Mission Statement

The Mt. Diablo CWC Branch is one of over twenty branches of the California Writers Club (CWC), a statewide, nonprofit organization. We are dedicated to educating members and the public, via speakers, workshops, and special programs, in the art and craft of writing, publishing, and marketing their works. In addition, the Mt. Diablo Branch is proud to encourage young writers in our community through our annual county-wide, middle school writing contest.

As an organization of professional writers, we encourage our members to:

dedicate themselves to their writing
hone their craft
support each other’s work and publishing successes at all levels
become actively involved in the organization
embrace a positive spirit of cooperation

Both published and non-published guests and the public are welcome at branch meetings.

The California Writers Club Central Board, comprised of representatives from each branch, provides unity and cohesiveness among the approximately 1,500 members that compose the statewide branches.

Your Board

We look forward to connecting with you. For information, please contact us via the form at the bottom of this page.

President: David George
Vice-President: Linda Hartmann
Treasurer: Lucy Hart
Secretary: Dot Edwards

Committee Chairs and Other Responsibilities

Branch Historian:
Central Board Representative: Elisabeth Tuck
Event Logistics: Danard Emanuelson
Membership: Barry Hampshire
Newsletter: Elisabeth Tuck
Norcal representative: Jim Haase
Webmaster/Online Coordinator: Marlene Dotterer/Lyn Roberts
Programs/Workshops: Elisabeth Tuck, Lyn Roberts, Jill Hedgecock, Al Garrotto
Publicity: Ann Damaschino
Reservations: Dita Basu
Young Writers Contest: Marlene Dotterer
Writers’ Tables: Bill Stong, John Marvin

Advisory Board Members

Judith Marshall, Al Garrotto, Kymberlie Ingalls, John Schembra

Branch Awards

The biennial Jack London Award, bestowed by the Mt. Diablo and other branches, honors outstanding members who have been particularly instrumental in helping our branch further its mission. A plaque recognizes this service “above and beyond.” Recent awardees are listed on the California Writers Club Awards site. A full list of our branch winners is below.

Our annual Distinguished Service Awardrecognizes extraordinary commitment and effort on an important branch project during that year. Our list of awardees is below.

Jack London Awardees

2019 Marlene Dotterer
2017 Elisabeth Tuck
2015 Barbara Bentley
2013 Judith Marshall
2011 David George
2009 Joanne Brown
2007 Camille Minichino
2005 Al Villaire
2004 Danard Emanuelson
2003 Jack Russ
2002 Denise Kahn
2001 Alfred J. Garrotto
2000 Bev Lauderdale
1999 Liz Koehler-Pentacoff
1998 Ray Martell
1997 Joan Brennan
1995 Pat Edwards
1993 Ted Fuller
1991 Mercedes Gardner
1989 Helen McGrath

Distinguished Service Awardees

2019 Bill Stong & John Marvin
2018 Jill Hedgecock
2017 Judith Ingram
2016 Danard Emanuelson
2015 Lyn Roberts
2014 Christa Fairfield & Jill Hedgecock
2013 Barbara Bentley
2012 Judith Marshall
2011 Aline Soules
2010 Catherine Accardi
2009 Alfred J. Garrotto
2008 Joanne Brown
2007 Jack Russ
2006 Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff
2005 B. Lynn Goodwin
2004 Agnes Moore
2003 Igal Levy
2002 Hunter Anderson
2001 Laura Fischer
2000 Al Villaire
1999 Adena Reed

Branch Presidents

The presidents list for the Mt. Diablo Branch includes members who were not only active in their writing careers but also active in the club. Many of the presidents were also nominated for the Jack London Award for service.

PRESIDENT