Next Meeting: Thursday, 11 January, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
1 Feb meeting notes; 8 Feb reading list
1 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt (chapters from Class of 1942), Faridoon B., Glenda, Joanne, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m.: Jacqueline Woodson, Remember Us (in person at the Tustin Library, 245 E. Main St., Tustin)
- Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Nicola Yoon, The Sun is also a Star (in person at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Thursday, Feb. 8, 6. p.m.: Jahmal Mayfield, Smoke Rings (virtual for Book Carnival)
8 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (2/1)
Donna R. (1/25)
Rosie (2/1)
Leighanne (2/1)
Joanne (2/1)
Faridoon B. (2/1)
Burt (2/1)
Benafsha A. (2/1)
Lance (2/1)
25 Jan meeting notes; 1 Feb reading list
25 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Donna R., Faridoon B. (a chapter from The Dark and the Light), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Spiritual Text”), Lance, Leighanne (a chapter from On the Steps of the Palace), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Sunday, Jan. 28, 3 p.m.: Pat Broeske, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, and Maddie Margarita, “The Art of Interviewing from Both Sides of the Mic” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
1 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/25)
Donna R. (1/25)
Rosie (1/25)
Burt (1/11)
Benafsha A. (1/25)
Lance (1/25)
Leighanne (1/25)
Joanne (1/25)
Faridoon B. (1/25)
18 Jan meeting notes; 25 Jan reading list
18 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Four people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Glenda, Joanne, and Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar).
NEWS & NOTES
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.: Wendall Thomas, “Sequential writing, setting up scenes that work for intent, and crafting scenes that move plots forward” (in person for SCWA at the 19th Hole Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills)
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.: Bricia Lopez, Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling (in person at the Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 2 p.m.: Duane Swierczynski, California Bear (in conversation with Eric Beetner) (in person at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m.: George Geary, L.A.’s Landmark Restaurants (in person at the Laguna Hills Technology Branch, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills)
25 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/18)
Leighanne (1/11)
Donna R. (1/11)
Joanne (1/18)
Rosie (1/11)
Burt (1/11)
Faridoon B. (1/11)
Benafsha A. (1/18)
Lance (1/18)
11 Jan meeting notes; 18 Jan reading list
11 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (chapters from The Class of 1942), Donna R., Faridoon B. (a chapter from The Dark and the Light), Glenda, Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie (the prologue from The Mad Monk’s Daughter).
NEWS & NOTES
Lance finished a first draft of The Bluejay of Mullingar over the holidays.
Upcoming author events for the next week:
- Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.: Laura Drake, “Balancing Backstory”; Selene Grace Silver, “Strategies for Writing Short Romances” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m.: Jeri Westerson, The Twilight Queen (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Jan. 14, 1 p.m.: Brian Fitzpatrick, Mechcraft; Lauren Cipollo, Parallax; screenwriter and SF novelist Matt Conant (in conversation with Maddie Margarita) (in person at Muzeo)
- Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 p.m.: Matt Phillips, A Good Rush of Blood; Lee Matthew Goldberg, The Great Gimmelmans (in person at Book Carnival)
18 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/11)
Leighanne (1/11)
Donna R. (1/11)
Joanne (1/4)
Benafsha A. (1/11)
Lance (1/11)
Rosie (1/11)
Burt (1/11)
Faridoon B. (1/11)
4 Jan meeting notes; 11 Jan reading list
4 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended the inaugural meeting of 2024: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Faridoon B., Glenda, Joanne (a very short story, “Guile”), Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Joanne’s grandson collected her short stories and put them into paperback book form. We look forward to seeing the book soon!
Stats for 2023: we averaged 6.5 attendees and 2.9 readings per meeting.
11 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (1/4)
Leighanne (1/4)
Donna R. (11/9)
Rosie (1/4)
Burt (1/4)
Faridoon B. (1/4)
Joanne (1/4)
Benafsha A. (1/4)
Lance (1/4)
7 Dec meeting notes; 4 Jan reading list
7 DECEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended the ultimate meeting for 2023: Benafsha A., Burt (chapters from The Class of 1942), Faridoon B. (a much revised first chapter from The Light of the World), Glenda, Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie (two chapters from Sure Shot).
NEWS & NOTES
The next regular PFL meeting will be 4 January 2024.
