Click here for a list of past events.
Ongoing Event: MWA NorCal Saturday Write-In
Every Saturday from 10:45 AM-Noon
Join us on Saturday mornings for 10 minutes of chatty camaraderie followed by some dedicated writing time.
Members, email MWANorCalEvents@gmail.com and request the Google Meet link to join.
Ongoing Event: Facebook Live
Coming in 2023 to our Facebook page (1 PM Pacific Time):
April 8: The delightful Faye Snowden, author of the award-winning A Killing Rain, is the guest on the next Facebook Saturday Live. Her topic: “How I Write What I Write.” Did you know that her writing process changes with each book? Faye will tell us how and why?
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 22
Hayward Lit Hop
Please join us for the second annual Hayward Lit Hop. Lit Hop showcases a variety of local writers’ groups with the support of local musicians and establishments, including a showcase of MWA NorCal authors. It’s situated in downtown Hayward’s charming B Street area and is absolutely free. Please come support your MWA fellows!
(If you’d like to be considered to read at the event, please contact michellemchouinard@gmail.com.)
May 6-7
Bay Area Book Festival
Saturday, 5:30-7 PM: Noir at the Bar at Cornerstone Craft Brewery, emceed by Randal Brandt, featuring Rina Ayuyang, Margot Douaihy, Mary Robinette Kowal, T. Jefferson Parker, Kwei Quartey & Marcie R. Rendon. This is a 21+ event with a cash bar.
Sunday, 11 AM-12 PM: The Art of Suspense at The Marsh Berkeley
Panelists: Katy Hays, Marcie R. Rendon & Brendan Slocumb, with moderator Laurie R. King
Sunday, 3:30-4:30 PM: Mysteries and Thrillers: Dangerous Destinations at Residence Inn Berkeley – Ballroom 1
Panelists: Margot Douaihy, Catriona McPherson, T. Jefferson Parker & Kwei Quartey
MWA will also have a table for authors on Sunday, May 7. Please contact Claire Johnson if you would like to staff the table for an hour between 10 AM-4 PM.
Saturday, May 27
“Improve Your Dialogue” with Mysti Berry
1 PM
Mysti Berry earned a BA in Linguistics from one of the top five undergrad programs in the country (UCSC), and “half an MFA” from UCLA. She has had short stories published in multiple anthologies, including EQMM and AHMM, and published three volumes of a charity anthology that raises money for voting rights. She’s working on a novel set in 1938 Hilo, Hawaii, a time and place of many different languages and voices.
Many people think that dialog is a skill you’re either born with or you’ll never be good at. I’m here to tell you there are LOTS of things you can do to improve your dialog regardless of any genetic predispositions. I’ve coached a few folks, including a USA Today bestselling author, based on what I learned from Linguistics and screenwriting. I’ll share some basic tools that you can apply to your own dialog to make it reveal character AND move the plot forward. We might even try an exercise if there’s time! You must register for this event here.