Newsletter

 
June Meeting. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD MEMBERS:
BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF VENUES, THE JUNE MEETING IS CANCELLED. SEE YOU IN OCTOBER. HAVE A GOOD SUMMER.
-DAWN SPITZ, PRESIDENT
^ posted by Webmaster @ 5/27/2008 04:01:00 PM Pacific Time

 
June 2008 Guild Gram Newsletter: Guild Gram
PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD
Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley
June 2008
MEETING TIME: Sunday, June 1, 2008, 2:30-4:30 P.M.
Palm Desert Community Center
43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA

Heeee?s back!
Hi all, it has been a while since I?ve been an active part of the Guild, and
have missed the wonderful sessions and camaraderie of our writer?s organization.
Vicki is off on a well deserved Europe vacation. So, and just who is this
Heee?s back? It?s me, Bill Clark, past Guild president, past newsletter editor -
and now privileged to once again edit the Guild Gram for this year-end issue. As
you receive this newsletter, I?m back in Mammoth Lakes, California, at a
California Welcome Center glad-handing visitors from ?round the world that are here
to explore West Coast highlights: San Francisco, Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes,
Death Valley, Las Vegas etc.

ABOUT BEING A VOLUNTEER - there are few things more rewarding than serving a
worthy organization as a volunteer. To volunteer becomes a learning, and social,
experience to treasure forever, and you gain far more then you give. I speak
from personal adventures.
Mavis and I visited Mary Barrer and Joanne Hardy recently. There were hugs
and reminiscences from these fellow volunteers - both have volunteered with the
Guild and Pen Women for many years. While with Joanne we bought the wonderfully
informative book she and fellow Pen Women volunteers produced - it is a series
of short personal bios of many members we are proud to know.

HOW TO GET STARTED - today our Guild leaders need assistants and replacements.
The starting point is: lift of the telephone, ask the question, ?How can I be
a part of ... ??
--- Bill Clark

BECOME PART OF THE TEAM
Doing a newsletter can be fun and an incredible learning experience - just ask
Vicki Mills or Bill Clark. And, they are always available as mentors. Imagine
the computer hands-on experience which can transfer to your personal book
publishing! Bill Clark has self-published ten books as a result of the how-to gained
directly from newsletter experience. Consider the personal contact
possibilities! ... Hmmm? Still not convinced? Go to Bill?s web site: www.clarkscripts.com.
As writers we learn something every day, and it always has transfer value.
Little bits and pieces accumulate into tons of information. The following areas
represents those bits and pieces that can be added to your personal data bank for
use in writing pursuits.

NEWSLETTER PURPOSE:
? Communicate with members
? Publicize Guild to media
? Attract new members
? Reinforce the Guild Statement
? Spur word-of-mouth referrals
? Network organization allies
? Inform and educate
? Establish expertise and credibility
? Bring back lost members
? Unify a ?community? of readers

PUBLICITY CHAIR
Team players are also needed in this area. WOW! An opportunity at learning to
do promotions. Would you be thrown into the position with no guidance?
Absolutely not! Imagine, a chance to work with radio, TV and all local publications! So
how is that done: you learn the format of press releases and are given contact
names, phone
and fax numbers, email addresses and all important posting times. Then you
electronically send out Guild information. If there are media questions, they
usually get back to you becoming your personal contact. New members are also
welcome on board. Think of serving as being a privilege.

PRESIDENT?S MESSAGE
Dawn Spitz

Grace and Norman Marks, a gracious double bill of talent in many fields,
entertained at the May meeting with their lively stories of writing and marketing
their work, as well as the vicissitudes of collaboration. The Guild is fortunate
to have them as new members and we enthusiastically welcome them.
As the Guild year draws to a close, I wish to thank all those who have served
as officers, chairs of committees, in contributing to the Guild Gram and in
taking on special assignments. The work of the Guild would not be possible were it
not for the cooperation and willing spirit of all these volunteers. We have
grown in size and influence in the past year but we still have a great need for
more participation from our members. It is not enough to merely attend meetings.
We need your help on book sales, the Guild Gram and in attending workshops and
functions where the Guild is a participant, as in the recent Palm Springs Book
Festival. It is also vitally important that Guild members attend the literary
events sponsored by the Rancho Mirage library. If we are to accept the library?s
hospitality for future meetings, we must support its programs.
I am happy to announce that our meetings from now on will be at the Rancho
Mirage library. Because the library is not open on Sundays in May, June and
October, meetings in those months will be on Saturdays. Our last meeting of this
season, therefore, will be Saturday, June 7 at 2 P.M. We will have special
refreshments, the presentation of the Buddy Kaye Award and readings from our members?
own works. We will also have installation of our new officers. It has been a
privilege to be your president for the last two years and I look forward to
continuing service to the Guild.
I hope to see you at the June meeting in our new home and I wish you all a
healthy and productive summer.
--- Dawn Huntley Spitz

