Every other month, our General Meetings will feature our Writers Table program. These are informational or practice sessions on the craft of writing, or the business side of writing. Hosted by Mt. Diablo members, each program offers up to six separate topics for members to choose.
*For schedules of specific meetings, see the Meetings and Workshops page.
2026 Schedule
January 10, 2026
- Beta-reading the WRITE WAY with Linda Hartman
Share your unpublished manuscript to selected readers. Collect feedback and reading data to understand what works and what needs polishing. - Chi and Your Inner Writer with Kaleo Ching
Kaleo and Elise Ching have coauthored 6 books on Chi and creativity. Kaleo will share some Chi practices for creative inspiration. - Real World Crime, Criminal Policing with Bob O’Brien
Attention crime, mystery, police writers! This is your opportunity to learn about the real world of policing, crime, investigations, and criminals from a retired SWAT cop’s point of view. - Spreadsheets and Style Sheets: Organize Your Writing with Bill Stong
Spreadsheets can be surprisingly helpful not only with your writing, but also with the marketing and business aspects of writing. At this Writers Table you will also learn about the importance style sheets provide to the consistency of your writing and the value they add when editing or talking with a professional editor or publisher. - What Contest Judges Look For with B. Lynn Goodwin
This Writers Table will be helpful for writers entering contests. Lynn will provide a list of things editors look for and an anonymous sample or two to let people practice editing/rewriting.
March 14, 2026
- All About Substack with Beatrice Weber
Learn all you need to know about Substack, a very popular online publishing platform.Branding your Book on Amazon with Dore’ Ripley
Elevate your Amazon book’s presence with A+ content that transforms your website into a powerful, credibility-boosting brand experience. Add a compelling From the Author section to build a personal connection that deepens trust and inspires readers to buy. - Editing Your Book with Elisabeth Tuck
Topics covered will include how to find an editor, what kind of editor you need, and self-editing tips. Bring sample pages of your work to be edited. - To Be or Not To Be with Al Garrotto
I’ll be helping writers to slim down the use of the “to be” verb in their writing. I know that the most famous and successful writers use tons of “to be” verbs, but that doesn’t make it okay. - Unleash Your New AI Assistant! with Suzy Orpin
Curious about using AI but not sure where to start? Sit down for an easy, welcoming intro to writing prompts that help you brainstorm marketing, scheduling, book trailers, blurbs, and more. Learn how to talk to your new digital assistant so it actually helps you. No tech experience required! - World-Building and Character Development Using AI Images with Jill Hedgecock
Discover how to use AI technology to create images that can improve your setting and character descriptions. - Using Google Library to List Your Book on AI Searches with Patrick Kelly
Learn all about Google Library and how to use it to make sure your book is listed on AI search results.
May 9, 2026
- Author’s Guide to YouTube with Michael Barrington
This table will focus on how to set up and market your book with your YouTube author account. - Developmental Editing with Lyn Roberts
Learn about the world of Developmental Editing from a working professional. - How to Capture Internal and External Emotion on the Page with Gala Russ
Emotion drives every scene, but how do you show what your characters truly feel? In this Writers Table session, Gala Russ breaks down how to write internal and external emotion and teaches three practical strategies to make those feelings land on the page. Ideal for any genre and any stage of writer who wants more vivid, resonant scenes. - How To Turn Your Book into Speaking Engagements with Lucinda Jackson
One of the best ways authors can reach more readers, sell more books, and eventually increase revenue with speaker fees is by speaking to groups of people. In this Writers Table, you will learn how to:- Identify speaking topics based on your book:
- Take the first steps to get started as a speaker.
- Locate venues where you can speak locally and nationally.
- Integrating a Non-American Culture into a Storyline with Barry Hampshire
What should a writer consider when thinking of introducing a character from a different culture to most other main characters. This issue can be complicated if the story covers multiple generations of a family. - Writing Outside the Box: Fun with Brainstorming Techniques with Lori Lynne Armstrong
How do you come up with new plots and characters, or expand on current ones? We all have our process. Sometimes we can’t even explain it in words. Let’s play with different brainstorming techniques to see which ones might have potential to enrich our writing.
ALTERNATES:
- A Great Mystery: Jack London and the founding of the Cal. Writers Club with David George
Was celebrated Bay Area-based author Jack London a co-founder of the CWC? Was he even a member? We’ll explore the murky mystery surrounding the 1909 founding of the California Writers Club and the role that Jack London and his crony’s played in our Club’s launch. Fact, legend, and lore… - Ask Me a Question with Andrew Benzie
As a graphic designer, publisher, and author, I often get asked lots of questions. During this Writers Table, I will attempt to answer ANY questions you have about the process of designing, publishing, or marketing a book.
Contact Us
Have an idea for a topic you’d like to see? Can you lead a session to share your own tips and knowledge? Let us know! Click here to view past topics.
Benefits: Writers Table
Form for members to suggest topics or offer to lead.
