A few of us (well, two) aspiring science fiction/fantasy writers were looking for a serious critique and write-sharing group to join. We thought, hey, lots of people in Berkeley must love sci-fi...we just have to find them and get them in a cafe. The group is open to anyone who is writing in the genre or who enjoys it enough to read other people's writing and provide serious and supportive critique. What kind of writing? Screenplays, novels, short stories, YA...you name it. We share our writing …

The goal of Oakland Authors is to create a virtual and physical place for East Bay writers to gather, exchange ideas, and help each other in any way needed. The publishing industry as a whole is struggling. It’s up to us to decide if it dies or reinvents itself. The modern author doesn’t have the luxury of being able to retreat to write, letting others do the work of editing, producing and distributing books, coding e-books, or marketing him or herself. We at Oakland Authors hope that by banding …

This group is for folks in the East Bay/Oakland area who want to read the works of this American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic James Baldwin, then gather together and discuss what we read. For such a long time I, Sharon, have had a fascination with the work of this amazing writer, his vision and the clarity of expressing that vision. Join us in a reading/discussion group exploring one of the major American voices of the 20th century. We will work our way through "The Pr …

Monthly workshops held around the Bay Area to help writers at all levels tap into the power of the creative unconscious in drafting and developing stories, poems, plays, and essays. Led by award-winning instructor Clive Matson.

Started in January 2009, the Breakfast Blogging Club is dedicated to providing a writing environment that’s supportive, educational, productive and fun, so our participants can successfully write for their blogs and build awareness for their businesses. We've held over 20 events so far and blogged with over 150 participants. Each meeting follows a format that combines learning, sharing and taking action. Agenda at our breakfast meetings: 9:00 - Networking, get breakfast 9:15 - Introductio …

Creating and sharing is transformative. Artists, healers and anyone interested in spiritual development is welcome. Our workshops feature artists, writers, spiritual teachers, life coaches, psychotherapists, and wellness professionals who come together to support personal empowerment and healing.

Writing workshops in exotic locales with award-winning instructor Clive Matson, author of "Let The Crazy Child Write!" Open to writers at all levels - all you need is a wish to tap into the power of the creative unconscious in drafting and developing stories, poems, plays, and essays.

Let's be honest: writing is hard, and sometimes scary. Whether you're tackling a novel, a script, a memoir, or a short story, encouragement and positive feedback from other writers not only help you improve your work, but give you an incentive to keep going. You'll also learn a great deal from reading the work of other writers. I've been a writer for forty years, and have worked professionally as a journalist (the Contra Costa Times, and freelance for dozens of other publications), television co …

Confidence Builders towards Enlightenment: is a multi-disciplinary group that covers a range of diverse interest. The group meets and engages in a challenge each session. The concept of the winner takes all, is a perk. I believe to develop and build confidence the MIND must contiuously be challenged. The participants will brainstorm and develop critical thinking exercises, and we will also have light sessions where we share in our creativity. For the poet in us, we share poetry, creative writing …

This group is meant to bring together dedicated and serious writers who value voice, advocacy, experience and artistic written expression. The focus of this group is the feminine experience. That doesn't mean the female experience. It can be the experience or exploration of anything deemed feminine, supposedly feminine, not feminine, etc. Writing can focus on struggling with ideas or concepts of femininity. We will write, share our work, participate in readings and create a community of writers …

This group is for people who are seeking to establish deep spiritual friendships both with others, and with themselves. We will commit to co-creating an atmosphere that offers deep listening, unwavering compassion -- and potentially life-altering challenge to the status quo. This ongoing group will explore and practice ways to 1) Access our deepest wisdom, and 2) More completely integrate and embody that wisdom in all aspects of our lives. In this process, we’ll draw respectfully from many s …