REMINDER
NEXT MONTH (JUNE) SCHEDULE CHANGED
Saturday,
June 7 at 2 P.M.
at
Rancho Mirage library

Dr. Stephen Linsteadt has been listed. He will be our speaker in November. Our
program for next month will include
Installation of the Board, Open Reading, and Ice Cream Social.
Rules for Open Reading : Call Phyllis Costello for space. You will read in the
order your calls come in. Two minutes of reading allowed. No more. Read
something you have written. This leaves time for 30 readings.
Phyllis Costello
321-6173

SPEAKER REVIEW
Joanne Hardy

Norman
and Grace Mark

Guild members were treated to a writing duo presentation in the persons of
Grace and Norman Mark
Grace had a career in publicity in San Francisco but left for an assignment
in Chicago. Her husband Norman, who had left his heart in Chicago, told her to
get acquainted with the town. She did a bit more than that. With in-depth
research the old days of the late 20?s and 30?s began to come to life. It was a
time of desperate poverty when the great depression gripped the nation, when
there was no Social Security or unemployment to cushion the lose of a job or health
benefits if there was a job related injury. It was a time, also, that would
prove a watershed for the coming decades. The Chicago World?s Fair attracted
huge crowds, escaping dismal daily lives; they came to see the wonders of the
modern age. Audiences were awed as the arena was suddenly flooded with electric
lights.
It was against this backdrop Grace created Hannah and Joseph of The Dream
Seekers. Through them the reader experiences the extremely challenging times they
lived through. Woven through the story of Hannah and Joseph we meet real life
individuals who left their impact on that period of time -- Jane Addams, who
started the first settlement house for the poor; Eugene V. Debs, labor
organizer; George Pulliam, who built sleeping cars for trains; and others.
Norman, well-known wine expert whose column appears in The Desert Magazine
each month, discussed his book, The Lure of The Long-Legged Blonde. It is a spoof
of the modern detective. It began with a real life situation in which a
detective was given an assignment to watch a wife suspected of having an affair. In
fact, the detective himself has an affair with the wife.
With this scenario in mind, Mark decides to create an eager, although
untested young man who decides to go into the detective business. He will be a great
detective, he decides. He will solve great crimes. He will be ranked with Miss
Marple, Sherlock Holmes, even Colombo. We are told in The Hero?s Journey that
all good stories have a mentor and Tony Tasco, the young detective, has a
great one in his Uncle Guido. Guido, straight from gangsterdom, mentors Tony away
from his innocence with golden bits of advice such as, ?You?re only one bullet
from the top. With Uncle Guido to help, Tony begins his new career.
Norman worked for the Chicago Daily News for 15 years. In addition, he
was a radio talk show host and conducted walking tours of Chicago. He has
written a total of six books.
The Marks say they have tried writing together and with non-fiction it
can be done, but with fiction, well, says Grace, it?s a bad idea.
Norman and Grace Marx can be reached nmark@dc.rr.com or 760-568-3059
cell 760-285-3057

SUMMER THOUGHTS
How can a writer bring variety into a story with use of the following? What
else can be added to these lists?

