Spokane Authors

“The Spokane Authors fall activities are shaping up to be even better than ever. We have a new Meeting Place – Old Country Buffet at 5504 North Division – that should satisfy everyone’s palate. We think that their Meeting Room is large enough to accommodate our biggest group plus new members. Many new speakers that will enlighten and impress the most discriminating of us are lining up for the fall and winter schedule.

We are still riding that bubble of euphoria on what an interest SASP has generated locally. We all think we have hit on a real need in the area and are looking forward to all those bigger and better things that come in a good organization exchanging ideas and helping each other.

Don’t forget the first meeting date is Friday, 10 September, at 11:30 a.m. at the Old Country Buffet. See you there.”

As Chuck noted above, SASP will now be meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the FIRST THURSDAY of the month (except September, when we meet Friday the 10^th) at THE OLD COUNTRY BUFFET, 5504 NO. DIVISION. We made the change to accommodate our growing membership.

You’ll find us in the Meeting Room at the back of the restaurant, just behind the dessert and salad area. The price for the all-you-can-eat buffet is $5.99 plus tax, or $5.39 plus tax for seniors who have a discount card. If you just want coffee, cost is $1.50.

Just come by at 11:30 as usual, buy your lunch ticket, and come on back to the Meeting Room for our 11:30 to 12 noon Social Hour, followed by lunch and our program.

Dan, SASP founder and two-book author, has been doing a lot of research on the ins and outs of copyrights on the ‘Net. He’ll share his findings with us. Thanks, Dan, for doing the hard work for us!

Elmer, SASP founder and author who has just published the second edition of Those Navy Guys and their PBY’s, recorded the process of printing/folding/binding his books. We’ll have a unique chance to see a true-to-life, behind-the-scenes look at how a commercial, small press printer gets the job done!

The SASP Newsletter is published by SASP for the information and benefit of its members. Editor: Lee C. Dominey.

Please send your contributions to leedominey@gntech.net or to 2128 East 14^th Avenue, Spokane 99202. Fax: (509) 534-8254

Thursday, November 4: Virginia White on the Senior Writers’ Workshop Anthology

Virginia - author, columnist, feature writer and teacher - is know to most of us through her Community College classes for Senior Writers. (She’s also been teaching women’s’ studies at Eastern since 1977.) She’s putting together an anthology of writings from her CC students, and will be accepting manuscripts from students (and former students) until mid October. The Anthology will be published through the CC Foundation.

Virginia, who is well experienced in self-publishing, will talk about what it takes to get a book published, what it’s like to work with other authors, and whatever else strikes her fancy!

Thursday, December 2: Tony & Suzanne Bamonte on their new book, Inland Northwest

Tony & Suzanne recently published a very successful and beautiful book on the history of Manito Park, and now have their newest one hot of the presses… They’ll be giving us a preview, sharing some fascinating facts they’ve learned, and leaving time to answer our questions.

“To be a self published author involves more than long hours with paper and pen, or staring at the screens of our word processors, waiting for inspiration. Even when we think we have accomplished our literary goal, we still have to sell books! Eventually, we are going to have to talk about ourselves and our projects.

At our June Book Fair Meeting, many of us took the opportunity to present our completed and future works. The variety of interests represented in our organization never cease to amaze me.

From time to time, we hope to feature individual members at our regular meeting so they can develop their presentation skills in front of a friendly audience. No one will critique your approach or make any criticism, but I’m sure there’ll be a lot of questions. We all learn from each other – that is what this group is about.

If you would like to be one of our program speakers, please let us know well enough in advance so we can get you on the schedule…”

It’s with regret that SASP has accepted the resignation of Joe Meiners as Treasurer. He did a great job and we thank him! As your new Treasurer (Oh, Chuck, you smooth talking devil, you!), I’m happy to report that our bank balance - before this newsletter mailing - was just over $200. This money comes from member annual dues (and contributions) and is used for mailings, name tags, and whatever else it takes for the smooth running of our organization.

You’ll find on the enclosed roster that we have noted 1999 paid memberships. If you have paid and we didn’t note it, just let us know! If you would like to become a member, we have a special year-end rate of just $2.50. I’ll be glad to take your money at the next fall meeting! As always, we welcome guests and by no means are in the business of dunning people for money!

SASP was established by four self-published authors in the Spokane area, Chuck O’Connor, Elmer Freeman, Joe Meiners and D Volmer. They wanted to share with others their interests in writing, producing and publishing their own books.

The first public meeting of the group was held in early November 1998, with subsequent meetings held on the first Monday of each month. It is the wish of the founders that SASP members – by sharing their experience, expertise and resources – may benefit by their mutual interest and association.

Membership is open to authors, poets, artists, illustrators, photographers or others who have self published their work, are in the process of doing so, or have in interest in self-publishing. Annual dues for members, payable each January, are $5.00. Guests are always welcome at the monthly luncheon meetings, which are held September through June.

. For more information, please contact: Chuck O’Connor at (509) 466-5516 or Dan Vollmer at (509 924-3702.