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Mission Statement
The Woman's National Book Association is a national organization of women and men who
work with and value books. WNBA exists to promote reading and to support the role of women in the community of
the book.
The Women's National Book Association was established in 1917, before women in America had the
right to vote.
The San Francisco branch of WNBA is one chapter in a vibrant organization with over 800 members
across the county. Each branch has its own flavor and lively events to honor books—the creation of books, the
world of books, and allied arts.
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Events
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005: WNBA Mixer
Come meet our board and other WNBA-SF members at this informal event, hosted at our sponsoring bookstore Valencia
Street Books. This is a great chance to network with other writers involved in our organization and meet board
members. Tell us what you'd like to see our WNBA-SF tackle in 2006!
Thursday, Nov. 17: Build Your Reader Base at the 2005 Authors Showcase
Another signature WNBA event, celebrating our members' achievements: come to this delightful evening, honoring
our ongoing efforts to both increase literacy and contribute to the canon of books. The evening includes display
tables where WNBA members can show off—and sell—their titles. This year's theme is "Do You Believe in Magic?" As
an exhibiting author, you'll share one magical thing that happened during the writing or publishing process. Be
part of the magic and sign up early to reserve your place.
Exhibit fee for authors is $64 with dinner included. To attend and enjoy the books: $39 for WNBA members and
$45 for non-members.
Last year was a sell-out, so authors ONLY please sign up today by sending an email to Elisa Southard at
elisa@marketskills.com. Be
sure to put WNBA in the subject box. All others please sign up with Vicki Weiland (see below).
Friday, Dec. 16: Holiday Celebration
Ring out the old and bring in the new with the WNBA board and membership at this gala event. Check our upcoming
newsletters for updates!
For all the above WNBA events, please RSVP to our Hospitality Chair, Vicki Weiland, at vcweiland-writer@yahoo.com. Or
you can call 415-614-2533.
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In This Issue
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Welcome
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Welcome to the September edition of Bookworm, our monthly Newsletter—news and events featuring San Francisco WNBA
members!
The test of literature is, I suppose, whether we ourselves live more intensely for the reading of it.
—Elizabeth Drew
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Call for Volunteers
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We need your help! The WNBA-SF Board is working hard to make WNBA an organization that supports, promotes, and
assists writers, readers, and the endangered art of literacy. In order to make us even stronger, we need volunteers
interested in writing for our BookWorm; be a liaison correspondent for our national newsletter, BookWoman; and help
staff our events. If you are interested in volunteering, please send us an e-mail at womensnationalbookassoc-sf@earthlink.net and let us know your interest and availability.
Thanks! |
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News
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WNBA Chapter News:
Five of our own WNBA-SF members are part of LitQuake this year. Our president Joan Gelfand (Fast
Forward), Secretary Christopher Gortner (The Secret Lion), and members Holly Payne
(The Virgin's Knot and The Sound of Blue), Cara Black (The Aimeé Leduc mysteries) and
Ellen Sussman (On a Night Like This) will all be reading as part of this Bay Area festival, which
every year attracts more and more attention. For more information, please go to: www.litquake.org.
WNBA National News:
On Wednesday, October 12th at 1 p.m., Central Standard Time, John Grisham, one of America's leading novelists,
will announce this year's National Book Award Finalists from the front porch of the recently restored Rowan Oak,
the home of novelist William Faulkner for the last thirty years of his life. The announcement will be made in
conjunction with the University of Mississippi, which owns the Oxford, Mississippi home. William Faulkner was the
recipient of two National Book Awards for Fiction. Grisham, America's foremost writer of legal thrillers, is a
graduate of the University of Mississippi Law School and a resident of Oxford. Grisham will be introduced by
Richard Howorth, mayor of Oxford and owner of the independent bookstore Square Books.
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Member Profile: Danna Troncatty Leahy, author of Ciao, Bambino!
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 WNBA-SF
member Danna Troncatty Leahy is a shining example of how a persistent, passionate author who
believes in her work can achieve wonders. She lives in San Carlos, CA with her husband and two young
children. A graduate of UCLA and veteran of the high technology industry, Danna embarked on a new venture
when she sat down to write her first children's book Ciao Bambino! A Child's Tour of Italy
(AuthorHouse, October 2004, 36 pgs. ISBN: 1-4208-0082-5.) Her story was inspired by her own children's desire
to learn about new places and foreign languages. Danna attended our Author's Showcase event in 2004, and has
worked hard to make her book visible in a congested market, knowing only she could give it the push it needed
to succeed.
