patty west

November 19, 2024

MCWC OFFERS COMMUNITY, JOY, AND ACTION

patty west

November 19, 2024

SUPPORT OUR STORYTELLERS!

Since 1990, the Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference has offered a space for storytellers to dream together. Each August, writers converge on the beautiful Mendocino Coast to share, explore, and celebrate each other’s writing during a weekend of workshops, seminars, and readings. MCWC invites participants from all backgrounds—including full scholarships for local high school students, seniors, and parents—to come together in an inviting, handmade environment.

MCWC has a profound impact on the lives of our participants. Our conference offers expertise, opportunity and friendship to writers at all levels. Thanks to our welcoming atmosphere, many of our authors choose to return year after year, developing a special relationship with both the Conference but and the Mendocino Coast. Writers young and old experience the joy and fulfillment of an entire weekend dedicated to literary craft in a location of unparalleled natural grandeur. This year we celebrated our 35th anniversary of MCWC at the 2024 Conference, and it was a wonderful success!

*Photo by: Fallen Moon Photography / Marlene Gutierrez*

“I had a wonderful conference. It was my first time in Mendocino, and I will cherish those foggy mornings forever.”

- MCWC 2024 Participant Rucy Cui

Every year, our volunteer-run nonprofit puts on a world class event. MCWC enriches our local community, inviting distinguished guests like 2024 Keynote Speaker and Booker Prize Finalist Rachel Kushner to town. Each MCWC brings over 100 writers and their families to the Coast for four days of learning and community, supporting local restaurants, hotels, and businesses.

We need your help to continue this good work! Donations to MCWC support our scholarship program, our faculty honoraria, and make it possible for us to continue our tradition of a truly accessible conference for writers at all levels. This year, our goal is to have 100 donors give to our campaign. A donation of any size is welcome: $5, $25, $100, $500…choose what works for you and your budget! Won’t you give to our 2024 Support Our Storytellers Fundraising Drive?

Donations of all sizes are appreciated; choose what fits for you. We also invite you to honor people close to you by donating in their names.

Help storytellers come together to forge a sustaining and holistic community by contributing to our 2024 Support Our Storytellers Fundraising Drive! Your donation will support our community and enable us to continue to offer expertise, opportunity, and friendship to writers at all levels.

With gratitude,

Lisa Locascio Nighthawk, Executive Director

Georgina Marie Guardado, President, MCWC Board

SUPPORT MCWC

FOLLOW US ON BLUE SKY!

https://bsky.app/profile/mcwconf.bsky.social

FALL UPDATES

MCWC Board Member Emily Lloyd-Jones’ latest book, The Wild Huntress, is now available for purchase!

MCWC Board Member Michelle Peñaloza is the Winner of the James Laughlin Award for her new poetry collection, All The Words I Can Remember Are Poems (Persea Books, 2025).

MCWC participant Ariana Benson won the 2024 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize for her debut collection, Black Pastoral (University of Georgia Press, 2023).

MCWC faculty Rachel Kushner was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Former MCWC faculty Jandy Nelson has a new YA novel, When the World Tips Over.

Former MCWC faculty and San Francisco Chronicle columnist, Kevin Fisher-Paulson, passed away in September after a 15-month battle with cancer.

JUNE UPDATES

Congratulations to Board Member Michelle Peñaloza, winner of the 2024 Lexi Rudnitsky Editor's Choice Award for her poetry collection All the Words I Can Remember Are Poems, which Persea will publish in 2025.

Random House will publish MCWC 2024 Short Story faculty Kate Folk’s novel Sky Daddy in 2025.

Executive Director Lisa Locascio Nighthawk recently profiled musician Ty Segall for the Alta Journal newsletter, and reviewed Splinters: A Different King of Love Story by Leslie Jamison and The Mother of All Things by Alexis Landau for the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Lisa Locascio Nighthawk

SPRING UPDATES

Hybrid Genre workshop instructor Henry Hoke’s novel Open Throat has been shortlisted for the James Tait Black Prize and is a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award.

MCWC alum Antonia Angress has been named as a "5 Under 35" by the National Book Foundation.

MCWC alum Frej Barty won the California Poetry Out Loud/Poetry Ourselves contest for his original poem “Facing". He is also currently the Mendocino County Youth Poet Laureate.

After MCWC Board President Georgina Marie Guardado stepped down as Lake County Poet Laureate, MCWC alum Brenda Yeager was named the new Poet Laureate of Lake County.

FALL UPDATES

Former MCWC faculty Grant Faulkner has a new book, 100-Word Stories: A Short Form for Expansive Writing.

MCWC alum Henri Bensussen has had eight poems published in Sinister Wisdom #130, the We Teach Sex issue, Oct. 2023; a poem published in in MacIvor-Andersen, ed., Rooted Two: Best New Arboreal Nonfiction, 2023, Outpost 19 Press, and coming in 2024, "Farewells Were Said..." in Taylor, Dena, & Wilma Marcus-Chandler, eds., When a Woman Tells the Truth: Writings and Creative Work by Women Over 80."

ON THE RADIO

Executive Director Lisa Locascio Nighthawk sat down for an interview at this year's conference with Michelle Blackwell of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting, KZYX.

JUNE UPDATES

The Seed Field podcast hosted MCWC Executive Director, Lisa Locascio Nighthawk for a conversation on how Creative Writing Offers a Chance to Take Yourself Seriously.

Former MCWC Faculty, Mitali Perkins, has a new book, Hope in the Valley, on sale July 11.

Former MCWC participant and panelist K-Ming Chang’s short story collection Gods of Want was named a New York Times Notable 100 of 2022 and will be out in paperback June 20.

Lydia Kiesling, 2022 faculty, has a new novel Mobility coming in August.

MCWC alum Vanessa Chan has a new book The Storm We Made now available for pre-order.

MAY UPDATES

Former MCWC faculty, Camille Dungy was recently featured on NPR in synch with her book launch for Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden.

MCWC alum Devi S. Laskar’s novel Circa will soon be available in paperback.

APRIL UPDATES

These Particular Women, an essay collection Publishers Weekly called a “soulful meditation on how women are alternately obscured and revealed by the turns of history,” from former faculty Kat Meads, is now available.

Former faculty Jody Gehrman’s newest psychological thriller, The Protégé, is now available from Crooked Lane Books (Penguin Random House).

Gayle Greene has a new book published this year, Immeasurable Outcomes: Teaching Shakespeare in the Age of the Algorithm

MCWC alum Jeanine Stevens has a new chapbook, Tea in the Nuns' Library, published by Eyewear Publishing Ltd. (UK).

MARCH UPDATES

MCWC alum Annelyse Gelman’s book, Vexations, is now available for purchase. It won the James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets.

MCWC 2017 Faculty Elizabeth McKenzie’s The Dog of the North is now available from Penguin USA. It has already been longlisted for the prestigious 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

MCWC alum Mary Beth O’Connor’s memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction was published by HCI and is now available for purchase.

ATTENTION MENDO WRITERS!

Slack Tide Cafe is hosting an open mic poetry reading on Friday, March 24th from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at 32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg. Hope to see you there!

FACULTY HONOR

Former MCWC faculty member Reyna Grande will be honored by Poets & Writers and will receive the 2023 Writers for Writers Award.

DECEMBER UPDATES

Karin C. Uphoff (MCWC 2022), had two poems published in The Bloom.

MCWC alum, Jordan O'Halloran, self-published her debut novel, Clean Up on Aisle Three.

MCWC alum, Lauren Oertel, launched a new newsletter. Sign up here!

ALUMNI FACULTY UPDATES

Ingrid Rojas Contreras was named a finalist for the National Book Award in Nonfiction for The Man Who Could Move Clouds.

Nina Sadowsky’s new thriller, Privacy, is available now.

Camille Dungy’s memoir, Soil, is now available for pre-order.

Grant Faulkner’s latest, The Art of Brevity: Crafting the Very Short Story, is available now.

Joan Frank has two new books out - Juniper Street and Late Work.

