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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260207T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260207T163000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260205T190107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T190107Z
UID:3568-1770474600-1770481800@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Writing About Motherhood and Adoption
DESCRIPTION:Motherhood comes in many forms—through birth\, adoption\, foster care\, and reunion. This Saturday\, five remarkable memoir writers share their deeply personal adoption stories: a birth mother\, adoptees\, and an adoptive parent opening up about the courage it took to write what they lived. Join us for an honest conversation about family\, secrets\, healing\, and the challenges all memoir writers face when writing about motherhood in its many complicated forms.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/writing-about-motherhood-and-adoption/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260307T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260307T160000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260226T180921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T180921Z
UID:3582-1772893800-1772899200@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Eat Your Words
DESCRIPTION:Join award-winning poet and author\, Jane Yevgenia Muschenetz\, for a short reading and generative writing workshop around food and memory.  Enjoy a poetic taste test and explore how your own stories about food can invite delicious and evocative writing.\n\nAbout Jane:\nJane Muschenetz arrived in San Diego as a Jewish child refugee from Soviet Ukraine. She’s been recognized for excellence in poetry performance by the County of San Diego and most recently won the 2025 National Federation of Press Women Communications Award in Creative Verse and the 2025 War Poetry Postcard Prize from Middlewest Press. Jane’s words appear in MIT Technology Review\, KPBS\, Spoken Word Paris\, and numerous other publications. Jane is the Poetry Director for the San Diego Writers Festival and Partnerships Director for San Diego Poetry Annual. Connect with Jane at www.PalmFrondZoo.com.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/eat-your-words/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260328T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260328T170000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260226T181511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T181511Z
UID:3586-1774688400-1774717200@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:San Diego Writers Festival
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the 7th Annual San Diego Writers Festival.\nThe San Diego Writers Festival is a free\, community-based event designed to celebrate the power of writing and storytelling.  \nStories transform both the teller and the listener. In whatever form you welcome a story into your life—by reading a memoir or graphic novel\, listening to a podcast or a poetry reading\, watching a movie or play or going to the theater—stories are our pathways\, our links\, our bridges to one another. \nAt the San Diego Writers Festival\, we ask two important questions: What if there was a place where all stories could be nurtured and heard? What if we opened up our community to stories from those who have been under-served\, disenfranchised\, or neglected? \nWe invite you to join us on our mission to hear one another\, be educated and illuminated by one another\, and inspired by one another—one story at a time. \n\n2026 Keynote Speaker\n\n\n\n\nJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of thirty novels\, including By Any Other Name\, Mad Honey (co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan)\, Wish You Were Here\, The Book of Two Ways\, A Spark of Light\, Small Great Things\, Leaving Time\, and My Sister’s Keeper\, and\, with daughter Samantha van Leer\, two young adult novels\, Between the Linesand Off the Page. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.\nwww.sandiegowritersfestival.com
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/san-diego-writers-festival/
LOCATION:Coronado Public Library\, 640 Orange Ave\, Coronado\, CA\, 92118
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260401T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260401T210000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260330T212217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T212449Z
UID:3591-1775071800-1775077200@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Anne Lamott and Neal Allen on "Good Writing" in conversation with Marni Freedman
DESCRIPTION:Join bestselling author Anne Lamott and writer-spiritual coach Neal Allen in conversation with Marni Freedman for an inspiring and entertaining evening that will change the way you think about language. \nTICKETS  \nTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER \n36 ways to improve your writing \nTwo writers show you how to turn a worthy sentence into a memorable one. Starting where The Elements of Style leaves off\, Good Writing can improve your book\, your essay\, your memo\, your blog post\, speech\, or script. These essential rules for persuasive language work on any type of writing\, and anyone can learn them quickly. \nEach rule is accompanied by examples and a lively pair of essays\, the first by Neal Allen\, who developed the list of tips over the course of his journalism and corporate careers; the second by his wife\, Anne Lamott\, acclaimed author of Bird by Birdand nineteen other nonfiction works and novels. The authors don’t always agree on the specifics\, but they are passionate about making better sentences. \nAs Neal writes\, “These rules economize\, favor the plainspoken and the specific\, keep the reader’s attention sharp\, and in other ways show respect for the audience’s time and desire for novelty.” \nSome rules are fundamental: Use strong verbs. Remove the boring stuff. Twist clichés. Some are more subtle: Draw on all five senses. Give your sentence a finale. Along the way\, Good Writing addresses practicalities such as finishing projects despite challenges\, trusting editors\, and knowing when to break the rules to serve your story. \nWhether you’re a novice writer or a seasoned author\, this entertaining guide will revolutionize your approach to crafting sentences.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/anne-lamott-and-neal-allen-on-good-writing-in-conversation-with-marni-freedman/
LOCATION:Balboa Theatre\, 868 Forth Ave.\, San Diego\, 92101\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260502T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260502T163000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260414T181942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T181942Z
UID:3610-1777732200-1777739400@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Interview with New York Times bestselling author Annabelle Gurwitch
