What we’re about
Join the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club!
Monthly meetings, low cost workshops, networking, critique groups, a great opportunity to hear from industry professionals, marketing support - Come meet your new friends!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- CWC Write-In at the Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
Join us, the California Writers Club, Berkeley Branch for a monthly 6-hour write-in with camaraderie and accountability!
WHERE: The Oakland Museum of California. The big beautiful building has a bigger and more beautiful garden with lots of seats and tables and places to write. Please choose any publicly accessible spot in the garden or in the Cafe.
HOW MUCH: This is a free event. While the museum charges a price for admission to the exhibits, there is no charge to use the Café or the gardens. Do buy lunch, drink, or something nice at the gift shop. We love OMCA!
WHEN: Second Saturdays, 12-5pm. Come for as little or as much of that time as you like. Find a space and write! Socialize respectfully! If someone is too busy to talk, no worries, shut up and write!
At 3 pm, look for the host for a check-in Meetup or a CWC sign on the table or bench in the cafe or the garden.
BRING: 1) your favorite writing tools, such as a pen and paper or a laptop, whatever is portable. 2) a warm jacket, blanket, or hoodie, if you chose to write outside in the spacious and glorious gardens in winter, or a hat and sunscreen in the summer. 3) a pillow, if that will make you more comfortable to sit and write, and 4) lunch money or a bag lunch/snacks to help you power through.
View for Monthly Dates:
https://bit.ly/cwc-write-in-at-the-oakland-museum-of-california-multipledates - “Writing to Resist” feat. Cory Doctorow, Carol Queen, and David HolperLink visible for attendees$5.00
BUY YOUR TICKET NOW!
https://bit.ly/cwcspeakerseriesWe wrap up one of our most tumultuous seasons ever with an electrifying panel of experts bringing urgent perspectives about technology, physicality, and spirituality. Bring your questions about writing, resistance, and shaping the future for these renowned authors and activists.
About the Panelists:
Cory Doctorow is a New York Times bestselling science fiction author, activist and journalist who has published more than 30 books, including novels for adults and young adults, graphic novels for middle graders, young adults and adults, both fiction and nonfiction, a picture book, serious nonfiction books on tech and policy, and collections of essays and short stories.Website/Newsletter:
https://pluralistic.net/Big-time sexologist Carol Queen has been a force of sex-positive feminism and a global thought leader in our cultural understanding of human sexuality. A two-time Community Grand Marshal of the San Francisco LGBTQ Pride Parade, she’s authored numerous life-changing books such as Real Live Nude Girl: Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture, Pomosexuals, Exhibitionism for the Shy, and The Leather Daddy and the Femme.
Website:
https://carolqueen.com/Poet and writer, teacher and visionary David Holper is the author of three poetry collections—Language Lessons: A Linguistic Hejira, The Bridge, and 64 Questions. David’s won numerous accolades and awards for his poetry, and served as the inaugural Poet Laureate for the City of Eureka as it entered and endured the pandemic.
Website:
https://www.davidholper.com/About our Moderator:
Kristen Caven is our Berkeley Branch historian and recipient of the Jack London Award. As the CWC state Writer-in-Residence in Joaquin Miller Park, she mines Miller’s writings and literary constellation for inspiration, some of which she will share at her Zoom presentation, “Joaquin Miller Reconsidered: A Closer Look at Oakland’s OG Poet,” on Thursday, April 24th, sponsored by the CWC, Friends of Joaquin Miller Park, and the Oakland Public Library.This panel is part of Kristen’s weekly interviews between Mother’s and Father’s Day this year, celebrating the launch of her audiobook, The Winning Family: Where No One Has to Lose, which views parenting as an act of resistance. In October, she received a grant to host “Dimond Dirndl Day” at Oakland’s Oaktoberfest, featuring her animated play, The Dirndl Diaspora.
Website:
https://kristencaven.com/Please see the CWC Blog for more information on our panelists:
https://cwc-berkeley.org/writing-to-resist-5-18-25BUY YOUR TICKET NOW:
https://bit.ly/cwcspeakerseriesMeeting Schedule:
12:30: Zoom opens; networking with members & guestsFeatured Speakers
1:00: Board Announcements & Board Election1:30 to 3:00: Panel & Q/A
Support Group
3:00 – 4:00: Author Support Group
*members only; guests may sit in - "Write in the Hights" monthly writing retreat—Third WednesdaysRanger Station, Oakland, CA
Join us for a mid-month writing retreat at the birthplace of the California Writers Club. The Ranger Station is open from 9am to 3:30pm, but you can come any time during the day. The park opens at dawn and closes at dusk and there are dozens of contemplative spaces to write in the park, surrounded by nature.
Look for other writers at the Ranger Station – inside or outside – at 9am, 12pm, and 3pm to make connections and share your work.
This event is sponsored by the California Writers Club. We offer a monthly speaker series on the craft and business of writing, numerous support and critique groups, and social events for networking and fellowship. We are made up of writers at all stages of our careers, writing in all genres and media, embracing the rich diversity of California Writers.
This event is hosted by the CWC Writer in Residence with Friends of Joaquin Miller Park, who arrives at 11am. Read/follow Kristen Caven's blog, Walkin' with Joaquin.
- CWC Write-In at the Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
Join us, the California Writers Club, Berkeley Branch for a monthly 6-hour write-in with camaraderie and accountability!
WHERE: The Oakland Museum of California. The big beautiful building has a bigger and more beautiful garden with lots of seats and tables and places to write. Please choose any publicly accessible spot in the garden or in the Cafe.
HOW MUCH: This is a free event. While the museum charges a price for admission to the exhibits, there is no charge to use the Café or the gardens. Do buy lunch, drink, or something nice at the gift shop. We love OMCA!
WHEN: Second Saturdays, 12-5pm. Come for as little or as much of that time as you like. Find a space and write! Socialize respectfully! If someone is too busy to talk, no worries, shut up and write!
At 3 pm, look for the host for a check-in Meetup or a CWC sign on the table or bench in the cafe or the garden.
BRING: 1) your favorite writing tools, such as a pen and paper or a laptop, whatever is portable. 2) a warm jacket, blanket, or hoodie, if you chose to write outside in the spacious and glorious gardens in winter, or a hat and sunscreen in the summer. 3) a pillow, if that will make you more comfortable to sit and write, and 4) lunch money or a bag lunch/snacks to help you power through.
View for Monthly Dates:
https://bit.ly/cwc-write-in-at-the-oakland-museum-of-california-multipledates
