Today I drove to Plesanton, about 40 minutes, to speak to the Tri-Valley branch of California Writers Club. Giving a speech is always sure to bring a few surprises but the big surprise for me had nothing to do with my speech. 

I got out of my car, turned around in the parking lot and meet non-other than my online friend

beckylevine 

 I have been hoping to connect with Becky for months and figured it would happen eventually at one of our own local branch meetings. I was so happy to see her there and look forward to many more connections in the future. 

And 

d_michiko_f 

 you were missed! 

It was such a fun day. The energy in the room was all positive and the club is very encouraging to one another. There were a few glitches on my part as there was no podium for my notes so I left out some things I wanted to share but added some other things that I hadn’t written down. People laughed when I wanted them to laugh (always a good sign) and think it was a good event overall. I came home with some notes to myself about things to work on with my speaking. I really enjoyed myself and hope everyone else did too!

If you’re anywhere around Pleasanton in Northern CA I will be speaking to the Tri-Valley branch of California Writer’s Club this coming Saturday. 

The title of the talk is: 

Writing at Red Lights: How to Keep Going When the World Tells You to Stop.

When: Saturday, December 15, 2007, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Oasis Grille, 780 Main Street, Pleasanton (925) 417-8438. Across from The Rose Hotel.
Cost: $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.

For more information about the event of about the California Writers Club, visit their website: www.trivalleywriters.com/

Our local children’s bookseller’s association, NCCBA, puts out a yearly guide that is marketed to teachers and librarians. Local authors and illustrators pay a fee and we get one page in the book. Twice a year the NCCBA hosts a reception and sends invites to librarians, teachers, media specialists, etc. A small number of authors/illustrators do a short 5 minute presentation and show off their skills. I think the WIN guide (Writers and Illustrators Network) is a good thing and I always get a few gigs out of it. I love that it is the bookstores bringing the writers and illustrators to the people who will book us.

My questions:

1. What do other SCBWI regions do that may be similar (better???) to this to help link writers and illustrators with the literary community?

2. What does it cost you in $$$ ?

3. Do you belong to any other groups/places/services that list your areas of expertise/help you get gigs? If so, please list them and tell how much
(if anything) they charge.

4. Additional comments?

Edited to add another question:

What about bookstores? Do any of your local bookstores have events/opportunities for you to share your new releases? Bump elbows with the local librarians and such?