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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)
From Our Literary Liaisons
Dear WNBA Members
and Friends,
Let's hear from our new member Leon Veal...
Working at Project
Read
by Leon
Veal
It does not seem like it, but I have been a part of Project
Read for over fifteen years now. For those who don’t
know, I came to Project Read as an adult who was reading at a
third grade level. Exposing myself to the world as a
non-reader was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.
I am glad I made the decision, because, not only can I
read, but also I have two degrees today. So, when the Project
Read staff asked me to help promote adult literacy here in San
Francisco, I said "Yes" with great
enthusiasm.
My reason for saying yes was that there are many people out
there who do not know that they can get free help with their
reading difficulties at their local library. Also, I saw an
opportunity to use my sales experiences, and, to change the way
society looks at people who cannot read. I know the word
"illiterate" creates stigmas. If I can help change that
situation for someone, then, getting up every morning at 5:30am
to go out and do outreach for literacy is worth it!
*******
Bravo, Leon!
We are honored that you have joined WNBA. Also, we heard
that Project Read SF has been named winner of the Advancement
of Literacy Award by the Public Library Association.
Hearty congratulations to you, your colleagues, and S.F.
Project Read Manager Randall Weaver!
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,
Patricia Costello
& Teresa LeYung Ryan
LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
********************
Author
Spotlight
Bookworm talks to Maria Espinosa,
poet, novelist & translator
Maria Espinosa is a novelist,
poet, and translator. She has also has taught
Creative Writing and English as a Second Language. Dying
Unfinished, her fourth novel, has just been published by
Wings Press. It is connected in theme to a previous novel,
Longing, which won an American Book Award.
When did you start
writing?
When I was about thirteen I had the sense that writing was my
path. It felt like more of a burden than a gift, but there it
was. A few years later, journal writing at top speed was
the only way I could keep from feeling overwhelmed by thoughts,
perceptions and emotions that assailed me.
Why did you choose your
particular genre?
Fiction gives perspective and distance that I need. In poems I
have been able to express intense images, slices of reality,
but fiction encompasses more of the whole.
What inspired you to choose
your subject matter?
Through writing stories and novels I have struggled to clarify
emotional knots, to understand people by writing through their
consciousness. In writing the historical novel,
Incognito: Journal of a Secret Jew, I attempted to understand
more about my family’s ambiguous relationship with their Judaic
past.
How difficult/easy has your
experience been as a published writer?
Difficult! Then when work is published, it feels like
being naked in public. I’ve accumulated countless
rejections. My profound thanks go to the literary presses
that believed enough in my novels to publish them: Arte Público
and Wings Press
What advice would you give
other aspiring authors?
Woody Allen said 80% of success is showing up on time. Just
write, whether with pen and paper or computer, sitting at a
desk or lying down. And then revise. Sometimes a timer helps me
because it provides a temporal boundary. . . . I have the
rather mystical belief that words, whether or not anyone else
reads them, leave
Anything else you would like
to share with the WNBA?
Writing is a way of putting chaotic energy into words. Writers
can enlarge our consciousness, our sense of beauty, our
compassion, and help us become more fully human. Musicians and
visual artists work in the same way through their media.
Note from author: I’m seeking reviews on Amazon and will
appreciate any that readers feel inclined to write.
To view or purchase Maria's book, visit
www.amazon.com.
********************
**********************
WNBA
Member Releases Second Book of
Poetry
WNBA member Rebecca Foust would like to announce
the release of her second book, Mom’s Canoe (Texas
Review Press 2009), a collection of poetry about
people and place in the Allegheny Mountains of
western Pennsylvania. Mom’s Canoe won the
2008 Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Award and one
of its poems was nominated for a 2008 Pushcart
award. Foust’s first book, Dark Card (TRP
2008) won the 2007 Phillips Award and the 2008
London Book Festival Award for poetry and has been
the subject of more than 20 articles, with reviews
out or forthcoming in American Book Review, Calyx,
The Hudson Review, Rattle and others. To
contact the author or to find links to articles and
reviews, visit www.rebeccafoust.com
). One of Rebecca’s favorite poets and
original sources of inspiration is WBNA president
Joan Gelfand, with whom she will have the pleasure
of reading at the Gallery Bookshop in
Mendocino on March 25, 2009.
