Calendar Northern California

Northern California Workshops & Classes

updated January 29, 2010

To add or update 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

• San Francisco Center for the Book presents bookbinding, letterpress printing, and printmaking workshops. These courses range from Western and Eastern traditions to contemporary approaches. After you take a class that involves the Center’s binding and cutting equipment, you’ll be qualified to rent studio time for personal work. Upcoming workshops include: Decorative Water Sketchbook with Judith Serebrin on January 30, and Production: The Sophisticated Chapbook with Aaron Cohick on February 13. For complete descriptions and registration, visit: www.sfcb.org.

• Intergenerational Writers Lab with workshops for emerging writers led by established writers Ben Fong-Torres, Genny Lim, Lorna Dee Cervantes, and Leticia Hernandez, sponsored by Kearny Street Workshop, Intersection for the Arts, and AMATE: Women Painting Stories. Physical application must be received by 5:00, February 19. Not a postmark deadline. Workshop runs April 3–May 22, 2010. Twelve students will be selected to participate in the literary program which will involve a series of workshops, a public reading at Intersection in early July, and an online anthology publication. Visit kearnystreet.org or theintersection.org to download the application.

• Transformative Writing Workshops with Jen Cross. Monday evening workshop for survivors of sexual trauma. Erotic/sexuality writing workshops for mixed gender and for women. Winter session is now open for registration. Eight-week workshops based in SF, $200; weekend-day intensives are scheduled around the Bay Area. See www.writingourselveswhole.org.

• Ripe Fruit Writing presents workshops and courses. Art of Languaging: Finding and Expanding Your Voice is a course in perception, imagination, compassion, and commitment. Art of Languaging meets Wednesday evenings, 7:00–10:00, February 3–April 7, $395. The Writing Faith: a one-day session, February 6, 9:30 a.m.–5:30, $95. Soulfood Memoir Writing & Personal Essays is a course focused on the dynamic process of creative expression. Soulfood meets Thursday evenings, 7:00–10:00, April 22–June 10, $395. Soulfood One-Day Session: February 20, 9:30 a.m.–5:30, $95. To register, visit www.ripefruitwriting.com/registration.html. All other Ripe Fruit courses require completion of an Art of Languaging course or writing experience. To see a complete listing of courses, visit: www.ripefruitwriting.com. For information, call (415) 337-4369.

• The Writing Salon is a school of creative writing for adults, with classes held in Berkeley and San Francisco. Current offerings include: Self-Publishing Your Book with Lisa Alpine, February 20, 10:00 a.m.–4:00, $110/$95 members. Memoir Writing with Kathleen McClung, Saturdays, February 27–April 3, 10:30 a.m.–1:00, $215/$185 members. Introduction to Personal Essays with Jenny Pritchett, Saturdays, February 27–March 27, 2:00–4:30, $215/$185 members. The Persistent Poet with Julie Bruck, Sundays, February 7–June 20, 2:30–5:00, $365/$335 members. For course listings and to register for classes, visit: www.writingsalons.com.

• Poet and prose writer Michelle Tea guides writers through the process of generating, creating, and performing work inspired by real life in her Performing Your Life Workshop. Workshop open to writers and performers of all skill levels. January 25–February 15, 6:00–9:00, Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia Street, San Francisco. $180/$170 Intersection members. Register online at www.theintersection.org. For more information, e-mail: rebeka @ theintersection.org or call (415) 626-2787x108.

