Women's National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter

WNBA-SF Chapter

  • Home
  • About
    • WNBA SF Chapter Emphasizes Diversity in Bylaws
      • San Francisco Chapter Bylaws
    • Women’s National Book Association
    • WNBA Award 2023 Interview
  • Join or Renew
  • Benefits of Membership
    • WNBA SF Chapter Board Members
  • 2025 Calendar
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Archives for Kate Farrell

Spooky Share and Tell Mixer

By Kate Farrell

Spooky Mixer

Wednesday, October 30th 
12 – 1pm PDT 

A FREE Virtual Event

WNBA-SF Writers’ Spooky Mixer 

The end of the year will be here before you know it.
But don’t be scared! There is still time to reach those 2024 goals!
 
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?
Do you have a writing project you are determined to start … or finish?
 
Join WNBA-San Francisco for a “Share & Tell” Networking Mixer on October 30th, 12 / PDT.
 
Share what you do and Tell what support you need to reach your 2024 goals. Think of it as speed-networking with purpose!
 
As our networking ambassador, Debra Eckerling says: “You can’t reach your goals on your own. You need your community of friends, resources, and champions.” Let your WNBA-SF community help you and vice versa.
 
During this mixer, everyone will have a few minutes to:
  • Share: Introduce Who You Are & What You Are Working On and
  • Tell: Ask for What You Need – This can be a service you are seeking, reviews for your book, encouragement for your project, etc. 
It’s a MIXER, so share this post and bring a literary friend or two to join the virtual fun! Be sure to sign the virtual guest book and share your contact info.
 

Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning, and Achieving Your Goals and 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting & Goal-Getting. A goal strategist and the creator of the D*E*B METHOD® for Goal-Setting Simplified, Debra  offers personal and professional planning, content development (such as books and book proposals), and team-building for executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and companies. The networking ambassador for WNBA – San Francisco, Debra has spoken on stages for TEDx, Innovation Women, SCORE LA, and more. She is the founder of the Write On Online community, as well as host of the GoalChat live show/podcast and Taste Buds with Deb.

 

To register, please fill out the form below: 

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

PITCH-O-RAMA 2024! A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY

By Kate Farrell

 

Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter 

Click Here!

Do you have an idea for a book? A manuscript in progress? Or maybe you wanted to publish a book for years? If this sounds like you, Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter would like to invite you to Pitch-O-Rama 2024, an online book pitching event on April 20, 8:00am-1:00pm PDT.

It’s our 21st year hosting Pitch-O-Rama where writers have the rare opportunity to pitch their book ideas to agents and editors for publication. Here’s a list of this year’s participating agents and editors. 

 

Writers have shared that Pitch-O-Rama is much better online, than in person. 

You will have the opportunity to pitch 5-7 agents or editors, improve your pitching skills, network with other authors, learn about the publishing industry, grow as a writer and possibly make a deal, all for only $85-$125. It’s on April 20, 8:00am-1:00pm PDT:  Sign up HERE. SIGN UP TODAY!

 

 
 

How to Get a Global Readership: SEO

By Kate Farrell

Friday, January ? , 2022
12 pm – 1:00 pm /PDT
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
FREE Virtual Event!
How to Get a Global Readership:
Search Engine Optimization

Readers from Alaska to Australia are waiting to read the blog post you’ve just written, but they don’t know how to find it. Show them how to find your blog and become followers. Join Selma and Anniqua, co-founders of Tillism.com, to cover the basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and see how they have increased the readership of their blog.  In this introductory workshop, you will find out how to use focused keywords and other SEO strategies to your advantage.

Dr. Anniqua Rana’s debut novel, Wild Boar in the Cane Field was shortlisted for Pakistan’s UBL Literary Award 2020. She co-founded the blog Tillism – Magical Words from around the World with Selma Tufail. She blogs for The Express Tribune. Her writings on gender, education, and books have appeared in TNS, Naya Daur TV, International Education, Ravi Magazine, Bangalore Review, Fourteen Hills, The Noyo River Review, Delay Fiction, Listening to the Voices: Multi-ethnic Women in Education, and other publications. She travels, writes, and lives between California and Pakistan.

