Newsletter October 2007 Guild Gram Newsletter: PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley October 2007 MEETING TIME: Sunday, October 7, 2007, 2:30-4:30 P.M. Meeting Location: Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA Sharpen those pencils! It's time to write!!! FIRST MEETING OF SEASON!! Pulitzer Prize winner opens our year: Chris Lopez, Managing Editor of Information and Interactivity for The Desert Sun as well as General Manager of its magazines, will share his journalistic experience. Chris has logged over 20 years on newspapers. His experience has been varied: sports writer, reporter, staff writer, assistant city editor, state and city editor. Imagine some of the stories he has covered! While at The Denver Post, he was a part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Columbine shootings. You can expect an exciting opening talk from Chris! by PHYLLIS COSTELLO Program Chairman GUEST POLICY We always welcome guests! To help defray the costs for our larger facility, we will be charging $5 per guest per meeting. This can be applied toward the annual $40 dues for the Guild membership if guest decides to join the Guild. If you have a book to sell at the meeting contact Eric Spitz (760-770-4708) or note719@aol.com Include your name, name of book, and short blurb. It will be announced before the meeting. PRESIDENT'S LETTER by Dawn Huntley Spitz Greetings Guild members and welcome to the new 2007 season. Once again program chair, Phyllis Costello, has come up with a full palette of interesting and varied speakers for the year. Our first meeting, October 7, will give us a journalistic slant on the craft of writing. We are fortunate to have Chris Lopez, editor of the Desert Sun, as speaker. In November, we'll have the eagerly awaited announcement of the Short Story contest winners and in December a new holiday format. You won't want to miss any of the meetings. Please note that the schedule for payment of dues has been changed. They are payable now at the beginning of the Guild year. For those who paid their dues in January, a prorate of $30 is due now. Dues will not have to paid again until next October. New members will pay the regular rate of $40. A membership form and return envelope have been enclosed in this newsletter for your convenience. Please return it with your payment promptly. It is important that the Guild be able to plan a budget for the upcoming year. Late dues delay this process. I also urge each of you to make a contribution to the Barbara Seranella Memorial Scholarship Fund. We are hopeful of maintaining an ongoing fund substantial enough to provide one or more scholarships to promising students each year. It will help to fulfill our stated goal to "nurture and promote the craft of writing" in the Coachella Valley. It will also help us to achieve tax-exempt status. Please be generous. Finally, Peppertree Book Store will be sponsoring its annual Book Festival on Sunday, November 11, to be held at the Camelot Theatre on Baristo Road in Palm Springs. Tony O'Doherty has been gracious enough to chair the event. Volunteers, and authors who are interested in selling their books, please notify Tony O'Doherty, Festival Chair (todoherty@dc.rr.com, 772-3582) or me (dawnlspitz@aol.com, 770-4708.) I am sure you will find the upcoming events of the Guild calendar both interesting and stimulating. Please support the meetings, the festival, and pay your dues on time. And PLEASE volunteer your services. It is your Guild. Help to keep it strong! The National League of American Pen Women luncheon is the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 11:30. Contact Estelle Shanley for details. 760-771-5849 or estelleshanley@aol.com. SPEAKERS REVIEW by Joanne Hardy The Guild kept to its tradition for the last meeting of the year - a salute to its own authors as well as fortifying all for the coming heat with -- what else, ice cream. Vice President Phyllis Costello, in the absence of President Dawn Spitz, reminded members about the Book Festival sponsored by the Peppertree Book Store which is scheduled this year for November 11 in La Quinta. In addition, she invited authors who had books for sale at the meeting to stand and give their book titles. A motion was made, seconded and carried to change the calendar for dues to cover the period from October 1st to September 30 - a time frame more accurately paralleling the Guild's season. The Vice President then introduced the new board as well as committee chairmen. She then recognized outgoing members for their efforts. The Guild had inaugurated a new tradition this year, that of offering the Barbara Seranella Memorial Award to a high school senior who had shown promise as a young writer. Mary Barrer introduced Alyssa Johnson from the Coachella Valley Unified School District. She is a Native American from the Torres-Martinez tribe. Alyssa has published four articles and she plans to attend UCLA and become a journalist. Phyllis Costello then opened the microphone to members and magnificently choreographed the reader lineup with the precision of a flight controller. First up was Judy Fabris who read "Fishing with the Men in my Life," which was about the annual fishing vacation before WWII. Then Carrie Hutson shared "Poems" about students, dogs and life decisions. Kathryn