View from the Board Oct 2025

by | Oct 9, 2025 | Board View

South Bay Writers Club Meeting – October 8, 2025
by Annie Nguyen

Costume Contest + Raffle

  • The Costume Contest, organized by Edie, will take place at the upcoming Saturday meeting. All board members are encouraged to dress up, and prizes will consist of Barnes & Noble gift cards.
  • The guest speaker will serve as a secret judge to make the event more engaging. The five categories for the contest will include Scary, Literary Character, Classic Author, Funniest, and DIY/Craftiest.
  • The Raffle, organized by Amanda Senior, will feature books as prizes to promote literacy and fun participation. Amanda will set up the raffle table and reach out to the guest speaker to request a donated book.

California Writer’s Week

  • California Writer’s Week will begin on October 20, which marks the third week of October. The club will celebrate by offering a creative writing prompt: “Describe your favorite fall or spooky story.”
  • Members will have until October 26, the end of California Writer’s Week, to submit their entries. The newsletter and social media teams will promote the event and encourage submissions.
  • A few selected entries will be featured in the newsletter as a way to highlight member creativity and seasonal storytelling.
  • This event is designed to engage members in celebrating writing, creativity, and community spirit.

Open Mic

  • Bill reported that three open mic sessions have been held since the last meeting, with an average of four participants per event. These sessions have provided members with a valuable opportunity to share their work and socialize in a casual, creative environment.
  • The board discussed moving the open mic events to Barnes & Noble on Thursday evenings to attract more attendees and create a more visible community presence.
  • Bill also emphasized the importance of welcoming participants who read or write in other languages, broadening inclusivity and cultural diversity in the club’s programming.
  • He will contact Barnes & Noble to discuss scheduling options and report back with updates at the next board meeting.

Membership 

  • The membership database, known as MURMS, is currently being upgraded to improve efficiency. The board voted to explore a new membership website that will make it easier for members to register, renew, and promote their published works.
  • The new system will process payments through the State branch, which will then remit funds to the club. Members who do not renew within the grace period will be removed from the system, and an exit survey will be introduced to gather feedback on why members choose to leave.
  • The current membership count is approximately 90 active members, and the updated member roster will be available at the next meeting’s check-in table for members to verify their status.

Next Meeting Plans

  • A post-meeting social gathering will take place following the November 8 meeting, offering an opportunity for members to connect informally.
  • The board will also finalize plans for the Anthology Q&A session, which may take place either in-person or on Zoom to accommodate contributors’ schedules.
  • Additionally, planning will begin for the Holiday Authors’ Table, which will give members the chance to sell their books during the holiday season. 

Workshops to Consider
Topics being considered include:

  • Grammar and syntax, based on Sin and Syntax.
  • Writing for journalism and local media in San José.
  • Demonstrations on Muse Board, a craft tool for writers.
  • Writing about intimacy, led by Lynda.
  • A technical workshop on Scrivener, a popular writing tool.
  • A guest talk by the author of The Jane Austen Book Club.
  • Presentations by Cathryn (February) and a reporter/novelist (April).

These workshops aim to enhance members’ writing skills and foster creative growth throughout 2025.

Payments

  • The Treasurer is currently reviewing SquareSpace, Venmo, Square, and PayPal as possible payment options for workshops and membership fees.

January Workshop

  • The upcoming South Bay Writers workshop, The Sound of Story, focuses on helping writers develop voice and tone in their storytelling.
  • Jordan Rosenfeld will guide participants through hands-on activities and techniques to strengthen the rhythm, energy, and individuality of their writing.
  • Attendees will explore how a writer’s “sound” goes beyond style—it’s the distinct rhythm and personality that define a narrator or character
  • The workshop will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with breaks for lunch and networking.
  • All participants are encouraged to bring a notebook, pen, and any work-in-progress to apply new techniques during exercises.
  • The event includes both instructional segments and interactive practice sessions.

Early Bird Registration (until December 1):

  • Members: $80
  • Non-members: $90

Regular Registration (after December 1):

  • Members: $90
  • Non-members: $100

RSVP by emailing Amanda Senior at amandasenior86@gmail.com.

Payment can be made via the PayPal QR code on the flyer or other approved methods.

Ryan and Hal will post the workshop flyer on the club’s website and include it in the newsletter.