 

Selma Tufail, an artist, has always navigated through the worlds of literature, art, and education. Life’s journeys have taken her around the world where she has taught, written, and created art — in Spain, Qatar, the U.A.E. the U.S, and Pakistan. She was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, the highest civilian award of Spain. The author and illustrator of Con Yanci: When Chickens Fly and Other Tales, a children’s storybook. An excerpt from a memoir she is co-writing with Anniqua Rana was performed at: Play on Words, San José’s literary performance series at the San José Museum of Art.  Her writing on gender, art and mysticism have appeared in The Dollhouse, Pakistan Daily Times, The Express Tribune, and Article in Shards of Silence – An Anthology, The Arabia Review: TESOL Arabia, UAE among others.

 

Holiday Greetings from SF Chapter President

By Kate Farrell

Elise Marie Collins

Dear WNBA SF Chapter Members,

As the year comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our chapter’s accomplishments in 2021. We take pride in our many heartfelt literary panels and readings on Zoom, including the Afrofuturism/Afrosurrealism Panel (organized by board member Ellen McBarnette) in October, our South Asian Author Panel in May, as well as our now annual Holiday Storytelling (organized by past president Kate Farrell, WNBA SF Chapter and Board Development Chair, Sheryl Bize-Boutte. 

We continued to support our writer/author members with events steeped in inspiration and wisdom, including: “How to Blog Your Book” (with Nina Amir), “How to Make Your Book an Amazon Bestseller,” (with Tamara Monosoff), “Cocktails with Publishers” (with past president Brenda Knight), and “How to Follow up with a Literary Agent” (with Randy Peyser). Additionally, our chapter held two powerful poetry events: our National Poetry Month Event Mixer in April and “Five Poets Read in Celebration of Native American Heritage Month.” We look forward to expanding our poetry offerings in 2022. 

Our second annual virtual Pitch-o-Rama was another raving success in April, and our Annual Effie Lee Morris Lecture (in conjunction with the SF Public Library) went online for the first time, with Jason Reynolds speaking on “Transformation.” Although the recording of the lecture is no longer available, Reynolds’ recent appearance on The Late Show was exhilarating and uplifting. If you haven’t yet seen it: https://youtu.be/nNzYE_4DdtA.

As we embark on a new year, we are in the planning stages for most of our Zoom programming with several exciting events already lined up. In person for the first time since the pandemic will be the 18th Annual San Francisco Writers’ Conference, from February 17th through the 22nd. WNBA is a proud sponsor of the conference, and we encourage you to register: https://www.sfwriters.org/2022-conference/. Please sign up before December 31st to receive early bird pricing. 

On January 14th, we kick off our chapter Zoom events with “Set Yourself up for Success in 2022, Goal Setting for Writers” (with Deb Eckerling). Next, “How to
Write About Grief and Loss Related to the Pandemic,” will take place on January 28th. Finally, save the date for our best ever, Virtual Pitch-o-rama Plus, which happens on April 30th. 

Please schedule a quick chat to talk about your membership here: https://calendly.com/elisemariecollins/wnba-sf-membership. 

We appreciate our members’ strong support, helping us continue to offer our stellar events. We request your WNBA membership renewal by December 31st to ensure our continued success in offering a robust array of warming and inspirational literary events in 2022. 

My warmest wishes for a richly fulfilling new year,

Elise Marie Collins
WNBA – SF Chapter Board President

 

 

October 28 – Cocktails with Publishers

By Kate Farrell


Thursday, October 28
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm /PDT
WNBA-SF Mixer and AMA
FREE Virtual Event!
Cocktails with Publishers

Fall is here and what better way is there than to greet the season with a cocktail party and networking?

