From Our Chapter President

WNBA-SF News

Member Profile: Bookworm talks to...

From Our Literacy Liaison

Announcements

WNBA National News

Link to Renew Membership (General Member - $45)

Link to Renew Membership (Senior/Student - $25)

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." 

Micky Duxbury Reviews November 3rd Fundraiser
Where else can you meet other wonderful women writers, peruse their books, share stories about pros and cons of publishing, and ideas about promotion? As usual women can manage to get a lot of important side talk into an event meant to raise support and funds for the SF chapter of WNBA. Being with other women writers who have also struggled to get their ideas, vision, and creativity into print was a breath of fresh air for me, a first time author. It was great to hear some of the history of the WNBA from the national president Laurie Beckelmanat the November 3rd event created and hosted by the SF chapter of WNBA. 

It was only the second event I have been to since becoming a member last year and I found it invigorating to swim in the same pool as other women writers for an afternoon. Each showcased author spent a few minutes telling us all about their books. This was followed by a lot of getting to know each other. Then the auction results where announced with rousing cheers for the lucky winners. Being part of WNBA is a great way to get inspiration and fuel your momentum. The only thing that was missing was even more wonderful Bay Area women writers. Don't miss out on the next event!

Author Showcase Highlights
Couldn't make it the November fundraiser?  Check out what contributing authors had to say at the event.  

Rita Lakin, Getting Old Is To Die For, Getting Old Is Criminal, Getting Old Is the Best Revenge, and Getting Old Is Murder www.ritalakin.com "I thought my audience would be defined by senior women, seventies and up, but I was pleasantly surprised by the positive emails I received from college-age girls, quite a few young men, and many young women. And, as I travel the country lecturing on the 'joys of aging'  I find  my audience equally wide-ranged. I am very happy to find that people react to the universality of my theme. We now live longer and are learning to re-invent ourselves and find much pleasure and meaning in our later lives."

Teresa LeYung Ryan, Love Made of Heart www.lovemadeofheart.com "I use my mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart (now archived at the San Francisco History Center) to advocate compassion for mental illness and to help survivors of family violence find their own voices.  My wish is that the story will find its way to more courageous hearts."

Amy Gorman, M.A., M.S.W., Aging Artfully, 12 Profiles of Visual & Performing Women Artists Aged 85-105   www.agingartfully.com "Aging Artfully, 12 Profiles of Visual & Performing Women Artists Aged 85-105 is for every Boomer, mother, daughter, grandparent, cousin, friend, staff, board member or high school student seeking a healthy creative old age. The uplifting role models inspire, as we live into our 9th decades and beyond."

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Midori by Moonlight www.wendytokunaga.com "Midori by Moonlight is a comic, cross-cultural novel in which fresh-from-Japan Midori Saito finds herself lost in translation in San Francisco as she searches for her American Dream and the perfect dessert.  This book will appeal to readers who have lived abroad, are interested in Japan, Japanese culture, or the theme of why some people feel the need to trade their native culture for a new one, as well as anyone who craves a good cupcake."

Cheryll W. Crane,Lady Lazarus www.cheryllwcrane.com "Lady Lazarus is a personal story told by Mattie Moon, who goes on a life journey. Mattie goes from being a nine year old girl, happy and loved, to being a twenty-eight year old woman, a single mom and care-taker of her own eccentric mother.  The book will appeal to women and others who are interested in the subjects of faith and its loss, rebirth, perseverance, family, community and love."

Luisa Adams, Woven of Water http://rp-author.com/Adams "Woven of Water is a nonfiction, inspirational collection of short stories for everyone who would benefit from the power of nature to restore vitality.  Anyone who is a parent, stepparent, child of an aging parent, or survivor of loss is rewarded with reflective insights into the magic and meaning of these life experiences."

Martha Alderson, Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple www.blockbusterplots.com "Anyone who has ever dreamed of not merely writing a story, but  finishing, too, benefits from Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple. Gain a firm understanding of how plot unfolds in the overall story and  within each and every scene, and have fun doing it."

Joan Gelfand, Seeking Center - a Collection of Poems www.jg.typepad.com/ciel "Seeking Center - a Collection of Poems" is divided into 4 sections:  Museum Pieces, Heritage, Music/Dream Series and In the World.  I take inspiration from the visual arts, music, dreams, and life as a mother, and a woman.  People say that my book has been especially inspirational to them for weddings and family event and also very comforting at funerals!  What better compliment for a poet than to be by someone's side during life cycle events."

From our Litaracy Liason

Dear WNBA-SF Chapter Members,

I wish all WNBA fellow members and friends and colleagues at California Writers Club, Project Read, and Bay Area Business Woman the loveliest holiday season.

Looking for a way to make a different in today’s world?  Project Read is a nonprofit raising literacy rates in San Francisco.  In just an hour a week, you can help a fellow adult learn to read.  For members who live or work in SF and are interested in helping adult-learners through Project Read, please call 415-557-4388 or click here for more information.  

If you're interested in other Project Read locations or other agencies, email me.  Please put "WNBA and Literacy" in your subject line.