Last weekend, Danna attended the Italian Family Festival on Santana Row in San Jose to market Ciao
Bambino! The event was a wild success. She sold 180 copies of her book and several local teachers asked her
to come to their classrooms to share her book. Additionally, a retailer purchased copies for a retail store in
Washington state. Danna has been thrilled by the strong reception to her work. As she approaches the anniversary
of its publication, she has sold over 2,100 copies.
Danna will be marketing her book again at the Cal Italia Wine & Food Festival, October 8th at Fort Mason
in San Francisco. Please let your family and friends know about the book as it is a fun gift item for any young
ones in your network. Signed copies are available at: www.ciaobambinobooks.com.
A BookWorm Interview with Danna Troncatty Leahy, author of Ciao Bambino! A Child's Tour of
Italy
- When did you start writing?
I have loved writing since I was a child. I still have many poems I wrote from the sixth grade and up. Two
years ago, I took a leave from corporate America to finally pursue writing as a career. It enables me to stay
home with my two children, but pursue my passion.
- Why did you choose children's books?
Having a five year old and an almost 2 year old, I read alot of children's books. I wanted to begin writing
books that my children and I can enjoy together. It enables me to teach them about the world in which we
live, and explore new adventures.
- How did you publish?
I really wanted to get to market fast and prove my idea. Therefore, I self-published through a
print-on-demand company, Authorhouse. My goal was to sell a significant quantity of my first book, build my
success story, and take the second book in my series to a traditional publisher for a wider launch. Let's
hope the plan works!
- How difficult / easy was your launch into the world of the published world?
Every step has been an incredible learning curve. Writing a story is tough. Writing a good story is even
tougher. But designing a book cover to cover on your own, with no previous experience, collaborating on
illustrations, and finally seeing it in print - what an awesome experience. I feel fortunate for my success
so far and for all the support from family and friends. Reality is the hard work continues day after day. The
book doesn't sell unless you are marketing it endlessly!
- What advice would you give other aspiring children's authors?
Follow your dream. Getting a book published and sitting in front of a group of children, seeing there
interaction with your story is a rich reward. If you plan to self-publish, interview wisely for your
illustrator. The pictures truly make the story come to life and you want a partner in that process that
listens to your vision. GOOD LUCK!
Are you a WNBA-SF member and published author? Would you like to share your story with WNBA-SF? Contact
Christopher for the chance to be
featured in our Member Profile section of BookWorm!
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Announcements
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The California Writers Club (CWC) Marin branch is offering a special editing workshop: The Final Draft
What: The Final Draft: Editing For Publication, presented by Charlotte Cook
When: October 16
Where: InnMarin, 250 Entrada Dr, Novato CA
Creative writing workshop where everyone can learn more about editing. Find out what is necessary to bring your
work up to the standards that agents and editors expect. A hands-on workshop that includes editing attendees' own
work. Cost: $75 for CWC (www.cwcmarinwriters.com) members; $90 for nonmembers. Refreshments, lunch, and handouts
included.
Go to website for details about the workshop. To register: Email: mjessex@msn.com.
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Classes
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Set Yourself a Writing Goal: Attend a Plot Writing Workshop before the end of the year.
Plot expert extraordinaire and WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots, is
offering the following final 2005 plot workshop in Los Gatos: Saturday, October 22nd. PLOT PLANNER: Plot
springs from character in conflict. Not only will you learn about action, character and thematic plot, you will
have the opportunity to practice using the skills you learn by creating an action, character and thematic
plotline for your latest project. The single-most effective way to enhance your success is to stand back and
analyze and visualize the bones of your project. The Plot Planner allows you to do this. Los Gatos 10:00-3:00.
For more info: www.blockbusterplots.com/workshops.html.
Martha Alderson, M.A. is the author of Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple and an award-winning writer
of historical fiction. She has taught plot and scene development at the University of California at Santa Cruz
Extension, Learning Annex, and writers conferences.
To sign up for her free eZine, email martha@blockbusterplots.com.
Write Your Memoir Online, with Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D.
Have you been meaning to write your personal story? Do you have a book you'd like to work on but don't have time
for classes? Join Linda Joy Myers' online memoir class. Self-paced, includes phone consultations, exercises, and
feedback. $150 for 4 classes / $225 for 6 classes. Visit www.memoriesandmemoirs.com for more
details.
Join Linda for her annual Calistoga Writing Retreat: Harvesting Your Wisdom, Friday, October 28 -
Sunday, October 30. For more information about the retreat or for new fall classes starting in September, please
visit her website: www.memoriesandmemoirs.com.
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