Next Meeting: Thursday, 11 January, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
5 Sep meeting notes; 12 Sep reading list
5 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Chris L. (a short story, “The Day I Found Joy”), Glenda, Jo, Lance, Leighanne, and Vivian J. (a revised first chapter from 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.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 7, 10 a.m.: David Putnam, The Blind Devotion of Imogene (in person for Mystery Ink)
- Sunday, Sep. 8, 2 p.m.: SinC Los Angeles presents Kim Dower & Cody Sisco (in conversation with Georgia Jeffries), “Publicity 101: How To Sell Your Voice” (register on the SinC-LA website)
12 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Donna R. (8/22)
Leighanne (9/5)
Glenda (9/5)
Jo (9/5)
Hunter B. (8/29)
Burt (9/5)
Joanne (8/29)
Rosie (8/29)
Lance (9/5)
Vivian J. (9/5)
Benafsha A. (9/5)
Chris L. (9/5)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
29 Aug meeting notes; 5 Sep reading list
22 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Glenda, Hunter, Joanne (a short story, “Peanut Butter on Crackers”), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Rosie (a revised chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld), and Chris L. returned after a ten-month hiatus (welcome back!).
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.
Rosie will be attending the Historical Novel Society convention in Devon, UK on 6-8 Sep.
5 SEP READING LIST
Donna R. (8/22)
Leighanne (8/22)
Glenda (8/29)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Jo (8/22)
Vivian J. (8/8)
Hunter B. (8/29)
Burt (8/29)
Benafsha A. (8/29)
Joanne (8/29)
Rosie (8/29)
Lance (8/29)
Chris L. (8/29)
22 August meeting notes; 29 August reading list
22 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Donna R., Jo, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
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, Aug. 24, 3 p.m.: Marjorie McCown, Final Cut (in person at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita)
- Sunday, Aug. 25, 3 p.m.: Michele Drier, “What if? Adding Tension to Any Story” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
29 AUG READING LIST
Donna R. (8/22)
Leighanne (8/22)
Glenda (8/15)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Jo (8/22)
Vivian J. (8/8)
Joanne (8/15)
Hunter B. (8/15)
Burt (8/15)
Rosie (8/22)
Lance (8/22)
15 August meeting notes; 22 August reading list
15 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt (read the final chapter of Class of 1942) (congratulations, Burt!), Glenda, Hunter B., Joanne, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, Rosie, and Burt’s son Dane G.
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, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.: Ellen Byron, A Very Woodsy Murder; Rachel Howzell Hall, What Fire Brings (in person for Mystery Ink at Coffee Tale in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave #39, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m.: Nicholas George, A Deadly Walk in Devon (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Aug. 18, 2 p.m.: Open Book: Joe Ide, Janis Thomas, and Carl Vonderau in conversation with Maddie Margarita (in person at Muzeo)
22 AUG READING LIST
Donna R. (7/25)
Leighanne (8/15)
Glenda (8/15)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Jo (8/8)
Vivian J. (8/8)
Joanne (8/15)
Hunter B. (8/15)
Rosie (8/15)
Burt (8/15)
Lance (8/15)
8 August meeting notes; 15 August reading list
8 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Jo, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Rosie, 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, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.: Linda Carroll-Bradd, “Choosing the Best Amazon Keywords” and various breakout sessions (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Aug. 10, 12 p.m.: D.P. Lyle, Unbalanced (in person for Mystery Ink at Coffee Tale in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave #39, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, Aug. 10, 2 p.m.: D.P. Lyle, Unbalanced (in person at Book Carnival)
15 AUG READING LIST
Donna R. (7/25)
Leighanne (8/1)
Glenda (8/1)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Jo (8/8)
Burt (8/1)
Vivian J. (8/8)
Joanne (8/8)
Hunter B. (8/1)
Rosie (8/8)
Lance (8/8)
1 August meeting notes; 8 August reading list
1 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Glenda, Hunter B. (read a short story, “Vasomotor Rhinitis Runs Again,” his first PFL reading), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie (a revised chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
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, Aug. 3, 2 p.m.: David Lewis, A Jewel in the Crown (in person at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m.: Jessica Knoll, Bright Young Women (in person at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
- Sunday, Aug. 4, 2 p.m.: Rhys Bowen (live at Radford Studio Center, Studio City, and via Zoom for Sisters in Crime Los Angeles)
8 AUG READING LIST
Donna R. (7/25)
Leighanne (8/1)
Glenda (8/1)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Jo (7/18)
Burt (8/1)
Vivian J. (7/18)
Joanne (7/25)
Hunter B. (8/1)
Rosie (8/1)
Lance (8/1)
25 July meeting notes; 1 Aug reading list
25 JULY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Hunter B., Joanne (a short story, “Marriage as a Destination”), and Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar).
