Fiction Writing San Francisco

IN PERSON Saturday Morning Writing Meetup

After a six-month haitus, this weekly Saturday morning writing session is back! I'm pleased to say this group has been meeting for four years. This is a place for women looking for time, space and community to work on their writing goals -- poetry, fiction, journaling, non-fiction, essays, whatever words you need to get out. We meet in person, writing at my home in Emeryville (which has different rooms and corners where folks can plug in a laptop or sit with a notebook and work on their poems, journal entries, novels, plays, memoirs, etc. I'll provide coffee and tea :) Schedule: 10:00-10:15 a.m.: Introductions and socializing. 10:15-11:15: One hour of writing. A prompt will be provided, but if you have an idea for your morning writing, work on that :) 11:15 to noon: Regroup and (optional) share. Everyone gets five minutes to read their work out loud to the group. This is voluntary and there is no critique from others. Vaccination required. My address will be sent to those who RSVP.

Berkeley -- Shut up and Write + Coffee

Welcome! Let's meet for a session of quiet writing. **Instructions** * Small group. RSVP for waitlist. * Location will be emailed to confirmed attendees. * NO: outside food, walk-ins, "no-shows." Thanks. **Meet**: Backyard garden, outside. Host will post location if we move. **Coffee** and food for sale onsite. No outside food, please. **What** Join other writers for an hour of focused writing and work. "Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice." Come and get it done. **Schedule** 2:00 PM Quick intros 02:15 Timer starts. Write for one hour. 03:15 The end. Chat (outside), take off, or keep writing. \*Food is available there or at the many nearby venues. THANK YOU to Cafenated cafe, our host! **Guidelines** • Wi-Fi available • **Amenities**: Coffee, tea and food for sale. Please buy refreshments here to support the cafe. • BART: Downtown Berkeley. PARKING: street. • Bring headphones if you want to reduce outside noise distraction. • Socializing (optional, away from table) happens after 03:15 PM. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is encouraged. • **RSVP** only if you can make it, and update ASAP if your plans change. • **Running late?** Join us quietly and start writing! This is your practice and focus time, so I hope to see you there. HAPPY WRITING! *** **Notes** • See our "About Us" link, above left, for SUAW meeting tips and etiquette. • Locations and times change according to availability. • By joining, you agree to workspace rules and agree to leaving space in same condition as it was found. • Photo: Cafenated Posted by: Rosanna, volunteer organizer

Introductory & Practical AI for Remodeling Professionals (1 of 2 Locations)

RSVP & LEARN MORE: [https://sfbanari.org/In_Person_Meetings_Socials](https://sfbanari.org/In_Person_Meetings_Socials) Ninety minutes won't make anyone an AI expert—and that's not the goal. What it will do is move you from **AI-curious to AI-practical**, giving you a clear framework for using AI tools in ways that save time and solve real business problems. This session skips the hype. It's designed for busy remodeling professionals who don't have time for endless theory—or for chatbots that confidently invent code requirements or construction details. The real value of AI comes from applying it to **your projects, your data, and your professional judgment**. **Are you spending too much time on:** * **Following up with clients and keeping communication organized?** * **Creating marketing content and asking for reviews?** * **Writing estimates and proposals?** * **Managing schedules and coordinating crews, vendors, and clients?** * **Navigating permits and paperwork?** * **Handling invoices and administrative tasks?** **If any of these questions sound familiar, this session is for you.** Brian and Tuan bring the AI process, facilitation, ethics, and cross-industry experience. You bring the remodeling expertise. We're teaching you how to direct AI toward the challenges you already understand and get useful, practical work back—safely and responsibly. We'll also showcase **practical, real-world demos from business owners and remodeling professionals like you who are already using AI effectively in their day-to-day operations**. No futuristic concepts—just proven examples, lessons learned, and ideas you can put to work immediately. Additionally, we will briefly preview the evolution to **Agentic AI: From Using AI to Building AI.** Discover how remodelers can use it to streamline operations to plan and automate tasks, enhance customer experiences, and build smarter business workflows. ### **What You'll Take Home** * **Prompt Pattern Card** – A simple, repeatable framework for creating effective prompts using context, source material, formatting, limitations, and iteration. * **Trust & Privacy Checklist** – Know what to verify, what information should never be entered into AI tools, when to cross-check results, and what always requires human review before it reaches a client. * **Problem-to-Workflow Canvas** – A practical roadmap that connects everyday frustrations to AI solutions: what's slowing you down, what information you already have, what AI can draft, what humans must decide, and what happens next. * **Sample Subcontractor Language** – A real-world example requested by a member, ready to adapt and review for your own business needs. The magic doesn't happen during the 90 minutes—it happens when you leave with a practical process and start applying it to the work you do every day.

