NOVEMBER 2011
NOVEMBER 2011
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,
Nov. 3 at 12 noon. We’ll be at our
usual location, Old Country Buffet,
GUEST SPEAKER: MIKE V. MILLER
Mike will speak
to us about
INTERNET MARKETING.
The
President’s Page
October 2011
From
what I’ve heard, our October SASP
meeting went well. I’m sorry I was not
able to be there, but I was confident that Bob, Robert, and others would step
up and conduct our monthly gathering with skill and aplomb. I understand that they did just that.
To
begin, we should thank Victor Bobb of
I
understand that we also welcomed Scott Leadingham and Young Kwak from the Inlander, who were there to do a feature
article about our group. Hopefully that
write-up will appear in a near future issue of that weekly paper. [It’s already
out: Oct. 20 issue]
Based
on what has been received back, we did not have any guests attending as
potential new members, nor did we have anyone join or organization for the
first time. We did have bell-ringing
announcements from Molly Saty, Bob Weldin, James Parry, Bonnie McDade, and
Barbara Hollace. Molly announced a first
place win with Poetry Scribes. Bob has
edited his historical novel; The Dry
Diggin’s Club down to 128 thousand words and has passed it along to Ruth
Danner (our July speaker) for a final edit and polish. Evidently James has Book All the Teachers for
sale in e-book format. Sadly, no word of Bonnie’s or Barbara’s accomplishments
have reached me, but I join in ringing the bell and offering my
congratulations.
While
winners of specific door prizes were not recorded, those having tickets
matching those drawn were James Vasquez, Barbara Hollace, Chuck Lehman, John
Heffernan, and Gail Mangano. I hope you
all enjoy and are able to make use of your prizes.
As a
reminder, the calendar year is fast drawing to a close, which means that dues
will soon be due for 2012. Avoid the
rush and pay early. If you can’t attend
a meeting in the next few months, please send your $15.00 for another year’s
membership to: Spokane Authors and
Self-Publishers,
I’m
not sure if it was passed along or not, but the Spokane Club is holding their
annual Artisans’ Market Place on
Wednesday the 2nd of November, from 10 am until 3 pm. I never had an opportunity to discuss
participation by local authors in detail, but in those few times I did mention
the possibility, the initial response was quite favorable. If any of you are interested in attending and
selling a few of your books, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to call (509) 459-4239
and inquire. Several of you might
consider banding together to obtain a booth.
The only other thing I know is that the event is scheduled to be held in
the Georgian Ballroom at the Club. I
apologize for not having information about potential costs to participate.
With
that in mind, should we consider holding or sponsoring a book fair or book
signing sometime in the future? I have
in mind something akin to the mass signing many took part in at Hastings on
Wellesley a couple of years ago. My
vision is of an event patterned more after the Spokane Club’s Artisans’ Market
Place, but primarily for local authors.
While a book store would seem to be the ideal venue, perhaps other sites
would work just as well.
Over
the past few weeks I’ve received a small number of member biographies, and as
time permits I’m attempting to get them posted to the web-site. If you still haven’t sent yours to me, please
do so. I’ll try to get it on the site
with a minimum of delay. In addition, we
can always use reviews of members’ books to post on the site as well.
Lastly,
with the year winding down, it is time to begin thinking of leadership
positions for next year. While those of
us holding office are grateful for the confidence you show in us, I believe
that we all would like (and deserve) a bit of a break from the duties
entailed. We would welcome volunteers,
suggestions, or nominations for any of the offices now being held.
At
this time we have not finalized a speaker for November. Possibly we will have a presentation on
web-sites and web-site construction. If
that doesn’t pan out, we may simply hold an “open mic” session and share
snippets of our work with each other.
Write
on,
For What It’s Worth
Telephones. They sure have changed since Jimmy Cagney cranked one up and asked the operator to connect him to his “Ma” in The Public Enemy. For instance, just last week I drove to the AT&T store in Northtown to purchase a new cell phone. The very young salesman suggested I buy an iphone 4. I said, “Why an iphone 4; for that matter, what’s an iphone 4?”
With some disdain and condescension in his voice, he explained (using his salesman’s pseudo-enthusiasm): “This baby will take photos, even two minutes of video. It will replace your watch, but will be even better, having a built-in alarm clock, stop-watch, and calendar. You will find it also can be used as a notebook, scheduler, and stock-market reporter. In addition, it will hold and play 2,000 of your favorite songs. [I believe only 13 truly good tunes have ever been written.] The iphone 4 is a sender/receiver of mail, a direction-giver, and a news-and-weather reporter. It’s an atlas, a game center, a compass, an answering machine, an internet surfer, and, if you hold it over your head at night, it will tell you all about the stars and planets you are viewing. You can text. You can tweet. If that’s not enough, there are over 200,000 apps you can download. [What’s an app, and how do you download?] Ya gotta have one of these, dude. Look at all it can d!.”
“Yeah,” I replied, “but can it make phone calls?”
Jim
NEWS
Listed below are
acknowledgements of
member's 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
Unleashing
the Power of Social Media
Presented by Greg Pincus
Saturday, November 19, 2011
10:30am-3:30pm
Moran Prairie Library
6004 S. Regal St., Spokane, WA
$45 SCBWI members
$55 Non-members
Full details are posted at
http://www.scbwi.org/Regional-Chapters.aspx?R=81&sec=Events
Learn more about Greg at TheHappyAccident.net
<http://thehappyaccident.net>
Individual Consultations Available Friday Evening And Saturday Morning.
Greg will look at your web presence ahead of time and write up a
report for you, and then meet with you for 20 minutes to explain and answer
questions.
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.
Another Contest
We will run four
short story competitions in 2011. The deadlines will be the end of February,
May, August and November. Our
main writing competitions have an open theme with a 3,000 word limit. There are
three prizes to the top three winning writers of £100, £50 and £25. There will
also be the opportunity for the stories to be published on our website as well
as being recorded for broadcast on Brighton’s Coastway Hospital Radio, which
provides music and entertainment to a network of
The competition
is just four pounds to enter, via PayPal or cheque, and the competition is open
to writers worldwide. Stories can be submitted online along with payment or by
post with a cheque. We will notify all entrants of receipt of their story. Each
entry will be judged impartially and be read at least twice in full before
judging decisions are made.
We are planning
some fun free to enter contests too.
Our first is a flash fiction- 250 word limit. Deadline 31st January
2011. Five song titles are on the site as themes. Three ten pound prizes and
publication on site.
Thank you
Andrew
Campbell-Kearsey info@brightoncow.co.uk
(The COW part
stands for Community of Writers)
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 format is changed
somewhat.
Publishing Accomplishments
It has happened! James Bartlett Parry’s thrilling memoir, BOOK ALL THE TEACHERS! is now available
in e-book format. It can be purchased
through Amazon.com for your Kindle,
through Barnes and Noble for your Nook,
or from other sites for weird reading devices.
It’s not
just for teachers.
It’s for
anyone who has suffered through junior high/middle school.
It’s for
anyone who has ever been 13.
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
A New
Publishing Company
Hello
My name is Bob Griffin. I have just
started
a small publishing company that will be
publishing fantasy, science fiction and
horror stories. If anybody is interested in submitting
their works of fiction, please visit us at