Blogging Groups San Francisco

Take Time to Write at Cafenated Coffee

Let's meet up to write on Sunday at Cafenated Coffee on Vine Street in Berkeley. Anyone who writes is welcome! We'll be inside of the cafe, and I'll have a sign saying "Take Time to Write". We'll write in two 50-minute blocks, with breaks in between and after. Come find us between 10 and 10:30 to get set up in time for our first one at 10:30. Schedule: 10:00 - arrive, get drinks, chat 10:30 - first focused writing block 11:20 - break 10:30 - second writing block 12:20 - finish, optionally hang out About the location: There will be wifi and some (limited) outlets. We'll be indoors, but they typically leaves the doors open so that the space is well-ventilated. The casual restaurant offers coffee, tea, bottled drinks, and a wide range cooked food. Please buy something to support them! About the group: Anyone who writes is welcome -- novelists, playwrights, academics, journalers. This isn't a critique group, and there's no pressure to share your work. We're here for camaraderie, moral support, and friendly peer pressure, so you can focus on taking time to do what you love to do. This meetup is for people who want to write! Take some time to sit down with other writers and focus on your work. We're here for camaraderie, moral support, and friendly peer pressure, so you can focus on taking time to do what you love to do. Anyone who writes is welcome -- novelists, playwrights, academics, journalers. This isn't a critique group, and there's no pressure to share your work. We meet in the East Bay and use the pomodoro method, with blocks of focused writing and breaks to socialize in between. Come join us!

Spiritualism and its Evidential Theologies

Three Books, Zero Pressure: Book Club Kickoff

This is the first meeting for this book club. I have chosen the following three books as they are popular, notorious classics across completely different genres, and most people would've read (or at least heard of) them! > **Please note:** You do **not** need to read all three books! Just having read (or being familiar with) **any one** of these books is more than enough to join the conversation. Here is our inaugural trio: * **[The Alchemist](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144590-the-alchemist)** by Paulo Coelho * **[The Great Gatsby](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18401910-the-great-gatsby)** by F. Scott Fitzgerald * **[Neuromancer](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6088007-neuromancer)** by William Gibson

Blood on the Clocktower in Mission Bay!

Our next Genentech Hall event will be on **Sunday** August 9th! We usually have 2-3 games going on, there will always be a circle for any newcomers! We expect about 30-40 people to RSVP on Discord. Let us know if there is any particular script you want to play or if you want to storytell! **Please review and be familiar with our [best practices](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15WL2Da0003h5V-5p_JRNxjJ_gLsl2KKFzkfxyNM7K6E/edit?usp=sharing).** Call 510-457-1355 or ping Felicia (@crimson_flowers), Lily (@lilyblep) or Jim/ddz (@ddz7137) on Discord in the event thread if you need to get in or are lost. Make sure to have us added as friends as we don't get notifications for friend requests. A good number of attendees arrive between 11:00-11:30, but people come and go throughout the day, so feel free to show up and leave whenever you like - no need to be there for the whole day. If you text or call us, please give your Meetup/Discord name (some people both call and message on Discord and it's unclear whether we've already picked them up or not). Please come to the side entrance (not the main entrance) when you search for 1705 Owens St on Google Maps. You need badge access to enter so contact us to get inside. See [these images](https://imgur.com/a/roVuZ3S) for entrance location and parking details. There will be snacks and drinks and feel free to order food. The area has free and paid parking. Free parking is around a 5 min walk from Genentech Hall (near Mississippi and 17th). Join the [California Clocktower discord](https://discord.gg/ACwrXxtWyY) for more events!

Write the Docs Bay Area Unconference!

