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In This
Issue
From Our Chapter
President
WNBA-SF
News
Announcements
From Our Literacy
Liaison
Bookworm Talks
To.....
WNBA National
News
Link to Renew Membership (General
Member - $45)
Link to Renew Membership (Senior/Student -
$25)
WNBA-SF Holding
Elections
WNBA-SF
holding elections and we need your input and your
VOTE!
Here’s your
chance to meet interesting people, learn new skills and be a
part of the guiding force shaping WNBA-SF. Being a part of
the Board offers a rich and rewarding experience, filled with
networking opportunities and the chance to really make an
impact on the careers of authors and the lives of
readers. Please go to the web site to submit
nominations and to read job descriptions for the open board
positions.
Contact
Vicki Weiland at Nominations@wnba-sfchapter.org.
if you have any questions.
Slate
of Officers so far…
President: Linda Lee
Vice-President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
********************
Break the submission
barrior!
Learn from a pro! Published author, Joan Gelfand is offering
a concise and comprehensive workshop entitled Submission Strategies that
Work.
New class forming: five session class starts this month. Click on
www.joangelfand.com to learn more
and be sure to scroll down and read Joan's impressive list of
reputable testimonials.
Joan
Gelfand, Writer, Editor and Coach has published widely and
internationally. Her book, Seeking Center, published by Two
Bridges Press, has been endorsed by Al Young, Poet Laureate
of California.
This
excellent opportunity is an invaluable learning experience
for writers wanting to break the submission barrior.
Bite the bullet and learn the tricks of the trade.
********************
SAVE THIS
DATE!
JUNE 7, 2008
MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS TODAY!
The 40th
Anniversary of the San Francisco Chapter of
WNBA will be celebrated with a dinner at Sir
Francis Drake Hotel on Sat., June 7 in the
heart of San Francisco.
Highlights include:
•
Keynote speaker: Beth Lisick, local
best selling author and performance artist. Beth’s
recent book, Helping Me Help Myself,
was praised in Entertainment News and the San
Francisco Chronicle.
• Honoring Effie Lee Morris, our
founding president and also recognized by the
American Library Association as a living legend.
Ms. Lee has served the cause of children’s literacy
around the globe.
• Installation of Joan Gelfand,
WNBA-SF Past President, as the new National
President of WNBA.
• Come greet our national
officers, make new friends, network and make
coast-to-coast connections. Presidents from all of
the National WNBA branches will be in attendance.
This is a great opportunity for WNBA-SF authors to
schedule events in other WNBA chapter
cities.
Reservations need to be secured right. Contact Mary
E. Knippel at president@wnba-sfchapter.org.
Please specify:
1. Will you
be attending? (cost of the dinner is estimated to
be $58.00-62.00 per person.)
2. Will you
be bringing guests (how
many)?
We look forward
to seeing you there and celebrating with
you!
********************
Reminder: WBNA-SF Board
Meetings
Board meetings are open
to the entire membership and are held the
first Thursday of the month 6-8 at the
SFMoMA.
*********************
“Introduction
to Essential Elements in Writing a Story" with Teresa
LeYung Ryan & Lynn Scott
When: Saturday, April 12, 2008, 10am-4pm
Enroll: On-line, telephone, or at
store
Cost: $95.00
Where: Book Passage University
Corte Madera Store
www.bookpassage.com
(800) 999-7909
Co-teacher Teresa LeYung Ryan says: "A great story has a
captivating beginning, a middle that compels you to turn the page,
and a satisfying ending." Co-teacher Lynn Scott adds: “We can
learn so much and watch our writing improve, if we accept that 3/4
of writing is tenacity, 1/4 talent.”
* What point of view should I use?
* What's the timeline and setting of my
story?
* Should I use first-person narrator?
* Do I really need a thesis statement?
What you'll gain from the course:
* in-class writing
(with optional sharing and
commenting);
* examples of how other authors use the
essential elements
* list of recommended readings and resources for
writers.
This is an introductory course for anyone who has an idea for a
story.
OR
For the writer who has a first draft and wish to re-learn the tools
and take the story to a higher level.
*********************
CWC Writer's Forum
Open Mic Night: 10 Writers Read, for 10 minutes
each
When: Third Wednesday
of every month
Hosted by: Borders Books and Music, 2925 El Camino Real, San Mateo,
CA (On El Camino Real, 1 mile south of Highway 92, across from the
Hillside Shopping Center.)