WNBA-SF Chapter is hosting a virtual networking party where members who are writers can get some quality time with publishers and ask questions. It is an AMA, so ask them anything! This is a virtual mixer, though we certainly hope to be meeting in person sometime next year and how great will THAT BE? Bring your favorite beverage and all your curiosity. This will be fun!

As everyone probably knows, you or your agent needs to get your book or proposal into the hands of an interested publisher; that’s the first hurdle. A well-crafted proposal, an agent with good relationships, and choosing the right editors to approach are the first steps. What most would-be authors don’t know is that the editor has to turn around and sell you to an editorial board. The sales management, more often than not, makes the decisions. If sales and marketing think they can sell your book, then you’ve got a wonderful chance of getting published.

So how do you sell the sales people? Publishing veterans Jan Johnson, Lisa McGuiness and Brenda Knight will help you navigate the rapids of book publishing so you can find the perfect home for your books. Bring all your questions about book publishing so you can learn from some of the best in the business!

Publishing Experts

Jan Johnson is Publisher Emeritus at Red Wheel Weiser & Conari Press acquiring select books for each imprint. Before launching Red Wheel/Weiser, Johnson worked at Tuttle Publishing, HarperOne (when it was known as HarperSanFrancisco), Winston/Seabury Press and as an independent book doctor, rewrite editor and editorial consultant for corporate and independent publishers. Johnson has worked on many bestsellers, including Codependent No More, Random Act of Kindness, Oprah pick The Book of Awakening and Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

Brenda KnightBrenda Knight began her career at HarperCollins, working with luminaries Paolo Coelho, Marianne Williamson and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Knight was awarded IndieFab’s Publisher of the Year in 2014 at the ALA, American Library Association. Knight is the author of Wild Women and Books, The Grateful Table, Be a Good in the World, and Women of the Beat Generation, which won an American Book Award. Knight is Associate Publisher at Mango Publishing. She is the immediate past President of the Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter, and an instructor at the San Francisco Writers Conference.

Lisa McGuinness is the Creative Director at Mango Publishing and the author of numerous books. As founder of Yellow Pear Press and the imprint Bonhomie Press, she is a twenty-five-year veteran of the publishing industry; she has worked in the editorial, sales, and production divisions during her tenure at Chronicle Books, and as a freelancer. Lisa’s books include Hoppy Trails, Catarina’s Ring, Caffeinated Ideas Journal and Meaningful Bouquets and is co-author of several children’s books including the New York Times bestseller Bee & Me and Baby Turtle’s Tale—both animated picture books written under the pen name Elle J. McGuinness. She is the co-author of The Dictionary of Extraordinary Ordinary Animals and Gotcha Covered. http://www.lisamcguinnesswrites.com/

Join us for our WNBA October mixer!
Register here to receive the Zoom link:

How to Make Your Book an Amazon Bestseller

By Kate Farrell

Friday, September 24, 2021
12 pm – 1:00 pm /PDT
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
FREE Virtual Event!

How to Make Your Book an Amazon Bestseller

Selling books and hitting #1 on Amazon are likely goals that you would like to achieve as an author. Not only will this help build your credibility and visibility but achieving bestselling status can have a powerful impact on your overall success. 

In this presentation, Tamara Monosoff, creator of The Author-to-Income Formula™, will share four key tactics for hitting #1 bestseller on Amazon. The first three are short-term strategies that all work. The fourth tactic is the most powerful and forward-thinking. It will take a little more effort but it will reward you by helping you generate income beyond the launch.

About Tamara

Tamara Monosoff, Ed.D., is a digital marketing strategist and author of seven bestselling business books. Tamara is the creator of the highly acclaimed Author-to-Income Formula™ — a proven step-by-step program that shows authors, experts, and entrepreneurs how to build a high-profit online business as an author by leveraging their expertise and book to generate multiple streams of income. 

