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

5504 N. Division St.

Spokane, WA 99208

(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:

Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers

P. O. Box 18573

Spokane, WA 99228-0573

2010 Officers

President:

Dave McChesney (509) 325-2072

daveeva@comcast.net

Vice-President:

Bob Weldin (509) 327-2897

minersquest@comcast.net

Secretary:

Robert Pillsbury (509) 842-6803

rvpsasp07@comcast.net

Treasurer:

TBA

Public-Relations:

Russ Davis (509) 768-6206

info@graydogpress.com

Newsletter Editor:

Jim Parry 509) 325-9922

parry9922@q.com

Web Master:

TBA

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 June 3 at 12 noon. We’ll be at our usual location (Old Country Buffet, 5504 N. Division St., Spokane, Washington.)

Dr. William Stimson will be our guest speaker and will clue us in on “Six Writer’s Secrets: An Informal Psychology of the Writing Process.” He is currently the Director of the Eastern Washington University Journalism Program. After studying advice from centuries of writers, he has found six suggestions that nearly all writers recommend.
Dr. Stimson was born and raised in Spokane. He graduated from Eastern Washington University and holds both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Washington State University. Dr. Stimson has been a newspaper and magazine journalist for most of his life and contributes regularly to The Inlander. He has written two books, Going to Washington State: A Century of Student Life and A View of the Falls: A History of Spokane.

The President’s Page

May 2010

OUR LAST MEETING

Today it is no longer sufficient for the author to merely write the book. At all levels of publishing, the writer is expected to take an active part in marketing his/her book. At our latest meeting on 6 May, fellow SASP member Russ Davis addressed that situation. He spoke of the methods used by Gray Dog Press and its stable of authors, while offering suggestions that all authors can use.

Attending the meeting to check out our organization were Rebecca Lacey and Marv Sather. Joining us as new or returning members were Rod Stackelberg, Jack Bunton, Sherry Waldrip, and Richard Smith.

Barbara Cagle announced that she had attended a “meet the author” event in Palm Desert California, which was attended by thirteen of the sixteen siblings in her family. She also has a signing scheduled for 22 May at the Shadle Hastings.

Don Williams told us he had self-published three novels and had set up a web-site to help self-published authors market their work. www.raccoonpress.com

Patricia Kowal will be participating in a “book sharing” event in Newport, and Robert Kowal has been asked to do a presentation on his book.

Juanita Prince mentioned that her book on health matters would be coming out shortly.

We received word that our speaker from a couple of months ago, Jack Rogers had offered his illustrating and artistic skills to helping SASP members develop covers for their books. Michael Marsden mentioned and recommended two books on writing.

James Vasquez said that he had written a poem set to a piece of classical music and was looking for musicians willing to combine and perform the song and poetry.

Don Williams donated a copy of BISHOP’S REVENGE by D. A. Williams as a door prize. Bob Manion had the winning ticket.

Don’t forget: 3 June 2010 - William (Bill) Stinson of Eastern Washington University will speak on THE SIX WRITER’S SECRETS.

* * *

I apologize if this edition of the President’s Page seems a bit unpolished and rushed. Quite frankly, I didn’t get to it in my normal time frame, and thus I am scrambling to get something done and posted on our web-site. I’ve also been notified by our newsletter editor of an earlier than usual deadline, and I want to get this to him as well. With that in mind, this will be relatively short. But while I have your attention, may I remind you about biographies and book reviews. We have many members listed on the website roster who do not have a biography linked to their name. In addition, if you have read works by your fellow SASP members, write a review and forward it to me for inclusion on our web-site.

Write on,

For What It’s Worth

by Jim Parry

Over the May 14-16 weekend the Washington Education Association held its annual Representative Assembly at the Convention Center. Since my book is about teaching (and since the going rate for a table at the C. C. is $500), I thought it would be brilliant of me to set up a table at Riverpark Square to attract teachers as they shopped between sessions. But it was not brilliant, as only 9 books were sold during my 3 days of sitting.

However, the long stretches of solitude gave this author hours and hours of reflection (I was situated directly across from the Bath & Body Works mirror), rumination, and people-watching. The first thing that floated through my brain during this tedious time was the following thought (which Russ alluded to at last month’s meeting): The above endeavor might be a worthwhile undertaking for my fellow SASP members. If you don’t mind sitting for hours, it’s a good way to promote your book in front of a large audience. Elizabeth Mills, the RPS Marketing Director, was most accommodating, and brought me a table and chair – all for free! (But all of these freebies may have been due to the fact that Made in Washington was already stocking my book.)

The other thing that crossed my mind during those seemingly endless hours of boredom: I was reminded of the amazing variety of human beings in little ol’ Spokane - all nationalities and all manner of dress. There were businessmen/women in dark suits contrasting with skate dorks. A teenage girl herding 7 small children pushed a double-stroller past my table. A silver-haired man who appeared slightly younger than myself stopped to look at my book. We exchanged pleasantries before he launched into a religious tirade. A later event began similarly, but turned into a plea to get me to join the Shriners. An interesting fellow wanted to take my photo “for a small fee,” and Sunday ended with a couple offering me a piece of the Amway scheme.

But the vast majority of them were extremely pleasant and have the ability - I think - to read. So your book is sure to catch the eye of, and

be of interest to, one or more type of human.

Good luck. Jim

News

Listed below are acknowledgments of our member's accomplishments, book signing dates, locations, and other items of note:

Recent Newsletters now on Site

The seven 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 the content of the e-mailed or “snail-mailed” versions are there. Format has changed somewhat.

New “LINKS”

We’ve recently added several “general interest” links on the web-site page of the same name. Amongst the new links is one to a “writers how to” site by Australian science fiction and fantasy writer Richard Harland.

