Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
13 July meeting notes; 20 July reading list
13 JULY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Family Jewels), Chris L., Glenda, Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne (a chapter from On the Steps of the Palace), and Rosie (two chapters from Sureshot).
NEWS & NOTES
A busy week of author events coming up:
- Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m.: Baron Birtcher, “Poetry in Motion—Putting Emotion on the Page” (in person with SCWA at the Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo Street, adjacent to the San Juan Capistrano Train Station)
- Saturday, July 15, 11 a.m.: Suzanne & Max Lang (in person at the Tustin Library, 345 E. Main St.)
- Saturday, July 15, 2 p.m.: Jonathan J. Brown, Drums Guns ‘n’ Money (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, July 15, 2 p.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Dissection (in person at the Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos)
- Sunday, July 16, 2 p.m.: Chrysteen Braun, The Man in Cabin Number Five (in person at Book Carnival)
- Sunday, July 16, 4 p.m.: Lisa See, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (in person at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Av., Huntington Beach)
- Wednesday, July 19, 2 p.m.: Bruce Borgos, The Bitter Past; John Mann, Blind Fear (in person at Book Carnival)
- Thursday, July 20, 3 p.m.: Marjorie McCown, Final Cut (in person at the Garden Grove Library, 11200 Stanford Av.)
- Thursday, July 20, 5:30 p.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, Dissection (in person at the Aliso Viejo Library, 1 Journey)
- Friday, July 21, 5 p.m.: Jeremy P. Bushnell, Relentless Melt (virtual with Book Carnival)
20 JULY READING LIST
Glenda (7/13)
Donna R. (6/29)
Burt (7/6)
Joanne (6/29)
Chris L. (7/13)
Leighanne (7/13)
Benafsha A. (7/13)
Rosie (7/13)
Lance (7/13)
6 July meeting notes; 13 July reading list
6 JULY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne (celebrating her birthday), and Rosie (the first chapter of a new project, Sureshot) (also celebrating her birthday).
NEWS & NOTES
Lance received a request for a full copy of Bluejay Rises from an agent he met at Left Coast Crime.
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.: Autumn Bardot, “Show Don’t Tell with Symbolism” and “YouTube & Your Social Media Reach” (virtual for OC Romance Writers)
- Sunday, July 9, 2 p.m.: Lian Dolan, Lost & Found in Paris and The Sweeney Sisters (in person at Book Carnival)
- Tuesday, July 11, 4 p.m.: Maurene Goo, Throwback (in person at the Tustin Library, 345 E. Main St.)
13 JULY READING LIST
Glenda (7/6)
Leighanne (7/6)
Donna R. (6/29)
Burt (7/6)
Joanne (6/29)
Benafsha A. (7/6)
Rosie (7/6)
Lance (7/6)
Chris L. (7/6)
29 June meeting notes; 6 July reading list
29 JUNE MEETING NOTES
The entire active PFL membership (nine people) attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Family Jewels), Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Ethel the Elder”), Lance, Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie’s attendance at the Historical Novel Society conference continues to pay off: she received to agent requests for full copies of The Fabulous Mrs. Ziegfeld and one request for a partial copy. Congratulations!
Donna R. attended the Mission Viejo Library’s Local Author Showcase and Book Fair on Sunday, 25 June, which was a successful event for all involved.
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, July 1, 11 a.m.: Jennifer Holm (in person at the Tustin Library, 345 E. Main St.)
- Saturday, July 1, 2 p.m.: Matthew Quirk, Inside Threat (in person at Book Carnival)
6 JULY READING LIST
Glenda (6/29)
Leighanne (6/29)
Donna R. (6/29)
Rosie (6/29)
Lance (6/29)
Chris L. (6/29)
Burt (6/29)
Joanne (6/29)
Benafsha A. (6/29)
22 June meeting notes; 29 June reading list
22 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha (three chapters from Family Jewels), Burt, Chris L. (two chapters from Staff), Glenda, Joanne, and Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, June 24, 1 p.m.: Jennifer Chow, Hot Pot Murder; Marjorie McCown, Final Cut (launch party in person for Mystery Ink at Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.: Cristina LePort, Dissection (in person at the Villa Park Library for Book Carnival)
- Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.: Colleen Fliedner, In the Shadow of War: Spies, Love & the Lusitania (in person at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Rd.)
- Saturday, June 24, 3 p.m.: Sisters in Crime OC hosts D.P. Lyle, “The Ins and Outs of Writing Humorous Mystery” (in person at Book Carnival in Orange)
- Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m.: Nolan Knight, Gallows Dome (in person at Book Carnival)
29 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (6/22)
Leighanne (6/15)
Donna R. (6/8)
Burt (6/22)
Rosie (6/15)
Joanne (6/22)
Benafsha A. (6/22)
Lance (6/22)
Chris L. (6/22)
Gloria A. (5/18)
15 June meting notes; 22 June reading list
15 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha (two chapters from Family Jewels), Chris L. (two chapters from Staff), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “Bus Ride to Vegas”), Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Rosie attended the Historical Novel Society conference in San Antonio on 8-10 June and had great success pitching The Fabulous Mrs. Ziegfeld, including requests for full copies. Congratulations!
