Newsletter January 2008 Guild Gram Newsletter: PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley January 2008 MEETING TIME: Sunday, January 6, 2008, 2:30-4:30 P.M. Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH SUSPENSE AND ACTION! JEFF KAYE WILL SHOW US HOW! We hear a great deal through the media about a campaign issue centering around keeping our borders protected and restricting drug trafficking. Jeff is the man to let us in on the real story. He has been an undercover agent for most of his twenty years in police work. He is considered an expert in undercover operations, along with street level drug enforcement. His book, Two Faces Have I is a fascinating account of the life of an agent and his problems both personal and professional. Want more action and suspense in your tales? Come and hear how Jeff Kaye does it. Jeff Kaye is a timely choice for our speaker to begin this New Year! by Phyllis Costello Program Chairman PRESIDENT’S LETTER by Dawn Huntley Spitz Happy New Year to all! We have great expectations for the Guild for the upcoming year. As you know, we are gradually shifting our meetings to the Rancho Mirage Library which has been generously offered to us for the months which are available. Our next meeting at the library will be the second Sunday of March. After that, we will continue to meet at the Community Center until November 2008. I wish to remind you that the library has several programs during the year of interest to writers, some in conjunction with UCR. I urge you to attend these programs not only because you would enjoy them, but because I think it is important for the Guild to support both the library and UCR. We all have, after all, the same goal—to promote the craft of writing in the Coachella Valley. Please check Mel Harter’s column for dates of upcoming literary events. I regret that I was unable to attend the December meeting, but know that Judi Weigle made a characteristically informative talk on Networking. I was glad to hear of the many suggestions that were made. Perhaps the most important again is the need to support each other as writers. We need to spend more time exchanging ideas and offering suggestions. I urge you to take the opportunity during refreshment break to network and to welcome new members. I especially want to emphasize the importance of acknowledging our new authors. Those who have put in the backbreaking effort to bring out a book, need your support. You are not required to buy every book that is offered for sale, but please take the time to give our proud authors recognition. I also wish to thank all of you have taken on responsibilities in the Guild this year. You are the ones who keep us moving ahead. SPEAKERS REVIEW by guest reviewer Eric H. Spitz “What do you think is the purpose of this group?” Judi Weigle asked as she began her talk at the Guild in December. Her topic was “Networking.” She spoke naturally without notes and her voice carried easily without aid of microphone. “To make money and get published,” someone offered. “Actually, to further the art of writing is the goal,” Judi said. Networking involves asking questions, inviting new people into our group, volunteering for jobs within the group, and above all really trying to get to know each other. We must overcome our modesty, she said, seek each other out, introduce ourselves to one another and share our goals. “Ask ourselves, why do we write?” Judi said. If we can, she suggested, we should try to mentor someone and research projects for each other. Judi has been successful in her marketing efforts, telling us that she personally went from nothing to $800,000 in sales with her networking efforts in the last years. She opened the discussion to the floor and some of the members expressed their thoughts on how the group could be improved. Someone thought we might consider meeting evenings to encourage more attendees, i.e. people who are still working and younger members. Most felt that meeting at the library is a better option than the community center because of the ambience and because of the cost of the current place. When her talk was concluded, it was noteworthy that the group engaged in lively conversations while enjoying refreshments and the networking began with vigor. We thank Judi for her insightful talk which gave us all some new ideas on how to improve our involvement within the group. The Crow’s Nest By Dodie Cross Here’s a happy start to the New Year! Jean Lee Porter's book The Stone Must Break — a historical novel — has just been published. Jean Lee is having a book signing on January 19, 2008, at Melvyn's Restaurant from 3-5 PM. Also a book signing at the Palm Springs Air Museum the 2nd and 3rd of February from 10 AM to 4 PM. Her third crowing is about a radio