Left Coast Writers®: Remember Traveler and Writer Ethel Mussen 🗓

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Please join the Left Coast Writers for our celebration in memory of past LCW Member and beloved Wanderland Writers Contributor Ethel Mussen

Saturday April 12th, 2025 — 2PM
Book Passage- Corte Madera || 51 Tamal Vista Dr. Corte Madera ||

Join us as we celebrate the life and work of writer, traveler and centenarian Ethel Mussen, who passed away this year, a few years ahead of her 104th birthday. Some of us had the pleasure of her friendship, of knowing and traveling the world with her. Many of us have been delighted by Ethel’s travel tales published in the Wanderland Writers anthologies and elsewhere.

Many of us have fond memories of Ethel Mussen, the world-traveling centenarian who—when she wasn’t out and about sharing her life stories, her wisdom and her the wide-eyed enthusiasm for ideas, people, places, good works and life in general— lived high on a hill above Berkeley.

Ethel, who spent fifty years in providing health care of various sorts—the last 35 in teaching about and treating speech and hearing disorders honed her anthropological approach to people and customs. through work and travel. A collector’s interest in potters and their ceramics offered the additional slant on

production and the business of local craftsmen. to her travel tales. Repeated spells of living in New Zealand, France and Italy gave more insight into the effects and variety of cultural assumptions in local politics, business and behavior. She always said her late husband, Paul, used to regale her and their two children with the assurance that with every discovery, good or bad, “This is a cultural experience!” She also made this her mantra.

On this the day before what would have been her 104th birthday, we gather at Book Passage in celebration of Ethel’s work, her writing, her adventures, and her inspiring spirit.

Wandering in Japan: The Spirit of Tokyo, Kyoto and Beyond

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Left Coast Writers Panel: Four Paths to Sanctuary 🗓

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Cindy Rasicot
Veena Rao
Judith Teitelman
Anniqua Rana

Join us on February 10th at 4PM for A Panel of on Four Paths to Sanctuary

Featuring Cindy Rasicot, Veena Rao, Judith Teitelman, and Anniqua Rana, introduced by Linda Watanabe McFerrin

The search for sanctuary—safe haven—is not uncommon throughout time, history, and geography—most especially during uncertain times like ours when many people are feeling insecure. In this hour-long program, listen to four authors discuss the unique paths they chose for their characters to find sanctuary:
 

An immigrant woman who is trapped in a loveless abusive marriage realizes self-love is a powerful force

A baby abandoned and covered in flies is raised by two mothers 

A Northern California housewife is ordained in the Thai Buddhist tradition 

A woman had a glimpse, a taste of her ultimate destination, and was unwavering in her quest

Join us for a Zoom panel featuring these four authors published by She Writes Press, an award-winning, female-run hybrid publisher of novels, memoirs, and nonfiction work by female authors on February 10th at 4pm.

Registration Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QJXo-W6wQsioRy4wnvLNfw
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Revelation, Transformation, & Inspiration in Memoir: Terry Sue Harms & Linda Watanabe McFerrin Discuss Memoir

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Revelation, Transformation, & Inspiration in Memoir

Please join authors
Linda Watanabe McFerrin
and
Terry Sue Harms
as they discuss the newly released memoir

 

The Strongbox:

Searching For My Absent Father

Monday, December 7th at 6:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A complex tale about deception and revelation as profoundly confessional as The Liars’Club, and a great job of storytelling—in The Strongbox, reluctant sleuth Terry Sue Harms sifts through clues to a dark past in a relentless probe for identity.”
—Linda Watanabe McFerrin,
author of Dead Love and Navigating the Divide

“I wrote The Strongbox: Searching For My Absent Father because I had lived an over-experienced and under-narrated story of paternal abandonment. Breaking away from a legacy of neglect, shame and secrecy to gain a life of love, pride, and self-care was too good to keep to myself”
—Terry Sue Harms

There will be a Q & A opportunity following the discussion.

