2023 Meetings/Speakers
pAST
decemBER 2023
celebration
Apple Valley High School Students Return to Dance, Sing for Christmas Meeting
We will be pleased to present the Apple Valley High School Singers and Dancers on Saturday, December 10 at our Christmas meeting.
Last year, we were treated to this extraordinary Holiday entertainment from these young people. Very, very popular. They have agreed to return for this year’s meeting so do not miss it.
More good things are in store for this meeting, so show up for the good times!
We will be pleased to present the Apple Valley High School Singers and Dancers on Saturday, December 10 at our Christmas meeting.
Last year, we were treated to this extraordinary Holiday entertainment from these young people. Very, very popular. They have agreed to return for this year’s meeting so do not miss it.
More good things are in store for this meeting, so show up for the good times!
november 2023
NEW ANTHOLOGY
The High Desert branch of the California Writers Club celebrated the publication of their sixth anthology, Conflict!". It features 44 authors writing short stories, essays, and prose as well as poetry. Award winning entries were announced as follows:
Prose:
First place: We Are All Destined to Become Our Mothers, by Avalynn Morse
First place: The Surrounding Silence, by Michael Raff
Second place: Disconnection Notice, by Freddi Gold
Second place: Bright Red Schwinn, by John Garner
Third place: Issue Resolved, by Jenny Margotta
Fourth place: Family Secrets, by Anita Holmes
Fourth place: Love Covers a Multitude of Sins, by Mike Apodaca
Poetry:
First place: Blasphemy, by Lorelei Kay
Second place: The Dance, by Rusty LaGrange
Second place: Blossoming, by Lorelei Kay
Third place: Pepper-Pot Soup No-Tell Tell-All, by Anita Holmes
Fourth place: Snapping Back at the News, by Mary Langer Thompson
The anthology, Conflict, features 44 authors writing short stories, essays, and prose as well as poetry.
Prose:
First place: We Are All Destined to Become Our Mothers, by Avalynn Morse
First place: The Surrounding Silence, by Michael Raff
Second place: Disconnection Notice, by Freddi Gold
Second place: Bright Red Schwinn, by John Garner
Third place: Issue Resolved, by Jenny Margotta
Fourth place: Family Secrets, by Anita Holmes
Fourth place: Love Covers a Multitude of Sins, by Mike Apodaca
Poetry:
First place: Blasphemy, by Lorelei Kay
Second place: The Dance, by Rusty LaGrange
Second place: Blossoming, by Lorelei Kay
Third place: Pepper-Pot Soup No-Tell Tell-All, by Anita Holmes
Fourth place: Snapping Back at the News, by Mary Langer Thompson
The anthology, Conflict, features 44 authors writing short stories, essays, and prose as well as poetry.
October 2023
BETSY ASHTON
USING SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTIVELY
Betsy Ashton, an award-winning reporter and artist, shared her insights on how to use social media to create your author brand.
Ashton, who has written books, articles, and portraits of immigrants and refugees, discussed which social media accounts are the best for publicity, why some are better than others depending on your genre, and why you can’t and shouldn’t try to do everything at once.
She spoke to social media advertising, whether it’s on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and how to use it effectively to reach your target audience and grow your fan base.
Ashton has over 20 years of experience as a radio and television news reporter and anchor at major stations in Washington, DC, New York City, and as a correspondent at CBS News. She is also a member of the National Arts Club, The Salmagundi Club, and the Portrait Society of America.
She is the author of “Betsy Ashton’s Guide to Living On Your Own”, “Mad Max” mystery series, “Eyes Without A Face”, a psychological suspense novel featuring a female serial killer, and “Out of the Desert”, a coming-of-age novel set in the Mojave Desert.
She is also the creator of “Portraits of Immigrants: Unknown Faces, Untold Stories”, a traveling exhibition that showcases the stories and portraits of today’s immigrants and refugees in an attempt to counter hate with empathy and understanding.
Betsy Ashton is an award-winning author for the 2021 Firebird Book Awards for Out of the Desert and Betrayal and the 2023 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Silver Certificate for Betrayal.
