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In This
Issue
From Our Chapter
President
Announcements
From Our Literacy
Liaisons
Author
Spotlight
WNBA National
News
Link to Renew Membership (General
Member - $45)
Link to Renew Membership (Senior/Student -
$25)
WNBA Author Showcase!
When: Thurs. April 16,
2009 5:30-9:00 p.m., Register by April 12,
2009!
What: "MEET PUBLISHED AUTHORS,
LEARN FROM THEM, FIND MENTORS"
at the WNBA Authors Showcase and Dinner--"A Spotlight on
You!"
A fun evening with published authors of a dozen genres.
This is how you
build relationships in the literary community.
Where: Sinbad's Pier 2
Restaurant, Embarcadero St. at Mission St.,
SF
Registration: www.wnba-sfchapter.org
Use PayPal
Dinner Fee: $30.00; Parking available at
$5.00.
Also, all attendees must RSVP to Vicki Weiland:
hospitality@wnba-sfchapter.org
In your subject line, put "WNBA April 16"
Line-Up includes:
Elisa Southard---public relations, marketing, Event
Chair
Debbie Gisonni---personal growth, inspiration, Event
Co-Chair
Laurel Anne Hill---fantasy, sci-fi, parable
Amy Gorman--- aging and in the arts
Kate Farrell---young adult novel
Rita George---transformational learning, spirituality
Deborah Grossman---poems/mother-daughter
Jennifer Robin---self expression
Adina Sara---memoir/legal
Mathilde A, Schmidt---self-help, inspiration, memoir,
fiction
Teresa LeYung Ryan---novel/mental illness courage
Lucille Lang Day---poetry, non-fiction/strategies,
children's, science
fiction opera
Lynn Henriksen---how to/bio-vignettes
Joan Gelfand---poetry, short stories
For info on other WNBA events:
www.wnba-sfchapter.org
********************
From Our Literary
Liaisons
Dear WNBA Members and Friends,
Luisa Adams, author of Woven of Water, showed me letters she
received from children. When I asked Luisa to tell me more,
this is what she said:
"In recognition of literacy week “Get Caught Reading” proved to
be a perfect name for an event at my local elementary school.
And, the privilege to do so was all mine, as I read Raining
Cats and Dogs to the third grade class.
What an honor to be invited to participate in the annual
Celebrity Reader Day, my celebrity status stemmed from being a
published author and the proud grandmother of one of the
students. The energy of the students joined with my enthusiasm
to make the event a pure joy. The gift of reading aloud sent me
home with a sense of deep gratitude for the unexpected rewards
of being a writer and sharing that love with young
readers."
http://www.rp-author.com/Adams/
Luisa, what a treat for the kids. I've seen you inspire young
readers and writers. Brava!
What are you doing to promote literacy in the community? Email
us and we'll showcase you in this column. Please put
"WNBA and Literacy" in your subject line.
Be well!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan & Patricia Costello
LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
********************
Author Spotlight
Bookworm talks to Brenda
Webster
Brenda
Webster is a freelance writer, critic, and translator and
the current president of PEN West. Webster has written two
controversial and oft-anthologized critical studies, Yeats: A
Psychoanalytic Study (Stanford), Blake's Prophetic Psychology
(Macmillan) and edited the journals of the abstract
expressionist painter (and Webster's mother) Ethel Schwabacher,
Hungry for Light: The Journal of Ethel Schwabacher (Indiana).
She is the author of three previous novels, Sins of the Mothers
(Baskerville, 1993) and Paradise Farm (SUNY, 1999), The
Beheading Game WINGS Press and a memoir, The Last Good Freudian
(Holmes and Meier, 2000). Webster's translation of Edith
Bruck's Holocaust novel Lettera alla Madre came out in 2007.
Her new novel, Vienna Triangle( WINGS Press 2009) explores
Freud's role in the death of his brilliant disciple, Viktor
Tausk.
Webster has been nominated for two 26th Annual 2007 Northern
California Book Awards. Fiction:The Beheading Game and
Translation: Letter to My Mother by Edith Bruck
1) When did you start writing?
