Taking on new roles at the Jan. 6 planning session are,
from left, Shyne (Mary Lunning),now WNBA-SF membership chair, and Barbara
Whittaker, now WNBA-SF publicity chair. For more meeting details, please see
the
Member News section.
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WNBA-SF News
Writers Gathering In SF
WNBA-SF members will be prominent participants at the SF Writers Conference, Feb.
16-18. Registration is $595 for this not-to-be-missed annual event bringing
literary agents, publishers and editors from the West Coast and New York to the
historic Mark Hopkins Hotel over President's Day Weekend. WNBA-SF members Martha
Alderson, Elisa Southard and Teresa LeYung Ryan are scheduled to present at this
conference on Feb. 16 and many chapter members will be attending.
The weekend will include more than 40 workshops. Among this year's keynote
speakers will be Po Bronson (Why Do I Love These People?), Debbie Macomber
(Susannah's Garden) and Firoozeh Dumas (Funny in Farsi). Indulge in writing
workshops taught by best-selling authors. Meet editors and agents looking for new
talent. Take time to network with other writers. Discover cutting edge information
on publishing. This is a great place to get serous about your writing career. To
register or for more details visit www.SFWriters.org.
Pushing for Literacy
Former WNBA-SF treasurer Teresa LeYung Ryan has accepted the appointment of
"Literacy Liaison" and will be taking on this new role for our chapter.
WNBA encourages every chapter to make greater impact on the world of literacy
and books. Teresa will be our Literacy Liaison, leading us in linking our chapter
to organizations such as Reach Out and Read, an innovative national pediatric early
literacy program which introduces children as young as 6 months to the world of
books through the combined efforts of pediatricians, educators and volunteer
readers. Dr. Perri Klass, a pediatrician and the author of several books on
parenting and medicine, received the 2006 WNBA Award for her contributions as the
president of the Reach out and Read Program.
Look for more info in the March Bookworm and get involved.
WNBA works with the UN, and has contributed funds to Afghanistan for women and
girls who are in school for the first time. Throughout WNBA-SF's long and rich
history, we have participated in various literacy projects. Most recently, members
collected children's books to be donated to the Teddy Bear Room (for child
witness/victims) at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.
Together We Can Make a Difference
Come join our team! Volunteerism has impressive social benefits as well as
important economic impact by helping individuals develop marketable skills, access
to professional networks and boosting confidence and self-esteem. Polish your
people skills by helping WNBA-SF organize our next event.
To the member who enjoys working with Excel spreadsheets, join our board as
Treasurer. To the member who would like to introduce WNBA-SF to the latest and
greatest in people, information and technology, join our board as Programming
Coordinator. To the member who likes to organize and plan parties/conventions, join
our board as Special Event Coordinator when WNBA-SF celebrates our 40th Anniversary
and hosts the 2008 National Board Meeting in June. To the member who would like
WNBA-SF to sponsor a particular speaker or program, join our board as one-time-only
Program Chair.
To become involved, please e-mail maryeknippel@gmail.com.
Meeting Feb 1
Bring your ideas and your enthusiasm to the monthly WNBA-SF board meeting from
6-8pm on Thursday, Feb. 1. Always open to all members, WNBA-SF board meetings
(except for the January session) are usually held on the first Thursday of the
month from 6-8pm at the Café at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. For more
details or to add an item to the agenda, please e-mail maryeknippel@gmail.com.
Getting in the BookWorm
The WNBA-SF chapter newsletter, the BookWorm, is published the first of every
month. We'd love to announce members' publications, articles, book-signings,
workshops, awards or other milestones. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of
each month; please send items to wnbaeditor@vom.com.
(If you don't receive a "got it" response within a few days of sending your
e-mail, please try again.)
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WNBA-National News
Promote Your Book to the World
One of the many benefits of membership in WNBA-SF is the opportunity to be listed
in the authors' section of the National web site at www.wnba-books.org.
Once you finish pouring all your blood, sweat and tears into the writing and
publishing process, getting the word out to the public can be a daunting task few
of us are prepared to tackle alone. WNBA-SF Members can gain invaluable exposure in
the world marketplace by submitting their book information to the new WNBA
Author Section on the WNBA National web site.
