Jessica Bruce Jessica Bruce was elected to her 3rd term on the board until the October 2027 election. The treasurer role is responsible for maintaining bank accounts, depositing memberships and filing taxes and paperwork for our non-profit status. This position must be held by someone local to the Hemet area for banking purposes.

With the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting for 2025, any memberships purchased or renewed will be valid until December 31, 2026... giving you FREE months of membership! Memberships are only $25 (discounts available for high school and post-secondary students). It's important to renew before your membership expires if you have books listed on the member books page.

On October 6, 2025 the Board of Directors voted to amend Article 7 - Term of Board to say,

With social media presence becoming more and more important these days, the guild has branched out onto other platforms. One platform is Instagram, so if you use that platform, please follow. Our address is https://www.instagram.com/diamondvalleywritersguild/ We've recently started a new Facebook GROUP for the Diamond Valley Writers' Guild, but don't worry, the Facebook Page isn't going away. In fact, we recommend following BOTH the Page and the Group. Facebook Pages emphasize one-to-many communication with advertising and analytics, whereas Facebook Groups focus on many-to-many interaction, offering features for discussions, polls, and events. Our Facebook PAGE address is https://www.facebook.com/diamondvalleywritersguild Our Facebook GROUP address is https://www.facebook.com/groups/diamondvalleywritersguild As we go through Plotober, Novel November, and then into the guild's holiday period, we hope to see you on our social media platforms, which are always available.

August 16, 2025 @ 9:30AM Pacific Time presented by Kathleen Sweeney Being an author can be overwhelming—endless drafts, managing readers, and keeping up with social media can leave you feeling drained. We know how much your readers mean to you, and we're here to help you connect with them more effectively! Kathleen will share practical tips, fresh content ideas, and real-world examples to make every post feel like a big, virtual hug for your readers. Kathleen Sweeney is the Chief Operating Officer at Book Brush, where she combines her love of technology and storytelling to help authors with book marketing. She has presented to over 300 author groups and thrives on making design and promotion easier (and more fun!) for writers of all genres. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, three active boys and the two most handsome cats on the planet. Her hobbies include eating tacos and turning socks right side out. If you attended this meeting, let us know what you thought of it in the comments below. You must be logged in to post comments.

Unnerving, hilarious, grotesque, and emotionally gripping, this collection of social, psychological, and suburban horror expresses what disturbs us most about our experiences internally and interactions with the world around us-including with the HOA, our landlords, live-ins (human or otherwise), neighbors, or, in the end, our eternity with the undying ones. Costs of Living is an inclusive collection with stories from brand-new writers as well as old-hand award winners, including... Summer Alexis, Beth Kette Anderson, Abby Andresen, Robert Bagnall, J.M. Bask, Melissa Bobe, Tiffany Michelle Brown, John Bukowski, Rob Francis, G. Gormley, Christina Griffith, Kay Hanifen, Tyler John Kasishke, Jordan King-Lacroix, Spencer Koelle, Andrew Kozma, C.R. Langille, Jon Lasser, Daniel Lumpkin, John Mahoney, Lena Ng, Gevera Bert Piedmont, Stephen S. Power, Nigel Quinlan, Jonathan Reddoch, Vanessa Reid, Michael Allen Rose, Jesse Rowell, J.D. Simpson, Katlina Sommerberg, Michael Subjack, Elizabeth Suggs, William Wandless, Sam Weller, Angela E. Zolner

July 19, 2025 @ 9:30AM Pacific Time presented by Martin Lastrapes From Luke Skywalker’s hero’s journey to the Joker’s moral chaos, compelling characters are the heartbeat of great stories. This presentation breaks down the essentials of great character creation, revealing how to craft layered backstories, distinct physical and emotional traits, and transformative arcs. Whether you’re writing heroes, villains, or antiheroes, you’ll learn how to turn abstract ideas into living, breathing characters that make stories unforgettable. Martin Lastrapes is an acclaimed author and indie publisher known for his imaginative storytelling and signature humor. His works often explore unconventional characters, such as teenage cannibals, unicorn-killing superheroes, and fireproof college professors. His self-published works have earned numerous literary accolades, including the Grand Prize at the Paris Book Festival and the Gold Prize at the Self-Publishing Review Book Awards. A native of the Inland Empire in California (where he earned a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's degree in Composition) he now calls Las Vegas home. If you attended this meeting, let us know what you thought of it in the comments below. You must be logged in to post comments.