I started writing in 6th grade. Up ‘till then I wanted to be a
painter like my mother. I was entranced by the bulls, lilies,
peacocks and fruit trees that seemed to burst effortlessly from
the tip of her brush. But in 6th grade. I realized that I
wasn’t getting any better. I turned to words and began to paint
with them, describing natural scenes or horses-my passion at
the time. By High School I knew I wanted to be a writer and was
chosen editor of our Literary Magazine. My mother drew my
portrait for the first issue.
2) Why did you choose your particular genre?
I think my genre chose me. I soon tired of writing brief
descriptions of sunsets and began to write stories. Then in
Freshman year High School my father died and for the next four
years I wrote nothing but poetry. I didn’t get back to fiction
until I married and wrote an autobiographical novel.
3) What inspired you to choose your subject matter?
I wanted to describe the effects of my father’s death on my
life and I planned to give it to my new husband as a
gift. A rather strange idea in retrospect.
4) How difficult/easy has your experience been as a published
writer?
Well, the first two novels were never published despite some
very positive feed back from editors at major houses, including
one from Christopher Lehman-Haupt saying that my book had great
humanity but was too quiet to sell. I think my problem was that
I hadn’t learned that re-writing is crucial and not even my
agent wanted to tell me. So I was discouraged and turned to
writing psychoanalytic literary criticism for many years.
Finally after three children and a divorce and re-marriage, I
turned back to fiction and worked my way up to Xeroxed
magazines to excellent literary journals. Getting a commercial
press is always difficult for literary fiction and I think I
have had a different publisher for every book but I’ve always
found one and I’m very very happy with WINGS the press for my
new novel, Vienna Triangle.
5) What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
It depends what they want. But I guess the mainthing is to read
as much as they can of things they admire and then to write and
re-write until your book or story is as perfect as you can make
it. And don’t let rejections get you down.
6) Anything else you would like to share with the WNBA?
Talent is crucial but persistence is half of the battle.
********************
**********************
WNBA EVENTS AT A
GLANCE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When: Thurs. May 7, 2009
5:30pm board meeting; 7:00-9:00pm
Mixer
What: WNBA-SF Board
Meeting, Mixer & Election at Kepler's Books and
Magazines in Menlo Park
RSVP by
May 1st to
hospitality@wnba-sfchapter.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When: June 2, 2009
What: Effie Lee Morris Lecture
featuring children's book author Pat
Mora
Where: San Francisco
Public Library, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove)
www.wnba-sfchapter.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
Meet the
Agents
Sinbad’s was the venue for the annual Meet the
Agents event on March 28. About a dozen agents were in
attendance speaking to prospective authors. After
introductions, writer’s stood in line rehearsing their elevator
pitches to each other and waiting anxiously for the bell to ring
during a “speed dating” session that can only be described as nerve
wracking. I’m still shaking. Nevertheless, it was another
great WNBA event. The room was packed. It was a
wonderful opportunity to network with agents and get tips on
writing. One agent advised me to read my novel aloud.
That’s 81,000 words. Since I’m a teacher by day, my voice is pretty
used up but I think I’ll go for it anyway. For those of you
who missed it, the event has been running for several years now, so
don’t worry. You’ll get another chance next year!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
Other
Events:
EDITCETERA
Workshops
EDITCETERA, an
association of freelance publishing professionals,
presents the following workshops beginning in April or
May. For registration and more info: www.edicetera.com;
510-849-1110; also learn about other educational
programs and freelance editorial services.
• The Versatile
Copyeditor, with Amy Einsohn
When: Six
Mondays, April 6 to May 11; 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $340
Details: Gain the knowledge and skills that will
prepare you to copyedit books, journal articles,
corporate documents, and newsletters. Learn from the
author of The Copyeditor’s Handbook (UC Press).
• Freelancing as a
Business, Not as a Hobby, with Robyn Brode
Orsini
When:
Saturday, April 11; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $145
through April 3; $165 thereafter
Details: Learn the nuts and bolts of starting and
running a freelance business.
• Proofreading A to Z,
with Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Three
Saturdays, April 18, May 2, and May 16; 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $320
through April 10; $340 thereafter
Details: Learn the skills you need to proofread-whether
your project is a trade book or textbook, computer
manual, newsletter, or advertising brochure.
• Developmental
Editing, with John Bergez, Heather Dutton, and Melissa
Stein
When: Three Tuesdays, May
5 to 19; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $195
through April 28; $215 after
Details: Join experienced editors as they discuss their
work with an author to shape a manuscript. Practice on
a variety of manuscripts.