FALL UPDATES

Participant Jasmine Sawers’ debut collection, The Anchored World, is now available to purchase via Rose Metal Press.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

All 2022 Conference participants and faculty are invited to submit work to the MCWC literary journal Noyo Review! Send up to five pieces of any genre and length up to 25 pages to noyoreview@gmail.com by October 31, 2022 for consideration in our next issue.

Lake County publication, The Bloom, invites literary submissions. Contributing writers are paid. Submit your work here.

UPCOMING RELEASE

MCWC participant Jeanine Stevens’ latest poetry collection, "No Lunch Among the Day Stars," is soon to be released from Cold River Press.

SEPTEMBER UPDATES

Former Board Member, Norma Watkins’ book, In Common, is now available to purchase.

YA INDIE BOOK AWARD FINALIST

Former Executive Director, Ginny Rorby’s book, Like Dust, I Rise, was a YA Indie Book Award Finalist.

America’s next great author

Submissions are now open for the pilot of America’s Next Great Author! Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander, this mission-driven show is dedicated to helping writers who don't normally get a seat at the publishing table. Former MCWC faculty, Grant Faulkner, is an Executive Producer on the show.

August RELEASE round-up

Antonia Angress’ debut novel, Sirens & Muses, is now available. She attended MCWC in 2020 to workshop the first chapter and met her agent at the conference.

Ingrid Rojas Contreras (former MCWC faculty) has a new book out, The Man Who Could Move Clouds.

2021 NEWS WRAP-UP

Tupelo Press will be publishing part participant Preeti Kaur Rajpal's poetry collection, Membery — one of just four chosen out of over 1400 submissions to the press's July Open Reading Period.

Past conference participant Charley Roberts' new book, "Devil Dog" Dan Daly: America's Fightin'est Marine, was published by McFarland & Co. in October 2021.

Antonia Angress's debut novel, Sirens & Muses, is available for preorder now. She workshopped the first chapter with Julie Buntin at MCWC 2020 and also met her agent at the conference.

We were thrilled to be included in this awesome round-up of writing conferences by MCWC 2020 participant Vanessa Chan on Electric Lit.

Congratulations!

We're delighted that past conference participant Shizue Seigel has received a Jefferson Award from CBS Bay Area in recognition of her work supporting writers of color through Write Now! SF Bay.

MCWC2021 participant Gowri Koneswaran (pictured below) is a recipient of a $10K unrestricted arts award from the Tanne Foundation.

hot off the presses

Devi Laskar, who attended the MCWC in 2016, has a powerful new poem, “Elegy Abecedarian”, in the Evergreen Review (Spring/Summer 2021)

Past conference participant Carolyn Arnold's new book, Fifty First Dates After Fifty: A Memoir (She Writes Press) came out on November 2.

MCWC participant Marion Deeds’ new novel, Comeuppance Served Cold, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Past participant Rachel A.G. Gilman has a new creative non-fiction piece out, "There’s Really No Need to Talk About This", in the Longleaf Review.

Former Executive Director Ginny Rorby's new novel, Like Dust I Rise, will be released by Black Rose Writing on December 9th. Preorder your copy here.

MCWC Advisory Board member and past faculty John Lescroart has a new novel out in paperback, The Rule of Law. The next book in this riveting crime/legal/thriller series, The Missing Piece, comes out in March 2022.

NOW ON BOARD

We’re delighted to welcome two wonderful new members to our board: Elaina Erola and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios. Read all about them here.

freshly pressed

Ellen Gerneaux Woods, an MCWC 2012 participant (and winner of third prize in that year's contest for creative non-fiction), is publishing a new poetry chapbook! Pre-order your copy of The Watchful Heart Recedes here.

dance party!

In October 2021, past conference participant Samantha Durbin’s memoir, Raver Girl, launches. It’s about her coming of age in the Bay Area's '90s rave scene.

ALL jazzed up

We adore the gorgeously jazzy cover of MCWC participant Marion Deeds’ new novel, Comeuppance Served Cold illustrated by Helen Crawford White. Read all about it here.

MCWC Welcomes new Staff Member

MCWC 2021 will be Amy Lutz’s last conference as the MCWC Operations Manager. But we are thrilled to welcome Alexander Matthews as the Incoming Operations Manager, taking over Amy’s role for MCWC 2022 starting in August. Welcome, Alexander!

Gallery Bookshop Virtual Author Showcase August 19

Join MCWC community members Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios, Nona Smith, and Marlis Broadhead Manley for a virtual reading and Q&A panel about their latest publications. Aug 19, 6pm PDT. Full details and registration information here.

Virtual Seminar with Sarah McColl on June 5

Our virtual Spring Generative Series continues on Saturday, June 5, with Sarah McColl and her seminar, Caretaking and Creative Practice: Writing Into Real Life. This is the fourth of five virtual events MCWC is hosting this spring to get your creativity flowing. Open to all, buy one for $20 or a package of either three or five for discounts. Seminars are recorded and past recordings are available for purchase. Full event information here.

Star Review for Seminar Faculty

MCWC Spring Generative Series Faculty Rachel Yoder received this great review in Publishers Weekly for her upcoming novel Nightbitch. Yoder will be teaching a seminar as part of our Spring Generative Series on June 19. Full event details here.

New Poetry Chapbook

MCWC participant Elizabeth Vrenios just released a new chapbook Empty the Ocean with a Thimble with Word Poetry Books. Click on the link to read an excerpt!

New Young Adult Novel

MCWC past participant and panelist Cameron Lund's new YA novel, Heartbreakers and Fakers, releases on June 8. Kirkus Reviews called it "A lighthearted and perceptive fauxmance."

Upcoming Book Launch

Join MCWC past participant Christopher Swiedler on Sunday June 20 at the Chabot Space & Science Center at 6:30pm for the launch of his second novel for young people, The Orpheus Plot.

Virtual Seminar with K.B. Carle on May 8

Our virtual Spring Generative Series continues on Saturday, May 8, with K.B. Carle and her seminar, Duplication. Replication. Reiteration: A Closer Look at Writing Repetition in Flash. This is the second of five virtual events MCWC will host this spring to get your creativity flowing. Open to all, buy one for $20 or a package of either three or five for discounts. Full event information here.

New Historical Fantasy Novella

MCWC participant Marion Deeds will publish her novella Comeuppance Served Cold with Tor.com Publishing in 2022. Congratulations, Marion!

MCWC 2021 faculty featured in Bustle

MCWC 2021 Memoir Workshop Instructor Krys Malcolm Belc’s upcoming memoir, The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood, was included in Bustle’s “51 Debut Books to Look Forward to This Spring & Summer”. You can work with Krys at MCWC’s virtual 2021 conference this August. To grab a seat in his workshop, register at mcwc.org.

New Nonfiction

MCWC Past Faculty Les Standiford’s new book, Battle for the Big Top, releases June 15th from PublicAffairs Press.

Contest-Winning Chapbook

MCWC Past Participant Jeanine Stevens published her new chapbook Gertrude Sitting: Portraits of Women. Her book won the Heartland Review 2020 Chapbook Contest.

Virtual Seminar with K-Ming Chang on April 10

Our virtual Spring Generative Series kicks off on Saturday, April 10, with K-Ming Chang and her seminar, Alternatives to “Plot”: Rethinking the Shapes of our Stories. This is the first of five virtual events MCWC will host this spring to get your creativity flowing. Open to all, buy one for $20 or a package of either three or five for discounts. Full event information here.

MCWC Board Poetry Publication

MCWC Board Member Eliana Yoneda published two poems in the new issue of Loves Me, Loves Me Not.

Preorder Now new Short Fiction

Past faculty Grant Faulkner has a new collection of short stories, All the Comfort Sin Can Provide, coming out this July with Black Lawrence Press. The book will this July and is available now for preorder.

Featured Poetry from Past participant

Past participant Kathleen McClung’s poem “The Forewoman Speaks” was featured in American Life in Poetry. This poem is from her most recent chapbook A Juror Must Fold in on Herself, which was a Rattle Chapbook Prizewinner published in 2020. You can read her poem here.

