Organizations for Prose Writers
There's a burgeoning scene for writers of both prose and poetry in the Benicia-Vallejo-Napa area and the East and North Bay. Below are some of the prose organizations we know about. If you know about more, please let us know at californiastorytellers@gmail.com and we'll add them here. We'd particularly like to know about open mic events and other opportunities for public performance of short prose pieces.
Benicia Writers Workshop
Here's your opportunity to read an original prose piece: a short story, personal essay, a chapter from a novel, novella or memoir, or anything else prose. The purpose of the group is to encourage our growth as writers through reading and feedback. Please bring 10 copies of your work so colleagues can read along and mark up your manuscript. No need to RSVP. Just show up! Meets the second and fourth Fridays of every month from 2 to 4 pm in the Edna Cline Room of the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510. Does not meet when the library is closed for holidays.
Benicia Outlaw Writers Group
Join host Tim Lewis and read a few pages of your work in progress. Bring copies for critique and line editing. Join the Meetup Group and RSVP for meetings at
https://www.meetup.com/Benicias-outlaw-writers-group/
Meets every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Benicia Coffee Company, 2036 Columbus Parkway, Benicia, CA.
Napa Valley Writers
Napa Valley Writers is a branch of the California Writers Club. It's a place where members can obtain critiques of their efforts, attend workshops and share their experiences and writing with the wider writing community. The club mentors writers of all ages by providing educational programs for adults and fostering youth programs. More information is available at www.napavalleywriters.net and the meetup site at
https://www.meetup.com/Napa-Valley-Writers-a-branch-of-California-Writers-Club/
Napa Valley Writers meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, from 7-9 pm, at the Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists Church Sanctuary, 1625 Salvador Avenue, Napa.
Writers Helping Writers Salon
Members of the Writers Helping Writers Salon have been meeting, talking about their needs, and reading pieces they have written for comments and critique, sometimes in response to prompts and sometimes reading pieces they have been working on. They consider other topics related to writing, such as publishing, and members with considerable experience in publishing share what has happened to them in the experience of being published.
The Writers Helping Writers Salon meets the third Monday of each month from 7 to 9 pm at HQ Gallery, 333 First Street, Benicia. To attend please RSVP to Lois Requist.
Memoir Writing Group
The Memoir Writing Group reads and offers suggestions and criticism of each others work. The group has been meeting for over a year.
The group meets the first Friday of each month from 10:00 -12:00. Membership is limited. To inquire about attending please RSVP to Lois Requist.
Benicia Literary Arts
It is the mission of Benicia Literary Arts (also known as BenLit) "to encourage reading and writing in the community by producing events, creating a community of writers and readers, encouraging their development, and publishing works of high quality in all genres."
BenLit is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on memberships and donations from our participants. You can join or renew your membership today, it's $40 a year, or make a donation in any amount, small or large, Go to www.benecialiteraryarts.org and click on "Join Us."