See it at:

www.writingtips.com.au

Upcoming Signings

Dave has already mentioned a few in his President’s Page. Please let us know of any of your upcoming signing dates or other accomplishments so that we can get them into this newsletter. Jim Parry forgot to mention that he will be signing Book All theTeachers at 4 Ever Books in Cheney on Sat, June 5, from 11 - 2.

A Local Publisher

Recently, Ditto’s Print and Copy Center has expanded to become Gray Dog Press. Besides publishing SPOKE WRITE, The Spokane/Coeur d’ Alene Journal of Art and Writing, Russ Davis and his crew offer three levels of printing and publishing for local writers. Depending upon the writer’s desires and the marketability of the work, Gray Dog Press will print self-published work, publish in partnership with the author, or publish totally at their expense. For more information, go to:

www.graydogpress.com

A Most Generous Offer

Writer Kirt Hickman has generously provided SASP with several “how to” articles on various aspects of writing. He has also arranged to provide a copy of his book to the group when it is released later this year. It will make a great door prize for some lucky SASP member. We are now posting one of Kirt’s articles on the WRITER’S TOOLS page of the web-site each month. Each will remain for approximately one month or until replaced by the next. Kirt’s book, REVISING FICTION: MAKING SENSE OF THE MADNESS has been released. An autographed copy has been received by Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers and won by James Vasquez at our October meeting.

This month we will be running another one of the articles Kirt sent us. If you would like copies of any of the articles, contact daveeva@comcast.net

If there is sufficient interest amongst SASP membership, we will see about ordering copies of Kirt’s book for those who would want it.

A New Publishing Company

Hello Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers, My name is Bob Griffin. I have just started a small publishing company that will be publishing fantasy, science fiction and horror stories. Below is my company's first press release. If anybody is interested in submitting their works of fiction, please visit us at

www.absentwillowreview.com

New Hampshire Authors Launch

Publishing Company.

Rochester, NH - New Hampshire authors Rick DeCost and Bob Griffin are proud to announce the launch of their publishing company and its online presence. Absent Willow Publishing LLC is an independent book publisher that will provide its readers with high quality stories of horror, fantasy and science fiction. Its online efforts include The Absent Willow Review, which plans to publish stories in the horror, fantasy, and science fiction genres while allowing its readers access to the magazine anywhere in the world. Additionally, Absent Willow Review will publish paperback anthologies from their collected works. “We are huge fans of the genres we publish,” remarked Griffin. “We started this company to find great works of fiction and to locate the next generation of great writers.” With its online magazine spotlighting new works and its print publications soon to be available through Amazon.com and other retailers, the Company is planning to renew interest in short works of fiction. “For new and established authors of short fiction in the horror or fantasy vein, the market is light,” DeCost added. “We are hoping to change that.”

Rick Decost & Bob Griffin

Absent Willow Publishing LLC

PO Box 66

Rochester, NH 03866

MFA Opportunity

Spalding University’s four-semester, brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing combines superb instruction with unparalleled flexibility. At the beginning of each semester, students and faculty work together at a 10-day residency (in Louisville or abroad), after which they return home to correspond one-on-one through an exchange of 5 packets between the student and the faculty mentor for the rest of the semester. Study fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, screenwriting, or playwriting.

Request brochure FA35 by email: mfa@spalding.edu, by phone: (800) 896-8941, ext 2423, or see our website: www.spalding.edu/mfa.

And Yet another Contest

The second annual "Scare The Dickens Out of Us" ghost story contest offers $1000.00 first place, $500.00 second place and $250.00 third place prize money this year for a new, original ghost story up to 5000 words. Any genre is welcome.

This literary contest is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas, the oldest continuously in use library in Texas. Entry fee is $20.00. The contest is privately funded, all entry fees go to the Friends for Library projects.

Full rules are available at www.clarklibraryfriends.com or .org. Entries will be accepted from July 1 to October 1 2010.

We are also supporting a "Junior Scare the Dickens Out of Us" ghost story contest with a $250.00 first prize. This is for ages 12-18 and requires a $5.00 entry fee.

And thank you. We appreciate your time.

Roxanne and Gretchen Rix, contest coordinators "Scare The Dickens Out of Us" 2010

SASP 201O Speaking Schedule

(as of May 21)

Jan. 7---Sam Le---(guest), talking about publishing and negotiating for a screen play on his first and only book, about his escape from Viet Nam. (done)

Feb. 4---Doreen Kelsey---(guest), ”Trials and Tribulations of A Financial Writer.” (done)

Mar. 4---Jack Rogers---(guest), artist and book illustrator. (done)

Apr. 1---Jim Parry--- (member), talking about the preparation, publication and marketing of his successful new book. (done)

May 6---Russ Davis---(member), ”Marketing Your Work”. (done)

Jun. 3---Dr. William (Bill) Stimson.---(guest), "The Six Writer's Secrets"---Director, EWU Journalism Program. (booked)

Jul. 1---Dave McChesney---(member), "Literary Agents." (booked)

Aug. 5---Karen Estes---(guest), speaking on her book “Plane of the Ecliptic” and the pros and cons of using iUniverse as a book publisher. (booked)

Sep. 2---Shirley Penna-Oakes---(guest), "Genealogy." She's from Out Reach, part of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society. (booked)

Oct. 7 ---C.K. Crigger---(guest), talking about “The Hook” in writing fiction (booked)

Nov. 4---Jess Walter---(guest), may be available to speak on his latest book. Says he will speak if we can work out a time. Says his publicist is running him ragged promoting his new book. (not booked yet)

Dec. 2---How about a Christmas Party where we honor our members who have published a book or completed a manuscript during 2010? They might each read a short excerpt. Also, we need to elect officers for 2011.