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June Featured Speaker – Theresa Simms

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Workshop Title: Navigating Instagram and Canva

This session explores how authors can create and grow an online presence, whether pursuing indie or traditional publishing. Attendees will become familiar with free online tools like Canva for creating website and social media content, along with ways to connect platforms such as Facebook and Instagram through Meta for easier posting.

The presentation will also discuss growing an Instagram following. Attendees will hear how the speaker grew her own following by more than 1,000 followers in one week by making a few strategic changes to her approach. The session is designed to help writers better navigate Instagram, build community, and strengthen their online presence.

For authors with finished works, the discussion will touch on ways social media can help sell books, network, and keep up with trends. For those still working on their projects, the session will explore growing a writing community and building an online presence before publication.

Theresa’s Bio:

Theresa Simms is a horror novelist who was born and raised in rural Missouri. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and son together with their plethora of critters. Unnerving realities from human experiences are highlighted in her works. Theresa is the youngest of ten and retired from the Missouri Air National Guard. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from MS&T and recently graduated from SNHU with a BA in English and Creative writing. Currently, she is working on continuing to polish her craft while pursuing an MFA in English/Creative Writing at SNHU while collaborating with WOK.

Website: https://theresasimms.my.canva.site
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simms_t.e_titles/

Meeting on Saturday, June 20, 2026
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am
The general meeting begins at 9:15 am
Hodel’s at 5917 Knudsen Dr, Bakersfield

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

Writers Row: Meet the Makers

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Writers Row: Meet the Makers is a celebration of books, creativity, and community. Local authors, music, and hands-on activities create an atmosphere that feels both inspiring and welcoming for all ages. It’s a chance to enjoy stories, engage in creative experiences, and connect with others through a shared love of books.

In addition to being a celebration of creativity, the event also supports an important cause. Proceeds from the event help provide scholarships for local student authors, making it both a meaningful and enjoyable way to spend the day.

Writers of Kern is proud to support Kern County student authors with this scholarship fundraiser, hosted by Russo’s Books.

Writers Row: Meet the Makers will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 10AM to 2PM at Russo’s Books, 1601 New Stine, Bakersfield, California.

Join us for a variety of activities, including:

  • Author Meet and Greet tables
  • Craft activities for all ages, including Book Bedazzling, Make Your Own Book and/or Bookmark
  • Vintage and Collectible Book Sales
  • Craft Items from Local Vendors
  • Live Music
  • Author Readings
  • Literary Finds From the Lost Library (Blind Date with a Vintage or Collectible Book)
  • Opportunity Baskets and Silent Offerings, and
  • Gifts and Grab Bags for Moms, Dads, and Grads

Visitors can expect a full schedule, including the opportunity to meet local authors:

  • Carla Stanley
  • Alyssa Maxwell
  • Lisa-Behrens Smith
  • Kathleen M. Kline
  • Robert Petersen / Notorious Bakersfield
  • Hannah Vassallo
  • Kirk Golding
  • Jennette Green

Local podcasters Robert Petersen, Notorious Bakersfield; and Samuel Wright, of Ink, Coffee, and Regrets, will also be available.

Local musician Randall Horne and his acoustic guitar will be providing live music.

Crafters Rebecca SC Martinez of Crafted by RSC; and Clayton Steiner of Steiner Creations will also be supporting our event.

Attendance at this event is free with limited parking available in the north and south lots. Please plan to join us!

May Honors Breakfast 2026

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May Honors Breakfast – Members and Guests Only

Please note that this Awards Breakfast will be held at our usual Saturday morning meeting time.

It’s time for our May Honors Breakfast.  Unlike our “teaching” meetings, this meeting is a breakfast, a social opportunity, and a time to honor those who have met certain goals.

Peggy Connelly Scholarship Presentations*
April Poetry Month Contest Awards*
Robert C. Hargreaves Achievement Award
Writers of Kern Active Member Pinning

If you have been traditionally published within the last 12 months you will be honored with the Robert Hargreaves award.  Please let us know asap if you have qualified for that honor.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Bethane Banks at president@writersofkern.com for more information.

At the meeting, there will be an opportunity basket and time to share your latest writing (five minutes each).  In addition, there will be games and prizes, and a writing prompt if you would like to participate.

*All entries will be judged according to a rubric and must meet the standards of the rubric to be considered for an award.

We look forward to seeing all of our members and their special guests.

Members $20 and **Guests $20
(**If you are bringing a guest and would like to pay below, choose “Member” and then select 2 people, so you can pay for you and your guest at the same time.)

Meeting on Saturday, May 16, 2025
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am
The general meeting begins at 9:15 am
Hodel’s at 5917 Knudsen Dr, Bakersfield

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

April Featured Speaker – Tina Hogan Grant

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Workshop Title: Workshop for Indie Authors

Planning to publish your book? Learn the essential steps authors should take before publication—from building exposure while writing to understanding publishing choices, distribution options, and key marketing considerations.

This session condenses three of the speaker’s indie author workshops into an hour and fifteen minutes, focusing on the most important steps authors should take before publishing a book.

The presentation will address building exposure while the book is still being written, along with the importance of establishing an author website and maintaining a social media presence. It will also explore the publishing choices available to authors, including the decision between publishing wide or enrolling in Kindle Unlimited exclusivity, and how to avoid vanity publishers.

The session will also discuss distribution options, including the role IngramSpark can play, and considerations surrounding ISBN choices. Time permitting, Tina will touch on some of the ongoing challenges of marketing a book and highlight several key factors authors should keep in mind.

As time allows, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions or request additional clarification on specific topics.

Tina’s Bio:

Award-winning author Tina Hogan Grant was born in England and moved to the U.S. in 1979. She spent a decade as a commercial fisherwoman on the southern California coast before retiring to the mountains, where she and her husband built their own dream home. Tina writes women’s fiction, family sagas, small-town rural stories, and romance series—all with strong female leads who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. Her writing blends emotional depth, suspense, and heartfelt relationships, drawing inspiration from her own adventurous life.

Awards:

The Reunions – Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Award, Best Fiction Adventure (2021)
Better Endings – Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Award, Best Fiction Adventure (2020)

Website: https://tinahogangrant.com
Facebook Group: “Read More Books” https://www.facebook.com/groups/tinahogangrant
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Tina.Hogan.Grant.Author/
Instagram: @tina_hogan_Grant
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tinahgrant
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinahogangrant/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18477671.Tina_Hogan_Grant

Meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2026
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am
The general meeting begins at 9:15 am
Hodel’s at 5917 Knudsen Dr, Bakersfield

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

April Poetry Month Contest 2026

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The Spring Poetry Contest is upon us! This year’s prompt is “Blooming.”  

All paid members of Writers of Kern are invited to write a poem and apply.

Word count is up to 1,200. Please use a Word document with no names or other identifying marks. Use Times New Roman, 12pt font, double-spaced, and use the attachment function to send your submission. 

Submissions will be blind judged using a rubric with the following parameters: form, originality, figurative language, message, and meter. The rubrics that Writers of Kern uses can be found on our Rubrics page.

Submissions will be accepted from April 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026. Submissions received before or after those dates will not be accepted. 

Please send your submissions with the subject line “April Poetry Contest” to Sandy Moffett: sm@sandymoffett.com 

Prizes of $100, $75, and $50, if applicable, will be awarded at the May meeting.