Welcome to O.C. Writers!

We're so happy you've found us. If you aren't already familiar with the group, I'll let you in on a little secret: we aren't like other groups. We don't charge membership dues. We don't hold monthly meetings. And we aren't bogged down by bureaucracy.

What we are is a motivated network of published and aspiring authors dedicated to supporting, encouraging, and learning from each other, as well as creating and sharing opportunities for writing growth. We started as a Facebook Group after Nanowrimo 2012 with just a few members and have since grown to nearly 200 Facebook members, nearly 200 Meetup.com members, and a newsletter mailing list of more than 100 members.

And why have we grown at such an incredible pace?

It's because we offer some really cool stuff. Here's a current list:

• Networking with and encouragement from a pretty awesome group of dedicated writers.
•  The OCWriters.org website, with information on who we are, what we do, and how others can get involved.
• Weekly write-ins at various times and locations around Orange County, scheduled through our Meetup.com site (http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers)
• Lively discussion on our main Facebook group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/OCWriters)
• An online critique group, which runs through a Facebook group called O.C. Inklings (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocwritersinklings)
• An online work-toward-your-goals Facebook group, called O.C. Writers Goals (https://www.facebook.com/groups/OCWritersGoals)
• A monthly in-person critique group, scheduled through our Meetup.com site (http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers)
• Occasional workshops on writing and publishing. Past workshops have focused on plotting methods and synopsis writing. Our next one is scheduled for Aug. 10 and will focus on indie and boutique publishing options (http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/190858682).
• A monthly newsletter emailed to subscribers so you won't miss any of this great stuff.
• Opportunities to write for Orange County's leading online magazine for local writers (www.LitCentralOC.com)
• A Goodreads.com group where you can find all published work of fellow O.C. Writers (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/125617-o-c-writers)
• Social events

We're also planning to coordinate group anthologies, as well as marketing and promotion opportunities for our published authors.

But these are just the ideas we've come up with so far. O.C. Writers and what we offer is--and always will be--a work in progress. That's the true benefit of our group, we're always going to grow and change, and with motivated writers like you, I'm sure we'll just keep getting better and better.

Happy writing!

DeAnna Cameron

Founder, organizer, and passionate booster

O.C. Writers

New Promo Opportunity for Published Authors on Lit Central O.C.

Hi, writers -- 
I'm offering something new at Lit Central O.C. If you write an article for the e-mag and you're a published author (books &/or stories), you can have one title promoted on the new Lit Central O.C. Bookshelf for a full month. You can see it here: http://litcentraloc.com/2014/07/07/introducing-the-lit-central-o-c-bookshelf.

If you want to read the rules, you can find them on the "Submission" here: http://litcentraloc.com/submission-policy.

July 2014 Newsletter Is Out

The July newsletter has been sent out with details and RSVP information for our next workshop, which will focus on independent and boutique publishing options. You'll also find a roundup of good news from O.C. Writers, an update on the anthology, and much more. If you didn't get it in your inbox and you want one, please sign up by subscribing in the sidebar to the right.

Announcement: Self-Publishing and Boutique Publishers Workshop Coming Aug. 10

Have you been wondering what the right publishing choice is for your book? We've assembled an expert panel on the topics of boutique publishing and independent publishing to help you understand your ever-changing publishing options.

Check out our panelists:

• Shawn E. Bell,  author, screenwriter, publisher, naturalist, and media god. Shawn walks authors through every phase of the independent publishing process. 
• Calee M. Lee, CEO of Xist Publishing, the largest children's book, digital-first publishing start-up. Calee began as a self-published author before creating her own company. 
• Sonia Marsh, award-winning author who knows how to market books online and in person. She offers "gutsy" book coaching to authors, as well as webinars and workshops on the topic of branding, platform building, getting your book into Costco, and more. 
• Gayle Carline, columnist and author of seven books. One was released with a traditional publisher, and she has released the others herself. Gayle regularly teaches a workshop titled "Self-Publishing: Is it for you?"

 
Cost: FREE, but reservations are required because seating is limited. RSVP at the Meetup site (http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/190858682)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 10
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m. 
Location: El Toro Library Community Room, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA, 92630 

We would love to have as many questions as possible in advance so our panelist can prepare. Please see our Facebook Group page, or you can email Workshop Coordinator Greta Boris at greta@gretaboris.com.

June Newsletter Is Out

The June newsletter is out now with information on the next O.C. Writers workshop, an author photo opportunity, Nyx's new www.LitCentralOC.com column focusing on technical issues, a terrific interview with Kas Sartori by Kitt O'Malley, and much more. If you didn't get it in your inbox and you want one, please sign up by subscribing in the sidebar to the right.

