Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
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)
16 May meeting notes; 23 May reading list
16 MAY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Glenda, Joanne, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.: Itica Milanes, “Selling Your Book Is All in Your Presentation” (in person for SCWA at 19 Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills)
- Saturday, May 18, 1 p.m.: Gary Phillips & Duane Swierczyski in a discussion about noir and the Southern California landscape (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m.: Terry Shames, Perilous Waters; Ben H. Winters, Big Time (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m.: Julia Quinn, Bridgerton: The Duke & I (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Sunday, May 19, 3 p.m.: Steve Jackson, “Story Structure” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, May 23, 6 p.m.: E. P. Tuazon, A Professional Lola (in person at the Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
16 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/16)
Donna R. (5/2)
Leighanne (5/16)
Rosie (5/16)
Joanne (5/16)
Burt (5/16)
Lance (5/16)
9 May meeting notes; 16 May reading list
9 MAY MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Burt (chapters from The Class of 1942), Glenda, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.: Annie R. McEwan, “Researching History in Romance” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.: Jet Tila, 101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die (in person at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
- Saturday, May 11, 1 p.m.: Marjorie McCown, Star Struck; Daryl Wood Gerber, A Twinkle of Trouble (in person for Mystery Ink) (joint talk & signing – launch party)
- Monday, May 13, 5:30 p.m.: Chris Epting, Lost Landmarks of Orange County (in person at the San Juan Capistrano Branch Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano)
- Wednesday, May 15, 4 p.m.: Julie Abe, Our Cursed Love (in person at the Tustin Branch Library, 345 E. Main St., Tustin)
16 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/9)
Donna R. (5/2)
Leighanne (5/9)
Rosie (5/9)
Joanne (5/2)
Burt (5/9)
Lance (5/9)
2 May meeting notes; 9 May reading list
2 MAY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Joanne, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Donna’s novel Running with Hounds…and an English Degree won second place in the Spring 2024 BookFest Awards Romance-Romantic Comedy category. Congratulations, Donna!
The official Instagram account for famed author Daphne Du Maurier (1907-1989) is now following Rosie’s Instagram. If you’re not familiar with the Notorious DDM: she was the author of (among other things) Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, and the short story “The Birds,” which Alfred Hitchcock liked a bit.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.: Derick Santiago, The Mocktail Club (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
- Saturday, May 4, 1 p.m.: Mike Befeler, Murder in the Museo Kircheriano and A Mystery Yarn (in person for Mystery Ink)
9 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/2)
Donna R. (5/2)
Leighanne (4/25)
Rosie (5/2)
Joanne (5/2)
Burt (5/2)
Lance (5/2)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
25 Apr meeting notes; 2 May reading list
25 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt (a chapter from Class of 1942), Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, Rosie, and Glenda’s son Hunter, visiting from Oakland.
NEWS & NOTES
Burt’s novel Madness of March is now available at the main branch of the Newport Beach Public Library. Good job, Burt!
