Calendar Northern California

Northern California Workshops & Classes

Update-in-progress, call or see web sites to confirm current dates

To update or add a listing, please e-mail calendar@poetryflash.org


SAN FRANCISCO


BERKELEY
& ALBANY


OAKLAND
& ALAMEDA


OTHER
EAST BAY


NORTH BAY & MARIN COUNTY


NORTH COAST


CENTRAL VALLEY
SACRAMENTO


SIERRA NEVADA


PENINSULA
PALO ALTO


SAN JOSE
SOUTH BAY


MONTEREY
SANTA CRUZ


ONLINE &
CONSULTANTS

SAN FRANCISCO

SFSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Writing Program, San Francisco State University Downtown Campus, Westfield Centre, 835 Market Street, Sixth Floor, SF. Call (415) 405-7711 or visit www.cel.sfsu.edu/olli.

Círculo de Lectores de Literatura en Español presents its Spanish Language Book Club the fourth Tuesday of each month, Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia Street, SF, 7:00 (415) 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Transformative Writing Workshops with Jen Cross. Monday evening workshop for survivors of sexual trauma; Also erotic/sexuality writing workshops for mixed gender and for women. Winter sessions begin January 2008; registration is ongoing and continues until workshops are filled. Eight-week workshops based in SF, $200; weekend-day intensives are scheduled around the Bay Area. See www.writingourselveswhole.org.

Monthly Erotic Reading Circle, with Carol Queen and Jen Cross, meets the fourth Wednesday of every month. Bring whatever you're working on. Non-judgmental listening guaranteed, all orientations and levels of writing welcome. $5-up sliding scale donation to the Center, no one turned away for lack of funds. Center for Sex and Culture, 290 Division, at 10th, Suite 405, SF. Visit www.centerforsexandculture.org, www.writingourselves whole.org.

The project of writer Dave Eggers and friends, 826 Valencia offers tutoring drop-in hours for students, ages eight to eighteen, in creative writing, expository writing, or English as a second language. Classes are led by volunteers at 826 Valencia, SF, a storefront with a "pirate shop." All proceeds from flags and eye patches support the writing center. See www.826Valencia.org.

826 Valencia seminars for adults benefit tutoring programs for students. Sign up in person at 826 Valencia, mail a check made out to "826 Valencia" to 826 Valencia, San Francisco, CA 94110, or register online: www.826valencia.org/workshops/adult; e-mail: seminars@826valencia.com.

Chinatown Teen Zine bilingual online teen activity includes a workshop on computer skills, digital photography, writing, editing, and web page design for ages thirteen to eighteen, Fridays, 3:30-5:30, and Saturdays, 1:00-3:00, Chinatown Branch Library, 1135 Powell Street, SF, (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org. For information call Jewel Chen, (415) 355-2888.

Sunset Branch Book Club, meets monthly. Sunset Library, 1305 18th Avenue at Irving, SF, (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Rincon Literario Book Discussion in Spanish, last Wednesdays monthly, 6:00-7:30. Main Library, Third Floor Conference Room, 100 Larkin, SF, http://sfpl.org/spanish/news/rinconlit.htm.

Bernal Heights Book Club meets monthly. Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Avenue, SF; (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Glen Park Book Club meets monthly. Glen Park Branch Library, 2825 Diamond Street, SF; (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Book Discussion Group meets monthly, all welcome, 7:30. Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library, 1 José Sarria Court, SF; (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Ocean View Branch Urban Fiction Book Club, 6:00. Call (415) 355-5615 for current selection. Ocean View Library, 345 Randolph Street, SF; (415) 557-4277, www.sfpl.org.

Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing presents Saturday one-day intensive workshops. Greenhouse of the Imagination, Noe Valley, SF. Call (415) 337-4369 to register, or visit www.ripefruitwriting.com.

Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing offers a nine-week class, Prose and Poetry Critique Group, for fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, Thursdays, 7:00-10:00, $350. Greenhouse of the Imagination, Noe Valley, SF. Call (415) 337-4369 to register, or visit www.ripefruitwriting.com.

Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing offers a five-class monthly series, Craft of Fiction Workshop, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-1:00, $250. Greenhouse of the Imagination, Noe Valley, SF. Call (415) 337-4369 to register, or visit www.ripefruitwriting.com.

San Francisco Writers' Workshop, oldest free continuous writing workshop in America (since 1945), meets every Tuesday, 7:00-9:00. Call Tamim Ansary at (415) 648-8370.

San Francisco Creative Writing Workshops, "Community Cultivating Creativity," with Peggy Simmons. Develop your unique writer's voice, get started, experiment. Downtown SF; new session starts January 23, 2008, nine-weekly workshops $270. One-day workshops, $85. Workshops for young adults; introductory workshops for youth workers and teachers. For information: www.peggysimmons.net.

San Francisco Center for the Book presents scores of book arts classes. Weeklong Letterpress Intensive with Mary Laird, Letterpress Basics and Printing Poetry with Lisa Rappoport, Bookbinding, and much more. BUG: Book Arts Users Group meets monthly, to brainstorm and swap materials and information, first Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00. San Francisco Center for the Book, 300 De Haro, SF, (415) 565-0545, www.sfcb.org.

Writer's Workout, with David Ford and Charlie Varon, for monologue, play, or comic sketch writing, The Marsh, SF. Exercises to develop your creative muscles and passion for the craft of writing for the stage. Good for beginners and experienced playwrights, monologists who need a creative jolt, or the artistically adventurous. For next session, visit: www.charlievaron.com; The Marsh, (415) 826-5750x3, www.themarsh.org.

San Francisco Russian Bibliophiles book discussion in Russian, last Saturday monthly, 2:00-4:00, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin, SF, www.sfpl.org.

SF Great Books Council discussion groups meet at libraries, homes, and art centers from SF to Fresno. Great Books Foundation publishes book lists, guidelines, How to Discuss a Book using the "shared inquiry" method. Retreats and poetry weekends. Schedule on Web site: www.greatbooks-sf.com.

Water Wheel Women's Poetry Group with Betsy Ford in SF. Supportive, read your work aloud, study poetry as a healing art. Call (415) 661-4324.

Haiku Poets of Northern California meet quarterly, usually on a Sunday of every third month, 1:00-5:00. Presentations, haiku workshop, and open readings of haiku and tanka, refreshments, book sales. All welcome, free. Fort Mason, SF, (415) 359-4946, www.fortmason.org, www.haiku-poets-northern-california.com.

Writing Salon Classes and Workshops. The Writing Salon at (415) 642-9793, or see www.writingsalons.com for many more classes.

Poets' Group, self-run, meets Thursday evenings every few weeks in SF. The group has been meeting long-term and offers serious discussion of your work as well as a sense of humor. Acceptance based on submission of a few poems. E-mail: stewjay@pacbell.net.

Youth Speaks free After-School Creative Writing, Poetry & Spoken Word Workshops for young people thirteen to nineteen, SF, Oakland, and Berkeley. For more information, see www.youthspeaks.org. Youth Speaks, 290 Division Street, Suite 302, SF; (415) 255-9035x12.

Committed to Poetry? Monthly group offers feedback and support, Sunday afternoons in downtown SF, with Jeanne Powell, poet and publisher; (415) 928-8904, www.jeanne-powell.com.

Bird & Beckett Books & Records book group meets on the first Wednesday monthly, 7:00, to discuss fiction, nonfiction, contemporary and classics. Political Book discussion group meets on the third Thursday monthly, 7:00. Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery Street, SF, (415) 586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com.

Mechanics' Institute has launched two new Writers' Groups, one for long projects, such as novels, and another for shorter projects including poetry. Ongoing participation in the groups is free with membership in the Institute ($95 per year), which features space for writers to work, reading rooms, and an extensive library. Reservations required, contact Inez Cohen, Library Director, at icohen@milibrary.org or (415) 393-0103. Mystery Readers' Book Groups, meets once a month, Tuesdays, noon. Fiction You Wish You Had Read Group meets once a month, 1:30. Proust Societ of America meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, SF, www.milibrary.org.