**********************
Member News....
"Identify
Themes in Your Fiction and Be Famous While You
Write"
This is a signature-presentation from author
and career coach
Teresa LeYung Ryan. She will help you:
•
build your fan base
•
attract media attention
•
create your success-path
How do fiction writers thrive in the fiercely
competitive industry? Find out for
yourself in this fun interactive session.
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 manuscript consultant and
coach, she helps her clients identify themes
and archetypes, polish their manuscripts, and
map out their careers. 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.
She invites you to post comments on:
www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog
********************
EDITCETERA
Workshops
EDITCETERA, an association
of freelance publishing professionals, presents the
following workshops beginning in March and April.
For registration and more info: www.EDITCETERA.com; Ph
510-849-1110; also learn about other educational
programs and freelance editorial services.
• Lessons in punctuation from the Comma Queen, with
Robyn Brode Orsini.
When: Saturday, March 14; 9:00am to 4:00pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley, $165
Details: Get a short history of punctuation and a
lively and comprehensive survey of today’s
trends.
• Global English in a Nutshell, with Susan
Ledford
When: Tuesday, March 17; 6:30 to 9:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $75 through March 10; $85 thereafter
Details: Learn what works—and what doesn’t—in
writing for a global audience. For example, find
what’s wrong in this workshop title and
description.
• Basic Business Writing, with Melissa Stein
When: Two Tuesdays, March 31 and April 7; 6:30 to
9:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $145 through March 24; $165 thereafter
Details: Acquire the tools you need to jump-start
your writing through this fun, hands-on
workshop.
• The Versatile Copyeditor, with Amy Einsohn
When: Six Mondays, April 6 to May 11; 6:30 to
9:00pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $320 through March 30; $340 thereafter
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; 9:00am to 4:00pm
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;
9:00am to 4:00pm
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.
**********************
News Flash!
ALL WNBA members have access to
NYC panels via streaming media!
Upcoming
Panel: Book Marketing on the Web:
Publicity, Web Site Development, and
Advertising
Wednesday, March
18, 2009, 6:30-8pm
Visit www.wnba-nyc.org for more
information
**********************
WNBA EVENTS AT A
GLANCE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When: Thursday, March 12,
2009, 7:00-9:00pm
What: Readings / Networking /
Reception
Where: BookShop West Portal, 80 West
Portal Ave., San Francisco, CA 94127
Cost: free; donations welcome
Members from the Women's National Book Association will
be reading from
their works and networking. Come meet this dynamic
group if you are a
reader or a writer, or both.
Line-Up Includes:
Susan Cohen
Laurel Anne Hill
Mary Knippel
Mathilde Apelt Schmidt
Shyne
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga
For more information about WNBA, please go to
www.wnba-sfchapter.org
WNBA Members who want to read their published works or
works-in-progress at this or future open mike, please
e-mail Pam at: pam@pamreitman.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When: Thursday, March 12,
2009, 7:00-9:00pm
What: Readings / Networking /
Reception
Where: The Randall Museum Theater, Corona
Heights Park
199 Museum Way at Roosevelt
Way
Cost: free; donations
welcome
This is the second part of the 3-part
series.
Second Night: Thursday, March 12, 2009 "Passion
Unveiled" directed and hosted by Ana Elsner.
Featuring poets Stephen Kopel, Jari
Bradley, Christopher Bernard, Joan
Gelfand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When: Saturday, March 21,
2009
What: Bay Area
Independent Publishers Association Annual
Workshop
BAIPA.NET
Morning
breakout sessions include Teresa LeYung Ryan's
"Identify Themes in
Your Fiction and Be
Famous While You Write"
Where: Alexander Hall, 40 Kensington
Road (sfts.edu), San Anselmo
When: Saturday, March 28,
2009, 9:30am – 12:30pm
What: "Meet-the-Agents &
Acquisitions Editors "
VP Lynn Henriksen
chairs this event.
