Events
Spring Writers Conference 2016
Spring Writers Conference 2016
You’ve heard about it through email. We’ve talked about it at meetings. You’ve seen it on Facebook. Have you signed up for the Writers of Kern Spring Writers Conference? The Spring Writers Conference brings four prominent people in the writing and publishing field together in Bakersfield to teach creatives how to become better writers. Their focus is to help you get published.
This year we have expanded to the Liberty Hall at Hodel’s on Knudsen Dr. The event is Saturday March 12th, from 8 am until 4 PM. Included with your registration is a continental breakfast, Hodel’s famous buffet lunch, and light snacks. There will be local authors and other vendor spaces available. This IS THE writers event of the year.
This years invited guests are:
Edgar Award-winning and New York Times best-selling author Anne Perry is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk novels. She is a prolific writer to say the least. She has sold over 27 million copies and every book she has written is still in print. Anne will show you how to “Put Your Heart on the Page” and will participate in a Q & A session with Victoria Zackheim.
Victoria Zackheim is an author, playwright and UCLA instructor of writing. She has published anthologies and works with Anne at many writing workshops. Victoria will help you take that kernel of an idea, develop it, and get it published.
Matthew Woodman is a poet and CSUB professor. Matthew will be talking about “Letting The Voice Lead”. His poems have appeared in recent issues of Unsplendid, Jab, Empty Mirror, Gris-Gris, Cactus Heart, and The Brasilia Review. Matthew has been teaching since 2000.
Bakersfield Californian columnist and investigative reporter, Lois Henry studied journalism at Fresno State and has worked for the Californian since 1990. Her articles tackle the tough issues and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. She’ll show you ways “Write Like You Mean It”.
Register for the SPRING WRITERS CONFERENCE NOW!
Anne Perry & Victoria Zackheim Events
Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim Help You Become a Better Writer
The Writers of Kern Spring Conference is right around the corner. On Saturday, March 12th at Hodel’s Liberty Hall you will get to hear Edgar Award winner and novelist Anne Perry. Anne has sold over 27 million copies of her books and it’s a good bet she knows a little about writing.
Victoria Zackheim teaches writing at UCLA. She also is a novelist and playwright. One of her favorite topics to teach is the Acorn Class. “We’ve all been struck by that acorn-that nut of an idea- but what to do with it?” says Victoria. She helps the writer explore how one little idea…and acorn of an idea…can be nurtured and developed into many media possibilities: short story or poem, feature film or documentary, essay, memoir, novel, theater play.
At the Writers of Kern Spring Conference you will not only get to hear these two excellent speakers, but poet and CSUB professor Matthew Woodman and Lois Henry, columnist for the Bakersfield Californian. There is still time to register visit the Spring Conference Page. We’ll see you at the conference!
Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim are also presenting a workshop along with Barbara Abercrombie at the Ebell Club in Los Angeles. The Ebell Club is an educational and philanthropic organization founded by women in 1894. The Ebell Clubhouse is a wonderful venue to see and learn from theses very knowledgeable writers. To register for this All Day Writing Workshop go to Ebell Events Page.
We were able to catch up with Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim to talk about theirupcoming writers’ workshops in Southern California. If you want to take your writing to the next level, these are the people from which to learn. Check out the video with Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPGfhXxXZ9A]
Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain
Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain
Mark Bagby is an expert on Samuel Clemens, best known under his pen name, Mark Twain. Mark Twain wrote an astonishing array of work, practically inventing travel writing and redefining children’s literature. He was a journalist and sought-after speaker. The most popular and widely read author of his day, Clemens wrote what many consider the most notable American novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was America’s first celebrity author and a brand name.
Mark Bagby’s newest Twain lecture, “Finding Out is Better: Mark Twain on Writing”, is designed especially for the Writers of Kern February 20th monthly meeting at the Clarion Hotel.
Mr. Bagby compiled stories, anecdotes, and writing tips from his extensive research on the gamut of Mark Twain’s works to create this lecture. “I’ve gathered up material of interest to writers, along with a laugh or two,” he said. “I hope to engage listeners with some not-so-well known Mark Twain quotes about writing, editing, style, publishing, criticism and life.”
An accomplished Mark Twain performer, in his day-to-day life, Mark Bagby is a communications director for an agricultural marketing company. For this special presentation, he will provide a behind-the-scenes peek at the life of Mark Twain and discuss the work necessary to perform in character.
To hear a brief interview with Mark Bagby LISTEN HERE
Monthly General Meetings
Writers of Kern Monthly General Meetings are a time when local writers get together to socialize, network, and improve their writing skill. Each month the group presents an expert to help local writers hone their craft.
The meetings are open to the public. Coffee and light refreshments are served at 9:30 with the general meeting beginning promptly at 10 am. All Active Members of Writers of Kern are encouraged to wear their Writers of Kern Active Pin.
Writers of Kern meetings are held at the Clarion Hotel from 9:30-noon. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests, payable at the door or online https://writersofkern.com/meeting-fee/
Kid Lit Writers Get Together
Kid Lit Writers Get Together
Calling all Children’s Writers:
Kid Lit writers take note! Writers of Kern and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) are teaming up for a Kid-Lit Mingle Saturday, January 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Russo’s Books, 1601 New Stine Rd., #182.
The SCBWI is one of the largest organizations for writers and illustrators. The organization is dedicated to those writers and illustrators working in the children’s literature (Kid Lit) and young adult fields in all facets including magazines, film, and multi-media. According to their mission statement the organization, “… to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books around the world. We accomplish this by fostering a vibrant community of individuals who bring books for young readers to the public including writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, bloggers, enthusiasts and others. We provide education and support for these individuals and the community through our awards, grants, programs and events. We strive to increase the quality and quantity of children’s books in the marketplace, and act as a consolidated voice for writers and illustrators of children’s books worldwide.”
Whether you write picture books, middle grade or young adult, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow Kid Lit writers, share ideas and discuss writing goals. Participants may bring the first page of a work-in-progress to share.
The event is not only social, Kid Lit writers will leave with 100 tips to help you on your path to publication. If you are a writer or illustrator specializing in children’s literature, you need to come to this event. To RSVP contact Rebecca Langston-George at [email protected]
The author of six non-fiction books for children, Rebecca Langston-George is the Assistant Regional Advisor of the Central Coastal Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). When she’s not writing Rebecca can be found in her fifth grade classroom or procrastinating at her keyboard beside her tribe of sock monkeys. www.rebeccalangston-george.com