MCWC past participant and Agent Success

Past participant Antonia Angress met her agent Marya Spence at MCWC 2020. On February 16, Antonia’s novel Sirens and Muses was acquired for publication in 2022 by Ballantine. Congrats Marya and Antonia! (Click the image above to read about the book.)

New Novel from Founder

MCWC Founder Marlis Broadhead’s new novel, Trophy Girl, will be published by Black Rose writing on September 30, 2021! “Preparing for a career-defining championship, a charismatic car-racing legend finds himself saddled with a 14-year-old runaway claiming she’s his daughter, until her aunt comes to rescue her—and maybe him.” Congratulations, Marlis!

Past Faculty Book Deal

Congratulations to MCWC past faculty Mitali Perkins on her latest book deal with Farrar, Straus and Giroux for her novel Thanks to You, Pandita Paul. Keep an eye out for her new book in spring of 2022! (Click the image above to read about the book.)

Upcoming Poetry reading

Point Arena Third Thursday Poetry presents a virtual Third Thursday Zoom Poetry reading at 7pm on Thursday, February 18, 2021. This month features Covelo poet MCWC 2020 Faculty (and new board member) Michelle Peñaloza, with open mic to follow. Zoom link here. If you have questions or to would like to participate as an open mic reader, email blake@snakelyone.com.

Gallery Bookshop Virtual Author’s Night

At Gallery Bookshop Virtual Authors' Night, on February 18 at 6pm, featured authors Maureen Eppstein (former ED of MCWC!), MCWC former faculty Valerie Miner, David Herstle Jones, and CC Mitchell will each give a short talk on their work followed by a Q&A session for the panel. Anyone can attend from near and far via Zoom. Click here to register.

Last event in our winter publishing series

Join us on Zoom on February 6th for the last event in our Winter Publishing Series: Publishing With Small Presses, taught by Diana Arterian. Register here.

Poets in Conversation

MCWC past participant Phyllis Klein is hosting a Zoom poetry series. The first event is on Feb 13 at 4pm PST and will feature Hiram Larew. The second event will be on Feb 27 at 4pm PST and will feature Sandra Anfang and Kathleen McClung.

New Short Story Collection by MCWC 2021 Faculty

MCWC 2021 Speculative Fiction Workshop Instructor Alaya Dawn Johnson published her collection of short stories, Reconstruction, with Small Beer Press last month. To work with Alaya at MCWC 2021, apply for a scholarship by Feb 15 or register for her workshop on March 1.

Second Book By MCWC participant

MCWC participant Marion Deeds has published her second book, Copper Road, with Falstaff Books. This book follows her novella, Aluminum Leaves, though both books are stand-alone stories in the same fantasy world.

New fiction from MCWC 2020 Scholar

MCWC 2020 scholar K-Ming Chang published her story “Teaching My Mother How to Drive” with Air/Light Magazine.

MCWC 2020 Scholar’s Story Publication

MCWC 2020 scholar Nay Saysourinho published her story “The Queen of Sheba” in the Jan/Feb 2021 edition of the Kenyon Review.

Latest Flash from MCWC President

MCWC President Kara Vernor published her new flash fiction, “Before the Apocalypse, the Loss,” with Lost Balloon.

New Novel from Past Participant

MCWC 2016 and 2018 participant Barbara Meyer Link will publish her new novel, Chokecherry Girl, on February 16 with a recommendation by one of her MCWC workshop instructors Les Standiford.

Past Faculty Memoir in Letters

MCWC past faculty Kat Meads published her newest book Dear DeeDee in December. MCWC past board member Norma Watkins wrote, “In these hilarious and heartbreaking letters, exiled Southerner Kat Meads remembers, regrets, and makes us ‘bark-laugh.’”

poetry craft tips and inspiration

MCWC past participant Robin Michel contributed to Raven & Wren Press’s HOW TO BEGIN: Poems, Prompts, Tips and Writing Exercises by the Fresh Ink Poetry Collective to improve your poetry practice—or start a group of your own. This poetry anthology/craft book includes writing exercises, resources, and guidance for those who’d like to start their own poetry group.

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Poetry launch Party online Oct 25th

Join MCWC past-ED Karen Lewis in celebrating her new book of poetry, Peace Maps! Her launch party will be held virtually through Gallery Bookshop on Oct 25th at 3pm PT. Register here to attend.

Now in paperback!

MCWC Co-President Ginny Rorby’s novel for young readers, Freeing Finch, is now available in paperback. If you haven’t read this heartwarming story yet, you can now enjoy it in paperback!

Recent online publication

Congrats to MCWC past participant Sue Granzella on the recent publication of her piece "Teacher and Student" with the Night Shift Storyteller Series. Sue says it's one of her favorite pieces. You can read it here.

High Praise for New novel

MCWC 2020 scholar K-Ming Chang published her debut novel, Bestiary, to rave reviews. It received this great write up in the New York Times to name just one!

New Historical Picture Book

MCWC past faculty Shirin Yim Leos published her latest picture book, Get Up, Elizabeth!, on September 8. This clever historical picture book is sure to delight young readers of all ages!

Past Faculty Publication

MCWC past faculty Valerie Miner published her latest book of short stories, Bread and Salt, with Whitepoint Press in September. This is her fourth collection of short stories and her fifteenth published book overall. Congratulations, Valerie!

Debut Science Fiction

MCWC past participant Carole Stivers published her debut near-future science fiction novel, The Mother Code, on August 25th. Publishers Weekly gave The Mother Code a starred review, with Newsweek declaring it a “propulsive page turner.” And Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners have already snapped up the film rights!

Cover REveal!

MCWC Advisory Board member Natasha Yim shared the cover for her upcoming picture book, Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum, featuring illustrations by Violet Kim. It’ll be released from Charlesbridge Publishing on December 20 and is available for pre-order now.

Enjoy some humor

MCWC past participant Sue Granzella’s humor/satire essay titled “Foolproof Safety Tips for Teachers Returning to the Classroom” was published by McSweeney’s. You can read her essay here.

New Essays by Past Participant

MCWC past participant Victoria Chames published her new book of essays, More about This: Metaphysical Thoughts and Questions of the Heart, in May.

Submit to new journal

MCWC past participant Kristen Henderson has started an online journal, Bright Flash Literary Review, for flash fiction and memoir. The journal is accepting submissions through Submittable. Accepted stories will be posted monthly. Visit brightflash1000.com to check it out!

Awards for a timely read

MCWC past faculty Rebecca Lawto’s latest book, The Oasis This Time: Living and Dying with Water in the West (Torry House Press, 2019), has won a 2020 Nautilus Book Award and was a finalist for an Oregon Book Award in Creative Nonfiction and Foreword INDIE in Ecology and Environment. The book also won the 2015 (Inaugural) Waterston Desert Writing Prize.

New Fiction from Past Faculty

MCWC past faculty Jody Gehrman's new novel, The Girls Weekend, will be published on August 11 and is available for pre-order now. It was featured by the Washington Post on this list of thrillers and mysteries about characters in isolation.

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Noyo River Review Launch Party

Join us online on June 14 at 2pm PST for the launch of the Noyo River Review, Vol. 8. This event is free and will feature readings by the fourteen MCWC 2019 participants published in the magazine. Full event details here.

New Poetry from MCWC past Director

MCWC past executive director Karen Lewis will publish her new book of poetry, Peace Maps, with Finishing Line Press in September. You can pre-order a copy here.

MCWC participant’s recent publications

MCWC participant Hunter Gagnon has been publishing up a storm! He has new poems featured in Cabildo Quarterly, 7x7, A) Glimpse) Of), and Abramelin. You can the find links to read his published poems on his website here.

MCWC 2020 Instructor Online Reading

MCWC 2020 Emerging Writers’ workshop instructor Tomas Moniz will be reading as part of Babylon Salon’s Summer Performance on June 6th at 5pm. Admission is free and you can grab a ticket here. You can also check out Tomas’s latest fiction, “Like Needle to Record,” at X-R-A-Y. There’s still room in Tomas’s online workshop at MCWC 2020. Register by June 30 at mcwc.org.