• The Grotto, a collective workspace community for writers, filmmakers and other narrative artists in San Francisco, offers one-day, weekly, and weekend writing classes. To register, e-mail the instructor at the address that appears in each class listing. The instructor will contact you and ask for a deposit to reserve a space. One-Day Workshops: February 6, 10:00 a.m.–1:00: Grotto Café, A Shot of Espresso for the Writer’s Brain with Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman @ comcast.net), $75. Weekly Workshops: Mondays, February 22–April 12, 6:30–9:00: Poetry Workshop with Matthew Zapruder (matthew @ matthewzapruder.com), $455. Wednesdays, February 3–March 10, 6:30–9:00: Fiction Focus, Six Weeks to Writing Stronger Fiction with Natalie Baszile (nbaszile @ gmail.com) and Kathryn Ma (kathryn @ kathrynma.com), $400, contact both instructors to register. Thursdays, February 18–March 11, 6:30–9:00: Creative Writing Jumpstart with Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman @ comcast.net), $250. Weekend Workshops: March 13–14, 10:00 a.m.–4:00, Travel Writing with Laura Fraser (laura @ laurafraser.com) and Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman @ comcast.net), $275. For class descriptions, visit: www.sfgrotto.org. San Francisco Writer’s Grotto, 420 2nd Street, Second Floor, SF.

BERKELEY & ALBANY

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

• Drop-in Poetry Writing Workshops at the Albany Library, every second Wednesday monthly, 7:00–9:00, led by Alison Seevak. Free, all ages welcome. Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, (510) 526-3720.

• Bookshop West Portal presents Mind-Body Health Writing, a writing workshop for people with chronic illnesses or health conditions. Dr. Abby Caplin guides a process of reflection, writing and optional sharing. Five Sundays, February 7, 21, 28, March 7 and 14, 7:00–8:30, $145. To register, contact Dr. Caplin, (415) 255-9981, or abby @ abbycaplinmd.com.

OAKLAND & ALAMEDA

• Workshops with Clive Matson include Novel Workshops for writers with novels in progress, every other Monday in both Berkeley and Oakland, limited to four writers meeting five times over ten weeks. “Crazy Child” as in “let that crazy child write,” see website for dates, $80. Ten-week workshops for any genre, journal, story, poem, novel, play, or essay, $400 in Oakland. Contact Clive Matson at clive @ matsonpoet.com, or (510) 654-6495. For dates and to register, see www.matsonpoet.com.

• Lakeshore Writers offers Creative Writing Workshops with Teresa Burns Gunther, MFA, Amherst Writers and Artists method certified. All skill levels, ages, genres; write in response to prompts and share your writing. Monday “Craft of Fiction” class, 7:00–9:00 begins January 25. Sunday One-Day Writing Workshops from 9:45 a.m.–1:00 meets January 31 and February 21. Deposit of $75 holds your spot, sliding scale available. Lakeshore Writers Workshop, 110 Eleventh Street, near Lake Merritt, Oakland. Contact: Teresa Burns Gunther, (510) 465-2535, or teresa @ lakeshorewriters.net. Visit: www.lakeshorewriters.net.

• Kim Addonizio, Ordinary Genius, offers poetry workshops in Oakland. Workshops focus on craft and revision in small groups, poetry workshop not for beginners. Monday Night Workshop: February 22–April 12, 7:00–9:30, $400. Online Workshop: February 22–April 19, anytime from anywhere, $450. E-mail some information about yourself as a writer and no more than one or two poems to: kimaddonizio @ comcast.net. For updates, visit: www.kimaddonizio.com.

• Frank Bette Center for the Arts presents Fiction Writing with Elaine Beale, six Monday evenings, 7:00–9:00. Two sessions scheduled: Session I, February 7, 14, 21 and March 7, 14, 21; Session II, April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 9, 16. Fiction Writing Workshop Intensives with Margaret Lucke will include three all-day sessions; two workshops per session, six workshops total. Sessions held Wednesdays: Session I, March 10, Session II,March 24, Session III, April 7. Each session $140/$120 members. All three sessions are $360/$330 members. Each individual workshop is $85/$65 members. For information and to register, visit: www.frankbettecenter.org. Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, at Lincoln Avenue, Alameda, (510) 523-6957.

