Please join us for this exceptional reading group of three authors, all local members of Women’s National Book Association: C.W. Gortner (The Last Queen), Kathi Kamen Goldmark (And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You), and Tanya Egan Gibson (How to Buy a Love of Reading).

C.W. Gortner will bring insight into his intriguing and highly adventurous historical novel, The Last Queen, and what’s next from him. Kathi will read about one fabulous character (her health-food-obsessed mom, Betty) from both a fictional and a nonfiction perspective. Kathi warns, “Bring your own wheat grass juice.” Tanya will read and talk about writing her critically acclaimed debut novel, How to Buy a Love of Reading, where you’re sure to fall in love with reading all over again. We aren’t suggesting the love of reading is something to be bought, but we know you’ll be inspired to buy these authors’ praise-worthy books.

The Women’s National Book Association launched National Reading Group Month in October of 2007 to celebrate the organization’s ninetieth birthday. This year, WNBA will continue its tradition of promoting women and the book and literacy in general by hosting events in their chapter cities: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Many thanks to our partner for this event, Whole Foods Market, for providing specialty foods.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Kathi Kamen Goldmark is the author of And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You, a novel; co-author of The Great Rock & Roll Joke Book, and Mid-Life Confidential: the Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America with Three Chords and an Attitude; and has contributed essays to several anthologies-including Feed Me! (edited by Harriet Brown). With her husband, Sam Barry, she writes a monthly aspiring-writer-advice column in BookPage called “The Author Enablers.”

A 2007 San Francisco Library Laureate and winner of the 2008 National Women’s Book Association award, Kathi is the founder and a member of the all-author rock band the Rock Bottom Remainders, president and janitor of “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” Records, Author Liaison for many high-profile literary events-including Book Group Expo and the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library annual Laureates Dinner-and the producer of the nationally-distributed radio show West Coast Live.

Tanya Egan Gibson was born and raised on Long Island’s south shore, the“Egg”-less side of the island Fitzgerald didn’t write about. She earned a B.A. in English from Cornell University and an M.A. from the University of Washington. She began writing How to Buy a Love of Reading ten years ago, while teaching high school English. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two children.

C. W. Gortner is the author of The Last Queen (Ballantine Books). This book takes a look at the life of Juana of Castile, the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne, and it is highly praised by Publisher’s Weekly. Half-Spanish by birth, Gortner holds an M.F.A. in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California and has taught university courses on women of power in the Renaissance. He was raised in Málaga, Spain, and now lives in California. He is currently at work on his next book, which is about Catherine de Medici and will be released by Ballantine Books in 2010. Visit him at www.cwgortner.com.
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It is with a heavy heart that the San Francisco/Peninsula Branch of the California Writers Club must announce the cancellation of its October 10th and 11th writers' conference, Call of the Wild Mind.
"The economy caught up with us," club president Tory Hartmann said. "The Jack London Writers Conference has always been a bargain-and still is-but we are victims of the recession. We can't put the club's treasure in jeopardy. We're devastated, but facts are facts. It was impossible to proceed without a crushing loss."

High powered speakers had been booked, including Dan Millman, Sister Helen Prejean, Dr. Fred Wolf (aka Dr. Quantum) as well as a private interview with Natalie Goldberg. "In any other year," Hartmann said, "this conference would be a madhouse. But many people backed away because they were either unemployed or under-employed."

"A highly successful Los Angeles agent said, 'This is a tough economy. Publishers are not buying and haven't been for months. It would be tragic for me to listen to a pitch and then say, I'm sorry…..I'm currently closed for submissions.'"

The California Writers Club began 100 years ago when several authors including Jack London and Juaquin Miller, met and discussed their projects. The tradition of writers meeting and discussing the craft has persisted down through the decades. Refunds to registrants will be sent out over the next two weeks. 

Then WNBA-SF needs you! We are looking for volunteers to be hospitality chairs for a wide range of events. Knowledge of WNBA is key, and willingness to greet people at events, and answer questions about the organization is a must.

Tasks may include bringing materials to events, manning check-in tables, coordinating refreshments, and working with the board members and organization members who are coordinating the events to make sure that they run smoothly. From readings to panels to parties to Meet-the-Agents, we need people to help put on our wonderful events! 

If you are interested, please email Allegra at vicepresident@wnba-sfchapter.org. 

Simple Abundance Close-to-Home Workshop
Oct. 4, or Sun., Nov. 1, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., $120*
(participants will receive a copy of "Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy," along with a one year membership in the Simple Abundance on-line community, $75 value).  

(Immediate Past President of WNBA-SF)

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Tap Memory & Write Memoir: Give the Gift of Story

Two Sunday afternoons: November 1^st and 8^th  
You’re invited to a very different kind of MEMOIR WRITING CLASS 

• Tap into your memories with ease
• Discover your unique voice
• Trigger creativity
• Add depth, design & color
• Find understanding & catharsis
• Make conscious connections
• Trust the message & messenger
• Create essential energy

Lynn Henriksen, current president of WNBA-SF, will show you how to embrace a special kind of memoir that takes a look at the heart and soul of a loved one - of course, you’ll show up, too, along the way. "If you could tell just one small story that would capture your mother's character and keep her spirit alive, what would it be?" To answer this provocative question about your mother or another significant woman in your life, join The Story Woman™ on a journey of discovery where you’ll make conscious connections and develop your unique voice and style on the written page, even if you’ve never written anything before. Through inspiring story examples, guided activities, interactive exercises, and constructive feedback, you'll learn to delve into memories with ease and trigger your creativity.  You will craft a memory gem into memoir. Students say this class is exhilarating, joyful, heartfelt, cathartic, and ever inspiring.                                                          
Book Passage

Nov 1st and Nov 8th • 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Registration: $105 with www.bookpassage.com or 415.927.0960

Classes in Marin • 51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera 

Click here for more information about Fall Workshop or contact:

Lynn Henriksen

President, WNBA-SF

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*October 5th - featured reader Gallery Cafe/Powell & Washington street /SF  CD release party

Dear WNBA-SF Friends,

Send your Blog posts to BlogEditor@WNBA-SFchapter.org .

Do you have a book or service you would like to promote? 

1. Increase exposure by linking your website to our SF chapter site and writing new posts on our Blog. 
2. Interact with members on our Bookworm Backdoor forum
3. Add your input and gain ideas from other members through E-newsletter Bookworm.
4. Check our website calendar not only for WNBA sponsored events, but also those with other organizations. 
5. Grab opportunities to provide leadership to the chapter - join a committee or run for office. 
6. Represent WNBA at conferences, book festivals, and other community events.
7. Co-facilitate mixers in your area. 
8. Attend board meetings.
9. Assist with "Meet the Agents & Acquisition Editors."
10. Assist with "Authors’ Showcase." 
11. Assist with database and elections.
12. Assist Membership Chair Mary Lunning.
13. List your book on our National Site - under Author books; List your name in our national database of members.
14. 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.
15. Sign up for Members’ Readings at our sponsoring bookstore: Bookshop West Portal, SF.  Contact Pam Reitman.
16. Work with our 10 chapters nationwide to network, plan book tours, build your platform.
17. Tell Leon Veal, Literacy Liaison, how you're promoting literacy in your community and he will profile you in his column.
18. Have fun! Foster relationships!