Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
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)
21 Sep meeting notes; 28 Sep reading list
21 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Chris L., Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 23, 1 p.m.: Nancy Cole Silverman, Passport to Spy (in person with Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Sunday, Sep. 24, 3 p.m.: Lynda J. Bergh Herring, True Lies – My Life as a Private Investigator (in person with Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, Sep. 28, 1 p.m.: John Connolly, The Land of Lost Things (in person at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, Sep. 28, 5:30 p.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Dissection: A Medical & Political Thriller (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av., Cypress)
28 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (9/21)
Donna R. (8/31)
Leighanne (9/21)
Rosie (9/21)
Benafsha A. (8/31)
Burt (9/21)
Chris L. (9/21)
Lance (9/21)
Joanne (7/27)
14 Sep meeting notes; 21 Sep reading list
14 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Four people attended: Burt, Chris L., Glenda, and Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 16, 10 a.m.: “Getting the Word Out: The 411 on Book Promotion,” with book publicist Megan Beatie (in person for the Southern California Writers Association)
- Saturday, Sep. 16, 2 p.m.: Michael Brandman, Death Threat (in person at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, Sep. 21, 12 p.m.: Author luncheon featuring Jennifer Coburn, Cradles of the Reich, and Sarah James, The Woman with Two Shadows (in person at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Av.)
- Thursday, Sep. 21, 6 p.m.: Ronald Winston, King of Diamonds (in person at the Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park)
21 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (9/14)
Donna R. (8/31)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (8/31)
Rosie (9/7)
Benafsha A. (8/31)
Burt (9/14)
Chris L. (9/14)
Lance (9/14)
7 Sep meeting notes; 14 Sep reading list
7 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Burt (a chapter from Class of 1942), Chris L. (the final chapter of Staff) (congratulations, Chris!), Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Sep. 9, 10 a.m.: Allie Pleiter, “Perfect Pairings: Characterization” and “The Five Friends Every Writer Needs” (virtual with OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Sep. 9, 3:30: Nicola Harrison, Hotel Laguna (in person at the Laguna Beach Library, 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach)
- Monday, Sep. 11, 6 p.m.: William Kent Krueger, The River We Remember (in person at the Donald Dugan Library, 1855 Park Av., Costa Mesa)
14 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (9/7)
Donna R. (8/31)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (8/31)
Rosie (9/7)
Benafsha A. (8/31)
Burt (9/7)
Chris L. (9/7)
Lance (9/7)
31 Aug meeting notes; 7 Sep reading list
31 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Five people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Family Jewels), Donna R., Glenda, Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha will attend the Southern California Writers’ Conference in Irvine 15-17 Sep.
Craig Johnson will discuss his latest novel, The Longmire Defense, at the Orange Public Library (407 E. Chapman Av., Orange) on Tuesday, Sep. 5, at 6 p.m. (in person with Book Carnival).
7 SEPTEMBER READING LIST
Glenda (8/31)
Donna R. (8/31)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (8/31)
Rosie (8/31)
Burt (8/24)
Chris L. (8/24)
Lance (8/24)
Benafsha A. (8/31)
24 Aug meeting notes; 31 Aug reading list
24 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Family Jewels), Burt (chapters from Class of 1942), Chris L. (the penultimate two chapters of Staff), Donna R., Glenda, Lance (a chapter from The Bluejay of Mullingar), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Lance will attend Bouchercon in San Diego 30 Aug-3 Sep and will participate in an author panel on Thursday, 31 Aug.
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Aug. 26, 1 p.m.: Naomi Hirahara, Evergreen (in person with Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Sunday, Aug. 27, 3 p.m.: Greta Boris and Megan Haskell, “The Author Wheel” (in person with Sisters in Crime OC at Book Carnival)
31 AUGUST READING LIST
Glenda (8/24)
Donna R. (8/24)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (7/27)
Rosie (8/24)
Burt (8/24)
Chris L. (8/24)
Benafsha A. (8/24)
Lance (8/24)
17 Aug meeting notes; 24 Aug reading list
17 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Family Jewels), Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R., Glenda, and Lance (the first two chapters of The Bluejay of Mullingar).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.: LIT UP! OC at SCWA (in person at the Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo Street, adjacent to the San Juan Capistrano Train Station)
- Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m.: Tiffany Haddish, Layla, the Last Black Unicorn (in person at the Tustin Library, 345 E. Main St.)
- Saturday, Aug. 19, 1 p.m.: Mike Befeler, Last Gasp Hotel (in person with Mystery Ink at the Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, Aug. 19, 2 p.m.: Carl Vonderau, Saving Myles, in conversation with Matt Coyle (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, Aug. 20, 12 p.m.: Naomi Hirahara, Evergreen; Rachel Howzell Hall, What Never Happened (in person at Book Carnival)
- Tuesday, Aug. 22, 5 p.m.: Judith Tschann, Romaine Wasn’t Built in a Day (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av.)