OTHER EAST BAY

• Bay Area Poets Seasonal Review presents a one-day poetry workshop. January 31: Writing Out of Winter, 10:00 a.m.–5:00, $45–$60 sliding scale, which includes a light lunch, and a six-week class, beginning February 3, Introduction to Poetry Writing, Wednesday evenings, $150, 7:30–9:00. Participants will write poems and learn techniques for diving into source material in a fun and comfortable setting. Classes taught by Jannie M. Dresser. Crockett is near the Carquinez Bridge, a twenty-minute drive from Berkeley/Oakland, about the same from Concord/Walnut Creek. For more information, e-mail: poetsreview @ gmail.com, or call (510) 290-6254.

NORTH BAY & MARIN COUNTY

• Marin Poetry Center Poetry Book Group meets every second Wednesday monthly, 7:00. Meeting rotates among living rooms to discuss great poetry books. February 10: Contemporary American Poetry, edited by R.S. Gwynn and April Lindner. March 10: False Prophet by Stan Rice. For information, contact: Roy Mash (415) 472-3504, rmash @ saber.net. Visit www.marinpoetrycenter.org.

• Marin Poetry Center sponsors an open, drop-in workshop, fourth Thursday monthly. Bring ten copies of one poem. Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Street, at C Street, San Rafael, free, 7:00. For information, contact Calvin Ahlgren, (415) 497-2495, calvinahlgren @ att.net. Information on the web at: www.marinpoetrycenter.com.

• The Write Spot presents Writers Forum, a monthly series of workshops that explores many aspects of writing. Led by Marlene Cullen, founder of Writers Forum of Petaluma and Affiliate member of Amherst Writers & Artists. Writers Forum meets every third Thursday of the month, February through November. For information about Writers Forum, e-mail Marlene: mcullen @ comcast.net. Jumpstart is a writing workshop designed to encourage and inspire writing, no critiques or judges, beginners and experienced writers welcome. Bring a notebook and a fast-moving pen. Four weeks, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., tuition $65/$60 for residents. 2010 Jumpstart sessions: February 2–23, March 2–24, and April 6–27. To register, visit: www.activenet6.active.com/petalumarec, or call (707) 527-4372. Register in person: Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. More information at: www.thewritespot.us.

• Book Passage one-day, weekend, and longer classes on writing, publishing, and marketing. Tuesdays, February 2–March 23: Judy Greber’s Eight Weeks to Stronger Fiction, $450, 7:00–9:00. February 6: Cara Black’s X Marks the Spot: A Workshop on Setting, $60, 10:00 a.m.–1:00. February 6: Katy Butler’s Awakening the Writer Within, $105, 10:00 a.m.–4:00. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, (415) 927-0960. For more information and to register, visit: www.bookpassage.com.

• Redwood Writers presents a writing and editing workshop, Create Tension, January 30, 10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m., a brief overview of examples of tension and its importance presented by Ransom Stephens, followed by workshop reviewing how to create tension in your writing, 11:10 a.m.–12:30, with Stefanie Freele. End it Right writing and editing workshop on February 6, 10:00 a.m.–10:50, a brief overview of the right place to end presented by Ana Manwaring, followed by workshop reviewing right places and ways to end, 11:10 a.m.–12:30, with Becca Lawton. Workshops held at the Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Circle, Petaluma. For information and to register, visit: www.redwoodwriters.org.

• Point Reyes Books presents a fiction-writing group led by local author Catherine Lucas, to discuss plot, dialogue, scene construction, and narrative style. All levels of writing experience are welcome. Meets bi-weekly in the Inverness/Point Reyes area, a small attendance fee applys. For more information, contact Catherine Lucas directly: celnd2003 @ yahoo.com, or www.catherinelucas.co.uk.

