Branch Officers and Leaders

2020–2021 Elected Officers

SHAWN LANGWELL
President

Shawn Langwell has a bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising from San Francisco State University. He earned certificates from Dominican University, Barowsky School of Business Executive Education Leadership Program, and the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute.

Shawn is the author of the memoir Beyond Recovery: A Journey of Grace,
Love, and Forgiveness.

When he's not working or writing, he can be found hiking the west Marin coast. He lives in Petaluma with his wife, Crissi, and three adult children.

Vice Presidents

[email protected]

Judy Baker

About Judy

Judy M. Baker helps creatives overcome barriers that hold them back, like taking the trauma out of marketing. At work on her memoir inspiring women with ovarian cancer to advocate for their health and recovery, she finds time to read, workout, and enjoy life with her husband in Sonoma.

bookmarketingmentor.com

Marilyn Lanier

About Marilyn

Marilyn Skinner Lanier’s desire to capture the drama associated with family ranching in the 1950s caught in the changing culture of the American West inspired her debut novel, Hardpan, and her second novel underway, Jo. A short film, “The Fence,” based on a chapter from her novel, was selected for the Director’s Award at the UCLA Film Festival in 2008. Marilyn has also published short stories and personal essays in a variety of literary venues, including Redwood Writers anthologies.

She has a master’s in English from California State University, East Bay, and has taken creative writing courses through UCLA’s Extension Program. She lives in Sonoma County where she is an active member of Redwood Writers.

Visit MarilynSkinnerLanier.com

Jeane Slone

About Jeane

Jeane Slone has been board member of Redwood Writers since 2009. She is a member of the Healdsburg Literary Guild, the Pacific Coast Air Museum, and the National Women’s History Alliance. She is the author of four historical novels, sole proprietor of ESL publishing, and recipient of the Jack London Award.

Treasurer

Malena Eljumaily

[email protected]

Secretary

Crissi Langwell

[email protected]

About Malena

Malena Eljumaily is an award-winning writer of short plays, fiction and memoir. She is currently working on a full-length play set in Los Angeles in the 1980's. She won the Audience Choice Award at the Redwood Writers 10-Minute Play Festival in 2012 for her play, "Special Delivery." It has since been produced several times in Northern California. She continues to write and submit short plays to theaters all over the globe. Malena is also on the Board of the Northern California Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives in Santa Rosa.

"writers helping writers"

About Crissi

Crissi Langwell writes romance, magical realism, and literary fiction novels that often feature strong female heroines and tell the story of the underdog. She joined Redwood Writers in 2012 and has served as the club's 2020 anthology editor and social media manager, and is currently the club's secretary and newsletter editor. Find her at crissilangwell.com.

Board Members

Roger C. Lubeck

Immediate Past President

[email protected]

About Roger

Roger Lubeck, Ph.D., is is vice president of the California Writers Club, and past president of the Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club. He is the president of It Is What It Is Press. Roger has authored nine novels and co-authored two business books. As well, he was editor and publisher of three anthologies written by members of the Writing Journey, and a memoir, Every Book Counts: The Stories of My Life, by Samuel C. Chandler. Roger has two short plays that were produced: “You Have Won” and “Lean and Hungry.” Roger’s short story “Squeakers” appeared in the California Writers Club 2018 Literary Review. Other short stories have appeared in several Redwood Writers anthologies: Sunset Sunrise (2020), Endeavor (2019), Redemption (2018), No Contest (2017), Sonoma (2017), Journeys (2015), and Water (2014). His poetry has appeared in And Yet (2020), Crow, (2019), Phoenix (2018), Stolen Light (2017), and Sonoma (2017). You can read more of his writing at his daily blog, RogerInBlue.com.

Joelle Burnette

Web Editor

[email protected]

About Joelle

Anthologies Editing/Proofing
Graphic Design
Twitter

Joelle Burnette is an award-winning journalist, writer, and artist. In addition to her work as a KRON4 News web content producer, she reported for the Press Democrat and more newspapers for many years before publishing her first book, Cancer Time Bomb. She also writes and illustrates children's books, including Freedom Doesn't Just Come Along with a Tree, which promotes tolerance and diversity. She turned her pen drawings into her two coloring books for adults, Hearts: Love's Journey, and Snowflakes. Presently, her paintings show in galleries, and her art is carried by stores such as Made Local Marketplace on 4th Street in Santa Rosa.

In addition to being awarded for excellence in newspaper journalism, Joelle's magazine writing was awarded Gold by the International Parenting Media Association that represents more than 100 magazines worldwide. Prior to having received her master's in journalism from Stanford University, Joelle applied her love of writing to her work in congressional offices on Capitol Hill and in California, and media relations on presidential and regional political campaigns. Follow her writing at JoelleBurnette.com and her art on Etsy atJBBurnetteDesigns.etsy.com.