Central Valley
Fiction Writers
Central Valley
Fiction Writers
2025 Meetings
In-Person
Marie Callender's
1781 E Shaw Ave
Fresno
SW corner of Shaw & Cedar
(see map below)
​
via Zoom
Link will be emailed
Meetings are the second Saturday every month
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Pacific time
Guests are welcome
to attend.
Please register using
the form on our Registration page.
​
~January 11~
Presentation
​
The Art of Description
​Presented by John Bowers
John Bowers discovered his love of writing in the seventh grade. He began his first novel at age 13 and before he graduated high school, he wrote four more. Today he is the author of three popular science fiction series: the Starport series; the Nick Walker, U.F. Marshal series; and the Fighter Queen saga. Now retired, he is a computer programmer by profession, but a Born Novelist by birth. |
John will discuss the art of describing people, places, and action in fiction. He's published numerous articles on writing, including his Art of Description series with Part 1: What You Should You Describe, Part 2: Hold Your Reader Hostage, and Part 3: Remember Action Verbs.
~February 8~
Discussion
​
Resources for Writers
​Led by Roh Morgon
Group discussion covering writers' resources such as writing tools, websites, and newsletters for both craft and marketing.
~March 8~
Cancelled
~April 12~
Presentation
​
The Challenges and Opportunities of AI
for the Independent Author
​Presented by Steve Ramirez
This will be a look at the present landscape of generative AI as it pertains to indie and small press publications.
Previous Meetings
What does it take to finish
that manuscript?
What motivates you
to keep writing?
Bring your
journal and laptop
Grab a cup of coffee and perhaps answer that age-old writer's question.
​​​~~~~~~~~~
Learning Story
Development...
(in the 1st Grade?)
AND
Everyday Writers' Tools for
Character and Setting
Development
~~~~~~~~~
Got Blogging?
presented by
Tierney James
~~~~~~~~~
Use Poetry Concepts to
Improve Your Prose
presented by
Linda Addison
~~~~~~~~~
Writing Short Stories For
Periodicals and Anthologies
presented by
Eric J. Guignard​
​
~May 10~
Presentation
​
Conflict vs Tension: What’s the Difference?
​Presented by Sarah (Sally) Hamer
What’s the difference between conflict and tension? And why is knowing so important in writing? Because they are so very different. Although they are intimately connected – you really can’t have one without the other – they come from different places. Understanding – and utilizing both in the correct ways – can shoot a boring book into the stratosphere. We just have to figure out how they both work.
We’ll explain the difference, explore the ways to weld them together, and play with plots and scenes and characters, to help make your story outstanding!
Sarah (Sally) Hamer, B.S., MLA, is a lover of books, a teacher of writers, and a believer in a good story. Most of all, she is eternally fascinated by people and how they 'tick'. She’s passionate about helping people tell their own stories and has won awards at both local and national levels, including two Golden Heart finals. A teacher of memoir, beginning and advanced creative fiction writing, and screenwriting at Louisiana State University in Shreveport for over twenty years, she teaches online for Margie Lawson and for the No Stress Writing Academy. Sally is a free-lance editor and book coach, with many of her students and clients becoming successful, award-winning authors.
~June 22*~
*This meeting has been changed and
is being held on the 3rd SUNDAY
​
TBA
​
​
~July 12~
Presentation
​
Keep Writing!
​Presented by Michele Mills
Top 40 Amazon bestselling author Michele Mills has an unhealthy obsession with all things Science Fiction Romance. She is known for her #1 bestselling series, Monsters Love Curvy Girls and the spin off, Monster Bites. To her husband’s horror, Michele left a behind a twenty-year teaching career to write steamy romance full time and is now luckily the author of 50 books and counting. She lives in California with her husband, younger son and two very spoiled cats. Website | Amazon | Facebook
Don’t have time to write? Can’t remain focused? Your muse hasn’t struck? I am here for you. Let’s spend an entire hour talking about all the ways life throws us curveballs, and how we talk ourselves OUT of writing and the ways we can also trick ourselves BACK INTO the writing process. Life will always toss a myriad of health, work, caregiver, etc. obstacles in our way and yet how do we keep on keeping on? You will leave today’s presentation empowered with new ideas for getting those words on the page and books completed!
~August 9~
Presentation
​
A Discussion of a Small Press;
or, the Pros and Cons of Indie (Not Self!) Publishing
​Presented by Eric Guignard
Looking to publish your work? There are many avenues, and none more misunderstood (and erratic!) than the Small Press. This presentation will discuss the pros and cons of working with small-house publishers.
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Eric J. Guignard is a writer and anthologist of dark and speculative fiction, operating from the shadowy outskirts of Los Angeles, where he also runs the small press Dark Moon Books. He’s twice won the Bram Stoker Award, won the Shirley Jackson Award, and been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and International Thriller Writers Award. His latest fiction collection is A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters (Cemetery Dance, 2025).
~September 13~
Presentation
​
Editing 101:
The Basics of Editing and Choosing an Editor
​Presented by Sara Sudol
In this presentation, Sara will demystify the editing process by exploring the various types of editing available—developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. She’ll also touch on where alpha readers, beta readers, and ARCs typically fit within a manuscript’s life cycle. You'll learn what each stage involves and how they can transform your manuscript. Sara will also share practical tips for choosing the right editor for your needs and budget.
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Sara Sudol is a fiction editor with a passion for helping authors bring their stories out into the world. With a professional background that includes extensive training in editing, Sara has worked with a variety of genres, although her favorites are fantasy, romance, thriller, and women’s fiction. Her approach focuses on clarity, collaboration, and maintaining the author’s voice. You can usually find Sara with a cup of coffee in her hand while browsing the latest selection of aesthetically pleasing notebooks. Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Marie Callender's Restaurant
1781 E Shaw Ave, Fresno