Award-Winning Picture book

Biddy Mason Speaks Up, a picture book written by Arisa White and MCWC past faculty Laura Atkins, has won two awards! It won the Nautilus Book Awards Gold Medal for Middle-Grade Nonfiction and the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medal in the category of Multicultural Juvenile Nonfiction. Laura teaches online classes on picture book writing and the next one is on June 4. More details here.

MCWC Past FAculty in Berkeley Noir

Enjoy a unique blend of Bay Area noir in this new anthology, Berkeley Noir, which features short stories by MCWC past faculty Shanthi Sekaran, Jason S. Ridler, and Michael David Lukas.

Latest Essay from MCWC 2020 Scholar

MCWC scholar Kat Lewis published her essay “On Anger, Autism, and Blackness" with The Rumpus. You can read her essay here. To join Kat at MCWC 2020 this year, register online at mcwc.org.

New Novel from past participant

MCWC past participant Don Braden’s debut novel, Upstart Mystique, was published on April 7 from Hadrosaur Productions. Don workshopped this book with David Corbett at MCWC 2015.

New Memoir/
travelogue

MCWC 2010 participant David Ellison's memoir, Santander: Rambling on Borrowed Time, was published on April 4. It’s available both in paperback and for Kindle.

Past Participant’s New novel

MCWC past participant Kathy Wollenberg's novel, Far Less, was published by Humboldt State University Press earlier this year. Kathy said she is grateful for the the support she received from James Hall and her workshop at MCWC 2016.

Debut YA Novel

MCWC 2020 Paths to Publishing panelist Cameron Lund's debut YA novel, The Best Laid Plans, will be published on April 7 from Razorbill (Penguin Random House). Cameron first workshopped this book at the MCWC 2017 Master Class.

New Poetry from MCWC past Faculty

MCWC 2019 faculty Victoria Chang’s new book of poetry, Obit, will be published by Copper Canyon Press on April 28. Join her online for a launch party with Copper Canyon Press on April 16 at 3pm PT. Attend using this link.

Big Honors for Big Familia

MCWC 2020 faculty Tomas Moniz’s new novel, Big Familia, is a finalist in both the 2019 Foreward Indies and the 2020 Lambda Literary Awards! Tomas will be teaching the Emerging Writers’ Workshop at MCWC 2020.

Past Participant’s New novel

MCWC past participant Lelia Moskowitz's novel, Growland, will be published in April by Humboldt State University Press. She attended the MCWC 2016 Master Class on a scholarship won with a chapter from her novel.

Debut Novel is out of this world

MCWC past scholar Chris Swiedler will publish his debut MG novel, In the Red, from Harper Collins on March 24. Join Chris for his book launch on March 24 at Pacifica’s Little Brown Church from 6-8pm.

New POetry from Past Participant

MCWC past participant Kathleen McClung published her new book of poetry, Temporary Kin, with Barefoot Muse Press. Kathleen will be celebrating her new book at a reading with the Writing Salon on March 14 at 6pm. Full details here.

MCWC 2020 Faculty featured in Time

MCWC 2020 nonfiction workshop instructor Rahawa Haile was featured in Time’s “7 Female Trekkers Who Helped Reclaim Nature, One Step at a Time.” Visit mcwc.org/morning-workshops to learn more about Rahawa's workshop, Exploration in Creative Nonfiction.

Latest Essay from MCWC 2020 MG/YA FAculty

Get to know MCWC 2020’s MG/YA workshop instructor Kerry Madden-Lunsford in this essay featured in the North Carolina Literary Review. Visit mcwc.org/morning-workshops to learn more about Kerry's workshop, Finding Your Voice in Writing for Young People.

New NOvel from MCWC Past Faculty

MCWC past faculty Susan Gaines will release her new novel, Accidentals, from Torrey House Press in early March. Susan’s new novel is set in Uruguay and centers around both political and environmental themes. Forward Reviews called it “A rich portrait of a country and its people, relayed with detail and wonder, thanks to a naturalist’s eye.”

MCWC Past Participant’s New Thriller

Anne Da Vigo has released her thriller, Bakersfield Boys Club. Workshopped at the 2016 MCWC Master Class, the novel was inspired by a real-life series of Central California murders. Kirkus Reviews called it a "sensitively intelligent dramatization of the abuse of power"

MCWC 2020 Faculty at GAllery

MCWC faculty Tomas Moniz will be sharing his new novel, Big Familia, at Gallery Bookshop on January 18 at 6:30 pm.

Faculty Book recommended

MCWC 2020 faculty Susan Stinson's novel Spider in a Tree was recommended on this list from Literary Hub of books from the last decade that more people should read. We're thrilled Susan will be teaching our first ever historical fiction workshop at MCWC 2020!

Two Publications in One

Check out the latest issue of The Tishman Review to read essays by two MCWC past participants, Sue Granzella and Sarah Marxer.

Play selected for Festival

Congratulations to MCWC past faculty Jody Gehrman and The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department! Their production of Jody's play Wild Fire has been invited to the Region VII Conference of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in February.

Library’s Top Choice

MCWC participant Chris Knoblaugh's tween horror story, Tribute, was selected by librarians as a featured book at the San Jose King Library's LocalLit 2019 event in November. The novel is now part of the library's collection.

Bookseller’s Award

Congratulations to MCWC past participant and Book Passage Bookseller Amanda Conran on being chosen as a James Patterson's Holiday Bonus Recipient for 2019! This award from the American Booksellers Association recognizes outstanding booksellers.

MCWC 2019 Participants at Babylon Salon

Join MCWC 2019 participants Lauren C Johnson and Celeste Chan at The Armory Club in San Francisco on Saturday, Dec 7, from 6-8 pm for the Babylon Salon Winter 2019 Performance.

MCWC Past Participants Featured at Sonoma Museum

MCWC past participants Nicole R. Zimmerman and Leilani Clark are two of ten recipients of the 2019 Discovered Awards for Emerging Literary and Visual Artists. An exhibition at the Museum of Sonoma County features their work, including a catalog and video. They will participate in a panel discussion on “Going Public with Personal or Political Work” on Thursday, December 12, 7–8:30pm.

Upcoming Publication from MCWC Past ED

“With keen eyes on the horizons of memory, Maureen Eppstein brings us the essentials of ‘music at the daylight’s edge,” says Sonoma County Poet Laureate Maya Khosla of Maureen’s new poetry collection, Horizon Line. Publication is expected for April and you can preorder a copy here.

MCWC Past FAculty gives back

MCWC past faculty Nina Sadowsky is partnering with the Violence Intervention Program by donating a portion of the proceeds from the pre-orders of her new novel The Empty Bed, releasing Jan 28. Email your proof of pre-order to EmptyBedVIP@gmail.com to activate the donation.

Big Familia Book Launch

Join MCWC 2020 faculty Tomas Moniz at East Bay Booksellers in Oakland on Tuesday, Nov 19, at 7pm for the launch of his new novel Big Familia. Full details here.

Upcoming Memoir Launch Party at GAllery

MCWC past participant Alena Guest will be at Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino on Saturday, Nov 16, at 6:30pm to do a reading and book signing for her recently released memoir, Ravishing.

New Collection of Stories

MCWC past faculty Kevin Fisher-Paulson has a new collection of stories selected from his weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle. His collection, How We Keep Spinning, will be published by Two Penny Press on November 15.

Prize-Winning Short Story

MCWC past participant Carolyn Bishop’s story “Gravity House” won second place in The Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and was published by Carve magazine. You can read her story here.

Northern California Book Award Nomination

MCWC past faculty Josh McKinney's latest book of poetry, Small Sillion, has been nominated for a Northern California Book Award. Congratulations, Josh!

NEw Picture book deal

MCWC advisory board member Natasha Yim will publish her picture book Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum with Charlesbridge Publishing. The publication is scheduled for fall 2020, as part of the publisher’s new Storytelling Math series.