Writers Studio offers workshops in fiction and poetry in San Francisco with Mark Peterson, (415) 738-2452, mark@writersstudio.com. Classes meet once a week for ten weeks, Fort Mason Center, SF, $400. To add your name to the waiting list, or get more information, see writerstudio.com.

Writing and Your Health writing workshop with Dr. Abby Caplin meets on Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30, five sessions $125. Limited to eight people. Contact Dr. Caplin: (415) 255-9981. Designed for those with healthcare concerns who would like to share their experience through writing. Participants are guided through a process of reflection, with time for writing and sharing if desired. No writing experience necessary. BookshopWest Portal, 80 West Portal, SF, www.bookshopwestportal.com.

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BERKELEY & ALBANY

Poetry Writing for Women: Focusing on Effective Feedback, led by Sue Ellen Pector. Write from your heart for pleasure or healing. Ongoing small group, Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00, $25 per meeting. Eight blocks from North Berkeley BART, on the 9 bus line. For more information call Sue Pector, (510) 558-7271, rsvp necessary.

Memoir Class for writers and non-writers, set down your memories for your family or for publication, work with voice, point of view, and verb tense variations. Classes in private home with memorist Nancy Heileman. Ongoing eight-week classes $175, Mondays, 7:00-10:00, Saturdays, 3:00-6:00. Fall and spring classes. Call (510) 848-6448, or (510) 917-7941 (cell).

Berkeley-based Lehrhaus Judaica, The Adult School for Jewish Studies, offers non-denominational classes of philosophical, literary, and scholarly interest, in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Marin, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and the Peninsula. See www.lehrhaus.org, or call (510) 845-6420.

Writing Salon Classes and Workshops: The Writing Salon at (415) 642-9793, or see www.writingsalons.com for many classes.

Consultation and manuscript analysis with Thaisa Frank. Find your voice, work with craft, assemble a collection of short stories, flash fiction, or poetry. Consultations with novelists, poets, writers of short fiction, prose poets, writers of creative non-fiction and writers who work across genres; intensive editing to helping writers mine new materials and discover new forms. Also, seminars for seasoned writers, special consultations for therapists who write. Visit www.thaisafrank.com.

Clive Matson, author of Let the Crazy Child Write! offers ten-week workshops for poetry, prose, plays, creative nonfiction; Wednesdays, 7:00-10:00, and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-2:00, and 7:00-10:00, $400, Temescal District, Oakland. To register, call (510) 654-6495, http://matson-ford.com.

Clive Matson offers five-session workshops for novel writing-in-progress; meets bi-weekly, ongoing, $350, East Bay and Marin. To register, call (510) 654-6495, http://matson-ford.com.

Richard Silberg, Poetry Flash Associate Editor, author of Deconstruction of the Blues, offers individual critique and editorial consultation. Call (510) 848-5156, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., or leave a message at Poetry Flash, (510) 525-5476.

Creative Writing Workshops in a supportive atmosphere with playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Mary Webb, The God Hustlers. Meets in two separate sessions: Tuesday evenings or Thursday evenings, 7:30-10:00, Berkeley. Any level of poetry, plays, fiction, screenwriting, limited to fifteen participants, $19 per week. To get on the list for classes to begin in January, call Mary, (510) 548-6476.

UC Berkeley Extension offers writing courses in poetry, fiction, memoir, journalism. Classes are tailored to different levels of experience, from beginning to advanced. For information, visit www.unex.berkeley.edu/writing.

Drop-in Poetry Workshop with experienced poet and teacher Alison Seevak, second Wednesdays monthly, 7:00-9:00, free, all ages. Albany Public Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, (510) 526-3720x17.

Editcetera offers classes in all aspects of professional editing in Berkeley: Lessons in Punctuation from the Comma Queen, Pesky Critters and Bugaboos of English Grammar, Proofreading A to Z, Basic Copyediting, So You Want to Be an Editor? What Editors Do, from Entry Level to Top Management, Copyediting Fiction, Building Your Editorial Career: Opportunities and Strategies. Workshops are held at the First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, between Haste Street and Channing Way. Editcetera also offers a correspondence program; proofreading and copyediting classes can be started at any time. Editorial, proofreading, and project manager referral service. Call (510) 849-1110, or see www.editcetera.com.