The annual PFL Holiday Party will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 14 December, at Romano’s Macaroni Grill in the Tustin Marketplace shopping center (13652 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, across El Camino from Taco Rosa). The entertainment (other than throwing breadsticks at each other): each attendee will provide a prompt or logline for a story, and the others will write the first line of that story. Bring a notepad and writing utensil. This will not be a potluck affair.
4 JANUARY READING LIST
Glenda (12/7)
Leighanne (12/7)
Joanne (11/30)
Donna R. (11/9)
Benafsha A. (12/7)
Lance (12/7)
Rosie (12/7)
Burt (12/7)
Faridoon B. (12/7)
Chris L. (10/19)
30 Nov meeting notes; 7 Dec reading list
30 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (1.5 chapters from Jewels of Herat), Glenda, Joanne, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We’re down to the last regular meeting of 2023: 7 December.
Rosie and Benafsha both “won” NaNoWriMo (by writing 50,000 words+ each). Congratulations!
The annual PFL Holiday Party will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 14 December, at Romano’s Macaroni Grill in the Tustin Marketplace shopping center (13652 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, across El Camino from Taco Rosa). The entertainment (other than throwing breadsticks at each other): each attendee will provide a prompt or logline for a story, and the others will write the first line of that story. Bring a notepad and writing utensil. This will not be a potluck affair.
7 DECEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (11/30)
Leighanne (11/30)
Rosie (11/30)
Chris L. (10/19)
Joanne (11/30)
Donna R. (11/9)
Burt (11/16)
Faridoon (11/16)
Benafsha A. (11/30)
Lance (11/30)
16 Nov meeting notes; 30 Nov reading list
16 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt (a chapter from Graduation Day, formerly The Class of 1942), Glenda, Lance (1.5 chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Rosie, and the return of Faridoon (the first chapter of an untitled American Civil War saga) (welcome back!).
NEWS & NOTES
We’re down to the last two meetings of 2023: 30 Nov and 7 Dec. There will be no meeting on 23 Nov.
The annual PFL Holiday Party will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 14 Dec, at Romano’s Macaroni Grill in the Tustin Marketplace shopping center (13652 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, across El Camino from Taco Rosa). The entertainment (other than throwing breadsticks at each other): each attendee will provide a prompt or logline for a story, and the others will write the first line of that story. Bring a notepad and writing utensil. This will not be a potluck affair.
Author events coming up during the next two weeks:
- Saturday, Nov. 18th, 9:30 a.m.: Matt Phillips, “Writing Heart Pumping Fiction” (in person for SCWA at the 19th Hole Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Pkwy., Laguna Hills)
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m.: Matt Coyle, Odyssey’s End (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m.: Dr. Nancy Segal, The Twin Children of the Holocaust: Stolen Childhood and the Will to Survive (in person at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita)
- Sunday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m.: Janet Lynn & Will Zeilinger, “Are Two Heads Better than One?” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, Nov. 25, 1 p.m.: Matt Coyle, Odyssey’s End (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
30 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (11/16)
Leighanne (11/9)
Rosie (11/16)
Chris L. (10/19)
Joanne (11/9)
Donna R. (11/9)
Burt (11/16)
Benafsha A. (11/16)
Lance (11/16)
Faridoon (11/16)
9 Nov meeting notes; 16 Nov reading list
9 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Jewels of Herat), Burt, Donna R. (an essay, “How to Have Your Best Breast Cancer”), Glenda, Joanne, Lance (1.5 chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie has officially passed the one million word mark with NaNoWriMo. Congratulations!
Lance was an author/table host at last Saturday’s “Men of Mystery” event in Long Beach.
The annual PFL Holiday Party will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 14 Dec, probably in the Tustin Marketplace shopping center. Details will be announced next week after we nail them down.
We’re down to the last three meetings of 2023: 16 Nov, 30 Nov, and 7 Dec.
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.: Shauna Roberts, “Historical Setting as Character” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m.: Tess Gerritsen, The Spy Coast (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
16 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (11/9)
Leighanne (11/9)
Rosie (11/9)
Chris L. (10/19)
Burt (11/9)
Joanne (11/9)
Donna R. (11/9)
Benafsha A. (11/9)
Lance (11/9)
2 Nov meeting notes; 9 Nov reading list
2 NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Burt (chapters from the novel formerly called The Class of 1942), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Kitchen Table Wisdom”), Lance (1.5 chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
We’re down to the last four meetings of 2023: 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, and 7 Dec.
