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 PS Book Fest. The third annual Palm Springs Book Festival will be held May 4th from 10:00 to 6:00 at Palm Springs High School, 2401 E Baristo Road, Palm Springs. Authors attending include Cloris Leachman, Chalmers Johnson, Barry M. Goldwater Jr., Dan Boyle, Gayle Brandeis, Trebor Healey, Alistair McCartney and Lydia Millet. Guild authors who want to rent booths can find a form on the bookfest website to send in their checks. (psbookfestival.com) An author must rent a booth to sell their books, but we hope to have a bookcase where our authors can exhibit their books. Authors are not allowed to share booths. Profits will benefit the Arts Institute of Palm Springs High School. ^ posted by Webmaster @ 3/28/2008 05:05:00 PM Pacific Time April 2008 Guild Gram Newsletter: PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley April 2008 See you in Palm Desert at our "other location"... Meeting Date: Sunday, April 6, 2008, 2:30-4:30 PM Meeting Location: Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA Shelly Saltman: Big Name Promoter/Manager Shelly has over 50 years working all over the world in fields of entertainment, sports, humanities & politics. His client list reads like a celebrity night at Kennedy Center. Here's a small sample of some of those he has promoted: Andy Williams, Evel Kneivel, Mohamad Ali, Jonas Salk, Boris Yeltzen, US Olympic Team. His record speaks for his expertise. A master of his craft, Shelly will have much to share. PRESIDENT'S LETTER by Dawn Huntley Spitz Our second meeting at the Rancho Mirage library was another resounding success. We are looking forward to the time when we will have most of our meetings at that venue. Our speaker, John Jamison, mountain man, noted author and former minister, among a variety of other pursuits, gave us a fascinating account of tracking down a story. He also reminded us that the best place to look for ideas is within our own lives and experiences. We welcome John as a new member of the Guild. The Guild will be taking part in the Palm Springs Book Festival at the Palm Springs High School on Sunday, May 7. I encourage our authors to participate. Renting a booth provides an excellent opportunity to sell your books and make contacts. Judi Weigel, who is in charge of the program, has a varied and enticing lineup of speakers for the day. For further information on the festival, look at the website www.psbookfestival.com. Member and author Kathryn Jordan gave an excellent workshop on research this month. What we learned is that research is not only necessary but can be fun. Those who attended the workshop gave it high marks. Kathryn is also a participant in the writers forum at the Rancho Mirage Library on March 30. These are highly worthwhile programs deserving of your support. The Guild is fortunate to have a group of excellent and capable nominees for the 2008-09 board. We are still in need of a treasurer, Guild Gram editor and publicity chair for the upcoming year. If you have not contributed your services in some way to the Guild, here is your opportunity. Serving on the board is an excellent way to incorporate your own ideas in giving the Guild direction. You will be rewarded with the satisfaction of making a contribution while at the same time making new friends. Anyone interested in any of these positions, please contact me. We are pleased to announce the winner of the Barbara Seranella Memorial Scholarship for 2008. It is Adrian Rivas from Palm Springs High School. He will receive a scholarship of $750 at the high school award ceremony on May 22. We look forward to meeting Adrian at an upcoming meeting and hearing his winning submission. Our thanks to Tod Goldberg at UCR for his help in selecting a winner. Please remember the Guild is YOU! Please support Guild activities and encourage others to join. SPEAKERS REVIEW By Joanne Hardy John Jamison spoke to Guild members without his mountain-man voice, only treating us to the North Carolina mountain dialect for a few sentences. His varied career has taken him from the mountains to the academic world, to Wall Street, to the ministry, and back to his North Carolina roots with the development of the book The Backside of God. People ask him how he gets ideas. He says "from you and me -- we're all a little bit weird." He quoted his friend Robert Waller, author of The Bridges of Madison County, who told a friend to give his son (who wanted to be a writer) $5,000 and tell him to wander around America -- in bars, restaurants, shopping centers, watching people. Another basis for a story is to consider what we did, failed to do -- the worse thing we ever did, the most hurtful thing. An event may trigger a book. He read about a human remains found in a campground. First official consideration was foul play. He began to investigate. It was found to be a suicide. He followed other leads discovering more and more about this man. He continued until all questions had been answered about a man who didn't want his life -- a man Jamison did not know. This search became the book Answer to Hell. When asked