NORTH COAST & INLAND

CENTRAL VALLEY
INCLUDES SACRAMENTO

• Sacramento Poetry Center Workshop meets every Tuesday from 7:30–9:00. Free, all ages, sit in for one session to observe the process. To participate, bring fifteen copies of a poem. The Hart Senior Center, 916 27th Street at J Street. For information, contact facilitator Danyen Powell, (530) 756-6228 or visit www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

• University of California Davis Extension presents writing courses. Novel Craft Workshop, taught by author Shawna Yang Ryan, focuses on the discipline and skills needed to develop your craft as a novel writer. Thursdays, January 28–March 18, 6:00–9:00, $375. Research and Interviewing Techniques for Nonfiction Writers, taught by Janna Marlies Santoro, focuses on research and publication skills. Mondays, February 1–March 29, 6:00–8:30, $345. Reading Contemporary Fiction as a Writer, taught by poet Emmanuel Sigauke, focuses on analysis of contemporary work. Wednesdays, February 3–March 24, 6:00–9:00, $375. Enhancing Writing Skills for Nonfiction Writers, taught by freelance writer and editor Elisabeth Sherwin, focuses on writing mechanics that improve the credibility of your work. Wednesdays, February 3–March 24, 6:00–8:30, $345. To enroll, visit: www.extension.ucdavis.edu/writing. All courses meet at the Sacramento Sutter Square Galleria, 2901 K Street, Sacramento.

SIERRA NEVADA

PENINSULA
BURLINGAME TO PALO ALTO

• Kepler’s Book Groups meet monthly. First Friday Book Club meets every first Friday of the month, 7:30. February 5: Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose will be discussed. Speculative Fiction Book Group meets on Sundays, 4:00. February 7: The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin will be discussed. Fiction Book Group meets every fourth Monday monthly, 7:00. February 22: A Ship Made of Paper by Scott Spencer will be discussed. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, (650) 324-4321. Visit: www.keplers.com.

SOUTH BAY
INCLUDES SAN JOSE

• Poetry Center San José presents “The Ins and Outs of Getting Published,” with poet and editor Sally Ashton, February 20, 1:00–4:00, $65/$50 PCSJ members. Benefit for the PCSJ. Firehouse in History Park, San Jose. To register, contact Sally Ashton at sashton @ pcsj.org.

• “Inspired by Nature Writing Workshop” led by poet and editor Sally Ashton, MFA. Mondays, March 1–22, 6:30–9:00, Montalvo Arts Center, Cottage 2, Saratoga. Tuition $166/$150 Montalvo Arts members. Tickets at the box office, (408) 961-5858. Visit montalvoarts.org/events/poetry_nature.

MONTEREY BAY AREA
INCLUDES SANTA CRUZ

• Capitola Book Café presents “The Voice of Your Eyes is Deeper than all Roses,” a workshop focused on writing love poems with Patrice Vechionne. February 6, 2:00–4:00, $20. For information, e-mail: patrice @ patricevecchione.com. To register, visit Capitola Book Café website or call (831) 462-4415. “From Memory to Memoir: A Pens-On Writing Workshop” with author and writing teacher Laura Davis, February 7, 10:00 a.m.–1:00, $30 prepayment required at Capitola Book Café. For information, e-mail: lauradavis @ lauradavis.net. Capitola Book Café, 1475 First Avenue, Capitola, (831) 462-4415, www.capitolabookcafe.com.

ONLINE WORKSHOPS

• Kim Addonizio, Ordinary Genius, offers online poetry workshops focusing on craft and revision, poetry workshop not for beginners. February 22–April 19, anytime from anywhere, $450. E-mail some information about yourself as a writer and no more than one or two poems to: kimaddonizio @ comcast.net. Visit: www.kimaddonizio.com.

• Poetry Boot Camp online workshops with poet Molly Fisk. Draft six poems in six days during this online writing intensive. Next sessions February 7–12, March 7–12, and May 6–21, $175, visit www.poetrybookcamp.com for information and to register. A Voice of Your Own: How to Write Intimately, Truthfully, and Fearlessly About Your Life in the Tradition of Mary Oliver and Anne Lamott is a six-week online workshop for women led by Molly Fisk. Next session, April 26–May 31. $250, visit www.voiceofyourown.com for more information and to register.