To be included in the WNBA Author Section, current members of WNBA-SF must send
their information in a Microsoft Word attachment to: maryeknippel@gmail.com with WNBA author listing in the
subject line by Feb. 15. Members should include their name (first and last
name and middle initial if it has been included in the publication), book title(s),
publisher(s), and date(s) of publication for any book they have written and/or
illustrated, a web site address, and any award bestowed on the work(s).
And don't forget that the WNBA national newsletter, the Bookwoman, goes
out to nine chapters with more than 900 members nationwide. Joan Gelfand
(joangelfand@pacbell.net) is our SF chapter correspondent.
In addition to sending items to the chapter's BookWorm newsletter, please
contact Joan if you'd like news sent to this national newsletter—talks,
publications, appearances, awards, reviews or feature-length article ideas.
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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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In This Issue
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Welcome
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Welcome to the February 2007 edition of Bookworm, with news and events highlighting
San Francisco WNBA members!
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."—Jack
London
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From Our Chapter President
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Dear WNBA-SF Friends,
February. Does the mention of the shortest month, cause you to
sigh or smile in anticipation? Do you chuckle waiting for the
Groundhog's appearance? In honor of Library Lovers Month and Black
History Month do you read a new author, or reread Alice Walker?
It is also American Heart Month; is everyone paying attention to
their physical diet and activity as well as their literary
consumption and development? And speaking of hearts, are you the
chocolates and sentimental card kind of Valentine? Is a funny card
with a goofy cupid your style?
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 Mary E. Knippel
Sharie Cohen Photography |
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I have boxes of treasured Valentines I've collected over the years.
Among my special favorites, are the ones that were made of red
construction paper with childish script "I love you MOM" from my
daughter. My husband of 34 years may be the original absent minded
programmer who selects his Valentines in the final hours of
February 13, but he does win points for carefully choosing the
perfect cards with just the right verse. Yes, I said cards, because
I'm lucky enough to have a husband who spoils me with both a
sentimental and a funny card.
Because it is the month for Valentines, I want to take this
opportunity to say I love you to all of you. It is a privilege
working with all of you because of your passion for books and
reading, your commitment to WNBA-SF and to supporting each
other.
Be well,
Mary
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Introducing Our New Members!
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Shyne is the author of My Human Heart (2003), chronicling her poems of rage,
resilience and rebirth. "Poetry with any amount of truth and revelation in it is
like an oasis in the desert," Shyne says. "One must find a way to sing it, act it
and talk it to all of mankind wherever possible." She was born Mary Lunning in
Bagley, Minn. in 1947. Shyne moved to California in 1965, where she attended San
Francisco State University, majoring in creative writing. She has been published in
various small presses including Up against the Wall Mother and Prophetic Voices.
She was the editor for a feminist newsletter and co-founded the publication,
Humanity Times. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area, and is the new
WNBA-SF membership chair. Her web site is www.shynespoems.com.
From the newsletter editor: Hi! I'd love to feature more of our new members
in this section, but I think my e-mails requesting details aren't getting past all
the spam blockers. If you've joined within the last year, please send a short bio
and an (optional) photo to wnbaeditor@vom.com. Thanks!
—Patricia
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Member News
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Conferring on Jan. 7 are, from left,
Mary E. Knippel, Teresa LeYung Ryan, Shyne and Barbara
Whittaker.
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A small but dedicated group gathered at the home of WNBA-SF president Mary E.
Knippel on Saturday, Jan. 6, to lay the groundwork for a wide range of chapter
activities in 2007. Those joining Mary for this planning meeting included Past
President Joan Gelfand, Treasurer Teresa LeYung Ryan, Newsletter
Editor Patricia Lynn Henley and members Shyne and Barbara
Whittaker. During the session, Shyne agreed to become Membership Chair, and
Barbara formally assumed the duties of Publicity Chair.
