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In This
Issue
From Our Chapter
President
Announcements
From Our Literacy
Liaison
Author
Spotlight
WNBA National
News
Link to Renew Membership (General
Member - $45)
Link to Renew Membership (Senior/Student -
$25)
From our Literacy
Liaison Dear WNBA Members and Friends,
I (Teresa) attended the Project Read silver
anniversary celebration at the SF Public Library on Oct.
27th. Listening to the stories from the
tutor/learner teams filled me with inspiration. Imagine not
knowing how to read job postings, insurance forms, operating
instructions, or a book to your child? Project Read provides
one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults who want to
improve their basic reading and writing skills.
On behalf of WNBA, I applaud the folks at Project
Read (Randall Weaver, Leon Veal, Richard Le, Heather Ellis,
Brian Castagne, all the tutors, other volunteers, and
learners) for their dedication and passion. Call (415)
557-4388 if you're interested in being trained as a
tutor.
I (Patricia) attended the Beverly Manley reading at
the African American Museum and Library in Oakland on October
25th. Mrs. Manley read from her work, The
Manley Memoirs. The former first lady of Jamaica talked
about her childhood and marriage to the former Prime Minister
Michael Manley. The venue provided an intimate setting in a
jewel of a building. The African American Museum and Library
is located on 14th Street next to Prospect Park. Readings are
held on the second floor. For further information about
upcoming speakers contact Veda Silva at the library. (510)
637-0200 www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO/
Check out http://wnba-sfchapter.org or look through this newsletter for more information
on fun events.
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 Barbara Gates
Barbara Gates is a memoir writer and editor
living in Berkeley, California. She is the co-founder and
co-editor-in-chief of the Buddhist journal, Inquiring
Mind for which she writes a regular column. She
also works as a developmental editor—as a kind of midwife
for people writing books. Her memoir, Already Home: A
Topography of Spirit and Place, was published by
Shambhala Publications (2003). The Best of Inquiring
Mind: Twenty Five Years of Dharma, Drama and Uncommon
Insight, the recent anthology she co-edited with Wes
Nisker, was published by Wisdom Publications
(2008).
When did you start writing?
I began dictating stories before I even knew how
to put words on paper. And I’ve written ever since. I’ve
kept voluminous journals since I was young, written
women’s studies curricula for the Feminist Press when in
my twenties, edited the Buddhist magazine Inquiring
Mind, and have published articles (creative
non-fiction) over the years. It was not until I was
propelled by the urgency of a breast cancer diagnosis
during my forties that I mustered the discipline to write
my memoir Already Home.
Why did you choose your particular genre?
It has felt as if my genre chose me. My interest
in Buddhism led me to co-found and co-edit a Buddhist
journal. Over the twenty-five years of editing the
journal, I’ve found myself telling stories from my life in
which I’ve explored struggles and everyday illuminations
born of Buddhist practice. In the telling, I’ve learned
more about Buddhism, about myself and about the nature of
this zany and wondrous existence—catastrophe and blessing
at once. Memoir writing with a philosophic slant has
gradually allowed me to take my own ‘troubles’ with more
of a sense of humor and to see the underlying commonality
of my own ups and downs with those of everyone
else.
What inspired you to
choose your subject matter?
Mostly I write about something because I don’t
understand it and it has become a kind of obsession (a rat
which showed up in my refrigerator, a garbage dump which
reminded me of my own mind). Often I write about something
that is hurting (the death of my step dad, a sister who
won’t talk to me) or that is confusing me (a dilemma like
whether to kill snails, whether to drive on freeways).
Usually, when I write about something, the central theme
takes on metaphoric resonance. I play with the theme,
ventilate it a bit, maybe laugh at my self-preoccupation.
More often than not, I gain a little clarity and find some
freedom to loosen my grip on that theme, to notice more of
the world around me and maybe to think creatively about
something new.
How difficult/easy has your experience
been as a published writer?
