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.
Upcoming Events:
July 27-December 21, 2024
MWA NorCal explores AI
MWA NorCal invites you to a 6-session Zoom series to explore different aspects of AI. What is it—an existential threat or a cool new set of tools? Maybe both? What we know for sure is that it’s all around us and it’s here to stay. So, join us on the third Saturday of the month as we try to figure out how to make sense of it, what to be wary of, and how to use it ethically as authors.
Each Zoom session will explore a different capability of AI. Join when you can, for what interests you. You won’t be lost if you can’t make them all. You need to register for these Zoom sessions. Please use the links below.
The AI landscape is changing quickly, and we’ll change topics if something new and interesting comes up, but for now the topics we plan to cover include:
- An Introduction to Generative AI – What is it and why should writers care?
- Saturday, July 27 @ 2:00 pm (rescheduled): Sign up HERE.
- Generative AI and Words – How it works, tools you might find useful, and how to protect your own writing.
- Saturday, August 17 @ 2:00 pm: Sign up HERE.
- Generative AI and Images – We’ll play with the mind-blowing capabilities of image-creation tools and figure out how to use them ethically.
- Saturday, September 21 @ 2:00 pm: Sign up HERE.
- Generative AI and Web Design – We’ll look at music, video, and design environments for creating compelling websites and marketing pieces.
- Saturday, October 19: Sign up HERE.
- Generative AI and Voice – We’ll explore options for generating audiobooks.
- Saturday, November 16: Sign up HERE.
- AI and Translation – From including multiple languages in your work to translating your entire backlist, what’s possible with AI translation tools?
- Saturday, December 21: Sign up HERE
Sessions will be led by Margaret Dumas, sometimes with special guest stars. Margaret doesn’t claim to be an expert but is fascinated by what’s happening with this technology and would like to explore, play, and share with her writing colleagues.
We’ll pay particular attention to how to use this technology ethically—without putting artists, designers, voice actors, or editors out of work. Expect lots of lively discussions, and maybe we can figure some things out together.
September 7, 2024
A Mind for Mystery
San Jose Public Library
1:30-3 PM
Vinnie Hansen, Heather Haven, Leslie Karst & Laurie R. King (m) will talk about how they work, how they got started, and what a person needs today to make it in the mystery world. At the Dr. Martin Luther King Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., Room 255.