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m.: Dr. Cristina LePort, “Deepen Your Story and Tap Your Inner Muse” (in person with SCWA at the Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo Street, adjacent to the San Juan Capistrano Train Station)
- Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m.: Jeri Westerson, The Isolated Seance (in person at Book Carnival)
- Tuesday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.: Colleen Adair Fliedner, Fascinating True Tales from Old California (in person at the Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Av.)
- Wednesday, June 21, 6:30 p.m.: Matt Goldman, A Good Family (in person at Book Carnival)
22 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (6/15)
Leighanne (6/15)
Donna R. (6/8)
Burt (6/8)
Rosie (6/15)
Joanne (6/15)
Benafsha A. (6/15)
Lance (6/15)
Chris L. (6/15)
Gloria A. (5/18)
8 June meeting notes; 15 June reading list
8 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R., Glenda, Joanne, and Leighanne.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events this coming week:
- Thursday, June 15, 5 p.m.: T. Jefferson Parker, The Rescue (in person at the Laguna Beach Library, 363 Glenneyre St.)
15 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (6/8)
Leighanne (6/8)
Donna R. (6/8)
Gloria A. (5/18)
Burt (6/8)
Rosie (6/1)
Joanne (6/8)
Benafsha A. (6/1)
Lance (6/1)
Chris L. (6/8)
1 June meeting notes; 8 June reading list
1 JUNE MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (2.5 chapters from Family Jewels), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Joanne (a short story, “The Guy with the Truth”), Lance (2 chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Author events this coming week:
- Thursday, June 8, 6:30 p.m.: Steve Berry, The Last Kingdom (in person for OCPL at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin)
8 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (6/1)
Leighanne (6/1)
Donna R. (5/25)
Gloria A. (5/18)
Burt (5/25)
Rosie (6/1)
Joanne (6/1)
Chris L. (6/1)
Benafsha A. (6/1)
Lance (6/1)
25 May meeting notes; 1 June reading list
25 MAY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Family Jewels), Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Lance (2 chapters+ from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie (a query letter for The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Donna has finished editing the audiobook for her romcom Running with Hounds…and an English Degree. The audiobook should be available soon from a vendor near you.
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, May 27, 2 p.m.: Warren Easley, Fatal Flaw (in person at Book Carnival)
1 JUNE READING LIST
Glenda (5/25)
Leighanne (5/18)
Donna R. (5/25)
Joanne (5/11)
Gloria A. (5/18)
Chris L. (5/25)
Benafsha A. (5/25)
Burt (5/25)
Lance (5/25)
Rosie (5/25)
18 May meeting notes; 25 May reading list
18 MAY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a short story, “Tools”), Glenda, Gloria A. (a short story, “Lost Love”), Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Gloria is moving to Oregon in the very near future. (Wah!) Depending on her schedule, this may have been her last meeting. We wish her fair winds and following seas and hope to see her in print in the not-too-distant future. Good luck, Gloria!
Author events this coming week:
- Friday, May 19, 6 p.m.: Bruce Borgos, The Bitter Past; John Mann, Blind Fear (in person at Book Carnival)
- Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.: SCWA presents Gregg Hurwitz, “How to Write a Bestselling Thriller—Over and Over and Over Again!” (in person at the Mission Viejo City Hall Council Chamber, 200 Civic Center; $25 advance reservation by 12 p.m. Friday)
- Saturday, May 20, 1 p.m.: Mystery Ink hosts Daryl Wood Gerber, A Flicker of Doubt and Poaching is Puzzling (in person at Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach)
- Saturday, May 20, 3 p.m.: Collen Adair Fliedner, Fascinating Tales from Old California (in person at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library)
- Sunday, May 21, 2 p.m.: Book Carnival welcomes Joe Ide, Fixit (in person) (this is also the May Sisters in Crime OC meeting)
- Thursday, May 25, 12 p.m.: Huntington Beach Friends of the Library presents Jennifer J. Chow, Hot Pot Murder, and Dr. David Unger, A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder (in person at Huntington Beach Central Library)
25 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/18)
Leighanne (5/18)
Donna R. (4/27)
Benafsha A. (5/18)
Burt (5/18)
Joanne (5/11)
Gloria A. (5/18)
Lance (5/18)
Rosie (5/18)
Chris L. (5/18)
11 May meeting notes; 18 May reading list
11 MAY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Joanne (a chapter from The Unreliable Narrator), Lance, and Rosie (1.5 chapters from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, May 13, 1 p.m.: T. Jefferson Parker, Rescue (in person at Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond, Huntington Beach, for Mystery Ink).
- Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.: Shannon Donnelly, “The Importance of Theme” and “Contests as Marketing Tools” (virtual for OC Romance Writers).
