upcoming events

David Harris 

Whether you're a new or established writer or poet, figuring out how to get your work published in literary journals can be confusing and, at times, overwhelming. There are thousands of journals publishing work in dozens of genres, ranging from literary to historical to horror. How do you evaluate which publications are more likely to publish your work and how do you keep track of your work while submitting to multiple publications? When does it make sense to enter a contest? Perhaps most important, how do you keep going after receiving multiple rejections?

Former Reuters journalist and short fiction writer David Harris will share what he's learned about the often bewildering landscape of literary journals. His stories have appeared in Litbreak Magazine, Idle Ink, Roi Faineant, Fault Zone: Detachment, Calliope, and the Concho River Review. He was also longlisted for The Dillydoun Review 2022 Short Story Prize. His most recent work has been accepted for publication in The Valparaiso Review and The Opiate. In addition to working as a journalist, David has also been a corporate communications consultant and a speechwriter. He is currently a board member of the SF Peninsula branch of the California Writers Club. 

Lila LaBine & Eva Barrows

Your independent editor partner can provide the invaluable feedback needed to revise and put the final polish on your manuscript. Whether taking the traditional publishing route or striking out on your own self-publishing journey, working with a professional editor is essential. In this presentation, you’ll learn about the different types of editing professionals, how to determine which type suits your needs, and what an ideal editor/author partnership entails.   

Lila LaBine is a novel and screenplay editor. She started her editorial business, LaBine Editorial (lilalabine.com), in 2020 and earned a Specialized Certificate in Copyediting from UC San Diego’s Extended Studies program in 2021. Lila specializes in paragraph- and sentence level editing of upmarket and commercial fiction, especially women’s fiction, romance, suspense, and thrillers. She also edits and proofreads screenplays and creates courses for newer writers. She’s dedicated to helping writers feel confident in their work and providing a safe space for them to get feedback and encouragement.

Eva Barrows (evabarrows.com) is a developmental editor and book writing coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has edited a variety of non fiction and fiction book projects spanning self-development, memoirs, and historical fiction. Eva enjoys mapping the story arc, identifying plot holes, coming up with  solutions, suggesting character development fixes, and filling in sensory details. In 2007, she founded Imitation Fruit Literary Journal (imitationfruit.com) as a way to work with short story writers, poets, and artists on fun and upbeat content. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and is writing a historical fiction novel set during the dawn of silent film Westerns in Niles, California.