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FROM OUR CHAPTER
PRESIDENT
Dear WNBA-SF
Friends,
October always signals
the beginning of change for me with life’s routines resuming after summer’s varied schedules and crisp
autumn days. This year is no exception.
Last month I helped
the California Writers Club begin their new season and officially stepped into my new role as an
inspirational speaker. It was a tremendous experience for all of us. Thank you to everyone who shared this
day with me. Your support and enthusiasm is a blessing to me. I’m excited to continue my talks and look
forward to sharing insights about writing, reading and Creativity when given the
opportunity.
Our first meeting of
the year for WNBA-SF is shaping up to be an exciting and inspirational event not to be missed. This event
is part of a nation-wide observance of WNBA’s designation of October as National Reading Group Month.
Chapters across the country are spreading the word – or perhaps words is more appropriate. The only thing
better than reading a good book may be enjoying the book together with other readers. After all, we are a
community of writers and readers who share a love of the written word. Please join us when we host author
and performance artist Beth Lisick on October 10 at our sponsoring book store, BookShop West Portal. She
is a popular Bay Area writer who has experience in the many facets of the world of words as well as how
important it is to have companionship and community among readers through reading
groups.
Also, please join us
at the Annual Author Showcase and Silent Auction on Nov. 3, 2-4
p.m. at the historic Mechanic’s Institute in
San Francisco. If you’ve just
published a book, we’ll give you more than your 5 minutes of fame at the Author Showcase. Bring your
book, practice your speech and sell copies. Aspiring writers, this is an excellent chance to ask those
questions about the business of writing. The Silent Auction will feature items any writer would love
(coaching, pr advice, editing), but also appealing to the general population: an apartment in
Paris, dinner & an
overnight stay at a beach town inn, unique jewelry, award winning wine. Sounds like an ideal time to
pick up a few gifts to stash away for the Holidays.
Looking forward to
seeing you at our next event.
Be
well,
Mary
Knippel
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Preparing For
2008
Please mark your calendars for Sat., Dec. 1 in Half Moon Bay for
our first official National/Anniversary planning
meeting. WNBA-SF is hosting the 2008 WNBA National Board Meeting, but it won't be all
business. We're having a party! WNBA-SF is celebrating our 40th Anniversary
on
Sunday, June 8,
2008. Our kick-off
celebration will be the 12th Annual Effie Lee Morris Children's Lecture on Friday, June
6, 3:30pmat the San Francisco Main Library. Then the business meetings will take
place in San
Franciscoon Saturday
afternoon, Sunday all day and Monday morning (June 7-9, 2008). We'll need your help to plan the WNBA
National meeting as well as a spectacular 40th Anniversary Party. It would be wonderful
to put together a weekend for our visitors that spotlights San Franciscothrough the eyes of WNBA members. Contact
Mary to help with either the WNBA
National Meeting or the 40th Anniversary Party
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THE BOOKWORM TALKS TO WENDY
NELSON TOKUNAGA,
Author of Midori by Moonlight
(St.
Martin’s Press, September
2007)
Her short stories have appeared in The Abiko Literary Quarterly Review, The Plaza, and
Yomimono, among others. She has drawn on her
extensive experience in studying the Japanese language and culture; living, working and
playing in Japan; and her cross-cultural
marriage to create a story about fresh-from-Japan Midori Saito who suddenly finds
herself on her own and lost in translation in San
Franciscoas she searches for her American Dream. Tokunaga is currently
working on her second novel and is a second-year student in the MFA in Writing program
at Universityof
San
Francisco. For details on Wendy’s appearances in
October, visit her Web site at: www.WendyNelsonTokunaga.com
When did you start
writing?
I started writing fiction in
the early 1990s when I was working at an information company in
Silicon
Valley writing summaries of computer articles for searchable databases.
Many of my coworkers were aspiring fiction writers and I was inspired to take a
nighttime creative writing course at a local community college. I ended up taking three
semesters of the course and as a result produced several short stories that I ended up
getting published in several Japan-related literary
journals.
What inspired you to choose your
subject matter?
My novel, Midori by
Midnight, is about a young Japanese woman who has always felt like a stranger in a
strange land in Japan, the country where she was
born and raised. My husband, also from Japan, feels too like he never
fit in there and came to the United
Stateswhen he was eighteen and never returned home. I wanted to explore
this theme and what happens to people when they have to trade in their native culture
for a new one.
How difficult / easy has your
experience been as a published author?
So far it’s been both exciting and
challenging. I find it is wise never to assume anything and to always be ready for the
unexpected. There have been many new things to learn, especially in the arenas of
marketing and promotion, but all in all, it’s been a very positive experience and one that
I have been looking forward to for a long time.
