Planning Ahead: Sharing ideas
for WNBA-SF at the July 15 planning retreat are, front row from
left, Teresa LeYung Ryan, Dänna Wilberg, Mary Canavan, Mary
Knippel, Linda Lee and Joan Gelfand. Standing, in back, are Sheila
Baltimore, Mary O'Donnell, Mary "Shyne" Lunning and Priscilla
Burgess
|
 |
|
|
|
|
WNBA-SF News
WNBA-SF President Mary E. Knippel, left,
welcomes Vice President Linda Lee
From Our New Vice President
My name is Linda Lee and I have been working on the internet since
1999. A single mom with three great kids, I started selling books
and toys and concert tickets on eBay, and this lead to writing and
selling ebooks and creating websites. This then led to my
website. I also started repairing computers for people,
which lead me to start speaking at local schools on internet
safety.
I was spending so much time explaining and helping people with
their computers, I decided to write a guide book for regular folks,
in plain simple English on basic everyday tasks that can stump us
while we are on the computer. I hope to have my book completed by
early 2008. It is called Smart Women, Stupid Computers. It
isn't just for women, but hey lets face it, men don't like to ask
to for help, and the women buy the books in the house most of the
time anyway!
The process of writing has lead me to get involved with the
local writing community. I have worked for four years at the
awesome San Francisco Writers Conference. This is
always a high-energy, inspiring event. I was also privileged to be
one of the speakers at the Gathering of Readers and Writers event
hosted by the WNBA-SF at the San Mateo Library. My topic was
"
Getting Started Online, Putting Your Book on
the Web". I'm very excited to become the VP of WNBA-SF
and will be blogging more about my adventures.
Monthly Board Meeting
The next meeting of the WNBA-SF board will be held Thursday, Aug.
2. All members are welcome to attend the monthly meeting at the
Museum of Modern Art Café in San Francisco, 6-8pm, on the first
Thursday of each month.
Contact Mary to add agenda items
by July 31 or if you have any questions about the board.
Time for Membership Renewal
Look for renewal information in your e-mail box
soon. We’re adding a senior/student rate and making
it easier to renew online with PayPal.
Contact Membership Chair Mary
Lunning if you have any questions or
comments. |
Come to Sonoma County
|
Meet book-oriented folks, from readers
to other writers, while selling your books in the
WNBA-SF booth at the Eighth Annual Sonoma County Book
Festival in downtown Santa Rosa on Saturday, Sept. 15.
This event is growing in attendance and popularity each
year. In addition to the booth exhibitors, there are
always many speakers, readers and panel
presentations. |
E-mail Teresa LeYung Ryan as soon as possible
if you're interested. The festival will be held in the Old
Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa on Saturday, Sept. 15,
from 10am-5pm. The cost is $25 to participate in the WNBA-SF booth
(which includes a canopy, one 8-foot table and two chairs). We need
four members to staff the booth from 10am-1:30pm, and four members
from 1:30-5pm. Your book will be displayed all day; table space
will be equally divided to accommodate all eight members who pay
$25 each. For more information about the festival, visit the
Sonoma
County Book Festival web site.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. Please email me your volunteer
connections and I'll profile you in a column.
Finding just the right group is rewarding. Martha
Alderson, renowned plotting teacher and consultant, delivers
writing workshops to children who live at the Santa Clara County
Children's Shelter. The writing program is sponsored by the
Friends of the Library of Los Gatos, of which Martha is a board
member. With over 20 years of experience working with thousands of
special education students, it's no surprise that Martha continues
to empower children through literacy.
Mark Forrest, recreation director, writes, "Martha, the
astonished look of accomplishment on the kids' faces is a wonderful
testament of your gift to teach. We are forever grateful for the
time you shared and are anxiously awaiting your next visit. The
Children's Shelter is a temporary placement facility for abused,
neglected and abandoned children. Thanks again for making a
difference in the lives of our children."
For members who live or work in SF and are interested in helping
adult-learners through Project Read at the San Francisco
Library, their training schedule in September is Tuesday and
Thursday evenings (Sept. 11, Orientation, 6-7:30pm; Sept. 13, 18,
20, 25 and 27, 6-8:30pm). In November, the training sessions will
be held on two Saturdays, Nov. 3 and 17, 10am-4pm. If you're
interested in other locations, please email me and put "WNBA and
Literacy" in the subject line. 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.