interview on KPIX on January 27th between 9 and 10 AM. You may order her book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Another member heard from: Debbie Madison says she’s “proud to announce my newest published book: Modeling 101. It's a factual step-by-step guide on how to become a model at any age. It teaches, informs and explains the ins and outs of the modeling industry. With my novel: Rider Down... that makes 2 published books in less than a year!” You Go, Girl. Another member, Greg Niemann, author of Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS, was interviewed on tape for a CNBC special half-hour television show about United Parcel Service. The show, called “Industrial Strength: UPS” will air nationally on CNBC on December 25, at 8:30 p.m. PT. Please notify others who might be interested. For more about the book and author, see: www.gregniemann.com. Mel Harter has become a regular Contributing Writer for Going Bonkers, a quarterly self-help, humor magazine available at Border’s. The website is www.Gbonkers.com His articles are also published periodically in Today’s Senior Magazine www.today's.com, a monthly circulated primarily in Northern and Central California. Mel’s sci-fi, med-legal thriller, Some Kind of Angel, is in final edit stages and is expected to be released by iUniverse early in 2008. He is also author of the Contests and Activities column in our own GuildGram. Got something to Crow about? dodiecross@dc.rr.com www.abroadinthailand.com and inspire others. Renew Membership or become a Member - click here Ads accepted pertaining to writing. Anyone wishing to advertise for editors, ghost writers, or offering similar services, please send your copy to Palm Springs Writers Guild, Box 947, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Enclose a check for $5 per ad. Copy limited to 35 words. Deadline--13th of each month. The National League of American Pen Women luncheon is the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 AM at Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert. For reservations please contact Marge Dodge at Margedodge1@aol.com or 760-564-9329. Member Profiles by Mary Barrer TONY O’DOHERTY Tony O'Doherty, the Guild's talented cartoonist and bookkeeper, has led an eventful life on two continents. His fearless Irish spirit has dominated the bold decisions he made at every juncture. As a youth, Tony was caught up in the Rock and Roll wave that swept the music world in the sixties. He wrote original pieces and dreamed of performing. However, like many young men and women, they often suffered rejection and disappointment. For every great star like the late Rory Gallagher, there were hundreds who never made it. Tony returned to his day job. He married Brenda and they raised four children while his business career flourished. He served as a life long Boy Scout master. His fearless Irish spirit kicked in when he became director of a hot political campaign against home tax. He made stirring speeches and won supporters throughout Ireland. While Tony devoted most of his energy to his work, he still found time to satisfy his creative urges by writing songs and drawing cartoons. He penned articles for the island's business journal and often served as its editor. At a time when most men were looking down the road to retirement, that fearless Irish spirit again dominated his movements. He packed up his wife, kids and dogs and moved to New York where he immediately found work. However, the hectic Manhattan pace was incompatible with this lifestyle. Like his ancestors before him who crossed the country in wagon trains, Tony sought his future in California. One of the most important events of his life occurred on St. Patrick's Day, year 2000 when Tony became a U.S. citizen. After thirteen years of a lucrative finance career, he slowed down. He and Brenda moved to the Valley where he joined the Writers Guild. He participates in weekly critique sessions and he has produced several interesting short stories. His entries in the past two years' Short Stories Contests won him second place. With his passion for writing combined with that fearless Irish spirit, Tony is getting set to invade the literary world with the same energy and wisdom that has marked his life. CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES by Mel Harter Thanks to Guild Officers and members who provide me with good, reliable leads. Keep them coming. The feed back on this column is great and, to me, heartwarming. 760-277-1391 or harter@dc.rr.com ERIC HOFFER SHORT BOOK AWARD PRIZE: $1,500 and distribution of book to libraries, schools, and hospitals. SUBMISSION: Self-Published Book copyrighted in last 2 years; one of several categories (get list and Entry Form at website http://hopepubs.home.comcast.net/~hopepubs/HofferBookForm.html) ENTRY FEE: $40.00 ADDRESS: Hopewell Publications, LLC, P.O. Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560 DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2008 * * * ERIC HOFFER SHORT PROSE AWARD PRIZE: $500. 00. Winner and runners up published in Best New Writing anthology. SUBMISSION: Fiction or Creative Non-Fiction, 10,000 words or less; unpublished (or published with less than 500 circulation.) Place story in body of e-mail, personal contact info at end of story) Visit webpage http://hopepubs.comcast.net ENTRY FEE: None Stated ADDRESS: E-mail only; place the word “Submission” in e-mail subject line. Send to: BestNewWriting@comcast.net DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2008 * * * FOREWORD MAGAZINE 2007 BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE: $1,500.00 each Fiction and Non-Fiction SUBMISSION: Only books copyrighted in 2007 and published by independent or university presses in North America, including print-on-demand and eBooks ENTRY FEE: $70.00 per title per category; 60 categories; check online : www.forewordmagazine.com/publishers/ ADDRESS: Register online at ForeWordConnections, upon completion submit book(s) with copy of receipt to: Book of The Year Awards. ForeWord Magazine, 129½ E. Front Street, Ste. C, Traverse City, MI 49684. DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2008 * * * FRIENDS OF RANCHO MIRAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL MEETING AND LUNCHEON At Westin Hotel, Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage Monday, February 4, 2008, Luncheon: Oprah Book & Pulitzer Prize winning author of Middlesex Jeffery Eugenides sponsored by Friends of the Rancho Mirage Library. Telephone the library for reservations (760-341-7323; www.ranchomiragelibrary.org) * * * Writing From the Desert Series At Rancho Mirage Public Library, 71-100 Hwy 11, Rancho Mirage Thursdays, January 24, February 14, March 20, April 24, 2008@ 1:30-3:30 PM Presentations by numerous distinguished authors (For speakers each date pick up brochure at the library, or check website www.ranchomiragelibrary.org) sponsored by The Rancho Mirage Public Library & UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. * * * BOOK FAIRE at Hovanian’s Four Seasons, 1800 Sand Canyon Way, Palm Springs SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008: Chance to sell your book! Contact Cindy Hayward at 760-323-3008 or cindyh@euclidmanagement.com * * * THREE WRITERS WORKSHOPS Open to Anyone Who Would Like to Sign Up Sponsored by The National League of American Pen Women JANUARY 15, 2008 Tapping into authentic source of creatitvity, expressing yourself and freeing the stories that swirl within you. Workshop leader is Gayle Brandeis, author of Fruitflesh; Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write, a writing guide structured around the growing cycle – seeds, roots, trunk, branches, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit. FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Writing for children. Workshop leader Marci Stillerman, author of Nine Spoons; A Chanukah Story. Her work has appeared in Highlights, Cricket, Shofar and other children's publications. In 1992, she won the Educational Press Association of America Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism. MARCH 18, 2008 The art of writing the short story. Workshop leader is Mike Foley, of Writer’s Review. Mike has helped hundreds of aspiring writers and business people strengthen their writing skills, promote businesses and improve their chances at success. He is the editor of Dream Merchant Magazine and author of more than 600 published stories and articles. In addition to his editing services, Mike also teaches fiction and nonfiction writing in the extension program at the University of California--Riverside.. Each Workshop: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert Reservations: Marge Dodge, 333-0733 or margedodge1@aol.com Cost $30 each. GREAT PROGRAM LINEUP THIS YEAR 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. Are you on our email list? If not, send email address please to: note719@aol.com. Writers Guild Board and Committee Members - click here REMEMBER OUR FUND-RAISING BOOK SALE in FEBRUARY Contact Bob Hurlbert at bobhurlbert@hotmail.com if you’d like to donate books that we will sell at our February meeting. All proceeds will be donated to the Barbara Seranella Scholarship Fund. Bring your books to the February meeting and help others benefit from your good work! Palm Springs Writers Guild P.O. Box 947 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 PalmSpringsWritersGuild.org ^ posted by Webmaster @ 12/23/2007 05:30:00 AM Pacific Time Powered by Blogger. |
