Listed below are some of the resources that have been valuable to me as I've submitted work for publication and sought a community of writers in the Bay Area and beyond. Let me know if you have an idea for an additional link.

Pat Schneider

Pat is the creator of the method I use, and this is her official web site. Pat leads writing retreats all over the US as well as in Europe, and also maintains weekly workshops in her home in Amherst, Massachusetts.

SavorSmith

Sharon Smith, a talented book designer and talented writer, is also a party planner, retreat host, and fabulous cook! Keep an eye on Sharon's site for all kinds of events in Forestville, Sonoma County, CA. You'll also see more about Sharon and her lovely retreat center ("Birdland") on this site: we collabortate on local writing retreats paired with wonderful food.

Goddard College: Transformative Language Arts Program

Goddard College, in Plainfield, Vermont, offers a progressive, unique Master of Arts program which they say encourages "social and personal transformation through the written and spoken word." This is the first graduate degree to directly integrate multi-genre writing with personal transformation. The core concept of the program is to give its graduates the tools to help others to transform their fragmented lives, help them to find meaning, and help them to grow and rebalance their lives through the written word. Graduates may work with any constituency, but the degree has its greatest potential for working with the disadvantaged: prisoners, those living in poverty or recovering from abuse, indeed, anyone in major transition or rehabilitation.

Writing Ourselves Whole

This is the web site for Jen Cross' workshops. Jen is a colleague and has also been a regular participant in past Laguna Writers workshops. Her training and MA in Goddard's Transformative Language Arts program, (see that link above) her specialization in working with survivors of abuse, and her unique experience writing and leading erotica workshops, all make Jen a valuable asset to the AWA community. Check her out!

Temescal Writers

AWA workshops in Oakland led by the wonderful Joan-Marie Wood.

Writing Pad, Los Angeles

Marilyn Friedman offers one-day or five week AWA writing workshops LA style: with gourmet snacks and desserts, plus classes in screenplay writing as well as poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. A Bay Area transplant, Marilyn has created a fun, safe place to write in LA. Tell your friends about her, or contact her yourself!

Patchwork Farm Writing Retreats

These retreats--led by AWA affiliate Patricia Lee Lewis--combine yoga practice with writing practice. Patricia offers both weekend and week-long retreats at her home in Massachusetts, as well as international destinations, such as Guatemala.

Writing Salon: San Francisco and Berkeley

Jane Underwood started this school for those who want to write in 1999, and offers classes in every genre. There's a wide range of classes: everything from children's literature to how to break into travel writing. I teach a class there titled "Exloring Your Writer's Voice," which is in the exact same format as my workshops at home. Check it out!

Lit Zoom 

A cool resources for writing events in your area. Just add your city in the search box and see what comes up!

KQED's "Perspectives"

Submit your social commentary for all public radio listeners to hear! Follow this link to their submissions page to find out more.

NPR first person commentary/essay

Be heard! Read your short commentary/essay on public radio. To read more, click on this link and choose How do I submit a commentary or essay?

NPR : This American Life

This American Life focuses on narratives: "accounts of people who had some experience that changed them... It's best if these are surprising, if they run counter to what we might expect." Check out their submissions page by clicking on the link above. Next, scroll down the dark blue Table of Contents frame on the left until you reach "Submitting Work."

Public Radio Selected Shorts at Symphony Space

Actors read classic and new short fiction recorded live and broadcast on public radio nationwide. Broadcast on the Bay Area's KQED on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. For information, click on this link and then choose Selected Shorts on the home page.

Poetry Flash

This is a great resource for poetry readings, current publication reviews, workshops and upcoming events, as well as a place to read new fiction and poetry. Poetry Flash lists information about events and workshops in all of California, but focuses mainly on the San Francisco Bay Area. Good stuff.

Poets and Writers Magazine (P&W)

A great resources for writers; the most comprehensive publication to date.

P&W Classifieds: Call for manuscripts

Send off your work! Get published. The classifieds represent a great spectrum of literary magazines as well as calls for Anthology submissions, on-line publication, contests, even writing retreats. Invaluable.

Writer's Digest

A great resource for publication information and writing news. Writer's Digest publishes some of the best resources for writers, including The Writer's Market, considered the bible for writers just learning about submission. Their monthly magazine is a great resource also.