The Next O.C. Writers Mixer -- at Muldoon's

Gather with your writing friends at a fine Irish pub. Come prepared to name your favorite Irish poet or novelist, and raise a glass to the lyrical tongue. For details, visit and RSVP here:

http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/180007662/

May Newsletter is Out: Introducing Goal May-nia

The May newsletter is out a day early so those not on Facebook will see the update about Goal May-nia (starting tomorrow!). 

There's also info on the next group mixer (and the pics from the one last week), an anthology update, a request for tech-type questions for Nyx's forthcoming column, links to some of the helpful writing-related articles you might have missed on www.LitCentralOC.com, and more. 

If you didn't get a newsletter and want one, please sign up for the O.C. Writers Mailing List in the sign-up form in the sidebar. 

Thank you!

O.C. Writers Mixer on April 23

Hi, writers -- Wednesday night is our next mixer. If you're planning to attend, could you please RSVP at the Meetup site, or if you have RSVP'd and can no longer attend, could you please update it? Also, if you want to attend and don't have a Meetup account, just leave a note here and I'll add you as my guest. No problem. Thanks!

http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/166179852/

Looking for Volunteers to Organize a Writers' Retreat*

Hi, writers,

Some of you might have seen this in the newsletter but I'd like to repeat it here to make sure the news gets to everyone:

Frank Pray would like to organize a writers' retreat to take place in September, but he needs some help.

Specifically, he would like four volunteers who would each tackle one of these areas:

a) member interest / financial commitment / financial records;
b) location / facilities, including contract / reservations
c) "program" for the retreat, including any topics/experts;
d) updates and member communications, and pictures / video of the event (releases).

Anyone who is interested should express that interest here or directly to Frank before April 7.

This could be a fun way to recharge your writing batteries, or to make some serious progress on a work-in-progress. I hope you'll consider it.

*4/8 Update: Sorry, but this won't be going forward. Frank didn't receive enough volunteers. He says he may try again next year, or try for something a bit less ambitious. If anyone else would like to take on the effort or has other ideas for how to get it off the ground, all ideas are welcome.

April Newsletter is out

Hi, writers --

The latest newsletter was sent out on April 1. If you didn't get one and would like to, please add yourself to the mailing list (the sign-up form is on the sidebar).

Happy writing!

Scenes from the Synopsis Workshop

More than 25 O.C. Writers came to hear sage advice on writing a synopsis from New York Times bestselling author Susan Squires on March 23 at El Toro Library in Lake Forest.

Before we let her speak, O.C. Writers Workshop Coordinator Greta Boris and I grabbed Susan for a photo. See how tolerant she is? The mark of a true professional.

If you were there, I hope you came away with helpful information. The raves on the Meetup group indicate you probably did. 

If you weren't there, I do hope you'll join us next time.

Happy writing!

DeAnna

Last Call: Free Synopsis Workshop on March 23

Hi, writers -- the free synopsis workshop with New York Times-bestselling author Susan Squires is this Sunday at the El Toro Library in Lake Forest, and there are 11 spots left. Remember, it's free, but an RSVP is required, so please don't put it off. I'll open up to the public tomorrow...(also if you RSVP'd and now cannot attend, please change your status so the seat won't go to waste...) Thanks!

http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/165779042/

Did you get the March newsletter?

Happy March!

The March issue of Writely So, the O.C. Writers' electronic newsletter, is now available, with information on our upcoming synopsis workshop, Mo-March Facebook Group, April's mixer, O.C. Writers Goodreads group, an anthology update and more.

If you didn't get one and would like to, please sign up for the O.C. Writers Mailing List.

Thanks!

Announcement: The Next Mixer

In addition to the Synopsis Workshop on 3/23, I've also scheduled a new mixer for 4/23. Shakespeare's birthday. Please RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/166179852, if you're interested.

Thanks!

Synopsis Workshop with NYT Best-selling Author Susan Squires on March 23*

The dreaded synopsis. Agents and publishers demand them, yet we hate writing them, don't we? Here's your chance to learn some tricks and tips from New York Times-bestselling author Susan Squires.

I'll get her bio up soon, but in the meantime you can check her out in all her awesomeness here: http://www.susansquires.com.

Susan's synopsis workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the El Toro Library in Lake Forest. Since she is generously offering to provide handouts to those present, we're asking that only people who are serious about attending sign up (which you can do here: http://www.meetup.com/OC-Writers/events/165779042/. Also, RSVPs will be cut off 3 days before the event to allow her sufficient time to produce the handouts. This workshop is FREE!