Tamara has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, U.S. News & World Report, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Oprah, People & Time magazines, to name just a few. Before becoming an author & social entrepreneur, she served in the White House and U.S. Department of Education as a Presidential Appointee to the Clinton Administration. Tamara recently fulfilled her lifelong dream to move to Europe. She will be live streaming with us from Lisbon, Portugal.

 

 

 

September 22—Blasting the Blocks to Better Writing

By Kate Farrell

Wednesday, September 22nd
12 pm PDT
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
FREE Virtual Event!

Blasting the Blocks to Better Writing

You are a writer. You’ve never had a problem coming up with ideas, producing materials. Some even say your prolific. Writing is both your passion and your profession, but what happens when you hit the wall? When you are burned out, bored, exhausted?

You recharge! Polly Campbell author of You, Recharged will explain how to create the conditions for inspiration to flourish and use optimal discomfort to ignite your creativity. She’ll also offer science-based strategies and practical tips you can use to boost your mood, fire-up your motivation and elevate your writing.

During this Lunch and Learn, Polly will share:

  • How she recharged her writing after feeling burned out
  • The conditions that allow for inspiration and energy
  • How to restore motivation when you don’t feel like writing
  • Simple strategies to help build motivation, enthusiasm and fun
  • And more practical ideas to help you launch your best work yet.

About Polly Campbell

Polly Campbell, is the author of You, Recharged: How to Beat Fatigue (Mostly), Amp Up Your Energy (Usually), and Enjoy Life Again (Always), Imperfect Spirituality, and other books. She is also the host of the podcast Polly Campbell, Simply Said: How to Live Well, Do Good, Be Happy. She is a blogger with Psychology Today and her articles appear regularly in print and online publications. She lives in Oregon with her family.

 

 

What: Blasting the Blocks to Better Writing

Where: Zoom (Zoom link provided via email when you RSVP)

When:  September 22, 2021

Unable to attend? No worries. Register anyway and receive the replay!

RSVP for the discussion; we are limited to 100 total attendees, so please let us know early!

Meet the Agents & Editors: Virtual Pitch-O-Rama Plus 2020

By Kate Farrell

We’re going virtual!

Saturday, June 13, 2020
8:00 am – 12:30 pm 

It’s Pitch-O-Rama PLUS!
Includes pre-pitch coaching.
$65 WNBA members, $75 Non-members
Men Welcome!
Limited to the first 60 ticketed attendees


Meet the Agents and Editors for Pitch-O-Rama Plus 2020!

These impressive publishing professionals bring years of experience and will provide advice, direction, and next steps for your literary project! 
Pitch-O-Rama

Jim Azevedo is the marketing director at Smashwords, the largest distributor of self-published ebooks, serving over 130,000 independent authors, publishers, and literary agents. Since 2008, Smashwords has helped authors around the world release more than 470,000 titles and distribute their work globally to top ebook retailers, subscription services and public libraries. Prior to joining Smashwords in 2011, Jim built his career in marketing & PR for high-tech companies. Although Smashwords is a self-publishing platform, Jim loves helping authors sharpen their pitches and book descriptions. He credits his journalism education when it comes to guiding authors, and himself, to “get to the point” with messaging. Jim is open to discussing all genres.

Peter Beren, formerly Vice President, Insight Editions, Publisher of Sierra Club Books, Publisher of VIA Books and an Acquisitions Editor for Jeremy Tarcher. Peter Beren is a literary agent and a book publishing consultant to authors and independent publishers. He is the founder of The Peter Beren Agency, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also author or co-author of eight books, including The Writers Legal Companion (Basic Books), California the Beautiful (Rizzoli) and The Golden Gate (Insight Editions). As a publishing consultant, Peter works with independent publishers, self-publishers, and authors to help them make the most of their publishing opportunities. He represents selected nonfiction projects as a literary agent to help authors obtain publishing contracts. https://peterberen.com/