how he writes, he says some people make scene after scene on index cards then arrange them into crisis and transitional scenes. Some people write with a free flow not knowing exactly where they will go. He says he is somewhere in between. He may start with a character or an idea. He may write a chapter which may end up being in the middle or he may write the first or last chapter before he gets going. He suggests you use characters that will "most likely do anything." It is best when characters take control. Regarding self-publishing, he says he has done it three times and the first thing to consider is what you want to do with the book you have written. Do you want to market it or keep it a personal memoir, for family and friends? iUniverse creates a good book. Xlibris helps more with marketing. His advice on editing was interesting. He says he can write a book in 90 days, but it is not a finished product. He leaves it for about six months, and then reads it, looking for content and flow. He then lays it aside for six more months. This time he reads it aloud. The real key is to hear it as if it were new. Then with this self-critique, he goes to work completing the story. John Jamison can be reached at jamisonrayburn@att.net or 760-202-9924. The Crow's Nest by Dodie Cross Member Jenny Gumpertz has something to crow about: "I have just won 3rd prize in Jane's Stories Press 2008 Flash Fiction contest for my 74-word story "High Achiever." My picture, bite-size bio, and the story are now on www.janesstories.org. Click on "latest contest winners" to read Jenny's story. She also has a little belated crowing to do from last December when she won an honorable mention in New Millennium Writings contest for her story "Peeling Onions," which will appear along with a bio and picture in their Oct-Nov edition. Jenny says it's her "...first publication in a literary magazine." Kudos, Jenny, that's perseverance for you! Julie A. Gorges writes: "My new book, A Time To Cast Away, my second young adult novel, will be released in April 2008. The book can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com." In a note from Carol Mann, we learn that Guild member Cyndy Muscatel has been busy wearing three hats: teacher, mentor, and editor. Her Mizell Center Creative Writing Class is publishing an anthology entitled The Road Taken. Twenty-five class authors have contributed fiction, non-fiction, and poetry to the project, including guild members Dolores Carruthers, Phyllis Costello, Virginia Cummings, Martin Goldberg, Gitta Gorman, Carol Mann, Cheryl McFadden, Mary Olson, Dawn Spitz, Eric Spitz, and Kay Virgiel who are enrolled in the class. The book is now in the hands of iUniverse. Carol has recently had her short story "The First of the Season" published in the literary journal RiverSedge, published by The University of Texas-Pan American Press. "The story is set in Germany during WWII; two young American soldiers fight weather and thoughts of home." And, speaking of crowing: two members, Debbie Madison and yours truly, Dodie Cross, came in as finalists in "ForeWard" Magazine's Book of the Year Award. Winners will be notified at the BookExpo of America at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 30th. 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 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. Send money and written ad to P.O. Box and then email a copy of your ad to Vamills@aol.com so that Vicki Mills can put it in the Gram. Write GRAM AD in the subject line of the email, please. Kathryn Jordan, author of the novels: Hot Water and The Glad Girl Editing Story Consulting Careful Constructive Advice All Aspects of Writing/Publishing M.A. English, U.C.L.A. 30+ published articles 28 years teaching writing Katejor@earthlink.net (760)345-0569 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 CHERI BENTLEY-BUCKMAN, HOSPITALITY CHAIR It's often the dream of serious writers to live in the Left Bank of Paris where many of the world's most colorful and successful authors reside. Our Cheri Bentley-Buckman achieved that goal when she made her home there for a decade, not far from Ernest Hemingway's digs. A Texan by birth, music became the focus of her life at the early age of five when she began piano lessons. She continued with this study during her elementary and high school years, yet was able to take time out to become her high school's cheerleader. Instead of choosing a mainstream university, she attended the Converse Conservatory of Music in South Carolina where she studied to become a concert pianist. Following a brief, unhappy marriage, Cheri looked to other horizons. She presented herself as a strikingly elegant young woman and soon became a high fashion model showing top designer clothes. This led her to discover the glittering world of international travel where she enjoyed the friendship of top European diplomats and luminaries. She studied writing with a private tutor and often joined other jet setters on the slopes of the French Alps for skiing. When she returned to the States, she settled in Huntsville, Alabama. She began work on her