I have been lucky to be the editor of a journal
in which I can regularly publish my own essays. When I’ve
published my work elsewhere, I have sometimes been
disgruntled by the way the work has been edited. That’s
not a problem when I’m my own editor! As to publishing
women’s studies curricula with the Feminist Press when I
was young or publishing with Shambhala and Wisdom in
recent years, again, I think I was lucky. These small
publishing houses more or less came my way without a lot
of effort on my part because of the work that I was
doing. But I should add that when my agent (who I met
through a fellow writer) had tried to get Already
Home published with a mainstream press, many
editors said they liked it but no one wanted to take the
“risk.” Once a book is published, of course, there’s the
challenge of selling books. Although I got some excellent
reviews and interviews for Already Home, sales
have been minimal. And now, alas, there’s a diminishing
number of independent booksellers. Who is going to carry
the book? Now, Already Home is only available
through Shambhala Publications or through
me.
What advice would you give other
aspiring authors?
Don’t give up. Keep writing. Write every day,
whether or not what you write on any given occasion seems
of particular value or is expressed with particular grace
or flare. Just write, and out of the act of writing a
serendipitous story or image, an insight or a fresh and
sensuous series of words may well arise unbidden, as if
out of nowhere…. to surprise you. When you’ve completed a
book, try to find an agent or a publisher. But if that
doesn’t work out, don’t give up. Self-publish your own
book and sell it on line. Most of all, try to remember not
to take your own trials personally.
Anything else you would like to share
with the WNBA?
Keep reading. When you read beautiful prose, its
rhythms and metaphors may well seep into your own writing.
I just read Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto and I
find that my thoughts and dreams are permeated by the
elegance and imagination of Patchett’s language and
imagery.
********************
**********************
Did you
know?
WNBA MEMBER ADVANTAGES:
Do you have a new book or service you would like to
promote?
Here are the ways WNBA
can help:
1: Link your website to
our SF chapter
site
2: List your book on our
National Site – under Author
books. The site gets
approximately 4,400 hits/month
(password
required)
3: List your name in our
national database of
members
4: Have your book
reviewed or 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
5: Ask to present your
book at our Author’s Showcase –
contact Elisa Southard
/WNBA/SF
6: SIGN UP to
read/present your book at our
local sponsoring bookstore:
Bookshop West
Portal.
7: Work with all of our
8 chapters to network for
readings/mailings,
etc.
Have fun! Make new
friends and
acquaintances!
Sign up or renew (only
$45!) on our
website: www.wnba-sfchapter.org
and Use
PayPal
**********************
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.
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From Our Chapter President
 Dear WNBA-SF
Friends,
November is a time
where we count our blessings and I am grateful for my health, my
family friends, their health, a warm place to sleep and dream,
enough food to eat and tea to sip, and of course, time to write and
read.
I’m grateful to be
part of this dynamic organization with so many exciting programs
planned. However, those plans are in
jeopardy
without your help. As
part of the WNBA-SF board you will be in a position to help
shape the future of WNBA-SF.
If you are
knowledgeable with numbers, we are in need of a Treasurer. We also have two very popular and important
programs coming up March
28, Meet-the-Agents and on April 16, the Author Showcase
which need bright, capable
volunteers to assure their success. If you have a manuscript ready
to be pitched to an agent, or a polished pitch, being a part of the
Meet-the-Agents committee would get you one step closer to that all
important introduction to an agent! If you have successfully
brought your project to book form, participating on the Author
Showcase committee is an opportunity for you to learn valuable tips
about Marketing as the committee chair, Elisa Southard, author
of Break Through the
Noise, is a seasoned
pro!
I realize we are
all busy and have many responsibilities, but if you gave a few
hours to just one of our programs, it could make all the difference
in making our programs spectacular successes. Contact either Linda
Lee or myself atpresident@wnba-sfchapter.org
about
volunteering for a WNBA-SF position or program
today!
Be
well,
Mary
P. S. Don’t forget
to go to our web sitewww.wnba-sfchapter.org
to sign up for
an program with Christine Comaford, New York Times best-selling author
of Rules of
Renegades ,
on Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at
Sinbad’s Pier 2 Restaurant in San Francisco.
Christine has had an
unconventional career path and you won’t want to miss hearing
how she turned her book into a best seller. Whether you’re
a Renegade
or not, this is a story
you’ll want to hear!
The December
WNBA-SF Board meeting
will be held
Dec. 2 at
4p.m
. at Sinbad’s Pier 2 Restaurant prior
to our December program. Please contactpresident@wnba-sfchapter.org
to add anything
to the meeting agenda.
