JANUARY 2012
JANUARY 2012
Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers (SASP) began in 1998 when Chuck O’Conner, Elmer Freeman, Joe Meiners,
and Dan Vollmer, Spokane area authors
formed a club in order to share their knowledge and experience with those
interested in writing and alternative ways of publishing. Today, SASP is a large non-profit
organization dedicated to anyone with interests in any aspect of writing and
art. Members now include aspiring (and
successful) authors, poets, journalists, illustrators, editors, publishers,
printers, writing instructors, and many others.
Monthly luncheon meetings provide inspiration and education by way of
knowledgeable and entertaining guest speakers, and the cheerful camaraderie of
people sharing common interests and goals.
Membership is open to all who love writing, art, and interesting people.
Spokane
Authors and Self-Publishers meets
the first Thursday of each month, September through May, in the banquet (back)
room of the Old Country Buffet
(509) 484-5026
Speakers’
presentations begin at NOON. The room opens at 11:00 AM to allow members and guests to dine, converse, join, pay
dues, browse, and perhaps buy other member’s books that are on display. Generally a short business meeting is held,
either before or after the formal presentation.
New members and guests are introduced, members relate their
accomplishments, and various door prizes are awarded.
All
members and guests are requested to buy lunch upon entering the establishment,
and to leave an appropriate tip for the waiter/waitress.
Members
need to be present to win door prizes.
Current
membership benefits include a
listing on the SASP website, www.spokaneauthors.org. Many
members provide short biographies and links to external personal websites,
creating more marketing exposure.
Current members may list and describe their published works on the SASP
website and offer their work for sale at meetings.
Guest speakers at our monthly meetings
inform, inspire, and entertain members and guests with a variety of topics, all
designed to provide knowledge pertinent to writing and publishing.
SASP
members are encouraged to purchase or trade completed works of and with fellow
members. They are also encouraged to
donate examples of their work for use as door prizes. Those who win other members’ works are
expected to provide a review of that work.
Dues for SASP
membership are $15.00 per calendar year.
Dues may be paid directly to
our Treasurer at our monthly meetings.
Alternatively, you may remit your dues to:
2011 Officers
President:
Dave McChesney (509) 325-2072
Vice-President:
Bob Weldin (509) 327-2897
Secretary:
Robert Pillsbury (509) 842-6803
rvpsasp07@comcast.net
Treasurer:
Bonnie Stichart (509) 684-0424
Public-Relations:
Russ
Davis (509) 768-6206
Newsletter Editor:
Jim
Parry 509)
325-9922
Web Master:
Dave
McChesney (509) 325-2072
Advisory Board:
Jolene Feher (509) 489-0544
fehersong@yahoo.com
Gail Mangano (509) 535-1434
mamamia3224@comcast.net
Bob Manion (509) 448-2901
gunnerbob@comcast.net
OUR
NEXT MEETING!
Please join us on Thursday,
January 5 at 12 noon. We’ll be at
our usual location, Old Country Buffet,
We will begin the new year with a potential two-part
program. First, we will hold an OPEN
FORUM to discuss RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS as they pertain to publishing. If you would like to speak briefly on the
subject, please contact Dave at daveeva@comcast.net. A sign-up sheet will also be available at the
meeting. If there is sufficient time
remaining, we will continue with more OPEN MIC presentations. A sign-up sheet will be provided for this as
well.
The President’s
Page
December 2011
Spokane
Authors and Self-Publishers celebrated the end of the year with a meeting a bit
different than most. We began with a
short business meeting, primarily to ascertain who would have the reins for the
coming months. A call was made for volunteers or nominations. When none were forthcoming, Jolene Feher
moved and Michael Marsden seconded that current officers should be carried over
into the next year. With very little or
no discussion, a vote was taken and the motion approved. While current officers have been designated
to serve another year, some have expressed a desire to step down, should anyone
desire to fill those positions.
As
an incentive for potential officers, it was decided that those serving should
be exempt from dues. We also decided
that SASP should provide a $50.00 donation to the Spokesman-Review Christmas
Fund.
The
primary portion of our meeting was devoted to an “open mic” session in which
members were privileged to share a bit of their work with the group. We heard from Don Williams, Barbara Hollace,
Ruth Danner, Damon Bauer, Jolene Feher, Jim Vasquez, Nancy Wright, Joan Carter,
Esther Hildahl, and Robert Heacock.
