWA at 19 Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills; $25-35)
23 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (1/9)
Leighanne (12/5)
Glenda (1/16)
Jo (1/16)
Burt (1/16)
Joanne (1/9)
Benafsha A. (1/16)
Chris L. (1/16)
Rosie (1/16)
Lance (1/16)
9 Jan meeting notes; 16 Jan reading list
9 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended the inaugural meeting of 2025: Benafsha A. (a revised second chapter of Jewels of Herat), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Time Travel in Circles”), Lance (the first three chapters of KDA Riviera Project [working title]), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Thursday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m.: Greer Wylder, Born in OC (in person at the Donald Dungan Branch Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.: Ines Johnson, “Stealing Secrets from Screenwriting: How to Make Your Book Bingeworthy” and “Back that Book Up: Five Strategies for Backlist Promotions” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
16 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (1/9)
Leighanne (12/5)
Glenda (1/9)
Jo (11/21)
Chris L. (12/5)
Burt (11/21)
Rosie (1/9)
Joanne (1/9)
Lance (1/9)
Benafsha A. (1/9)
5 Dec meeting notes; 9 Jan reading list
5 DECEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended the last meeting for 2024: Benafsha A. (the final 1.5 chapters of Jewels of Herat) (congratulations, Benafsha!), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from In Arcadia, Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
The next regular PFL meeting will happen on 9 January.
The PFL Holiday Party will take place on Thursday, 12 December, at 7 p.m. Donna has tempted fate by inviting us to her new home.
Stats for 2024: an average of 6.5 people attended our weekly meetings, bringing an average of 2.4 readings. Our highest attendance — 10 people — occurred twice: 13 June and 19 September.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.: Kimberly Patton Kerner, A Jingle and Belle Christmas (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m.: Mike Befeler, The Adventures of Sure Luck Holmes (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m.: SinC Los Angeles presents Dennis Palumbo, “Writer’s block is good news, and other surprises” (in person and virtual; register on the SinC-LA website)
9 JANUARY 2025 READING LIST
Donna R. (12/5)
Leighanne (12/5)
Glenda (12/5)
Jo (11/21)
Chris L. (12/5)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Joanne (11/7)
Burt (11/21)
Lance (12/5)
Rosie (12/5)
Benafsha A. (12/5)
Hunter B. (10/3)
21 Nov meeting notes; 5 Dec reading list
21 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (two half-chapters of Jewels of Herat), Burt (a revised second chapter from Class of ’42), Chris L., Glenda, Jo, and Lance (the final chapter of The Bluejay of Mullingar).
NEWS & NOTES
There will be no PFL meeting on 28 Nov; we’ll be slaughtering turkeys instead. The final PFL meeting of 2024 will be on 5 Dec.
The PFL Holiday Party will take place on Thursday, 12 December, at 7 p.m. Donna has tempted fate by inviting us to her new home. Rosie will be the food wrangler. Watch for an email regarding the food list.
Upcoming author event for the next week:
- Sunday, Nov. 24, 2 p.m.: Jonathan Brown, “Resilience, Strength and Gratitude: A Crash Course in Finding Joy” (in person at the Muzeo, moderated by Maddie Margarita)
5 DECEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (11/14)
Leighanne (10/17)
Glenda (11/21)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Jo (11/21)
Chris L. (11/21)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Joanne (11/7)
Rosie (11/14)
Benafsha A. (11/21)
Burt (11/21)
Lance (11/21)
14 Nov meeting notes; 21 Nov reading list
14 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Jo, Lance (the penultimate two chapters of The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie (a revised short story, “Murder on the Sands”).
NEWS & NOTES
The PFL Holiday Party will take place on Thursday, 12 December, at 7 p.m. Donna has tempted fate by inviting us to her new home. Rosie will be the food wrangler and will bring a sign-up list to the last two meetings of the year (21 Nov and 5 Dec).
