What we’re about
“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
― Anton Chekhov
We are writers.
Like the great sculptors of verse before us, we bleed upon the page (Ernest Hemingway) and indulge ourselves in the drunkenness of writing so reality cannot destroy us (Ray Bradbury). We savor words to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect (Anaïs Nin). And we jump from cliffs, developing our wings on the way down (Kurt Vonnegut).
Some of us are born with pen to paper and fingertips to keyboard; others of us unfold to inspiration’s latent spark. No matter your path, you will find comrades-in-arms at South Bay Writers.
Chartered in 1987 by a small group of wordsmiths, South Bay Writers is the South Bay Branch of the 107-year-old California Writers Club. Today, our flourishing branch includes members from every major literary genre, including fiction, nonfiction, journalism, poetry, memoir, romance, children’s, YA, essay, screenwriting, literary critique, and playwriting, as well as editors, booksellers, and those in related fields. It is our mission to creatively inspire, support, and educate our members in writing and publishing, and our ongoing programs demonstrate South Bay Writers’ intrinsic commitment.
Our monthly Speaker Series & General Meeting features experienced authors, publishers, agents, and literary-related experts, as do our workshops and retreats.
We draw knowledge from the deep well of our heritage, conceived in the early years of the 20th Century when California author, journalist, and social activist Jack London and his literary peers gathered for picnics and conversation at the Oakland hills home of poet Joaquin Miller. The Alameda Press Club, led by California poet laureate Ina Coolbrith, held nearby meetings at the Shattuck Hotel in Berkeley. In 1909, after various mergers and spin-offs (now lost to history), these informal literary salons became the California Writers Club.
Today, California Writers Club comprises 21 branches and an estimated 1800 members throughout the state—from Silicon Valley to the High Desert and from redwood forests to Orange County beaches. (www.calwriters.org)
We welcome you to join us here at South Bay Writers. We don’t wait for inspiration. We go after it with a club (Jack London).
HOW TO JOIN
Enjoy full benefits of annual membership by signing up online or at our general meeting. Annual membership is $45, with a one-time $20 processing fee; dual membership is $25; and student membership is $20 (up to age 22). JOIN HERE
WHEN & WHERE WE MEET
SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH (except July and December)
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Harry’s Hofbrau, 390 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129
$15 members / $20 non-members
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Guide our club’s future and join our governing Board of Directors or chair one of our committees;
Discounted rates to South Bay Writers’ Speaker Series & General Meeting (monthly), workshops, and retreats;
Discounted rates to statewide California Writers Club events;
Improve your writing skills and learn about publishing during our "Speaker Series & General Meeting" (monthly), workshops, and retreats;
Network and fellowship with writers, published authors, editors, booksellers, bloggers, and others;
Sharpen your manuscript in one of our Literary Salons and Critique Groups;
Publish your work in South Bay Writers’ monthly newsletter WritersTalk;
Submit your writing for consideration to the California Writers Club Literary Review;
Receive writing tips and member news in our monthly newsletter WritersTalk;
Post your biography, photo, Web page, and blog to our online MEMBERS GALLERY;
Promote your book on our online MEMBERS BOOKS;
Sell your book at our monthly general meetings and other club events;
Attend our OPEN MIC reading sessions (twice a month) and read your own work or that of your favorite author;
Receive ongoing announcements of local and national writing contests online on our Facebook page.
California Writers Club® and its logo are registered trademarks of the California Writers Club. South Bay Writers™ is a trademark of the California Writers Club-South Bay Branch.