Shut Up and Write - In-person at Sana'a Cafe! - Monday Nights

We're getting into our writing groove in person for the first time since the pandemic. The original Shut Up and Write, formerly of Crossroads Café in SF, is now at Sana'a Cafe, 199 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Join us at our new location at Sana'a Cafe, where there is wonderful Yemenite Coffee, tea, chai, ice chocolate, other drinks, and various tasty pastries to quench your writer's hunger and thirst while in our session. No matter when you arrive, please first stop at the table with the "Shut Up & Write" sign so we know you've joined us. 🙂 Any kind of writing is welcome - poetry, prose, non-fiction, academic, literary, comedy, tragedy - homework, grunt work - all will be made better by drinks, snacks, teamwork, and accountability from a collegial group to cheer you on. We're not a critique group, so that no one will give you unsolicited advice. The schedule will be as follows: 6:30 Introductions and Chat 6:40 Write 7:50 Check-In and Head Out Attendance is free, but please buy a drink or a snack occasionally--we want to keep feeling welcome here. And if you want to stay after we finish, the café is open until 10:00 PM!

Shut Up & Write!® in the Richmond

Shut Up & Write!® hosts free in-person and online writing events for writers all over the world. Our goal is to ensure that every writer, regardless of genre or skill level, has access to the community, accountability, and resources they need to be successful in their personal writing goals. Our events use our proven formula: a few minutes of introductions, an hour of focused writing, and a final check-in to share the hour's progress. **What to Expect** RSVP and please arrive on time to get settled at an in-person event. Our host will lead introductions and then everyone will write for a quiet, focused period of time. Afterward, we’ll have an optional time to chat and get to know each other. Members often talk about their successes and challenges as writers. Our events are a safe space for writers to work on their craft. No one will read or critique your writing. For more information about our events, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com). Being Late is Okay: Just show up and get settled, then check in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write!® sign.) If you are on time, please be willing to make room for any friendly latecomers. **What Should I Bring?** Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block the cafe’s ambient music or the occasional conversation by other patrons. **Other Important Details:** GUIDELINES: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something. WIFI pw: Enchante!

Shut Up & Write!® at Precita Park Cafe

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** Free WiFi available. Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

Sit Down and Write

Writers write. And if you haven't written in a room full of writers writing, you haven't lived! It's a nice feeling, at the least. 11:00 a.m. Arrive, find a spot, support our patron by purchasing a beverage and/or snack and tipping well. Then socialize until writing-time begins! A few minutes before, we'll go around the circle introducing ourselves, our writing passions, and our goal for the day. 11:15 a.m. The organizer will start the clock, and for the next 1 hour conversation shall be discontinued as everyone works on whatever writing or reading (or what-have-you) strikes his or her fancy. The key here is a nice, courteous quiet. Headphones are recommended. 12:15 p.m. Writing-time ends. You're welcome to continue writing, resume socializing, hail a cab, do whatever you want, because you're an adult.

Take Time to Write at Cafenated Coffee

CWC Write-In at the Oakland Museum of California

Join California's oldest writing club for a monthly 6-hour write-in with camaraderie and accountability! WHERE: The Oakland Museum of California. The big beautiful building has a bigger and more beautiful garden with lots of seats and tables and places to write. Please choose any publicly accessible spot in the garden or in the Cafe. The host is usually in the cafe or the picnic benches by the water lilies pond. Check in with the host, who will likely have a CWC sign on the table. HOW MUCH: This is a free event. While the museum charges a price for admission to the exhibits, there is no charge to use the Café or the gardens. Do buy lunch, drink, or something nice at the gift shop. We love OMCA! WHEN: Second Saturdays, 12-5pm. Come for as little or as much of that time as you like. Find a space and write! Socialize respectfully! If someone is too busy to talk, no worries, shut up and write! At 3:30 pm, we gather together so we can share what we have written. We usually meet behind the cafe, and the host will always check that spot if for some reason the reading location moves. BRING: 1) your favorite writing tools, such as a pen and paper or a laptop, whatever is portable. 2) a warm jacket, blanket, or hoodie, if you chose to write outside in the spacious and glorious gardens in winter, or a hat and sunscreen in the summer. 3) a pillow or cushion, if that will make you more comfortable to sit and write, and 4) lunch money or a bag lunch/snacks to help you power through. View for Monthly Dates: [https://bit.ly/cwc-write-in-at-the-oakland-museum-of-california-multipledates](https://bit.ly/cwc-write-in-at-the-oakland-museum-of-california-multipledates) Our [Google calendar](https://cwc-berkeley.org/calendar), if you want to save this event into your personal calendar or get notifications.