What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
For aspiring novelists I would say that you have to first discipline yourself
and finish that novel. Get good feedback from readers you trust and admire, then revise.
Then maybe you will have to revise again. Once the book is as good as it can be, start
querying agents. Don’t give up if you get rejected—it’s all part of the process. Keep
going. And sometimes you won’t hit with your first book. Midori
by Midnight is my debut novel, but is actually the fifth novel that I have
written..
Are you a WNBA-SF member and a published author? Would you like to
share your story with WNBA-SF? Contact newsletter editor Patricia Lynn Henley
(wnbaeditor@vom.com) about being
featured in the Member Profile section of the
BookWorm.
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Writing For Change Conference
At the
Conference
By Mary Anne
Lunning (Shyne)
On August 23 through
August 25, members of the WNBA/SF Chapter (including Mary
Knippel, president, Vicki Weiland, volunteer
coordinator, Mary Lunning, membership chair and members Ricky Weisbroth
and Mary O'Donnell) attended The Writing for Change Conference at
the Grace Cathedral
Church in San Francisco.
The first of its kind,
The Writing for Change Conference is the brainchild of Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada who are
partners at the Larsen/Pomada Literary Agency in San
Francisco. "The right book will change the world." states Michael
Larsen. "The need for books -- fiction as well as nonfiction -- to stimulate awareness and dialogue,
propose solutions, and inspire change is the greatest and noblest challenge a writer could want." Michael
and Elizabeth are also the founders of the San Francisco Writers’ Conference, an enormously successful
conference garnering 300 attendees. The fifth San Francisco Writers’ Conference is this coming February
2008.
There were close to 50
presenters at The Writing for Change Conference including authors, editors, and agents covering a gamut of
topics ranging from the personal and spiritual, a writer’s tools and essential connections to marketing
and publishing, to the global issues of food and agriculture, medicine, systemic violence and ecology. The
keynote speakers were Riane Eisler (author of The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economy and
The Chalice and the Blade), Philip Zimbardo (author of The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People
Turn Evil) and Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. (author of Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That
Heal).
An integral part of
the success of the conference was the location itself -- San
Francisco's Grace Cathedral with its exquisite beauty, serenity
and spirituality. Grace Cathedral sits high atop Nob Hill and dates back to the gold rush year of 1849. It
is noted for its Ghiberti doors ("the Gates of Paradise ") labyrinths, varied stained-glass and medieval
and contemporary furnishings. The cathedral has become an international pilgrimage for churchgoer and
visitor a like. It is the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the nation.
Working as a volunteer
gave me an even closer look at the conference and the hard work and dedication of the people who
organized, volunteered and brought the conference into fruition. Due to the nature of this conference I
felt a collective sense of a greater purpose -- that purpose being using our creative minds and hearts to
solve problems and bring health and peace into the world. I did however miss the opportunity to walk the
beautiful labyrinth inside the church. That is not to say I won't return soon.
For more information
regarding either the San Francisco Writers Conference or the Writing for Change
Conference: www.writingforchange.orgor
www.sfwriters.org.
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Greeting visitors to the WNBA-SF
booth at the SonomaCountyBook Festival are, from left, Debbie
Gisonni, Jan Newman and Mary Lunning (Shyne).
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WNBA-SF authors
Joan Gelfand
, left, and Jennifer Sweeney enjoy the book festival |
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga chats with a new-found fan at the Sonoma County Book Festival on Sept.
15 |
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At the Book Festival:
Seven authors displayed their wares in a WNBA-SF booth at the Sonoma County
Book Festival in downtown Santa Rosa on Saturday, Sept. 15. They included: Margaret
Benshoof-Holler, author of Burning of the Marriage Hat; Joan Gelfand, Seeking Center: A
Collection of Poems; Debbie Gisonni, The Goddess of Happiness: A Down-To-Earth Guide
for Heavenly Balance and Bliss and Vita’s Will--Real Life Lessons About Life, Death
& Moving On; Jan Newman, Chance Meetings That Tied The Knot: Finding Love When
Least Expected; Teresa LeYung Ryan, Love Made of Heart; Shyne, My Human Heart; and
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Midori By Moonlight.
“I had the pleasure of meeting other WNBA-SF members and gained valuable insight and
information from them, in addition to just having a good time,” Wendy Tokunaga reports. “Even
though I didn’t sell any books, many people came to look at my novel and take my promotional
postcards and bookmarks and I had some nice chats with potential readers.”
Teresa LeYung Rayn, who organized WNBA-SF members’ participation in the festival, says Wendy
is so right-on about the value of this experience. "Even when no direct sale is made, your
showing up to meet the public can only help future sales,” Teresa explains. “Wouldn't we tend
to buy a book if we have met the author and liked what she/he had to say? You never know who
could help further your career. So, just show up."