Writer Cecile Moochnek teaches an ongoing eight-week class in Berkeley in two separate sessions, "Taste Your Life Through Writing Practice," ongoing, eight Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30, for women and men, beginners and professionals, poets, fiction writers, and essayists. Small supportive groups based on Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones. Individual consultations available. Call (510) 549-1018, art@cecilemoochnek.com.

Linda Joy Myers, Don't Call Me Mother, author and therapist for twenty-six years, offers classes, coaching, editing, and manuscript critiques for your memoir or autobiographical fiction project. Transform your life through memoir writing, Thursday Night Women's Circle, Write Your Book monthly workshop. Visit www.memoriesandmemoirs.com, or call (510) 524-3898, lindajoymyers@comcast.net.

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OAKLAND & ALAMEDA

Temescal Writers Workshop with Joan Marie Wood, M.A., using the Amherst Writers method, all levels and genres, north Oakland. Women's Workshop, Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.-1:00. Workshop open to all, Wednesdays, 7:00-10:00. Call (510) 653-4576.

Friday Nite Write with Jeanne Lupton, most Friday nights, in a studio on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Timed writes on topics, read your work aloud. Donation, $10. For more information, e-mail jeany98@aol.com.

Lakeview Writers, led by Jeanne Lupton, free, Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. Timed writes on topics, read your work aloud. No rsvp required. Mondays, 6:00-8:00; ongoing. For more information, e-mail jeany98@aol.com.

Kim Addonizio, finalist for the National Book Award, Guggenheim/NEA recipient, offers poetry workshops in Oakland, small groups, serious, supportive critique, focus on craft and revision. Poetry workshop, not for beginners, Saturday mornings, $375, eight weeks, ongoing. Tuesday and Monday evenings, eight meetings, $375. Online workshops, $400, limited to ten. If interested in the next session, e-mail some information about yourself and one or two poems. Check Web site for updates; e-mail: kimaddonizio@comcast.net, www.kimaddonizio.com.

Lakeshore Writers offers Creative Writing Workshops with Teresa Burns Gunther, MFA, Amherst Writers and Artists method certified. January 10-March 5, 2008: Thursday Women's Workshop, 10:00 a.m.-12:30. January 9-March 5, 2008: Wednesday evening Workshop for Men and Women, 7:00-9:30. All skill levels, ages, genres; write in response to prompts and share your writing. Deposit of $75 will hold your spot, sliding scale available. Lakeshore Writers Workshop, 110 Eleventh Street, near Lake Merritt. Oakland; (510) 465-2535, www.lakeshorewriters.net.

California Writers Club is a workshop open to all writers, meets third Saturday of each month, Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland, 1:00-5:00. For information: Anne Fox, (510) 420-8775.

Free Write Group, every last Sunday of the month, 6:00-9:00, with poet Patricia Edith, free. "Island Women Write!" Women's Writing Group, every third Saturday of the month, 1:00-4:00, hosted by Roberta Tennant. Support, constructive feedback, for all genres. You don't have to live in Alameda to attend. E-mail: islandwomenwrite@hotmail.com. Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, (510) 523-6957, www.frankbettecenter.org.

Beth Barany offers consulting, creativity coaching for writers, and workshops to your group. See www.bethbarany.com.

Clive Matson leads "Let the Crazy Child Write!" One Day Writing Workshops, 10:00 a.m.-5:00, $80. Discover, develop your talent for creative writing. Information: http://matson-ford.com, (510) 654-6495.

Clive Matson offers writing workshops for poetry, plays and nonfiction; Wednesdays, 7:00 and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-2:00, ten-week sessions, $400, North Oakland. To register, or to find out when the next session begins, call (510) 654-6495, http://matson-ford.com.

Poetry Saloon (drunk on poetry!) meets on the second Friday of the month, 7:30; Hosted by Kayla Sussell, conceived by Gail Ford. Dessert, coffee and tea provided; 472 44th Street, Oakland. Information: Clive Matson, (510) 654-6495.

Diesel, A Bookstore offers lively book clubs, usually on the first and second Tuesdays monthly, 7:00. Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue, Oakland, (510) 653-9965, diesel.booksense.com.

