upComing Events
Zoom
Members only! Access the meeting link through the Member Portal.
*CWC-OC does not endorse these events or venues, which are listed as a resource. Check before you attend by clicking on the venue below for more information and to verify scheduling.
Every Week:
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. – Durty Nelly’s, Costa Mesa
Friday, 5:00 p.m. – The Den, Santa Ana
First:
Saturday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – LibroMobile, Santa Ana
Check Current Schedule:
Third:
Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. – The Nest, Bellflower
Fourth:
Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 – Muse on Fire at Wicked Wolf, Long Beach
Do you know about a local open mic to add to our list? Email us at info@calwritersorangecounty.org to let us know!
Past Events
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2026
- David Putnam, “Writing by the Number: Sixteen Precepts to Write the Novel”
- Kate Gale, “Working with an Indie Press”
- Elle Jauffret, “Juggling Knives in the Dark: Combining Story Elements”
- Emily Jon Tobias, “Loves, Hates, Heroes, and Hardships: An Author’s Journey of Small Press Publishing Her Debut”
- Jessica Danger, “Crafting the Personal into Story”
- Barbara Demarco-Barrett, “Short Stories and the Secret to Writing Transformative Fiction”
- Henry Lien, “Non-Western Storytelling Structures”
2025
- Suzanne Redfearn, “Author’s Journey”
- Tod Goldberg, “Writing a Series Character”
- Matt Conant & Lauren Cipollo, “Writing Collaboration: Building Worlds and Characters”
- Allison Martine Hubbard, “Author Life: Making Connections”
- Camille Hernandez, “Capture Readers Through Imagery”
- Daniel Weizmann, “The W.H.O.C.A.R.E.S. Method of Writing”
- Richard Bausch, “Author’s Journey”
- Paul Haddad, “No-Stress Nonfiction: How to Research and Write It”
- Larissa Brown, “Writing and Illustration: Graphic Novels, Zines, and More”
- David Sandner, “Frankenhistory: Writing Alternate History Between the Historial Novel and the Weird”
- Chelsey Drysdale & Pamela Hines, “The Editing Process and Working with an Editor”
2024
- Amy Wallen, “Publishing, Pie, and Perseverance”
- Sarah Rafael García, “SanTana’s Fairy Tales”
- Carl Vonderau, “Putting Heart into a Thriller”
- Jasmin Iolani Hakes, “From Manuscript to Published Book: Navigating the Editing Process”
- Jillian Pretzel, “The Secrets of Freelance Pitching Successfully”
- Judy Reeves, “Moments to Memoirs”
- Max Evans, “Remix Fiction: Sources of Inspiration”
- Daryl Wood Gerber, “Writing Cross-Genre and Publicity Challenges”
- John Fox & Itay Sharfi, “AI for Writers”
- Candi Sary, “Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life”
- D.J. Adamson, Brian Fitzpatrick, & Cherie Kephart, “Self-Publishing 101”
2023
- Ash Bishop, “Where Have the Bad Guys Gone? Writing Good Antagonists”
- Lisi Harrison, Author’s Journey Series
- R.D. Kardon, “Writing a Page-Turner”
- Tina Mai, “Storytelling: The Power of Words, Initiative, and Community”
- Lisa Cupolo, “Building Tension and Surprise in Short Stories”
- Patty Civalleri, “Applying Trader Joe’s Tactics to the Business of Writing”
- Dennis Crosby, “Planning and Writing a Series”
- Nicola Harrison, “Writing Fiction – Scene by Scene”
- Tracy Neis, “Adapting a Classic Novel for Modern Audiences”
- Elaine Lewinnek, Author’s Journey Series
- Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, “Writing for Hollywood”
2022
- Matt Coyle, “The Right Way to Write a Series and How I Do It”
- Sheila Lowe, “Reading Between the Lines on Your Path to Publication”
- Sheri Fink, “Adventures in Independent Children’s Book Publishing for Fun and Profit”
- Joe Ide, “Writing the Killer Crime Novel”
- Joe Donnelly, “Writing Sucks, But to Have Written Is the Best: Navigating the Long Road to Have Written”
- Alicia Doyle, “Boxing the Shadow to Find the Light: Writing Through and About Struggle”
- Jennifer Chow, “Cozy Mysteries for Modern Readers”
- Gustavo Hernandez, “What the City Holds: How Setting Amplifies Writing”
- Kaira Rouda, Author’s Journey series
- Anne Cleeland, “How to Quit Your Day Job”
- D.J. MacHale, “If You Can’t Stand the Heat…Stay in the Kitchen and Write About It”
2021
- Jason Anspach, “It’s What I Did, Not What I Do: Making your Brand the Star of the Show”
- Seth Wagerman; “The Doctor is IN: Using Psychology to Master Character Development”
- Pam Sheppard; “What is a Comp and Why is it So Important?”
- P.J. Colando; “I Write Funny and You Can Too”
- Deborah Lott, “Writing About Trauma: Art from Adversity”
- Dennis Crosby, “Unraveling the Mysteries of Marketing in the COVID Era”
- R.D. Kardon, “Taming the Tech: Incorporating Technical Expertise without Losing the Reader”
- Gayle Carline; “Rhythm, Pace and Amusement”
- Jasmin Iolani Hakes; “We Are What Happens to Us”
- Joy Lanzendorfer; Author’s Journey Series
2020
- Judy Reeves, “Tell Me a Story: Using Techniques of Fiction to Craft a Compelling Memoir or Narrative Nonfiction”
- Nancy Lynée Woo, “Surprise the Line: Poetry for All Writers”
- Susie Schaefer, “Finish Your Book: Everything You Need to Know About Self-Publishing”
- LeeAnn Krusemark, “Getting Paid to Write for Online Blogs, Magazines, and Websites”
- Kali Wallace, “Spooky Forests and Ominous Moors: Writing Effective Description and Atmosphere”
- Joan Gelfland, “Getting Published! You Can Be a Winning Writer: The 4 Cs Approach to Author Success”
- Kim Dwinell, “Creative the Graphic Novel”
- Cherie Kephart, “Soul Therapy: The Spirit of Writing”
- Patrick Coleman, “Writing Across Genres”
- Maggie Downs, “Writing a Memorable Memoir”
Notice of Photography and Media Consent
By attending our events, you acknowledge and agree that photography and video recordings may be taken.
These images and recordings may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, our website, and other non-commercial uses related to our mission.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.