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.: Christina LePort, Dissection (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m.: Lara Love Hardin, author of Designing Your Life (in person at the Costa Mesa Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
- Sunday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.: Wendall Thomas, Cheap Thrills (in person at Book Carnival)
9 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (11/2)
Donna R. (10/26)
Leighanne (11/2)
Rosie (11/2)
Chris L. (10/19)
Benafsha A. (11/2)
Burt (11/2)
Lance (11/2)
Joanne (11/2)
26 Oct meeting notes; 2 Nov reading list
26 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from The Jewels of Herat), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne, Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
No author events scheduled before 4 Nov.
2 NOVEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (10/26)
Donna R. (10/26)
Leighanne (10/26)
Rosie (10/26)
Chris L. (10/19)
Burt (10/12)
Lance (10/5)
Joanne (10/26)
Benafsha A. (10/26)
19 Oct meeting notes; 26 Oct reading list
19 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from The Jewels of Herat), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Joanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.: SCWA Halloween Spooktacular with authors Dana Hammer, Candi Sary, and Merrie Destefano (in person at the 19th Hole Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills) (new location!)
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.: Tori Eldridge, The Ninja’s Oath; Jonathan Mayberry, Cave 13 (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.: Anne Moose, When You Read This I’ll be Gone (in person at Book Carnival)
26 OCTOBER READING LIST
Glenda (10/19)
Donna R. (10/19)
Leighanne (10/12)
Rosie (10/19)
Chris L. (10/19)
Burt (10/12)
Lance (10/5)
Joanne (10/19)
Benafsha A. (10/19)
12 Oct meeting notes; 19 Oct reading list
12 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt, Benafsha A. (two chapters from The Jewels of Herat), Chris L., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “The Mad Matter Ride to Hoag ER”), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Sunday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m.: Dennis Crosby, “Writing in the Outer Limits: How to Humanize the Un-human” (in person for Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.: SCWA Halloween Spooktacular with authors Dana Hammer, Candi Sary, and Merrie Destefano (in person at the 19th Hole Restaurant, 24122 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills) (new location!)
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.: Tori Eldridge, The Ninja’s Oath; Jonathan Mayberry, Cave 13 (in person for Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.: Anne Moose, When You Read This I’ll be Gone (in person at Book Carnival)
19 OCTOBER READING LIST
Glenda (10/12)
Donna R. (9/28)
Leighanne (10/12)
Rosie (10/12)
Chris L. (10/12)
Burt (10/12)
Lance (10/5)
Joanne (10/12)
Benafsha A. (10/12)
5 Oct meeting notes; 12 Oct reading list
5 OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt (chapters from The Class of 1942), Benafsha A. (a chapter from The Jewels of Herat, formerly Family Jewels), Chris L., Glenda, Lance (two chapters from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha attended the Women’s Fiction Writers Association 10th Anniversary Conference in Chicago on 20-23 September.
Rosie’s and Leighanne’s YA author friend Autumn Krause launches her Amazon Editor’s Pick new novel Before the Devil Knows You’re Here on Saturday, 7 Oct., 6 p.m. at the Bella Terra Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach.
Author events coming up this next week:
- Sunday, Oct. 8, noon: Mark Sevi (editor), Blood Fiction Vol. 2 (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.: Baron Birtcher, Reckoning (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.: Rachelle Ayala, “Love at First Write: Whirlwind Romance Writing for Rapid Release and Market Success” and “Love Beyond Boundaries: Writing Romance Novels in the Age of AI” (in person and virtual for OC Romance Writers)
12 OCTOBER READING LIST
Glenda (10/5)
Donna R. (9/28)
Leighanne (10/5)
Rosie (10/5)
Chris L. (10/5)
Joanne (9/28)
Burt (10/5)
Lance (10/5)
Benafsha A. (10/5)
28 Sep meeting notes; 5 Oct reading list
28 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Burt, Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (welcome back!), Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie (two chapters from Sure Shot).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 30, 2 p.m.: Tori Eldridge, The Ninja’s Oath (in person at Book Carnival, in conversation with Gary Phillips)
- Sunday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m.: Tod Goldberg, Gangsters Don’t Die; Kaira Rouda, Beneath the Surface (in person at Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m.: Nicola Harrison, Hotel Laguna (in person at the Aliso Viejo Library, 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo)
5 OCTOBER READING LIST
Glenda (9/28)
Donna R. (9/28)
Leighanne (9/28)
Rosie (9/28)
Burt (9/28)
Chris L. (9/28)
Lance (9/28)
Joanne (9/28)
Benafsha A. (8/31)
Pure Fiction League 