East Side Readers Book Club, for teens and middle school students, meets every third Wednesday of the month, 2:00-3:00. Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Library, 6833 International Blvd., Oakland. Call Michael for the book title at (510) 615-5728.

Writing from Your Inner Wilderness Playshops, exercises to spark your creative juices and positive feedback with Selene Steese, at private homes in the Bay Area. Playshops, 2:00-5:00, $25. One-day sessions, 11:00 a.m.-5:00. Saturdays, January 26, February 23, and April 26, 2008. For information, leave a message at (510) 872-0928, or visit www.matchlessgoddess.com.

Oakland Public Library Book Clubs: Second Monday, 6:30, at the Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, call (510) 482-7844 for title. Third Monday, 6:45 at Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland, call (510) 238-7344 for title. Fourth Monday, 6:00, Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland, call (510) 535-5635 for title. Fourth Saturday, 3:00, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, call (510) 597-5023 for title. Dimond Children's Book Club meets the first Friday each month, for ages nine to twelve, refreshments, (510) 482-7844. Visit www.oaklandlibrary.org.

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OTHER EAST BAY

Elaine Starkman, published poet/prose writer, thirty years experience in writing, teaching, editing, teaches Experimental Writing in New Forms, Acalanes Adult School, Walnut Creek, Mondays, 1:30-3:00. Also, Memoir Writing and Short Story, at Mt. Diablo Adult School, Pleasant Hill, Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30, $10. For information, contact: elaine.starkman@gmail.com, (925) 932-1144.

Towne Center Book Club for adults, second Wednesday of each month, at Coffee Beans and Bistro, 401 Main Street, Pleasanton. For details, call (925) 846-8826.

The Ila and Mel Writing Workshop meets on the fourth Saturday of each month, poetry and prose welcome. Bring five copies of the piece you want to work on. Free. Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek, 10:30 a.m.-12:30. For more information, call (925) 459-0472 or e-mail sgrose8411@aol.com.

Great Books of Pleasanton meets fourth Monday of each month, Towne Center Books, 555 Main Street, at Division, Pleasanton. Discussion guidelines from The Great Books Foundation. For details, e-mail Brian Mahoney, brianmahoney55@comcast.net.

Orinda Books host four book groups that welcome new members. Orinda Books Group meets second Wednesdays monthly at 3:00. Orinda Owls and Page by Page Book Group meet on third Tuesdays monthly at 7:00. World Affairs Book Group meets on third Tuesdays at 3:00, every other month. Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda, For current titles: (925) 254-7606, www.orindabooks.com.

Word Garden East, a community of women writers, offers Women's Writing Groups for beginning and experienced writers of memoir, fiction, and poetry, with Laura Wine Paster, a writer and licensed psychotherapist. Write in response to exercises that stimulate the senses, memories, and creativity using the Amherst Writers Method. Walnut Creek; $300 per ten sessions. For next dates, contact: wordgarden.east@gmail.com, or (925) 708-1630.

Clive Matson offers workshops for novels and creative nonfiction; Wednesdays, ongoing five-week sessions, $350, East Bay and Marin. To register, call (510) 654-6495, http://matson-ford.com..

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NORTH BAY & MARIN COUNTY

Marin Poetry Center Poetry Book Group, meets on Wednesday, 7:00. For information, contact: Roy Mash (415) 472-3504, rmash@saber.net. Visit www.marinpoetrycenter.org.

Writers Forum presents: September 18, 2008: Poet and prose writer Armando Garcia-Davila. October 16, 2008: Rob Loughran, "Five Things I Wish I Did Not Know About Writing," how to manage your writing time for any project. November 20, 2008: columnist, radio commentator, and author Susan Swartz, "From Idea to Essay, Column and Blog." February 19, 2009: Teresa LeYung Ryan. March 19, April 16, May 21, 2009: to be announced. June 18, 2009: Writer and poet Gordon Yaswen, "Don't Just Have A Past, Share It!,"create and use your own LIFELIST (in private journal, scrapbook, and memoir) to revitalize your past into writing. July 16, 2009: to be announced. August 20, 2009: Chris Baty. September 17, October 15, November 19, 2009: to be announced. Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 7:00-9:00, $15 each workshop at the door. For information about Writers Forum, e-mail mcullen@comcast.net or www.thewritespot.us.

