Events and Activities for Southern California Writers
- Sun, Jan 31 — IWOSC Reads Its Own
- Wed, Feb 10 — San Fernando Valley (Encino) Satellite
- Thurs, Feb 11 — Westside Satellite
- Thurs, Feb 11 — Ventura (Thousand Oaks) Satellite
- Fri, Feb 12 — Pasadena/Altadena Satellite
- Tues, Feb 16 — Orange County Satellite
- Sat, Feb 20 — SEMINAR: Grammar for Grownups
- Mon, Feb 22 — GENERAL MEETING/PANEL: Writing
Spiritual Topics – health and healing, self-awareness and empowerment, the
essence of love, dealing with loss, and more
- Wed, March 10 — San Fernando Valley (Encino) Satellite
- Thurs, March 11 — Westside Satellite
- Thurs, March 11 — Ventura (Thousand Oaks) Satellite
- Fri, March 12 — Pasadena/Altadena Satellite
- Tues, March 16 — Orange County Satellite
GENERAL MEETING/Panel DIscussion
Writing Spiritual Topics – health and healing, self-awareness and empowerment, the essence of love, dealing with loss, and more
Monday, February 22, 2010
7:30 to 9 p.m. (networking follows the program)
It’s an evolving trend – humankind’s search for fundamental truths by moving beyond conventional wisdom to ask the questions behind the questions, seeking the answers behind the answers. And consequently, as our personal quests draw more attention within the popular culture, an expanding group of smart thinkers are responding to our call by offering public lectures, structured lessons and a myriad of books. The more popular publications in this arena have risen to the top of the best-seller lists, such as: The “Chicken Soup” series, “A Course in Miracles,” “The Secret,” “The Last Lecture,” “The Power of Now,” “The Science of God,” “Life after Death,” “Healing through Faith,” “Law of Attraction,” and many more.
But how wide and differentiated IS the current market for New Age books and articles? If you choose to write about spiritual topics, what are the most constructive ways to focus your message and then stage yourself as an authority and lecturer? How do you define your platform and handle criticism of your message? And most important, why write a book of this nature to begin with?
Our panel will discuss these questions and more by expressing their reasons for tackling such a provocative literary journey and what they’ve learned along the way. Come and join this sharing of ideas and experience.
Our panelists:
DEE WALLACE has worked for over 100 film directors, including Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Wes Craven, Joe Dante, Stephen King, Rob Zombie, and Blake Edwards, and is notably remembered for her starring role in “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” Ms. Wallace appears in the new Harrison Ford film, “Extraordinary Measures.” Recent television credits include “Sons and Daughters,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Cold Case,” “Without a Trace,” and “Ghost Whisperer.”
Ms. Wallace has written three books devoted to the art of self-healing: “Conscious Creation,” “The Big E,” and “The Spiritual Lessons of An Actor’s Journey.” Her call-in radio shows air worldwide. She conducts teaching seminars through the United States, as well monthly workshops about the healing techniques outlined in her books. She also facilitates private healing sessions in the Los Angeles area.
Wallace’s Law of Attraction radio show is every other Thursday at loaradionetwork.com/dee-wallace.html. Also see officialdeewallace.com.
RICHARD JELUSICH, Ph.D., has been teaching, giving lectures, workshops, and private sessions for over 20 years. He served as Dean of Administration and Core Faculty at the California Institute for Human Science, and currently holds a chair on the Board of Directors, continuing as part of the core faculty. Having earned a Ph.D. in Human Science, Jelusich researches the properties of light and sound and the blending of metaphysics and science. He is also an “intuitive” and energy worker, able to perceive how “soul-quality” infuses itself into our waking personality. Dr. Jelusich’s goals are simple: to de-mystify metaphysics, and also to heal and help self-empower individuals on multiple levels.
TODD J. LYON, M. D., graduated from New York University School of Medicine and is a Board Certified Family Physician specializing in mind/body healing. Skilled in the use of hypnosis, Dr. Lyon helps his patients deal with chronic pain. He also leads workshops about physical/emotional state management, grieving, our body’s expression of internal/unconscious experiences, and therapeutic hypnosis. He has a particular interest in somatic awareness as a tool for healing and spiritual transformation. His book, “The Holding Sky of Awareness,” is a collection of essays and metaphors explaining how we can reach states of joy by tempering our egos.
MONY VITAL, Ph.D., is the director and creator of Vital Energetic Balancing, a program designed to raise life force, balance frequencies, and evaluate energy blockages within the physical matrix. Dr. Vital’s program combines the science of quantum mechanics with spiritual perspectives and insight. Using sound frequency technology, Vital Balancing provides in-home bio-energy balancing via one’s own personal computer. In addition, Mony Vital is author of “Ageless Living; Freedom from the Culture of Death.” Through his book and programs, Dr. Vital provides the information you need to create effective life changes.
