Newsletter May 2008 Guild Gram Newsletter: PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley May 2008 MEETING TIME: Sunday, May 11, 2008, 2:30-4:30 P.M. Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA Mother's Day -- remember Mom and other mothers and then come on to our Guild meeting! GRACE AND NORMAN MARK: GUEST SPEAKERS This couple has such a long list of awards that I can't begin to list them all. Grace is the author of a best seller The Dream Seekers. She has written two books with her husband, Norman Mark. Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse, an easy to read book on the law. They collaborated on A Flaw in the Design, a novel based on the love affair and murder of the mistress of Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to raising a child as a divorced mother, Grace created a successful advertising agency in San Francisco that handled accounts such as LA Express Football Team and the University of Calif SF Medical Center.She has written films for McDonald's, the National Safety Council, and Firestone Centers. She has developed training seminars for women and minorities in the work place. Norman is the author of six books. He is also a wine columnist, movie reviewer and talk show host. Some of his awards: Emmy winner, Pulitzer Prize nominee three times, Discovery award for his novel Twisted Prayers at the Hollywood Film Festival in 2000. What a powerhouse couple we are privileged to present. Don't miss it! Submitted by Phyllis Costello, Program Chair PRESIDENT'S LETTER by Dawn Huntley Spitz Our April meeting shone with the star power of Shelly Saltman and his amazing stories of his promotional work in the field of entertainment and sports. Those of us who heard him speak were dazzled by his energy and fascinating experiences. For the benefit of those who were unable to attend the meeting, I hope the Guild will invite him to speak again. I wish to remind you of two exciting upcoming events: Open House at the home of Lina Simoni in Palm Springs for Guild members on Friday, May 2. Please respond to Lina soonest at linasimoni@yahoo.com Palm Springs Book Festival at Palm Springs High School on Baristo Road, Sunday, May 4 from 10-6. Anyone wishing to participate in the Book Fest please contact me at dawnlspitz@aol.com. We are in need of a bookcase and people to help set up. Authors who wish to display their books, either get them to me in advance or bring them on the morning of the Fest. Further information about the Fest can be found on our website palmspringswritersguild.org. The Rancho Mirage library will present another of its Writing from the Desert Series on Thursday, May 15 at 1:30-3:30. John Putch, director, co-writer/producer will discuss "The Mohave Phone Booth." I urge you to attend the library programs. Not only are they informative and entertaining but since the library is soon to be the new home of the Palm Springs Writers Guild, it is imperative that we support it. The Guild year is winding down and we are still in need of a Publicity Chair, and a Recording Secretary. If you have not yet volunteered your services to the Guild, now is the time to do so. It is a rewarding responsibility. Since no one has come forward to take over the position of editor of the Guild Gram, an online newsletter may become necessary. Many organizations are now taking that route. Anyone interested in working in that capacity, please contact me. The Guild is only as strong as its membership. Keep active! Everyone is needed. SPEAKERS REVIEW By Jim Misko Subbing for Joanne Hardy Shelly Saltman Go to www.shellysaltman.com to view the guy who called himself Art Sheldon in the early days of radio, sitting in a hospital bed bandaged to the neck from a beating delivered by one of his clients -- Evel Knievel. That and much more as Shelly attested to his over fifty years of promotions, shows and four books that came from them. Shelly entertained the Guild members for over an hour with tales of his youthful days as a Boston radio announcer using the name Art Sheldon; the many events he promoted including women in the Olympics, women's tennis, Mohammad Ali and Frazier fight, Andy Williams tours and meetings with Boris Yeltsin and Grace Kelly. His advice on writing included the oft mentioned 'catch them in the first chapter' theme but especially his revelation that your books and programs need to play to the audiences in the back of the room. Andy Williams taught him that when he bought and used the best sound equipment he could get to be sure it reached the less expensive seats in the back of the auditorium; the folks who bought his records. When it came to self-publishing he advised working hard to get an agent and go the traditional publishing route due to the questionable work and tactics of some of the self-publishing companies. However, he did say that the traditional publisher of his book "Fear No Evel" pulled the book from retail stores after the sale of 115,000 copies because of the beating he took from Evel -- an