# ​✍️ Write the Docs Bay Area Unconference ​Inspired by the Write the Docs Portland Unconference, we're excited to bring this community-driven format to Berkeley for the first time. ​**No presentation is required.** Come to share ideas, ask questions, or simply listen and learn. Whether you're new to documentation or a seasoned professional, everyone is welcome. ​Instead of scheduled talks, attendees will help shape the agenda and participate in small-group discussions on the topics that matter most to today's documentation community. ## ​Why Attend? * ​Learn practical ideas from peers facing similar challenges. * ​Share your experiences and ask questions in a collaborative setting. * ​Meet technical communicators from across the Bay Area. * ​Help shape future Write the Docs Bay Area events. ## ​Discussion Ideas ​The agenda is created by attendees at the start of the event. Here are a few ideas to get the conversation started: * ​🤖 AI & Agent-Ready Documentation * ​📝 Docs-as-Code & Documentation Automation * ​🔌 API Documentation & Developer Experience * ​🏗️ Information Architecture & Content Strategy * ​🌍 Localization & Scaling Documentation * ​💼 Career Growth, Job Searching & AI * ​🧠 Domain Expertise & SME Collaboration ​Have another topic in mind? Bring it! The best conversations often come from ideas attendees are excited to explore. ## ​Confirmed Facilitators * ​**Doug Purcell** – Technical Writer, Supermicro * ​**Clarence Cromwell** – Technical Writing Manager, Black Duck Software * ​**Jared Bhati** – Senior Staff Technical Writer, Waymo ​Interested in leading a discussion? ​**Sign up to be a facilitator:** [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd12RdGR2_j5_x0H8p5TDSmSadSaWjdfPqOeIGNEjeYcQvg8A/viewform](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd12RdGR2_j5_x0H8p5TDSmSadSaWjdfPqOeIGNEjeYcQvg8A/viewform?utm_source=luma) ## ​What to Expect * ​Help shape the agenda with the community. * ​Choose from **two facilitator-led discussion tables** during each breakout session. * ​Join two interactive discussions and exchange ideas with peers. * ​Connect with technical communicators from across the Bay Area. ​**You'll leave with new ideas, practical takeaways, and meaningful connections with documentation professionals from across the Bay Area.** ## ​Agenda ​**🕐 1:00–1:15 PM** **Check-In & Networking** Meet fellow attendees before we get started. ​**🗳️ 1:15–1:30 PM** **Welcome &** Topic Proposals & Voting Learn how the unconference works, suggest discussion topics, and vote on the conversations you'd like to join. ​**💬 1:30–2:15 PM** **Breakout Session 1** Choose from **two facilitator-led discussion tables**. ​**☕ 2:15–2:25 PM** **Refreshment Break** Stretch, network, and switch discussion groups. ​**💬 2:25–3:10 PM** **Breakout Session 2** Join another discussion table or continue exploring a topic of interest. ​**📢 3:10–3:30 PM** **Community Takeaways** Facilitators share key insights and highlights from each discussion. ​**🤝 3:30–4:00 PM** **Networking & Closing** Meet fellow attendees, exchange contact information, and hear about upcoming Write the Docs Bay Area events. ​**☕ After 4:00 PM (Optional)** **Coffee or Late Lunch Nearby** Keep the conversations going at a nearby café or restaurant. ​See comments and pictures from past events!

LEARN ASTROLOGY 101 WORKSHOP THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CHART READING: LIVE

**Astrology 101: Unlock Your Cosmic Blueprint** Join us for a hour in a half online workshop designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of western astrology and empower you to read your own natal birth chart. Whether you're a total beginner or curious to deepen your understanding, you’ll learn the meanings of the planets, signs, houses, and aspects—and how they all come together to reveal your soul’s unique path. We’ll also explore how to apply this knowledge to current transits so you can navigate life with more clarity, purpose, and alignment. Come discover the cosmic language that’s been written just for you! You will leave having a clear understanding of the basics of astrology chart reading and then we will talk, apply what you learned to your personal chart. Then we can all mingle after enjoying astrology conversations, I'll be taking any unanswered questions and connecting with like minded peeps. I offer a prerecorded video webinar for $55 click this link https://payhip.com/b/eKX8Z