Sitting Room Book Discussion Group meets the third Wednesday monthly, 2:00-4:00; no fee, all welcome. The Sitting Room, 170 East Cotati Avenue, Cotati. For updates: Rosemary Manchester: (707) 823-3477, Joanne, jpage@sonic.net.

Marin Poetry Center sponsors an open mike/workshop, fourth or last Thursdays monthly. Bring ten copies of one poem. Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Street, at C Street, San Rafael, 7:00, (415) 454-7644, shabels@msn.com, www.marinpoetrycenter.com.

Quick Start, Write from the Heart Writing Workshops with Pat Tyler, M.A. Call (707) 696-9640, e-mail pattyler@cds1.net; www.writetoday.net.

Book Passage one-day classes. Book Passage, Corte Madera, (415) 927-0960, www.bookpassage.com.

California Writers Club Redwood Writers meetings with speakers on the first Sunday each month, Marvin's Restaurant, 7991 Old Redwood Highway, at William Street, Cotati, 3:00-5:00. Visit www.redwoodwriters.org.

Author/teacher Linda Watanabe McFerrin facilitates Left Coast Writers Literary Salon, usually first Monday, 7:00. Speakers, networking, encouraging monthly discussions on the nuts and bolts of writing and publishing, with literary guests. One-time complimentary admission available by e-mailing leftcoastwriters@aol.com, otherwise $120 per year. Information: www.leftcoastwriters.com. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, (415) 927-0960, www.bookpassage.com.

O'Hanlon Center for the Arts offers writing workshops. O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, 616 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley. For information call (415) 388-4331, or visit www.ohanloncenter.org.

Napa Writing Retreats with Jill Winkelstein offers one-day creative writing retreats in Napa following the Amherst Writers and Artists method, stressing a supportive group, 10:30 a.m.-5:00, includes lunch and a light breakfast. Fee: $400. For more information: www.napawritingretreats.com.

Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing offers weekend writing retreats. February 8-10, 2008: Winter Memoir Writing & Improv Retreat, "Soulfood." April 18-20, 2008: Spring Renewal Writing & Yoga Retreat, "Entering the Garden." July 18-20, 2008: Summer Retreat, "Out of Fury into Grace." A weekend of writing in the wine country, Isis Oasis Retreat Center, Geyserville, $385/$365 includes lodging (shared room) meals, pool and jacuzzi. Call (415) 337-4369, or see www.ripefruitwriting.com.

Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing offers weekend writing retreats. September 12-15, 2008: "A Room of Your Own." San Rafael, Marin County, $410/$380. Call (415) 337-4369, or visit www.ripefruitwriting.com.

Clive Matson leads "Let the Crazy Child Write!" on Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-5:00, $80. One-day writing workshops to discover, develop your talent for creative writing. January 12, 2008: San Rafael. Information: http://matson-ford.com, clive@matson-ford.com, (510) 654-6495.

Clive Matson offers five-session workshops for novel writing-in-progress; meets bi-weekly, ongoing, $350, East Bay and Marin. To register, call (510) 654-6495, http://matson-ford.com.

Bust Out with Low Fat Fiction, with Guy Biederman. Ongoing writing classes and workshops, from the very short story to novels to plays. Read your work in public or be published on Bust Out Stories online. Visit www.lowfatfiction.com.

Voices and Visions: Books that Transform, a free bilingual reading and discussion series with Dr. Elizabeth Coonrod Martínez, read the book in Spanish or English, discussion in both languages, books available at the branch library. Registration requested, call (707) 545-0831x578.