Be well!

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org

Bookworm talks to Freada Klein Author of Giving Notice: Why the Best and Brightest are Leaving the Workplace and HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM STAY

This month The Bookworm had the pleasure of getting to know Freada Kapor Klein, founder and board chair of the Level Playing Field Institute.  Freada is an internationally accredited human resource and diversity expert who has dedicated her life to making the workforce as fair and free of discrimination as possible.  In her recent accomplishment, an eye-opening book entitled Giving Notice: Why the Best and Brightest are Leaving the Workplace and HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM STAY, Freada illuminates the subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination and injustices of the workplace resulting in voluntary employee turnover.  As determined in her work, such turnover costs US businesses an estimated 64 billion dollars per year; however, most importantly it severely inhibits meritocracy in the workplace and propagates the existence of a thick glass ceiling for each affected individual.

Freada is an exceptional example of a person living life to its fullest.  After earning her undergraduate degree in criminology from UC Berkeley, she went on to obtain a Ph.D. in social policy and research.  She has been quoted in several newspapers including the New York Times and Washington Post, and on various television programs such as NBC Nightly News and the Today Show.  To learn more about Freada and the Level Playing Field Institute, please visit www.lpfi.org. 

The Bookworm highly recommends this insightful and enlightening read.  Copies can be purchased at local bookstores or by clicking here.

When did you start writing?
That depends on how you define writing. If you mean for this book, on one hand I started writing it over 30 years ago-I’ve been threatening for a long time-but, from start to finish the entire process was probably about 2 years.    

Why did you choose your particular genre?
Making the workplace fairer is my life’s work.  I feel passionate about making a difference in how students and employees are treated and rewarded.  I think we should all write about what we know and have a passion for. 

What inspired you to choose your subject matter?
My inspiration started as part of the earlier wave of the women’s movement.  In the 70’s, I worked at one of the first rape crisis centers.  We were surprised at the number of calls coming in about harassment/assault at work.  I co-founded the first group to focus exclusively on sexual harassment in the U.S.  From there, I was proactive in fighting for fair treatment in the workplace for everyone.   

How difficult/easy has your experience been as a published writer?
For me the process was not an onerous one.  I approached it much like a work project.  I work well in teams, so I assembled a team.  I also asked a lot of people for advice and guidance who I respected, which made the entire experience very easy.  For finding an agent, I asked people I trusted for their recommendations and narrowed my list down significantly based on their suggestions.  From there, I had a few meetings and ultimately had two agents that each wanted to represent me.  It was a great position to be in; I got to pick. 

What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Well, feel passionate about your subject.  That will sustain you.  Think about your other successful projects and follow the model used to achieved them-replicate the process.  For example, if you work well in teams, form a team.  If you work best solo, then set aside time to work alone on your project.  Overall, writing takes more time than people usually think it does, so allot more time than you think you’ll need.  Make it containable by boiling your projects down to chunks. 

Anything else you would like to share with the WNBA?
It is very important for women of all backgrounds to get their voices heard.  I encourage everyone to share their experiences. 

WNBA-SF Chapter Board Members

From Our Chapter President

Announcements

'Tis the Season!
Celebrate the holidays surrounded by books and book lovers in a cozy and intimate setting with your fellow WNBA members on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 6-8pm. Our hosts will be Literary Agents Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada (1029 Jones St, between California and Pine streets. Free parking on Pine at 5:45-5:50p.m.).Come share holiday stories from seasons past and create new ones. This is a marvelous annual tradition. Please bring a nosh to share and a wrapped book to exchange. If you have any questions, call 415-673-0939.

*********************

Wanted:  Purveyor of Persuasion to fill PR Position on WNBA-SF Board 
Calling all Media Darlings:  Would you like to rub Virtual elbows with the producers of the Bay Area’s mass communication? WNBA-SF is seeking an energetic, ambitious, bright and savvy individual with a sense of humor who will use their wit and wiles to write magnetic press releases to draw the attention of Bay Area editors to the excellent programs and events of WNBA-SF which benefit not only our members, but the community at large. E-mail Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org to discuss becoming our Champion of Media Relations and taking up this position on the board.

*********************

Call for Volunteers—
Would you like to meet interesting people, learn new skills and be a part of the guiding force shaping WNBA-SF? We are in need of detail oriented people to fill the secretar and treasurer board positions, as well as a calendar coordinator. Each position will be mentored by the previous secretary, treasurer, and vice president while you learn the responsibilities. Being a part of the Board is a rich and rewarding experience, filled with networking possibilities and the chance to really make an impact on the careers of authors and the lives of readers. Questions? Contact Mary at president@WNBA-SFchapter.org to talk about the positions, or come to the next board meeting to see what it’s all about. Join us Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. We meet the first Thursday of the month at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco.