BODY LANGUAGE OF YOUR
CHARACTERS INCLUDE:
? Personal Presentation
? Manner of Movements
? Facial Expressions
? Twitches & Ticks
? Positioning of Appendages
? Eye Contact
? Aggression of Space

TYPES OF DIALOGUE:
? Interpolated
? Directed
? Misdirected
? Modulated
? The Query
? Negotiation
? Scientific
? Quarrel
? Person and Group Gestures
From CHARACTERS IN CONFLICT
by Bill Clark

SAD PASSINGS
OLIVA KENNEDY LAB

Oliva passed away April 19 after a long battle with cancer. During her
childhood years in rural North Dakota, she traveled by horse and sled to school.
Oliva, a school teacher, and her husband Walter Lab, an art professor, visited
Europe during their summer vacations. In Italy she found inspiration for her
prize winning, historic novel, ?UNDER THE PORTICO?. An earlier non-fiction book,
?MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS?, relates to her late son?s Cystic Fibrosis. Her other
published works includes ?IMMIGRANTS MAKING IT IN AMERICA?, and DILIMMA and
OTHER STORIES?, a compilation of short stories dealing with senior citizens.
Despite her life threatening illness, she wrote every day and completed a
contemporary novel before her passing. In addition to her husband of 62 years,
she is survived by a son and daughter, three grandchildren and two great
children.
Olivia was a dedicated member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild for many
years and she will be missed by everyone.

JOHN JAMISON

What is it that makes someone a really true friend?
It is not necessarily the guy you play golf with three times a week. Or the man
with whom, you and your wife have dinner and drinks with occasionally.
It?s someone that you look forward to seeing, however often, who you can talk
to and listen to openly without reservation.
I eat breakfast out every day and have for twenty years. I enjoyed my
newspaper, an occasional look at the stocks on television and my privacy.
About two years ago, I saw a handsome, blond, well built man who occasionally
looked over and gave me a wave, ?hello.? After about a year, we introduced
ourselves. From that day on, we sat together and chatted about our writing, our
family, our history, our views.
John was a good listener. There aren?t many people I know who have that
quality. When I had finished my thoughts, he usually had a jovial rejoinder and a few
words of understanding. He had a joke for every occasion, or an appropriate
story.
John called himself a Mountain Man. He was born and raised in what he called
?hillbilly country? in North Carolina. He wrote a number of short stories and
novels about the family and people he knew there. He wrote them in dialects he
remembered and occasionally demonstrated for me when the subject came up.
Some months ago, I asked him to join the Palm Spring Writer?s Guild where my
wife Dawn was President. I spoke to the Program Chair, Phyllis Costello, about
asking him to speak at one of our monthly meetings and he did so in March. His
speech was full of humor and much too short. This man graduated from Vanderbilt
University, Cum Laude, spent two years at The University of British Columbia
and studied at Harvard for a year.. He was a former Baptist minister and now had
an important job in the financial sector. Only in the question and answer
segment of the meeting did he reveal more about his life and accomplishments.
I had not seen him in a few days. I knew he frequently drove out of town for a
business meeting. This day, Monday, I made sure to arrive at 7:45 when he was
sure to be there. I sat in my usual chair at the counter where he could take his
place next to me.
He did not arrive. One of the waitresses came over and took my hands in hers.
?I have some very bad news for you. John was involved in a fatal car crash
yesterday on 1-10. I?m so sorry. I know what a good friend he was to you.?
Knowing John so well, I imagined his saying to me, ?Go ahead and enjoy your
eggs. I?ve had a wonderful life and enjoyed most of it. You do the same with
yours.?