The Future of Technical Documentation

Join us for an evening of practical talks and networking as we explore the future of the technical writing profession. We will continue the evening at a local bar for drinks and networking, sponsored by Twilio. Featured talks: ​**Talk title: Creating Agent-Ready Documentation** **Description**: Learn how to design documentation that works for both human readers and AI agents. We'll cover practical strategies for scalable information architecture, versioning, localization, search, and other best practices for modern documentation teams. ​**Bio**: Doug Purcell is a technical writer with experience documenting cybersecurity platforms, enterprise software, and high-performance SuperServers that power the AI infrastructure behind today's largest technology companies. Beyond his work in technical documentation, he serves as the organizer of Write the Docs Bay Area. **Talk title:** Mind the gap: Docs coverage at scale ​**Description:** The future of docs means staying visible in an AI-first landscape. As users pivot from traditional search to asking AI engines about their business needs, documentation teams must evolve to ensure content remains accurate and findable. In this session, Sarah Simpers introduces a data-driven framework she developed to 'mind the gaps' in docs coverage at scale. You will learn how to leverage AI to build automated content inventories, conduct gap analysis, and implement actionable strategies to improve both breadth (discovery/SEO) and depth (beginner to expert). Most importantly, Sarah demonstrates that you don't need to be a coding expert to build these tools, providing a practical blueprint for keeping your documentation comprehensive and visible in an AI-first world. ​**Bio:** Sarah Simpers is a Staff Developer Educator at Twilio. With over twelve years of experience in IT, databases, and technical writing, she’s done a little of everything across both the technical and writing sides of "tech writing." In her current role, she works on documentation to solve developer problems and enables them to build great things. In her spare time, she builds apps to solve her own problems, like a Twilio app to organize her life.

AI "Agents". — Power Walk

A Power Walk is the easiest way to meet people in your space and get 6,000 steps in at the same time. Build real in-person connections without wasting time. Important: This is a walking and talking event where the group keeps moving. The host will not be on the phone to coordinate with latecomers. The event starts sharp. No waiting. Arrive 10 minutes early. Get on the host's list https://www.staaake.in/staaake Vote & suggest the event title, date, time and location: https://powerwalkmeets.com/cri3343

Will Beauty Save the World?

Why can beauty move us so deeply, sometimes almost like pain? In this meetup, we’ll explore beauty not simply as a property of things, but as an experience that reveals something intimate about ourselves. Together, we’ll talk about joy, memory, ordinary rituals, and whether beauty can help us rediscover meaning in a world that often feels indifferent. The discussion will be based on [this short essay](https://www.micheleriva.it/writings/on-beauty-and-the-world-at-six-in-the-morning). **No philosophy background needed. Come curious.** Original material: *[On Beauty and the World at Six in the Morning](https://www.micheleriva.it/writings/on-beauty-and-the-world-at-six-in-the-morning)*. [Join the event on Luma too](https://luma.com/the-h2wv)!

Sit Down and Write

Writers write. And if you haven't written in a room full of writers writing, you haven't lived! It's a nice feeling, at the least. 11:00 a.m. Arrive, find a spot, support our patron by purchasing a beverage and/or snack and tipping well. Then socialize until writing-time begins! A few minutes before, we'll go around the circle introducing ourselves, our writing passions, and our goal for the day. 11:15 a.m. The organizer will start the clock, and for the next 1 hour conversation shall be discontinued as everyone works on whatever writing or reading (or what-have-you) strikes his or her fancy. The key here is a nice, courteous quiet. Headphones are recommended. 12:15 p.m. Writing-time ends. You're welcome to continue writing, resume socializing, hail a cab, do whatever you want, because you're an adult.

Final Fridays - Writers' Social

BINGO Online (Win Prizes!)

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13625#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13625#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13625#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13625#tix)