South Bay Writers range from the well-published to the aspiring beginner. We are journalists, novelists, and poets.
We write memoirs and short stories. We scribble, we type, we persevere.

Jack London Awards

Periodically, CWC branches nominate one of their members to receive a Jack London Award in recognition of outstanding service to the organization.

Dave LaRoche (left) is presented with the Jack London award
by CWC State president, Casey Wilson, 2009.

In 2009, SBW honored Dave LaRoche for his many contributions to the branch and to CWC. As a new member, he took on the job of editing our monthly newsletter, WritersTalk, and transformed it into a publishing opportunity for our members. Dave built a staff of editors and columnists, and cut time and costs of production, printing, and delivery.

Dave also helped SBW develop a budget to bring our expenses into line. Since 2007, Dave has been SBW's president and has used his team-building skills to make our branch bigger and better. He increased the number of workshops we present in his cause of providing more educational opportunities for writers.

He has served as our rep to the CWC Central Board where he has fostered many ideas and projects to improve the club and keep costs in line at the state level. He was a founder of the CWC NoCal Association of the nine northern California branches to instruct and celebrate writers through branch collaboration and exchange.

For his positive impact on South Bay Writers and CWC, Dave LaRoche was our unanimous choice for the 2009 Jack London Award. Thank you, Dave, from all of us!

Past Jack London Awards

Matthews-Baldwin Awards

Named for two long-time driving forces of our club, Edie Matthews and Bill Baldwin, this annual award is given to a South Bay Writer in recognition of exemplary service to the branch.

At the February 2009 meeting, member Dick Amyx received the annual SBW Matthews-Baldwin award. Dick is the editor of our newsletter, WritersTalk. With his team of contributing editors, he continues to produce a newsletter that we can all be very proud of.

Dick brought a lot of experience to the job as a newletter editor to other organizations. One of his major contributions to the club was to find a printer who offers excellent prices, quick turnaround, and direct mailing to our members.

Dick's monthly columns, his enthusiasm, and dedication to excellence are appreciated. Congratulations!