The History of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild

Thanks to the founders, since the winter of 1979 the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild has provided a place to relieve the feelings Hemingway expressed when he remarked, "Writing is a lonely occupation." In doing so the  Guild has proudly played an important role as part of the San Diego writing  scene. People from all over the region come in search of support and to share  their talents.

As a practical matter the Guild is a support group that serves many professionals as well as those new-to-writing. We run the gamut of every type and genre: poets and playwrights; novelists and storytellers; journalists; biographers and writers of fables. We have carried on the ideals of the founders by offering the best support and encouragement we can possibly supply. We have  also grown as a collaborative partner in the larger San Diego writing community.

But, it wasn't always that way.

The story of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild is one of struggle and  fortitude by a bunch of gutsy women who got us started, and many who have continued the effort. In the fall of 1978 our founder, Rhoda Riddell returned to San Diego from the East Coast. She yearned to find a group of compatible souls who, like her friends in the Word Guild in New York would share the joys and travails of a freelance writer's life. She advertised for writers in The Reader and was inundated by people seeking work. A dozen or so accepted her invitation to meet as an informal support group.

Prudy Wood, who continues to be a member, hosted some of the early meetings in her La Jolla home. The group began with occasional potlucks and Saturday lunches with speakers, but many meetings were simply "happy hours" held on the first Monday evening each month. Local editors and agents cruised these meetings, and many contacts leading to assignments were  made. The vision was to allow anyone to join, published or not, and form a  network to support writers whatever their various motives were to put pen to  paper.

Like most startups, the first few years required entrepreneurial fortitude.  Early leaders like Betty Dodds, Betty Smith, Peggy Lipscomb, and Betty Jurus stepped up to bat to ensure survival. They formally organized as the San Diego Writers Guild with Betty Dodds as director leading a Council of six other  members. Soon after, the group appointed Betty Smith as treasurer, a post she  faithfully held for many years.

On September 20, 1980 the Guild held their first conference on the subject of "Successfully Cracking the Writing Market." Speakers included editors from San Diego Magazine and The Reader as well as Don Freeman of the San Diego Union and Guild members Igor Lobanov and Bruce Gibney.

In early 1981 the name was changed to "San Diego Writers/Editors Guild."

In 1982 the Guild began having writers retreats at such places as Rancho La  Puerta, the Rosarita Beach hotel, and Murieta Hot Springs.

Through the years the leadership has changed. Presidents Rhoda Riddell, Betty  Dodds, Lois Horowitz, Marsh Cassady, Betty Juras, Barbara Sack, Lynn Ford, Olin Thompson, Gene Wentz, Kim Tucker, John Davis and Judy Edelblute, Paul Darby, Bob Doublebower, Carl Nelson, Gered Beeby and Ruth Ritchie have all provided able administration. Members have  come and gone, but our goals remain constant: we offer networking and  understanding of the writer's special life, encouragement to keep going, and help in developing needed skills.

At its January 1998 meeting the Guild honored Rhoda Riddell with its "Founders" Award, while Betty Dodds, Betty Smith (posthumous), Peggy Lipscomb and Betty Juras received the "Builders" Award.

Our 25th year anniversary party, held in 2004, was a giant success. With a turn-out of more than 100 people, we celebrated a dinner fit for royalty at the Admiral Kidd Club.

In the beginning, Rhoda and the others had the vision and determination to kick-start San Diego's writing community. It was a hell of a start because more than twenty years later our town is well known as fertile soil for the development of accomplished and successful writers, many of whom found their way to success through the Guild. We expect to continue our leadership role and make contributions for the writing arts among the greater San Diego cultural arts community.