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a powerful and deeply human conversation as Annabelle Gurwitch\, New York Times bestselling author\, sits down with Tracy J. Jones and Marni Freedman to discuss her bold and unforgettable memoir\, The End of My Life Is Killing Me. \nWith wit\, irreverence\, and surprising tenderness\, Gurwitch turns the traditional “cancer warrior” narrative on its head\, embracing what she calls the “cancer slacker” philosophy—choosing joy\, humor\, and presence over perfection and pressure. This conversation explores how storytelling can hold both grief and laughter\, how meaning is found in the ordinary\, and how memoir can illuminate even life’s most uncertain chapters. \nExpect insight\, honesty\, and moments that will stay with you long after the conversation ends.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/interview-with-new-york-times-bestselling-author-annabelle-gurwitch/
LOCATION:ZOOM Online\, CA\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260606T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260606T160000
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260514T205154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T205154Z
UID:3640-1780756200-1780761600@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Writing About Trauma with Mimi Nichter
DESCRIPTION:Join the International Memoir Writers Association on June 6 for a powerful conversation with Mimi Nichter on “Writing About Trauma.” \nA finalist for the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award in Nonfiction\, Mimi will discuss her gripping memoir\, Hostage\, which recounts surviving the 1970 hijacking of TWA Flight 741 and the lasting impact of trauma\, silence\, survival\, and resilience. \nThis promises to be an unforgettable discussion about transforming painful experience into meaningful memoir — and how storytelling can become part of the healing process. Join us.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/writing-about-trauma-with-mimi-nichter/
LOCATION:ZOOM Online\, CA\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260711
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260712
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260618T200415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T164406Z
UID:3776-1783728000-1783814399@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Andrea Leeb\, Author of Such a Pretty Picture Writing About Family Secrets
DESCRIPTION:Every family has secrets. The memoirist’s challenge is deciding what to reveal\, what to protect\, and how to tell the truth with both courage and care. Join USA Today bestselling author Andrea Leeb\, author of Such a Pretty Picture\, for a candid discussion about writing family secrets. Drawing from her own memoir journey\, Andrea will explore the ethical\, emotional\, and craft-related challenges of writing about family while creating a story that is honest\, compelling\, and deeply human.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/andrea-leeb-author-of-such-a-pretty-picture-writing-about-family-secrets/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260802
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260707T162306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T213134Z
UID:3817-1785542400-1785628799@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Writing About Love & Sexuality
DESCRIPTION:August 1 \nWriting about love\, intimacy\, and sexuality can be one of the most rewarding—and vulnerable—parts of memoir. How do you write honest\, emotionally resonant scenes without holding back or crossing into oversharing? How do you navigate fear\, shame\, and the deeply personal nature of these experiences while remaining true to your story? \nJoin authors Bonnie Comfort\, Marijke McCandless\, and Kamala Devi for a candid panel discussion on the craft of writing intimate scenes with courage\, specificity\, and authenticity. You’ll gain practical tools for approaching vulnerable material\, creating meaningful emotional connection with readers\, and writing about love and sexuality in ways that are both powerful and artful. Bring your questions for what promises to be an open\, thoughtful\, and inspiring conversation.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/writing-about-love-sexuality/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260912
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260913
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260707T164040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T213349Z
UID:3819-1789171200-1789257599@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Querying For Memoir
DESCRIPTION:You’ve written your memoir—now comes one of the most intimidating parts of the publishing journey: the query letter. What makes an agent stop reading? What makes them ask for more? And how is querying memoir different from querying fiction? \nJoin bestselling author Lyn Liao Butler for an inside look at what agents are really looking for and how to craft a query that showcases the heart of your story. You’ll learn the essential elements of a compelling query\, common mistakes that can derail your submission\, and practical strategies to help your memoir stand out in a crowded inbox. Whether you’re preparing to query now or planning for the future\, you’ll leave with the confidence and tools to hit “send.”
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/querying-for-memoir/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261003
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261004
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260707T164514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T203549Z
UID:3830-1790985600-1791071999@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Is My Memoir A FIlm?
DESCRIPTION:What transforms a memoir into a movie? Join filmmaker Carlos de los Ríos as he explores the qualities that make certain life stories irresistible to filmmakers. Learn what creates cinematic momentum\, how to recognize the visual and emotional heart of your story\, and what it really takes for a memoir to make the journey from book to screen.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/is-my-memoir-a-film/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261108
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260707T164252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T204815Z
UID:3825-1794009600-1794095999@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:Artistic Badassery for Writers - SDWF/IMWA Event
DESCRIPTION:Every memoir begins with one brave act: showing up to the page. Join author and creativity teacher Marni Freedman as she shares powerful tools from her new book\, Artistic Badassery: How to Unblock and Become a Creative Force of Nature. Learn how to quiet your inner critic\, reconnect with your authentic voice\, and create with greater courage\, joy\, and flow. You’ll leave inspired\, unstuck\, and ready to\, well\, kick some creative ass.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/tools-to-unlock-your-fearless-self/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261206
DTSTAMP:20260721T234309
CREATED:20260707T164624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T205405Z
UID:3832-1796428800-1796515199@sdmwa.org
SUMMARY:IMWA Prompt Party Open Mic
DESCRIPTION:One last writing adventure before the year ends! Join your IMWA community for an afternoon of inspiring prompts\, spontaneous storytelling\, and open mic-style sharing. You’ll write\, laugh\, surprise yourself\, and maybe even discover the beginning of your next great memoir. Whether you share your writing or simply soak in the creativity of others\, you’ll leave energized\, connected\, and ready for a new year of stories.
URL:https://sdmwa.org/event/prompt-party/
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