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.
Mary E. Knippel, left, and Teresa LeYung Ryan go over plans for WNBA-SF in 2007.
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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