24 AUGUST READING LIST
Glenda (8/17)
Donna R. (8/17)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (7/27)
Rosie (7/27)
Burt (8/17)
Chris L. (8/17)
Benafsha A. (8/17)
Lance (8/17)
10 Aug meeting notes; 17 Aug reading list
10 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
It was Summer Lite, but we managed a meeting with five people: Benafsha A. (three chapters from Family Jewels), Burt (chapters from Class of 1942), Chris L., Glenda, and Lance (the final chapter of Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Saturday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.: Mary Buckham, “Active Hooks Part 1 & 2” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Saturday, Aug. 12, 1 p.m.: Ellen Byron, Wined and Died in New Orleans; Maria Di Rico, Four Parties and a Funeral; Daryl Wood Gerber, A Flicker of Doubt / Poaching is Puzzling; Lee Hollis, Poppy Harlow and the Shooting Star / Death of a Clam Digger (in-person event at the Orange Main Library)
- Monday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m.: Deanna Raybourn, Killers of a Certain Age (in person at the Tustin Library, 345 E. Main St.)
- Tuesday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.: Bonnie Kistler, Her, Too: A Novel; Jamie Lynn Hendricks, I Didn’t Do It (virtual for Book Carnival)
- Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m.: Stephen Maitland-Lewis, Legacy of Atonement (virtual for Book Carnival)
17 AUGUST READING LIST
Glenda (8/10)
Donna R. (7/20)
Joanne (7/27)
Leighanne (7/27)
Rosie (7/27)
Chris L. (8/10)
Burt (8/10)
Benafsha A. (8/10)
Lance (8/10)
3 Aug meeting notes; 10 Aug reading list
3 AUGUST MEETING NOTES
Three people attended: Benafsha A., Chris L., and Lance. We decided we’d prefer to try again next week when we’ll have more people.
NEWS & NOTES
Author event coming up this next week:
- Monday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m.: Alli Frank & Asha Youmans, Better Half (in person at the Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos)
10 AUGUST READING LIST
Glenda (7/27)
Donna R. (7/20)
Joanne (7/27)
Burt (7/20)
Benafsha A. (8/3)
Leighanne (7/27)
Rosie (7/27)
Lance (8/3)
Chris L. (8/3)
27 July meeting notes; 3 Aug reading list
27 JULY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Joanne, Lance (the penultimate chapter of Bluejay Rises), Leighanne (a chapter from On the Steps of the Palace), and Rosie (two chapters from Sure Shot).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events coming up this next week:
- Sunday, July 30, 10 a.m.: Spencer Quinn, Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, July 30, 3 p.m.: Mike Stockstill, Transforming the Irvine Ranch: Joan Irvine, William Pereira, Ray Watson, and the Big Plan (in person at the Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way)
- Wednesday, Aug 2, 5:30 p.m.: Nicola Harrison, Hotel Laguna (in person at the Brea Library)
3 AUGUST READING LIST
Glenda (7/27)
Donna R. (7/20)
Joanne (7/27)
Burt (7/20)
Benafsha A. (7/27)
Leighanne (7/27)
Rosie (7/27)
Lance (7/27)
Chris L. (7/27)
20 July meeting notes; 27 July reading list
20 JULY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Family Jewels), Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L. (two chapters from Staff), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne, and Lance.
NEWS & NOTES
A busy week of author events coming up:
- Friday, July 21, 5 p.m.: Jeremy P. Bushnell, Relentless Melt (virtual with Book Carnival)
- Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m.: Special author storytime with Vivienne Chang and Eugenia Yoh, This Is Not My Home (in person at the Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Av.)
- Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m.: Dave Lopez, It’s a Great Life If You Don’t Weaken (in person at the Orange Main Library)
- Saturday, July 22, 4 p.m.: Matthew Quirk, Inside Threat (in conversation with Maddie Margarita)(Virtual with Sisters in Crime OC)
- Sunday, July 23, 11 a.m.: Children’s author storytime with Vivienne Chang and Eugenia Yoh, This Is Not My Home (in person at the Katie Wheeler Library, 13109 Old Myford Road, Irvine)
- Sunday, July 23, 2 p.m.: Kate Mosse, The Ghost Ship (in conversation with Mariah Fredericks)(virtual with Book Carnival)
- Sunday, July 23, 3 p.m.: Dave Putnam, The Scorned (in person at Book Carnival with Sisters in Crime OC)
- Wednesday, July 26, 6 p.m.: Jennifer J. Chow, Hot Pot Murder; Valerie Burns, Murder is a Piece of Cake; Lee Hollis, Death of a Clam Digger (virtual with Book Carnival)
27 JULY READING LIST
Glenda (7/20)
Donna R. (7/20)
Joanne (7/20)
Leighanne (7/13)
Rosie (7/13)
Lance (7/20)
Burt (7/20)
Chris L. (7/20)
Benafsha A. (7/20)
Pure Fiction League 