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Central Valley
Fiction Writers
Central Valley
Fiction Writers
Central Valley Fiction Writers (CVFW) provides education and support for writers located in California’s Central Valley region, from Stockton to Bakersfield.
Fiction Writers
make it up as they go!
See Writers' Journal Below
Upcoming
Activities
Meetings held on 2nd Saturday of the month
Upcoming 2026 Meetings
Members' Latest Publications, Honors and Interviews
John Bowers Book, Sirian Summer made a list of best Western Sci Fi Novels. Check it out HERE!
Catch a great review of Nannette's book, Deception's Edge HERE.
Vicki Thomas' 4th in her Young adult Fantasy The Relic Adventures is soon to be published.
Topics 2026
January -
- Writing Fabulous Flash Fiction -
Prepare for the CVFW Flash Fiction Contest
Coming Soon!
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Link HERE to Author Interviews Upcoming Book Signings
Highlights of Our Group's Traditional and Indie Publications
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Exciting Excerpts from Members Published Books
Fiction Writers
make it up as they go!
Teaser from Whispers in the Wind
A mysterious death, a psychic vision, and a determined female investigator in a unique mystery novel.
Excerpt from Deception's Edge by Nannette Potter
Gloria wheeled on Blade. “Girl, you’re a hot mess tonight. What’s gotten into you? I’m not about to let you start a brawl. Not again.”
“I-I didn’t mean to—”
“I’m just trying to earn a living, and bartending at Gators isn’t exactly my dream job.” Gloria took hold of Blade’s arm and pulled her close. “The last time you were here, I almost got canned. You and that Brit, taking off and leaving me to explain to the cops why there were several people with injuries. No wonder you’re here alone. Get it together and consider yourself 86’d.”
Blade couldn’t argue. Her life was crap, and she had only herself to blame. The inheritance from her mother should have helped; Vivienne had left her millions in investments and an estate in Tuscany. But Blade couldn’t rest easy until Alec was found. Her need for justice had turned into an obsession.
After paying her tab and slipping a fifty-dollar bill into Mick’s breast pocket, she stepped outside into the fresh air and stood by her motorcycle, parked at the curb. It was still relatively warm outside, although a cool breeze lifted the tendrils of hair that had escaped from her ponytail.
Gloria’s words hit home. Instead of celebrating her birthday with Chase and the Soldati, the people who had offered her a home and a purpose, here she stood in New Orleans again, like a broken record repeating itself. Had she subconsciously hoped that Alec would be here?
Click Here for full excerpt.
CVFW Blog
The Writer's Journal
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This month's Pinned Journal Why do Writers Write?.
CVFW - why do YOU write? What makes a Storyteller?
Excerpt from Deadly Relations, by Rhonda D. Herb
When the pistol shot rang out, the peacock screamed.
Such an annoying sound, the man thought with disgust. Such annoying birds. But Amanda Carter, protector of the environment, liked everything feathered and furry. No matter that the peacock sounded like it was the murdered party. Fortunately, there was no one around to hear that dreadful cry. No one, at least, but the hawks and owls and remnants of the eagle population that inhabited this remote place.
Killing the man was the only tricky part of the operation. The rest, the act of covering up the murder, was child's play, for it had been carefully planned and even rehearsed over a 12-month period.
Pistol. . . smudged with the dead man's prints, arranged artfully next to his body.
Brandy glasses. . . washed, returned to the tray.
Suicide note. . . painstakingly planned word for word. It had taken some effort to get Richard Carter to write the message he had dictated, but faced with the barrel of the gun, the old man had complied.
Click Here for full excerpt
Excerpt from
Click Here for full excerpt.
Teaser from Killing Time in Huntington Lake Upcoming Book Signing
Peace and serenity at Huntington Lake are shattered when a boat explodes on the lake and a man is found dead next to the sinking vessel. The incident results in Private Eye Virgil Cook, along with fellow PI Nick Simon, getting hired to investigate the theft of millions of dollars of construction equipment. The thieves have targeted operations in the mountain communities of three adjoining counties. Authorities are baffled about who’s responsible. Both PIs are summoned to a meeting at a Sheriff’s Substation. Afterwards, Virgil is hospitalized when an explosion rocks the Substation parking lot. Business owners face soaring insurance rates or insurance cancellation due to their staggering losses. Circling vultures near Huntington Lake lead Virgil and Nick to the victim of the latest episode of violence. Time is running out for the two PIs to unmask the heinous killer.
Excerpt from The Healer's Secret byRhonda D. Herb
Prologue
The door was stubborn, inflexible.
Can a door be stubborn? Why not? Buildings take on the characteristics of people, or so the Hopi believe. A structure is more than a physical entity; it’s an environment impacted by the experiences of all its inhabitants, past and present. People, their ancestors, and their surroundings, combine with spiritual significance. Respecting those elements is vital for harmony and balance.
Cate respected that door so much, she set her shoulder against the ancient wood and shoved with all her might.
She was meant to be here, she assured herself.
Click Here for full excerpt.
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