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.

Amherst Writers and Artists
Official web site for AWA workshops and affiliates.

Writing Ouselves 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 below) 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 Mexico and Scotland.

Skipping Stones Retreat House
A beautiful place to get away and write in Sonoma County, Skipping Stones is the ultimate, affordable Russian River Retreat. Located in Cazadero--only an hour and half from San Francisco, on the banks of a clear, rushing creek--the house sleeps up to eight people comfortably, and feels remote and restful, though there's plenty to do nearby.

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.

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.

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.

Each One Reach One
A theater arts writing/mentoring program in the Bay Area for youth at risk. This program works with juveniles in the juvenile justice system.

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.

Glimmertrain
One of the best literary magazines for short stories. Great contests. Submit on-line!

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.