We invite readers of this extraordinary anthology of poetry to explore the contrasts and parallels within the works of two internationally acclaimed poets, one from the United States and the other from Saudi Arabia. Approximately four decades ago, they resided a mere 65 miles apart in Northern California, yet destiny conspired to keep their paths unlinked. One was Nasser Alshaikhahmed, a young man from Saudi Arabia pursuing his academic endeavors at Sonoma State University, while the other, Kristy Raines, was a mother of two residing in the serene rural community of Lake County, blissfully unaware of the future connection that would blossom through an online poetry group. This fortuitous encounter would ultimately culminate in their recognition as distinguished poets and the collaborative creation of a compendium of poems. Each poet possesses a distinctive style, yet both share an abiding passion for the themes they articulate. They warmly invite your curiosity to delve into the pages of their hearts through this anthology, encouraging you to take in the richness of their poetic expressions. As you immerse yourself in the verses, you will encounter a myriad of themes that reflect their unique individual experiences. The anthology serves as a bridge between two worlds, showcasing not only the beauty of their distinct voices but also the universal emotions that resonate across oceans between the two friends.. Each poem stands as a testament to their artistic endeavors, eloquently weaving narratives of love, loss, hope, resilience, and nature. The juxtaposition of their perspectives offers readers an enriching experience, prompting reflections on the intricate tapestry of human existence. By embracing their artistic journeys, you will uncover the profound connections that bind us all, transcending geographical and linguistic barriers. This anthology embodies a celebration of creativity, inviting you to traverse a landscape where differences are honored and similarities cherished. Join us on this literary voyage, and let the poignant rhythms and vibrant imagery guide your imagination. Let the words of these exceptional poets spark your own creative spirit, and may their shared passion for poetry inspire you to explore the depths of your own heart.

September 20, 2025 @ 9:30AM Pacific Time presented by Liz Tolsma Point of view. What is it, exactly? And what is deep POV? We’ll delve into the two meanings of POV, why it’s important to stay in character while writing, and what deep POV is and how it can transform your writing. Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband. Her son, daughter-in-law, and oldest daughter are U.S. Marines, and her youngest daughter, who has special needs, lives at home. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at liztolsma.com  and follow her on Facebook , Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram , YouTube , and Pinterest . She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast . If you attended this meeting, let us know what you thought of it in the comments below. You must be logged in to post comments.

This entertaining and informative picture book introduces the game of golf to your baby. Through simple explanations and well-crafted illustrations, John J. McBrearty will entertain both you and your baby with hours of enjoyment. This is an excellent way to introduce the wonderful game of golf to the youngest children. And remember, it is never too early to start learning the game of golf.

Meeting called to order by President Michelle Bassett at 6:38 pm PDT.

Submissions open September 1st at noon  and close October 11th at 11:59PM . You MUST be a 2025 PAID Member in order to submit and read! Members may submit multiple pieces, but due to time constraints, slots are limited and will be considered on a first-come-first-serve basis. If any changes are made to the submission, please re-submit your work for re-review. Send your submissions with “ Prose Reading Submission ” followed by your name in the subject line to Jessica Bruce at DVWritersGuild@Gmail.com Word count limit is 1800 words (name of piece excluded from word count) Microsoft Word .docx file, Double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman Name , email , and wordcount in the header section of the document Follow the “3-Ps” … No Politics, Proselytizing, or Pornography