Three other WNBA-SF members participated in the Sonoma County Book Festival
.Cheryll Crane had a booth next to the WNBA-SF booth; Jennifer Sweeney was one
of the festival’s readers; and Adele Horwitz (a founding member) and her grandson
attended the event to especially cheer for our chapter
members
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Member News
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New WNBA-SF member Freada Klein has a book due out Oct. 19, Giving Notice:
Why the Best and the Brightest Leave the Workplace and How you can Help Them Stay
published by Josey-Bass/Wiley
Already mentioned at
CeoRead.com,the book is getting good advance notice and is available for pre
order on Amazon here
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"Women of Afghanistan and the World: Photos and Stories from the
Road."
WNBA-SF member Diane LeBow
has been chosen to give the 2007 Zagoren
Lecture at her undergraduate alma mater, Douglass
College (Rutgers University, N.J.) on Oct. 2. Her topic is "Women of
Afghanistan and the World: Photos and Stories from the Road." Also speaking at Douglass before and after
Diane are Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gwen Ifill, PBS senior correspondent on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
will. Douglass College has been the only public women's
college in the country.
"Turning Challenges into Successes"
Three WNBA-SF members--Martha
Alderson, Linda Lee and Joan Gelfand--will participate in a presentation
at Mills College on Saturday, Oct. 13. The panel on "Turning Challenges into Successes"
will take place at 3pm in the Reinhardt Room on the Mills Campus,
500 MacArthur Blvd., in
Oakland.
In addition, Joan Gelfand
will read with three
other PEN/Oakland poets in celebration of the anthology "Oakland Out Loud" at
6-7:30pm
Thursday, Oct. 26, at the
Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St., Oakland . www.penoakland.org is a multicultural Bay Area chapter of the International Organization of
Poets, Essayists and Novelists. This reading is part of the http://www.penoakland.org/upcoming-events.html Oakland Out Loud Literary Series
co-sponsored by PEN Oakland and the library. The series is held from 6-7:30pm on the fourth Thursday of each month;
the final two readings in November and December will be held at the Rockridge and Dimond branch libraries.
Admission is free
From Our Literacy
Liaison
Dear WNBA-SF Chapter
Members,
We'd love to hear about how
you're promoting literacy in your community. Email me your story and I'll share it with fellow members so
that we can further promote you and the organization you're helping.
This month we profile
Joan Gelfand, current board
member, past president for our chapter, and current VP on the national board. Joan says, "Some years
ago my Rabbi gave a talk about literacy during a Jewish New Year's service. At that time, President
Clinton had started a campaign for every American to be literate, and the Jewish Community was
responding by sending tutors to adult education centers and schools. The talk touched me deeply when I
contemplated how daunting life would be if you could not read a medical form, a rental application, a
contract to buy a new car or a Muni schedule. Since reading had been one of the aspects of my life
responsible for so much pleasure, I felt a call to help others experience not only the most basic needs
that reading met, but the joy.
"I signed up with the Jewish
Literacy Project and went for a one night training. Since I had successfully taught my daughter to read, I
knew that most of the work would be instinctual but the instructions to go very slowly and to really
ponder each word was helpful. I was assigned to the ER Taylor Elementary
school in San Francisco and quickly made the acquaintance of Celia. Celia was a fifth grader
from Guatemala whose parents spoke no English at home.
“Every Tuesday afternoon we
would meet for an hour and slowly read the books she had chosen. Over time we talked (speaking in English
was not a problem) and I learned that she was distraught about her uncle getting into a violent situation.
I saw how much kids need to talk to adults to figure things out, to have a safe place for their feelings
and to help build self esteem. I was there for Celia, and when she graduated I bought her a book. The
experience proved to be so much more than learning the basics - I was there to guide my student on life
skills. What a satisfying experience - what a joy! See 'Celia Graduates' on http://jg.typepad.com/"
Thank you, Joan, for sharing
this lovely and inspirational story. Celia was lucky to have you in her life. The joy you gave her and
yourself is priceless.
For members who live or work in
San Francisco and are interested in helping adult-learners through project read at the San Francisco Library their training schedule is Saturday, Nov. 3, 10am-4pm, Tutor Orientation &
Training Part 1, L58B; and Saturday, Nov. 17, 10am-4pm, Tutor Training Part 2, L58B. To attend a training session, please call the Project Read office at
415-557-4388 so they can mail you important materials before training begins.
If you're interested in other
locations, please email me, and please put "WNBA and Literacy" in your subject line.
If you decide to get involved,
I'd love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung
Ryan
LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
:
Teresa LeYung Ryan , left, and Lynn Scott.
Transforming Grief into Potent Writing
By
Teresa LeYung Ryan
and Lynn Scott
When: Saturday, Oct.
