About the Club

The California Writers Club (CWC) is a nonprofit professional organization open to writers. Its purpose is to provide writing and marketing information and to promote fellowship. Our members are writers of book-length novels, short stories, nonfiction articles and books, poetry, and scripts for television, movies, radio productions, and plays. Other members are nationally recognized editors, newspaper journalists, columnists, photojournalists, editors, and literary agents. The majority of members are published. The aim of the organization is to provide information to enable all members to achieve that status.

The Club started with Jack London and his writing friends in the early 1900s. They met informally until 1909, when the Club was founded, with London’s friend, Austin Lewis, as its first president.

During its history, CWC projects have included the publication of anthologies, the planting of many trees honoring major California writers in Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park, and weekly literary talks during the Golden Gate International Exposition at Treasure Island. The Club has also been active in the restoration of Jack London’s quarters at Jack London State Historic Park.

A central board provides unity and cohesiveness among the fourteen statewide branches that are composed of over 1,000 members. Individual branches meet monthly (except in July and August) to hear writers, editors, teachers, publishers, and agents speak on the publishing industry. Both published and non-published guests and the public are welcome at branch meetings. Many branches also sponsor workshops, support and critique groups, and contests.

Current Berkeley Branch Officers

President: Al Levenson ( )
Vice President: Dave Sawle
Treasurer: Ken Frazer ( )
Secretary: Evelyn Washington

Board Members and Chairs

Membership: Open
Newsletter: Editor, Tina Stinnett ( ); Copyeditor, Anne Fox; Contributor, David Baker
Program: Al Levenson
Publicity: Anne Fox
Hospitality: Tina Stinnett
Board Members: Barbara Ruffner

All board members and chairs can be contacted at

Our mailing address is:
Berkeley Branch, California Writers Club
P.O. Box 15014
Oakland, CA 94614

Web Master: Stan Sciortino


Go to: Top of Page Home
Membership Benefits Requirements Application