Karly Caserza, Associate Agent,  Fuse Literary, was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Northern California as a child. She obtained her Business Marketing degree and has been a Freelance Graphic Designer for over 10 years. In addition to designing a wide range of print and web promotional material for clients, Karly creates book covers for Short Fuse and promotional graphics for Fuse authors. Karly has a deep love for characters with a strong voice and seeks out stories she can get lost in. Diversity in genre fiction is a major bonus. She specializes in middle grade and young adult genre fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary). https://www.fuseliterary.com/karly-caserza/

Michele Crim is the West Coast literary agent for Miller Bowers Griffin Literary Management, a boutique agency based in New York City. They represent authors such as Mark Bittman and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Cal Peternell and Mads Refslund, co-founder of Noma, and MBG recently signed Moby to do a cookbook for his new award-winning restaurant, Little Pine. They work with chefs, food, and lifestyle writers and also represent fiction and narrative nonfiction writers, worldwide. Among others, Michele now represents Yumiko Sekine, founder of the beloved international brand Fog Linen Work; Allison Arevalo, best-selling cookbook author with a new book, The Pasta Friday Cookbook, coming out in September of 2019; and Charleen Badman, James Beard nominee and celebrated chef-owner of FnB Restaurant and Bar in Scottsdale.

Suzy Evans (remote access only) is a literary agent, attorney, and author who holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley. In the adult market, she’s looking for narrative nonfiction, history, science, big idea books on controversial social issues, riveting, elegantly-written memoir (recent favorites include Barbarian Days and When Breath Becomes Air), self-help, parenting (bonus points for humor!) and small quirky books that make her smile and think about the world in new and surprising ways. On the children’s front, she’s seeking MG nonfiction, YA fiction that tackles difficult issues in bold, daring ways, and graphic novels that bring history, literature, and fascinating historical figures (think Socrates! Machiavelli! Hamilton!) to life. She’d also love to find a thriller that has “MOVIE!” written all over it. Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency 

Nancy Fish: In her long career in publishing, Nancy Fish has worked in almost every iteration of the book business. Having been publicity and marketing director for major houses including  Farrar, Straus & Giroux, HarperCollins and Pereus as welll as small indies, freelance publicist and copywriter, and bookseller at legendary shops on both coasts, Nancy now manages the Path to Publishing Program, and all the writers programs, at Marin County’s three-store treasure trove, Book Passage. Ask her about them. Nancy is open to discussing all genres.

Becky Parker Geist is CEO of Pro Audio Voices and has been in the audiobook industry since 1981. As an audiobook publisher and producer, Becky has produced and/or narrated hundreds of titles, helping authors leverage their content through audio – even if it is the first or only format of their book to get publishedTypically working with authors and publishers who are challenged in reaching their widest audience, the Pro Audio Voices team provides audiobook production, including complex and unusual projects, and the Audiobook Marketing Program™ to help authors increase their impact. Committed to leadership, Becky serves as President of Bay Area Independent Publishers Assoc. and a Chapter Leader of Nonfiction Authors Association. proaudiovoices.com

Georgia Hughes is editorial director at New World Library, publisher of the Joseph Campbell Library and The Power of Now. She acquires and edits nonfiction books in the areas of spirituality, sustainability, animals, business, women’s issues, and personal growth. Recent acquisitions include Spiritual Envy by Michael Krasny, Dreaming the Soul Back Home by Robert Moss, Dogs and the Women Who Love Them by Allen and Linda Anderson, Right-Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee, and The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner. 

Jan Johnson is Publisher Emeritus at Red Wheel Weiser & Conari Press acquiring select books for each imprint. Before launching Red Wheel/Weiser, Johnson worked at Tuttle Publishing, HarperOne (when it was known as HarperSanFrancisco), Winston/Seabury Press and as an independent book doctor, rewrite editor and editorial consultant for corporate and independent publishers. Johnson has worked on many bestsellers including Codependent No More, Random Act of Kindness, Oprah pick The Book of Awakening, and Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

Brenda Knight began her career at HarperCollins, working with luminaries Paolo Coelho, Marianne Williamson and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Knight was awarded IndieFab’s Publisher of the Year in 2014 at the ALA, American Library Association. Knight is the author of Wild Women and Books, The Grateful Table, Be a Good in the World, and Women of the Beat Generation, which won an American Book Award. Knight is Editorial Director at Mango Publishing and acquires for all genres in fiction and nonfiction as well as children and photography books. She also serves as President of the Women’s’ National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter and is an instructor at the annual San Francisco Writers Conference.

