Palm Springs Writers Guild upcoming events

Summer Writing Contest (Friday, May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Announcing our next Contest

Summer Writing Contest: Coachella Valley

Challenge Registration Opens: May 8, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 8, 2026

About
Submit a maximum 2,500 word short story, non-fiction essay, play or poem specific to or loosely inspired by the environs and/or denizens of the Coachella Valley. Compete for recognition or pay extra to receive edits and written feedback from a professional editor! There may be a winner in each above listed genre.

PLEASE SEE THE RULES AND JUDGING CRITERIA BELOW.

We look forward to reading your entries!

Entry Submission Rules

Be sure to comply with all requirements. As with most professional writing submissions, there is no leeway on the rules. Questions? Please contact: kvhoffman@att.net.

1. Must be a member of Palm Springs Writers Guild with current, active status.
2. Entries accepted between the opening date and submission deadline posted above.
3. Please enter contest by registering online with a $40 entry fee for each entry; you can enter up to 3 times. Submit multiple entries separately.
4. Each entry is 2,500 word maximum
5. Must be submitted as a MS Word document
6. One inch margins, double-spaced
7. 12-point Times Roman or Times New Roman
8. Indented paragraphs
9. Title must be included in the document header.
10. Pagination must be included in the document footer.
11. Do not include your name anywhere on the submitted document, only in the body of your e-mail.
12. Please submit your entry as an email attachment and send it to kvhoffman@att.net, no hard copies accepted.
13. The subject line of your email will read PSWG Winter 2026 Contest submission.
14. Blind submission entries are critiqued by a professional editor.
15. For an additional $35.00 entries will be returned with edits and feedback on your story and presentation.
16. There are no refunds for this event.

Winners Will Receive

1. $100.00 and a digital laurel.

2. Announcement in Tuesday Tidings, PSWG Social Media and May Writers Forum.

Judging Criteria

Adherence to all rules above.
Adherence to the theme or prompt.
Compelling and original plot:
a. Traditionally consists of a beginning (exposition), middle (development), and end (climax and resolution).
For fiction and play: compelling and original characters
a. At a minimum, the viewpoint character has dimension, with a substantial stake in the story’s resolution, making the reader care.
b. Dialogue is believable and suited to each character.
For non-fiction essay: compelling topic, supporting material and actionable conclusion.
Consistency of narrative voice:
a. Point of view; first, second, or third person.
b. Level of omniscience: omniscient or all-knowing narrator, limited-omniscient narrator, or non-omniscient “objective” narrator.
Fundamental writing skills:
a. Spelling. Punctuation. Grammar. Usage.
The writer’s “secret sauce” that, when blended with the above criteria, makes the story stand out. For example:
a. Artistry and clarity of language.
b. Creation of mood through setting, description, and detail.
c. Distinctness of voice.

Interested in becoming a PSWG Member? Click this button JOIN

Free Write and Mingle (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Camaraderie, Creativity & Cocktails

Free Write and Mingle

Join fellow members to write and socialize! We will have writing prompts to spark our imagination, then transition to happy hour!
Registration is not required for this free event, and please feel free to bring a guest!

Location:
849 Restaurant and Lounge
849 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Registration is not required for this free event, but it would be nice if you did.

Members only. Feel free to bring a guest.

Free Write begins at 3:30 p.m.
Mingle begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. (see below)
Attend either or both.

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild?
Please click here.

Event Contact: Eduardo Santiago (323) 377-9730
santiagogo@aol.com

What's So Funny? Writing Satire with Bob Balmer (Friday, May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Announcing our next Online Lab

What's So Funny? Writing Satire

with Bob Balmer

“What’s so Funny? A Workshop About Satire”

Bob Balmer is a retired award winning teacher. His writing has appeared in the Smithsonian, Golf Illustrated, ZYZZYVA, the Oregonian, Oregon Coast Magazine, the Seattle Times and other print media. It has aired on MarketPlace, the Savvy Traveler and Oregon Public Radio and Television. He has facilitated workshops for the Palm Springs Writers Guild, Thurber House, Fishtrap, Writing in the West, Write on the Sound, South Coast Writers Conference and for other writing organizations and festivals, his bailiwick being humor.

Description:

Some things are so ridiculous they deserve skewering. Other things are so relentlessly harmful and yet ignored that writers find another way to grab people’s attention vis-à-vis the problem. (Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” comes to mind.

Five Key Points to Take Away

Identifying a subject worthy of satire.
Discerning the difference of knowing what's funny and what's funny with a message..
Choosing a subject worthy of discussion and debate.
Learning the difference between punching up and punching down.
Ensuring that your satire, even if absurd, makes a salient point..

Location: Zoom Online Meeting

To receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation processing fee, attendees must cancel their registration 5 days before the event. No refunds will be given after that time. To cancel your registration, go to palmspringswritersguild.org and click on the blue icon at the top right of any page. Enter user name and password and click "LOG IN". On the next screen click "My event registrations". Select event and cancel registration.

Unable to attend, no problem, all paid registrants will receive a video replay.

You will receive an invitation to the Zoom online meeting after you have registered and payment is complete.

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Ariella Moon
authorariellamoon@gmail.com

Free Write and Mingle (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Camaraderie, Creativity & Cocktails

Free Write and Mingle

TUESDAYS!
HOST: Eduardo Santiago

Location:
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort
45000 Indian Wells Lane
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(442) 305-4500

Registration is not required for this free event, but we'd appreciate it if you did.

Members only. Feel free to bring a guest.

Free Write begins at 3:30 p.m.
Mingle begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m.
Attend either or both.

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild?
Please click here.