Advanced registration is required for this free Zoom event.
*To join this discussion event, please use the following link for registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsd-upqDgrE9Vg5vyn8tplh_3XjPha7u1R

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. It will contain login (“Join”) options and a password/passcode to be used on the evening of the event.

For additional information regarding Terry Sue Harms and her memoir, The Strongbox: Searching For My Absent Father, please visit:

https://www.terrysueharms.com/

 

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Making a Difference through WriterCoach Connection

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Make a Difference in the Life of a Student! Sign up Today.

Do you appreciate good writing? Do you enjoy teens? Want to make a huge difference in the life of a young person? Then consider becoming a volunteer coach for WriterCoach Connection. Our volunteers work with middle school and high school youth on critical thinking and writing skills, helping young people find their voices and gain confidence in themselves as youth with something important to say and the skills to say it. The benefits will reverberate through their lives and yours. As one coach says, “Each student brings me into their world, and I learn so much. I am constantly humbled….I have coached nine different students. For each, I was exposed to their cultures, family and friend dynamics, and their individual joys and anxieties. I came away with an open, joyful heart.” The commitment is about 2 hours a week, during the school day and for the school year. We’ll train you in our proven coaching methodology, so that you have the skills to become an effective coach. We invite you to open your heart and mind to a student and share your skills. In Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond and El Sobrante. Sign up today! We are in the schools now! We’ll orient and train you (more…)

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Literary Salon: Your Path to Publishing 🗓 🗺

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LEFT COAST WRITERS LITERARY SALON: Your Path to Publishing with Laurie McAndish King, Jim Shubin and Linda Watanabe McFerrin

 

Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 || 7pm
Book Passage-Corte Madera || 51 Tamal Vista Dr.
www.bookpassage.com

Writers, published and otherwise, the mysteries of successful publishing will be revealed on this September night at our next Left Coast Writers Literary Salon. Please note that we will be meeting TUESDAY, September 4th! Mark your calendars and settle in to find out how to avoid becoming one of self-publishing’s epic fails.

We will cover the following:

 

  1. Understanding the process: Which indie publishing model is the best fit for me and my book? What costs are involved? Do I need an editor? Do I also need a proofreader? How does print-on-demand work? How many books will I sell, and how long  does it take?
  2. Planning and getting organized: Understanding how long each step takes (editing, design, production, marketing). Building your list, planning ahead for marketing (short vs long lead time activities), using an ARC, submitting your manuscript for reviews/awards, pricing your book properly.
  3. Marketing: Defining your goals, developing a marketing plan, building your platform, understanding your audience, developing a relationship with your readers, setting up your online presence, optimizing your website, mastering social media.

(more…)

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Member News: Event for Kerry Campbell

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Kerry Campbell

Saturday, March 24th, 2018 || 7pm Book Passage-Corte Madera|| 51 Tamal Vista Dr. Corte Madera || www.bookpassage.com

Member Kerry Campbell will also be having a book launch at Book Passage.

No matter our age, many of us continue to dream about the person we might become, the next idyllic place we could call home, or even the serene beauty of another country we might visit. Sometimes on the periphery of these dreams we see glimpses of what might be, what we could be, waving to us like colorful flags on the horizon, urging us on to the next incarnation of our life.

Dreaming of France, award-winning writer Kerry Campbell’s debut collection of prose poems and vignettes, takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through France. Her characters are dreamers, a group of American women of all ages who explore their dreams and memories of France, alternately through the lenses of romantic love, fashion, food, interior design, gardens and family. (more…)

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Library Reading: Wandering in Andalusia: The Soul of Southern Spain 🗓

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Saturday, August 5th, 2017 || 11am
Novato Public Library || Novato
1720 Novato Blvd, Novato CA 94947

In many ways, Andalusia, situated as it is, at the southern boundary of the Iberian Peninsula, is a crossroads, a caravansary where settlers from northern Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East have left their mark. Our writers went from Córdoba to Málaga, from Granada and its Alhambra to Cadíz to bring back stories of cities, rivers, coasts, plains, food, spirit and passion. All embarked upon new roads of discovery, and all were well rewarded in their investigations. These, after all, are the landscapes that inspired Cervantes, Lorca, Machado, Navarro, Unamuno, Hemingway, Conrad and Menocal.