Calling all Alameda Artists! Have you ever wanted to head over to the ferry to sketch the boats, cranes and bright colored shipping containers? Or simply sit in the coffee shop and make quick studies of the patrons? The Alameda Artist Group is for artists in all creative media and practicing at all skill levels. (And you don't have to live in Alameda! we usually meet in Alameda but anyone who wants to sketch and draw and make art is welcome) Inspire others or be inspired, learn new techniques to …

We want to jolt the animal rights movement with activism that is smart, stylish, social-media savvy, and not afraid to shoot for the moon. What's different about us? 1. We dream big. There's an illusion of stability in every system. But find the right pressure point, and the house of cards will fall. 2. We use stories and emotions. We tell stories from the animals’ perspective. Stories to move you. Stories to change the world. 3. We work to inspire activists and activism. Virtuous cycles are the …

I took a wonderful play writing class at The Playwright's Foundation in San Francisco. It gave me an appreciation for the group dynamic that a class offers. Since I am not in the position to take a class at the moment I would love to have a meet up that offers what a class environment does. It is invaluable to the writing process to hear one's words read and being exposed to the ideas others has been a rewarding and enriching experience. I also love the idea of writing in a group setting. This s …

What: A book club for avid romance novel readers. Meetups not exclusively limited to book discussions. My hope is to get to know new people and building some new friendships (most of my friends are in Europe or scattered across the country). Who: Any avid romance novel reader with an open mind and a sense of humor. Why: I haven't been able to find a book club geared towards romance novels (most exclude them), and especially not in the East Bay. I commute a lot during the week for work, so I woul …

Meet, greet, draw, paint and sketch at parks, gardens, museums and cafes. Occasionally we might take a trip to San Francisco, but primarily, this will be centered in the East Bay.

The Transformation Collaborative is a group of about 20 folks of various ages, races, ethnicities, nationalities, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic statuses, religious/spiritual beliefs, educational backgrounds, and work and life experiences with the common experience that pairing transformational education with conscious business/ community/ family is the most exciting, fulfilling, and financially rewarding work to be done in our world right now. It's what we love and what …

This is for people interested in writing one chapter of a novel. The overall narrative has been loosely thought out, but how you want to tell your piece of the story is entirely up to you. When we finish, we will have completed a book, and each of us can be proud of having accomplished something big together. If it is any good, the next step could be working together on getting it published! I came up with the idea of shared novel writing (I'm sure I'm not the first!) after thinking for years ab …

Ex-cons, teachers, hangliders, gunshot survivors, authors, 7-11 worker, etc - all have told stories. Come listen, Come tell. Interactive - nothing like it in the East Bay! www.BustingOutStorytelling.com 4Yrs. in Walnut Creek - now expanding into the amazing Awaken Cafe, downtown Oakland! Come meet others, eat/drink, socialize & hear great stories! 5-6 invited Storytellers, occ stories from audience. Stories are True, No notes, told in under 10minutes. MeetUps, plus others! Visit Website for pa …

Are you a Person of Color who attends Burning Man? Love Burning Man principles and want to see an increase in it's diversity? In this group we'll hang out, meet and greet, and co-collaborate! Non POC allies welcome to attend!

The Liminal Art Salon meetup group is a forum for incubating authentic expression. Its purpose is to guide, stimulate and inspire artists and seekers to renew the spirit and power of true, authentic creative expression. Liminal literally means "threshold". To create from a liminal state is to cross the threshold between everyday reality and the invisible realms of supra rational consciousness. We aim to generate, brainstorm and cultivate ideas, imaginings, creations, events and collaborations. O …

This has quickly become a little gem of an open mic.  Incredibly talented musicians and wonderful people.  Whether you are a musician looking to play or a lover of music, you will enjoy this meet up.  We look forward to meeting you.

An expressive arts group that combines dance movement with collage making. The movement is used to free up the mind so that the creative impulse is not encumbered by the mental process. This has been proven to assist creativity. Collage Experience is for EVERYONE. Whether you consider yourself an artist, writer, or are someone not so comfortable with creative expression, this approach is friendly, fun, noncompetitive, and is designed to stimulate creativity from a deeper source.