Born in Washington, DC, Betsy claims she was raised in Southern California where she ran wild with coyotes in the hills above Malibu, even though her mother challenged her memory. She writes in multiple genres: mysteries, including the Mad Max Mystery series, Unintended Consequences, Uncharted Territory, and Unsafe Haven (all republished in 2021): serial killer psychological suspense, Eyes Without a Face, published in 2017: and literary or women’s fiction, Out of the Desert, August 2019. Her latest is a suspense novel, Betrayal, published in 2021. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in several anthologies including Murder by the Glass, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Candles of Hope. She is the past president of the commonwealth-wide Virginia Writers Club and remains active in the literary communities in Roanoke and at Smith Mountain Lake.
An activist in her earlier years, she earned the nickname of “Buckshot Betsy,” during a march in California. You’ll have to ask her for details.
Reach her at www.betsy-ashton.com.
Ashton, who has written books, articles, and portraits of immigrants and refugees, discussed which social media accounts are the best for publicity, why some are better than others depending on your genre, and why you can’t and shouldn’t try to do everything at once.
She spoke to social media advertising, whether it’s on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and how to use it effectively to reach your target audience and grow your fan base.
Ashton has over 20 years of experience as a radio and television news reporter and anchor at major stations in Washington, DC, New York City, and as a correspondent at CBS News. She is also a member of the National Arts Club, The Salmagundi Club, and the Portrait Society of America.
She is the author of “Betsy Ashton’s Guide to Living On Your Own”, “Mad Max” mystery series, “Eyes Without A Face”, a psychological suspense novel featuring a female serial killer, and “Out of the Desert”, a coming-of-age novel set in the Mojave Desert.
She is also the creator of “Portraits of Immigrants: Unknown Faces, Untold Stories”, a traveling exhibition that showcases the stories and portraits of today’s immigrants and refugees in an attempt to counter hate with empathy and understanding.
Betsy Ashton is an award-winning author for the 2021 Firebird Book Awards for Out of the Desert and Betrayal and the 2023 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Silver Certificate for Betrayal.
Born in Washington, DC, Betsy claims she was raised in Southern California where she ran wild with coyotes in the hills above Malibu, even though her mother challenged her memory. She writes in multiple genres: mysteries, including the Mad Max Mystery series, Unintended Consequences, Uncharted Territory, and Unsafe Haven (all republished in 2021): serial killer psychological suspense, Eyes Without a Face, published in 2017: and literary or women’s fiction, Out of the Desert, August 2019. Her latest is a suspense novel, Betrayal, published in 2021. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in several anthologies including Murder by the Glass, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Candles of Hope. She is the past president of the commonwealth-wide Virginia Writers Club and remains active in the literary communities in Roanoke and at Smith Mountain Lake.
An activist in her earlier years, she earned the nickname of “Buckshot Betsy,” during a march in California. You’ll have to ask her for details.
Reach her at www.betsy-ashton.com.
september 2023
Ways to approach creative projects
With around 12 hours' notice, the scheduled presenter (Nicola Harrison) was unable to attend the meeting. Fortunately, the HDCWC is prepared for things like this. Half-a-dozen members collaborated to create a presentation about how to approach creative projects. Kudos to, in alphabetical order, Mike Apodaca, Jim Grayson, Lorelai Kay, Jenny Margotta, Anne Miner and Dwight Norris for stepping up and sharing their experience, talent and wisdom with the nearly 40 people in attendance Saturday morning Sept. 9.
august 2023
A.I. for writers
Richard s. thomas
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In a continuing effort to present cutting edge information for our members, Richard S Thomas, author of Eaarther Wizard, presented information on Artificial Intelligence 101 for writers. Richard clearly explained the benefits of AI and how to make the most of it in an efficient and low-cost way. He has been involved in researching artificial intelligence for quite a while, and used it in a unique way in producing his recently published novel. He did not use it for the writing part and explained its benefits..Richard S. Thomas is the pen name for our member, Richard Spencer. When we asked him to describe himself, he wrote this:
Richard Spencer (writing as Richard S. Thomas) is no spring chicken. When he was born Harry S. Truman was president. At seventeen, he joined the Navy. They told him “Join the navy, see the world.” They lied.
