Kate Farrell will present “Storytelling: An Interactive Workshop for Authors” at the Tri-Valley Writers June 17, 2023 meeting. Take your storytelling from the page to the spoken word and enliven your talks, enhance your events, and create a shared experience with your listeners. The power of story immediately engages audiences through simple, traditional techniques.
Kate Farrell, Author and Storyteller, June 17, 2023 Read More »
Tri-Valley Writers will hold its 12th annual high school writing contest awards ceremony on Sunday, May 21 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Livermore Library. Tho Nguyen, Teen Poet Laureate of Pleasanton, will deliver the keynote address.
Students from Tri-Valley high schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon submitted up to two pieces of work in the categories of either Literary Nonfiction, Poetry, or Short Story. The winners will be honored and have a chance to read their work at the ceremony. See the HSWC 2023 page for a list of the winners.
“It takes great courage for students to submit writing to strangers to evaluate and comment on it,” Tri-Valley Writers member Patricia Boyle said. “I’m proud of the students who entered the contest and took the risk of sharing their work.”
12th Annual High School Writing Contest Awards Ceremony—May 21, 2023 Read More »
AM Larks will present “Published! Tips and Tricks from an Indie Editor” at the Tri-Valley Writers May 20, 2023 meeting. Larks will cover tips and tricks on submitting to and publishing in blogs, journals, agents, and publishers. This lecture will include an overview of the publication processes as well as behind the scene looks at publishers and how and why that affects the submission process. Whether you are just starting or figuring out where to go next, this lecture will have something for you.
AM Larks, Author and Editor, May 20, 2023 Read More »
Connie Post will present “Finding your creativity, in the ‘Between Places’” at the Tri-Valley Writers April 15, 2023 meeting. Connie will be exploring the places to find creativity and the exploration of meaningful work in unexpected places. Specifically, these can often be found in the spaces betwixt and between. Some of this approach is explored in her new book Between Twilight, published by New York Quarterly Books.
Connie Post, Poet Laureate, April 15, 2023 Read More »
Jim Azevedo will present “Indie Publishing: What’s the Big Deal?” at the Tri-Valley Writers March 18, 2023 meeting. With “Read an Ebook Week” starting March 5th, now’s your chance to learn what’s so special about indie publishing. Jim will explain how the union of D2D and Smashwords created a self-publishing juggernaut overnight, legitimized the indie author movement, and ensured that even more writers will achieve their dreams of becoming published, globally distributed authors.
In the last 15 years, the book publishing industry witnessed not one, but two sea change events. The first was the democratization of the industry, circa 2008. The second was the merger of the two largest self-publishing platforms, Draft2Digital (D2D) and Smashwords, in March 2022.
Jim Azevedo, Corporate Communications Manager at Draft2Digital (D2D), March 18, 2023 Read More »
Betsy Graziani Fasbinder will present “How to Be the Best Ambassador for Your Book: Pitfalls to Avoid, Practices that Pay Off” at the Tri-Valley Writers February 18, 2023 meeting. Before, during, and after publication writers are asked to talk about their projects: by potential agents and publishers, by booksellers, by potential readers, and…if they’re lucky…by the media. But while writers spend years, even decades honing their craft, they tend not to invest in preparing themselves to represent their books and projects.
Whether pitching an agent at a writers’ conference or telling Cousin Angie about your book at a backyard barbecue, the very best person to create passion for your project—from agents and editors, potential readers, fans, and even super-fans—is you. By learning a few simple (not easy) skills, you can be the best possible ambassador for your book, your ideas, and your causes. And, you can enjoy yourself doing it.
Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Author and Public Speaking Coach, February 18, 2023 Read More »
C.S. Lakin will present a special three-hour workshop on “Emotional Mastery for Fiction Writers” at the Tri-Valley Writers January 21, 2023 meeting. The emotional landscape of fiction is the greatest challenge for writers, yet it is perhaps the most important element because readers want to care. And they can’t care about characters unless writers effectively, evocatively, and masterfully show emotion in their characters.
In this workshop, you’ll be given techniques to help spark emotional response in your readers.
Workshop with C.S. Lakin, Novelist & Writing Coach, January 21, 2023 Read More »
Kymberlie Ingalls will present “Create a Relevant Marking Plan” at the Tri-Valley Writers December 17, 2022 meeting. Marketing can be overwhelming, but it takes a creative mind to bend and shape, work to stay relevant, and be inspired to think big!
In this talk, Kymberlie will discuss:
• Building a platform
• How to eliminate the noise
• Narrowing your focus
• Tackling fear and self-doubt
• Developing a fluid strategy
Kymberlie Ingalls is an award-winning essayist, editor, and author of memoir, opinion, and short fiction. Her books, Bridges: A Lifetime in Essay and 43, compile personal essay, social media, and memoir to address themes of grief, humanity, and the heart. Ms. Ingalls is a long-time member and serves on many board levels of the California Writers Club.
Kymberlie Ingalls, Essayist, Editor, and Author, December 17, 2022 Read More »
Jill Hedgecock will present “Muse Boards: A Visual Writing Aid for All Genres” at the Tri-Valley Writers November 19, 2022 meeting. When distilled down to its very essence, a writer’s job is to immerse their readers in a three-dimensional world through words. Just as fine artists often find it easier to paint what they see, many writers find that prose can be inspired by viewing images. This need was the inspiration to develop the muse board tool.
A muse board is a versatile visual aid designed to create mood, assist in character development, inform book structure, and inspire descriptive text. Its versatility means it can be specialized to fit any genre. And one of its most powerful features is assisting writers in keeping details straight. This talk will describe how to make and use a muse board and the many advantages of investing the time to create one.
In this craft talk, Jill will describe:
• Different Possible Muse Board Formats
• Various Materials that Can be Used
• How to Create Your Board
• Outline Twelve Benefits of This Time-Saving Tool
• How to Use the Muse Board to Market Your Book
Jill Hedgecock, Author and Freelance Writer, November 19, 2022 Read More »
Glenda Carroll is the author of the Trisha Carson mysteries that are set in the San Francisco Bay area. Open water swimming is the undercurrent that runs through all the thrillers. The series includes Dead in the Water, Drop Dead Red,and Dead Code. She is currently working on the fourth Trisha Carson book, Dead to Me. During her presentation, she’ll talk about:
How to use surroundings/location as a character
Take the journalistic approach – who, what why, where when, how
Be specific
Does the surroundings/locations reflect your protagonist’s mood/feelings
The more you look, the more you see
Glenda Carroll, Author, October 15, 2022 Read More »
