About

California Writers Club is a nonprofit educational corporation. Members write novels, short stories, screenplays, poetry, nonfiction, and more. Over half of our members are published. In addition to professional and aspiring writers, CWC membership is open to non-writing literary experts.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake brought together literary figures in informal gatherings at the Oakland home of poet Joaquin Miller and at Coppa’s Restaurant in San Francisco. Among those who shared their work and challenges were Jack London, Herman Whitaker, George Sterling and Austin Lewis. The group grew and in 1909 California Writers Club was founded with Austin Lewis as the first president. It began with one branch in Berkeley, California.

Today, over 1,800 members belong to 22 branches around the state. Members of each branch enjoy the benefits of any branch they visit. In 2003, CWC led the effort to gain a legislative resolution making the 3rd week of October the California Writers Week in perpetuity. The California Writers Club and its branches are registered 501-C3 and 501-C6 nonprofit organizations.

The Orange County branch of the CWC received its charter in 2001. It began when two local writers tired of the long drive to the closest branch in San Fernando Valley and searched for writers closer to home.

Our activities include

panel discussions

3-minute readings

competition judging

critique groups

Read the

CWC-OC brochure

Monthly programs of speakers on various aspects of writing & publishing

To learn more about the statewide organization visit www.calwriters.org.

2023-2025

Executive Committee

Mary Vensel White

President, Programs Co-Chair

Bio

A member of the CWC-OC for many years, Mary served previously as Vice President and Newsletter Editor. She is a college professor, editor, publisher, and author of four novels

Elisabeth Rhoads

Vice President, Programs Co-Chair

Bio

Elisabeth previously served as Treasurer of the CWC-OC. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, she turned to writing. She currently writes novels.

Amy Terranova

Secretary

Bio

Amy has degrees in theatre and education. She spends weekends walking beach trails and writing at coffee shops. She writes Middle Grade novels and is currently querying three Chapter Books in a Chapter Book Series.

Colleen Parker Janssen

Treasurer

Bio

Colleen Janssen has been a reporter for six newspapers in Orange County. Currently, she writes for California Clubwoman Magazine covering social issues, events, and human-interest stories. Like most writers, she has a book sitting on her computer, waiting to find a publisher. Someday…

Claudine Hanani

Membership Chair

Bio

Claudine is a corporate communications and freelance writer as well as a MarCom agency owner.

Carla Fountain

Hospitality Co-Chair

Bio

Carla has an MA in French Literature and has studied several other languages and cultures. She has traveled the world extensively, both on and off of a bicycle and writes travel articles and memoir.

Janet Lynn & William Zeilinger

Hospitality Co-Chairs

Bio

Janet and Will wrote individually until they teamed up and wrote the Skylar Drake Murder Mystery series. Their world travels have sparked several ideas for murder, crime, and thriller stories.

This creative couple has been married for 51 years.

Andrew Pasmant

Community Outreach Co-Chair, Website Assistant

Bio

Andrew has a BA in English, works in IT in higher education, and loves storytelling. Previously, he wrote scenes for repertory theater. Currently, he’s in the process of creating a children’s book to captivate young minds with stories that spark their imagination.

Pumi Phipathanananth

Community Outreach Co-Chair

Bio

A relentless advocate for creativity and community, Pumi hopes to build a club where members don’t just share stories, but write new ones together. Born in SoCal and raised in Hawaii, Pumi holds a BA in Creative Writing from CSULB. His favorite author is Terry Pratchett.

Israel Moya

Social Media Chair

Bio

Israel is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, attorney, and dad. His debut book, a YA historical coming-of-age novel set in rural Central California, is due for release in Spring 2026.

Lance Copp

Newsletter Co-Editor

Bio

Lance is a sophomore at OCC and plans to transfer to UCLA as an English major. He loves biking and being in the outdoors.

Danh Tran

Newsletter Co-Editor

Bio

Danh is a graduate student at CSUF in English. He enjoys reading fiction and philosophy, and he likes to write poetry in his spare time.

Laixi Gu

Club Photographer and Videographer

Bio

With a passion for visual storytelling, Laixi has background in film and television production. His cinematography work has been featured at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and he has produced commercial content. He is currently working as a marking specialist.

Jaclyn Rodriguez

Communications Chair

Bio

Jaclyn is a senior at CSUF studying Communications with a concentration in Journalism. She has written articles as an Assistant Lifestyle Editor for her school’s newspaper, the Daily Titan. She enjoys writing poetry and reading various genres of fiction in her free time.

Carol Celeste

Director

Bio

Carol writes nonfiction and teaches personal essay writing. A charter member of CWC-OC, she has served as Secretary and VP of the CWC Central Board and held several positions in the OC branch. She received the Jack London Award in 2003.

Brian Gaps

Director

Bio

Brian has served on the CWC-OC board for many years, most recently as President from 2021-2023.