13,10am-4pm
Where: Book Passage, Corte
Madera
AND:
Saturday, Oct. 27, 10am-4pm, The Writing Salon, Berkeley
Campus
Cost: $95
Registration/More Info: www.bookpassage.com/writing_classes
or 800.999.7909/ www.writingsalons.com
Details: Be it a memoir, novel,
short story, essay or poem, a compelling piece of writing draws the reader in at an emotional level. Not
to be confused with grief counseling, this is a hands-on workshop to elicit the creativity waiting to
emerge from the depths of pain, transforming grief (from loss of identity, purpose, innocence or a loved
one) into inspiration for ourselves and others. The day will include exercises using “emotional flash
cards,” in-class writing (with optional sharing and commenting in a “safe” place), examples of how other
authors have transformed and a list of recommended readings and resources for writers. Participants may
come with or without a specific writing project. Scott (www.lynnscottbooks.com) is the author of A
Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me. Ryan (www. lovemadeofheart.com) is the
author of Love Made of Heart.
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Plot Planner
Workshop
Martha Alderson, author of
Blockbuster Plots –Pure & Simple
When:
Oct. 27, 10am-3pm
Where:
Los Gatos
Cost:
$135
Registration/More Info: 408.482.4678 or http://blockbusterplots.com/plotdemonstration.html
Details: If you are having a difficult time seeing where your
story is headed, or if ideas are rolling around in your head but you cannot get started, or if you are
unable to create the depth your story needs or coherence in your structure, you most likely need help with
plot. If so, this is the workshop for you. Writing is challenging enough. A personalized Plot Planner
keeps you on track. Class size is limited. Martha Alderson, is an international plot consultant, an
award-winning writer of historical fiction, and speaker. She teaches plot writing workshops privately and
through UC Santa Cruz Extension, Learning Annex, East of Eden Writers Conference, Jack London Writers
Conference, and elsewhere.
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Travel Writing 101
Diane LeBow
When: Sunday, Nov. 4,
10am-2pm
Where:
Books Inc., Opera Plaza , San
Francisco
Cost: $65
Registration/More Info: Jennifer Laughran,
415.776.1111 or jlaughran@booksinc.net
Details: As part of Books Inc.’s
“Word Play” series, travel writer Diane
LeBow presents the nuts and bolts for budding
travel writers. “The class will include the cream of my 12 week courses I've taught in
Paris for Study Abroad Programs and at Canada College for many years,” LeBow explains. “From adventure to notes to
rough drafts to publication, we’ll cover it all! How to use photography to enhance your
writing. How being a travel writer makes your travel adventures even better."
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Scene Tracker Workshop for
Writers
Martha Alderson, author of
Blockbuster Plots –Pure & Simple
When: Nov. 10, 10am-3pm
Where: Los
Gatos
Cost: $135
Registration/More Info: 408.482.4678 or http://blockbusterplots.com/plotdemonstration.html
Details: Writers of novels, memoirs and creative non-fiction
require some sort of system to keep track of all the scenes and the information in each scene. Beginners,
intermediates and advanced writers are encouraged to bring characters and a list of the scenes in their
story. Included in the workshop is a private consultation, lunch, a plot packet and fellowship with 3 to 8
other writers in an inspirational setting. $135.00 10-3pm
in Los
Gatos.
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EDITCETERA,
an association of freelance publishing professionals, presents the following workshops.
For registration and more info: www.edicetera.com; 510-849-1110; also learn about other fall workshops,
correspondence courses, and freelance editorial services.
• LESSONS IN PUNCTUATION FROM THE COMMA
QUEEN
Instructor: Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Saturday, October 6,
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church in
Berkeley
Cost: $135 on or before September 28; $145
after
Details: Join a lively and comprehensive
discussion of today’s trends in punctuation.
• PESKY CRITTERS AND BUGABOOS OF ENGLISH
GRAMMAR
Instructor: Amy Einsohn
When: Mondays, October 15 to 29, 6:30 to
9:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church in
Berkeley
Cost: $195 on or before October 8; $215
after
Details: Explore the principles of grammar
and punctuation that are most often misunderstood by even experienced proofreaders,
copyeditors, and writers.
• PROOFREADING A TO Z
Instructor: Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Saturdays, October 20, November 3, and November 17, 9:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church in
Berkeley
Cost: $295 on or before October 12; $315 after
Details: Whether your project is a trade book or textbook,
computer manual, newsletter, or advertising brochure, learn the skills you need to
proofread.
• BASIC
COPYEDITING
Instructor:
John Hammett
When: Tuesdays, October 23 through December 4 (no meeting
November 20), 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church in
Berkeley
Cost: $320 on or before October 16; $340 after
Details: Learn the skills necessary for a copyediting career,
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