Jordan read from her work-in-progress "Gladys and Capone," which opened with ninety-year-old Gladys dipping back into her memories of meetings with Capone. Mary Olsen recounted a trip through a million years of miracles on the way to a birthday party. Dennis Boos read poems about "how to live." Mel Benjamin with his "Ape Art" read about the unusual mixed-media used to make the ape art famous. Vicki Mills tried to convince us that "Anybody Can Enjoy Computers," a poem using every new "tech" word available. Fran Kaplan in "Peticure" tells of a girl who pushes the conversation just a bit too far. Harold Kaplan followed with "Picking up Butts in the Alley," which told us about a doctor's quick cure for a cough. Linda Smith's poems covered the spectrum from "Peace" to "Root Canal." Selma Fishman read "A Perfect Day at the Spa" or "We Only Get One Body." Jenny Gumpertz reminded us it is all in the point of view in "Peeling Onions." Judy Davis led us to the other side with "Messages from Those in Attendance." Bill Eads gave us antidotes on what to do after a grueling experience. Mel Harter showed the irony life sometimes presents with "Growing Up in America" -- about a writer being mugged on the night of kristallnacht (Crystal Night.) Jack Griner in his poem, "Highway to Age," saluted aging. The open mic was a good idea, well done and gave many an opportunity to showcase their work. The Vice President thanked all who came - a very substantial number - for the last meeting. She then invited everyone to enjoy ice cream and cookies. Now y'all come back, y'hear. (October 7) Joanne New BOARD Fall 2007 -- Summer 2008 Guest articles from members are welcome. The subject must be on some aspect of writing and no more than 500 words. Hi members! A lot to crow about! Dawn Spitz, has some crowing to do. "My verse 'Where Lilies Grow' was set in bronze in a memorial garden at my college, Skidmore, in Saratoga Springs, NY. " Also, hubby Eric Spitz has some crowing to do as well. His new novel "Different Animals" will be released the middle of September. Dawn tells me the book is about the rehabilitation of prisoners through the training of service dogs; how two men of different races are sent to a prison in Tucson for their crimes--both guilty of murder. The story is about their reconciliation with the world and their bonding with each other through the experience of training dogs for service. Kathryn Jordan's Hot Water is still hot nearly two years after publication. Two Bunch Palms did a Hot Water Weekend Package in July, "The Pen Women Journal" did a fabulous review, and Denise Goolsby of The Desert Sun did an interview article in September In October 6 - 7 Home Furnishings and Art Show at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, featuring HOT WATER and Spanish edition AGUA CALIENTE and on October 23 1:30 PM Local Author Panel, Rancho Mirage Library. Fran Kaplan also can crow. She's one of seven desert women authors invited to the Palm Valley Country Club, October 13, 2007 for the Desert Woman luncheon. She is speaking about The Prettier Sister, the title of the book she'll be talking about and selling. Gordon Gumpertz' short story "The NBA" won the national Writers Journal silver award (second place) and $200 in the Journal's annual short fiction contest, and was published in their July/August 2007 issue. My Turn: My book, "A Broad Abroad in Thailand: An Expat's Misadventures in the Land of Smiles" is out and ready to purchase on my website; also Amazon.com by the end of the month. I plan on being a self-promoting slut at our November "book sales" meeting. Beware! Got something to Crow about? E-mail me at dodiecross@dc.rr.com www.abroadinthailand.com and inspire others. Your limerick here….. BEING A MEMBER OF THE GUILD HAS JUST BECOME EASIER AND MAKES MORE SENSE THAN EVER! The membership (and fiscal) year will begin in October rather than January to clear up confusion about when dues are payable. If you have paid your dues this year, they will be payable again in October 2007 at a prorated amount of $30. They will not then be due until the following October at the regular rate of $40. New members will still pay $40 for the upcoming year. TIME TO PAY YOUR DUES! FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE ARE NOW COLLECTING DUES ACCORDING TO HOW WE HOLD THE GUILD MEETINGS -- FROM SEASON TO SEASON, OCTOBER TO OCTOBER. CURRENT MEMBERS WILL PAY $30 FOR RENEWAL OF DUES, NEW MEMBERS WILL PAY $40. Member Profiles by Mary Barrer Mary Olson Did you know that the charming, gracious lady who greets you when you sign in at the monthly meeting is a retired medical oncologist? Gentle, low key Mary Olson put her MD on the shelf when she retired. She opened a new page in her book of life. She realized a long hidden secret ambition to become a writer. When Mary joined the Guild five years ago she took the first steps towards realizing her dream. Her critique group served as a motivation to start producing. Since cooking is her hobby, she created a cook book that combines recipes with stories. It's complete and ready for market. Mary never wrote anything but medical reports while in practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 1969 and 2001. Her husband Robert is also a retired MD and internist. Their son is a co-pilot with Mesa Airlines