GEMINI ADAMS has written three books, eight e-books and hundreds of articles for magazines such as: “Women's Health,” “Red,” and “Live It Natural.” As an Amazon bestselling author, Ms. Adams is also the recipient of the National Best Book Award 2009, and the Winston Churchill Fellowship 2006. Her books have been published worldwide by Duncan Baird and Sterling, and have been translated into Spanish by Random House. She has also self-published, self-publicized and gained coverage on 50+ radio and TV shows. In the role of Book Midwife, her mission is to help other budding authors get their work finished and published. She is also a member of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers.
Location: Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City
(Corner of Culver Boulevard. Parking entrance on Culver) Map of location. Parking is free.
Admission: IWOSC members - free; Non-members - $15
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED — Call 877-79-WRITE (that's 877-799-7483) or email the IWOSC office for reservations and information. Reservations will be honored up to ten minutes before the meeting begins.
Please note: The reservation deadline, space permitting, is 12:00 noon on Monday, the day of the meeting.
If you reserve and can not attend, please email the IWOSC office to let us know.
Future IWOSC meeting dates
As a rule, IWOSC meetings are the 4th Monday of the month. These are our tentative General Meeting dates so you can plan for them.
March 22, 2010
April 26, 2010
May 24, 2010
June 28, 2010
July 26, 2010
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IWOSC SATURDAY SEMINAR
Saturday, February 20, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Seminar:
Grammar for Grownups: Painless Grammar and Punctuation Review for Writers
Back by popular demand is "Grammar for Grownups: A Painless Grammar and Punctuation Review for Writers," offered by Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). Presenter is Flo Selfman, public relations consultant, proofreader/copyeditor and sixth-year IWOSC president.
Has the lazy language of email and texting made your professional communications sloppy? Do you agonize every time you prepare an article or a query letter because you're afraid it contains grammar and punctuation errors? Are your skills a little rusty?
Seminar participants will gain grammar confidence in a review of few simple rules that can correct dozens of the most commonly made errors in written and spoken communication. Topics to be covered include:
· 10 common grammar and punctuation errors to avoid
· How to error-proof a manuscript
· Why spell-check isn't enough (or, when is a rose not a rose?)
· Why grammar and punctuation matter
· My computer has a dictionary; what else do I need?
· Coping with current trends in language
· And more!
The seminar incorporates class exercises and useful handouts, and the opportunity to have your grammar, syntax, and punctuation questions answered.
Seminar presenter FLO SELFMAN is a public relations consultant with more than twenty years experience creating and implementing PR campaigns for entertainment, literary and lifestyle clients. Her press kits have received awards. She is a consultant on all aspects of publishing, marketing and publicity for self-published authors and small publishing companies. Her new writing-editing service (with Roberta Edgar) is Words a la Mode.
A native of Ohio, Selfman has a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, a California Secondary Teaching Credential, and the Instructor Development Certificate from UCLA Extension. This is her sixth year as president of IWOSC.
What they say about her workshops:
- “The grammar class was fabulous. Thanks for all the preparation!! Loved every bit of it!”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed your class. Please let me know when you have more”.
- “Excellent course. A wide array of topics. Well-presented. Answered a lot of questions.”
- “GREAT, FANTASTIC FUN!! Teaching with humor always gets the point across.”
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City
(Corner of Culver Boulevard. Parking entrance on Culver. Parking is free.) Map.
Cost: IWOSC members: $15; Non-members: $35
Reservations Required — Space is limited.
Reservation deadline: 4 p.m. the Friday before the seminar.
For reservations and information, email the IWOSC office or call 877-79-WRITE (that's 877-799-7483).
NOTE: If you reserve and can not attend, please email the IWOSC officeemail the IWOSC office to let us know.
Future IWOSC Seminar and Workshop dates
As a rule, IWOSC seminars are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
Here are the tentative dates for the next year or so.
March 20, 2010
April 17, 2010
May 15, 2010
June 19, 2010
July 17, 2010
IN ORBIT: UPCOMING SATELLITE MEETINGS
IWOSC's monthly drop-in satellite sessions are free and open to all writers — both members and non-members.
Bring your writing, your ideas, problems, questions, and complaints. Receive support, laughs, juicy controversy, and plenty of networking. And please support our hosts by purchasing snacks and other products.
ORANGE COUNTY Satellite
Our Orange County Satellite is hosted by, Kurt Bensworth. It now meets on Tuesdays.
