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Branch Officers and Leaders

2020–2021 Elected Officers

SHAWN LANGWELL
President

[email protected]

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.

Shawn Langwell

Vice Presidents

[email protected]

Judy Baker

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

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

Jeane Slone

About Jeane

Author Launch,
Sonoma County Fair Chair (for RW Participation)

Jeane Slone has been a board member of Redwood Writers since 2009, and chair of the annual Author Launch and Sonoma County Fair events. 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.

Eljumaily Malena
Treasurer

Malena Eljumaily

[email protected]

Secretary

Crissi Langwell

[email protected]

crissilangwellprofile8-

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-LUBECK_

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. 

JoelleBurnette_headshot2_x500px-1

Joelle Burnette

Web Editor
[email protected]

About Joelle

Anthologies Editing/Proofing
Graphic Design
Twitter / Pinterest Pages

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.

Marilyn-Skinner-Lanier

Marilyn Skinner Lanier

Speaker Chair
[email protected]

About Marilyn

Marilyn Skinner Lanier grew up on cattle ranches in Oregon and Wyoming—the setting for her debut novel, Hardpan. 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.

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

ROGER-LUBECK_

Roger Lubeck

Membership Chair
[email protected]

About Roger

Roger Lubeck, Ph.D., 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.

Jeane Slone

Jeane Slone

Author Launch
[email protected]

About Jeane

2015 Jack London Award recipient

Jeane Slone served as a vice president of the California Redwood Writers Club and continues serving as a board member. She is a member of the Healdsburg Literary Guild, Military Writers Society of America, and the Pacific Coast Air Museum. Conducting research is common practice among writers. One may say, Jeane literally leaped into her research when she went skydiving to experience the same as her book's protagonist in She Was an American Spy During World War II. More of her books featuring powerful women of the 1940s include a winner of the national 2012 Indie Book Award, She Flew Bombers During World War II.

Jeane is host of the television show "Writer/Speak" and a tutor for the Library Literary Program. As well, she created a business as a Sonoma County book distributor, representing more than 85 local authors whose books are sold in 17 shops. Visit her website at JeaneSlone.com.

Skye Blaine

Skye Blaine

Member-at-Large
[email protected]

About Skye

Member-at-Large

Skye Blaine writes fiction, memoir, poetry, and blogs, developing themes of aging, coming of age, disability, awakening, and the profound bonds we have with our dogs. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University. Bound to Love: a memoir of grit and gratitude, was published in 2015 and has won three awards. Her first novel, Unleashed, was released in late 2017, and she's now in the middle of the sequel. Skye is published in seven anthologies, and in national magazines: “Yes” and “Catalyst.” She teaches writing to older adults through Santa Rosa Junior College as adjunct faculty.

PAMELA HECK

Pamela Heck

Member-at-Large
[email protected]

About Pamela

Pamela Heck is an artist, writer and special education teacher. Since she has taught pre-school children with special needs for 30 years, it is not surprising that she is most passionate about writing for kids. Currently she is hard at work illustrating her non-fiction, picture book, Amazing Animals: Fun Facts from A to Z. In addition, Pamela also writes memoir, short story, and poetry. Since joining Redwood Writers in 2015, her work has appeared in numerous Club anthologies as well as the California Writers Club Literary Review. She is featured as an Artist of Merit in the 2020 poetry anthology, And Yet. Pamela is also an artist in residence at the Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery. In addition, her art has been featured in many galleries and venues throughout Sonoma County. During the summer of 2019, she spent three weeks at Studio Faire in Nérac, France, as an artist in residence.

Visit her website at PamelaHeck.com

Committee Leadership:
Contests

Tina Riddle Deason

Contest Coordinator
[email protected]
Tina Deason

About Tina

Tina Riddle Deason is the author of One’s Own Sweet Way, A Novel About Anxiety Disorder, several short stories including Redwood Writers and Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, as well as Sage Woman, Witches & Pagans, and Common Grounds magazines. She is currently working on two novels and an apprenticeship manual. She writes and performs rituals and ceremonies and leads women’s circles, and a yearlong Priestess Apprenticeship.

priestesstina.com

Committee Leadership:
Club Promotion

crissilangwellprofile8-

Crissi Langwell

Newsletter Editor & Social Media
[email protected] [email protected]

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.

Shawn Langwell

Shawn Langwell

Public Relations
[email protected]

About Shawn

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.

JoelleBurnette_headshot2_square

Joelle B. Burnette

PR – Twitter
[email protected]

About Joelle

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.

RWP-small-logo-

Redwood Writers Press
2017 - 2020 Anthology Editors

crissilangwellprofile8-

Crissi Langwell

SUNSET SUNRISE: A Collection of Endings & Beginnings
[email protected]

About Crissi

Crissi Langwell writes romance, magical realism, and literary fiction novels that feature strong female heroines and tell the story of the underdog. Her young adult novel Forever Thirteen received an honorable mention in the Writers Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Her latest novel Numbered is a dystopian romance set in 2050. She’s currently editing her next novel, Turtle Treasure.She joined Redwood Writers in 2012 and has served as the club's 2020 anthology editor, past newsletter editor, and a member of the board. Find her at crissilangwell.com.