********************
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 Tuesday, Dec. 16th,
5:30-8pm. Our hosts will be Literary Agents Michael
Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada. The location is
1029 Jones St, between California and Pine streets
and parking is available on Pine before 6pm. 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.
********************
Reading Round the World
Series
Jana
McBurney-Lin, author of
My Half of
the Sky , will be among the panel of
authors on Saturday, Nov. 22, 1:00pm at the
South San Francisco Public Library in the
Reading Round the World Series. Main Library
Auditorium at 840 West Orange Ave., So. S.F.
(650) 829-3876
Refreshments provided by Friends of
the Library.
********************
California Writer's Club
Events
On Saturday, November 15, developing effective
narrative voice will be the topic, and editor and
writer Christopher Wachlin will be the speaker.
The CWC meets at the Belmont Public Library at 10
a.m. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for
non-members, and you may pay by cash or by check
made out to CWC.
As always, reservations are recommended. Reply at
cwachlin@hotmail.com
After the main meeting, this month’s group
mentoring session will be “Where are you going on
your writer's journey?” led by Group Mentoring
co-chair Teresa LeYung Ryan. Bring your questions,
your willingness to share leads, and your
calendars. To reserve your spot, email:
Mentoring@sfpeninsulawriters.
com and Joyce or Teresa will
email back confirmation or put your name on
the wait list. Put "November CWC Group
Mentoring" in the subject line.
For more information about Christopher Wachlin, the
CWC, and this month's meeting and mentoring
session, visit the website at http://www.sfpeninsulawriters.
com/ As the site is updated,
additional details will be available
there.
Also, don’t forget that this month you can win a
big, beautiful holiday gift basket simply by
attending the main meeting.
Enter the CWC Gift Basket Raffle!!!
Rules:
1. Everyone who brings a guest receives a raffle
ticket toward winning this month's basket.
2. Everyone who has passed out flyers this month
automatically receives a special prize.
********************
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of the
mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart,
says: “In the fiercely competitive arena of the
publishing world, how does one stand out in a
crowd? Building relationships is one key to success
in this business. Another key is to map out your
career plan. I want to see all hardworking writers
realize their dreams.”
Teresa is a past-president of CWC
Peninsula Branch, current Literacy Liaison for
Women's National Book Association, a presenter at
writers' conferences, manuscript editor, and a
career coach for writers.
Teresa has a "Resources" page
and "Tips for Success" for writers on her
website: LoveMadeofHeart.com************************
EDITCETERA Workshops
EDITCETERA, an association of freelance
publishing professionals, presents the following workshops.
For registration and more info: www.edicetera.com; 510-849-1110;
also learn about other educational programs and
freelance editorial services.
• Proofreading
A to Z, with Robyn Brode Orsini
When: Three Saturdays, November 1 to 15;
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $320 through October 24; $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.
• The Art of
Querying, with Zipporah Collins
When: Tuesday, November 18; 6:30 to 9:30
p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $75 through November 11; $85 thereafter
Details: Learn how to build rapport with an author while
using queries to obtain missing information, resolve
contradictions and ambiguities, and explain editorial
changes.
• Grammar
That Only an Editor Could Love, with Susan
Ledford
When: Saturday, December 6; 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana Street,
Berkeley
Cost: $145 through November 28; $165 thereafter
Details: With a focus on understanding rather than on
memorization, resolve the questions that plague even the
experts.
• Electronic Editing, with Melissa
Stein
Improve your efficiency and effectiveness
as a copyeditor with the help of a computer. Watch for
details at www.editcetera.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.
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
********************
WNBA-SF Chapter Board
Members
Co-Presidents: Mary E. Knippel and Linda Lee
president@wnba
-sfchapter.org
Treasurer: Allegra Harris
treasurer@wnba-sfchapter.org
Literacy Liaisons: Teresa LeYung Ryan and Patricia
Costello
literacyliaison@wnba-sfchapter.org
Membership Chair:
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
WNBA
National Board Members
President:
Joan Gelfand
joan@joangelfand.com
Past President: Laurie Beckelman
lbeckleman@aol.com
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The Bookworm