California Writers Club Orange County presents Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

Guest Speaker: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Topic: "Short Stories and the Secret to Writing Transformative Fiction"

The California Writers Club meets monthly for our featured speaker series focused on the craft and business of writing. Topics are presented by major authors, publishers, self-published writers, college professors, literary agents, and other professionals.

■ 9:00am - 9:30am Networking
■ 9:30am - 11:00am Guest Speaker

Barbara’s latest book is Palm Springs Noir (Akashic), which she edited and contributed a story. Her venture into noir fiction began with the short story, “Crazy for You,” originally published in Akashic Book’s, Orange County Noir, later included in USA Noir: Best of the Akashic Noir Series. Her fiction and poetry have been published in Coolest American Stories 2022, CrimeReads, Dark City Crime & Magazine, The Ekphrastic Review, Crossing Borders, Shotgun Honey, The Literary Hatchet, Rock and a Hard Place, Paradigm Shifts, Broad River Review, Serial Magazine, Beach Reads, and The Oyez Review.

Her first book, Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Igniting the Writer Within, was a Los Angeles Times best-seller and honored with an American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Book Award. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her short story, “Rowboat,” in Kelp Journal (Dec. 2023). In September 2025, Kelp Books will publish her debut short story collection, Pool Fishing.

Barbara is an adjunct professor of Advanced Creative Writing at Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute, and instructor at Gotham Writers Workshop (online). Barbara taught at Chapman University’s Dodge Film School. She also holds two private workshops. She is creator, executive producer, and host of the award-winning podcast, Writers on Writing, where she interviews authors, agents, and poets. The show began on KUCI-FM and is now podcast-only.

Read more about the author at https://www.barbarademarcobarrett.com/

To learn more about the club and this month's scheduled speaker, visit http://www.calwritersorangecounty.org
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Meetings will include networking, author book signings, and more. The Anaheim Packing House is excited to host our group in a historic building has been converted into a “food hall” hosting dozens of food vendors. This will be a great place to grab your morning coffee or pastry, and then listen to our featured speaker.
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To learn more about membership in the California Writers Club please visit: http://www.calwritersorangecounty.org

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Our venue, the Anaheim Packing House, is a historic building that's been converted into a “food hall” hosting dozens of food vendors. This will be a great place to grab your morning coffee, donut, or pastry, and listen to our featured speaker.

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Location:
Anaheim Packing House (Open Dining Area)
440 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805

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Admission:
FREE