When training is completed, each tutor is matched with one adult
learner, primarily according to when they can meet, and then the
tutor/learner pair is expected to meet once a week for
approximately two hours. Most decide to meet at the main library
where rooms are available and the computer lab/office is located,
but now and then they may meet at branch libraries as well as other
neutral locations.
Even if WNBA members can't commit to being tutors, we can
support Project Read by talking about the phenomenal work
these folks do. Talk about the wonderful services Project Read
provides to English-speaking adults—from their free one-to-one
tutoring to their easy-to-use computer lab to their Language
Experience Technique (whereby an adult learner tells his/her
stories to the tutor who writes down what he/she hears; adult
learner then learns to read his/her own stories!) Visit the
Project Read website. If you
decide to get involved, I'd love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
WNBA-National News
Great Get-together in Boston
by Mary E. Knippel
This year's WNBA-National meeting in Boston was even more
impressive because I could really appreciate all the dedication,
energy and commitment that every woman brought to the table. Last
year in Los Angeles, I think I was in a bit of a daze all weekend.
I had stepped just into the role of president of our wonderful San
Francisco chapter. As I have never been to Boston before, I was in
awe of the history around every corner. It was beautiful, bustling
and bursting with humanity.
Our meetings were filled with our common challenges: Membership
recruitment, retention and involvement; Board commitment; Finances
& Fundraising; and Communications—both internally and to
external audiences. It was so good to share ideas with everyone
about how to make the chapters work better and grow. Our chapter's
e-newsletter garnered approval as an economic success, and also a
very impressive communication tool. I'll be doing my best in the
coming year to maintain the level of professionalism and high
standards modeled for me in Boston.
2008 National Meeting & WNBA-SF 40th Anniversary
Party
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.
Our kick-off celebration will be the 12th Annual Effie Lee
Morris Children's Lecture on Friday, June 6, 3:30 p.m. at the San
Francisco Main Library. The business meetings will take place in
San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, Sunday all day and Monday
morning (June 7-9, 2008); WNBA members may attend non-voting
sessions. All of the sessions are full of varied discussions, but
every agenda item pertains to furthering our mission of world wide
literacy and fostering professional development of women in the
book industry.
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
Francisco through the eyes of WNBA members. Contact
Mary to help with either the WNBA National Meeting or
the 40th Anniversary Party.
History: The San Francisco Chapter of WNBA was founded in
1968 by Effie Lee Morris, then coordinator of Children's Services
for the San Francisco Main Public Library. Membership has ranged
from sixty to one hundred. Our members are writers, booksellers,
agents, editors, publishers, publicists, librarians, graphic
designers, career coaches, marketing specialists, conference
planners, aspiring authors and avid readers. Our vision is to
support women (and men) in the book industry and to create a local
literary community within the San Francisco Bay Area. The continual
demand for professional development programs along with networking
and marketing opportunities drive our programming choices. We offer
traditional dinner format programs and events, and have added such
events as panels and hands on workshops where participants have the
opportunity to learn more about our craft, hone new skills and meet
other writers.
|
|
|
In This Issue
|
|
|
|
Welcome
|
|
Welcome to the August 2007 edition of Bookworm, with news and
events highlighting San Francisco WNBA members!
"Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a
kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice.
Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before
or behind."—Catherine Drinker Bowen, Atlantic, December
1957.
|
|
From Our Chapter President
|
|
|
Dear WNBA-SF Friends,
I'm writing this on an emotional high because so
many of you gathered on the Coastside for the
Summer Board Retreat to plan our upcoming year. The
energy and enthusiasm was only surpassed by the
laughter and generosity of spirit we each brought
to the WNBA table.
We have a new Vice President, Linda Lee, who is
eager to take on her new responsibilities and
complete the WNBA-SF Board. We have lots of great
ideas, but are still working on firming up the
details so I'll just strongly suggest you stay
tuned. This year's programs will feature
traditional offerings with a twist, brand new bits
and many collaborative endeavors.
|
 Mary E. Knippel
Sharie Cohen
Photography |
|
Our first official event in October will be in
observance of National Book Group Month and will
pay homage to both the tradition of book groups and
spooky stories. More details will follow in the
next newsletter. You won't want to miss a minute of
what's coming up!