Time: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Details: This is a
great opportunity for authors to get exposure and to practice
public speaking skills. Open to all writers and listeners,
including CWC members and non-members. Each reader is given a
choice of whether or not they wish to receive
feedback.
If you would like a free one-hour speech coaching lesson to prepare
for our Open Mic, contact Geri through
CWC.
*********************
EDITCETERA,an
association of freelance publishing professionals, presents
the following workshops to begin soon. For registration and
more info: www.edicetera.com, 510-849-1110, also learn about
correspondence courses and freelance editorial
services.
Basic
Copyediting
Instructor:
Patricia Heinicke
When: Six Saturdays, April 5 to 19 and May 3 to 17 (no meeting
April 26); 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Avenue,
Sacramento
Cost: $320 for enrollments paid on or before March 28; $340
after
Details: Acquire the knowledge and skills you need for a
copyediting career, with a focus on Chicago
style.
Lessons in Punctuation from the
Comma Queen
Instructor:
Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Saturday, April 5; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $135 for enrollments paid on or before March 28; $145
after
Details: Join a lively discussion about current punctuation rules
and how to apply them, the various systems of logic governing
punctuation, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Developmental
Editing
Instructors:
John Bergez, Heather Dutton, and Melissa Stein
When: Three Mondays, April 7 and 21 and May 5; 6:30 to 9:30
p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $175 for enrollments paid on or before March 31; $185
after
Details: Learn from experienced editors who discuss their goals as
developmental editors, talk about the process of working with an
author to shape a manuscript, and provide hands-on exercises for
practice.
The Versatile
Copyeditor
Instructor:
Amy Einsohn
When: Six Tuesdays, April 8 to May 13; 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $320 for enrollments paid on or before April 1; $340
after
Details: Gain the knowledge and skills that will prepare you to
copyedit books, journal articles, corporate documents, and
newsletters, under the guidance of instructor Amy Einsohn (author
of The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and
Corporate Communications, University of California Press, 2000; 2nd
ed., 2006).
Proofreading A to
Z
Instructor:
Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Three Saturdays, May 3 to 17; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $295 for enrollments paid on or before April 25; $315
after
Details: Learn the skills you need to proofread—whether your
project is a trade book or textbook, computer manual, newsletter,
or advertising brochure.
********************
Bookworm Talks To Laurel Anne
Hill
Laurel Anne Hill inspires CWC Young
Writer Program participants.
KOMENAR
Publishing released, Heroes
Arise, Laurel’s debut novella and parable in October
2007. Her shorter fiction and creative nonfiction have been
published in the Contra Costa Times, Nth Zine (Online Exclusives),
Lynx Eye, the San Jose Mercury News, Space and Time, and a variety
of small-circulation magazines. KQED-FM (NPR, San Francisco)
broadcast her perspective in 2004 about the plight of homeless
families.
Laurel was also a recent guest speaker for the CWC Young Writers'
Program where she wowed the imaginations of 15 talented
Hillsborough middle school writers and gave an outstanding lecture
followed by a bountiful discussion period.
Please visit www.laurelannehill.com for more
information highlighting Laurel's past and present endeavors.
(Interview questions posed by Sara Cassella, WNBA-SF Newsletter
Editor to author, Laurel Anne Hill.)
When did you start
writing?
I started writing stories early in
grammar school before I learned how to read. I cut pictures
from magazines and comic books, pasted them in tablets, then told
my older sister the words to print on each page. The Authors
card game was a favorite and I dreamed of having my portrait
included someday.
Why did you choose your particular
genre?
My genre is general fiction laced
with fantasy and science fiction. This combination permits me
to stretch my imagination, create alternate realities and view the
human condition from a fresh perspective. For example, Heroes
Arise is a parable and social issues work. The story relates
the complexity and necessity of breaking the cycle of vengeance, of
resolving conflict rather than fueling it. The main
character, a non-human, struggles with his inner desire for
vengeance against an enemy. His world of warring desert and
mountain tribes becomes a metaphor for our
own.
What inspired you to choose your
subject matter?
I grew up in San Francisco, with
more dreams of adventure than good sense or money. My close
brushes with death, love of family, respect for honor and belief in
a higher power have influenced my writing and life. My
parable about timeless ideals--the pursuit of honor and justice and
the right to love and family--flowered naturally from my
experiences and values.
How difficult/easy has your
experience been as a published writer?
Being a new author and an unknown
quantity can present challenges. It’s easy to sink out of
sight in a sea of famous names. I’m fortunate to have been
published by KOMENAR. They are very professional, supportive
and an amazing company.
