Writer in Residence

I'm honored to be the first Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park with the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC)! The CWC is one of the nation's oldest professional clubs for writers, dedicated to educating writers of all levels and disciplines in the craft and business of writing, with 22 branches across the state.

The history of the Club and the Park are deeply intertwined. The CWC was formed by civic-minded literary figures and "bohemians" (a term coined by Bret Harte), who would gather on the land when it belonged to the Joaquin Miller. (Miller, using his poetic license, called and spelled it “The Hights”.) The CWC, which formed in Oakland in 1909 by members of the Alameda Press Club by friends of Joaquin Miller, was incorporated in 1913, the year he died, and was instrumental in the city’s purchase of Miller’s land to create the spectacular city park.

In the 1930s, members of the Club were also a driving force in initiating the WPA project that built the beautiful cascades and the Woodminster Amphitheater. Miller, who was passionate about nature, referred to nature, "the minister of the woods" as his wise and highest counsel.

The park, which now hosts many thousands of visitors per year who hike, picnic, exercise dogs, ride horses and bikes, and attend theater programs, is beloved by and cared for by a group of volunteers representing all of the stakeholders. Friends of Joaquin Miller Park (FOJMP) meets monthly and hosts volunteer work days, focusing on "the 8 R's," action items around the Park's vitality.

During my time as "WIR," my goals are to write in the park one day a week, complete the book version of my song, "Joaquin Miller Went Walkin'," and host several literary events for and with the CWC. (The first of them was "A Blanket and a Basket of Chow" on October 9th, 2021, featuring Oakland's first poet laureate, Ayodele Nzinga). I also host monthly writing retreats for the public.

My intention this year is to build out this residency program so that the CWC will be able to sustain it annually, creating a community of writers who consider the hill a home base, and their time there a part of history. Please contact the Berkeley Branch president if you would like to sponsor a future writer.

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Read more about the history of the California Writers Club here

Read about California Writers Week here

Volunteer for Friends of Joaquin Miller Park here

Follow my blog here!

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Kristen Caven




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