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.: Caitlin Rother, “The Fact or Fiction of the Matter: Telling, Creating and Streaming Crime Stories” (in person for SCWA at 19 Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills)
- Saturday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m.: Jeri Westerson, The Mummy of Mayfair (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m.: Alex Kenna, Burn This Night (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Nov. 17, 4 p.m.: Georgia Jeffries, The Younger Girl (in person for the Friends of Huntington Beach Library at the HB Main Library)
- Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.: Carole Hopson, A Pair of Wings (in person at the Donald Dungan branch, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
21 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (11/14)
Leighanne (10/17)
Glenda (11/14)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Jo (11/14)
Chris L. (11/7)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Joanne (11/7)
Benafsha A. (11/7)
Burt (11/14)
Lance (11/14)
Rosie (11/14)
7 Nov meeting notes; 14 Nov reading list
7 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (three chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt (a revised first chapter of Class of ’42), Chris L., Joanne, Lance, and Rosie (a short story, “Murder on the Sands”).
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie will be speaking at the Southern California chapter of the Historical Novel Society regarding her experiences at September’s HNS UK Conference. The program will take place 12 p.m. on Sunday, 17 November, at 330 E. Cordova St. in Pasadena. Non-members are welcome to attend.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.: Shannon Donnelly, “Pacing Tips”; Linda Carroll-Bradd, “Multi-Author Projects (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m.: Daryl Wood Gerber, Murder on the Page; Kemper Donovan, The Busy Body (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m.: Celia Imrie, Orphans of the Storm; Fidelis Morgan, Meet Me at Rainbow Corner (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m.: Susan Helene Nack, Womenscape (in person at the Cypress branch, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
- Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5 p.m.: Chris Epting, Where One Hears the Rain: Finding Your Voice and Crafting Your Story from Inspiration to Publication (in person at the San Juan Capistrano branch, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano)
14 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/24)
Leighanne (10/17)
Glenda (10/3)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Jo (10/17)
Chris L. (11/7)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Joanne (11/7)
Lance (11/7)
Benafsha A. (11/7)
Rosie (11/7)
Burt (11/7)
24 Oct meeting notes; 7 Nov reading list
24 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Four people attended: Burt (a revised first chapter of Class of ’42), Donna R., Joanne (a short story, “Doomscrolling”), and Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar).
NEWS & NOTES
PFL will not meet on Thursday, 31 Oct. Our next meeting will be 7 Nov.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m.: Margaret Mizushima, Gathering Mist (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Oct. 27, 3 p.m.: Jeri Westerson, “Suspending disbelief and transporting readers to new and different worlds” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
7 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/24)
Leighanne (10/17)
Glenda (10/3)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Jo (10/17)
Chris L. (10/10)
Benafsha A. (10/3)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Rosie (10/17)
Burt (10/24)
Joanne (10/24)
Lance (10/24)
17 Oct meeting notes; 24 Oct reading list
17 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt, Jo, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, Rosie (1.5 chapters from In Arcadia, Ego), and Vivian J. (a revised first chapter of Secrets of the Wise, Wonderful, and Sometimes Wacky Book Club).