18 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/11)
Leighanne (5/4)
Gloria A. (5/4)
Donna R. (4/27)
Benafsha A. (4/27)
Lance (5/11)
Burt (5/11)
Joanne (5/11)
Rosie (5/11)
Chris L. (5/11)
4 May meeting notes; 11 May reading list
4 MAY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Gloria A., Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne, and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
The Tustin Marketplace buildings housing Barnes & Noble and the Open Market OC are allegedly going to be replaced by housing. Recent specifics are few, so there’s no clear information about whether the food court around the Edwards multiplex (including our meeting place) will survive. The B&N is supposed to announce its new location soon.
Author events this coming week:
- Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m.: Gigi Pandian, The Raven Thief; Ellen Byron, Wined and Died in New Orleans; Diane Vallere, Gilt Trip; Lisa Q. Matthews, Fashionably Late (virtual for Book Carnival).
- Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m.: Carolyn Huynh, Little Saigon Stories (in person at the Westminster Branch Library).
- Sunday, May 7, 11 a.m.: Elly Griffiths, The Last Remains (virtual for Book Carnival).
- Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m.: John Borack, The Beatles 100 (in person at the Heritage Park Library, Irvine).
11 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (5/4)
Leighanne (5/4)
Burt (4/27)
Joanne (4/27)
Gloria A. (5/4)
Donna R. (4/27)
Benafsha A. (4/27)
Rosie (5/4)
Chris L. (5/4)
Lance (5/4)
27 Apr meeting notes; 4 May reading list
27 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (the first two chapters from Family Jewels), Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R. (an essay, “How To Have Your Best Breast Cancer”), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne, and Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Author events this coming week:
- Sunday, Apr. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: The Anaheim Library Foundation’s 26th annual Mystery Authors Luncheon and Silent Auction featuring David Putnam, George Fong, Rachel Howzell Hall, and Sheila Lowe. Sheraton Park Hotel, Anaheim.
- Sunday, Apr. 30, 2 p.m.: T. Jefferson Parker, The Rescue. In person at Book Carnival.
4 MAY READING LIST
Glenda (4/27)
Leighanne (3/30)
Burt (4/27)
Joanne (4/27)
Gloria A. (4/27)
Rosie (4/20)
Donna R. (4/27)
Benafsha A. (4/27)
Chris L. (4/27)
Lance (4/27)
20 Apr meeting notes; 27 Apr reading list
20 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt, Chris L., Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), Joanne, Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises). and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Chris recommends the writing-related newsletters available from Scribophile, an online writing community.
Author events this coming week:
- Sunday, Apr. 23, 3 p.m.: Sisters in Crime OC. Carl Vonderau, “Crafting Thrillers with Heart” (in person) (Book Carnival, Orange)
27 APRIL READING LIST
Donna R. (4/6)
Glenda (4/20)
Leighanne (3/30)
Burt (4/20)
Benafsha A. (4/13)
Joanne (4/20)
Chris L. (4/20)
Gloria A. (4/20)
Rosie (4/20)
Lance (4/20)
13 Apr meeting notes; 20 Apr reading list
13 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A. (read the revised first chapter of Grown in the Shade), Burt (chapters from Class of ’42), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Joanne (a chapter from Musings of a Neurotic Unreliable Narrator), and Lance.
NEWS & NOTES
Lance will be speaking remotely to the Tucson chapter of Sisters in Crime on 15 Apr.
Author events galore this week:
- Saturday, Apr. 15, 10 a.m.: SCWA. Lisa Cupolo, Have Mercy on Us (in person) (Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano)
- Saturday, Apr 15, 11 a.m.: AAUW Author Luncheon. Susan Straight, Mecca and In the Country of Women; Lian Dolan, Lost & Found in Paris and The Sweeney Sisters (in person) (Mile Square Golf Course Clubhouse)
- Sunday, Apr. 16, 12 p.m.: Open Book with the Muzeo Museum. Authors Julia Bricklin, Colleen Adair Fliedner, and Baron R Birtcher in conversation with Maddie Margarita (virtual on Facebook Live)
20 APRIL READING LIST
Donna R. (4/6)
Glenda (4/13)
Gloria A. (3/16)
Rosie (3/30)
Leighanne (3/30)
Lance (4/13)
Burt (4/13)
Benafsha A. (4/13)
Joanne (4/13)
Chris L. (4/13)
6 Apr meeting notes; 13 Apr reading list
6 APRIL MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R., Joanne (a chapter from Musings of a Neurotic Unreliable Narrator), and Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Benafsha plans to attend the San Diego Writing Workshop on 29 Apr.
The Tustin branch of Orange County Public Libraries will host Katherine A. Sherbrooke (The Hidden Life of Aster Kelly) on Wednesday, 12 Apr., at 6 p.m.
OC Romance Writers welcomes Betsy Graziani Fasbinder for a virtual workshop double-header: “Podcast as Platform” and “Avoiding the Corny, the Porny, and the Clinical: How to Write Sensual Scenes.” The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 8 Apr.
13 APRIL READING LIST
Donna R. (4/6)
Glenda (3/23)
Burt (4/6)
Gloria A. (3/16)
Rosie (3/30)
Benafsha A. (4/6)
Leighanne (3/30)
Joanne (4/6)
Chris L. (4/6)
Lance (4/6)
Pure Fiction League 