first novel based on her experiences on the international scene. This is a work in progress. Romance blossomed in her life when she met Charles Buckman, a prominent California educator who was attending a seminar at the Hilton hotel in Huntsville. The couple's whirlwind courtship lasted less than six months. On a trip to Hollywood to met his family, they decided to marry. They choose the Moorton Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs for their nuptials. Patricia Moorton arranged a fairy tale wedding. When Charles retired they bought a condo in Palm Springs and now divide their time between here and their spacious new home in Huntsville where they spend time with their family. Poetry has become another creative outlet for Cheri. Her "Rosa" was published in the 2007 San Diego Poetry Annual. She is preparing 30 of her original poems for a chapbook to be produced in July. Cheri was recently named to the Board of Trustees of the Idylwild Arts Academy. She is member of the Palm Springs Film Festival Committee, the Palm Springs Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Romance Writers of America, and the Writers Guild, along with other civic organizations. Cheri's philosophy is never give up on your goals and it is never too late to realize your dreams. Cheri and Charles have generously provided the delicious refreshments for our meetings this season. The Guild extends its thanks and appreciation to them for their gracious hospitality. CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES by Mel Harter ALASKA WRITERS GUILD 2008 RALPH WILLIAMS PRIZE SPECULATIVE FICTION CONTEST PRIZE: $5,000 Grand Prize (best of contest); $1,000 each category: Sci-Fi, Horror, Humor by teens, young adults. SUBMISSION: Up to 25 pages double spaced, 12 pt. Courier, one inch margins. For guidelines and Application Packet see: www.akwguild.alaskawriters.com/book10.html ENTRY FEE: $50.00 per story entered, unlimited number.. ADDRESS: Ralph Williams Speculative Prize Contest, Alaska Writers Guild, 9138 Arlon St., Ste A-3 Box 910, Anchorage, AK 99507 DEADLINE: April 15, 2008 * * * 16TH ANNUAL WRITER'S DIGEST INTERNATIONAL SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS PRIZE: $3,000 Grand Prize + magazine promotion; $1,000 each of 9 First Place winners SUBMISSION: All printed and bound English language books published or revised and reprinted between 2003 and 2008. Entry form/details: www.WritersDigest.com ENTRY FEE: $100 First entry; $50 each additional entry ADDRESS: See website: www.WritersDigest.com DEADLINE: May 1, 2008 * * * ALMOST ENDLESS LIST OF CONTESTS AND WORKSHOP RETREATS WINNING WRITERS NEWSLETTER: Free at www.winningwriters.com POETS AND WRITERS MAGAZINE: $17.95 subscription: bimonthly, one year to; see www.pw.org or write Poets&Writers, P.O. Box 543, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7463. Ask for introductory discount. * * * ACTIVITIES Rancho Mirage Public Library, 73300 Fred Waring, Rancho Mirage Thursday, April 24, 1:30 PM: Author T. Jefferson Parker Winner multiple Edgar Awards and L.A. Times Book Prize ( Stories of Murder & Mayhem in Southern California.) * * * UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert Gneiss Poetry Series, Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 PM Poet Lola Haskins (Call 760-985-0853 for further info.) * * * La Quinta Entertainment & Cultural "Meet The Author Luncheon," Salon de Flores Ballroom, La Quinta Resort, 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta Wednesday, April 16, 11:30 AM: Authors Anne Newton Walther (Loss of Innocence) and Norman Mark (Lure of the Long-Legged Blonde) Cost: $45 for lunch and lectures; Reservations: Terri Keating, 760-771-0115 or Diane, 760-771-0577 or email LQECO@aol.com * * * Know of good contest or activity for this column; contact Mel Harter at 760-777-1391 and harter@dc.rr.com Writers Guild Board and Committee Members - click here Upcoming Writers Guild Meetings MAY 4th or 11th -- to be announced 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. All we need is a helping hand.... No costs to you involved. The Guild pays for the refreshments. We just need a refreshment host/hostess for May and June because Cheri Bentley-Buckman, our usual hostess, will be out of town. Please contact Cheri to see what is needed at 760-321-8211 or cbook59869@aol.com. CONTEST TIME AGAIN! The Guild Short Story Contest for this year is now open. The deadline is June 1st 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! Enter Short Story Contest - click here BOOK PROMOTION 101: From the Stakeout to the Kill by Dodie Cross Okay, here's the deal. We have to promote ourselves! There's only one person who knows the book and thinks it's the Greatest Story Ever Told; and it's the author. I have no shame when it comes to promoting myself, selling myself or getting in someone's face (or dinner plate at a restaurant) and selling my book. The first thing I did after my cover was designed was to design and make a bookmark. It was easy. All I had to do was set my margins on my word document to the size of a normal bookmark (2"x7") and then start