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
We won’t meet on Thursday, 31 Oct. That’s Halloween, and we’ve learned not to mess with that. Go bug your neighbors for candy instead.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.: TBD (in person for SCWA at 19 Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills)
- Monday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m.: Christopher Paolini, The Inheritance Cycle (in person at the Clifton Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
24 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/10)
Leighanne (10/17)
Glenda (10/3)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Burt (10/17)
Jo (10/17)
Chris L. (10/10)
Benafsha A. (10/3)
Joanne (10/17)
Vivian J. (10/17)
Lance (10/17)
Rosie (10/17)
10 Oct meeting notes; 17 Oct reading list
10 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Chris L., Donna R., Joanne (a short story, “The Edgy Ledge of Life”), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from In Arcadia, Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
Wherever we meet, we won’t meet on Thursday, 31 Oct. That’s Halloween, and we’ve learned not to mess with that. Go bug your neighbors for candy instead.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m.: A Celebration of Romance with Kathryn Le Veque (in person and virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.: Peter May, The Black Loch (virtual for Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m.: Mark Sevi, If It Reads, It Bleeds: Blood Fiction Vol. 3 (in person for Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Stephanie Wrobel, The Hitchcock Hotel (in person at the Foothill Ranch branch, 27002 Cabriole, Foothill Ranch)
17 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/10)
Leighanne (10/10)
Glenda (10/3)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Vivian J. (9/12)
Burt (10/3)
Jo (10/3)
Chris L. (10/10)
Lance (9/26)
Benafsha A. (10/3)
Joanne (10/10)
Rosie (10/10)
3 Oct meeting notes; 10 Oct reading list
3 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Hunter, Leighanne, and Rosie (the revised first two chapters of a new historical novel, In Arcadia, Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m.: Susan Svoboda, I Hate the Color Pink (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m.: SinC Los Angeles presents Rachel Howzell Hall in conversation with Georgia Jeffries (in person and virtual; register on the SinC-LA website)
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m.: Jessica Parra, The Quince Project (in person at the Garden Grove Chapman branch, 9182 Chapman Av., Garden Grove)
10 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (10/3)
Leighanne (10/3)
Glenda (10/3)
Hunter B. (10/3)
Joanne (9/26)
Vivian J. (9/12)
Burt (10/3)
Jo (10/3)
Chris L. (9/26)
Lance (9/26)
Benafsha A. (10/3)
Rosie (10/3)
26 Sep meeting notes; 3 Oct reading list
26 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Chris L. (a short story, “So Far, So Good”), Glenda, Hunter B., Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie (the first two chapters of a new historical novel, In Arcadia, Ego).
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
3 OCTOBER READING LIST
Donna R. (9/19)
Leighanne (9/19)
Glenda (9/26)
Hunter B. (9/26)
Joanne (9/26)
Vivian J. (9/12)
Burt (9/26)
Jo (9/19)
Chris L. (9/26)
Rosie (9/26)
Lance (9/26)
Benafsha A. (9/26)
19 Sep meeting notes; 26 Sep reading list
19 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Ten (!) people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Hunter B., Jo (part of a short story, “Woodwitch”), Joanne, Lance (three chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 21, 2 p.m.: DC Frost, A Punishing Breed (in person at the Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park)
- Sunday, Sep. 22, 3 p.m.: Jennifer Chow, “Revise and Shine!” (live at Book Carnival for Sisters in Crime OC)
- Thursday, Sep. 26, 12 p.m.: September Author Luncheon: Christine Amoroso, Bare Naked in Public; Judy Reeves, When Your Heart Says Go (in person at the Huntington Beach Central Library)
26 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (9/19)
Leighanne (9/19)
Glenda (9/19)
Hunter B. (9/19)
Joanne (9/19)
Vivian J. (9/12)
Chris L. (9/12)
Burt (9/19)
Rosie (9/19)
Jo (9/19)
Lance (9/19)
Benafsha A. (9/19)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
12 Sep meeting notes; 19 Sep reading list
12 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (the revised final chapter of The Class of 1942), Chris L., Glenda, Jo, Lance, Leighanne, Rosie (a revised chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld), and Vivian J.
NEWS & NOTES
We’ll continue to meet at Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) until we don’t.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 14, 10 a.m.: Kinsey Soderberg, “Branding Rituals for Romance Writers”; Mary Castillo, “Advantages of Audiobooks” and various breakout sessions (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
19 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/22)
Leighanne (9/12)
Glenda (9/12)
Jo (9/12)
Hunter B. (8/29)
Joanne (8/29)
Lance (9/12)
Vivian J. (9/12)
Benafsha A. (9/12)
Chris L. (9/12)
Burt (9/12)
Rosie (9/12)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Pure Fiction League 