REMEMBERING
BUDDY KAYE
by Mary Burgess Barrer

The PSWG annual award honors the legendary songwriter, lyricist, author, band
leader and film producer. Many Guild members recall Buddy as the Guild
president, a teacher and great friend.
Buddy Kaye?s popularity as a Tin Pan Alley songwriter soared in the 40s, 50s
and 60s. Among his most memorable and acclaimed works were: ?Getting to Know
You,? ?Till the end of Time?, ?A You?re Adorable?, ?In the middle of Nowhere?, ?I
Dream of Jeannie,? ?Full Moon and Empty Arms?, ?The Last Goodbye?, ?Quiet
Nights and Quiet Stars? plus 400 others he penned during his 60 year career.
Buddy completed a book, which he turned into a musical stage play on the life
of reclusive Hollywood actress of the thirties, Greta Garbo. It never made it
to the Broadway stage. However, his works were recognized by the Motion
Picture Academy with one Oscar and two nominations.
He created original pieces for the big stars of that era including Frank
Sinatra, Perry Como, Barry Manilow, Lawrence Welk and Pat Boone. He sold over 4
million records during one ten-year period.
Buddy was no stranger to academia. He taught method song writing at UCLA
and wrote the song writing text book he used. When he moved here, to the Desert,
he was tapped for a staff position at College of the Desert.
Dennis Boos was a student of Buddy?s at the L.A. University and later when
they met at the Palm Springs Writers Guild, Buddy became his mentor and warm
friend.
Dennis recalls Buddy as a firm taskmaster who admonished him to ?write a page
a day or he was no writer.? He urged Dennis to exceed that minimum.
The Buddy Kay Award will be presented at our June meeting to the member who
has made the most outstanding volunteer contributions to the organization as
established by the Executive Board. Be in attendance to applaud our winner and to
help memorialized that great American song writer, Buddy Kaye.
Past Guild president Graham Smith originated the BK Award, past president
Bill Clark was the first recipient of the award.


ANITA KORNFELD SENDS GUILD A GREETING

?I wish you all good writing luck, and send along a deeply-felt wish that the
Guild will have at the top of its priority list a deepening focus and strong
thrust toward honing the craft of good writing first. Today, there?s such a rush
toward self-publication?and there is, of course, some gratification in that.
But all too often I hear? ?How do I get an agent? Find a publisher?? when they
aren?t by a long shot, ready!?.If writers reach inside honestly?enduringly?their
focus dead-set on the truth of what they want to write about, who consistently
hang in there, willing to try and wrap their flailing arms around this
sometimes elusive and whale-like thing called ?craft? (and there is a craft and ART for
all categories of writing, from fiction with its many variables to commercial
article, essays, poems, etc.) even if, in this arena of professional publishing
that is increasingly hard to find an open door, and their work may never make
the upper level of publication, any writer will have had great moments of
gratification, of rewarding soul-searching. And if they remain a part of the Guild
or other group striving toward excellence, they can find companionship, empathy,
and rejoicing over shared victories.?
Anita also mentioned that she would enjoy some communication from our members.
Her email address is anitakornfeld@aol.com.

CONTEST TIME
The Guild Short Story Contest for this year is still open. The deadline is June
15th. Winners will be announced at the November meeting at the Rancho Mirage
Library. It is open to Guild members only. Prizes are $200 for first prize, $100
for second and $50 for third. Entry forms will still be available at the next
meeting!
CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES
By
Mel Harter
* * *
CONTESTS

TEACHERS AND WRITERS BECHTEL PRIZE
PRIZE: $2,500, honoraria and possible publication
SUBMISSION: Unpublished essay or article about creative writing education,
literary studies and/or the profession of writing; maximum 5,000 words. Contact:
Bruce Morrow, 212-691-6590 or editors@twc.org
ENTRY FEE: Free!
ADDRESS: Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 2020, New
York, New York 10018
DEADLINE: June 30, 2008

* * * *
DRUE HEINZ LITERATURE PRIZE
PRIZE: $15,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press under standard
royalty contract
SUBMISSION: Unpublished book length (150-300) pages) collection of short
fiction. Stories and novellas, any genre. Contact: Kelley Jahovic, 412-383-2456 or
press@pitt.edu For detailed Guidelines go to website;
www.upress.pitt.edu/renderHtmlPage.aspx?srcHtml=htmlSourceFiles/drueheinz.htm

ENTRY FEE: Free!
ADDRESS: University of Pittsburgh Press, Eureka Building, Fifth Floor, 3400
Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
DEADLINE: June 30, 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

Dear Readers:
As the summer approaches, the crowds and enthusiasm wanes. For the first time
since
starting this column, my search yielded no activities of special interest to
our members. Whereas usually I have at least one or two
letters, emails, calls or press releases a month. I
had none this month. So, until the next issue of the Guild Gram (probably by
email or on our website,) I wish you all a great writing summer.
Au revoir until fall!

Your humble correspondent,

Mel Harter.
^ posted by Webmaster @ 5/23/2008 09:00:00 PM Pacific Time

 
May 2008 Guild Gram Newsletter: Guild Gram
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!

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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

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