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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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