New Essay from MCWC 2019 Faculty

MCWC 2019 novel workshop instructor Ingrid Rojas Contreras has a new essay published by The Believer. Read it here.

Climate Change Art Installation Includes MCWC instructor’s Play

MCWC past faculty Jody Gehrman's play Wild Fire will be presented by the Mendocino College Theatre Arts Oct 18-28 as part of The Phoenix Project, a community arts action responding to the recent fires and climate change.

Honorable Mention + Publication

MCWC past faculty Indigo Moor’s collection Everybody’s Jonesin’ for Something received the honorable mention in the Backwaters Press Prize in Poetry for 2019. His collection will be published in March 2021.

MCWC past Participant publishes in the new yorker

MCWC past under-25 scholar Annelyse Gelman’s poem, “Climate,” has been published in The New Yorker. This is her second poem published with the magazine.

New Memoir from MCWC 2019 faculty

MCWC memoir instructor Jeannie Vanasco published her second memoir, Things We Didn’t Talk about When I Was a Girl, with Tin House Press on October 1. Check out this interview with her editor about the book, featured in Electric Literature.

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Hilarious Anthology includes Past secretary

MCWC past board member Norma Watkins has a humorous story in the recently-released anthology Making Good Time: True Stories of How We Do, and Don’t, Get Around in South Florida. Order a copy to learn more about a very different coastal community!

Upcoming Novel from Ginny Rorby

MCWC President Ginny Rorby will publish her latest novel Freeing Finch on October 1. Join her for the book launch October 6th in the Abalone Room of the Little River Inn, 4–5:30pm.

DEbut Novel from MCWC Participant

Anniqua Rana will publish her novel, Wild Boar in the Cane Field, with She Writes Press on September 17. Join Anniqua for her launch party at The Bindery in San Francisco, 9/17, at 7pm. Full details here.

Two events with MCWC ED At Gallery Bookshop

Lisa Locascio has two events in September at Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino. On 9/7 she’ll be in conversation with Katharine Dion about her book The Dependents and on 9/14 she’ll be talking about Open Me. Both events are at 6:30.

MCWC Participant publishing in Fantasy Anthology

Marion Deeds will publish her short story “Bellwethers Know Best” in the anthology, The Wand that Rocks the Cradle: Magical Stories of Family, on September 15.

First Picture book From MCWC 2019 MG/YA faculty

Mitali Perkins will publish her first picture book, Between Us and Abuela, on September 10. Visit Mitali’s website here to learn more about the story and it’s background.

New Essay from MCWC Board Member

Kara Vernor’s essay “What’s Money Got to Do, Got to Do with It?” is included in the anthology All of Me: Stories of Love, Anger, and the Female Body, published by PM Press. Join Kara for the book launch party at Pegasus Books in Berkeley on 9/5 at 7:30.

Join us Friday August 2!

Our Friday Faculty Reading will be held at Cotton Auditorium in Fort Bragg this year. Starting at 6:30pm, hear readings from Pulitzer Prize winning poet Sharon Olds, poet Victoria Chang, memoirist Myriam Gurba, novelist Ingrid Rojas Contreras, and memoirist Jeannie Vanasco. This event is open to all and we hope you will join us!

Faculty Reading on Thurs Aug 1

We will have a faculty reading on Thursday Aug 1 at St. Anthony’s Hall in Mendocino, starting at 6:30pm. This event is open to the public, so please join us for readings by novelist Charlotte Gullick, essayist Ismail Muhammad, MG/YA novelist Mitali Perkins, fiction writer Shobha Rao, and speculative fiction author Scott Sigler.

Upcoming novella from MCWC participant

Marion Deeds will publish her novella, Aluminum Leaves, from Falstaff Books on August 1. You can follow her blog for publication updates.

MCWC Participant publishes memoir

Alice Combs will publish her memoir, The Lady with Balls: A Single Mom's Triumphant Battle in the Man's World, with Cypress House. It will release on July 19 and will also be available as an audio book. Congratulations, Alice!

new short story collection praised by NY Times

MCWC past faculty Peter Orner published his latest book of short stories, Maggie Brown and Others, by Little, Brown on July 2. Read this review by The New York Times.

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Flash fiction published by Past participant

Blaze Farrar’s flash fiction piece was published in Crack the Spine Literary Magazine. Blaze read this piece at the Open Mic at MCWC 2018. You can read it here!

Three Additional Scholarships Awarded thanks to Donations

The incredible generosity of our donors has enabled us to invite three more deserving and talented writers who would otherwise be unable to attend to join us at MCWC 2019. We were able to award Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes the Teresa Connelly Scholarship, and invite two more high school students, Jaden Valentine and Molly Windsor-Marshall. You can read about all of the MCWC 2019 scholars here.

New collection published by Past Participant

MCWC past participant Jeanine Stevens recently published a new book of poems titled Limberlost by Future Cycle Press. Congratulations, Jeanine!

NEW FUND for MCWC through the Community Foundation

MCWC President Ginny Rorby has started a new endowment fund for MCWC scholarships through the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. Click on the image above to read her story, or visit the Community Foundation’s website for information on how to contribute.

NEW Chapbook from MCWC Past Participant

Congratulations to MCWC 2017 participant Victoria Chames on the recent publication of her new chapbook, Inchworms - Poems, Sketches, and Stories! You can order a copy through your local bookstore or online here.

MCWC ED at Bay Area Book Festival

Lisa Locascio will be a panelist at the Bay Area Book Festival on Saturday, May 4. Check out the full festival schedule to see all the MCWC past and current faculty presenting this year!

Congratulations To MCWC 2017 Faculty

Michael David Lukas won the 2019 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature for his novel, The Last Watchman of Old Cairo!

Upcoming Paperback Version

MCWC ED Lisa Locascio’s novel, Open Me, will be published as a paperback in June, with a new cover! Preorder your signed copy from Gallery Bookshop here!

MCWC past Faculty Selected for Guggenheim

MCWC past faculty Camille T. Dungy is one of this year’s poetry fellows selected by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

Congratulations to Under-25 Scholar

Former MCWC Under-25 Scholar Chloe Sariego has been accepted to Yale on a full ride to complete her PhD with the Sociology Department, studying reproduction and immigration.

New Novel from MCWC 2019 MG/YA Faculty

Mitali Perkin’s latest novel, Forward Me Back to You, was released on April 2. Her book launch was held on April 13 at Orinda Books from 4-5:30pm. Congratulations, Mitali!

MCWC Past Participant’s Publishing Success

Congratulations to MCWC past participant Carole Stivers on her recent book and movie deals! Her novel, The Mother Code, will be published by Berkley Books (Penguin Random House) in May 2020 and was optioned by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment.

Past Faculty Receives Foreword INDIES Book of the Year award

Congratulations to MCWC 2017 faculty Kat Meads! Her novel Miss Jane: The Lost Years made the 2018 ForeWord Reviews INDIES Book of the Year in two categories: literary fiction and humor.

NEw essay From Past Participant

MCWC past participant Sue Granzella published her essay, "All the White People," with The Masters Review. You can read her essay here.

Reading Sampler At Gallery Bookshop 3/23

At 6:30pm on Saturday March 23, Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino will host a reading sampler that includes past MCWC scholars and contest winners Amanda Conran, Natasha Yim, Cameron Lund, Julie Sullivan, Chris Ernest Hall, Cady Owens, and Amy Lutz. The evening will be moderated by MCWC 2018 faculty Susan Chang and MCWC 2018 Executive Director Shirin Bridges. Please join them for what promises to be a very lively event!

Past faculty reading In WA

MCWC 2018 faculty Vanessa Hua will be reading with the Hugo Literary Series in Washington on March 15.

MCWC poet RECEIVES new Residency

Congratulations to MCWC past participant Kathleen McClung who has been granted a Brown Handler Writers Residency by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

MCWC Past faculty award nomination

David Corbett's latest novel, The Long-Lost Love Letters Of Doc Holliday, has been nominated for the Lefty Award for Best Historical Mystery. The winner will be announced on March 30th at Left Coast Crime in Vancouver, BC.