At 27 he married the woman of his dreams. It was a good move. They are still married. He spent the next fifty years as a serious woodworker. His work has won many accolades. When he started losing his eyesight to macular degeneration, he turned to a decades-old dream of writing. He has poured a lifetime of experience into his writing so that everyone who reads his books will be glad they did.
Richard Spencer (writing as Richard S. Thomas) is no spring chicken. When he was born Harry S. Truman was president. At seventeen, he joined the Navy. They told him “Join the navy, see the world.” They lied.
At 27 he married the woman of his dreams. It was a good move. They are still married. He spent the next fifty years as a serious woodworker. His work has won many accolades. When he started losing his eyesight to macular degeneration, he turned to a decades-old dream of writing. He has poured a lifetime of experience into his writing so that everyone who reads his books will be glad they did.
JUly 2023
WRITING EXERCISE
PRESENTED BY JUDITH PFEFFER AND
MIKE APODACA
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HDCWC Social Media Director Judith Pfeffer and HDCWC President Mike Apodaca, aided by half-a-dozen other longtime club members, presented a prompt-based writing exercise. Following a brief introduction and simple instructions, everyone present was asked to write in any genre they choose, inspired by a prompt -- the lyrics of the song "Summertime." The song was sung live, and the lyrics were provided for reference.
Mike Apodaca is an ordained minister with a master’s degree in theology, a public school educator who has taught classes from kindergarten to college, a speaker, and a writer. He’s been busy in retirement, becoming the president of the High Desert branch of the California Writer’s Club. His past responsibilities included running Zoom meetings, serving on committees, building websites, and editing the club newsletter. Mike is a Jack London award winner. He has written eight books (four self-published), and stories in anthologies, including the prestigious Literary Review, and newspaper articles. He is also a member of the On-Topic speaker’s bureau.
Judith has been a professional journalist since the 1980s, has won awards for newspaper writing and editing, and has taught communications at the college level on both coasts. Some years ago, Judith worked full time for nearly a decade as a reporter and as an editor at two local high-desert newspapers: the Desert Dispatch in Barstow and the Daily Press in Victorville. She has also had two original short stories printed in magazines and won an award for one of them. She currently is the editor of a small hyperlocal website. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of California and her master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri.
Mike Apodaca is an ordained minister with a master’s degree in theology, a public school educator who has taught classes from kindergarten to college, a speaker, and a writer. He’s been busy in retirement, becoming the president of the High Desert branch of the California Writer’s Club. His past responsibilities included running Zoom meetings, serving on committees, building websites, and editing the club newsletter. Mike is a Jack London award winner. He has written eight books (four self-published), and stories in anthologies, including the prestigious Literary Review, and newspaper articles. He is also a member of the On-Topic speaker’s bureau.
Judith has been a professional journalist since the 1980s, has won awards for newspaper writing and editing, and has taught communications at the college level on both coasts. Some years ago, Judith worked full time for nearly a decade as a reporter and as an editor at two local high-desert newspapers: the Desert Dispatch in Barstow and the Daily Press in Victorville. She has also had two original short stories printed in magazines and won an award for one of them. She currently is the editor of a small hyperlocal website. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of California and her master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri.
june 2023
SELF-EDITING AND CRITIQUE KNOWLEDGE GOALS
The speaker for the June 10th HDCWC meeting was Stuart Horwitz, a ghostwriter, independent editor, and founder of Book Architecture (www.bookarchitecture.com). His clients have reached the best-seller list in both fiction and non-fiction, and have appeared on Oprah!, The Today Show, and in the most prestigious journals in their fields.
Writers are often tasked with editing other people’s work at some point, either as a beta reader, as part of a critique group, or through a sideline as a developmental editor. Writers may not always have the editing skills needed when called upon in this capacity, however. This issue will be addressed at the meeting with a presentation of fifteen skill sets that can be developed. A general introduction will cover adopting a mindset of neutrality, how editing is a conversation, and knowing how to respond based on what draft a writer is in, followed by a set of specific tools such as working with genre conventions, narrative arcs and plot holes, scenic writing, links and transitions, tone of voice, characters and relationships, point-of-view, and theme.