• Building Your
Editorial Career: Opportunities and Strategies, with
Barbara Fuller
When: Monday,
May 18; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $75
through May 11; $85 after
Details: Learn about the wide range of Bay Area clients
who hire editors. Find out what you can do to get the
work.
•What’s Cooking?
Copyediting Recipes, with Zipporah
Collins
When:
Wednesday, May 20; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: First
Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley
Cost: $75
through May 13; $85 after
Details: Learn what special issues, decisions,
challenges, and pleasures you are likely to encounter
in editing recipes.
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From Our Chapter
President
 Dear WNBA-SF
Friends,
Spring is a wonderful time to get in touch with your Creativity.
Nature is showing off her abundance in so many ways from the fields
of yellow and green to the baby birds chirping outside my window
and I have the itch to go out and plant something in the garden.
Speaking of planting, WNBA-SF is planting lots of seeds in this
issue for our membership to reap the benefits of belonging to our
wonderful organization.
Everyone is welcome to come to WNBA-SF board meetings. It’s a great
way to meet other members and learn about the organization. We have
a great meeting space at the San Francisco Main Library, First
Floor Conference Room. We usually meet the first Thursday of the
month from 6-8 p.m. Check the web-site for date specifics. E-mail
Mary at president@wnba-sfchpater.org
if you would like to add something to be discussed on the agenda,
or simply wish to receive an advance copy of the agenda.
Join us on Thurs., April 16, 5:30 p.m. for our Annual Author Showcase. Come for a
delicious dinner with a gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay,
network, learn new marketing techniques, have some fun, enjoy
author displays and watch on-the-spot author interviews.
WNBA-SF authors will receive one-to-one coaching from our
“Marketing Queen” Elisa Southard. WNBA-SF authors will also be
exhibiting and selling their books! For more information and
to register on line, go to wnba-sfchapter.org.
May 7, 5:30 p.m. WNBA-SF Triple Tasking at Kepler’s in Menlo
Park
* Membership Mixer
* Board Election
* Technology Tutorial
If you have been puzzled about navigating the National web site to
gain access to the Members Only section, mark your calendar for our
WNBA-SF Membership Mixer, Board Election and Technical Tutorial on
May 7, 5:30 p.m. at Kepler’s Books & Magazines in Menlo Park.
We will be holding an election of a new slate of officers - a
position on the board is a great way to meet some terrific women
(and men), hone your communication 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.
Contact our Nominations Committee Chair Vicki Weiland, vcweiland-writer@yahoo.com,
to discuss participating in the future of WBNA-SF. We will also
have several computers fired up to give you a hands-on opportunity
to sign in and find out what it means to be a part of a national
organization. There will also be lots of great conversation and
good food - so don't miss it! RSVP by May 3 to our Hospitality
Chair Vicki Weiland at Hospitality@wnba-sfchapter.org
so we may advise Kepler’s how many members they will be
hosting.
Our 13th Annual Effie Lee Morris Children’s Lecture Series
featuring Pat Mora takes place on Tues., June 2, 5 p.m.
(reception), 6 p.m. (lecture) at the San Francisco Main Library in
the Koret Auditorium. Pat Mora is the writer of over 25 books of
poetry, fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Mora’s
work spans several genres in two languages (Spanish and English);
however, she admits that poetry is her favorite genre because it
allows her to combine “the challenge of creating an experience with
economy of language.”
If you missed our Writers Reading March 12 at BookShop West Portal
you missed a very entertaining evening. I was so impressed by the
variety and the quality of what we presented. Thank you to Pam
Reitman for chairing this wonderful event for us. It was great fun
and we had a wonderful turn out. Next time, I’m sure there will be
even more attending because Pam told me she’s changing the format!
Stay tuned…
I hope I’ve given you lots of food for thought. Please let me know
how these “seeds of inspiration” have influenced you the next time
I see you.
Be well,
Mary
********************
Member News
& Events....
Awaken to
Your Authenticity Workshop
A Play Date
for Busy Women!
When: Sat., April 4, 1-3 p.m. $45
(includes play materials, refreshments, and raffle
ticket for a special give away) Convenient Coastside
location
Give yourself permission to play and invite
your imagination along as we explore ways to balance
obligations with opportunities to have fun.