Writing workshop at Gallery Bookshop Taught by MCWC’s ED Lisa Locascio

Lisa Locascio will be teaching a creative writing workshop at Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 PM, February 28 - April 16. You can learn more here. Email lisa.locascio@gmail.com to sign up.

Past Participants collaborate in upcoming Reading

MCWC 2018 participants Anniqua Rana and Mairead Brodie will have their writing read as part of Play on Words San Jose on February 24. This great event is hosted by MCWC 2018 participant Julia Halprin Jackson.

Upcoming Debut Novel release

MCWC past participant Devi S. Laskar’s debut novel, The Atlas of Reds and Blues, will be published by Counterpoint Press on Feb 5. Join her for the launch party at Books Inc. in Mountain View. Full details here.

MCWC participant signs two-book deal

Congratulations to Cameron Lund, MCWC 2016 social media manager and past participant, on the upcoming publication of her novel, The Best Laid Plans. She shared this novel in the MCWC 2017 Master Class and pitched it at MCWC 2018. It will be published by Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin) in 2020 as part of a two-book deal!

New essay from past faculty on Literary Hub

MCWC 2016 faculty Reyna Grande’s latest essay on immigration was published by Literary Hub. You can read her piece here.

Participant contributes to Variety special report

MCWC 2018 scholarship winner Beth Finke contributed to a special report by Variety magazine that took an in-depth look at people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. The report was published online here and will be featured at the Sundance Film Festival.

Novel Instructor reading in LA

MCWC 2019 novel workshop instructor Ingrid Rojas Contreras will be reading from her new novel, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, at Skylight Books in Los Angeles on Jan 20.

Biddy MAson Speaks Up Book Launch

MCWC past faculty Laura Atkins will be launching the second book in her Fighting For Justice Series, Biddy Mason Speaks Up, with co-author Arisa White on Jan 12 from 2-4pm at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. The book will be available on Feb 1.

Stories on Stage Davis Reading

MCWC past participant Anne Da Vigo’s short story “Voyage of the Tropical Queen” will be read at Stories on Stage Davis on Saturday Jan 12 at 7:30 at the Pence Gallery.

new theater project in Ukiah

MCWC past faculty Jody Gehrman is taking part in Mendocino College’s new collaboration, the Phoenix Project, a series of art installments inspired by the recent fires. She will be teaching a Narrative Theater class this spring at the Ukiah campus to prepare a play for the project. Click here to read more and find out how to get involved.

January SHORT STORY CONTEST

MCWC 2018 faculty Nina Sadowsky is holding a short story contest to celebrate the first anniversary of the publication of her thriller The Burial Society. Submissions are open January 1 to January 30. The winning story will be published in Nina’s newsletter (circulation 4K) and the winner will also get fun prizes courtesy of Random House Click the image above to see the contest details.

MCWC past faculty Reading in Oakland on December 14

MCWC 2018 faculty Vanessa Hua will be reading with THERE- The East Bay Reading Extravaganza, a reading series at The Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland on December 14. This series is run by MCWC participant Doug Sovern.

Rumpus interview with MCWc ed

MCWC Executive Director Lisa Locascio shares about her writing process for Open Me in this interview with The Rumpus.

MCwc Participant success

MCWC ex-Social Media Manager and conference participant Cameron Lund has signed with Root Literary. She’s one step closer to publishing her YA novel and we can’t wait to read it!

50 notable works of fiction of 2018

Congratulations to MCWC 2018 faculty Vanessa Hua and MCWC 2019 faculty Shobha Rao on making The Washington Post’s list of 50 Notable Works of Fiction of 2018!

Poetry reading in mendocino

MCWC past participant Harriet Gleeson and former director Maureen Eppstein will be joined by editor Lucy Lang Day, rap poet Kirk Lumpkin, and Ohlone poet Stephen Meadows in a reading from the new and highly acclaimed anthology Fire and Rain: Ecopoetry of California. This reading will be at Gallery Bookshop on November 30 at 6:30 pm.

Upcoming presentation by Memoir instructor

MCWC past faculty John W. Evans will be giving a talk on writing a memoir on November 12 in San Jose with the South Bay Writers. Click here for full event details.

MCWC Board Member nominated for Best small Fiction

Kara Vernor’s flash fiction story "How Not to Become an Expat" was nominated for the Best Small Fictions of 2019 by New Flash Fiction Review. You can read her story here.

Welcome new board member!

The MCWC board welcomed a new member, Laura Welter, to the team. Laura has extensive experience working with non-profits, and MCWC is thrilled to have her!

MCWC Participant selected as Finalist

MCWC participant A. E. Conran’s novel, The Lost Celt, was a finalist in three categories of the Independent Author Network’s Best Book of the Year Awards 2018: Children's Fiction, War/Military, and First Novel. Congratulations Amanda!

MCWC Past faculty continues Fighting for Justice

Laura Atkins, co-author of Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, has a new collaboration with Arisa White for the second book in the Fighting for Justice series from Heydey Books. Biddy Mason Speaks Up is due for publication early next year, and is available for pre-order now.

MCWC advisory board member Teams up with Disney

Natasha Yim will publish her new book, Mulan’s Lunar New Year, with Disney Publishing Worldwide on October 30. You can pre-order a copy now for the young readers in your life.

New Novel from MCWC 2018 MG/YA instructor

Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s new novel, All the Stars Denied, will be published by Lee and Low Books on October 9. It received this great review from Latinos in Kid Lit.

MCWC past Faculty publishes Second Memoir

Reyna Grande’s new memoir, A Dream Called Home, details her journey to become a writer. It releases on October 2. You can check out Reyna’s list of upcoming tour events here.

New Non-fiction from MCWC Past FAculty

David L. Ulin makes the case for reading as a political act in his latest book, The Lost Art of Reading, published on September 4 from Sasquatch Books.

MCWC Faculty at upcoming conference

MCWC past faculty Reyna Grande, Shanthi Sekaran, and Vanessa Hua will be presenting at the Amplify Storytelling Conference in Berkeley, September 8-9.

Short Story published by MCWC past Participant

Marion Deeds published her short story “Adagio for Tiamat Station” in the anthology Beyond the Stars: Unimagined Realms.

MCWC past faculty publishes new novel

MCWC 2015 faculty David Corbett published his new historical thriller, The Long-Lost Love Letters of Doc Holliday, on August 18.

New novel from MCWC 2018 faculty

Short fiction workshop instructor Vanessa Hua published her debut novel, A River of Stars, on August 14. Check out her list of tour events in September.

Second in series from MCWC 2018 faculty

Jason Ridler published Black Lotus Kiss on August 14. This novel is the second in his series, The Brimstone Files, from Night Shade Books.

Debut Novel from MCWC Incoming Executive Director

Lisa Locascio published her novel, Open Me, on August 7. It's received high praise, including this review from NPR.

Northern California Book Awards Finalists

Survivor Café by MCWC 2018 faculty Elizabeth Rosner made the non-fiction shortlist and The Age of Perpetual Light by MCWC past faculty Josh Weil made the fiction shortlist for the Northern California Book Awards.

Congratulations to MCWC Participant

Amanda Conran's novel, The Lost Celt, won first place in the Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Awards for the Middle Grade Fiction and the Charity/Making a Difference categories.

Colorado Book
Award Winner

MCWC past faculty Camille T. Dungy won the 2018 Colorado Book Award in the poetry category for her book Trophic Cascade. Congratulations Camille!

Past faculty publishes new novel

MCWC past faculty Kat Meads published her new novel, Miss Jane: The Lost Years. And it received high praise from Kirkus Reviews!

upcoming Poetry Reading in petaluma

MCWC past faculty Alison Luterman will be reading as part of the Rivertown Poets Amuse-ing Mondays at the Aqus Cafe in Petaluma on June 4 at 6:15 pm.

