Newsletter of the Society of Southwestern Authors
Vol. 33, No. 4 August/September '05
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Upcoming Events
August 21
Forum @11:30-2PM
Sheraton Four Points
Marge Pellegrino,
"Writing For Children"
(see article)
Sept. 18
Forum @11:30-2PM
Sheraton Four Points
Claire Cerus,
"Getting Published
In Today's Market - Realities"
(see article)
Oct. 16
Forum @11:30-2PM
Sheraton Four Points
TBA
"TBA"
To R.S.V.P. Forum
Leave Phone Message
at 546-9382
before noon the
Wed. before the Forum
$20 paid at the door
MENU
Sliced London Broil
Vegetarian Lasagna
Red Potatoes
Sauteed Vegetables
Green Salad
Fresh Fruit
Dessert, Bread
Coffee and Tea
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Writing For Children
Discover how to use your research and expertise to tap into the children's market, on Sunday, August 21, with forum speaker Marge Pellegrino.
Marge authored the children's books Too Nice, My Grandma's the Mayor and I Don't have an Uncle Phil Anymore, and she is currently finalizing a young adult novel, To Dream in Color. She has more than 100 published pieces in regional and national magazines. A member of the Arizona Commission on the Arts artist roster, Marge facilitates workshops in schools, libraries and community settings for organizations such as the Tucson Pima Public Library's Tucson Writers' Project, the Learning Curve, and the Hopi Foundation's Owl and Panther: Writing from the DarknessŠa program for children of refugees affected by torture, trauma, and dislocation.
In workshops, Marge combines her passion for writing with her instructing and coaching background in industry. She encourages workshop participants to experience concepts and techniques.
She creates situations where people participate, discover, and make connections, because she believes participants learn and grow most from taking an active role.
Don't miss this terrific opportunity. Put the Forum on your calendar for Sunday, August 21 to discover how to use your research and expertise to tap into the children's market.
Getting Published
In Today's Market - Realities
Join us September 18, for guest speaker Claire Gerus. Claire has been editor-in-chief of two publishing houses, worked for eight major publishers, including Harlequin, Rodale, Random House and Doubleday, John Wiley, Kensington, and Adams Media; written articles for national media; and taught corporate communications to such clients as IBM, Kelloggs, Mutual of Omaha, and Procter & Gamble. In short, we NEED to hear what Claire has to say!
Claire is actively involved in her work as book development consultant and literary agent. Among her clients are an ex-CIA agent, a psychologist, ten CEOs, a private eye, a prize-winning poet, a doctor on the verge of a health breakthrough, a specialist in Soviet history, and many others. And now, Claire will
share her insights, based on her tremendous experiences, with the SSA.
Get a feel for the publishing industry today. Is it REALLY as bleak as we sometimes hear? Are there bright spots? Claire looks for projects that will change readers' lives for the better, whether fiction or non-fiction. Wondering if your book fits that category? Plan to join us to hear Claire Gerus' superb presentation and get a feel for how your book stacks up in today's industry.
(NOTE ON FORUMS: NO CREDIT CARDS-
processing fees are too high,
we do not make a profit on the luncheons-
what you pay is what the hotel charges us.
Also, if you R.S.V.P. please attend-SSA pays full fee if you don't!)
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Successes
Karen Preston Bova's book, Illegals: Who Needs Them? was released by PublishAmerica. This fictionalized saga of the author's actual experiences aptly describes the life of the Mexican illegals. Ms. Bova promotes currently proposed legislation that would allow Mexican workers to enter legally to provide labor for our farmers. Our country's resources could then be used to prevent criminals, smugglers, and terrorists from crossing our borders. Next she plans to write a children's book about Rottweilers.