unwise decision in his thinking. He wanted the royalties. "Ideas are precious." That theme runs through his entire life. Once he was offered a large sum of money to sit in a corporate office and come up with ideas for an organization. He explained to the owner that ideas are not something you can force. He turned down the lucrative offer but continued producing and selling his ideas as they came to him. "Creativity is everything -- think outside the box." Shelly has made and lost fortunes but still has his own hair and teeth and can drive after dark -- admirable achievements for this energetic, intelligent, remarkable man of seventy-eight years. Go to www.fearnoevel.com for a look at his book on inside Hollywood from a guy who immigrated to Hollywood from Boston -- a cross country trek that he does not regret for one moment. The Crow's Nest by Dodie Cross PSWG GuildGram columnist Mel Harter reports that his thriller, SOME KIND OF ANGEL has just been released. He says the book is a fast-paced pursuit of a different kind of terrorist who, with a very secret weapon of mass destruction, threatens civilization. Controversial social issues of late life pregnancy, genocide, artificial prolongation of life, and the second amendment (right to bear arms) are explored. Mel says that getting the novel to market was like having your first baby: terrible prolonged labor pains all but forgotten when the beautiful offspring is born. He's sure everyone will enjoy reading this tale and refers us to his web site which features a video clip with a sharp hook. Please visit www.somekindofangel.com Great going, Mel. Hope you sell a million! Got something to Crow about? E-mail me at dodiecross@dc.rr.com www.abroadinthailand.com and inspire others. Renew Membership or become a Member - click here No ads are going to be put in the Gram this month or next. Some changes in the Gram are going to be taking place, and, in the interim, we won't be able to run them. Member Profiles by Mary Barrer Judy Fabris, 2008 Scholarship & Outreach Chair. Judy Fabris' creative ideas often become successful, lucrative projects. As president of a branch she previously led, she introduced a community program that brought in big dollars for the branch fund. Likewise, when she joined the National League of American Pen Women, she proposed a similar plan to our local branch. Judy's husband was gravely ill so she could not work on it, but the energetic Penwomen grabbed the opportunity. Last year, through the Women of Distinction fund raising idea that Judy suggested, they made enough money to award six one thousand dollar scholarships. Their recent fund raising lunch was attended by 140, another crowning success. Upon the passing of her husband, she moved permanently to Palm Springs. She has been a member of the Writers Guild for five years. She appreciates the help she obtains from her critique group as she is writing a historic novel. No stranger nor novice to publishing, she is the co-author of two non-fiction books produced and marketed by the New American Library. A third solo book was self-published. This bright, attractive lady was born in California and graduated from Anoakia High School, near Pasadena. College presented exciting challenges. She attended USC, Mary and Williams, and earned her BS from San Jose State. She went on to be awarded a degree in Law from Western State College in Fullerton, Ca, although she never practiced as an attorney. Her career choices encompassed many fields. She was a magazine editor, a stringer for Copeley News Service and she worked with an advertising agency. She spent forty years in the securities field and was licensed to manager a major brokerage firm. Despite this hectic pace, she found time to marry and raise and son and daughter. She boasts four grandchildren. Judy is an enthusiastic, willing volunteer. She is corresponding secretary of the local branch of the National League of American Penwomen; she dedicates many hours as a chaplain at Eisenhower Medical Center, and is an extraordinary minister for her church in addition to her duties with the Guild. Judy relates how she was standing in line at a Guild meeting and happened to turn around and look at the woman behind her. To her amazement it was a school chum who also lived next door to her during her early marriage. Time and circumstances had parted them since 1975, but then Judy and Mary Ladoris met at the Guild! CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES by Mel Harter CONTESTS WRITER'S DIGEST ANNUAL WRITING COMPETITION PRIZES: Grand Prize $3,000 and trip to New York to meet editors and agents. First Place in each of 10 categories: $1,000, manuscript critique, marketing advice, and $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. Second through One hundredth Place: scale of cash prizes and other gifts. SUBMISSION: Categories, guidelines, and entry form, see website www.writersdigest.com/annual/ ENTRY FEE; $10 first poem, $5 each subsequent. $15 first manuscript, $10 each