Event Contact: Eduardo Santiago (323) 377-9730
(323) 377-9730 santiagogo@aol.com

LITERARY SCAMS: Protect yourself from cons, clones, and crooks (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Announcing our upcoming

JUNE Writers Panel

In-person monthly gathering. Come experience our new panel discussions and member-to-member knowledge sharing!

LITERARY SCAMS: Protect yourself from cons, clones & crooks

Description:

If that email about your book from an agent, producer, or editor sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In the age of AI, cons are getting slicker, faster, and far more convincing. From too-good-to-be-true film deals to emails that mimic your voice (or your agent’s), today’s nogoodniks are armed with technology that can flatter you, fool you, and fleece you.

In this straight-talking panel, we’ll expose the most common scams targeting writers, how AI is supercharging the grift, and the red flags you need to spot before your big “break” breaks you.

Panelists: Kristina Hoffman, screenwriter, and Carlotta Rinke (novelist). Moderator: TBA.

The meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at noon.

This event is free for all members. Registration not necessary.

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes. Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Eduardo Santiago
santiagogo@aol.com

Cross-Platform Storytelling in Practice (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Announcing our next In-Person Workshop

CROSS-PLATFORMS: STORYTELLING IN PRACTICE

By: Sudi Rick Karatas

The author of several books, including Rainbow Relatives: Real World Stories & Advice on How to Talk to Kids About LGBTQ Families & Friends, How Catering Sucked the Life Right Out of Me, and Fork Social Media and The Algorithm It Rode in On (Jailbird Stories)

He is also the writer and producer of the film currently on Amazon Prime: Walk a Mile in My Pradas, A ghost writer for the memoir book "Changing the Stars" by Cody Renegar, and a songwriter with the award-winning Videos All I Want for Christmas Is You and Gone, and Singing Under the Influence (S.U.I.)

www.sudirick.com

Click here to see Sudi's interview with NBC Palm Springs

Presentation Overview:

In this dynamic workshop, Sudi Rick Karatas will discuss cross-platform storytelling and creative longevity, guiding participants through how ideas evolve and survive across books, screenplays, music, and visual media. Drawing on his experience as an author, screenwriter, producer, and songwriter, he would unpack the practical realities of adaptation, collaboration, pitching, and the often messy process of getting creative work into the public sphere, while emphasizing how to maintain a consistent voice across wildly different formats.

Takeaways:

Identify and articulate how a single core idea can be effectively adapted across multiple platforms while preserving narrative integrity.
Recite practical strategies for navigating adaptation, collaboration, and pitching from real-world examples of projects developed, produced, and distributed across different industries.
Develop tools to maintain a consistent creative voice across diverse formats, even when working with different collaborators, audiences, and commercial constraints.
Understand the creative lifecycle, including the challenges, tradeoffs, and resilience required for long-term creative longevity.

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Dak Kopec

Email: DakKopec@mac.com

Retreat to the Heat 26 (Sunday, June 28, 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild invites you to Retreat to the Heat

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting your journey, our annual retreat is designed to help you unlock your full potential in the serene desert oasis of Palm Springs, California. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, our retreat offers the perfect balance of instruction, inspiration, and relaxation.

Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Palm Springs during the summer – the ideal time to recharge and focus on your craft. Over three enriching mornings, you'll gain invaluable insights from acclaimed writers, learning tools and techniques to help you achieve your writing goals. In the afternoons, put these strategies to work in your own writing as you receive personalized guidance and support.

Evenings are for connecting with fellow writers, whether over a delicious meal at one of Palm Springs' many renowned restaurants just steps away, or by unwinding at the pool under the vast desert sky. Let the warm breeze and star-filled nights spark your creativity, or simply relax and recharge.

Come for the writing. Stay for the inspiration.

The $1100 Retreat to the Heat registration fee includes a luxurious three-night stay at the stylish Hotel Zoso in the vibrant heart of downtown Palm Springs, daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks to keep you energized throughout your stay, all expert workshops, feedback, and presentations, and more.

Immerse yourself in inspiring workshops led by three acclaimed PSWG fiction authors and gain invaluable insights from a farewell keynote by husbands NY Times best-selling author Steven Rowley and Emmy Award-winning journalist and novelist Byron Lane. Learn the essential do’s and don’ts to help you navigate your writing journey with confidence.

Author Branding & Your Book Marketing Roadmap (Saturday, February 06, 2027)

Sat, 06 Feb 2027 20:30:00 GMT

Announcing our next In-Person Workshop

Author Branding & Your Book Marketing Roadmap

By: Jeniffer Thompson

Jeniffer Thompson is an author branding coach, book marketing strategist, and publishing consultant. She co-founded Monkey C Media in 2004, an award-winning book cover and website design studio, hosts The Premise podcast, and is co-founder of the San Diego Writers Festival.

Jeniffer is passionate about helping authors establish highly visible brands. She and her husband, Chad, co-founded Monkey C Media in 2004 and have been creating award-winning book cover designs and author websites ever since. They specialize in author services that integrate digital marketing strategies and engage readers all over the world.

She is a co-founder of the San Diego Writers Festival, serves on the board of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association, and is currently writing her own coming of age memoir.

www.JenifferThompson.com

Presentation Overview:

Build a sustainable author brand that grows with you.

Book marketing isn’t just about selling books—it’s about building an audience of loyal readers and being known. In this workshop, Jeniffer shows you how to elevate your authority, design your personal brand, and increase your online visibility. You’ll leave with practical tools to build your three-year roadmap and guide your publishing career to new heights.

Takeaways:

Identify your audience and the influencers who reach them
Refine your brand story for maximum impact
Create content that builds loyalty and visibility

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Dak Kopec

Email: DakKopec@mac.com