Be well,
Mary
|
|
|
Member Profile: Bookworm talks to Michealene
Cristini Risley, co-author of This Is Not The Life I
Ordered
|
|
 WNBA-SF member Michealene Cristini Risley,
co-author of This Is Not The Life I Ordered: 50 Ways To Keep
Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down, is
a serial entrepreneur who has created some of the largest deals
in consumer products. She launched the first-ever branded
maternity line in association with Adidas. At Sega she
championed the Girls Task Force and produced over 100 episodes
of animation. She has also produced, directed and funded an
award winning film called "Flashcards", currently airing on PBS
stations. Michealene is working on a number of films and
documentaries. In 2006, she was invited to the Sundance
Producers Conference. She is a co-founder of Women's
Independent Cinema, a film distribution company.
- When did you start writing?
- I have been writing all of my life but for the purpose of a
book, just about three years ago.
- Why did you choose your particular
genre?
- The three other authors of book (Deborah Collins Stephens,
Jackie Speier and Jan Yanehiro) and I have been friends for a
long time. About seven years ago, we started meeting as a
group, regularly, which turned into a "Kitchen Table Group",
where we could talk and help each other get through problems in
our lives. Over time, we realized that our group discussions
were really helping us with all of our different issues that we
had been facing and we wanted to be able to share the success
that this type of group can give people. We wanted to share the
tips we had accumulated with other people as well. So, we wrote
a book about what we knew was working.
- What inspired you to choose your subject
matter?
- The subject matter of the book discusses our lives; it was
what our lives were about and what we were living. We thought
it could help other people to know that they were not alone and
that all women face hard issues in their lives. We also thought
that it could help other people as much as it helped us.
- How difficult / easy has your experience been as a
published author?
- My experience lies in the middle of difficult and easy. It
is a challenge to publish a book because of the competition
with all of the other books being released every week. It takes
a great amount of energy, creativity, and persistence to create
a buzz in the market place for your book. However, when your
book makes an impact on people, and they want to share the book
with their family and friends, it is extremely gratifying and
makes all of the hardships of publishing the book
worthwhile.
- What advice would you give other aspiring
authors?
- My advice would be to prepare for a lot of hard work in
promoting the book yourself, but also go with a publisher that
you feel confident in and that you will support in anything
they do.
- Anything else you would like to share with the
WNBA?
- One other tip—make use of independent book stores,
especially stores that have an affect on the NY Best Seller's
List. And, have fun!
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 about being featured
in the Member Profile section of the BookWorm.
|
|
Member News
|
|
photo credit Elizabeth Maynard
Schaefer
From left, moderator Danna Wilberg introduces panelists Martha
Alderson, Joan Gelfand and Teresa LeYung Ryan for a discussion
on "Turning Rejections into Success Through
Perseverance"
photo credit Elizabeth Maynard
Schaefer
Participants join in the sacred circle dance, led by Maureen
Atkins
What a Day!
On June 16, approximately 30 WNBA-SF members and guests came
together at the Gathering of Writers and Readers in the San Mateo
Public Library. It was a full day, with sacred circle dancing,
Internet marketing, getting your book online, Brain Gym, a demo of
hands-free voice-activated writing software, a Toastmasters
presentation on public speaking and a writers panel. Many thanks go
to Mary (Shyne) Lunning for turning her "brainchild" into a
reality.
Participant Danna Wilberg shares her thoughts on the day in a
note to Shyne: I wanted to thank you again for your time, effort
and expertise in putting together such a valuable workshop. For one
who is new to the writing arena, the information presented was very
helpful. I loved the circle dance! I loved everyone's sincerity. It
was a fabulous experience!—Many Blessings, Danna
And WNBA-SF member Ricky Weisbroth writes, I really like
presentations that provide real information to me as a professional
writer. I appreciate that the WNBA is doing this and a special
thank-you to Shyne for organizing it. The first speaker Linda Lee
had so much to say that was so important to me, and not nearly
enough time! She was terrific!
How To Submit—For Writers
The key to writing success is submitting but sometimes it can be a
grind. But WNBA-SF member Joan Gelfand and others say don't
give up! Come join their submission support group, which forms in
September. The group will meet one weeknight each month in downtown
San Francisco to share resources, advice and contacts for getting
for work published. For more information, email Joan
Gelfand.
Congratulations also go to Joan for her two poems,
"Soccer Mom" and "Music/Dream Seven", which are included in the
10,000
Poems Project sponsored by the Steinbeck Center in
Monterey. Joan also shares the news that WNBA-SF member Ellen
Sussman, editor of the anthology 26 Writers Behaving
Badly, has been on national book tour for the book's launch.
Visit Ellen's web site for more details on her
events.