Georgia Kolias is an Associate Acquisitions Editor with New Harbinger Publications, the foremost publisher in proven-effective psychology and personal growth books for adults and teens. Before joining New Harbinger, she worked in nearly every other aspect of the book world, including: literary management, publicity, book selling, the public library system, and teaching creative writing. She is actively acquiring books in the areas of psychology, self-help, spirituality, social justice, gift books, women’s issues, third phase of life, teen empowerment, spiritualism/occult, practically applied spirituality,  LGBTQ+ queer, and POC issues. She is always interested in work from authors who are emerging leaders in their fields and actively engaged with their potential readers. She welcomes proposals from LGBTQ+ queer, POC, and all other underrepresented voices interested in making positive change. Georgia holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, The Advocate, Role Reboot, The Manifest-Station, and various anthologies. Her debut novel, The Feasting Virgin, will be published July 2020.

Lisa McGuinness is a twenty-five-year veteran of the publishing industry. As publisher of Yellow Pear Press, Lisa has worked in the editorial, sales, and production divisions during her tenure at Chronicle Books. In addition, as a writer, developmental editor, and project manager, she has worked on books for Running Press, Barefoot Books, Chronicle Books, and Accord Publishing, as well as custom publications for Starbucks, Gap, the Exploratorium, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Nordstrom. She has authored several books including Hoppy Trails,  Catarina’s Ring,  Meaningful Bouquets,  Caffeinated Ideas Journal, Bee & Me and Baby Turtle’s Tale (the later two co-authored under the pen name Elle J. McGuinness ), and The Dictionary of Extraordinary Ordinary Animals. She is the founder of Yellow Pear Press (yellowpearpress.com) and acquires books in the categories of lifestyle, gift, self-help, inspiration, children’s and fiction. You can find her at lisamcguinnesswrites.com. 

Laurie McLean, Partner, Fuse Literary, Laurie McLean spent 20 years as the CEO of a publicity agency and 8 years as an agent and senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents in San Francisco. Following her stint as the CEO of a successful Silicon Valley public relations agency bearing her name, Laurie was able to switch gears in 2002 to immerse herself in writing. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the State University of New York and a Master’s Degree at Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School of Journalism. At Fuse Literary, Laurie specializes in adult genre fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, suspense, horror, etc.) plus middle-grade and young adult children’s books.

Randy Peyser sells non-fiction manuscripts in all genres and speaks nationally about how to get book deals. She also serves on faculty for CEO Space International where she teaches about writing book proposals. She is the author of: The Write-a-Book Program; Crappy to Happy as featured in the movie, Eat Pray Love; and The Power of Miracle Thinking. Her clients’ books have been in Oprah and Time Magazines, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller Lists, in airport bookstores, Office Max and FedEx/Office stores, and on Hallmark TV. Her work is featured in: Healing the Heart of the World; The Marriage of Sex and Spirit; Secrets of Shameless Self-Promoters; and the national bestsellers, Networking Magic, Guerrilla Publicity, and The Profit of Kindness. AuthorOneStop.com.