Where: Sinbad's
Pier 2 Restaurant, Embarcadero St. at
Mission St. San Francisco CA
94105
Cost: $50/member; $65/non-member; $75 at
door
Buffet Breakfast included; “No Host
Networking Lunch” at 1:00pm
Cut-off Friday March 20 for member & non-member
prices www.wnba-sfchapter.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
WNBA-SF Board
Meeting
When: Wed., April 1 at 6pm at the
San Francisco
What: WNBA Board
Meeting
Where:
Public Library on Larkin
St.
All WNBA-SF members are welcome to attend board
meetings. This is agreat way to get to know other
members and about the organization. You can also have a
direct impact on the programs and events sponsored
by
the organization.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
When : Thurs. April 16,
2009 time to be
announced soon
What: "Authors' Showcase—Propel
Your Platform from Both Sides"
Our signature event
will be co-chaired by our Marketing Coach Elisa
Southard and past-president Debbie Gisonni. Be a
showcase author. Email Elisa now.
Where: Sinbad's Pier 2 Restaurant,
Embarcadero St. at Mission St., SF
Email: Elisa@marketskills.com
www.wnba-sfchapter.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
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 1 st
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
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From Our Chapter
President
Dear WNBA-SF Friends,
March has come in like a lion with all the rain we’ve had, but our
fields are green and the air is sweet because of it. The air is
especially sweet here because my lilacs are blooming and I have a
huge bouquet sitting next to my computer!
As you know, March is Women’s History Month. But did you know it
started here in the Bay Area? It began in 1978 as “Women’s History
Week” in Sonoma County. Women's history was also part of a larger
movement that transformed the study of history in the United
States. Prior to the women’s movement of the sixties, only
political history of the key political events and of the leaders
seemed to be considered historical. But by the 1970s the emphasis
shifted to a broader spectrum of American life, including such
topics as the history of urban life, public health, ethnicity, the
media, and poverty.
As part of The Women’s National Book Assn, which began in 1917 and
our own San Francisco Chapter in 1968, we know that women have made
significant contributions to the way we look at the world and how
we respond to it. I invite you to take your place among Women of
History and participate in the many upcoming WNBA-SF events.
Thurs., March 12, 7pm –
Writers Reading at BookShop West Portal – come out and support your
friends who will be reading from their works which are published or
works-in-progress.
Sat., March 28, 9:30am –
Meet-the-Agents/Publishers Event at Sinbad’s Restaurant, Pier 2 San
Francisco. This is your chance to pitch your work directly to an
agent or publisher. Spend five minutes one-to-one and get valuable
feedback on your writing from professionals in the literary field.
Registration details and information about the agents and
publishers participating are on the web site at www.wnba-sfchapter.org.
Wed., April 1, 6pm –
WNBA-SF Board Meeting, San Francisco Main Library, 1st Floor
Conference Room. All WNBA-SF members are welcome to attend board
meetings. This is your chance to influence the future of our
organization. We need your thoughts, ideas, enthusiasm, concerns
and expertise. Lend a hand with a specific project, event or step
into an on-going role as a committee chair or board position. Meet
great people, develop your leadership skills and give back to the
community. Contact Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org to add an
agenda item for discussion prior to the meeting.
Thurs., April 16, 5:30pm –
Author Showcase at Sinbad’s Restaurant, Pier 2 San Francisco.
Congratulations on getting the book published! Now, you need to get
out there and promote it. That’s where our WNBA-SF member Elisa
Southard, “Marketing Queen,” comes in to help you learn those
skills. Don’t have your book just yet? Elisa will help all of
us attending learn tips on how to let others know who we are and
what we do through fun interactive exercises. Register for dinner
and as an Author Exhibitor (hurry to get your spot!) at
www.wnba-sfchapter.org.
Thurs., May 7, 7pm –
Membership Mixer and Technology Tutorial at Kepler’s Books and
Magazines in Menlo Park. Kepler’s will host a WNBA-SF Membership
Mixer where we can get together and share a glass of wine along
with our accomplishments, hopes and dreams of our writing life. We
will also have an election of new officers to the WNBA-SF board and
a Technology Tutorial, internet walk through, for Members who would
like to learn how to log into the National web site Members Only
section. Mark your calendar of the date and look for details in the
April newsletter.