Mathias B. Freese's new book, The i Tetralogy, ". . . creates a harrowing portrayal of the Holocaust, providing a powerful perspective into the lives of its victims and perpetrators, as well as the legacy it has left behind." You can read more about it at www.bookflash.com and can purchase it at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or
www.hatsoffbooks.com or you can call (520) 798-3306 for more info. Mathias was last year's winner in the SSA contest for personal essay/memoir. He will be speaking on the book at Barbara's Books, in Chicago, around September 22.
Stan Gordon's historical fiction/adventure novel, Moon In The Water, was published in July (Thorndike Gale/Five Star Press). Set in the 1800s, the story was inspired by actual events, and is based on a real person.
Besting the boys at every turnŠa young Apache girl is given the choice for warrior training. Strong and resourceful, Lozen's mysterious Power Of The Blue Hands catapults her into a role of leadership. When the Mexicans and White Eyes invade her land, she is challenged to interpret that power.
Stan had book signings in July at the Jewish Community Center and Barnes & Noble.
J.A. Jance's new Beaumont book, Long Time Gone, went on sale July 26. She will post the tour schedule on her website, www.jajance.com. This year's tour is dedicated to "Relay for Life," the major fund-raising vehicle of the American Cancer Society.
Last year's hardback, Day of the Dead, goes on sale in paperback August 2. It's a thrillerŠthe third in a series which also includes Hour of the Hunter and Kiss of the Bees. It is also R-rated, so be advised.
"For those of you who worried about my use of sodium azide in Partner in Crime, I want you to know that one of my fans, Oregon State Legislator Mitch Greenlick, was inspired by Partner In Crime to sponsor and PASS legislation controlling the handling of this very dangerous chemical. Thanks to all of you who helped."
"If you can't make it to a signing, feel free to contact one of the bookstores on the tour. (Addresses, phone numbers, and contact information are listed in the schedule.) They'll be happy to have me sign books and make arrangements to ship same to you."
"Hope to see as many of you as possible on the tour. And if you come to signings, feel free to bring your back list books along to be signed. Remember: If I wrote it, I sign it."
Jonathan Miller's new book, Crater County, was reviewed on rebeccasreads.com by Narayan Radhakrishnan. "I enjoyed Crater County very much. It's not often that you get to read a somber legal novel. As in Rattlesnake Lawyer the narrative force in Crater County is superb . . . Watch out for Jonathan Miller becoming the new voice in contemporary legal thrillers."
Pinkie Paranya has sold a cozy mystery, Herr Schoodle & McBee, to Five Star Publishers. It's a story about a bumbling private eye who rescues a dog and the dog solves most of his cases for him. The publishing date is 2006. She also sold a romantic adventure, Treasure of the Amazon, to Five Star Publishers. If you liked Jewel of the Nile, you'd like this one. Publishing date 2006.
TIANA, Gift of the Moon, 2nd in Women of the Northland Series, sequel to award-winning Raven WomanŠavailable now.
Check out her web page at www.SouthwestBlend.com/paranya or check the publisher at www.sandspublishing.com
David Skramstad was honored in late June when ByLine Magazine notified him that two of his stories had placed second and third in writing contests. His legendary tale of the Lost Dutchman mine titled "Found and Lost," placed second in the New-Talent Short Story category. His story, "Thunder God," also set in the Superstition Mountains, placed third in Flash Fiction. A cash prize was awarded for each of his winning entries.
David has signed a contract with a literary agency to represent his latest work, Murder Comes Easy, a detective novel set in Tucson and Pima County. The protagonist in his new book is unique. The story goes that she was the first black woman hired by the Tucson Police who rose to the rank of lieutenant before retiring to start her own private detective agency.
Jim Woods' recently released books, the action-suspense novel, The Lion Killer, and the memoir of his world hunting experiences, Honk if You Love Geese, are scheduled to be reviewed in upcoming issues of Rhodesians Worldwide magazine. The quarterly magazine goes to current residents of Zimbabwe and to Rhodesian expats around the world. You can check out Jim's website, www.ultrasw.com/jwoods, for currently available books, books to come, and book editing services.
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