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Apr. 27, 2 p.m.: Mike Befeler, A Mystery Yarn and Murder in the Museo Kircheriano (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Apr 28, 3 p.m.: Gayle Carline, “How Will My Readers Find Me?” (in person with Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
2 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (4/25)
Donna R. (4/11)
Leighanne (4/25)
Rosie (4/25)
Joanne (4/18)
Burt (4/25)
Lance (4/25)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
18 Apr meeting notes; 25 Apr reading list
18 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “A Child with Boundaries”), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Lance attended Left Coast Crime in Seattle last week, during which he signed a representation letter with his new agent.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Wednesday, Apr. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Arlene L. Walker, Seeds of Deception (in person at the Tibor Rubin Library, 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove)
- Thursday, Apr. 18, 6 p.m.: Christopher Reich, Matterhorn (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
- Saturday, Apr. 20, 10 a.m.: Brian Fitzpatrick, Dennis Crosby, and Matt Conant, “Creating Unforgettable Worlds in Any Genre” (in person with SCWA at 19 Restaurant, Laguna Hills)
- Thursday, Apr. 25, 6 p.m.: Sheila Yasmin Marikar, Friends in Napa (in person at the Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
25 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (4/18)
Donna R. (4/11)
Leighanne (4/18)
Rosie (4/18)
Burt (4/18)
Lance (4/18)
Joanne (4/18)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
11 Apr meeting notes; 18 Apr reading list
11 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt (revised chapters from Class of 1942), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Annie’s Story”), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Attendees celebrated Donna’s birthday during the meeting.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Apr.13, 10 a.m.: Mary Buckham, “Active Setting” Parts I and II (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Sunday, Apr. 14, 3 p.m.: Private investigator and retired FBI agent Kenneth Strange, author of A Cop’s Son: One G-man’s Fight against Jihad, Global Fraud, and the Cartels; Orange County licensed private investigator and ambassador for child safety Lynda Bergh Herring; and retired SWAT and Hawaii 5-0 team member and LA County Deputy Sheriff David Putnam, author of the Bruno Johnson series (in person at the Muzeo Open Book Series in Anaheim) (moderated by Maggie Margarita)
- Wednesday, Apr. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Arlene L. Walker, Seeds of Deception (in person at the Tibor Rubin Library, 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove)
- Thursday, Apr. 18, 6 p.m.: Christopher Reich, Matterhorn (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
18 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (4/11)
Donna R. (4/11)
Leighanne (4/11)
Rosie (4/11)
Lance (4/4)
Joanne (4/11)
Burt (4/11)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
4 Apr meeting notes; 11 Apr reading list
4 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt (chapters from Class of 1942), Glenda, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Lance will attend Left Coast Crime in Bellevue, WA next week.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Sunday, Apr. 7, 6:30 p.m.: Tommy Orange, Wandering Stars (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Tuesday, Apr. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Don Winslow, City in Ruins (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Thursday, Apr. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Dissection: A Medical & Political Thriller (in person at the Laguna Beach branch, 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach)
11 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (4/4)
Donna R. (4/4)
Leighanne (4/4)
Joanne (3/28)
Rosie (4/4)
Burt (4/4)
Lance (4/4)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
28 Mar meeting notes; 4 Apr reading list
28 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Glenda, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author event for the next week:
- Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2 p.m.: Annual Spring Tea and Book Launch with Van Hoang, The Monstrous Misses Mai (in person at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Av., Huntington Beach)
4 APRIL READING LIST
Glenda (3/28)
Donna R. (3/21)
Leighanne (3/28)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
Burt (3/28)
Joanne (3/28)
Rosie (3/28)
Lance (3/28)
21 Mar meeting notes; 28 Mar reading list
21 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Four people attended (again, though not the same four): Donna R., Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie (a revised prologue and new first chapter for The Mad Monk’s Daughter).
NEWS & NOTES
Lance posted pitches for PFL on the Sisters in Crime national online forum and in its Guppy Chapter online forum.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Mar. 23, 1 p.m.: Jennifer J. Chow, Ill-Fated Fortune; Sybil Johnson, Brush up on Murder (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Sunday, Mar 24. 25, 3 p.m.: Laurie Stevens, “Creating Fiction in a World of AI and Technology” (in person at Book Carnival)
28 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/21)
Donna R. (3/21)
Leighanne (2/29)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
Burt (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Rosie (3/21)
Lance (3/21)
14 Mar meeting notes; 21 Mar reading list
14 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Four people attended (again): Burt (chapters from Class of 1942), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “The Other Side of Addiction”), and Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar).
We also discussed ways to advertise for new members.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Mar. 16, 2 p.m.: Pat Spencer, Golden Boxty in the Frypan (in person for Book Carnival)
14 MARCH READING LIST
Glenda (3/14)
Donna R. (2/15)
Rosie (2/29)
Leighanne (2/29)
Benafsha A. (2/22)
Faridoon B. (2/22)
Burt (3/14)
Joanne (3/14)
Lance (3/14)
Pure Fiction League 