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, July 27, 2 p.m.: Bruce Borgos, Shades of Mercy; Ben H. Winters, Big Time (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.: Naomi Hirahara, Evergreen; Ellen Byron, A Very Woodsy Murder (in person for Sisters-in-Crime OC at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, July 31, 6 p.m.: Joe R. Lansdale, Sugar on the Bones (in person at Book Carnival)
1 AUG READING LIST
Donna R. (7/25)
Leighanne (7/18)
Glenda (7/25)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Hunter B. (7/25)
Rosie (7/18)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Jo (7/18)
Burt (7/25)
Vivian J. (7/18)
Joanne (7/25)
Lance (7/25)
18 July meeting notes; 25 July reading list
18 JULY MEETING NOTES
Nine people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (a revised chapter from Class of 1942), Glenda, Hunter B., Jo, Lance, Leighanne, Rosie, and Vivian J. (the 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.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, July 20, 1 p.m.: Sheila Lowe, Maximum Pressure (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, July 20, 2 p.m.: T. Jefferson Parker, Desperation Reef (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, July 20, 2 p.m.: Chris Epting, Lost Landmarks of Orange County (in person at the Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park)
- Sunday, July 21, 2 p.m.: Sheila Lowe, Maximum Pressure (in person at Book Carnival)
25 JULY READING LIST
Donna R. (7/11)
Leighanne (7/18)
Glenda (7/18)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Hunter B. (7/18)
Rosie (7/18)
Joanne (6/27)
Benafsha A. (7/18)
Lance (7/18)
Jo (7/18)
Burt (7/18)
Vivian J. (7/18)
11 July meeting notes; 18 July reading list
11 JULY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Donna R., Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, Rosie, and the long-awaited return of Jo (absent since March 2019) (welcome back!).
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:
- Friday, July 12, 6:30 p.m.: Daniel Silva, A Death in Cornwall (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m.: Scarlett Moss, “Romance Your Readers with Amazon Ads” and “The Art of Writing Romance Series” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, July 13, 1 p.m.: David Putnam, The Blind Devotion of Imogene (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Sunday, July 14, 2 p.m.: John McNellis, Scout’s Honor (in person at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 p.m.: Michael Finkel (in person at the Tustin Branch Library, 345 E. Main St., Tustin)
18 JULY READING LIST
Donna R. (7/11)
Leighanne (7/11)
Burt (6/20)
Vivian J. (6/13)
Glenda (7/11)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Hunter B. (6/20)
Rosie (7/11)
Joanne (6/27)
Benafsha A. (6/27)
Lance (7/11)
Jo (7/11)
27 June meeting notes; 11 July reading list
27 JUNE MEETING NOTES
A cozy four people participated in the last meeting of June: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Jewels of Herat), Joanne (a short story, “Life is too Fluid”), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie (a revised prologue and first chapter from Well of the Moon [a.k.a. “The Napa Book”]).
NEWS & NOTES
There will be no meeting on 4 July. Members need time to blow stuff up.
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 two weeks:
- Saturday, June 29, 2 p.m.: Christopher Reich, Matterhorn (in conversation with Maddie Margarita) (virtual for Sisters-in-Crime OC)
- Tuesday, July 9, 6 p.m.: George Geary, Made in California (in person at the Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Thursday, July 11, 5 p.m.: Nicola Harrison, Hotel Laguna (in person at the Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley)
11 JULY READING LIST
Donna R. (6/13)
Leighanne (6/13)
Burt (6/20)
Vivian J. (6/13)
Glenda (6/20)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Hunter B. (6/20)
Rosie (6/27)
Joanne (6/27)
Benafsha A. (6/27)
Lance (6/27)
20 June meeting notes; 27 June reading list
20 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Our test run at Urban Plates drew eight people: Benafsha A., Burt, Faridoon B. (the first chapter of an untitled YA dystopian novel), Glenda (part two of her short story, “The Ancestor Train”), Hunter B. (Glenda’s son, now officially a member), Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Urban Plates (in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver in Irvine) seemed to work well enough for now. We’ll stay there until either they throw us out or it stops working.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Monday, June 24, 11 a.m.: Pablo Cartaya, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora (in person at the Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Tuesday, June 25, 2 p.m.: Ernesto Cisneros, Efrén Divided (in person at the El Toro Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest)
- Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m.: Marjorie McCown, Star Struck (in conversation with Matt Coyle) (in person for Sisters-in-Crime OC at Book Carnival)
27 JUNE READING LIST
Donna R. (6/13)
Leighanne (6/13)
Rosie (6/20)
Burt (6/20)
Joanne (6/20)
Benafsha A. (6/20)
Vivian J. (6/13)
Glenda (6/20)
Lance (6/20)
Faridoon B. (6/20)
Hunter B. (6/20)
13 June meeting notes; 20 June reading list
13 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Our expedition to Stonefire Grill yielded a bumper ten attendees: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “My Sister”), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, Rosie, Vivian J. (now a member), and the return of Faridoon B. (welcome back!).
