Writers Helping Writers
Showcase Interviews CWC President Roger Lubeck
President of the CWC Roger C. Lubeck. Ph.D. has written 11 published novels, two business books, two dozen short stories, a collection of poetry, and two performed short plays. He taught classes in Psychology at the university level for 15 years and has 25 years of consulting experience in leadership and management. He has an abiding commitment to the value of writers’ organizations—particularly this one. We asked him why.
Showcase: Do you have a few favorite success stories?
Lubeck: Across the branches there are member success stories every month. New publications, awards, contests, performed work, only to mention areas of success as writers. Personally, I am very competitive, so I am proud of my 20 NaNoWriMo 50,000-word novels written in 30 days. Having a 10-minute play “Lean and Hungry” produced and performed on a stage and a different play “You Have Won” performed on nine different occasions by a reader’s theater group are writing highlights.
Showcase: What goals do you have for the CWC in the near future?
Lubeck: Increased new membership and strong member retention are always goals. We are conducting a survey to determine member publications. My goal is to increase the opportunities for our members to write and be published. Part of that goal is to better publicize our members’ success.
Showcase: What can members expect from their branches? From the statewide organization?
Lubeck: Anthologies, professional presenters, workshop, contests, and salons have become regular features of most branches. The branches serve as a social environment in which writers can meet with and support other writers. Statewide, we will offer more opportunities for poets and prose writers to be published, writing contests and challenges, and high-level workshop, both free and for a fee. Finally, we want to identify and profile our published authors as we help our members who want to be published.
Showcase: From its inception, the CWC has had a tradition of writing helping writers. Please expand on this.
Lubeck: I have been a member of CWC and the Redwood Writers for 10 years. I have always felt welcome and supported as a writer. Members can take part in branch events as much as they please. A little or a lot. Our outreach efforts to our communities are an essential part of our branches. In the early days, the CWC focused on promoting high-quality writing and publications among its members. My goal is to ensure we have support and education useful to all types and levels of writers. Our presentations and workshop support those writers who seek to improve their craft as those who want to learn the new realities of the business of writing.
Showcase: The CWC has just over 2000 members. How many of them have publishing credits – book, magazines, TV, theater, and radio? What about if we include blogs and the like?
Lubeck: As I mentioned we are conducting a member survey of writing and publications. Several years ago, I conducted a survey of the members in Redwood Writers, our largest branch, with over 250 members. Greater than 50% of the members had one or more published works.
In 2024, we will answer that question for all members in the CWC. Currently, the branch websites often list and profile their published authors. After reviewing these lists, it is my expectation, when we count total publications, we will have a list of hundreds if not thousands of books and novels and certainly thousands of published poems and stories.
Showcase: Anything we’ve left out?
Lubeck: One of the most important elements of a successful club like ours is our level of member volunteering. In terms of meetings and special events, most branches have no issues. However, having new member serve on branch board or as a CWC branch representative is always a challenge. I encourage our members to attend board meetings and fill any open positions.