Wishing you all the abundance this glorious spring has to
offer!
Be well,
Mary
********************
Announcements
Upcoming Author Readings!
WNBA Members Get to
Read
at BookShop West Portal
Thursday, March 12, 2009
7:00-9:00pm
BookShop West Portal
80 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Women's National Book Association cordially invites you to an
evening of readings & circle of sharing
Come and support vibrant WNBA members/authors and poets,
including:
Susan Cohen
Laurel Anne Hill
Mary Knippel
Mathilde Apelt Schmidt
Schyne
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga
Light refreshments.
For more information about WNBA-SF, please go to www.wnba-sfchapter.org
We would love to see you there, and, please feel free to bring a
friend or two.
********************
WRITERS &
AUTHORS
This is your
chance!
6th
Annual
“MEET THE AGENTS/EDITORS”
EVENT
Sponsored
by
Women’s National Book Association
Pitch
directly to agents and editors—Fiction and
Nonfiction
Whether your manuscript is
ready to be launched into the world, or a draft
of an amazing story, don’t miss this
opportunity to talk about your work with those
who are in-the-know in the industry. Attending
this event could change your writing life and
it certainly would be more exciting than your
typical Saturday morning!
Saturday, March 28, 2008
Sinbad’s, Pier 2, San Francisco
9:30am Registration
Featured Attendees Include:
Manic Press
Ted Weinstein
Verna Dreisbach
April Eberhardt
Reese Halsey North
Admission
to this event includes:
1) Three minutes of ONE-ON-ONE time
with several of the bay area's leading agents,
publishers, and editors. Think of it as a
speed dating for writers!
2) " Pitch
Tips" by author, manuscript consultant,
and career coach Teresa LeYung Ryan.
3) Complimentary Buffet Breakfast
4) "Networking Lunch" starting at 1pm for even
more face time with agents, publishers, and
editors. (Attendees will receive 15% off all
food items).
Details: $50 members,
$65 nonmembers, $75 at the Door.
Buffet Breakfast included.
“Pitch Tips” included
with Registration. “No Host Networking
Lunch” at 1:00pm, with 15% discount
off any food item (beverages excluded)
compliments of Sinbad’s.
Visit www.WNBA-sfchapter.org
for more information.
********************
Exciting Member
Media
Appearance!
WNBA
Members Kim McMillon and Joan Gelfand will be talking about
"Meet the
Agents"
on
NBC's "Bay Area
Vistas."
The show
will air on Sunday, March 22nd -
4pm.
Please tune in!
********************
Seeking WNBA-SF
Visionaries
We are
forming a Nominating Committee in preparation for
an election of officers at our May WNBA-SF meeting.
Let us know if you have a skill we could borrow for a few
hours a month, or if you know of someone who has
expertise in areas such as being a non-profit treasurer,
or any other position that is vital to a membership based
organization.
Our mission as the WNBA-SF board is to
plan programs members have requested us to repeat, and
implement new ideas for fun programs which also have
professional development components, but we need
your help to accomplish these tasks. Any and everyone
interested in shaping the future of WNBA-SF is asked to
contact Vicki at hospitality@WNBA-SF.org
to be part of this committee which will meet in late
March.
**********************
New
Class Forming:
"Build Your
Writer's Resume"
How do you get
to the New Yorker? Practice.
In this monthly class we'll discuss strategies for
building your writer's resume as well as book promotion
and publicity for new and upcoming books.
Fiction,
non-fiction writers and poets welcome.
Meets the third Wednesday of the month February - June
7-9pm. Location in SF, close to BART & MUNI;
plentiful street parking. WNBA members receive
10% discount on class fee. See http://joangelfand.com for
more information or call 415-665-9292
**********************
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
Founding
Member: Effie Lee Morris
WNBA National
Board Members
Writers, Agents, Editors, Authors...
Build your online platform.
We can help you- contact
us today
.
|
The
Bookworm