WNBA is open to all who love books. As part of that wider emphasis, Teresa
agreed to step down as treasurer in order to tackle the role of literacy liaison,
so the chapter can give more emphasis to this important issue. The group also
discussed starting an author reading series in March, holding an April "Blogging
and Blending" event, a mid-May target date for an authors' publicity workshop and
the Effie Lee Morris Lecture in June. We're also working to identify tradeshows
where author-members can promote their books and adding PayPal as a convenient
online option for new and renewing members.
It was an exciting session. We now need a new treasurer (Teresa has everything
beautifully organized) as well as others interested in creating a range of
activities. To add your creative energy to the mix, please e-mail maryeknippel@gmail.com.
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 being featured in the Member Profile section of the BookWorm.
 WNBA member Jana McBurney-Lin's debut novel, My Half of
the Sky (July 2006, Komenar Publishing), introduces Li Hui, a young
Chinese woman of marriageable age who has recently graduated from the
university. Li Hui struggles with finding love and acting with honor. Guidance
and advice come from all corners of her world as well as different and
conflicting generational, historical and cultural values. Each generation of
modern China wants something different for and from her, particularly her
parents, who mourn the lack of a son while attempting to marry her off to
their greatest advantage. Mao said that "women hold up half the sky," meaning
that women make an equal contribution to China. But how does Li Hui manifest
the promise in these words when she is given so little room in which to
maneuver?
Jana will be reading from and discussing her book at the Salinas Public Library
from 2:30-5pm on Feb 3, and at the Chinatown Branch of the San Francisco
Public Library (1135 Powell St, near Jackson) from 2:30-4pm on Mar 3.
 Please note the time change: WNBA-SF Past President (and
current national WNBA Vice President) Joan Gelfand will be the featured
reader at 7pm on Feb 5 at the "All Poets Welcome" series at the Gallery Cafe, 1200 Mason St, San Francisco. The time has
been rescheduled since we published the January issue of the BookWorm. Joan
will be reading from Seeking Center, recently published by Two Bridges
Press, and from Jubilee, a work in progress. An "open mic" session will
follow.
Plus, Joan is looking for authors who want to read their fiction,
poetry or creative nonfiction at a fundraiser in a private San Francisco home from
2-5pm on Feb 25. This is a juried event and a unique opportunity. If
interested or for more details, email joangelfand@pacbell.net by Feb. 15.
 WNBA-SF member Stevanne Auerbach, also known as Dr. Toy, is
being honored by the Women in Toys organization and Playthings Magazine as
Wonder Woman Entrepreneur 2007. Dr. Toy will be presented with her award at
the third annual Wonder Women awards gala on Feb 11 during the American
International Toy Fair in New York City. For details, visit www.womenintoys.com.
A new edition of Dr. Toy's 15th book, Smart Play/Smart Toys: How to Raise a
Child with a High P.Q., is now available at Barnes & Noble and in retail
toy stores. The book has been published in China, Germany, India, Korea, Spain, and
Thailand, and will soon be released in Israel, Indonesia and Croatia.
 WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson recently launched the
Scene Trackers Kit: Seven Ways to Build Better Scenes Today, which is
the newest plot tool in her Blockbuster Plots product line for writers.
Dramatically cut the time it takes to finish your story. Maximize your scenes
by tracking them side-by-side on a Scene Tracker. This visual representation
of your project allows you to interweave the seven most essential elements of
scene and all of the plot threads necessary for a successful story. The kit
includes a 200-page plot book, Scene Tracker Template CD and Workshop
Intensive DVD. For details, visit www.blockbusterplots.com. Martha. is an international
plot consultant for writers. As the author of Blockbuster Plots Pure &
Simple, she created a unique line of plot tools for writers.
 Elisa Southard (our coach in November at WNBA-SF's Use the
News to Promote Yourselves workshop) has been chosen to be on the AARP Women's
leadership Circle "Redefining Aging" Committee. Elisa's book, Break Through
the Noise, 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message, hit the bestseller
list on Amazon last year. Currently, Elisa is inviting couples to participate
in her research on professionals and spouses in transition. If interested,
e-mail Elisa at Elisa@MarketSkills.com and put "Your Baby Boomer
Research" in the subject line.