While most presented something they had written, a couple took the
opportunity to tell of newly published books.
Guests
in attendance were Diane Saffell and Mary Rhoads. Diane had been here in October and was
featured in the Inlander article based on that meeting. Mary joined as the meeting ended and is now a
SASP member.
Diana
Wickes mentioned that she had had some poems published in “Magna Poets.” Dave McChesney informed us that he had been
denied permission to include Horatio Hornblower as a minor or occasional
character in his Stone Island Sea Stories.
To
everyone’s obvious relief, Dave refrained from making the usual Presidential
announcements.
Door
prizes were plentiful as usual. Chuck
Lehman and Mrs. Wally Parker each won a free meal pass from Old Country
Buffet. Bob Manion and Jolene Feher had
the winning tickets to $10.00 checks from SASP.
Michael Marsden won his choice of one of three framed paintings by Joan
Carter. Don and Sue Williams collected
the Twelve Days of Christmas as interpreted and provided by Lee Moore. Lastly, John Heffernan went home with a copy
of Nancy Wright’s newly published book, Yankee
on the Yangtze.
At
the time of this meeting, no program was in place for the January 5, 2012
meeting. Since then we have decided to
hold an open forum regarding rights and permissions. Depending upon the time that takes, we may
continue with more open mic presentations.
Write
on,
For What It’s Worth
Well, OK; one more column.
2011 was another excellent year for the SASP organization. During the year we had many members who had books published, several books came out in e-book format, and several members had the wonderful experience of seeing their articles in print. Quite a few members were involved in many, many signings and readings. Some even won awards. Specific individuals accomplishing the above were James Vasquez, Soul Karriem, Bobbie Ochse, Chuck Lyons, Don Williams, Barbara Cagle, Diana Wickes, Michael Marsden, Joyce Wilkens, Molly Saty, Jim Parry, Chuck Lehman, and Lee Moore. (I’m sure I’ve missed a few.)
In addition to learning from the above individual experiences, many guest speakers imparted their knowledge to SASP: We started out last January with our own Paul LeCoq, who demonstrated and explained how his new software program for novel writing keeps track of characters, locations, and other storyline situations. February brought us Andrew Corder, senior editor of Gray Dog Press. Mr. Corder explained the various publishing options that Gray Dog offers. In March, Dawn Nelson, prolific author and marketing wizard, provided us with many ideas and strategies for maximizing sales. We had no guest speaker at our May meeting. Instead, members Chuck Lehman, Bob Magart, and Dave McChesney shared many writing/publishing tips that they had learned throughout their journeys toward publication.
The summer
season (June – didn’t really feel like summer) began with the editor of Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Living, Blythe
Thimsen speaking about the goals of her magazine, how an issue comes together,
the use of submissions from freelance writers, and Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Living book reviews of local authors. Shortly after Independence Day, Ruth McHaney
Danner offered interesting and practical advice about self-editing our
works. August found SASP vacationing in
the south of
SASP returned with a vengeance in the fall. At our September meeting, our very own president, Dave McChesney, made public his reasons for choosing self-publication over commercial publishers. In October we heard from Victor Bobb,
who teaches writing classes at
Our December meeting was a bit different. We began with a call for volunteers to become the new 2012 officers. When no one answered the call, it was moved and seconded that the current officers would continue their duties throughout 2012. (The vice-president and newsletter editor positions might be of concern because both of the members holding these current positions are stepping down.) The selection of officers was followed by an “Open Mic” session during which we heard excerpts from the excellent works of Don Williams, Barbara Hollace, Ruth Danner, Damon Bauer, Jolene Feher, James Vasquez, Nancy Wright, Joan Carter, Esther Hildahl, and Robert Heacock.
Let us hope that in the coming year SASP equals or surpasses its amazing 2011 accomplishments.
I have enjoyed being your editor for the past two years. It has been an honor. Thank you.
Jim
NEWS
Listed below are
acknowledgments of
members’ accomplishments,
book
signing dates, locations,
and other items of note:
2012
WILLIAM SAROYAN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR WRITING
-- Call for Submissions --Deadline for Entries: January 31, 2012 For
More Information: saroyanprize.stanford.edu
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 William Saroyan
International Prize for Writing. Two prizes of $5,000 each are given biennially
for works of fiction and nonfiction. The awards, cosponsored by the Stanford
University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation, are intended to
“encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan legacy of originality,
vitality, and stylistic innovation.”