and their British daughter-in-law is a certified flight instructor and teaches flying to foreign pilots at a Phoenix based school. Mary and Robert love animals and have two canines, two cats and a bird. The dogs swim with Mary everyday in the family pool. Mary's education included college in Indiana, an internship at the Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and a Fellowship at the prestigious Mt. Sinai Hospital in NewYork, N.Y. We look forward to reading the forthcoming, intriguing medical novel written by an authority whose career was devoted to saving lives...our Mary Olson. Critique Group Requirements: Must be a paid up, current member of the PSWG. Many successful published authors credit their Critique Groups for the support and excellent feedback that helped them write on to success! We welcome new and current members of the Writers Guild to all critique groups! We'll cheer you on to success! Need to find good subcontractors for writing help? Come to the meetings ad look for the sign-up forms for resources and network with those who use them. GREAT LINEUP FOR THE COMING YEAR OCTOBER 7 CHRIS LOPEZ Managing Editor/information and interactivity for The Desert Sun; over twenty years journalistic experience; part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team. NOVEMBER 4 ANDREW NEIDERMAN Author thirty-six published novels; sixty-two published novels as V.C. Andrews; has had several movies and screenplays produced. Also SHORT STORY CONTEST AWARDS!! DECEMBER 2 JUDI WEIGLE Author, publishing and entertainment marketer will share information on how to network; another opportunity to buy her book Sell Your Book with a Winning Marketing Platform. JANUARY 6 JEFF KAYE Author; police officer; undercover agent; present book subject: drugs coming into the country through Mexico and money going back across the border to fund terrorist cells. FEBRUARY 3 CLAUDIA SUZANNE Author; ghostwriter; publishing and marketing; motivational speaker; she will speak on ghostwriting; humorous. MARCH 9 JOHN JAMISON, Mountain man; Wall Street banker; former minister; author; very funny. APRIL 6 SHELDON SALTMAN Well-known promoter for over fifty years: sports, politics, entertainment, business; he has the inside knowledge. MAY 4 NORMAN MARK Author; wine columnist; movie reviewer; talk show host; nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize; winner Discovery Award for novel at Hollywood Film Festival. JUNE 1 STEPHEN LINSTEADT Author books, films; naturopathic doctor; nutritional consultant; will talk on the process of getting your film made by a major studio. CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES By Mel Harter This is the first of an exciting new column to appear regularly in the GUILDGRAM. The mission is to present to our members upcoming writers' contests in all genres as well as announcements of forthcoming book fairs, education programs, speakers and book signings of interest in our general geographic area. It is the place for each of you to share with your PSWG colleagues any and all of such activities you know of and trust to be legitimate. Simply send me the relevant details by email, harter@dc.rr.com or snail mail, 47115 Via Orvieto, La Quinta, CA 92253. Here's the way it works: CONTESTS DOGWOOD POETRY AND FICTION PRIZES PRIZE: $1,000 each (single poem and short story) and publication and literary journal of Fairfield (CT) University. SUBMISSION: Up to three poems (totaling no more than ten pages) or a story of up to 30 pages. Send SASE, call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2795 or visit the website www.faculty.fairfield.edu/dogwood for detailed guidelines. ENTRY FEE: $10.00 ADDRESS: Kim Bridgford, Editor, Dogwood, Poetry and Fiction Prizes, Department of English, Fairfield University, 1073 North Beacon Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824-5195 DEADLINE: October 15 * * * KORE PRESS SHORT STORY FICTION AWARD (Short Story by a woman) PRIZE: $1,000 plus publication by Kore Press and chapbook run of 500 copies. SUBMISSION: Limit of 8,000 words; SASE, email kore@korepress.org or visit website www.korepress.org ENTRY FEE: $15.00 ADDRESS: Shannon Cain, Executive Director, Kore Press Short Fiction Award, P.O. Box 3044, Tucson, AZ 85702-3044 -- Telephone: (520) 882-7542 DEADLINE: October 31 * * * BRIAR CLIFF REVIEW WRITING CONTESTS PRIZE: Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Briar Cliff Review for a short story, a poem and a work of creative nonfiction. SUBMISSION: Single poem up to one page or up to 6,000 words of prose. Call (712)279-1651, email: tricia.currans-sheehan@briarcliff.edu or visit website www.briarcliff.edu/bcreview for complete guidelines. ENTRY FEE: $15.00 ADDRESS: Tricia Currans-Sheehan, Editor, Briar Cliff Review Writing Contests, Briar Cliff University, 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, IA 51104 DEADLINE: November 1 * * * DEL SOL PRESS ROBERT OLEN BUTLER FICTION PRIZE PRIZE: $1,000 - all finalists will be published in a Del Sol Press anthology. SUBMISSION: 2,000 to 8,000 word short story (published or unpublished,) SASE. For guidelines email robcontest@webdelsol.com or visit website www.webdelsol.com/dsp ENTRY FEE: $ 16.00 (plus $5.00 per additional story.) ADDRESS: Del Sol Press, Robert Olen Butler Fiction Prize, 326 Lake Ontario