Brown Bag Book Discussion Groups meet fourth Tuesday monthly, at noon or at 1:00. Bring your lunch, library serves cookies and a beverage. Mystery Book Group meets at noon, second Tuesday monthly, Central Library Forum Room. Santa Rosa Central Library, 3rd at E Street, Santa Rosa, (707) 545-0831, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Cloverdale Book Group, first Friday monthly, 1:00. Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, (707) 894-5271, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Guerneville Book Group, second Thursday monthly, 12:30. Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, (707) 869-9004, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Healdsburg Great Books Discussion Group meets Wednesdays, 7:00, Forum Room. Healdsburg Regional Library, Piper at Center Streets, Healdsburg, (707) 433-3772, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Rincon Valley Book Group, first Tuesday monthly, 1:30. Rincon Valley Regional Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, (707) 537-0162, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Rohnert Park-Cotati Book Group, third Wednesday monthly, 11:30 a.m. Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park, (707) 584-9121, www.sonomalibrary.org.

Windsor Book Group, monthly meetings at 1:30 and 7:00. Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 100, Windsor, (707) 838-1020, www.sonomalibrary.org..

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NORTH COAST & INLAND

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CENTRAL VALLEY
INCLUDES SACRAMENTO

Sacramento Poetry Workshop, all ages, meets every Tuesday, free, 7:30-9:00, Hart Senior Center, 916 27th Street at J Street. Bring fifteen to twenty copies of your one-page poem. Danyen Powell: (530) 756-6228, www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol writing workshop and potluck first Saturday of every month, 11:00 a.m. Write in Spanish, English, or both, poetry or prose. La Raza Galería Posada, 1024 22nd Street, Sacramento. Graciela Ramirez, (916) 456-5323, joannpen@comcast.net, escritoresdelnuevo.com.

UC Davis Extension creative writing classes are usually held at Sutter Square Galleria, 2901 K Street, Sacramento. Information: www.extension.ucdavis.edu, 1-800-752-0881; from Davis or Woodland call (530) 757-8777.

Poet and teacher Ellen Bass, The Human Line, presents two days of poetry readings and workshops, April 4-5, 2008, Sacramento Poetry Center Poetry Conference, Headquarters for the Arts. 25th and R Streets, Sacramento. For details, contact: Indigo Moor, indigomoor@yahoo.com.

A private poetry workshop with Ellen Bass will be held in Sacramento on April 6, 2008. For details contact: Billie Custock, bcustock@comcast.net.

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SIERRA NEVADA

Donna Hanlin offers an ongoing writing workshops in Nevada City, sometimes in Sacramento. For details, see www.creativewritingclasses.us/Classes.html.

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PENINSULA
BURLINGAME TO PALO ALTO

Kepler's Books Spanish Book Group meets monthly, on Mondays, 7:00. Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, (650) 324-4321, www.keplers.com.

Kepler's Books Fiction Book Group meets monthly, on Mondays, 7:00. Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, www.keplers.com, (650) 324-4321.

Kepler's Books Speculative Fiction Book Group meets monthly, on Sundays, 6:00. Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, www.keplers.com, (650) 324-4321.

Robert Funge, author of The Passage, leads ongoing writing workshops, for published poets and beginners. Contact: Robert Funge, P.O. Box 1225, San Carlos, CA 94070, or (650) 592-7720.

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SOUTH BAY
INCLUDES SAN JOSE

Santa Clara Adult Education offers Creative Writing Workshops for fiction, memoirs, mysteries, any kind of writing, with Edie Matthews. Ongoing, free class. Mondays, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Westmont, 1675 Scott Blvd., $3 lab fee; and Mondays, 1:30-3:30, Valley Village, 390 N. Winchester Blvd., $3 lab fee; Santa Clara. Contact: EdeeeMatt@aol.com, (408) 423-3500, or visit www.scae.org.

Poet and essayist Phyllis Koestenbaum will help you understand your process and find your real material, working on craft and revision of individual pieces and manuscripts. Publication can result, if that is desired. All styles and forms, including prose poems, short-short stories, lyric essays and writing at and across boundaries. Private home, or by phone or online: (408) 732-2756, or e-mail: phyllisk@stanford.edu.

Poetry and Meditation, connecting the mind, body, and spirit through creativity, with Shaila Catherine and Phyllis Klein. Sunday, February 10, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-4:00, $50-$80, no one turned away. Held at 3803 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 200, Campbell. No experience needed. CE credits for therapists. Call Phyllis Klein, (415) 273-1036.

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