Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What Writers Need to Know about Traditional Publishing and Working with Agents and In-House Editors
Georgia Hughes
Presentation:
Long-time publishing professional Georgia Hughes, editorial director at New World Library, will talk about the pros of working with traditional agents and publishers and give tips on how to best present your writing to them. We'll discuss what's different about self-publishing and the trends and patterns we're seeing in publishing, including what publishers are looking for; what will be expected of you as an author; contracts; and answer questions you have about the process.
About the presenter:
Georgia A. Hughes is editorial director at New World Library, where she acquires and edits nonfiction books in the areas of spirituality, personal growth, sustainable business, relationships, health and well-being, animals, and women’s issues. New World Library, publisher of the bestselling The Power of Now and other award-winning books, strives to publish books that help readers change their lives and the world, and aims for diversity and inclusion. Georgia has also worked as a bookseller, freelance editor, and for Harper Collins. Recent acquisitions include Writing That Gets Noticedby Estelle Erasmus, Talking on Eggshells by Sam Horn, Hagitude by Sharon Blackie, The Eloquence of Silence by Thomas Moore, Bones & Honey by Danielle Dulsky, and Stories Sell by Matthew Dicks.
Website: newworldlibrary.com
Saturday,February 15, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UNDERGOING: Opening (into) Emotion on the Page
Amanda McTigue
Presentation:
Are we reaching through? Does the reader care? What is evocative writing anyway? How might we deepen our process in order to deepen the experience of those who read our works? In this craft talk, keyed to all genres, we’ll think and write together, re-directing our approaches while exploring a few prompts. Bring paper and pencils, your phone, or maybe a slab of wet clay and a stylus—whatever you use when you’re playing with words.
About the presenter:
Amanda McTigue has spent her life cross-pollinating between her works on the page and for the stage. Her debut novel Going to Solace was named a Best Read of 2012 by public radio KRCB’s “Word by Word.” Since then, her published short stories have earned her a Pushcart Prize nomination, and a semi-finalist nod from the American Literary Review Fiction Contest. Amanda’s written works for the stage have been produced at Carnegie Hall, the Minnesota Opera, and Sonoma County’s Green Music Center. Since moving to Petaluma in 2000, she’s been staging operas and musicals at Sonoma State University. She’s told stories live at Petaluma’s West Side Stories. She also coaches, helping singers act and actors sing. She’s hard at work finishing her second novel, The Cautionary Tales.
Website: amandamctigue.substack.com
Saturday, March 15, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How to Captivate Literary Agents and Publishers
Chris Hennessy
Presentation:
Chris Hennessy will present How to Captivate Literary Agents and Publishers at the next Redwood Writers general meeting, covering six key topics to help authors connect with industry professionals. He will discuss how to prepare for interactions with agents at writers' conferences and on platforms like QueryTracker, as well as the importance of knowing your manuscript, elevator pitch, one-page summary, and extended pitch. His PowerPoint will feature clips from his award-winning films, social media posts viewed by millions, and examples of queries and book proposals. Attendees will also see Chris demonstrate how to shoot a simple promotional video using just his smartphone. Additionally, he will cover the basics of creating a video speaking reel, landing gigs, building an email list, and increasing visibility. Finally, he will offer insights on building self-confidence and motivating yourself, your team, and your readers.
About the presenter:
Chris Hennessy is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and speaker (BOD, CWC Sacramento) with a prolific career spanning nearly three decades. Between 1990 and 2018, he produced over 1,500 professional videos for major clients, including Google, eBay, the San Francisco 49ers, Deloitte, and OfficeMax.
His television series Yolo YoYo’s won Sacramento’s Best New TV Cable Series in 2019, garnering 125,000 views on Facebook (TV stats unavailable) and featuring four segments on CBS's GoodDay Sacramento. Additionally, he has published six articles in Northern California newspapers.
Hennessy’s upcoming memoir, Touched by Hannah, has reached thousands through social and news media. Over the past 20 months, he has worked closely with prolific author Cecil Murphey to bring the book to life.
To promote Touched by Hannah, he produced the Yolo YoYo’s episode Miracles on College Street, which won the Film Heals award for Most Inspirational Film at the 2022 Manhattan Film Festival in NYC and was the runner-up for Best Episode West Coast at the 2022 ACM Western Region WAVE Cable TV Awards.
Additional Awards:
- Best Film – 2021 Yuba City Arts & Culture Film Festival
- Best Film (Top-Five Finalist) – Comedy Club Anniversary Roast, 2022 Houston Comedy Film Festival
- Best Narrative Episode West Coast – Yolo YoYo’s episode The Stage: Following Our Wildest Dreams, 2022 ACM Western Region WAVE Cable TV Awards
Website: hennschtick.substack.com
Saturday, April 19, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Becoming a Writer
Dana Gioia
Presentation:
Redwood Writers is honored to welcome Dana Gioia, former U.S. Poet Laureate, as our next featured speaker. Dana will share his personal journey of awakening and emergence as a writer, read selected poems, and engage in a Q&A with the audience.
About the presenter:
Dana Gioia is a poet and critic. His six poetry collections include Interrogations at Noon, which won the 2001 American Book Award, and 99 Poems: New & Selected (2016), which received the Poets’ Prize for best book of the year. His most recent collection is Meet Me at the Lighthouse (2023).
Gioia has also published six collections of criticism, including Can Poetry Matter? (2002) and Studying with Miss Bishop: Memoirs from a Young Writer’s Life (2021). He served as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 to 2009 and as California State Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2019. His many honors include the Laetare Medal, the Presidential Civilian Medal, and the Aiken-Taylor Award in Modern Poetry.
He divides his time between Los Angeles and Sonoma County, California.
Website: danagioia.com
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
AUTHOR LAUNCH!
Presentation:
Celebrate the success of Bay Area authors at the annual Redwood Writers Author Launch event. Meet local authors and listen to excerpts from new books published by members. This event is free; lunch will be served and potluck items are welcome.
Details coming soon
Saturday, June 21, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Suzanne Sherman
Presentation:
Memoir - details coming soon
About the presenter:
Details coming soon
Saturday, July 19, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Writing Workshop & Volunteer Appreciation Day
Presentation:
This month’s gathering will be a writing workshop featuring engaging prompts and the opportunity to share readings from our work. We’ll also take time to recognize and celebrate the incredible volunteers who help make our club thrive. Whether you’re looking to spark new ideas, share your writing, or show appreciation for our dedicated members, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss!
Details coming soon