Hall, Grand Valley State University, One Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 DEADLINE: November 1 * * * * * * Remember PSWGers, your communication with this column will make it work better for all of us. We need your input on upcoming contests and activities. Helpful Tidbit Google has a project (since 2004, I think) that seeks to digitalize every book in the world. Over one million books are on-line now. Access to them is free using Google Book Search. Books that are in the public domain (like Moby Dick) are available to read on-line in total. Other books not published completely due to what publishers allow. In any case, you will be able to access many books already from the Library of Congress, universities, libraries etc. The search also allows for a word search like "Chicago Skyscrapers" for architects and every book with that reference in it and on line will be referenced for you. Enjoy! Submitted by Judy Joyce Note: Debbie Madison is looking for an author to share a booth at the Duarte book festival on October 6th. (324-0103). Alaska Writers Guild Report by Jim Misko Whoop-de-doo! The Alaska Writers Guild was formed on May 13, 2007 based on the forged in fire Palm Springs Writers Guild charter and by-laws. Twelve brave people signed up and seven were chosen as the Board in a parliamentary fashion as suggested by Tony O'Doherty. The Board then chose the various officers amongst themselves and the Guild breathed to life wondering what to do next. The first chore was to sponsor the Alaska Writers Workshop which featured seven faculty consisting of authors, editors, agents, publishers and marketing people. About 100 writers representing all levels of the art showed up for the three-day workshop in August. Attendee evaluations had high praise for the faculty, the workshop program and the individual meetings with the faculty. And it set the ground work for the 2007 Writers Conference on Speculative Fiction. The Guild meets monthly at Barnes & Noble in Anchorage; has a short business meeting and a good speaker. The membership is now at thirty-five and moving towards fifty by Thanksgiving. The Guild is co-sponsoring, with B&N, a three author book signing every three months. Authors from different genres will talk about their books and read a short scene, then have a signing. The idea is intended to expose readers to new genres. The three author's books will be featured by B&N and a discount offered during the meeting only. I'll tell you more about it when I get back to La Quinta in November. May it go well with you. Alaska Jim SHORT STORY CONTEST Winners will be announced at the November meeting. Doctors Agree Word doctors recommend joining a Palm Springs Writers Guild critique group as the right tonic for improving your writing health. Get rid of those stale verbs, pale nouns, and overworked adjectives. Reinvigorate your prose. Email pscritgrp@yahoo.com, or call Gordon Gumpertz at 346-3429. PEPPERTREE BOOK FEST The third annual Peppertree Book Fest will be held Sunday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Camelot Theatre (inside and out) on Baristo Road in Palm Springs. The Guild has reserved a tent which will be prominently placed in front of the theatre, with a table and approximately thirty chairs. It will be used for authors to make presentations of their books to be followed by a book signing. Each author will have a scheduled time period of twenty minutes, starting at 10 a.m., for a nominal cost, to be announced at the October meeting. There will be a fifteen minute interval between presentations for the purposes of setting up. The schedule for presentations will be published in the festival literature and widely distributed. Anyone interested in making a presentation, contact Chair Tony O'Doherty @ todoherty@dd.rr.com (760 772-3582) Sites for individual booths for book selling will also be available. For information as to cost and location, contact Charles Lago at Peppertree Book Store (authorsontour@aol.com ) (760 564-3112.) Based upon attendance at previous book fests, the turnout is expected to exceed 5000 people. It should be well worth your while to participate. Early registration will provide the best location for book sale booths and preferred time slots for presentations! REGISTER NOW! Volunteers are needed for setting up. Contact : Tony O'Doherty at todoherty@dc.rr.com (760-772-3582 ) or Dawn Spitz at dawnlspitz@aol.com (760 770-4708) The Desert Woman magazine is sponsoring a Luncheon and Mini Book Fair on Saturday, October 13, 2007 from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Palm Valley Country Club, 39205 Palm Valley Drive (off Country Club Drive between Cook and Washington). Cost is $30 for partners of The Desert Woman and $35 for guests. Contact Cheryl McFadden (760-327-3983) Mon.-Sat, from 9 AM to 6 PM for details and menu choices or send your money and contact information to The Desert Woman, 73091 Country Club Drive, #A440, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Renew Membership or become a Member - click here Writers Guild Board and Committee Members - click here Palm Springs Writers Guild P.O. Box 947 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 PalmSpringsWritersGuild.org ^ posted by Webmaster @ 9/24/2007 10:55:00 AM Pacific Time Powered by Blogger. |