Stuart Horwitz is our Book Architecture Workshop leader for a special event coming up in September. Please visit the Special Events - Upcoming Writing Workshop page on this website.
Stuart Horwitz is the author of three acclaimed books on writing: Blueprint Your Bestseller: Organize and Revise Any Manuscript with the Book Architecture Method (Penguin/Perigee), which was named one of the year’s best books about writing by The Writer magazine, Book Architecture: How to Plot and Outline Without Using a Formula, which became an Amazon bestseller, and Finish Your Book in Three Drafts: How to Write a Book, Revise a Book, and Complete a Book While You Still Love It.
Horwitz holds degrees in literary aesthetics from New York University and East Asian studies from Harvard University. He is also an award-winning poet and essayist. He recently relocated to California with his family from New England, something he should have done years ago.
Writers are often tasked with editing other people’s work at some point, either as a beta reader, as part of a critique group, or through a sideline as a developmental editor. Writers may not always have the editing skills needed when called upon in this capacity, however. This issue will be addressed at the meeting with a presentation of fifteen skill sets that can be developed. A general introduction will cover adopting a mindset of neutrality, how editing is a conversation, and knowing how to respond based on what draft a writer is in, followed by a set of specific tools such as working with genre conventions, narrative arcs and plot holes, scenic writing, links and transitions, tone of voice, characters and relationships, point-of-view, and theme.
Stuart Horwitz is our Book Architecture Workshop leader for a special event coming up in September. Please visit the Special Events - Upcoming Writing Workshop page on this website.
Stuart Horwitz is the author of three acclaimed books on writing: Blueprint Your Bestseller: Organize and Revise Any Manuscript with the Book Architecture Method (Penguin/Perigee), which was named one of the year’s best books about writing by The Writer magazine, Book Architecture: How to Plot and Outline Without Using a Formula, which became an Amazon bestseller, and Finish Your Book in Three Drafts: How to Write a Book, Revise a Book, and Complete a Book While You Still Love It.
Horwitz holds degrees in literary aesthetics from New York University and East Asian studies from Harvard University. He is also an award-winning poet and essayist. He recently relocated to California with his family from New England, something he should have done years ago.
may 2023
DIANE FANNING
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
Diane Fanning, best-selling author of fifteen true-crime books and eleven mystery novels was our guest speaker. Ms. Fanning is the recipient of the "Defender of Innocence award from the Innocence Project. She has served as a consultant to 48 Hours, has been a regular presence in the last fourteen seasons of Deadly Women, and has appeared on the Today Show, 20/20, Forensic Files, Snapped, The Biography Channel, Investigation Discovery, E!, and the BBC as well as numerous cable networks news shows and radio stations across the United States and Canada. Raised in Baltimore County, she moved to Virginia, then South Texas, and now lives in the shadow of the Blue Ridge mountains in Bedford, Virginia.
April 2023
AWARD WINNING POET, POETRI
Poetri, a renowned poet, actor, and producer, gave a presentation at the Community Church at Jess Ranch. He is widely recognized as a "poet rock star" and has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. As the Director of Creative and Development at Amusement Park Entertainment, he has gained recognition for his unique creative and cultural contributions. With a Tony, Emmy, and several advertising awards to his name, Poetri has established himself as a multi-talented artist who has excelled in various fields.
Poetri's achievements as a poet include his performance on Broadway's Def Poetry Jam, touring the world twice, and co-founding Da Poetry Lounge, the world's largest poetry venue. He has also written, produced, and appeared in numerous advertisements and campaigns for major brands, such as Nike, Los Angeles Lakers, Delta Airlines, JBL, Snickers, and BET. One of his most notable accomplishments was his role in persuading LeBron James to sign with Nike by performing for him on Nike's campus.
In addition to his work in the advertising industry, Poetri has also made significant contributions to television and film. He has appeared in feature films like National Treasure 2, Blades of Glory, and Yes Man, as well as television shows like Oprah Winfrey Show, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Bones. Poetri was also invited by former President Barack Obama to be a part of the first annual Spoken Word event held at the White House, an honor that he cherishes deeply.
