California Writers Club is one of the oldest writers’ organizations in continuous operation in the nation, founded in 1909. We are a nonprofit education corporation with eighteen branches throughout California. Our organization is dedicated to educating writers of all levels and disciplines in the craft of writing and in the marketing of their work. The Club has more than 2,100 members.
Our members are poets, journalists, essayists, technical writers, and creators of genre and literary fiction, as well as editors, booksellers, and others involved in related fields. We are joined together for the common goal of educating ourselves in the craft of writing and the realities of getting our work published. California residence is not required.
Our branches hold regular meetings with informative speakers and opportunities for networking with your fellow writers and publishing industry pros through our workshops, contests, seminars and publications. Join us and improve your writing and build your career.
Jack London and Friends
Founding members of CWC
CWC Officers
President: Roger C. Lubeck
Vice President: Jordan Bernal
Secretary: Crissi Langwell
Treasurer: William Baldwin
Executive Member-at-Large: Sandy Moffett
CWC Mission Statement
The purpose of this organization, as allowed by the Articles of Incorporation filed in the office of the Secretary of State, State of California, May 7, 1913, and amended December 28, 1994 and March 6, 1995 shall be:
For the purpose of providing a forum for educating both members and the public in the craft of writing and in marketing their works. This is served by the monthly public meetings, workshops, and seminars of each of the branches which are open to all writers and is conducted for the purpose of educating writers of all levels of expertise. California Writers Club networks with and is a model for other groups and agencies involved in similar pursuits.
This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
History of CWC
The informal gatherings of Jack London, poet George Sterling and short story writer Herman Whitaker, among others, eventually formed the Press Club of Alameda. In 1909, a faction of the membership split off to form the California Writers Club with Austin Lewis, an English civil libertarian, as the first president. Under the leadership of Dr. William S. Morgan, a quarterly bulletin was started in 1912, and California Writers Club incorporated in 1913, choosing the motto “Sail On!” from Joaquin Miller’s poem, “Columbus.”
Early honorary members included Jack London, George Sterling, John Muir, Joaquin Miller, and the first California poet laureate, Ina Coolbrith. The first WEST WINDS, a hardcover collection of fiction by members, was published in 1914 and was illustrated by California artists. Since that time three other WEST WINDS have been published.
“Writers Memorial Grove” at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland celebrates California’s great writers with the planting of trees. The first tree was planted for Joaquin Miller. Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, Edward Roland Sill, Ina Coolbrith, Jack London, Mark Twain, Charles Fletcher Lummis, and Edwin Markham are so honored as well as Dashiel Hammett, Gertrude Stein, and historians Will and Ariel Durant.
The general purposes of the California Writers Club are to provide a forum for literary criticism and for recognition of achievement, to discover new authors and assist them in developing their talent, and to sponsor educational meetings to promote professional growth.
The members of California Writers Club are meeting the challenge to carry on the legacy of the original motto: Sail On!
California Writers Club Branches
While Redwood Writers, with its 280 members, is the largest chapter of the California Writers Club, there are ongoing opportunities for writers at the numerous chapters throughout our state. Click on any of the links below to visit other CWC websites.
Northern California
CWC events and activities in the Bay Area
Southern California
Central CWC events and activities