NEWS & NOTES
Faridoon is pitching his Civil War novel The Dark and the Light to agents. Best of luck!
The Stonefire Grill was less raucous than The Stand, but closing at 8:30 deprived us of another reading. Our next PFL meeting will happen at Urban Plates, 3972 Barranca Parkway North, Irvine (again in The Crossroads shopping center at Barranca and Culver, this time closer to Culver). Urban Plates is open until 9:15 and seemed pretty chill when I visited after the PFL meeting.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Sunday, June 16, 2 p.m.: Katharine Schellman, The Last Note of Warning (in conversation with Sara Sliger) (in person for Book Carnival)
- Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.: John M. Borack, The Beatles 100: One Hundred Pivotal Moments in Beatles History (in person at the Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley)
- Tuesday, June 18, 11 a.m.: Sarah Mlynowski, Whatever After: The Graphic Novel (in person at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita)
- Thursday, June 20, 1 p.m.: Matt de la Peña, The Perfect Place (in person at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano)
- Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.: DP Lyle, “Writing Compelling Series Characters and the World around Them” (in person for SCWA at 19 Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills)
20 JUNE READING LIST
Donna R. (6/13)
Leighanne (6/13)
Rosie (6/13)
Glenda (6/13)
Burt (6/13)
Lance (6/13)
Joanne (6/13)
Benafsha A. (6/13)
Vivian J. (6/13)
Faridoon B. (6/13)
6 June meeting notes; 13 June reading list
6 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Our experimental meeting at The Stand brought in seven people: Benafsha A., Burt (read chapters from The Class of 1942), Glenda (read the first half of a short story, “The Ancestor Train”), Joanne, Lance, Rosie, and potential new member Vivian J.
NEWS & NOTES
The food was good at The Stand but the noise defeated us. Our next PFL meeting will happen at Stonefire Grill, 3966 Barranca Parkway, Irvine (in The Crossroads shopping center, Barranca at Culver). This space may be quieter; however, they close at 8:30 on Thursdays, so we may need to meet somewhere else in two weeks if this becomes a problem.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.: Celeste Barclay, “Plotter, Panster, Planster: Structuring Your Story” and “Metrics Aren’t Scary” (in person and virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, June 8, 5 p.m.: Tori Dunlap, Financial Feminist (in person at the Tustin Branch Library, 345 E. Main St., Tustin)
- Monday, June 10, 2 p.m.: Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod, The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before (in person at the El Toro Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest)
13 JUNE READING LIST
Donna R. (5/23)
Leighanne (5/23)
Lance (6/6)
Rosie (6/6)
Joanne (6/6)
Benafsha A. (6/6)
Glenda (6/6)
Burt (6/6)
30 May meeting notes; 6 June reading list
30 MAY MEETING NOTES
The 30 May meeting couldn’t happen because of the sudden closure of Corner Bakery and the other restaurants near the Edwards Theater in the Tustin Marketplace. This appears to be related to the redevelopment of that part of the Marketplace.
NEWS & NOTES
The next PFL meeting will happen at The Stand, 13205 Jamboree Road, Tustin. This will be an exercise in deja vu for long-time PFL members; the Panera Bread that used to host our meetings in the Before Times used to be in this space.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m.: Daniel Weizmann, Cinnamon Girl (in person at Book Carnival)
Sunday, June 2, 3 p.m.: Craig Johnson, First Frost (in person for Book Carnival at Ethan Allen Elementary School, 16200 Bushard St., Fountain Valley) - Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.: Jocelyn Ramirez, La Vida Verde (in person at the Foothill Ranch Library, 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch)
- Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 a.m.: Nicola Harrison, Hotel Laguna (in person at the Laguna Hills Technology Library, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills)
6 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/23)
Donna R. (5/23)
Leighanne (5/23)
Burt (5/23)
Lance (5/16)
Rosie (5/23)
Joanne (5/23)
Benafsha A. (5/23)
23 May meeting notes; 30 May reading list
23 MAY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (she’s back!), Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Jackson Faces Off Adversity”), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha has returned from her long exile and is happy to be back.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Tuesday, May 28, 5 p.m.: Stacey Lee, Kill Her Twice (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
- Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m.: Daniel Weizmann, Cinnamon Girl (in person at Book Carnival)
30 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/23)
Donna R. (5/23)
Leighanne (5/23)
Burt (5/23)
Lance (5/16)
Rosie (5/23)
Joanne (5/23)
Benafsha A. (5/23)
Pure Fiction League 