typing...."In this laugh-out-loud memoir, Dodie Cross...yada, yada, yada. You'd a thought I had just been awarded the Pulitzer by the way I bragged. But, why not? Who's going to walk up to you and say: "Hey, I read your book, and it wasn't a "Laugh out loud." Next I called around and got some quotes on 500 bookmarks; some prices were higher than my mortgage payment, some companies took six weeks to deliver. Then I found Office Depot. They were fast, did the work in-house, and the bookmarks turned out lovely. Then I began my attack. The Stakeout: Every time I left the house I made sure I had at least 50 bookmarks stuffed into my purse. The second I saw a straggler, a woman sitting alone, two or more women together, or husband and wife, I began reaching into my purse. "Hi," I'd say, giving my best local author smile, "I'm a local author and this is a bookmark for you." "Oh, thanks," most would mutter as they haltingly accepted it, hoping I wasn't a rabid cult member trying to lure them into my church. The Assault: I can't tell you how many times my cheapo little cards sold a book for me. In restaurants: I'd scope out the room looking for happy faces; crinkles around the eyes showing a propensity for laughing; women chattering over a glass of wine (I always approach drinkers, they're happy people). I've left the restaurant with two people trailing me to my car for an on-the-spot purchase. I suspect it might have looked like some sort of a drug-buy, but hey, you've got to market at any cost! On airplanes: I walk the aisles looking for women reading. They're easy prey. "Hi," I say brightly as I check out the name of the book they're reading. "You look like you'd enjoy this type of book," as I insert a bookmark into their book. There's really no way to avoid a sales pitch on a plane. Where are they gonna go to get away from you? At the post office: Lines of women, just waiting to get their minds off of the dreary duty of picking up "held" bills. I think they're the easiest marks. They have no book with them; they are bored beyond endurance; and their eyes light up when I tell them that the back of my bookmark is "for women only." Then I lurk just outside the door, knowing I've interested a few of them, and sure enough, I have captured at least one to three bored housewives longing for some excitement in their lives, and honey, I tell them, this book will do it. Once I ran out of bookmarks before the line of women ran out, and I actually had a lady look ticked off. "Where's mine?" she asked. Doctor's offices: Another sure-fire captive audience. They're all reading; either books, or magazines left over from the pterodactyl period or boring health leaflets. "Hi," I say, giving them the "local author" bit, "I'll bet this book might be more interesting than reading about seborrhea and the heartbreak of psoriasis." Coming in for the kill--The Guarantee: "This is a woman's book," I tell them. "Very funny, fast reading, and if you don't laugh out loud I'll refund your money." "Oh!" some would reply, suddenly interested. "Well, gee. Okay. Um, where can I get it?" they'd ask while turning the card over and reading the hilarious synopsis I devised to trap such hold-outs. "Well, if you're interested in saving some money in shipping and handling costs, I have copies in my car for just your type of smart shopper. Plus, I can autograph it for you if you purchase it right now." I do believe I have sold more from my trunk than from my web site. I guess what I'm trying to say with all this is: don't be a bunch of nattering nabobs of negativism. Get out and be a self-promoter! FINAL USED BOOK SALE We had a tremendous success in February. This month's sale during the meeting April 6th should be even more exciting. Bring your books, cash, and checkbook for the final sale of this project. The Silent Auction is fun. Try it, you'll like it. Last chance: Bring books for sale, and dollars to buy. THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE BRAVE Might sound corny, but it DID catch your attention, didn't it? Do you want free tutoring in newsletter creation? Would you like to serve the Writer's Guild by writing and editing the newsletter? Feel free to talk to Vicki Mills about what benefits there are. My editorial skills have skyrocketed since doing this Gram. Call or write to discuss if this branch of service is for you! Vicki 760-250-1897 or Vamills@aol.com. It's not for everyone, but I do want YOU! "A book is a friend... ...who will wait patiently until you want to meet, speak when you want to listen, teach when you want to learn, introduce you to heroes and heroines, make you laugh, touch your heart, send you traveling in time and space, tickle, trick, tantalize you. Cozy up, day or night, to a companion you can count on for a lifetime!" Excerpted from Coffee and a Byte by Vicki Mills Are you on our email list? If not, please send email address to: note719@aol.com. Palm Springs Writers Guild P.O. Box 947 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 PalmSpringsWritersGuild.org ^ posted by Webmaster @ 3/25/2008 07:35:00 AM Pacific Time Powered by Blogger. |