Andy Ross opened his literary agency in January 2008. Prior to that, he was the owner for 30 years of the legendary  Cody’s Books in Berkeley. The agency represents books in a  wide range of subjects including: narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, religion,  children’s books, young adult,  middle grade, literary and commercial  fiction, and cooking. However, he is eager to represent projects in most genres as long as the subject or its treatment is smart, original, and will  appeal to a wide readership. In non-fiction he looks for writing with a strong voice and robust narrative arc by authors with the authority to write about their subject. For literary, commercial, and children’s fiction, he has only one requirement– simple, but ineffable–that the writing reveal the terrain of that vast  and unexplored country, the human heart. (AAR).  www.andyrossagency.com,  www.andyrossagency.wordpress.com   

Lara Starr has made her mark in publishing starting at Collins, Conari Press, and Chronicle Books. A bestselling author of several books, she is also a producer to KGO Radio. Starr is a creative professional with expertise in public relations, marketing, media production, and special events. Currently at Insight Edition, Starr is a children’s book specialist for Path to Publishing.

Elisabeth Kauffman is an editor, an author, and an artist. She is NOT taking pitches, but will help you hone your pitch. She edits fiction and memoir for independent clients as well as for publishing companies, and coaches writers to find their voices and connect to the magic in their creative lives. Using creative writing exercises along with tarot, visualization, and more tactile forms of art, she encourages her clients to take risks and tell stories that matter. She volunteers for and speaks at the San Francisco Writers Conference, and with local writers’ groups. She is currently represented by Bradford Literary Agency and hopes to publish her first book (a tarot deck and guide for writers) in the near future. Elisabeth grew up reading Mary Stewart, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and the like. She loves creative, imaginative storytelling, and regularly obsesses over board games, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter. Learn more about her at www.writingrefinery.com or email her at ekauffman@writingrefinery.com.

If you want to see what they all look like, click here!
Better yet, register and meet them in person with your pitch!

register-now 

Launch a Successful 2020 at SF Writers Conference!

By Kate Farrell

February 13 – 16, 2020
Intercontinental Hyatt Regency Embarcadero
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111

Join us and help us promote WNBA-SF at the San Francisco Writers Conference!

This will be the 17th Celebration of Craft, Commerce, and Community for all writers. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the friendliest, top writer’s conferences anywhere.

Presenters this year will include bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. SFWC has one of the largest faculties of any writer’s conference.

The four-day event is packed with 100+ sessions for writers–from the craft of writing to the business of publishing. There is copious networking with the very people who can advance your writing career, an opening gala, three keynote speakers, lots of social interaction with other writers, and evening Open Mic readings and pitch sessions. There will be exhibitors with services and tools for writers, including WNBA-SF Chapter, who will also present sessions.

If you are working on your book, getting ready to publish it, or looking for ways to promote an already published book, this is the event you need to attend. TO REGISTER for the 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference, CLICK HERE!

The San Francisco Writers Conference kicks off Thursday evening with separate Master Classes, taught by the conference headliners, our own Brooke Warner and Jonathan Maberry, among others. The Master Classes continue Sunday evening on an array of topics, open to all. Register HERE for Master Classes.  

Be sure to check out the Screen Writing Summit and the Poetry Summit, also with separate registrations. And don’t miss the FREE, Open to the Public events, like the Writers Coffeehouse Friday evening with Jonathan Maberry and the Children’s Event Friday morning with Armand Baltazar.

The conference runs–pretty much non-stop–through late afternoon on Sunday. If you can stay longer, there is a no-host dinner where you can keep the networking going with SFWC presenters, staff, and volunteers. That’s the entire Presidents’ Day weekend..and then some!

We are proud that so many of our WNBA members will be presenters and volunteers at this conference including: Brooke Warner as a Keynoter, Brenda Knight, Joan Gelfand, Nina Amir, Linda Lee, Mary E. Knippel, Martha Conway, Kate Farrell, Barbara Santos, Helen Sedwick, and more!

 

Get the latest blog posts and news. Sign up here.

Join or Renew


Mailing Address
WNBA-SF Chapter
4061 E. Castro Valley Blvd.
Castro Valley, Ca
94552-4840

Topics

Contact Us

Contact Us
Click Here 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2026• WNBA-SF Chapter | AskMePc-Webdesign