(If you do not have a Meetup account and prefer not to create one -- or if you have any questions about the event -- contact me at deanna@deannacameron.com.

* As a bonus -- After the synopsis workshop, anyone who is interested is invited to stick around for an impromptu story brainstorming session. Be prepared to describe your story to the group in a minute or two, and what you want feedback on. If you're stuck on something like plot points or character motivation, this is a great way to hear other ideas that might open up new possibilities in your story for you.

The time we have to devote to each brainstormer will depend on the time remaining after the workshop and the number of brainstormers present. Also, it will help us plan if you could leave a note in the comments section below to let us know if you're planning to stick around for the brainstorming session. There's no pressure at all, so don't feel bad if you aren't interested in staying. If we have a really big group, we might just need to break off into 2 or 3 groups instead of one.

Did you get the February newsletter?

Hi, writers -- the February O.C. Writers newsletter just went out to all the mailing list subscribers with updates from the write-in leaders, info on the next workshop, our next mixer, new opportunities for our published authors, anthology news, and lots more. If you didn't get one, you can join the mailing list by entering your email in the Mailing List spot on the right-side of this page.

Alert: Poll In Progress

I just put up a poll on the Facebook Page to determine the topic of the next one-day O.C. Writers Workshop. It'll happen on a Saturday or Sunday in March or April. Probably at the El Toro Public Library in Lake Forest. 

If you don't have a Facebook account (and prefer not to create one) you can still vote by leaving a note here in the comments section. 

Thank you! 

Here's the link to the Facebook page to see the poll: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OCWriters/

Introducing O.C. Inklings, a New Online Critique Group for O.C. Writers

If you haven't been tuned in to the Facebook Group page at www.facebook.com/group/ocwriters, you might not know that Ryan Stansifer has launched an online critique group for O.C. Writers called O.C. Inklings. It's an incredible opportunity for members who can't make Nyx Goldstone's monthly in-person critique group to get feedback on work in progress, and to be supportive of others with the same goal.
Interested in learning more?
Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocwritersinklings/

New members added to 'Our Members' page

Hi, writers! I want to thank JJ Gow and Katherine Sartori for adding their bios to the "Our Members" page. If your bio isn't there, and you'd like it to be, please send me a 150-word or less bio and a little photo of yourself. You can send them to me as a pm here, or to my direct email (deanna@deannacameron.com). Doesn't matter if you've published, doesn't matter if you just joined. Everyone who is on the OCWriters.org mailing list, the Meetup.com site, and/or our Facebook group is welcome :)

Writing Opportunities for LitCentral | OC

Hi, writers! Lit Central | O.C., a new online magazine for local writers at LitCentralOC.com, will launch on Monday, and I wanted to let you know what kind of writing opportunities there will be for those who might be interested in contributing. 

You can find them here:

We are actively seeking submissions for the following kinds of articles:

* Interviews with Orange County-based authors (750 to 1,500 words)

* Reports on Orange County literary events (Did you attend a local book-signing, author lecture, writing workshop or book fair? We’d love to hear about it — 250 to 500 words)

* Reviews of writing craft books, writing software or other writerly tools. (500 to 1,000 words)

* Essays or articles on the writing life, writing or publishing in general, or something else related to the field. This could be a one-time thing, or developed into a monthly, weekly or occasional column. (500 to 1,500 words)

* A 500- to 1,000-word short or scene from a piece of fiction that has been self-published or still in progress for our Fiction Friday feature.

If you’d like to write something but aren’t sure what, I'm happy to work with you to craft an assignment. Also, if you want to pitch something else entirely, I'm all ears. Let’s talk.

We require that all non-fiction submissions be original and unpublished, and ask that they not be republished elsewhere for at least a month after the posting date on Lit Central | OC.

Fiction submissions must be the intellectual property of the authors submitting them. We ask that it not be republished elsewhere for at least a month after the posting date on Lit Central | OC.

There is no compensation for the use of articles or stories, and all rights to submitted articles and stories remain with the author.

If you're interested, please email DeAnna Cameron at litcentraloc at gmail dot com.

Introducing WRITELY SO, the new O.C. Writers Newsletter

Moments ago I sent out the very first WRITELY SO, a new monthly newsletter for O.C. Writers. If you signed up for the O.C. Writers Mailing List (on the right side of the screen), you should have received it by email moments ago. If you aren't on the mailing list, and would like to get the newsletter, please sign up.

Happy new year!