Take Time to Write at Cafe Leila

Let's meet up to write on Sunday at Cafe Leila at 1724 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley (cross street is Francisco St). Anyone who writes is welcome! Please not that this event is in ADDITION to the ongoing meeting at Cafenated Coffee on Vine St. (we are outgrowing that space). We'll be inside of the cafe, and I'll have a sign saying "Take Time to Write". We'll write in two 50-minute blocks, with breaks in between and after. Come find us between 10 and 10:30 to get set up in time for our first one at 10:30. Schedule: 10:00 - arrive, get drinks, chat 10:30 - Focused writing block 11:30 - End. (This is the time that we need to vacate to make space for other customers of the cafe) About the location: There will be wifi and some (limited) outlets. We'll be indoors, but they typically leaves the doors open so that the space is well-ventilated. The casual restaurant offers coffee, tea, bottled drinks, and a wide range cooked food. Please buy something to support them! About the group: Anyone who writes is welcome -- novelists, playwrights, academics, journalers. This isn't a critique group, and there's no pressure to share your work. We're here for camaraderie, moral support, and friendly peer pressure, so you can focus on taking time to do what you love to do. This meetup is for people who want to write! Take some time to sit down with other writers and focus on your work. We're here for camaraderie, moral support, and friendly peer pressure, so you can focus on taking time to do what you love to do. Anyone who writes is welcome -- novelists, playwrights, academics, journalers. This isn't a critique group, and there's no pressure to share your work. We meet in the East Bay and use the pomodoro method, with blocks of focused writing and breaks to socialize in between. Come join us!

SF Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers meetup

Hello all! We are a group of fantasy and Sci-Fi writers in SF that meet to help each other write, brainstorm, discuss goals, provide feedback, story coach, explore worldbuilding, and discuss writing and our favorite media. In our usual format, we go around and each member gets to obtain feedback and help from the rest of the group on whatever they wish, such as a story idea, writing, concept art, worldbuilding, character develoment etc. We are also scheduling ongoing critique and feedback sessions for eachother's work

Think Outside the Covers with Laurie McLean

Join the California Writer's Club for our monthly speaker series. This meeting also functions as our club meeting and is a great way to get to know our organization, while also experiencing a great speaker talk from a writer, for writers. [Tickets via Eventbrite HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/think-outside-the-covers-with-laurie-mclean-tickets-1999147693567) ABOUT THE TALK Kick off your writing season with our first speaker of the year, literary agent Laurie McLean at a brand new location off Piedmont Avenue. By 2050, every author will be an authorpreneur, predicts Fuse Literary partner/agent Laurie McLean. Because your book is more than just a book. It’s a story. And with all the myriad new technologies and storytelling opportunities at hand, publishing is experiencing a revolution that you should be a part of. Come hear this successful, seasoned agent, and former Director of the San Francisco Writers Conference, update you on the state of publishing, leaving ample time for questions! ABOUT LAURIE McLEAN Founding Partner FUSE LITERARY Laurie McLean spent 20 years as the CEO of a multi-million-dollar marketing agency and 8 years as an agent/senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents before co-founding Fuse Literary in 2013 with her business partner Gordon Warnock. Laurie specializes in middle-grade, young-adult and adult genre fiction including romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and weird westerns. Laurie was on the management team of the San Francisco Writers Conference for more than 20 years, including as the Director for five years, and co-founded two ePublishing companies that she eventually sold: Joyride Books for romance, and Ambush Books for tween and teen books. Find out more at [FuseLiterary.com](FuseLiterary.com) or follow her on most social media @fuseliterary. Get to Know our Club President, Debi Mason, in our Member Spotlight. **Location** This event will be LIVE at the new GOODNESS Community Center off of Piedmont Avenue, right behind Peets Coffee. Space is limited, grab your tickets asap! **Agenda (more details in Eventbrite where you must purchase tickets)** 12:30-1 Setup, Members can come early to help and socialize 1:00-2:00 Author Success Group 2:00-2:15 Networking 2:15-2:45 Club Announcements/Monthly Members Meeting 02:45 PM-03:00 PM - Member Spotlight, Debi Mason 03:00 PM-03:45 PM - Keynote Speaker, Laurie McLean ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA WRITER'S CLUB For more than a hundred years, the Berkeley California Writers Club has educated writers of all abilities in the craft and business of writing. Our purpose is to promote fellowship and to provide practical information that supports writers in achieving their publishing goals. The Berkeley Branch is the founding branch of the statewide [Club](http://calwriters.org/), which now has [23 branches](https://calwriters.org/cwcbranches/) and around 2000 members throughout California.