Main Group (RB Library)

Typically conducted on the 1st Saturday of each month, the South Bay Local Writers Group meets at the Redondo Beach Main Library from 10:30am to Noon. It is free and open to the public, constrained only by room size.

RSPV requested: meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

This is an opportunity to get together with like-minded others in a casual setting to maintain motivation and productivity. Explore writing topics that would help further your efforts as an author. Have thoughts on what you’d like addressed during 2016? Feel free to contact the organizer directly: Bo@SouthBayHQ.com.

Past meetings have included both self-published guest authors (Christopher Lynch, Ildy Lee, Stanton Swafford) and traditionally-published authors (Shannon Hammer, Robert Downs, Katharine Blossom Lowrie); editor extraordinaire Stacy Aaronson (thebookdoctorisin.com); round-table discussions on “Social Media Marketing for Independent Writers” and “Local Authors Share the Real-World Stories of Their Path to Publication”; and presentations on developing an online author platform.

  • Sat
    16
    May
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Kick-off meeting featuring self-published author Christopher J. Lynch ("One Eyed Jack").

  • Sat
    13
    Jun
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library
  • Sat
    11
    Jul
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Round table discussion of "Social Media Marketing for Independent Authors" featuring local authors Barbie Herrera (Portrait of Our Marriage) and Stanton Swafford (China Sea).

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

    A local writers' group with a workshop format in a friendly  atmosphere.  This is an opportunity to really interact - assisting each other with self-publishing, editing, marketing, beta readers, query letters and any topics relevant to writing and publishing.  Attendees can make suggestions on how to make the workshops a continuing success.  The meet-ups are led by Stanton Swafford, a local author with a debut novel about to be published.

  • Sat
    01
    Aug
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Calling all writers for an opportunity to get together with other writers in a casual setting to help keep you motivated and productive.

    Explore writing topics you want to learn more about, such as query letters, critiquing of each others works, beta-readers, editing, etc.

    The monthly large-group meetups are a great opportunity for writers who want to share information, get feedback on ideas and writing, and give and receive some support and encouragement.

    Stanton Swafford, the monthly meetup's coordinator, is a Los Angeles native and world traveler, US Navy Veteran, former undercover intelligence officer and jazz musician. He recently completed his debut novel, an espionage thriller, titled China Sea.

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

  • Sat
    05
    Sep
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Calling all writers for an opportunity to get together with other writers in a casual setting to help keep you motivated and productive.

    This month's guest speaker will be Stacey Aaronson. Stacey does it all. Really. She is an editor, proofreader, interior formatter, uploading expert. Here is Sandy Stanton's comment in the Acknowledgment page of his debut novel, "China Sea":

    You would not be holding this book in your hands if it were not for Stacey Aaronson. Stacey did the work required to get this novel published in a form that rivals the quality of a conventionally published book. She is an independent author’s best friend."

    Here are links to her website and blog.

    http://www.thebookdoctorisin.com/
    http://www.theselfpublishingscoop.com/

    # # #

    Explore writing topics you want to learn more about, such as query letters, critiquing of each others works, beta-readers, editing, etc.

    The monthly large-group meetups are a great opportunity for writers who want to share information, get feedback on ideas and writing, and give and receive some support and encouragement.

    Stanton Swafford, the monthly meetup's coordinator, is a Los Angeles native and world traveler, US Navy Veteran, former undercover intelligence officer and jazz musician. He recently completed his debut novel, an espionage thriller, titled China Sea.

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

  • Sat
    03
    Oct
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Calling all writers for an opportunity to get together with other writers in a casual setting to help keep you motivated and productive.

    From Stanton Swafford:
    We have an especially informative and very entertaining speaker for our meeting on Saturday October 3rd at 10:30 AM. She is Ildy Lee.

    Ildy's subject will be the Marketing & Promotion of our writing. Don't miss this.

    Last month Stacey Aaronson discussed the writing process with us. Now Ildy will take us to the next step - how to promote yourself before and after your book has gone 'live'.

    Ildy Lee: www.ildylee.com
    President of Southwest Manuscripters
    President of the American Institute of Fine Arts
    www.YouTube.com/ildylee

    Explore writing topics you want to learn more about, such as query letters, critiquing of each others works, beta-readers, editing, etc.

    The monthly large-group meetups are a great opportunity for writers who want to share information, get feedback on ideas and writing, and give and receive some support and encouragement.