Tommie Whitener-

Tommie Whitener

ENDEAVOR: Stories of Struggle and Perseverance
[email protected]

About Tommie

Tommie W. Whitener writes novels and short stories. His published books include: Mother Earth: Three Couples, a novel; Wanda and the Watch, a collection of short stories; and Tom & Leone: Star-Crossed Lovers, a historical novel. He was the editor-in-chief of the Redwood Writers 2019 anthology of fiction and memoir, Endeavor: Stories of Struggle and Perseverance. He expects to publish another collection of short stories by the end of the year and hopes soon to complete Swords and Roses, a novel set in Russian in the late nineteenth century and based on an Anton Chekhov short story about a dashing young calvary officer in love with another man’s wife. In addition to a law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law, he holds two degrees in International Relations, one from UCLA and the other from Tufts University. He is fluent in Russian and has at least once visited most of the major Russian cities. He lives in Novato with Svetlana, his wife of more than 20 years.

Robert Digitale

Robert Digitale

SONOMA: A Region and its People
.

About Robert

Robert Digitale is a staff writer at The Press Democrat, and for more than three decades, he has written a wide range of news and feature stories. He also is the author of the fantasy series The Root of Glory, which includes the novels Horse Stalker and Blaze & Skyfire.

Robbi Sommers Bryant-2

Robbi Sommers Bryant

REDEMPTION: Rising from the Ashes
.

About Robbi

Robbi Sommers Bryant's award-winning books include a novella, four novels, five short story collections, and one book of poetry. Her work is published in magazines including Readers Digest, Redbook, Penthouse, college textbooks and several anthologies.

Robbi’s work was also optioned twice for television’s Movie of the Week. She is past-president of Redwood Writers, the largest branch of the California Writers Club, and currently serves as vice president. Her focus is developmental, content, and copy editing.

Visit her website at robbibryant.com.

Fran Claggett

Fran Claggett

2016, and 2018 – 2021 Poetry Anthologies
[email protected]

About Fran

Fran Claggett recently published her third book of poetry and memoir, Moments with Madge: Lux Aeterna. She has two previous collections of poems. After years of teaching, consulting, publishing, and writing, Fran is currently an instructor for memoir and poetry, both in her home and at Sonoma State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She has received a number of awards for her teaching, and for her books on critical thinking, literature, and writing.

Les Bernstein

Les Bernstein

2018 – 2021 Poetry Anthologies
[email protected]

About Les

Les Bernstein has been published in journals, presses, and anthologies in the U.S. and internationally. Her chapbooks Borderland, Naked Little Creatures, and Amid the Din have been published by Finishing Line Press. She has won the 2014 Nazim Hikmet award and is a 2015 Pushcart Prize nominee. Les lives in Mill Valley.

Committee Leadership:
Public Readings

Robin Gabbert
Salon Chairwoman

Robin Gabbert

[email protected]

Redwood Writers Circle Chair

Linda Reid

[email protected]

Linda-Dec2013-_JBpix-sm

About Robin

Robin Gabbert is a lawyer who yearned to escape the world of legal writing and return to her roots as a Creative Writing Major, particularly to writing poetry. Her poems have been published in Redwood Writers’ 2020 Poetry Anthology, the California Writers Club' 2020 Literary Review, and accepted for the 2021 Redwood Writers Poetry Anthology. Her first book, Diary of a Mad Poet, Poems was published in October.

About Linda

Past President
Play Festival Chairwoman
Anthologies Leader
Contests Leader
Poetry Anthology Liaison

Linda Loveland Reid is author of two published novels, Touch of Magenta and Something in Stone. Her writing has won short story contests and is published in many anthologies.

Linda is an instructor for Sonoma State University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute where she teaches art history courses for which she has designed the curriculum. As well, she serve's on the institute's curriculum committee.

Linda graduated cum laude in history and art history from Sonoma State University. She is founder of a family insurance business in Santa Rosa, as well as a theater director and figurative oil painter.

Note: The wonderful Redwood officers, board members, and committee leaders on this page are those who serve all year long. Other Redwood members serve for key events and activities and will appear on this website with their special functions from time to time. Our thanks to all!

Elected Officers

President: Shawn Langwell
Vice President: Judy Baker
Vice President: Marilyn Lanier
Vice President: Jeane Slone
Secretary: Crissi Langwell
Treasurer: Malena Eljumaily 

Board Members:

Immediate Past President: Roger Lubeck
Past President: Sandy Baker
Web Site Editor: Joelle Burnette

Speaker Team: Pamela Heck
Membership Chair: Roger Lubeck
Historian: Linda Loveland Reid

Speaker Chair: Marilyn Lanier
Author Launch: Jeane Slone
PR Manager: Shawn Langwell

Volunteers: There are scores of volunteers who make it possible to provide the many services and activities of Redwood Writers. Check back here for an updated list to be posted soon.

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Redwood Writers is the largest of 22 California Writers Club branches.
Our motto: “Writers helping writers.”

Redwood Writers
P.O. Box 4687
Santa Rosa, CA 95402