The Katie Wheeler Library is now the site for the monthly networking meeting.
Meeting pattern: Third Thursday of every month
Next meetings:
Tuesday, February 16
Tuesday, March 16
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Katie Wheeler Library (bottom floor, community room), 13109 Old Myford Road, Irvine
Admission: Free to both WOSC members and non-members.
If you have any questions about this satellite, contact Kurt by email.
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PASADENA/ALTADENA Satellite
Writers in the San Gabriel Valley meet on the second Friday of every month. This gathering is a joint meeting hosted by the IWOSC Pasadena Satellite and the Alameda Writers Group Special Interest Group (SIG). Jane Neff Rollins is our IWOSC contact for the Pasadena/Altadena Satellite.
Meeting pattern: second Friday of every month.
Next meetings:
Friday, February 12
Friday, March 12
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Location: Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave, Altadena 91001
626-398-7917
Here's a Map to the Coffee Gallery for you.
Admission: Free to both WOSC members and non-members. However, we'd like you to purchase coffee or a snack in support of our host.
For more information about this satellite, email Jane Neff Rollins or call her at (818) 957-3405.
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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (ENCINO) Satellite
Writers in the San Fernando Valley meet on the second Wednesday of most months.
The Valley Satellite offers writers a chance to participate in a free-flowing exchange of ideas about their work and the writing business.
Meeting pattern: Second Wednesday of most months
Next meetings:
Wednesday, February 10
Wednesday, March 10
Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 16461 Ventura Blvd., CA, Encino
Free parking in the shopping center
Here's a map to Barnes & Noble for you.
Admission: Free to both WOSC members and non-members.
Our San Fernando Valley Satellite is currently run by Ron Vazzano. Grab a snack from Starbucks next door or Gelson's across the street before the networking begins. For any questions, write to Ron.
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WESTSIDE Satellite
Writers on L.A.'s west side get together at the Westside Satellite, thank to Vickey Kalambaka.
Meeting pattern: second Thursday of every month.
Next meetings:
Thursday, February 11
Thursday, March 11
TIme: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Dolores Restaurant, 11407 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles (at Purdue).
Restaurant and street parking
Here's a map to Delores Restaurant for you.
Admission: Free to both WOSC members and non-members.
So we can have an idea of attendance, please email Vickey Kalambaka with your RSVP.
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Ventura County Satellite (Thousand Oaks)
Our Ventura County satellite group is run by Dawn Wood, a published poet, physician, and medical script consultant, who recently taught medical narrative fiction at a University of Iowa workshop, The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine. This group has its own website at iwoscventura.ning.com.
Meeting pattern: Second Thursday of every month
Next meetings:
Thursday, February 11
Thursday, March 11
Time: 10 to 12 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person
Location: Sherwood Country Club, 320 West Stafford Road (Golf Clubhouse), Thousand Oaks, CA 91361.
Free parking – stop at guard house for directions to IWOSC.
Reservations are requested. Please contact contact Nancy Rigg or Dawn Wood.
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Intensive Writing Workshop
Our writing workshop is on hiatus. Watch this space for new information.
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IWOSC Reads Its Own
Sunday, January 31, 2010
2:00 - 4 p.m.
Free
Twice a year IWOSC holds a special FREE event — IWOSC Reads Its Own — a spellbinding afternoon of eclectic, eccentric, and exemplary works — from poems to true stories to hilarious monologues and beyond, read aloud by distinguished IWOSC scribes.
Sixteen of IWOSC’s talented member writers will read short excerpts from their work. We’ll be regaled with their wit, have our emotions stirred, or be plunged into deep thought. First-time and return readers will share their work. Selections may be published, unpublished, or works in progress, several minutes in length.
We're pleased to announce another outing of IWOSC Reads Its Own at Barnes & Noble in The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (map)
Come hear:
Ron Vazzano ("Shots from a Passing Car"),
Gary Young (“Loss and Found”),
Lisa-Catherine Cohen,
Robert Birchard (Cecil B. DeMille’s Hollywood”),
Marvin J. Wolf ("Where White Men Fear to Tread"),
Keith Adams (“Broken Whole”),
Kay Mouradian (“A Gift in the Sunlight: An Armenian Story”),
Michele Newman,
Todd Reimer,
Flo Selfman
Lisa Marguerite Mora,
Sue Paoletti,
Dave Henderson, and
Joe Wallenstein.
Reservation NOT Required
Location: Barnes & Noble at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Some of Our Past Events
Wondering what other events and types of events we've had? See our past 2006 events, 2007 events, 2008 events, 2009 past events, and soon we'll have a link to this year's past events.
This page was last updated on Jan 9, 2010 at 4am.