********************

1. Hosting the WNBA-SF National meeting June 6-9, 2008, 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.
2. WNBA-SF History Project to commemorate our accomplishments and a spectacular party to celebrating our 40th anniversary in grand style.
3. Future programs and networking opportunities for WNBA-SF (Meet-the-Agents, Writers Readings, Professional Development panels, Community outreach and more)

If you have a suggestion of something that needs to be addressed at this brainstorming/organizational meeting, please e-mail Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org as soon as possible to be sure everyone's items are included in the agenda.

*********************

Luisa Adams is an award-winning writer, educator, workshop leader and Instructor/consultant of Brain Gym®. Her study of movement based learning began as a quest to support her writing life. Moving to learn and learning to move has opened pathways to help her accomplish her dream of the publication of her book, Woven of Water. She will teach participants the self-help activities she herself includes in her writing life and to which she attributes the enhanced quality of her creative life.   
 
Mary E. Knippel, freelance writer, editor, artist, long-time journal enthusiast, and Creativity Mentor will lead participants in a creative journaling experience which will include collage and a short writing exercise. A journal is a record for yourself, about yourself, and an empowering path to self-discovery and change. Writing in a journal is another connection to working on our inner life and outer relationships. A journal may be many things:  a sounding board, a collector’s cabinet, a snapshot album, a history, a travelogue, a letter to yourself, a laboratory, a jewelry box, a treasury, or a dream-catcher.

For more information visit our web site at www.wnba-sfchapter.org.

*********************

Poetry Reading
Please join us for a celebration of the newly released anthology, "Oakland Out Loud," published by PEN Oakland. S.F. Board Member, and National V.P., Joan Gelfand will read with two celebrated poets, Jeanne Powell and Avotcja on December 18th
from 6-7:30PM at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Library. Refreshments and a party atmosphere guaranteed.

*********************

California Writers Club Monthly Meeting 
When: Saturday
Where: Belmont Library from 10:00 AM to noon.
Cost: $15.00
Details: Join CWC: SF/Peninsula Writers in December to hear Darryl Brock, author of If I Never get Backtalk about his brand of historical fiction, which involves a fascination with time juxtaposition and time layering. In his stories, the past is generally an active agent in the present. Using his own experience, he stresses the importance of narrative voice and certain other elements of commercially successful novels.  Reservations in advance are advised. Please either call our club hotline (650) 615-8331 or send an E-mail to Reservations@sfpeninsulawriters.com.  You may mail your check in advance to the reservations chairman, or pay at the door. Sorry, we do not take credit cards.  Send checks made out to CWC ($15 for CWC members, $18 for non-members) to our reservations chair: Chris Wachlin (173 Wheeler Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061).

Following each month's meeting, we hold a Group Mentoring Session from 12:15 to 1:15 pm. The group is open to 10 individuals with a passionate interest in writing. We meet to support each other, discuss mutual triumphs and challenges and learn about the craft and business of writing.  

If at least 6 members sign up by December 6th, Teresa LeYung Ryan and Joyce Robins, CWC's Group Mentoring Co-Chairs, will lead a fast-paced session from 12:15--1:15PM focusing on "What are you doing for your writing career?" Bring your questions; bring your calendars too.   E-mail Teresa and Joyce at Mentoring@sfpeninsulawriters.com and they will email back confirmation by Dec. 6th. Put "December CWC Group Mentoring" in the subject line.  For more details, click here.

*********************

CWC Writer's Forum Open Mic Night: 10 Writers Read, for 10 minutes each
Moderator:  Jim Hanna
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.

To reserve a slot, contact OpenMic@sfpeninsulawriters.com
Tips: For a list of speaking tips for writers, click here.

If you would like a free one-hour speech coaching lesson to prepare for our Open Mic, contact Geri through CWC.

The challenges facing our world are vast and complex -- from resolving conflicts and building peace, to alleviating poverty and reaching the other Millennium Development Goals. Tackling these challenges requires all of us to work together -- Governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society in its broadest sense. Volunteers play an indispensable role in these efforts. Yet, the remarkable contribution of voluntary action around the world is not sufficiently recognized.

Volunteerism is a feature of all cultures and societies. It is a fundamental source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion. It can help effect positive social change by fostering inclusive societies that respect diversity, equality and the participation of all. Such contributions are vital to the three pillars of the United Nations’ work – promoting peace and security, advancing development, and protecting human rights and human dignity. That is why every UN agency draws on the spirit of volunteerism, including through the United Nations Volunteers programme, to expand the reach of its activities.  

Voluntary action is also essential in our global effort to address climate change, which poses a serious threat to our ability to reach the Millennium Development Goals. Today, the world’s Governments are meeting in Bali, Indonesia, at the landmark UN Climate Change Conference. They hope to negotiate a way forward to save our planet from the effects of global warming. But even Governments cannot hope to do so alone. Instead, we need people everywhere to volunteer for this challenge, and to help communities mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Voluntary action is also critical to build domestic solutions for sustainable economic growth, and to develop capacities to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

On this International Volunteer Day, let us recognize the power of volunteerism to promote peace and development around the world. Let us also pay tribute to the many millions of citizens all over the world who, every day -- in ways small and large -- volunteer their time, ingenuity, solidarity and creativity to help build a better, more sustainable future.

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.