    Stanton Swafford, the monthly meetup's coordinator, is a Los Angeles native and world traveler, US Navy Veteran, former undercover intelligence officer and jazz musician. He recently completed his debut novel, an espionage thriller, titled China Sea.

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

  • Sat
    07
    Nov
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Calling all writers for an opportunity to get together with other writers in a casual setting to help keep you motivated and productive.

    Explore writing topics you want to learn more about, such as query letters, critiquing of each others works, beta-readers, editing, etc.

    The monthly large-group meetups are a great opportunity for writers who want to share information, get feedback on ideas and writing, and give and receive some support and encouragement.

    Stanton Swafford, the monthly meetup's coordinator, is a Los Angeles native and world traveler, US Navy Veteran, former undercover intelligence officer and jazz musician. He recently completed his debut novel, an espionage thriller, titled China Sea.

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

  • Sat
    05
    Dec
    2015
    10:30 am - NoonRedondo Beach Main Library

    Building a credible presence on the web is critical for any author, regardless if they intend to self-publish or pursue the traditional agent/publisher route. For our December meeting, small-business consultant Bo Folsom will discuss what you need to know in order to establish your own author platform on the internet.

    Whether you'd like to build your own site(s) or pay to get it done, you should have the basic knowledge needed to make it happen. Learn the essentials in this interactive, informative session. Topics will include:

    • Acquiring your domain name(s), such as www.BoFolsom.com or writing.SouthBayHQ.com;
    • Selecting a hosting provider (the servers where your code resides);
    • Considerations for building your site and/or blog (e.g., WordPress, HTML, etc.);
    • The three elements of a quality site (content, functionality, and appearance);
    • Search engine optimization (how Google, etc., directs people to you);
    • How to make your web site work alongside Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools to coordinate your online presence as an author.

    *************

    Calling all writers for an opportunity to get together with other writers in a casual setting to help keep you motivated and productive.

    Explore writing topics you want to learn more about, such as query letters, critiquing of each others works, beta-readers, editing, etc.

    The monthly large-group meetups are a great opportunity for writers who want to share information, get feedback on ideas and writing, and give and receive some support and encouragement.

    Stanton Swafford, the monthly meetup's coordinator, is a Los Angeles native and world traveler, US Navy Veteran, former undercover intelligence officer and jazz musician. He recently completed his debut novel, an espionage thriller, titled China Sea.

    RSVP:meetup.com/South-Bay-Creative-Writers-Group/

Creative Writers Workshop

In addition to the monthly South Bay Local Writers Group meeting, smaller groups focused on supportive critique of members’ work are conducted on all remaining Saturdays, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. These are conducted at a private residence and require their own RSVP from the South Bay Creative Writers Group meet-up site.

Creative Screenwriters Workshop

For screenwriters, a companion workshop has been added on Sunday afternoons (currently 1:30-3:30 pm) for members developing screenplays intended for film or television. The Screenwriters Workshop shares similar core values of its Saturday namesake (supportive feedback and small group setting). These are conducted at a private residence and require their own RSVP from the South Bay Creative Writers Group meet-up site.

Also available, “South Bay Screenwriters” is a separate meet-up (distinct from the South Bay Creative Writers Group) whose members share and provide feedback on each other’s screenplays. The format is similar to the Creative Screenwriters Workshop. Conducted weekly on Wednesdays (7:00-9:30pm) near South Bay Galleria at commercial establishments (such as Carrow’s or Total Wine). Requires a separate RSVP from the South Bay Screenwriters meet-up site.

2 Comments

  1. Diane Liberman Diane Liberman
    May 23, 2016    

    Hello Mr. Folsom,

    Are you having any writers groups in July or August?

    Is there a fee for the South Bay Screenwriters group or the Creative Screenwriter group?

    Thank you.

    • Bo Folsom Bo Folsom
      June 1, 2016    

      Hi Diane,

      Yes, we’ll have our monthly Main Group meetings at the Redondo Beach Main Library on July 2nd and August 6th, but the topics haven’t been posted yet (July 2nd will essentially be “The Author as Small Business”). Weekly writers workshops will continue through the Summer.

      There is no fee for the monthly meetings at the library. The weekly workshops hosted by South Bay Creative Writers Group have a suggested donation of $5/session (less on a monthly or multi-session package plan), while the South Bay Screenwriters group has no fees.

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