About us
Want to learn the art and craft of writing: from getting the word on the page through publishing and marketing? This is the group for you. Whether you’re a just starting out or a published author, you are welcome at the Mt. Diablo branch of the California Writers Club (CWC). Our membership includes writers of all styles and genres, editors and those involved in related fields. We are committed to educating ourselves and each other in the craft of writing. Every month (except July and August) we come together to hear writers, editors, teachers, publishers and agents speak on various aspects of the publishing industry. This is an inviting and welcoming group.
Upcoming events
3
February 2026 General Meeting Featuring Chris Hennessy
Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA, US## WRITE IT, FILM IT, SHARE IT – The Power of Video for Authors
## by Chris Hennessy, Filmmaker, Author, Speaker
In this energetic, practical session, Chris demystifies video creation for writers, showing you how to leverage visual storytelling to build your author platform, promote your work, and connect authentically with readers—all without breaking the bank or needing Hollywood production skills.
#### ATTENDEES WILL BE SHOWN:
- How and why to incorporate video into your author platform and writing projects
- The video production process, explaining pre-production, production, and post-production in writer-friendly terms
- Create video buzz
- How to repurpose your videos for free marketing and promotion
REGISTER ONLINE at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops/
#### SCHEDULE
- 9:30 – Sign-in table opens
- 10:00 – Writing Activity: TBD
- 11:00 – Feature Presentation with Chris Hennessy
- 12:00 – Meeting Ends
Stay after the meeting for optional events until 1:30! Meeting attendance is required to participate.
#### COST
- Members: $15.00 ($20.00 after Feb. 7th 12:00 p.m. )
- Guests: $20.00
Pay online when you register or cash/check at the door. Coffee/tea and pastries included.
DEADLINE to register is January 3rd, 12:00 p.m.
*******
Chris Hennessy is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and speaker who spent 28 years producing over 1,500 professional films for major clients including Google, eBay, and the SF 49ers. After retiring from commercial filmmaking, he created the award-winning TV series Yolo YoYo’s (Best New TV Cable Series, Sacramento, 2019) and the short documentary Miracles on College Street—produced to promote his recently released memoir, Touched by Hannah. Miracles won the prestigious ‘Film Heals’ award (most inspirational) at the 2022 Manhattan Film Festival and was runner-up for ‘Best Narrative Episode West Coast’ at the 2022 ACM Western Region WAVE Cable TV Awards.1 attendee
CWC Mt. Diablo Open Mic on Zoom
·OnlineOnline## Join us for Open Mic Night!
*NOTE: Your RSVP on Meetup does not register you for this event. Register online.
Sign up to read a five-minute segment from something you’ve written. It can be a work-in-progress, something already published, or that sheaf of poems you hid under the bed last year. Share it with writers and readers at our 60 - 90-minute Read Fest!
Not ready to read your work to a crowd? That’s okay, we need an audience, too. Come and hear what others have to say.
When you register, let us know if you want to be a reader. The first seven people to sign-up will be given a slot to read for five minutes.
If we have more than seven requests to read we’ll start the list for the next event.
We’ll have time for discussion, but please remember, this is not a critique session! Talk about what you liked, not what the author can do better.
This event is open to the public. Bring your friends!
Register to receive your Zoom link to join.1 attendee
Writers Connection in Walnut Creek with CWC Mt. Diablo Branch
Chicken Pie Shop, 1251 Arroyo Way, Walnut Creek, CA, USImportant! Your Meetup RSVP does not register you for this event. Please register online at our website: https://cwcmtdiablo.org/register-for-writers-connection/
Enjoy a social, in-person event at a local restaurant. Chicken Pie Shop in Walnut Creek has a large, open dining area with distinct areas which can be utilized depending on the size of our group.
Writers Connection is the brainchild of CWC member Michael Barrington. Michael envisions a social place where like-minded people, hapless authors and creative geniuses can come together and chat about the one thing they all have in common: the compulsion to write. This meeting is open to any CWC member, and to the public, published or not, interested in a freewheeling, nonjudgmental, welcoming, and relaxed environment. Its content will include a potpourri of any writing or associated topics: news items, agents, publishers, bouquets & brickbats. Attendance is open-ended, limited only by space. People may come and go as they please.
We will meet for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and the floor is open for discussion!
Ordering food or drinks is up to each attendee and is not required. We encourage everyone to support the venue as much as possible.
Meeting Policy for Guests under 13 Years:
While CWC-Mt. Diablo strives to ensure our meetings, whether in-person or online, are safe for all, participant views are their own. Youth under 13 years old must have their adult join them for this event. By registering you are acknowledging that you are over 13, and that you intend to participate in this program. If you are under 13, please ask your adult to help you sign up. Additionally, we use a third-party vendor for some programs: Zoom. Zoom has their own privacy and data collection policies which you can find here https://zoom.us/privacy/. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of every third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our meetings.
Please register on our website so we can let the venue know the number attending.
Walk-ins are welcome.
1 attendee
Past events
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