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Announcements
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Writers Weekend at Asilomar
When: Mar 2-4
Where: Asilomar resort in Monterey
Instructors: WNBA-SF member Ellen Sussman and Tom Parker
Cost: $525 for a shared room, $645 for a single room
Maximum: 24 students
Registration: contact ellensussman@gmail.com or helencaswell@aol.com.
Details: Develop a sense of community and share writerly concerns through a weekend
of workshops, lectures, readings, walks on the beach and writing. Everyone gets a
chance to work with Tom Parker and with Ellen Sussman, and have their work
critiqued by one of the two. There will be workshops to read and discuss student
work as well as evening presentations to explore skills and techniques. On Sunday
agent Randi Murray, of the Randi Murray Agency, will join participants for a
discussion about what to do when you're ready to find an agent.
WOW! Women on Writing
When: Mar 3
Where: Skyline College, San Bruno
Cost: $85 until Feb 23; $100/door, Students $25 thru Feb 23
To register or for more information: www.smccd.net/accounts/skywow.
WOW! 2007 is the fifth annual conference celebrating International Women's Day.
This year's keynote speaker will be Ayelet Waldman, author of Love & Other
Impossible Pursuits, Daughter's Keeper and The Mommy-Track
Mysteries.
Among the many workshops and panel discussions will be "Transforming Grief Into
Potent Writing" by WNBA-SF members Teresa LeYung Ryan (Love Made of
Heart), and Lynn Scott (A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer
Clients and Me).
Conference participants come from the nine Bay Area counties and beyond, bringing
together a remarkable range of ages from 11 to 90-something. Skyline College is a
center for the intellectual nurturance of women of all ages, extending far beyond
the numbers who regularly enroll in courses. The conference brings together
faculty, staff, students and community members with culturally diverse writers and
artists who introduce new ideas and pedagogies associated with women's studies
curriculum in colleges and universities.
The Well-Constructed Plot
When: Tuesdays, Mar 6-27, 6:30-9:30pm
Where: University of California Santa Cruz Extension
Instructor: WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson
Register at: www.ucsc-extension.edu, Course #3507, Section #004.
Details: Novelists, short story writers—even memoirists—strengthen and improve
their writing by clearly formulating a plot in advance. A well-constructed plotline
can help get you started, prevent mid-project stalls and guarantee you'll make it
through to the euphoric end. In this four-evening workshop, participants will
examine the dynamics of scene and summary, the cause and effect sequences that
underpin solid plots, and how characters in conflict act as the driving force
behind exceptional stories. Each participant will create two visual templates—one
to hold your story ideas at the scene level, the other to hold an action plotline
full of conflict, a character-driven plotline, and a thematic plotline.
Advanced Fiction Writing with Tom Parker
When: Wednesdays, 7-10pm, Mar 14-May 16
Where: 535 Ramona St (above Nola's), #6, Palo Alto
Cost: $495
Registration: Send a deposit of $50 to Tom Parker at the above address. For more
information, visit tomparkerwrites.com, call 650-321-6120 or e-mail tom@tomparkerwrites.com
Details: Can a fiction writing workshop change your life? Maybe. It certainly can
change your writing, helping you take it to the next level and see your work with
newfound clarity. WNBA-SF member Tom Parker is a former Stanford and UC Berkeley
writing instructor, a prize-winning short-story writer and novelist, and a longtime
Palo Alto Weekly fiction contest judge. This is an opportunity to avail yourself of
his insight, humor, and unique teaching style in a supportive environment where
your work is discussed and refined with the goal of publication.
Jack London Writers Conference
Sponsored by San Francisco Peninsula Branch of California Writer's Club
When: Mar 24
Where: Crown Plaza Hotel, Foster City
Cost: $150 ($125 CWC members), $95 full time students
Registration and more information: www.sfpeninsulawriters.com.
Spend one incredible day with successful authors and teachers, including WNBA-SF's
Ellen Sussman. Among the 16 workshops will be: Finding Your Writer's Voice,
First Draft/Second Draft, Creating Blockbuster Plots (presented by WNBA-SF's
Martha Alderson) Romancing the Page, Moving the Plot Through Dialogue,
Writing for Children, Creating Characters that Leap off the Page and more.
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 "Mary E, Knippel")
