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Events

Bunco Night Is Loads of Fun

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Come Join Us For Bunco!

If you’ve never played Bunco and wondered what it is all about, join Writers of Kern on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Christine’s in the Stockdale Fashion Center. Christine’s is located behind the Outback Steak House.

You’ll find Bunco is one of the easiest games to play. If you can role three dice at one time, you can play like a champion. There is absolutely no skill necessary. You will learn about traveling, making a Bunco, winning and losing. The best part is you are eligible to win a prize for all of those things! We’ll be serving refreshments and have lots of goodie baskets you can try to win, too.

The cost is $25 a person. You can pay in advance at Christine’s or call Janet Skibinski at 664-6983 to make a reservation; but do it soon, as seating is limited. WOK keeps all of the money raised with proceeds going to the Peggy Connelly Scholarship Fund. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dice roll promptly at 6:30 p.m., and you should be on your way home by 8:30 p.m.

You do not have to be a Writers of Kern member, or even a writer.  If you like fun, foolishness, and making new friends, Christine’s on April 14 at 5:30 p.m. is the place to be! See you there.

Spring Writers Conference 2016

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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:

  • Spring Writers ConferenceEdgar 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.
  • Spring Writers ConferenceVictoria 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.
  • Spring writers conferenceMatthew 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.
  • Spring Writers ConferenceBakersfield 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

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Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim Help You Become a Better Writer

Anne PerryThe 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.

Anne PerryVictoria 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

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Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

Mark BagbyMark 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/