Submit five copies of a novel, short story
collection, or work of creative nonfiction published between January 1, 2010,
and December 31, 2011, with a $50 entry fee. Visit the website for more
information, including entry forms, contest rules, and complete guidelines. Go
to: saroyanprize.stanford.edu
DEADLINE: Please note that entries must be
received on or before January 31, 2012. If you have additional questions, feel
free to contact Stanford University Libraries, William Saroyan International
Prize for Writing, Green Library,
A
New Web Magazine
I am launching a literary web
magazine and online community that is devoted to quality narrative writing about
real people creating positive social change. It's called Beyond the Bracelet:
Stories of the Movement from Awareness to Action.
I invite you to check it out! I'd love for
you to be involved in our community, in whatever way makes sense for you—as a
liker, follower, commenter, reader, writer, or action-taker.
website: http://www.beyondthebracelet.com/
blog: http://www.beyondthebracelet.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-the-Bracelet/186305708063699
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/beyondbracelet
Best,
Ross Carper
SASP
Member’s Stories Published
Barbara Hollace announced
that Dr. Bernie Siegel's, A Book of
Miracles" was recently released.
Her story, A Community of Hope
is the first story in the Holiday
Miracles section. Barbara says, “It
is always exciting to get published, especially when you know that it is so
competitive to get your work selected these days. I don't receive any royalties, but I think
you'll enjoy the read.”
To purchase a copy, check
with your local bookstore or on Amazon.
She also has a story in Love is a Verb Devotional from Gary Chapman.
This was released on October 1st.
SASP member
Book Release
Anna Goodwin
Hurrah! JUSTICE FORBIDDEN,
my psychological thriller, murder mystery is finally out. You can get it on my
website www.anaparkergoodwin.com
for 20% off regular price: $13.50.
10% of my profits will go to counseling abused children. Or you can
get it at Barnes and
Noble or Amazon. ISBN: 978-0-9845566-0-1
What is the story about? Of course it’s all about what I know best.
I am a psychotherapist who had a private practice for many years. Although the
plot is fictional, the character of the client and much of her past is based on
true events.
What are the facts about memory? Are there false memories? Can
memories be repressed and then remembered years later? This is one of the
greatest controversies still raging in psychology today.
Dr. Faythe Bradington, Clinical Psychologist, is shocked to
discover that an ex-client is suing her for implanting false memories of
childhood abuse. Faythe rushes to her office to read her files, but when she
arrives she discovers a body in the waiting room. Now terrified, she calls 911.
To make her situation worse, her insurance company insists she settle out of
court. There will be no justice for her unless she discovers what actually happened
to her ex-client 25 years ago. Determined to clear her name and discover the
truth, she hires a private investigator, who unknown to her has psychic powers
that become crucial in solving the case. As Faythe and L.P. probe into her
ex-client’s haunted past, they discover dark secrets so ominous that just
knowing them will set off unstoppable deadly events.
Read
the book, leave a comment at my website, at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and
then pass the book to someone else you know would enjoy it. If you want me to
do the same for your book send me an e-mail: jargoodwin@msn.com. We are very fortunate to have
a wonderful group. Let’s cooperate and help each other reach our writing
dreams.
A New “How to” Book
THE WRITERS PORTABLE MENTOR
A guide to Art, Craft, and the Writing Life
By Priscilla Long
ISBN: 978-0-9842421-0-8,
$17.95,
www.priscillalong.com
Recent Newsletters now on
Site
All issues of our recently revived SASP Newsletter are now posted
and available on the web-site. Simply go to the Newsletter Tab on our home page
and click on the month you are interested in.
All content of the e-mailed or “snail-mailed” versions is there, although
the format is changed somewhat.
Publishing Accomplishments
Jim Parry’s book, Book All
the Teachers,
is now available on most major bookstore web-sites.
It is also available as an “e” book.
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
New
“LINKS”
We’ve recently added several “general
interest” links on the web-site page of the same name.
Many SASP members’ web-sites and blogs
are linked here as well.
Price Reduction
SASP Member and former President Barbara
Cagle has announced that the price of her book 16 x MOM: A MASTERY OF
MOTHERHOOD is now $17.95