What advice would you give other
aspiring authors?
Write every day, join a critique
group, attend writer’s conferences and research potential
markets. Polish your manuscripts until they shine.
Don’t forget to support small publishers and community
bookstores. Your opportunities for future success might
depend on them. And don’t let rejection letters deflate your
dreams. Perseverance is essential.
Anything else you would like to
share with the WNBA?
KOMENAR Publishing released Heroes
Arise, my debut parable, in October 2007. Heroes Arise was
recently announced as a finalist in two categories (science fiction
and young adult fiction) for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year
Award for 2007. My shorter fiction and creative nonfiction
have been published in the Contra Costa Times, Nth Zine, Lynx Eye,
the San Jose Mercury News, Space and Time, and a variety of
small-circulation magazines. KQED-FM broadcast my perspective
in 2004 about the plight of homeless families.
In 2005, I was awarded first prize
in the Ninth Annual Captivating Beginnings Short Story
Contest. I received an honorable mention in the 2004
Soul-Making Literary Competition, an extended community arts
outreach program of the National League of American Pen Women, Nob
Hill, San Francisco Bay Area Branch. “Crescendo,” my personal
essay, won honorable mention in the Foster City 2003 International
Writer’s Contest.
I am a member of CWC SF/Peninsula
Branch and served on their executive board for five years. I
also am a member of Women Writing the West. My current
writing project is a novel set in early California. I live in
Orinda with David, my husband, and Bear, our rather large
“shelter-mix” dog.
Would like to be
featured as our Author Spotlight? Please email Sara
at newsletter@wnba-sfchapter.org.
******************
Poet's Corner
A Personal
Vision
(Dedicated to Myron Lunning, painter)
By Shyne
It starts from a desire to understand, a sublime
inquisitiveness likening to a scholar who meticulously
reads volumes.
One studies the mechanics, the complexity of life's
movements trying to puzzle out the great rolling orbit of
microcosm.
There is nothing that is not of interest between the
heavens.
Past, present, future become playgrounds to learn in.
Awareness is the key, receptivity combined with grace and
humble ways.
The personal vision is man's gift to himself and
others.
He becomes the impresario of his dreams, nudging out seeds
of ideas that bring forth a rare vegetation, foliage.
A gardener that plants, prunes, cross pollinates,
building Edens in the midst of rocks, sand dunes, shriveled
shrubs.
Without personal vision there would be no cathedrals,
symphonies.
The tiniest vision must be coaxed out, coddled.
Personal vision demands thinking of an independent
nature—the superb surreal realm of the true mind of
genius.
I need my dreams to live, seeking their brilliance over and
over.
I treasure the contours and play becomes work and work
becomes play as my particular art is born.
Shyne is the author of “My Human Heart”. She is
working on a collection of poetry on the creative process
of writing tentatively called “Reflections In the Poet’s
Eye”. She is also currently working on a play under the
direction of David Ford at the Marsh Theatre in San
Francisco. Her email address is lunni8@aol.com.
Do not miss
these poetry events this month:
Billy Collins—April 7th, Herbst Theatre 415 392-4400
Jane Hirshfield and Al Young—April 11th, Books Inc. 415
931-3633
Nikki Giovanni—April 24th Oakland Museum 510 238-3271
Ishmael Reed—April 24th San Jose State University 408
924-4489
Mary Oliver—April 24th, Dominican University 415
457-4440
Check out www.poetryflash.org for further
events and the pink section of the Sunday March 30th San
Francisco Chronicle.
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From Our Chapter President
 Dear WNBA-SF
Friends,
April showers bring May flowers used to be true when I lived in the
Midwest, but now that I'm in California the heady aroma of my
beautiful budding Lilacs inspires me as I write this month's
WNBA-SF message. We're planting lots of seeds in this issue for our
membership to reap the benefits of belonging to our wonderful
organization.
We had a very entertaining evening at BookShop West Portal courtesy
of some very talented writers. We also had an opportunity to do
some networking and learn about what other members are working on.
It was great fun and I hope to see more of you there next time.
Speaking of fun, join us for a WNBA-SF Membership Mixer on April
26, 3-5 p.m. in at Faz Restaurant in Pleasanton. This is a strictly
social program to give us a chance to get to know each other and
find out how WNBA-SF can best serve the membership. There will be
lots of great food and good conversation - so don't miss it!