MCWC 2013 faculty publishes 5th poetry collection

Judith Barrington published her newest book of poems, Long Love: New and Selected Poems, with Salmon Poetry.

new non-fiction From MCWC 2018 faculty

This year’s Emerging Writers’ Workshop instructor Jason S. Ridler published his non-fiction book Mavericks of War with Stackpole Books.

upcoming events with MCWC 2015 faculty

David Corbett will be teaching an online course The Craft of Character through Lit Reactor beginning June 7.

International accolades for MCWC past faculty

Jean Hegland’s novel, Into the Forest, won the Union Interalliée 2018 Prize for a foreign novel. Congrats Jean!

6th annual noyo river review

We are proud to announce the Noyo River Review book launch and reading will be at the Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino on May 13 from 2:00-4:00pm.

New Short Story Anthology Edited by MCWC 2016 Faculty

Grant Faulkner was one of the editors of Nothing Short Of: Selected Tales from 100 Word Story. Join him at the launch party on May 8th at The Bindery in San Francisco. Details here.

Under-25 scholar wins national grant

Shayna Maci Warner was selected as one of three Rising Star grant recipients from GLAAD. She was honored at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards and featured in Teen Vogue.

MCWC 2016 faculty receives national honor

Laura Atkin’s co-authored book, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up has been named an honor book of the 2018 Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

debut novel published by MCWC 2016 participant

Chris Knoblaugh published her novel Tribute through CreateSpace. This fun YA horror novel is the first in The Cleaners series.

MCWC 2016 Faculty Announces New Memoir

Reyna Grande will publish her second memoir, A Dream Called Home, this October with Simon and Schuster. This memoir is a follow-up to her first memoir, The Distance Between Us, and is available for pre-order.

Former MCWC Director writes about Mendocino in new essay

Charlotte Gullick published her essay, “Between the Cow and the Buoy,” with Full Grown People.

New Non-fiction from MCWC 2012 faculty

Steve Almond has received many rave reviews, including one from Cheryl Strayed, for his new book, Bad Stories: What the Hell Just Happened to Our Country, published by Red Hen Press.

New Poetry collection from MCWC past participant

Congratulations to adjunct professor of Language Arts at Skyline College and MCWC past participant Kathleen McClung on the publication of her new book of poems, The Typists Play Monopoly. Join Kathleen for her launch party on May 6 at The Artisans of San Francisco, 6-8 pm. Event details here.

past Participant receives coveted kirkus star

2014 participant Mary K. Jensen’s memoir, Rudy’s Rules for Travel, will be released April 10th and has been selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Indie Best Books of the Month for May. You can read the review here.

MCWC 2018 keynote speaker ADDRESSES the commonwealth club

MCWC 2018 Non-fiction instructor and keynote speaker, Elizabeth Rosner, will be speaking at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Tuesday April 10. Tickets available here.

2018 publishing bootcamp faculty launches new book on writing

Publishing guru Jane Friedman’s much-anticipated book, The Business of Being a Writer, is now available. For the benefit of in-person instruction and a Q&A, sign up for the MCWC 2018 Publishing Bootcamp.

2018 poetry instructor featured in SF Chronicle

One of Sacramento Poet Laureate and 2018 Poetry instructor Indigo Moor’s poems was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle. You can read his featured poem here.

Congratulationsto MCWC 2017 faculty shara mccallum!

2017 Poetry instructor Shara McCallum’s collection Madwoman has been shortlisted for the poetry category and longlisted for the overall 2018 Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature. Congratulations, Shara!

New Release by MCWC 2017 faculty

Congratulations to Michael David Lukas on the upcoming publication of his second novel! Pre-order your copy of The Last Watchman of Old Cairo now. The launch party will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera on March 13. Full list of Michael's events here.

“Telling the Story” with Jean Hegland

MCWC 2011 faculty Jean Hegland will be at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center on March 8. Event details here.

Collaborative Event by MCWC Past FAculty

MCWC 2017 faculty Kara Vernor will be reading at the Ukiah Library on February 17th as part of the LOBA Poetry Reading Series, organized by MCWC 2017 faculty Melissa Eleftherion. Details here.

Call for Submissions

MCWC 2017 faculty and co-publisher of Joyland West Lisa Locascio is looking for new voices!

Second NOvel published by MCWC 2018 Faculty

MCWC 2018 faculty Nina Sadowsky released her psychological thirller, The Burial Society, on January 30th. Congratulations Nina!

MCWC 2017 faculty publishes new thriller

Jody Gehrman, MCWC 2017 Master Class instructor, released her new novel, Watch Me, on January 23rd. Congratulations Jody!

New Essay from MCWC 2018 Non-Fiction Workshop instructor

Elizabeth Rosner published her essay, “The Hierarchy of Suffering,” with Scoundrel Time. Read the essay here.

Past Faculty featured in Poetry Anthology

MCWC 2016 faculty Jessica Piazza’s poem, “Bell’s Knells,” was selected for The Best American Poetry 2018.

MCWC Scholar publishes short story

MCWC past participant Jasper Henderson published his short story, “A White Male Writer,” in Your Impossible Voice. Jasper attended MCWC on an Under-25 scholarship. Read his story here.

Past Participant Publishes Novella

KC Kirkley’s novella Ars Longa, Vita Brevis, is forthcoming from The Paragon Journal on February 9th, available as paperback on Amazon. Kirkley was a MCWC participant in 2016 and a volunteer in 2014 and 2015.

Past Participant Publishes second Poetry chapbook

Congratulations to MCWC past participant Devi Laskar on the publication of her second poetry chapbook, Anastasia Maps, by Finishing Line Press!

Short Story Published by MCWC 2015 Participant

Blaze Farrar recently published her short story “Taking Big Tom Home” with Gravel: A Literary Journal. You can read the story here.

Award-Winning Debut Novel

MCWC 2011 participant Cheryl Romo’s debut novel, Ruby Hands, was published by Sowilo Press after winning the Eludia Award from Hidden River Arts. Congratulations Cheryl!

A Big Nod From Kirkus

MCWC 2016 faculty Laura Atkins’ book Fred Korematsu Speaks Up was included in the Best Middle Grade Fiction 2017 list by Kirkus Reviews.

Two-time MCWC Participant Publishes Second Memoir

Gillian P. Herbert has published her second memoir, Stark Truths: Living on High Alert. Gillian attended the MCWC in 2009 and 2013, and won a prize in the non-fiction category of the MCWC writing contest each time.

Past Faculty Wins a 2018 NEA Fellowship

MCWC 2011 faculty Camille Dungy won a Creative Writing Fellowship through the National Endowment for the Arts. Congratulations Camille!

Published in Mexico

MCWC 2016 faculty Reyna Grande has published her memoir The Distance Between Us in her native language, which is a dream come true for her.

Bringing a Paris adventure to the bay area

2004 faculty Maxine Rose Schur will be sharing her new book Marielle in Paris at Diesel Bookstore in Larkspur on November 18th. Activities will include crafts and games.

past Faculty on tour

2016 faculty Reyna Grande is on tour with the recently published young-readers’ edition of her memoir The Distance Between Us. She’ll be in San Francisco on November 19th and Santa Rosa on November 20th. Check out her website for details.

Past Participant releases 6th novel!

Since attending MCWC in 1999, Sue Owens Wright has written two nonfiction books, a mystery novel, and the Beanie and Cruiser mystery series. She recently released Ears for Murder, the latest installment in the series.

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Paying markets for freelance writers

MCWC 2017 participant Debbie Devoe sends on this link to 70+ publications that pay $1 per word, compiled by Mridu Khullar Relph, pictured above, founder of the International Freelancer. Thanks, Debbie!

free dialogue tips from mcwc 2017 master class instructor, jody gehrman

To access Jody's generous gift of Dialogue Tips, click here.

Past Faculty wins Lifetime Achievement Award

MCWC 2011 faculty Camille Dungy was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Outdoor Afro on October 5th for her work as an environmental poet. Check out her recent book of essays, Guidebook to Relative Strangers.

New Film Adaptation for mcwc 2016 keynote

Les Standiford's nonfiction book The Man Who Invented Christmas has been adapted to a movie of the same title. Look for it in theaters this November!