In the words of poet and rock idol, Jim Morrison, “Andalusia with fields ripe with grain, I want to see you again and again.”

“Wandering in Andalusia’s enchanting collection of travel tales illuminates the region’s history, traditions, and myriad attractions. It’s the perfect companion for your next visit to Spain.”
— Christi Phillips, Author of The Rosetti Letter and The Devlin Diary

“To change ourselves, we must give ourselves away. The glass we hold cannot be filled until it is first emptied. In Andalusia, we yield ourselves to an irresistible and cumulative beauty, just as we do in love. And the life we then can lead, with reborn and unbound hopes, follows a trajectory of dedication and understanding.
— Steven Nightingale, Author of Granada: A Pomegranate in the Hand of God and The Hot Climate of Promises and Grace (more…)

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Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference 2017

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Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference
August 10-13, 2017
Corte Madera, CA

Register Here

The Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference has an extraordinary reputation among publishers, editors, and writers. Alumni have published books, articles, and photos—many as the direct result of lessons learned and contacts made at the conference. There is no finer travel conference anywhere in the world.

The Conference offers an array of workshops, panels, and evening activities. There are many hours of informal interaction between faculty and students during lunch and in discussions that often last late into the evening.

The collegiate atmosphere of this four-day conference attracts participants and faculty from all over the country, many for repeat visits. Opportunities abound for faculty and participants to talk, laugh, and exchange ideas in classes, workshops, panels, and informal lunches.

For a full overview of the Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, check out Conference Days!

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Meet Garrett Omi

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Garrett Omi

Meet Garrett Omi, our new Left Coast Writers Coordinator at Book Passage. Garrett, along with Jack, here in our office, will be working with writers on all Left Coast Writers-related events. We are so fortunate to have his help. Garrett is also a writer, so he’s very understanding when it comes to literary matters. He’ll be able to help you with signing up or renewing membership, with on-site coordination of your LCW events and with information about Book Passage procedures. For scheduling and all other questions, please continue to contact Jack through our e-mail or on our website. You can reach Garrett at gomi@bookpassage.com.

Garrett Omi is a writer and photographer with a BA in English Literature from St. John’s University. His work has been featured in Folioh Port magazine, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and local New York City publications. Omi currently lives in the Bay Area and is one of Book Passage’s Marketing & Event (more…)

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Hawaii Book & Music Festival and 5th Annual Mokule’ia Writers Retreat 🗓

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Linda Watanabe McFerrin

Hawaii Book & Music Festival: May 6-7, 2017

The Mokulē‘ia Writers Retreat: May 7-12, 2017

Join me this month for two terrific events for writers events in Hawaii.
The Mokulē‘ia Writers Retreat is an annual gathering that brings three dozen writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and memoir to the North Shore of O‘ahu for a week of intimate workshops and coaching. The retreat is high-level and professional — but also low-key and tuned in to the beauty of the surroundings. It fosters an exchange in two directions — between islanders and mainlanders, published writers and budding writers, Native Hawaiian artistry and mainland publishing.

With the Waianae Mountains as a backdrop and the open ocean in front, participants break bread with colleagues, gather in daily workshops, salute the morning sun in yoga, write privately in the shade of ironwood trees, and wander along the beach. They even dance some hula. The theme, nā wahi ho‘oulu, acknowledges that a sacred spot like this will inspire the assembled to explore other places — whether in the heart, in memory, or in the moment. (more…)

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