My time as your president is almost up and we need to start
thinking about a slate of officers for the next two years. A
position on the board is a great way to meet some terrific women
(and men), hone your skills and contribute to the growth of our
organization. Is there a program/event you'd like to see WNBA-SF
sponsor? Don't think you have the time to commit to a specific
board position, but would be willing to take on a specific project?
Let us know. Anyone who wants to coordinate a program for the
WNBA-SF members should bring their suggestion to the board. If you
would like to nominate anyone for an office, please visit the web
site where we'll have a page set up for this purpose. The May
newsletter will include a final slate of officers, and you will
receive an e-ballot to return for the actual election. Our new
board will take their positions at the June board meeting.
Finally, June 6-9 will be an exciting time for WNBA-SF as we host
the National board meeting and celebrate our 40th anniversary on
Sat., June 7 with a banquet at the Sir Francis Drake. Our program
will feature the Bay Area's own Beth Lisick, writer and performer.
She was the speaker for our October Book Group Month launch at
BookShop West Portal where she read from and talked about the
writing of her recently released book, "Helping Me Help Myself."
This will be an opportunity for our members to network with WNBA
chapter presidents who are here for the National meeting. If you
are planning a book tour to the East Coast, just think of the
insider information you could glean from our Boston, Washington
D.C., or New York associates.
As I enjoy the blooms on the Lilacs, it makes me think of how glad
I am that I was encouraged to take on this "growth opportunity" to
stretch myself in taking on the presidency of WNBA-SF. I feel I
have blossomed and I thank all of you for your faith and
encouragement. I hope to be able to tell many of you my thanks in
person when I see you at the Membership Mixer.
Be
well,
Mary
From our Litaracy
Liason Dear WNBA-SF Chapter
Members,
Calling all Members and Colleagues who are (or wish to be) involved
with BRING ME A BOOK, founded by Judy Koch, whose mission is: To
provide easy access to the best children's books and inspire
reading aloud to children. President Dianne Calvi has sent me
a lovely response to my invitation to link our organizations.
BRING ME A BOOK offers three innovative programs that are easily
replicated on a large scale.
The Bookcase Library Program
The First Teachers® Program
The Book Bag Library Program
These simple yet effective programs are community-focused,
partnership-driven, and easily expandable.
Our list of literacy partnerships is growing! Last month we
hooked up with Reach Out and
Read. I will be meeting with Roya Yasharpour, California
Statewide Program Director in early April. If you'd like to join
us, please email me ASAP. LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
And, of course, there's our partner Project Read—the adult literacy
program—doing awesome work in the community. Project Read San
Francisco 415-557-4388; ask for Randall Weaver, Project Read
Manager of SF. There is a Project Read center near you. Just
Google "Project Read California" or ask your librarian.
If you are involved with these or other literacy advocates, please
email me and I'll showcase you in this Column. Please put
"WNBA and Literacy" in your subject line.
Be well!
Teresa LeYung Ryan
LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
********************
WNBA-SF
News
Alice
Wilson-Fried read from her novel "Outside Child" set in New
Orleans.
WNBA-SF would like to congratulate Alice on becoming last week’s
Redroom’s Rising Star award. Alice says, “When I read ‘We
chose you to be a Redroom Rising Star because your two books
represent an interesting range of subject matter and because of
your blog post from New Orleans,’ I was elated to say the
least. I felt just as privileged making my debut appearance
at WNBA's Open Mike on Tuesday. Thank you, for including me
and giving me another place to learn and to
grow."
Alice
Wilson-Fried,
OUTSIDE CHILD
MENOPAUSE, SISTERHOOD AND TENNIS
alicewilsonfried.com
Redroom.com
Additional Open Mike
authors included....
Kit
Kennedy reading her poetry at BookShop West
Portal.
“It was
a joy to share my poetry, meet other members, and hear so
much fine work,” Poet Lucille Lang Day shared her thoughts
after the reading.
BookShop
West Portal reader Pam Reitman reading a Memoir
piece.
Author
and humor columnist, Cynthia Borris, offered a glimpse into
the world of No More Bobs, a misadventure of greed, wayward
prayers and escalating
hormones.
********************
Networking Opportunity for Members
Come meet your fellow writers
and readers in a fun, strictly social
gathering on Sat., April 26,
3-5 p.m. at Faz Restaurant in
Pleasanton.