As a Creativity Mentor, Mary
conducts workshops in which participants discover their
authentic selves and encourages women to use Creativity as
a healing tool. Mary E. Knippel began writing in her
journal at age 11. She currently writes for CoastViews
Magazine and is also working on a memoir about motherhood.
PayPal registration available on her web site at
www.openuptoyourcreativity.com,
or mail payment to PO Box 244, Half Moon Bay, CA
94019.
What: Creativity
Workshop
Where: Convenient Coastside
location
Cost: $45
**********************
Resume-building
Workshop!
When: Class will meet
on three Wednesday: May 6th, June 3th and June 17th
from 7-8:30 see www.joangelfand.com for
more information
What: Joan Gelfand, President of
the WNBA, will be teaching "Building Your
Writer's Resume - Getting Down the Road of
Publication" at Bookshop West Portal, WNBA/SF's
sponsoring bookstore. Joan has spoken on this
topic at the SFWC, BAIPA, National Association of
Memoir Writers, blogtalkradio.com and the San
Mateo County Library.
Cost: Class
fee: $90.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When: Sat, May 16, 11am -
6pm
What: : 5th Annual Asian
Heritage Street Celebration
Where: (in front of the Asian Art
Museum on Larkin Street near McAllister, San
Francisco)
www.asianfairsf.com
WNBA Teresa LeYung Ryan will be at the 5th Annual Asian
Heritage Street Celebration with California Writers
Club members. Please look for her and other authors at
the California Writers Club booth.
Teresa LeYung Ryan has been helping writers since her
mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart was published.
Her motto: "Believe in yourself and you can be happily
published too." As a writing-career-coach, she helps
her clients identify their themes and archetypes,
market themselves to agents and publishers, and map out
their success paths. As a community spirit, Teresa
advocates compassion for mental illness and she helps
survivors of family violence find their own voices
through writing. Her website www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com offers
resources for readers and writers.
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Writers' Forum in
Petaluma
Writers Forum was founded to bring writing information
to participants. A variety of speakers talk about the
craft of writing and the business of writing.
We meet the third Thursday of each month, 7pm to 9pm,
at the Petaluma Community Center in Petaluma. $15 at
the door. No rsvp necessary.
More info: www.thewritespot.us
Interested folks can contact Marlene at mcullen@comcast.net
********************
Did you
know?
WNBA MEMBER
ADVANTAGES:
Do you have a new
book
or service you would like to
promote?
- Increase exposure
by linking your website to our
SF chapter site and
writing new posts on our Blog.
- Gain ideas from other
members through E-newsletter
Bookworm.
- Check our website calendar
not only for WNBA sponsored events, but also
those with other organizations.
- Grab opportunities to
provide leadership to the chapter - join a
committee or run for office.
- List your book on our
National Site - under Author books; List your
name in our national database of
members.
- Have your book noted in our
National Magazine, The Bookwoman.
Published 3x /year, The Bookwoman
is sent out to all chapters and members (700+)
and industry professionals for a total
circulation of 3,000.
- Ask to present your book at
our Authors Showcase - contact Elisa
Southard.
- Sign up for open mike at our
sponsoring bookstore: Bookshop West Portal,
SF. Contact Pam
Reitman.
- Work with all of our 8
chapters to network, plan book tours,
build your platform.
- Have fun! Foster
relationships!
Sign up
or renew (only $45!) on our website:
www.wnba-sfchapter.org
and Use
PayPal. **********************
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.
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
National Women's Book Association
joangelfand@pacbell.net
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: Lynn
Henriksen
vicepresident@wnba
-sfchapter.org
Treasurer: Allegra Harris
treasurer@wnba-sfchapter.org
Secretary: Sara
Cassella
Literacy Liaisons: Teresa LeYung Ryan and Patricia
Costello
literacyliaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
Membership Chair:
membership@wnba-sfchapter.org
Newsletter Editor: Carole Barrow
newsletter@wnba-sfchapter.org
Publicity Chair: Barbara Whittaker
Hospitality Chair: Vicki Weiland
Founding
Member: Effie Lee Morris
WNBA National Board
Members
President: Joan
Gelfand
joan@joangelfand.com
Past President: Laurie Beckelman
lbeckleman@aol.com
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The Bookworm