I love self-publishing, but there are many ways to do it badly. Whole books have been written about this topic. Here are a few tips based on my experience. 1) If your book has graphics, make sure the person you hire to edit it uses the same software you do (same version, same computer OS). …
Perils & Pitfalls of Self-Publishing by Jim Aikin Read More »
Writing Backward—Begin by Plotting from the End Join us on Zoom for our monthly meeting! See below for Reservation & Payment details* Martha Alderson will present “Writing Backward—Begin by Plotting from the End” at the Tri-Valley Writers April meeting. Most writers spend far more time writing and rewriting the beginning of their stories. By the …
Martha Alderson, the Plot Whisperer, April 17, 2021 Read More »
Becoming a Writer: A Discussion with Dana Gioia, Former California Poet Laureate Join us on Zoom for our monthly meeting! Dana Gioia, former California Poet Laureate, will present “Becoming a Writer” at the Tri-Valley Writers March meeting. He will read poems and discuss his own odd journey towards being a writer. He will also discuss his …
Dana Gioia, California Poet Laureate, March 20, 2021 Read More »
January is traditionally a time to celebrate new beginnings, but what does that mean in a pandemic? What value does change have when nothing is the same anyway? Old West stories tell of pioneers coming across abandoned belongings from earlier wagon trains. Many of the items appeared to be heirlooms that the owners realized were …
When Nothing Is The Same, How Do You Change? By Lani Longshore Read More »
Publishing: 2021 and Beyond What Book Publishing Will Look Like in the New Normal Join us on Zoom for our monthly meeting! See below for Reservation & Payment details* Laurie McLean will present “Publishing: 2021 and Beyond, What Book Publishing Will Look Like in the New Normal” at the Tri-Valley Writers February meeting. This presentation …
Laurie McLean, Founding Partner of Fuse Literary, February 20, 2021 Read More »
Since we’re close to the new year, I want to share the adages and advice that have seen me through the pandemic, and how I’ve adapted them. There’s always one more SOB than you counted on. This was my father’s favorite saying. I’ve found that it has many layers of meaning for me as a …
Patricia Boyle’s YA fantasy novel, Traitor in the Realm, (January 19, 2021) is now available. Kallan MacKinnon, and her foster brother, Matthew Webbe, become trapped in a besieged medieval kingdom. Their friendship is tested when they meet magically gifted teens from the new world, and they must tangle with prehistoric creatures and magical beings in …
Eve Sprunt co-authored Mentoring and Sponsoring, The Keys to Success (Springer, 11/12/20). While everyone was stuck at home because of the pandemic, Eve and her co-author, Maria, used Zoom to interview leaders from around the world who have excelled in a wide range of career paths. Those discussions revealed critical success factors for both sides of …
Back in January, Yvonne Carder took part in a writers’ retreat beginning with a train ride from Los Angeles to Oakland and ending with a residence in the Bay Area where authors collaborated on stories inspired by the history and culture of California. The byproduct of the hard work culminated in an anthology titled, Journeys …
We inherited a recipe notebook from my husband’s grandparents. Both were wonderful cooks, and they wrote down their favorite recipes in a stenographer’s pad. The problem is, they knew exactly what they were doing, so they neglected to write down some details future generations might find useful. The recipe below, for instance, has the ingredients …
