Two highly acclaimed authors share insights into their writing process
By Shari Clare
South Bay Writers Vice President
Like the changing colors of autumn leaves, the September meeting of the South Bay Writers is also filled with changes to our usual format. If you were expecting to see a single presenter on the morning of the second Saturday, take heed! To accommodate the San Jose Book Festival, a special event that we’re excited to sponsor, our club will instead meet on the third Saturday (September 19) in the afternoon (1 p.m.), and we will welcome not just one, but two remarkable authors, Susan Sherman and Elizabeth McKenzie.
Susan and Elizabeth are long-time members of the Rough Drafts, a critique group composed of accomplished writers from throughout the Santa Cruz area. They will discuss the importance of this group to their writing process and provide insights into how being part of a critique group can enhance your work, as well as other aspects of your life. You won’t want to miss out on hearing about the unique paths these talented authors have taken on their writing journeys.
Susan Sherman started her creative journey working in ceramics before pivoting to television. She worked on shows such as Boy Meets World, Clueless and Alright Already, and became co-creator of two mega hits for The Disney Channel, That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home. Eventually, she traded the writer’s room for the world of publishing because books were always her first love. Her debut novel, The Little Russian was named a “Great New Read in Fiction” by People Magazine. She has followed up with two additional novels, and continues her creative journey in other ways, including The Henhouse Mystery Book Club podcast that she and Peggy Townsend (another member of the Rough Drafts) produce from inside the henhouse she maintains on her property.
Elizabeth McKenzie has had an extraordinary career as a novelist, educator, and editor. Her most recent book, The Dog of the North was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in fiction. Her previous novel The Portable Veblen was longlisted for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize, and received the California Book Award. Her work has appeared in publications that include The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Best American Nonrequired Reading. Once a staff editor at The Atlantic, she is now Senior Editor of the Chicago Quarterly Review and Managing Editor of Catamaran Literary Reader. She has also taught classes at the Stanford Continuing Studies program.
We invite you to join us for an awesome autumn event, featuring Susan Sherman and Elizabeth McKenzie on Saturday, September 19 at 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Senior Center, located at 19655 Allendale Ave. in Saratoga.