The WNBA-SF chapter newsletter, the BookWorm, is
published the first of every month. We 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 newsletter@wnba-sfchapter.org. (If you don't
receive a "got it" response within a few days of sending your
e-mail, please try again.
|
|
Announcements
|
|
San Francisco Writing-for-Change Conference
When: Thursday-Saturday, Aug 23-25, 2007
Where: Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Cost: $395, including meals.
Registration/more info: See the conference web site or contact co-founders
Elizabeth
Pomada & Michael Larsen, 415-673-0939.
Details: This is the first conference dedicated to
nonfiction books about change, from the personal to the planetary,
includes business, culture, the environment, health, the media,
personal development, politics, social issues, spirituality, and
technology. The keynoters: Rachel Naomi Remen, "Kitchen Table
Wisdom," Philip Zimbardo, "The Lucifer Effect," and Riane Eisler,
"The Chalice and the Blade." Attendance limited to 150 writers who
will network with agents, authors, editors, and other publishing
pros. Tuition $395, including meals. For more information visit the
conference web site.
Open up to your Creativity and PLAY!
Mary E. Knippel, Writer and Creativity Mentor
When: Saturday, Sep 15, 10am-noon
Where: Belmont Library, Taube Room, 1110 Alameda de las
Pulgas
Cost: $15 (California Writers Club members), $18
non-members
Registration/more info: 650-615-8331, www.sfpeninsulawriters.com
Details: Share a morning of playful possibility with Mary E.
Knippel, local writer and creativity mentor, and the California
Writers Club. Mary will discuss how incorporating such hands-on
activities as journaling, collage making, beading and paper-craft
arts brings harmony to body-mind-spirit energies. She encourages
everyone to embrace their creativity to reclaim their confidence,
composure, spunk, spontaneity, sense of well-being, calm,
imagination, patience, curiosity and spirit. Bring your sense of
adventure and be prepared to explore delightful diversions, which
may yield insightful results.
Plot Intensive Workshop, Advanced
Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots—Pure &
Simple
When: Sep 22, 2007, 10am-3pm
Where: Los Gatos
Cost: $100
Registration/more info: See
Martha's web site
Details: In appreciation of the complexity of fully
integrating all aspects of plot to create unity in one's work,
Martha Alderson offers this Advanced Plot Workshop. Writers looking
for a practical, hands-on approach to plotting their own individual
project are invited to bring their scenes to be used as examples.
Class size is limited. To qualify, each writer must have read
Blockbuster Plots—Pure & Simple, viewed a Blockbuster
Plots DVD, or attended a live workshop.
Martha Alderson is an international plot consultant, an
award-winning writer of historical fiction, and a 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.
East Meets West: A National Magazine Symposium for Editors
and Writers
Presented by The American Society of Journalists and Authors
(ASJA) and UC Berkeley Journalism School
When: Sep 29, 2007, 9am-5pm
Where: North Gate Hall, Hearst at Euclid Avenue, University
of California, Berkeley
Cost: $130 for ASJA members/applicants, and J-School alumni;
$160 for other mid-career journalists (lunch provided to all
participants)
Registration/more info: See the symposium web site
Details: East Meets West brings together editors from top
general-interest magazines and veteran journalists for an intimate,
all-day conference at the Graduate School of Journalism at the
University of California, Berkeley. The editors will share tips,
insights, and insider information on their publications. Writers
will learn the editors' views on what makes great long-form
narrative journalism, hear about the types of pitches they seek,
and have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an editor. The
symposium will feature John Bennet from The New Yorker;
Jeanne Carstensen, Salon; Sheila Glaser, The New York
Times Magazine; Terry Monmaney, Smithsonian; Ben
Schwarz, The Atlantic Monthly; Martin Smith, West
(The Los Angeles Times). In addition to all-day forums and
panels, a 15-minute session with one editor will be available to
the first 36 registrants. These will be arranged on a first-come,
first-served basis. The emphasis of these sessions is not on
pitching stories, but rather on discussing your work with a top
national magazine editor.
Transforming Grief into Potent Writing
Teresa LeYung Ryan and Lynn Scott
When: Saturday, Oct 13,
10am-4pm
Where: Book Passage, Corte Madera
Cost: $95
Registration/more info: See the
Book Passage web site or call
800-999-7909
Details: 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. Participants should bring their
current projects to class. Scott is the author of A Joyful
Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me.
Ryan is the author of Love Made of
Heart. |
Teresa LeYung Ryan, left, and Lynn
Scott |
|
|
 "Mary E, Knippel")