additional in same online session. ADDRESS: Online at website (above) with entry form(s); by snail mail: printable entry form with manuscript(s) to: 77th Annual Writer's Digest Writer's Competition, 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 DEADLINE: May 15 (add $2/manuscript through June 2, 2008) * * * LOST HORSE PRESS IDAHO PRIZE FOR POETRY 2008 PRIZE: $1,000 plus publication in Lost Horse. SUBMISSION: 48 or more pages of poetry (one poem per page.) in minimally 12 point type, easily readable font. Poems may have been previously published but not in single author collection. Name, address, email, telephone, title of collection only in cover letter. Include SASE. ENTRY FEE: $25.00. ADDRESS : The Idaho Prize, Lost Horse Press, 105 Lost Horse Lane, Sandpoint, ID 83864 DEADLINE: May 15, 2008 * * * ACTIVITIES ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS BOOK FESTIVAL 2008 Palm Springs High School, 2401 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Sunday, May 4, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM, (Palm Springs Writers Guild is co-sponsor) Numerous genres are represented. Exhibitors include small independent bookstores, publishers, literary non-profits and poetry groups. There are 6 stages of author panels and special guest speakers, 2 stages for poetry, performances, music, readings, open mic, and exhibitors, interactive activities, and book signings. Website: www.psbookfestival.com * * * College of the Desert Pollack Theatre, 43500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert Wednesday, May 14, 12:45 PM-2:00 PM, Student Fiction and Poetry Readings by The Creative Writing Class of Amy DiBello, Associate Professor of English. Free admission, For more information call Student Services, 760-773-2590 * * * Wiens Family Cellars, 350 Via Del Ponte, Temecula, CA Saturday, May 3, 12:00 PM-6:00 PM, Art, Music and Literary Walk in the Vineyards. Renowned artisans, artists, and authors show and sell their works. Cost: $25 presale. $30 at the door, includes appetizers and wine tasting. More info, phone 951-302.3837, email Dorland@ez2.net or see website at www.dorlandartscolony.org * * * Melvyn's Restaurant st the Ingleside Inn, 200 West Ramon Road, Palm Springs Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 PM, "Dinner With. . ." series. Gloria Greer, society columnist and veteran journalist, Cost $35 includes discussion, Q&A, and 3-course dinner. Reservations, call 760-325-0710. * * * PLEASE SEND ME REFERENCES TO SHARE! 760-777-1391 and harter@dc.rr.com Writers Guild Board and Committee Members - click here Upcoming Writers Guild Meetings 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. CONTEST TIME AGAIN! The Guild Short Story Contest for this year is now open. The deadline is June 15th and the winners will be announced at the November meeting at the Rancho Mirage Library. It is open to Guild members only. The prizes will be $200 for first prize, $100 for second and $50 for third. Entry forms will be available at the next meeting as well as included in this Gram issue! Are you on our email list? If not, please send email address to: note719@aol.com. 2008 BOOK SALE A ROUSING SUCCESS by Bob Hurlbert In a few short hours of selling books-and-stuff at two Sunday meetings, the Barbara Seranella Scholarship Fund gained $146.65. To the author/members who donated their books, and to the donors of used books and items -- an appreciative "Thank You." A special "Thank You" goes to Carolyn Sollano for her assistance on both days. Those who helped me unpack/pack boxes from and to my car get a "Thank You." And a hug-a-mungous "Thank You" to each of the purchasers who gave so generously in support of the Scholarship Fund! The Palm Springs Writers Guild donated eight boxes of leftover books to the United Services Organization facility at Palm Springs International Airport. The USO representative voiced a heartfelt "Thank You" to our organization. Limerick by Cynthia Slater Writers who know what to say Use metaphors in their word play Make your rhymes fit the scene But just keep it clean Or there will be all hell to pay -One man couldn't follow the directions to "press any key" -- he couldn't find the "ANY" key on his keyboard! -One lady's problem in operating her mouse was solved by taking the dust cover off -- the plastic bag in which the mouse was packaged. -Another lady had difficulty controlling her mouse -- she had been using it on the floor like a foot pedal because that was how her electric sewing machine worked! -And then there was the frustrated student with a mouse that wouldn't work in coordination with the arrow on the screen who said: "Now I know why they call it a "cursor!!" "*!*/>&#\^!" Excerpted from the book Coffee and a Byte by Vicki Mills And you think YOU have computer challenges... Palm Springs Writers Guild P.O. Box 947 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 PalmSpringsWritersGuild.org ^ posted by Webmaster @ 4/23/2008 06:49:00 AM Pacific Time Powered by Blogger. |
