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:
Saturday, November 15
2nd Annual Lincoln Book Festival
Lincoln Public Library
485 Twelve Bridges Drive
Lincoln, CA
Doors open at 9 AM
19 NorCal MWA members will converge at the Lincoln Public Library for a day of panel discussions and book fun. Face in a Book will be on hand to sell books and attendees can meet some of their favorite authors or perhaps discover a new-to-them author. This year’s participating authors are: Susan Bickford, Robin Burcell, Michelle Chouinard, Allison Davis, Stacie Grey, Claire Johnson, Ellen Kirschman, Audrey Lee, James L’Etoile, Catriona McPherson, Richard Meredith, Gregory C. Randall, Eileen Rendahl, John Rosskopf, Susan Shea, Faye Snowden, Kelli Stanley, Lisa Towles, and Laura Jensen Walker.
Sunday, December 7
Joint Holiday Party with Sisters in Crime NorCal
The Grand Oak Room at the Los Altos Community Center
97 Hillview Ave.
Los Altos, CA
1-3 PM
Stay tuned for further details!
Tuesday, December 9
Crime Fiction that Matters
Zoom
6 PM
When faced with an injustice, what is the responsibility of storytellers in meeting the moment?
For decades, crime fiction has been used to show readers the ugly, harsh realities of society. From socioeconomic inequality and the unfair influence the wealthy wield in politics, to the racism, bigotry, misogyny and other forms of hate that is aimed at marginalized people.
In this tradition, three acclaimed writers and editors will discuss how their recent books help shine a light on important issues in our society, and how short stories can be a vehicle for raising awareness and affecting change.
MWA NorCal presents a special evening with Mysti Berry, John Copenhaver, and Curtis Ippolito in-conversation about crime fiction that matters.
Mysti Berry is the editor and publisher of Low Down Dirty Vote, a series that raises funds to fight voter suppression. She teaches workshops and speaks at writers conferences about story structure and language. Mysti is an active member of Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA), and has served on the board of her local MWA and Sisters in Crime chapters and on the board of the PSWA.
John Copenhaver is an award-winning author whose latest novel, Hall of Mirrors, was named a New York Times Crime Novel of the Year and won the Left Coast Crime Award for Best Historical Mystery. He is the editor of Crime Ink: Iconic: An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Queer Icons. A founding member of Queer Crime Writers, he teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University and mentors in the University of Nebraska Omaha’s MFA program.
Curtis Ippolito is an award-winning writer and the editor of On Fire and Under Water: A Climate Change Crime Fiction Anthology. He is the author of the novel Burying the Newspaper Man, and his short stories have appeared in numerous prominent publications, as well as being featured in several anthologies. He is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and serves as vice-president for the San Diego chapter of Sisters in Crime.
This is a free Zoom event for all MWA members, but you must register to attend.
February 26-March 1, 2026
Left Coast Crime: San Francisco Schemin’
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111
Left Coast Crime 2026 is coming up FAST! We’re starting to put together the volunteer lists and invite MWA NorCal to come out in droves.
Let’s show what we NorCal-ers can do!
If there’s a particular volunteer job you want, let us know soon. The best gigs go fast! You must be registered to volunteer.
Our team is watching for your request—join us now.