Faz Restaurant at the Four Point
Sheraton, 1 mile from Bart
5121 Hopyard Road (close to
580/680 junction)
925-460-0444
Join us for our WNBA-SF
Membership Mixer on April 26, 3-5 p.m. at Faz Restaurant in Pleasanton. The agenda for
the aftenoon is to give us
a chance to get to know each other and find out how WNBA-SF
can best serve the
membership. Are you stuck on a writing project? Do
you
want to find out about a writing
conference? Want to learn more ways to promote yourselves/build your national
platforms? Come meet other WNBA-SF members and get some answers! Bring
interested friends and let
them meet some of your fellow members.
There will be lots of great food
and good conversation - so don't miss it!
Sign up on the WNBA-SF web site
using Pay Pal or, send your check for $15 to:
WNBA Membership
Mixer
P.O Box 244
Half Moon Bay, Ca
94019
We will take money at the door ,
but we need a head count, so please
RSVP at (650) 361-
0344
Leave your name and how many in
your party by April 21st so we can let the restaurant know. See you
there!
********************
Introducing
Simple Abundance
Close-to-Home Workshop
Free Talk
April 22, 7 p.m.
Ink Spell Books, Half Moon Bay
Hello Kindred Spirits,
Is the closest you get to a luxurious bubble bath that TV
commercial while you are making peanut butter sandwiches
for the kids? Is the last time you had 15 minutes to
yourself when you arrived early at the dentist? Would you
like to change that? Please join us. We’ll discuss coping
strategies for those who find themselves hurdling through
each day as if it were an out of body experience. Learn how
to slow down, take stock of your world and perhaps make
changes in your life. Celebrate quiet joys, simple
pleasures and everyday epiphanies.
Are you ready to join the company of like-minded women who
share your challenges, dreams and hopes? More importantly,
are you ready to begin a journey which will lead you on an
amazing quest to become acquainted with the most important
woman in your world?—Your Authentic Self.
Mary E.
Knippel
Writer and Creativity Mentor
Simple Abundance Close-to-Home Certified Leader
info@openuptoyourcreativity.com
www.simpleabundance.com
********************
WNBA-National News
One of the benefits of being a WNBA-SF member is that you are
connected to seven chapters nationwide.
Here a few benefits the National organization has for you:
1: Permanent Collection of WNBA member books. In 2007 the Boston
Public Library set aside a section for a permanent collection of
all WNBA authored books.
Please contact Katherine Dibble to have your book included in the
collection: kdibble@att.net
2: Have your book listed on our National Web site/WNBA
Author's page. National web site member password is included in
your membership kit.
Please contact Shyne Lunning for more information: lunni8@aol.com
3: Get published in WNBA's National Newsletter, The Bookwoman. Send
us a short article on a favorite book you read while traveling for
our "Have Book Will Travel" section. Contact Joan Gelfand for
more information about The Bookwoman: joangelfand@pacbell.net
4: Nominations for our bi-annual WNBA award are due in
May. Please nominate your favorite 'bookwoman' for the award.
See www.wnba-books.org for more
information on the WNBA Award.
Lastly, tell us about your successes with WNBA for our endorsements
page.
Joan Gelfand
Vice President, National Women's Book Association
joangelfand@pacbell.net
(510) 757-5626
Blog: http://jg.typepad.com/ciel
WNBA: http://www.wnba-books.org
History:
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 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.
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.
The
Women's National Book Association has been a Non-Governmental
Organization member of the United Nations since 1959. An NGO
is defined as "any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group
which is organized on a local, national or international
level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common
interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian
functions, bring citizens' concerns to governments, monitor
policies and encourage political participation at the
community level." In effect, WNBA members are to be
ambassadors for the UN. Our organization disseminates
information about the United Nations through all the means at
our disposal, especially through our national and chapter
publications and monthly programs.
****************
WNBA-SF Chapter Board
Members President: Mary E. Knippel
president@wnba-sfchapter.org
Vice President: Linda Lee
vicepresident@wnba-sfchapter.org
Treasurer: Allegra Harris
treasurer@wnba-sfchapter.org
Literacy Liaison: Teresa LeYung Ryan literacyliaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
Membership Chair: Mary "Shyne" Lunning membership@wnba-sfchapter.org
Newsletter Editor: Sara Cassella
newsletter@wnba-sfchapter.org
Publicity Chair: Barbara Whittaker
Hospitality Chair:
Vicki
Weiland
Founding
Member: Effie Lee Morris
Immediate Past President
and Secretary: Joan
Gelfand
WNBA National
Board Members
President:
Laurie Beckelman
lbeckleman@aol.com
SF Chapter Correspondent, National Book Woman:
Joan
Gelfand
secretary@wnba-sfchapter.org
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The Bookworm