"Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say." —Sharon O'Brien

•Janis Cooke Newman: Check out her profile below.

The debut of Mary has generated a great deal of attention, including a wonderful review in USA Today ( www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2006-10-09-review-mary_x.htm) in which writer Deirdre Donahue calls it "one of those rare books that turns the reader into an admiring fan of both the author and her subject. You feel a compulsion to urge other to read it." Mary was the Booksense Pick for October and for the annual end-of-year Pick Highlights. It debuted at number three on the Bay Area Bestseller List and is also number three on the Independent Booksellers Bestseller List. Janis also has a book-related essay on writing and baking online at www.californiaauthors.com.

Let's all welcome Janis to WNBA-SF. She can be reached through www.janiscookenewman.com.

When did you start writing? 

It seems that I always wrote, but here's when I knew I was a writer - in the fourth grade when I won an essay contest on bicycle safety, and I didn't know how to ride a bike!

Why did you choose your particular genre?

Since I've written a memoir and a historical novel - and I write travel - I probably don't have a genre. After I published my memoir, I attempted a novel, but I found all that freedom (i.e. the ability to make up any characters and have them do any thing) slightly terrifying. A historical novel seemed the perfect "bridge book." I had some freedom to make up things, but I did have to stick with what Mary Lincoln actually did.

What inspired you to choose your subject matter?

Four years ago, on a trip to Washington DC, I couldn't find anybody to say a good word about Mary Lincoln. Every tour guide in the city seemed to have some nasty gossip about her - the séances she held in the White House, her rumored affair with William Wood (fabulous name for your paramour, isn't it?), her compulsive shopping and possible insanity. This, of course, made me very interested in her. I chose to write about her in novel form (and in first-person) because I wanted to explore what she was thinking (and feeling) when she did all these crazy-seeming things.

How difficult / easy has your experience been as a published author? 

So far, I've been a very small book at a very big publisher - and a very big book at a very small publisher. I definitely prefer the latter. So much of your book's success depends on how much your publisher is willing to do (and spend) to promote it. When I learned that St. Martins' Press had budgeted $0 to promote The Russian Word for Snow, I took my (admittedly small) advance and hired a publicist. Then I used every frequent flyer mile I had to tour 15 cities. I've barely broken even on that book, but I see it as an investment in my writing career. And it did pay off. The book is still in paperback (where it has unspectacular but steady sales), and St. Martins' bid for Mary, thus pushing the advance up.

What advice would you give other aspiring authors?

Writing a book is a lot like raising a child - you have to protect it, make time for it, defend it against people who think they know more than you; and then you have to let it out into the world, in all likelihood wearing a cover you never would have chosen. (It's a good thing the New York Times doesn't review kids.) Also, for me, I think it's very, very important to have good readers while you're writing. I had six readers when I was working on Mary, and their input was invaluable. (It's amazing how you have no idea sometimes when you're either over or under-explaining.) That said, if any reader ever makes you feel like not writing - run! We have enough things in our lives to keep us from writing.

Are you a WNBA-SF member and published author? Would you like to share your story with WNBA-SF? Contact newsletter editor Patricia Lynn Henley (wnbaeditor@vom.com) about the Member Profile section of BookWorm.

Twelve WNBA-SF members "time shared" a table as exhibitors at the annual Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA) Tradeshow on Oct 7 and 8. Our participants included Ixchel Leigh, Teresa LeYung Ryan, Danna Troncatty Leahy, Carol Sheldon, Esther Franklin, Margaret Benshoof-Holler, Mary Canavan, Sarah Curtiss, "Dr. Toy" Stevanne Auerbach PhD, Deborah Grossman, Mary Lunning AKA Shyne and Elisa Southard.

WNBA-SF Vice President Lin Lacombe gave a lively presentation to NCIBA members. WNBA Member Jana McBurney-Lin was a featured author autographing her novel, My Half of the Sky, which is a Pulitzer Prize nominee. Everyone had fun building relationships with the bookselling community and fellow WNBA members. Mark your calendars. Next year you too can have fun at the tradeshow.

WNBA-SF treasurer Teresa LeYung Ryan, career coach for writers, and WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson, plotting consultant and teacher, will be presenting at the California Reading Association Conference Nov 2-4 and the California School Library Association Conference.

 In 100 Words Per Minute: Tales From Behind Law Office Doors (2006, Regent Press), WNBA-SF member Adina Sara presents an intimate look inside the quirky world of law offices. She exposes tyrannical and tired litigators along with their devoted, sometimes-devious secretaries in a series of short stories connected by smart poetic jabs. The book follows Adina's 25-year career through the legal minefield as a naïve clerk typist, stressed-out secretary and office manager in non-profit, small plaintiff and corporate environs. "It really is not such a bad thing to have your work life choose you, instead of the other way around" explains Adina. "It keeps you honest. It keeps you alert." She will be reading at Left Coast Writer's San Francisco event on Nov 15; visit www.adinasara.com and www.leftcoastwriters.com for details.

The poem "War Rant" by WNBA-SF member Joan Gelfand was featured on three web sites in October: newversenews.com, Poets Lane and Jewish Voices for Peace. In addition, Fourth River: Place, Space & Identity will publish Music/Dream 14 in an upcoming issue. And You Are Here: Poetry from the Streets of New York featuring Joan's poem "Daddy-O" has just been published by P&Q Press.

 WNBA-SF member Deborah Grossman announces the debut of her book, Goldie and Me, which covers an assortment of life challenges and triumphs through a collaborative effort with Deborah's 88-year-old mother. Goldie and Me explores the multiple facets of family, friendship and freedom through the lens of poetry. Deborah is a Bay Area independent food and wine writer, developmental editor and poet. Her dining column appears monthly in Diablo and she is a contributor to Napa Sonoma magazine. Goldie and Me features several inspiring poems by Deborah's 88-year-old mother and is a springboard for writers of all ages to dance with their muse. Deborah has held readings at Barnes & Noble and Towne Center Books, and will share her message on the value of creative expression at other Bay Area venues.