Despite his many accomplishments, Poetri remains grounded and committed to his beliefs. He has used his popularity to create two of the most popular spoken word shows in Southern California, Da Poetry Lounge and Spoken Funk, and has even taken his talents to the High Desert in Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville. He is a beloved figure in the spoken word community and has created a positive atmosphere for young people to express themselves emotionally. Poetri's legacy has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the culture of Los Angeles and the world of entertainment.
Poetri's achievements as a poet include his performance on Broadway's Def Poetry Jam, touring the world twice, and co-founding Da Poetry Lounge, the world's largest poetry venue. He has also written, produced, and appeared in numerous advertisements and campaigns for major brands, such as Nike, Los Angeles Lakers, Delta Airlines, JBL, Snickers, and BET. One of his most notable accomplishments was his role in persuading LeBron James to sign with Nike by performing for him on Nike's campus.
In addition to his work in the advertising industry, Poetri has also made significant contributions to television and film. He has appeared in feature films like National Treasure 2, Blades of Glory, and Yes Man, as well as television shows like Oprah Winfrey Show, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Bones. Poetri was also invited by former President Barack Obama to be a part of the first annual Spoken Word event held at the White House, an honor that he cherishes deeply.
Despite his many accomplishments, Poetri remains grounded and committed to his beliefs. He has used his popularity to create two of the most popular spoken word shows in Southern California, Da Poetry Lounge and Spoken Funk, and has even taken his talents to the High Desert in Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville. He is a beloved figure in the spoken word community and has created a positive atmosphere for young people to express themselves emotionally. Poetri's legacy has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the culture of Los Angeles and the world of entertainment.
march 2023
ERIC UGLUM ON AUDIO BOOKS
Local owner/operator of New Wine Recording Studio and Mastering Lab, Eric Uglum, spoke on the topic of recording audio books and music. The presentation
Eric Uglum is an American musician, vocalist, audio engineer and producer. In 2016 Eric and Bud Bierhaus were included on the Grammy Ballot for Best Bluegrass Album for their CD release entitled, Traveled. In addition to working independently through his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab, Uglum is also a staff engineer at Blue Night Records.
In 1997, he began engineering and producing out of his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab in Apple Valley. Clients have included The Black Market Trust, Sierra Hull, Sean Watkins and many more.
Uglum continues to operate New Wine Sound Studio and is currently touring with Bud Bierhaus & The Vintage Martins. Their debut album entitled, Traveled was released 2016 and includes guest artists Rob Ickes, Ron Block, Christian and Austin Ward.
Eric Uglum is an American musician, vocalist, audio engineer and producer. In 2016 Eric and Bud Bierhaus were included on the Grammy Ballot for Best Bluegrass Album for their CD release entitled, Traveled. In addition to working independently through his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab, Uglum is also a staff engineer at Blue Night Records.
In 1997, he began engineering and producing out of his New Wine Sound Studio and Mastering Lab in Apple Valley. Clients have included The Black Market Trust, Sierra Hull, Sean Watkins and many more.
Uglum continues to operate New Wine Sound Studio and is currently touring with Bud Bierhaus & The Vintage Martins. Their debut album entitled, Traveled was released 2016 and includes guest artists Rob Ickes, Ron Block, Christian and Austin Ward.
February 2023
T. FAYE GRIFFIN TO SPEAK ON COMEDY WRITING
With a career that spans more than 30 years in television, film, radio and theater, three-time NAACP Image Award winner and best selling author T. Faye Griffin has amassed an impressive list of credits which includes the Emmy Award-winning comedy series, In Living Color. Her past and present client list consists of A-List celebrities such as Steve Harvey, institutions of higher learning, religious organizations, and innovative entrepreneurs--all reflecting her diverse range. Ms. Griffin is a proud product of South Central Los Angeles and currently resides in Apple Valley, California.
January 2023
RENE DE LA CRUZ
THE FUTURE OF NEWS REPORTING
Beginning the New Year of 2023, the HDCWC presented longtime High Desert resident and Daily Press reporter, Rene De La Cruz. Self-described as News Reporter, Pastor, Podcaster, Videographer, American, Dodgers/Packers/StarWars/Tacos Fan, Rene is uniquely qualified to speak on the Future of Journalism and News Reporting.