Datura

Datura has been meeting in Oakland, CA for over twelve years. Pre-pandemic we met in person, now we meet online except for an occasional social gathering. A number of members have published books of fiction or poetry. Currently J. Sierra, our leader, is querying for publication of a book about about Camilo Cienfuegos, one of the Cuban Revolution’s early heroes. B. Bagnell is querying for a 1974 mystery, Spats & the Cliffs, and other members are in various stages with books or short stories. Meetings are Zoom 7pm 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month and last about 2 hours with suggestions on two 20-page submissions per session. Format is first, what is working, and then on the second round of comments, suggestions for improvement. Types of stories often submitted include YA, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Speculative, SiFi, Magical Realism, Memoir, in other words, we write and read broadly. The group has a variety of members by age. Potential new members are asked to submit 20 or more pages (with synopsis if part of a longer work). We look for members who are capable writers and able to examine the work of others to supply meaningful suggestions in respectful criticism. Members: J. Sierra, T. Pierce, A. Mendelson, L. Korican, L. Weiss, C. Williams-Namboodiri, M. Stilman, M. Natchez, B. Bagnell. As we all have lives, not all members attend each meeting.