10-07 l Women's National Book Association

Women's National Book Association

San Francisco Chapter Newsletter | | October 2007 |

Welcome to the October 2007 edition of Bookworm

News and Events highlighting San Francisco WNBA members!

"The story is not in the plot but in the telling."-Ursula K. LeGuin

The Women’s National Book Association

San FranciscoChapter

hosts an evening with

author & performer Beth Lisick

at BookShop West Portal

Wed., Oct. 10, 7 pm

to celebrate WNBA’s 90th anniversary,

WNBA-SF’s 40th anniversary

and the

launch of October as

National Reading Group Month

WNBA continues its mission to promote reading and the value of books into the 21st century with National Reading Group Month, which celebrates the joy of shared reading. The mission of National Reading Group Month is four-fold: to bring about public awareness of the joy of shared reading; to provide a time for existing groups to celebrate their accomplishments and make plans for the future; to encourage libraries, bookstores, and various organizations to host special events for reading groups; and to provide opportunities for individuals to get involved in an existing reading group or start one of their own.

As the moderator of a monthly book club for elementary school girls and their moms, Lisick has first-hand knowledge of the value of reading groups. Throughout her career, Lisick has refused to stick with one medium. She's written for magazines and done a story for a national radio program; has published poems, essays, a short fiction collection; and also wrote a weekly nightlife column for SF Gate for eight years. She also co-organizes the Porchlight Storytelling Series, a monthly show for amateur storytellers in San Francisco. Perhaps she will tell us how she managed to get a book deal without ever having to write up a proposal, pitch an agent or strategize to make herself more salable at a Litquake reading.

Her book, Everybody into the Pool, was a New York Times extended list bestseller and made Entertainment Weekly's list of Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2005; it’s now out in paperback. In her latest work, Helping Me Help Myself, due out in time to assist with 2008 new year’s resolutions, anti-self-helper Beth explores the wonderfully weird world of self-help in a confessional and humorous look at the never-ending search for self improvement.

The event will be held at BookShop West Portal, WNBA-SF’s sponsoring bookstore, 80 West Portal Ave., San Francisco, 415.564.8080.

Author Showcase, Auction Nov. 3

Authors--promote your recently published work, practice your sales pitch and hone your speaking skills at 2pm on Nov. 3 as WNBA-SF hosts its annual Author Showcase & Silent Auction at San Francisco’s historic Mechanics Institute. Book lovers--come meet the authors who shape our literary landscape and get the inside scoop on their newest books.

New this year, we will combine the energy of the Author Showcase with a Silent Auction. This auction, which will raise funds to support WNBA-SF programs, goes beyond tasty dinner gift certificates and day spa packages. Many of our members have donated their time and talents (coaching, pr advice, mentoring, critiquing and a chance to live in a Paris apartment!) to make this a wish list any writer would be thrilled to receive. Visit our web site for a complete list of items available. This will be a very entertaining and insightful event. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Mary Knippel
President

Monthly Board Meeting

The next meeting of the WNBA-SF board will be held Thursday, Oct. 4. All members are welcome to attend the monthly meeting at the Museum of Modern Art Cafe in San Francisco, 6-8pm, on the first Thursday of each month. Contact Mary to add agenda items or if you have any questions about the board.

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

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

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 States when 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.

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.

Greeting visitors to the WNBA-SF booth at the Sonoma County Book Festival are, from left, Debbie Gisonni, Jan Newman and Mary Lunning (Shyne).

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

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

Member News

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

"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.

------

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.

------

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."

------

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.

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.