Grant Faulkner is Revving up Writers AGain!

MCWC 2016 faculty Grant Faulkner will help you boost your creative mojo with his new book Pep Talks for Writers, published by Chronicle Books on October 3rd.

2016 Participant's Big Debut

Barbara Ridley’s first novel, When It's Over, was published on September 26th. Barbara connected with her publisher, She Writes Press, at MCWC 2016. Her novel is based on her mother’s experience as a refugee during World War II. Congratulations Barbara!

2013 FACULTY launches new collection

Josh Weil collected stories over the past decade of his writing career to create The Age of Perpetual
Light, published on September 12th by Grove Atlantic Press.

2017 FACULTY in tin house

We heard Lisa Locascio read her essay Byzantium at MCWC 2017’s Town Hall Event, and now you can read it online! Find it here in Tin House.

THE FIRST NON-FICTION FROM PAST FICTION FACULTY

Elizabeth Rosner (MCWC 2015) is launching her first book of non-fiction on September 7th—a book that Kirkus calls “a thoughtful, probing meditation on the fragility of memory and the indelible inheritance of pain.” She’ll be at Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino on October 28th at 7:00pm.

our secretary is that woman from mississippi!

Congratulations to board member and MCWC Secretary Norma Watkins on the September 1st launch of her second memoir, That Woman From Mississippi. The Mendocino launch will be in the Abalone Room at the Little River Inn — Sunday, October 8th at 4 pm. Since the book is set in Miami, Norma’s treating people to rum punch and Cuban snacks.

TEEN scholar grows up to be major talent

Huge congratulations to former Under-25 scholar Gabriel Tallent. His debut novel has been praised by Stephen King in the New York Times: “It’s a first novel and he’s got everything working,” Mr. King said. “When I read it the first thing I thought was, I couldn’t do this, and I’ve been doing it for 40 years.”

past participant's sweet success

Past participant Kathleen McClung’s villanelle, “Instructions for Closing,” appears in the just-released anthology, Ice Cream Poems: Reflections on Life with Ice Cream, edited by Patricia Fargnoli.

past FACULTY BECOMES FINALIST

Lori Ostlund (short fiction instructor MCWC 2016) was a finalist for the 2017-18 Simpson Family Literary Prize, a $50,000 prize for authors in mid-career to support future projects.

past FACULTY SPEAKS UP

Laura Atkins' (MCWC 2016 MG/YA insturctor) co-authored book, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, has been selected as the summer all-school read for middle schoolers at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek. Since the book launched in January 2017, Laura and co-author Stan Yogi have spoken to over 4,000 students at close to 30 schools.

past participant's new memoir

Gayle Greene’s memoir, Missing Persons, is to be published by University of Nevada Press this coming October. Gayle workshopped the first chapter a few times at MCWC. Congratulations, Gayle!

PAST FACULTY's NEW ESSAY COLLECTION

Congratulations to former MCWC faculty member, Camille T. Dungy, for the release of her essay collection, Guidebook to Relative Strangers: Journeys into Race, Motherhood, and History, by W.W Norton & Company.

speaking up in chinese

Executive Director Shirin Yim Bridges' Mary Wrightly So Politely (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) is now out in Chinese translation.

past participant hailed by kirkus

Anne Da Vigo, MCWC 2014 and MCWC 2016 fiction contest winner, is launching her thriller, Thread of Gold (Quill Driver Press), of which Kirkus said, "Stop the presses! An appealing crime fiction heroine is born." The launch party will be in Sacramento, Sunday, June 11th, from 3-5 pm at the Brickhouse Gallery on 36th and Broadway.

many mcwc alumni at golden state reading

June 9th, 6:30 pm, at Gallery Bookstore in Mendocino, 2017 Faculty member Lisa Locascio will be reading from the anthology that she edited, Golden State 2017. Contributors include MCWC 2017 faculty members Kat Meads and Kara Vernor, as well as ex-MCWC board member Henri Bensussen, and past attendee Jasper Henderson.

past participant wins press competition

Past participant Jeanine Stevens’ chapbook, Brief Immensity, won the Open Chapbook Award
from Finishing Line Press and will be published in late summer, 2017. Her poems have also recently been published in Forge and Provincetown Magazine.

past presenter holds up a more positive mirror

Past presenter Maxine Rose Schur has designed a magic play mirror to reflect back positive thoughts to young girls. You can find out more and support her cause here.

NOYO RIVER REVIEW VOL. 5 LAUNCHES!

Ten authors will be reading from their works, as published in the latest volume of our literary magazine, Noyo River Review. Please join us at the launch on Sunday, May 14, 2pm-4pm, at the Odd Fellows Hall in Mendocino, Corner of Kasten and Ukiah streets. This event will be co-hosted by flockworks, artful: community.

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essay published

Congratulations to MCWC board member Maria Trombetta. Her essay, This is a Dickie Lee Song, has been published in bioStories

out in paperback

Congratulations to MCWC board president Ginny Rorby. Her middle-grade novel, How to Speak Dolphin, is now available in paperback.

mcwc Contest winner published

Congratulations to Gary Durbin! His short story, Last Winter, won second place in our 2016 writing contest. It was recently published in The Piker Press.

spring poetry MAY 14

The Mendocino Spring Poetry Celebration will be held on Sunday May 14th at the Hill House in Mendocino. There will be two open readings. Sign up at noon to read at 1:00 pm, or sign up at 5:00 pm to read at 6:00 pm.

reading MAY 2

MCWC 2016 faculty Reyna Grande will be giving a reading and a talk at Mendocino College's Ukiah Campus on May 2nd. This event is free and open to the public. Contact monicaflores@mendocino.edu for more information.

reading april 28

Former MCWC ED Patty Joslyn will be reading from her new book of poetry at Gallery Bookshop on Friday, April 28th, 6:30-7:30 pm.

reading april 20

At 6 p.m., at the historic Mendocino Hotel, the Writers of the Mendocino Coast and Fort Bragg Public Library will co-sponsor kids reading excerpts from the books they wrote during the 2016 NaNoWriMo challenge.

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submit by april 15

Sixteen Rivers Press is seeking unpublished poems that respond to the cultural, moral, and political rifts that now divide our country. Submission period: February 15–April 15, 2017. Submit 1 to 3 unpublished poems, totaling no more than 3 pages.

reading april 13

MCWC 2017 Flash Fiction instructor Kara Vernor will be hosting the April edition of the reading series, Get Lit, between 7 and 9 pm, at the Aqus Café in Petaluma. Featured readers will be followed by an open mic, so bring your best 2-minute flash, poem, or excerpt.

new location

The Writers Forum has a new location: Copperfield's Books, 140 Kentucky St. Petaluma. The Forum meets every third Thursday, March through October, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to share ideas and explore the many facets of writing. Free and open to the public!

one good push

Earlene Gleisner, a "Friends of MCWC" scholarship winner, credits the motivation she gained from MCWC 2016 as the last push she needed towards her the publication of her book.

international exposure

Maureen Eppstein, former MCWC ED, has had four poems accepted by the Adelaide Literary Magazine.

march 1 launch

Congratulations to 2016 alumna and contest winner Natasha Yim, whose new children's book, The Rock Maiden, illustrated by Pirrko Vainio, will be released by Wisdom Tales Press on March 1st.

drop in!

Join MCWC participant, foreign language professor, and newspaper columnist Susanna Janssen at the Four Eyed Frog in Gualala, Saturday March 4, 4 pm, for the launch of her new book, Wordstruck.

fourth in series

Congratulations also to former faculty Camille Dungy. Trophic Cascade, the fourth book in her award-winning poetry series of survival narratives, is due out from Wesleyan on March 7th.

first full-length

And to MCWC 2017 Paths to Publishing panelist Melissa Eleftherion, whose first full-length collection of poetry, Field Guide to Autobiography, is now available for pre-order.

highly topical

And last, late, but in no way least, to MCWC 2016 faculty Laura Atkins, whose new book, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, launched to a packed audience at the J-SEI center on February 4th!